From left: Peep Toe Heels from Sam Edelman, $81 (originally $135); Carmen Psych flats from Sam Edelman, $55.80 (originally $93); Elsie booties from Pour La Victoire, $155.40 (originally $259), all at Veruca Salt.

Hey folks! Sorry I was away from the blog for a few weeks. I was very busy eating bratwurst and trying not to spend all of my money on clothes from awesome German designers in Berlin! Hope everyone had a good holiday.

So if you have some holiday money to burn -- or if all of your shoes and boots now have those horrible salt stains from running around in the slush and snow -- here's where to find some savings on footwear (let me know if you find something!):

-- Save big on flats, booties and more at Shopverucasalt.com (shoes shown above). Also, stop by the Veruca Salt boutique in person at 1921 N. Damen for up to 70 percent off select merchandise (including fun party dresses if you need a last minute New Year's Eve dress!).

-- Get 50 percent off shoes and boots at Sensual Steps, 4518 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago. Sale goes through January 9.

-- Head over to The Dressing Room Shoes, 4657 N. Lincoln in Chicago (shown below), during all of January for 20 to 75 percent off on winter shoes

Join White Attic, a beautiful shop that offers re-colored and re-invented antique and vintage furniture, for a grand opening party from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at its new location at 1842 N. Damen in Bucktown. (The original White Attic is in Andersonville at 5225 N. Clark). At the party, get 10 percent off all dressers, credenzas, chairs and lamps. Enjoy some light refreshments and "nibbly bits."

Owner Terry Ledford on the vintage 1960s chair shown above: "I had the chair reupholstered using new fabric I sourced. I will be doing this going forward -- finding vintage upholstered pieces, choosing new fabrics and having them reupholstered. I love taking older pieces and making them new!"

Ledford on the accessories below: "All of the items were also from the 1960s. We hand sanded each piece to remove the finish and then use a satin varnish on the casing and latex paint to paint out the fronts."

Get 20 percent off select holiday shoe styles during the entire month of December at The Dressing Room Shoes, 4657 N. Lincoln in Chicago. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Go next door to The Dressing Room, 4635 N. Lincoln, for Secret Santa Saturdays & Sundays. During every weekend in December, when you check out, you can choose your own discount out of Santa's hat. You'll always have a chance to win gift certificates. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

I wrote a post a few days ago about a wine event at Matilda, 3101 N. Sheffield, tonight. It's cancelled, but the bar will be hosting a New Belgium Beer & Food pairing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 10th. The evening will start with Sunshine wheat, progressing by weight through Mothership Wit, Fat Tire, 2 Below and 1554 Black Ale. Appetizers will accompany these fine ales. $30 per person (New Belgium glassware included).

You must reserve ahead of time by calling (773) 883-4400.