Hey all - just received an email of a grand opening sale of online shoe store, gumshoe.com. They're a Bay Area store that only recently opened online, and they're offering a 20% off coupon for online orders until May 15th. They carry Crocs, Pedipeds, See Kai Run, Umi, Ecco, Geox and more.
Free shipping too on all shoes, so this is a great deal - especially if you are looking to get an extra pair of Crocs or other sandals for your kids for the summer. Use coupon code GRAND OPENING to receive the 20% discount.
Finally its warm enough for shorts and t-shirts... and that weather means we can bust out our favorite sandals. Unfortunately, this fact brought about a bucket of tears over the weekend.
In putting away all of the clothing that was too small for my kids, I happened upon Wes' (age 2) beloved purple sandals from last summer. Yes, I'm talking about a he and shoes that are purple. Officially labeled "storm", they arrived and the hus and I shared a look. But all the same, once he put them on last summer, we just couldn't deter him, convince him or bribe him that any other standals were quite as great. A sueded pair with a roomy toe area and lots of support, they withstand all types of weather. The favored purple shoes (Keen Kids Venice, available in Toddler & Youth) wore well, through all types of elements (standing, jumping, toddling, running, water and sun.) So, while still a purple-y storm and very wearable after 5 months of hard wear, it was finally time (sorry, Wes) to move on--yes, your feet did get bigger.
Thankfully, last year I also got a few pair of Keen Newports that were too big for my kids. So when he faced reality that the Venices were out of the question, we had a solution! I actually picked these up as an experiment. My older son who had a small fine motor delay desparately wanted some sandals he could wear at school, which meant closed-toes. And nearly all closed-toed shoes required fine-motor skills in the "secure-fit lace capture system." What I found was, though the system was a challenge to learn, he was still able to pull his Newports on and off, without using it. These shoes also happen to have non-marking soles, which is a feature that I would seriously pay extra for. Oh, and they're comfortable. Even better? They're available for kids and adults, so we can all play in comfortable sandals this summer.
The Newports are on sale at Rugged Bear for $31.95. The Venice's have been upgraded to a Venice H2 and now have a closed back and great new colors. Wesley's favorite purple (storm) Venice shoes are still available at Zappos, along with other colors (pincone, crocus, and powder, aka brown, pink and blue).
Hey guys - meant to blog this yesterday. Stride Rite began it's buy one get one half off sale yesterday. Now that I'm typing, I'm wondering if this is national or local to Philly so if it's not national, some non-Philly type can email me or post on our message boards to let me know and I can make a note here.
But check out your local Stride Rite just in case - it's a great sale and a good time to stock up on summer sandals and shoes. I know that around here, it runs from April 1-15th.
My personal favorite are these TT Argo Sneaker/Sandals. I got a pair for Nate last year and they were fantastic for summer camp. They ask for sneakers only at camp but when it's the dead of summer, it's hard to convince your child to put on socks and heavy sneakers. These ones from Stride Rite were perfect as they are sandal-y but closed-toe. I bought two more pairs this year - one for Cole and another in a larger size for Nate. I also notice they have them in pink for girls.
I love this photo that I took of Cole yesterday. It's hard to see at this size but he has the cutest expression on his face.
Anyway, I also wanted to share because his new shoes were just perfect for Easter and for the outfit - and everyone was commenting on them so of course I had to share here.
They are the See Kai Run "London" shoe and I got them at My Little Ducks. Even more adorable in person. I was afraid they'd dirty quickly too given the off-white color but he's worn them a few times and so far so good; they're holding up well and staying clean.
You can use coupon code MWS10 for 10% off your order of a pair of those, other See Kai Runs or other goods on the My Little Ducks site.
(And if anyone else is curious, the rest is from the Gap. His older brother was wearing the matching vest.)
I thought this was such a funny picture, I just had to share. We got this new pair of shoes for Nate from Stride Rite. He calls them his "Rocket Shoes," although I have no idea why as there aren't any rockets or anything even remotely resembling rockets anywhere on them. They're actually from Stride Rite's new "Superball" line and they have 13 bouncy balls on the base of the shoes.
This is the model he's wearing - the Superball 13 Alternative Closure, and if Nate were doing this review, he'd tell you all that these shoes make him "jump super high!"
They're available from a size US 10.5 up.
By the way, yes, I actually snapped this picture from my iPhone when he was laying in the dentist chair last week. I'm sure I'll get an earful about this photo later in life.
Some exciting news: Pediped started selling shoes for the older crowd last week. Dubbed Pediped "Flex," they're for ages 2-5+ (sizes US 6-12). This is really exciting news for us because their traditional shoe (soft-soled baby shoe - the "Originals") only goes to 24 months and we're not long for wearing these shoes anymore.
I'm thrilled to have an option as my toddler grows out of the Originals. You can view the entire line of new designs here (I'm all over the Camo and the Jake for Cole!)
Cool features include:
They're still really flexible which is great for little growing feet
Each heel has a shock absorbing cushion
The "Flex" system means that each pair of shoes comes with 2mm insoles. You can customize the shoes to fit your child - stick in the insoles when the shoes are a little big... take them out as their feet grows, allowing you to customize a perfect fit (and allowing the shoes to last longer)
"Mom, watch me jump!" Jump. "Mom, watch me jump again!" Jump. "Hey Mom, did you see how high I jumped?!" Jump.
No, Carson isn't wearing springs and he's not bouncing on a pogo stick, he's just wearing his newest pair of stylin' shoes, Martin by Eleven. His pair are very vintage in a blue suede with a velcro closure. So simple for him to take on and off (which for a four-year-old is a very good thing!)
The shoes are L.I.G.H.T. Really. I'm thinking a bag of feathers against this on a scale could be a close competition. The rubber soles are, of course, the cushioned bouncy part. I asked Carson why he loved bouncing so much? How it feels? "It feels good." Prying for more, I asked, "When you jump really high, does it sting your feet when you land?" "No, Mom," he replied. "My feet bounce." "Like landing on pillows?" I questioned. "Yeah, or jumping on my bed." Which made for a quick change in direction to a discussion of not following the rules. But I digress.
Eleven, a sister company to See Kai Run, makes shoes for bigger kids. I'm very impressed with the originality of the line in their unique and bright colors and combinations, as well the kid-friendliness of the shoes. They're wearable, they're take-on/take-off able. And they're wonderful for the bigger kids feet. One of my favorite features is the padded collar, which the SKRs have as well. There's nothing worse than a blister on the back of the foot, and the padding in this area eliminates this opportunity. The shoes are also extremely flexible which is so important because as all parents of preschoolers know, kids need to run and play... and JUMP in their shoes. Shoes that offer support with strong heels and ankles, minor arches (you still don't want a big arch as the foot of a child of this age group is still forming on its own) and a strong, cushioned sole are exactly what we as parents are looking for. The people at Eleven did their research and came up with a winning design.
In my never-ending search for adorable kid’s shoes, my latest find are hip soft soled shoes for my 9-month old. We received the “Skulls” shoes in black/white (which also come in pink/black) and it has made my son even more hip! The shoes feature embroidered skulls on soft canvas and feature a discreet piece of elastic above the heel designed to help keep the shoes on – an issue with all of our other soft-soled shoes! A nylon heel pull with reinforced stitching is provided to aide in getting shoes on and off in seconds. The sole is made of soft, non-slip canvas with a thin foam cushion insert. The inside of the shoe is fully lined with 100% cotton fabric. On the bottom of one of the soles it says, “Caution!! Makes Wide Turns,” which is perfect for my crawling tot. These shoes are really cool! Sizes are available in small, which is approximately for 3-6 month olds with a shoe size of 1-2, and in medium, which is for 6-12 month olds with a shoe size of 3-4.
I love Bobux for their buttery-soft wide soft-sole shoes. In fact, if you have a child with rrreeeeaaaallllyyyy wide feet, 9 times out of 10, I recommend Bobux. And now they're having a sale. A big sale.
Shop now and save up to 35% on discontinued products, while supplies last. Use code 020815 to save an additional 15% through February 29, 2008.
You've heard the rumors, you've waited somewhat patiently. And, finally, today is the big day. The day Robeez takes 2 big steps and introduces their newest brand: Robeez Tredz.
In case you're not on the shoe-dar, Robeez, a top producer of soft-soled shoes for babies, announced recently that they were working to create a new brand--outdoor training shoes. Titled Tredz, these shoes have a rubber sole, rather than soft leather. But, no fear, they are nearly as flexible and pliable: you can bend them in half with just 2 fingers.
Sure, there are other companies that make rubber-soled, flexible, toddler shoes. A brief description of the uniquenees of the new Tredz:
Cute designs that are a wee more "big kiddish" than the soft-soled (more below)
The favored elasticized ankle design grew up from the soft-soled. While it doesn't wrap all the way around the ankle, the back of the shoe ankle is elastic. And as toddler mama's will soon learn, as the kids grow from ages 2-4, like the rest of their bodies, ankles may slim. The elastic allows for the shoes to fit this area no matter the ankle width. It also makes for less ridgity along the heel and ankle. (read: a whole lot less chance of a painful blister!)
Adjustable fasteners. Our pair are velcro: but note that the velcro on these shoes is THICK and strong. Kids this age LOVE to "adjust" their own Velcro, and a 2 year old has a much harder time "adjusting" the Tredz than some of his other shoes. As an alternative, some of the boys' shoes have an elastic fastener. Notice that these are attached to the shoe, so there can't be much unfastening, they'll stay firmly on his feet.
Cushioned insoles. These kids are learning to jump, causing feet and knees to take a lot of strain. The cushions on Tredz offer protection their little siblings didn't have.
BREATHABLE, MOVEABLE, FLEXIBLE. As always, this is the key to a little one's shoe. Its has to be ultra-flexible. Children's shoes must move with a growing foot, not sandwich them in. In fact, if a childs' shoes don't have flexibility and room for growth, their feet won't form naturally. Of course the makers of Tredz are very aware of this, they created a shoe for natural growth and safety.
Tredz sizing is a bit different than most shoes because Robeez is allowing for a lot of growth over the year of toddling. Tredz come in three sizes: 12-16 months, 16-20 months and 20-24. That said, please print out their sizing chart before ordering. We found the shoes to be very generously sized. In fact, our 29 month old is wearing the 20-24 month shoes, with room to spare. I imagine they'll last through the spring, and perhaps through the summer. (For what its worth, he's a 7.5 shoe size, nearly an 8.)
They're cute, too! They have all the style of Robeez soft-soles that makes them toe-toys for the kids, while parents adore coordinating outfits around the shoes. Amongst the Tredz variety, you'll find traditional trainers, Mary Janes and Sandals, as well as motifs of construction trucks, dinosaurs, birdies and flowers, to name just a few. With 16 to choose from, and more due out before summer, you may *sigh* find yourself adding more than one to the cart.
But that's okay! Because when you spend over $75, you'll get free shipping. By-the-way, if your Toddler or Preschooler is still, like mine, treading between soft-sole and the new Tredz, make sure you check out the limited edition shoes in the collector's corner. Because, as you know, when they're gone, they're gone.
Thanks to Lisa, owner of Picadil.com for sending over this great deal. Endless.com is currently running a great promotion - they have their negative $5 overnight shipping going on right now. Put something in your cart, select overnight shipping and they subtract $5 off your order. (Not bad, right?)
Anyway, on top of that, many of the Robeez are currently marked down to $20.77 - so with overnight shipping they are only $15.77 Stock up!
Just a few weeks ago, we told you about the adorable new kids shoes, Rileyroos. Through December 24, enter HOLIDAY 2007 in the comments section on the credit card information page (not the coupon code area) to receive 25% off, plus free shipping.
Ok, so we all know that I am a shop-a-holic! But did you know I am a shoe-a-holic as well? When my son was born, I started realizing there were way less cute things to purchase for him than I did when my daughter was born. She has so many pairs of shoes! So when we had a boy six months ago, my husband was thrilled that I wouldn’t be buying nearly as many shoes for my son or so he thought! After all, my son isn’t even near walking yet, so why buy any type of shoe for him? Well, first of all, here in the Northeast, it is starting to get cold and I don’t want my son’s piggies to get cold, hence the shoes. Second of all, I like matching shoes to different outfits. Call me crazy, but my son already has four pairs (all soft-soled of course)! So when I recently came across Heather’s Treasure Box, it was the perfect reason to get a fifth pair!
These adorable, cute, stylish hand-knit booties are available for baby boys and girls. My favorites are the Hockey Skates and Black High Tops for boys and the Ballet Slippers and Cowgirl Boots for girls, but there are many to choose from. I recently had my son in the Hockey Skates at an ice skating party for my niece and they were the hit of the party! Everyone wanted to know where I had gotten them and kept commenting how cute they were. I even had to put my son standing on the ice in them just so I could take a picture!
The booties have soles approximately 4-4 ½ inches from heel to toe, which will usually fit a baby from birth to 9 months. Interested in one of their booties but would prefer a different color? Contact them to let them know what you had in mind and they’ll let you know the availability! They welcome custom orders. Best of all the booties are machine washable!
To save 10% off of your order total, enter code MWS10 in the comment box at checkout and after your purchase you will then be refunded the 10% back. Offer valid through December 31, 2007.
We recently got a pair of the Lars boots from Vincent -- they're high top boots/shoes that I imagine will be great with the winter coming. I can just see these being the shoe of choice on snowy days - which is just fine by me, they're water-resistant and have double velcro straps for easy on and off.
Use coupon code MWS-HOLIDAY for 20% off the Lars or any other shoes on the Vincent Shoe site. There's tons to pick from for the holidays too - love the Amanda for girls, the James for boys.
Julie's done an amazing job rounding up a list of great products for baby this holiday season. And she doesn't stop with baby! Check out our Baby Shoes special and scroll down for a bonus list of some great shoe websites that you can find shoes this season for yourself and other family members.
This Holiday Picks Page is sponsored by Vincent Shoes. Use coupon code MWS-HOLIDAY for 20% off your order of everything on the site.
A fairly new product in the soft-soled shoes world, Rileyroos have a little something different. Their soles have small areas of rubber, cushioning the foot in all the right spots. The rubber is framed in an ever-so-soft leather, which is hand-sewn to the top of the shoe, allowing for breath, movement and growth. Elastic laces enable additional growth and movement, and the shoes stay secure with a large velcro strap. Ankles and skin are protected by a thick, cushioned collar. Actually, Rileyroos really combine all my favorite soft-soled elements into one baby shoe.
A bit more for the narrow footed, Rileyroos are available in sizes 6-12 and 12-18 months, with 18-24 slated to arrive in the next few weeks. Select from a sharp and sporty shoe, cute and embellished, moccassin-style or Caters, boots that will keep babies toes super warm this winter.
Here's how me and my shoe habits go each summer into fall: I'll have spent the summer in several pairs of totally comfortable and carefree J Crew flip flops. They get wet at the pool, sand at the beach and generally worn down to the point that everyone around me is probably rejoicing then fall arrives and I have to wear something other than flip flops.
September will roll around and I'm forced to sadly put away the worn out (although comfortable) flip flops so I can go to closed toe. I usually start wearing fall shoes and end up with blisters, or I'll be uncomfortable in the least.
If I have to give up my comfy flip flops, I'm happy to at least turn to boots. Because I love boots for the fall. I've been shopping around and hadn't found anything I loved until I found this pair of boots - the Bristol boot - from Ecco. (yes, the same maker of children's shoes - I did not know they made for women & men as well.)
I thought these would be totally uncomfortable. I didn't care. I had one of those "I'm being totally irrational and wearing them anyway because they look hot" moments and walked out the door.
And I'm happy to report - they have to be the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned. Yes, even with that pointy heel. They're chic and comfortable -- what's not to love? The leather is really soft and pliable and if I can't wear flip flops through the snow, I'm appeased to wear these.
Shoes have come a long way since my older son was a baby. Despite the fact that he is only 3 years old, the selection of soft-soled shoes for infants are so much better now!
Sweet Shoes are hand-made, high-quality genuine suede leather shoes. Created by a California mother of three who was inspired by the beach culture and hip fashion, Sweet Shoes are comfortable and stylish. The foam layer between the sole and the insert make them developmentally appropriate and provide extra shock-absorption. Velcro straps allow you to easily put them on and take them off. And they are machine-washable and can be worn indoors or outdoors. Best of all, they are adorable, hip, and unique looking.
They are available in sizes 0-6, 6-12, and 12-18, in a number of adorable colors and styles. Make sure you check out the new styles coming out soon (including some hip styles for girls!) Purchase from Sweet Shoes retailer Care for the Kids and receive 10% off your entire order! Use code max1010.
FREE socks from Robeez! Plus! A preview of new shoes
Who says you can't get anything for free? For a limited time, Robeez is offering free matching socks with select Robeez soft-soled shoes. Just as adorable as the matching shoe, continue the theme to warm up the little one's feet with Robeez FREE scocks. They'll be free until they're gone, so grab a pair now!
As always, Robeez has too-cute designs for baby's too-cute feet. My little guy is getting a kick out of their rockin' new collection: Robeez Rocks, which feature some edgier designs. Coming to stores and online in October, your baby will rock with fire-hot guitars, a mean bulldog, tattoo'd feet and a dangerous little devil. I'm sure you'll agree that the detail on these is fantastic. I love the bright mix of colors and the fine cuts.
Wesley's Rockin' Robeez are the pair with guitars on the black shoe. Now, you all know what a soft-soled shoe fan I am, but, now that he is in school I have to admit that I've been buying more rubber-soled shoes. Today, Wes discovered this pair of Robeez in his room and there was no question what he'd be wearing today. We even went rainboot shopping and he refused to try on anything else. He was SO excited... showed everyone his new shoes andkept admiring the design and the colors. What's more, we went to a park for a playdate. He didn't just wear them, he climbed more comfortably than ever before. He was up ladders, running through fields, jumping, sliding down the slides without getting stuck, playing in the sand... you name it. Even at 2, we remain devoted to soft-soles!
My daughter recently received adorable Princess sneakers. Now I’m not talking about the sneakers with the princess characters on them that you can get at the mall.....I’m talking about a stunning pair of hand painted sneakers that have the name "Princess"! The Princess shoe is available in pink, purple or ivory, and the colors have matching glitter and Swarovski crystals on them. The shoelaces are made of matching ribbon and are adorned with a dangling pendant! My daughter loves wearing them and thinks they are comfortable and cute. Tadpoles Hand Painted Kids Shoes offers many other adorable designs for both girls and boys. The size chart is helpful in determining which size to order for your child.
Now, I can relate to Johanna, who started this business because she wanted to give her niece a pair of purple shoes for her second birthday to match a green and purple dress. When she looked everywhere but couldn’t find purple shoes to match, she decided to make her own! (Well.....I can at least relate to the wanting to find a specific shoe color to match a certain dress part not to the making of the shoe part.....I wish I was so talented!) If you’d prefer a custom hand painted design, just e-mail to discuss. Oh and Mommies.....don’t let your daughter or son have all of the cute shoes.....check out the beautiful hand painted Dr. Scholls sandals available in 11 different snazzy designs for women!
Free shipping is available starting today through Septmeber 1st, 2007.
Still Wearing Soft-Soles, and loving his "Mo-Mo" Elks
You all know how much I love soft-soled shoes. I am always so impressed by the adorable icons, the strength in the stitching, the buttery-soft leather; not to mention how good they are for growth. I have to say, I was afraid of withdraw when Wesley really started walking and wearing hard-soles.
Still, when offered a pair of Elk Shoes to review, I knew we had to test them. I originally saw them at a trade show last year and always remembered their characters to be so appealing. Plus, Wesley hadn't been in soft-soled shoes in some time, and I was interested to see his response now that he was used to hard-soles.
No surprise here, we weren't disappointed. Elk Shoes have a tighter elastic than many I've tested, and at first we had a tiny bit of trouble getting them over his heel. But I quickly learned to adjust my angle, and now they go on just like socks--without falling off later--no matter how active he is. The soft leather on the inside makes for very little of an imprint--showing little pressure. And, when given a choice, he keeps requesting to wear his "MoMo" shoes. ("MoMo" is monkey in our home, and the monkey shoes are one of Elk's biggest sellers.)
Being quite a bit more active, as an almost 2-year-old in the summer, our Elk's have seen quite a bit of recent action. They've been a surprising key to park days--a great alternative to mulch getting into his sandals. And the fact that they can be tossed in the wash (on gentle cycle) and then air-dried is fantastic--because my little man LOVES dirt.
Elk is newer to the market than some, but already they're making their way onto the feet of celebrities. Sean "Diddy" Combs' twins each have a pair of sweet pink Elks.
Available in sizes from newborn to 24 months, get free shipping on any retail order at Elk's website.
A friend emailed this tip over the weekend. She's been shopping on Endless.com for Robeez for her 6-month-old son. They're listed for $25.95, which is a decent price. But here's the cool catch, they SUBTRACT $5 at checkout. And they have free overnight shipping.
The overnight shipping/-$5 deal is listed on their homepage as a "special limited promotion" so shop now as I don't know how long it's good for.
They've got all sorts of kids shoes: Stride Rite, Pediped, Ecco and more. And they've got men and women's shoes too! Check it out: Endless.com.
Unique and adorable. I love things handpainted. In my house I have handpainted designs on somewalls, handpainted chests, handpainted armoirs and now I have handpainted shoes for my daughter. Mia just got her first pair of Snanimals. Hers are a pair of red sneakers with hand painted brown monkeys and bananas on the sides. They also sport these little twisty red laces. So cute. They are different than any other shoes in my daughter’s “shoe collection.” Snanimals shoes are offered in sneakers, mary janes, baby shoes and summer shoes; even flip flops. They are definitely worth checking out.
MWS readers use code MWS to receive a free matching canvas sunglass case with your order.
Wesley's been doing the squeaky dance lately. Every time he puts on his new Squeaker Sneakers, he dances. And jumps. And runs and runs. Laughing and laughing. They have to be the funniest shoes I've ever heard.
That's right... heard. These shoes have a tiny little squeaker in them. The squeak, which you can hear on the Squeaker Sneakers website, is similar to a squeaking bib or baby toy. But, in the case of Squeaker Sneakers, you can disable it easily (which, according to Wes' 25-year-old aunt, is a very good thing.) Alternatively, "Pop", Wes' grandfather, insists that the squeaker stay in--he can't get over Wes' adorable reaction to the shoes. Lucky thing the squeaker just as easily slips back in. Just don't lose it!
The first time Wes wore Squeaker Sneakers, he would squeak, then look all around for the noise, not quite getting that his feet were making the squeaks. A bit later, the dancing started. A great encouragement for kids to move, they're also wonderful for finding those little sneakers (not as much the shoes as the sneaky kids.)
The shoes are very flexible. Ours are a soft leather with a velcro closure--key for kids with wider ankles (or, in our case, "ankles? where are they!?") The rubber sole keeps children's feet safe outside--especially important at this age, as most Squeakers are learning to gain their footing, and aren't able to watch out for rocks and uneven pavement.
There is a huge variety of shoes available: canvas and leather, sneakers and sandals, Mary Janes and bowlers--and more. And they're now featuring larger sizes and fall shoes are coming! Use code MOMMIESWITHSTYLE to save 10%. Before you order, take special care to read the measurements information. Squeaker Sneakers sizes run differently than most shoes, so you'll definitely need to measure your child.
Recently I heard something that sounded too good to be true. It was about a shoe that reduced cellulite, just by wearing it. Seriously. Well I figured that if I had to throw myself in front of that train for the benefit of you readers, so be it. I was willing to do that for you all. Okay, okay...maybe not just for you all. Maybe it was in the name of science. Or something. Comfort, lets say.
The shoes, which have been intensely biomechanically engineered, were invented to mimic the stride of Masai tribespeople and Korean rice paddy workers. The inventor did extensive research and discovered that back pain in these cultures is rare to nonexistant. He studied their gait, the way they walked on sand, how their feet moved in a rolling fashion, engaging many more muscle groups in the process. Apparently most American and Euro footwear has us walking rather unnaturally and under or over utilizing certain muscle groups. Sort of reminds me of what tv does to the brain.
Anyway, the shoes were strange to look at at first, with their rocking chair soles. I headed over to my local Foot Solutions store. I highly recommend this chain if you are interested in this shoe. You will need to have the shoe properly fitted, and the sizing is very different from other shoe lines. So save yourself the guess work and get fitted!
As strange as they were to look at, at first they were even stranger to wear. But in a good way. First thing that I noticed, was that it is impossible to slouch in these shoes. The curved sole requires constant balancing and thus, no slouching. You just can't. Second thing that I noticed, was that the nearly constant pressure that I feel near the base of my spine was gone. I was a little sore after my first full day of wearing them. Like I'd taken the stairs instead of the elevator all day long. Not terribly so, but I was feeling the burn.
Over the next few weeks, as I continued to wear the shoes around, I noticed myself also sitting straighter. When I wore them to go for long walks I felt energized and able to walk for longer, as I was not experiencing the usual pain from my badly pronated and flat feet. The shin splints that have plagued me for years were nothing but a vague memory of the past. And I found myself wearing the shoes even when I did not have to, just because they are so comfortable to walk in, and I do so much running around on a daily basis. I cannot say that fashion is their main feature. They are not working for any look short of med tech, hip hop artist or granny mallstroller. But once you have reconciled yourself to that and have them on, you won't really care. You will instantly feel transformed. And after a while their look grew on me. Maybe it's related to my growing fondness for the shoe. Or maybe its just me exploring my Granny/Hip Hop/Med Tech side.
But what about the cellulite you ask? Well.... It's still there. But less of it! There is definitely less. I can honestly say that my thighs are looking firmer. Maybe it is the ability to walk longer, but more probably it is the shoe. I cannot say I've ever noticed these type of results with any other trainer. So if my cellulite happens to dissapear one day... Well I'll just take it in stride! If you live in my neck of the woods I'd recommend the Laguna Niguel Foot Solutions as a perfect place to be fitted for these shoes. If not, check for your local outlet. They are available at Zappos but you may find you take 2-3 sizes larger than your normal size. They are quite expensive, but given the enormous health benefit and the way that MBT stands behind their quality product (they will even resole the shoe for you if/when you wear it out), its not as much as it seems at first blush.
Next up, a bag that makes your tummy flat. Hey, a girl can dream!
Recently, my son's preschool sent a note home about preferring no open-toed shoes. With the warm weather, I was of course one of the Moms who was sending her child in open toed sandals. I was further told that closed toe sandals were okay.
So on days it's too hot to go in sneakers, I've been putting him in this new pair of closed toe shoes from Ecco. They come in blue, dark brown and light brown - we have them in the dark brown. They are nice and sturdy and he loves them.
Also another Ecco discovery are these blue sneakers. They actually remind me of a pair of soccer sneakers (or Sambas) in their shape. In fact, he's been wearing these to his 3 year old soccer class and he loves them - he calls them his "soccer sneaks," and insists on wearing them for a lot of his sports classes now.
Anyway, check them out on the Ecco site. You can find a list of the online shops here or do a search for a local retailer. They have them at Nordstorms.
Stride Rite's currently offering free shipping on their website on orders of $75 or more - if you need to get your kids shoes and don't feel like leaving the house or dealing with the inevitable line that always is at Stride Rite, shop the website... no coupon required.
I just love shoe shopping…for myself and my daughter that is! You should see my shoe collection. My husband and friends constantly make fun of me for the number of pairs of shoes I have in my closet as well as how many my daughter has in hers. So, when I came across Vincent shoes, I was so excited! I was super impressed with their unique styles for my daughter. The girls’ collection is filled with adorable shoes, sneakers and sandals for the summer that have soft leather linings and are available in a variety of pretty colors to match almost any and every outfit (which I tend to do). Some of them have bows, hearts, sequins, flowers and glitter on them that will make your little girl feel like a princess! Others have some really neat color combinations. These eye-catching shoes are reasonably priced and are available for kids aged 6 months to 5 years. Like children, each shoe has its own name and has a distinct personality. The company focuses not only on style, but on fit, functionality and practical use so you don’t have to worry that your child will not be comfortable in them. Some of my favorites are the Betty, Isabella, Love, Sandra and the Sanna.
Use coupon code “MWS-SUMMER” at checkout to take 20% off of your order through the summer!
I'm sure I don't have to blog about the quality of shoes from Stride Rite, as every Mom I know shops there or has shopped there at one time or another.
Anyway, I hadn't been there in awhile but got a couple pairs for both boys recently. I love this pair called the TT Argo that I got for my oldest son. On a recent trip to Florida, I thought these were great for the occasion and am excited to use this in the upcoming summer months. They're a sneaker/sandal hybrid and what was great was that they are more open so not too hot for him, but still have the comfort of a sneaker. We wore these a lot on walks outside and on a trip to a local playground. They have them for babies too!
And I'm so sad that my oldest outgrew the Sprout, which was my all time favorite shoe on him. (Lucky for me, the baby will son fit into a pair!)
So no coupon code but you can find them on the Stride Rite.com site, about a zillion shoe retailer sites online (shop Shoes.com and use coupon code APRILOFFER until May 10th to get $8 off $80, or 368378246 for 15% off at Shoebuy.com)
Spring is in the air and it's time to go shopping. Let's start out with a little shoe shopping?! You can either head to the mall and go from store to store, or you can go shopping at FashionIQ. When you "step" into FashionIQ, it's like the ultimate shoe shopping experience! You will find over 1500 different brands, featuring everything from $20 flip flops to several hundred dollar designer labels. It's a shoe lover's paradise! FashionIQ is simply the easiest place to shop because you don't have to go to a dozen places to find the brand, style, and color you want - it's all right there!
I have these super cute platform wedges from designer Donald J. Pliner and they are simply fabulous! I wanted something comfortable and casual that I could wear when I'm out-and-about with the kids and yet still look like I'm in style. With six children, sometimes my style gets pushed aside. Not this time...I'm going to be putting my best foot forward in these great shoes! Did I mention I received FREE Next-Day Shipping?! How cool is that!
Besides carrying the best in designer shoes, FashionIQ also has a great blog worth checking out. Their blog features articles on the latest trends in fashion and even chooses a shoe of the day! "Hollywood's Baby Boom: Style for Mommies to Be" is a great example of the wonderful articles they have posted.
Now speaking of FashionIQ, do you know what the HOTTEST TRENDS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER are? You might want to check out these must-have trends before you head out shopping!
FashionIQ is offering Mommies with Style readers a chance to win a $100.00 Gift Certificate. Now that you know a little bit more about the latest trends, why not kick up your heels and go shopping!
A few weeks ago I was at a friend's baby shower, when I noticed a little girl running around in a pair of orange mary janes with a soft, natural colored rubber sole. I was distraught. They were utterly adorable, and I did not recognize them. I felt truly off my game. Remiss in my duties.
So I chased that little pigtailed cutie down, tackled her and wrestled her shoes off her wriggly litte feet in order to get a better look. Ok Ok, call off child protective services. I'm not that bad. I made her mom do it.
Thus began my love affair with Livie and Luca. If you haven't found a toddler in your area, to pin to the ground in the hopes of getting a better look at these cute shoes, then head over to the Livie and Luca site and have a looksee. You will find orginal and cute designs like Veggie boots and Elephants (my son's favorite beast) stitched up in fine European leather. And the price is refreshing as well - more like shoes and less like an airline ticket to Italy.
Livie and Luca shoes are super soft, lightweight and flexible, while still offering the excellent traction and foot protection of a rubber sole. They are a perfect step up from booties for adventurous new walkers. And I appreciate the fact that the soles are natural colored, unlike many other kids shoes in this soft and flexible class. It's nice to have that fashion option. And most importantly, my very, very, picky shoe shunning son was happy to hit the road in his new elephant shoes. Victory is mine!
Check out the Red Butterfly shoes for girls and the Soccer shoes for little boys. Mommies with Style save an additional 10% when you enter mws as you order. Goal!
So I just got the baby a bunch of shoes from Pedipeds. With his big brother, I only did a couple pairs of Robeez early on - and I never really loved them, look wise or other. Not that there is anything wrong with Robeez - they have a quality product - but I've never been a huge fan of the soft-soled look on babies. But as this site grew, Julie became the guru on soft-soled shoes and I kept hearing her talk about PediPeds. So when I recently had #2, I knew I wanted to check them out.
So I got a couple pairs to use with him in the summer and fall. I really love the look. They are soft-soled, which is important with babies who are learning how to walk. (As they gr
Hey all - just received an email of a grand opening sale of online shoe store, gumshoe.com. They're a Bay Area store that only recently opened online, and they're offering a 20% off coupon for online orders until May 15th. They carry Crocs, Pedipeds, See Kai Run, Umi, Ecco, Geox and more.
In putting away all of the clothing that was too small for my kids, I happened upon Wes' (age 2) beloved purple sandals from last summer. Yes, I'm talking about a he and shoes that are purple. Officially labeled "storm", they arrived and the hus and I shared a look. But all the same, once he put them on last summer, we just couldn't deter him, convince him or bribe him that any other standals were quite as great. A sueded pair with a roomy toe area and lots of support, they withstand all types of weather. The favored purple shoes (
I love this photo that I took of Cole yesterday. It's hard to see at this size but he has the cutest expression on his face.
I thought this was such a funny picture, I just had to share. We got this new pair of shoes for Nate from Stride Rite. He calls them his "Rocket Shoes," although I have no idea why as there aren't any rockets or anything even remotely resembling rockets anywhere on them. They're actually from Stride Rite's new 
"Mom, watch me jump!" Jump. "Mom, watch me jump again!" Jump. "Hey Mom, did you see how high I jumped?!" Jump.
In my never-ending search for adorable kid’s shoes, my latest find are hip soft soled 
You've heard the rumors, you've waited somewhat patiently. And, finally, today is the big day. The day Robeez takes 2 big steps and introduces their newest brand: 
Tredz sizing is a bit different than most shoes because Robeez is allowing for a lot of growth over the year of toddling. Tredz come in three sizes: 12-16 months, 16-20 months and 20-24. That said, please print out their 
Ok, so we all know that I am a shop-a-holic! But did you know I am a shoe-a-holic as well? When my son was born, I started realizing there were way less cute things to purchase for him than I did when my daughter was born. She has so many pairs of shoes! So when we had a boy six months ago, my husband was thrilled that I wouldn’t be buying nearly as many shoes for my son or so he thought! After all, my son isn’t even near walking yet, so why buy any type of shoe for him? Well, first of all, here in the Northeast, it is starting to get cold and I don’t want my son’s piggies to get cold, hence the shoes. Second of all, I like matching shoes to different outfits. Call me crazy, but my son already has four pairs (all soft-soled of course)! So when I recently came across 
These adorable, cute, stylish hand-knit 
A fairly new product in the soft-soled shoes world, 
Shoes have come a long way since my older son was a baby. Despite the fact that he is only 3 years old, the selection of soft-soled shoes for infants are so much better now!
Who says you can't get anything for free? For a limited time, Robeez is offering free matching socks with
My daughter recently received adorable 
You all know how much I love soft-soled shoes. I am always so impressed by the adorable icons, the strength in the stitching, the buttery-soft leather; not to mention how good they are for growth. I have to say, I was afraid of withdraw when Wesley really started walking and wearing hard-soles. 
Unique and adorable. I love things handpainted. In my house I have handpainted designs on somewalls, handpainted chests, handpainted armoirs and now I have handpainted shoes for my daughter. Mia just got her first pair of 
Wesley's been doing the squeaky dance lately. Every time he puts on his new 
Recently, my son's preschool sent a note home about preferring no open-toed shoes. With the warm weather, I was of course one of the Moms who was sending her child in open toed sandals. I was further told that closed toe sandals were okay. 
A few weeks ago I was at a friend's baby shower, when I noticed a little girl running around in a pair of 
