Finding a great shoe that hasn’t thrown up all over the hooves of every girl in Gotham (and sometime girls) is like grabbing the brass ring. Either you can give a kidney for a Lanvin or Louboutin or hand Steve Madden $120 to show solidarity with shoe socialism. Good enough for most times, but to break up the monotony, where to turn? Where can one find a stylish and distinctive foot piece?

Something well made, well priced, available in smaller quantities, and prompts complete strangers to openly and brazenly break the 2nd and 10th Commandments.

Fly to Europe and pick out some cobbled wonders by local leather mavens. Or pay a visit to the Pixie Market on Stanton Street and check out the house label, Maud. The small selection of shoes are made in Portugal from Italian leather and are selling their sophomore collection($179-$195)- still under the radar, only available in one shop, and not more than a month’s rent. Sounds like a miracle on Stanton Street.