Mary Jane Monday: French Connection 'June'

This unusual style from French Connection is a rare example of a shoe with a 'spiked' heel I actually rather like. The overall balance of the style works well, and the extra straps would presumably provide decent purchase for wrenching your foot out when it's trapped in a pavement crack or gutter.

Jokes aside, this is a cute shoe, and French Connection have recently slashed its price. I love the roundness of the shoe itself, the peachy soft interior fabric and the warm suede outer. Available in black or plum.

£44 (was £110) at French Connection

Bargain Tuesday: Dolce Vita platform sandal

Sure, you're not going to be able to have the pleasure of strutting around in these sizeable platforms for, oh, a good few months yet, but the stylish tend to plan ahead, and these sandals will absolutely be in style once the layers start coming off this summer.

The neutral shades will make for easy peasy matching, and the basic, gladiator-lite style is a summer staple. Best of all these shoes have been reduced from a lofty £125 to just £30, so while you'll have to save your gloating for the warmer months, it'll be a pleasure well worth the wait!

£30 at ASOS

Mary Jane Monday: Office 'Strapping Lass' pumps

Here's a great chance to buy some unusual and striking-looking Mary Jane pumps for the princely sum of just £15. Office still has quite a few sizes left in this style, so if you're looking for something to wear with your skirts in the spring, these python-effect pumps could be just the thing.

I like the way the snake pattern has been used to cover the shoe all over, which is somehow more of a novelty than just applying it to the straps or trim. The spiderweb effect created by the straps is also a lot of fun and would definitely suit wearers of a Gothic persuasion.

£15 (was £65) at Office

Look what we found in the sales...

Some of the best bargains I've seen post-Christmas have been in the shoe department, and much as I'm resolving not to spend unwisely in 2010, I've already seen some great deals that would be far from unwise. As long as, you know, I continue to save money by not drinking too much - and some of these fabulous styles here won't set you back much more than a round of drinks in certain establishments I could name now they've been reduced!

Here are a few of our top buys for January...

1. Jones the Bootmaker 'Nessa' in blue suede, was £89 now £39 at Jones

2. Abandon 'Poppy' Chrome peep-toe heels. Was £40, now £20 at USC

3. Red patent zip-front shoe boots: was £38, now £29 at Dorothy Perkins

4. Topshop 'Locket 2' frill sandal was £68 now £30 at Topshop

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs blue suede wedge booties, was £289 now £188 at Farfetch

6. Kors by Michael Kors 'Mogul' boots. Was £215, now £150 at Koodos

5 Designer discounts: ASOS Sale

ASOS kicked off their sale before Christmas (like half of the rest of the high street) but there's plenty of bargains still waiting to be snatched up.

Instead of heading for the usual ASOS section, try the designer section which has huge discounts on some high end brands.

Take these Bourne Lace-Up Peep Toe Heeled Brogue Shoes on the right. They've been reduced from £130 to £65.

Here's 4 more designer discounts to keep an eye out for.

Bargain of the Week: £9 heels at M&S

Nope, there isn't a digit missing from that figure: these shoes really are on sale at a reality-checking £9 over at M&S, home of some of the most well disguised sensible shoes in the land.

The trendy tie-front style shoes are from the Limited Collection, which always has its finger firmly on the pulse of fashion. With a low-cut front and sophisticated buckle tie, they'd look great paired with contrasting colour tights. If you want to benefit from this offer, the term 'hurry while stocks last' has never been more pressing!

£9 at Marks & Spencer

Pick up a shoe bargain in the early sales

The high street seems to kick their January sales off earlier and earlier each year. Which gives you a couple of days to pick up a last minute bargain pair for a Christmas present.

Here's a round up of the best of the sales:

> Dorothy Perkins: They're offering up to 50% off their clothing and shoes, including the Luxe range of shoes. The Luxe black 'Cannes' shoes are now £45, down from £60.

> Evans: Another high street store offering 50% off, including these classic black boots that fit a wider calf for only £30 (down from £45)