$100 Shoes for $13

I'm not opposed to spending $100 on . Heels for work that provide ample support for your back, won't require any resoling and can work with multiple outfits are worth the splurge. But sometimes, there are impulse buys that you can't help but to want even when you know it's not a smart idea.

That's how I have been with the Steve Madden I-Dentfy rhinestoned black ballet flats. They're $99 retail and would be perfect for holiday parties when you're either hosting and having to run around or for throwing in your bag when your party shoes start hurting (like on New Year's Eve when you have to stand for hours). They come in several different styles, but I liked the understated few rhinestones over the completely covered style. 

The other day when I was shopping and eyeing them again, it occurred to me that these would be super easy for a DIY project. After all, I spent the majority of my childhood in rhinestoned dance costumes. I was able to recreate the $100 shoes for less than $15. 

I got the flats for $4.50 on a BOGO sale at . They had bows that were easily removed. I also think that these would make adorable hostess gifts if you bought a more slipper-style shoe. I also considered getting the shoes that roll up into a bag to take with me to holiday parties. 

The glue was $3 at  I got the stuff we used to glue rhinestones on dance costumes. It's called E-6000 and kept rhinestones on sweaty dance shoes so it should hold on the flats.

If you're going to do this, splurge a little on the real Swarovski rhinestones. That's what's on the Steve Madden shoes and makes the difference between looking like a kid's project and looking like the real deal. Plus, the sparkle under lights will look so much better. The set I used was on sale for $6 at Michael's, but you could easily get two pairs out of the 100-count pack I got. 

Total cost for this project: $13.50 but that includes enough glue for multiple pairs and enough rhinestones for at least two pairs.

Tips:

• Don't put the glue directly on the shoes. Pour some out on a paper plate and then make small dots with a cotton swab that you've broken in half. Use the stick end to make the dots because it's the perfect size.
  
• Once you're done, wait for them to dry then clean off the glue strings with tweezers. 
  

The only downside to this project is that now I want to rhinestone all of my shoes for the holidays.