{ a blog all about the love of shoes }
June 25, 2011 
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Great footwear for the beach revolves around casual comfort, but don’t forget to pay attention to the details. Simple shoes for surfside strolling can be bought in styles that look good both on and off the boardwalk. Here are some seasonal favorites that are sure to keep your feet happy throughout endless amounts of sand, surf, and sunshine.
New Heights
If you can’t stay away from heels, a pair of graduated platforms is a great option for a beach-friendly shoe that can still give you a boost. A pair of sandals with a low platform and a gripping sole can still be worn on hard-packed sand and pavement. Who says you can’t mix in some glamour when you’re at the beach? Better yet, they can easily transition to a beach-side restaurant for a dinner after a day in the surf.
Casual Comfort
If you’re looking for beachwear that differs from the standard plastic flip-flop, sandals with horizontal cross-foot straps instead of the between-the-toe thong are an excellent alternative. Better yet, ones made from genuine leather actually stay cooler when you’re in the bright summer sun. Once they’re cool and comfortable, your feet will thank you for your beach-friendly footwear choice.
Just Add Water
These shoes are not for someone who likes to watch from the sidelines. Made for the adventurous at heart, neoprene sandals can be worn in all kinds of surf. Their high-performance materials and molded soles make them ideal for exploring the water first hand. If you want something more substantial for hopping into the waves, look for sneaker-type shoes that stay on your feet through a series of zigzagging elastic straps. Jambu, known for its fun color combinations, makes a style with a toggle closure that makes their water-friendly shoes great for wearing straight into the ocean.
Anchors Away
Simple canvas or leather boat shoes are the ideal option for adding some nautical flavor to your outfit. (We love the classic style from Old Navy.) Their prominent stitching, easy-grip soles, and variety of crisp colors make boat shoes a perennial favorite of seafarers everywhere. Choose a solid color, or opt for a funky pattern to veer away from tradition. No matter what style you choose, your boat shoes are sure to make a splash with whatever you wear.
Mei Sawyer
Mei Sawyer is an internationally published fashion journalist.
April 5, 2011 Comments (0)
When we’re on that shoe hunting adventure, so many of us reach for the sky-high platforms and crazy colors. But what about practicality? What about comfort? What about shoes that can go from day to night to work to weekend? Flats, my friends, are the answer. Here’s a look at the flat styles you need in your shoe wardrobe to ensure you have a comfy option for almost any occasion.
Work Flats
We all need flats to get us through the work week. We suggest that at the very least you purchase one pair that’s neutral enough to wear with almost anything, and one pair that packs a punch of color. When choosing a neutral color, black is always a favorite, (and the Bow style from Marc Joseph is a must) but shades of gray can be just as versatile. And when it’s time to get colorful, think hues of red or blue. These shades can add a pop of color to an otherwise drab outfit. Read more »
March 24, 2011 Comments (0)
Do you suffer from one of these “rude shoe” habits? You might not even know you’re committing one of these no-nos, but they can impact your image and even your job!
Clunky Wooden Heels
You may love the look of a wooden-heeled pair of shoes, but they can be so noisy on linoleum break-room floors or hardwood floors. (You want to look fabulous, but you definitely don’t want to be the girl who makes that clop-clop-clop noise all around the office.)
Solution: Look for wooden heels that also feature a thin rubber pad to soften your step. And like mom always said, remember to pick up your feet when you walk.
Smelly Shoes
I once worked in an office in an extremely cold part of the U.S. Due to the low temperatures, many of my co-workers usually slipped off the heavy boots they wore to the office and wore booties and slippers while sitting at their desks during the day.
Take an office that’s got the heater blasting, plus multiple pairs of musty boots, and you can imagine the less-than-favorable environment that surfaced from time to time. One offender would leave the office smelling almost like a men’s locker room!
Solution: Rotate your shoes to prevent the bacteria from thriving in that hot environment they love so much. Or at the very least, lock the old boots up in that bottom drawer of your desk.
Out-of-Season Eyesore
It’s hard to work in face-to-face customer relations as it is, but when you’re wearing out-of-season footwear, it’s even harder. White leather pumps in the dead of winter will look strange with a black suit, and it can be off-putting to co-workers and style-conscious customers. Those pumps aren’t exactly ideal for the weather conditions, either.
Dressing appropriately for your job is a small, but extremely important, way to help push you up that corporate ladder. So make sure that your style has flair, but is appropriate for the season.
Solution: Buy styles that can take you from one season to the next. Classic black ballet flats will see you through spring, summer, and most of the fall, while low-heeled boots can typically be worn from fall to early spring.
Shoe Pain on the Job
Have you ever worked with someone who complained that her feet hurt? Whether you’re simply making the rounds in the office or hitting the road on assignment, don’t drag co-workers down because you’re fending off blisters and painful sores. Wearing shoes that are good for unexpected scenarios will keep you from being a “pain” to your office buddies.
Solution: When you get a new pair of shoes, test them out. Walk around the house, out to the mailbox, even to the grocery store. This will let you know if they’re comfortable enough to handle your 9-5.
Any other rude shoe issues that bother you? If you work in an office, you can probably come up with one or two… list them below!
Meieli Sawyer
June 20, 2010 Comments (0)
When faced with a weekend at my parents, I packed conservatively and opted to bring just three pairs of shoes – sneakers (for the workouts I would inevitably blow off), a pair of flats for pacing around the stores with my mom (which is workout enough!) and a pair of nude, peep-toe pumps to wear… well, with just about everything else.
When a last-minute BBQ was thrown by some old friends, all clothing choices pointed to wearing the pumps. Cut to 20 minutes into the party and I’m alternating between aerating their brand new lawn with my stiletto heels or standing on my tip toes and teetering precariously.
The bottom line? If ever there was a case for having a great wedge on hand, this was it!
A great basic wedge – not too casual, not too dressy – would have been the Maribel by Merona, which is soft, fun and won’t have you sinking into the grass any time soon. Another, slightly dressier number, is the Vista by Daniblack, which features a slightly dressier patent leather upper and basket-weave detailing on the wedge heel.
May 1, 2010 Comments (0)
Back in the day, a party used to mean strapping on a pair of heels and getting ready to hit the dance floor with my gal pals. These days, however, the parties in my life have taken on a completely different tone. Where there was once wild and wonderful 21st birthday parties, there is now bridal showers, 30th birthday parties (surprise or otherwise!) and even a few baby showers of late. Another big change? Now I’m the host!
But when you’re hosting in your own home, it’s not exactly the appropriate occasion for a pair of sky-high stilettos. Often times you’re chef, bar tender, bell man (and perhaps even bouncer!) and coat check attendant. The bottom line? You’re going to be on your feet and hot-stepping it all over your humble abode for most of the evening.
Sure, you could go the super-casual route and simply go barefoot, but depending on the tone of your party, going sans shoes just might not be appropriate. The following are a few tips for picking out the perfect hostess with the most-est shoes:
April 17, 2010 Comments (0)
Do you fix your own shoes? There are a lot of little touches that you can actually do yourself to prolong the life of your shoes, and keep them as attractive as the day you bought them. Don’t run to the cobbler for every little thing — here are some ways to spruce up your shoes.
Polishing: We’ve lost the art of leather polishing, but you can bring it back again with a simple kit and a buffing cloth. Collect a few shoe leather polishes and keep them on hand for scuffs, and you’ll find yourself having to visit the cobbler less frequently for the full shoe clean-and-upgrade than you used to.
Leather Tears and Repairs: There are special leather adhesives and gums that can be used to fix that annoying leather tearing and scratching that can occur on the back of heels as the tips wear down. With a small pair of scissors, a file, and the right adhesive, you can repair marks on your shoes that you thought were nearly unfixable. Buff your shoes after for the best effect.
Replacing Heel Tips: You can replace a heel tip on your own, after buying a set of heel tips online. Use pliers to remove the tip and the pin, and then position the tip on the heel and hammer the pin right into the shoe. You can also hit the shoe down onto a block of wood to get the pin firmly into your heel spike, and you’ll save a lot of money in the long run. Check YouTube for tutorials and tips on where to buy replacement heel tips. Read more »
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