Buy Beautiful Shoes to Stay Married?

Roland Mouret Dishes Up Marriage Advice: Buy More Beautiful Shoes!

From Glamour Fashion
Read More http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2012/08/roland-mouret-dishes-up-marria.html#ixzz25h1IQ1cy

Forget come-hither lingerie and romantic escapes for two--as far as designer Roland Mouret is concerned, the secret to keeping the spark alive in your marriage is to buy more shoes. Yeah, we thought you'd be on board with that one...

He's the new(ish) creative director at shoe label Robert Clergerie, and he says his work is absolutely essential to wedded bliss, unlike the classically French suggestion that taking a lover is the best thing for a marriage. "Take it from me," he tells the Telegraph, "beautiful shoes are better for your marriage than any lover."

He goes on to explain in more detail: "Shoes can be part of the sensuality and the sexuality of a woman. Not only this, they can allow a woman to inhabit different identities - and even help her to adopt a different character, should she desire it. Because shoes can change you. First, the shape, height and positioning of the heel affects the foot and then, upwards, it subtly repositions the rest of the body too; legs, hips, breasts - everything. This is the physical. And then there is the look of the shoe, the design. This affects the woman who wears the shoe, and sometimes the man who sees it too."

And if you're still not sold, he has this to say: "Because the best shoes can improve your life and your love without complicating it - and they should never disappoint you. Which is better than a lover, non?"
Oui, indeed! Consider this official sanction to splurge on a fabulous pair of new fall shoes, ladies...and let us help you get started!
- 10 cute pairs of wear-to-work heels
- Cole Haan's colorful new fall shoe range
- The hottest stems from Nicholas Kirkwood's latest collection
- The 30 hottest heels, flats, and boots for fall

Photo: Robert Clergerie

My Thoughts

Beautiful shoes to stay married?  That's new to me, I think, even if I'm such an afficionado of beautiful shoes.

But, I won't disagree that beautiful shoes can define a woman.  This is not a professional observation.  Just some conclusions from  a lover of beautiful shoes.  Beautiful flat shoes make a woman look comfortable with herself.  Beautiful heeled shoes clearly shows a sexy, glamorous identity.  Beautiful open-toed flats make us a look at a woman as carefree and relaxed.  Pumps?  Well, don't they look very professional.

And a woman with countless beautiful shoes, how would we describe them?

Why Do We Love Beautiful Shoes?

Hello lover: Women and their shoes

Interview by Tess Vigeland

Marketplace Money for Friday, August 17, 2012

Here's another sound of money: The clickety clack of a pair of Christian Louboutins walking down a hallway. Just one pair of that red-soled gorgeousness will set you back close to a grand. For shoes.

But you know what, plenty of women spend a lot of time and money on shoes. Rachelle Bergstein took note of that and wrote the new book "Women from the Ankle Down: The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us." She studied why women prize shoes so much and are willing to shell out of the big bucks for them. There are obvious reasons like they're beautiful, but Bergstein found some other more complex reasons.

"They have come to represent all of these really subtle, but improtant social cues, like status, like economic mobility, like independence, like power, like strength," Bergstein said. "And these thigns are such a potent brew that they contribute to making shoes so popular to this day."

Up until the 20th century, shoes made to last were limited to the very wealthy. But with new technologies and industrialization, shoes were more easily produced, driving costs down and increasing the variety of styles available. No longer are there just one or two styles in fashion during a season; there are now at least 20 different styles trending at any given time.

But why are they so expensive? Take a listen to the interview the Bergstein above to learn the answer and more about the history of shoes and women.

My Thoughts

I've asked myself that questions thousand of times and I still don't have the answer - why do I love beautiful shoes?  Why would I scrimp on something else but not beautiful shoes?  Why is my closet always bursting with beautiful shoes?  Why can't I throw beautiful shoes away?  Give them away, maybe.  But never to throw away unless they cannot be repaired.

I find it senseless, especially now that I'm working from home.  My beautiful shoes very rarely get the chance to be taken out of their resting place.  And when I do go out, there are too many to choose from, most of them look new.

Maybe I should look for beautiful shoes that would go well with pajamas.  This way I can still wear my beautiful shoes to work.

Beautiful Shoes for a Simple Outfit

The Coolest Shoes to Dress Up a Simple Outfit

Posted by nicolebalch on May 25th, 2012 at 11:51 pm 

 

 

A little glitter goes a long way, and in this case, it goes a long way toward making me want these shoes. I like the orange peep-toes, but the yellow version with its slightly different shape is equally cool.

Which do you prefer? I could see either pair as the quirky exclamation point to an otherwise plain outfit. Shoes like these look fantastic with a white tee with skinny jeans, or a simple skirt. Both shoes are available from Pixie Market for $193 each.

• Nicole Balch is the founder of Making it Lovely, a design blog about living a stylish life and transforming the so-so. Catch up with all of Nicole’s posts here on Babble, and follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, or Facebook.

MY THOUGHTS

My oh my!  Those are really cute, beautiful shoes.  I agree that they are both cool.  But there's nothing cool about the price.  On the other hand, if you love beautiful shoes, price is no issue.  Or is it?

 

Why Do You Have So Many Beautiful Shoes

Insecure? New shoes should fix it

AMY CORDEROY HEALTH

19 May, 2012 03:00 AM

 
LIGHTS, mirrors, skinny models - the thought of buying clothes can be a self-esteem nightmare.
Now, researchers have found women who have less confidence in their appearance are more likely to buy accessories such as shoes and handbags than clothes.

The study of nearly 290 New Zealanders found women who felt more insecure after looking at pictures of skinny models owned more handbags than their confident counterparts.

The study also examined the shoe ownership of nearly 1000 US women and found those who said looking at pictures of models made them feel insecure tended to own more shoes. But when it came to clothing, researchers found no links between confidence and purchases.

The study leader, Jessica Boyce, said accessories could be a way of women boosting self-image without drawing attention to their bodies. "When media body ideals threaten self-image, women may attempt to self-affirm via accessorising body parts not directly connected to their core body image," she wrote in the journal Body Image.

"If this is correct, then the popularity of the shoe and handbag industries may partly be an indicator of women's body image struggles."

MY THOUGHTS

I never thought about it - but is this true?  Do I really love beautiful shoes because I feel insecure?  I admit that I sometimes go out to buy beautiful shoes because I wanted to feel better.  But to buy beautiful shoes to make me feel secure, that's a little too much, I think.

I love having a variety of beautiful shoes because I want to always have a pair of footwear that would go with the clothes I'm wearing, something appropriate for the event.  Naturally, this means I need to have beautiful shoes in different styles and colors.


On the other hand, why do I want to that?

Oh, never mind.  I don't want to spend too much time thinking about this.  I just love beautiful shoes.  Period.









Someone told me, she buys lots of beautiful shoes when she's feeling insecure about herself.  I didn't agree with her.  Nor did I agree.

I thought, I needed to think about this.  And I have.

The first question I asked myself was - Why Do I Love Beautiful Shoes?

designing your own beautiful shoes

I found this article "Design Your Own Shoes on Line" by Suzanne Kantra of Techlicious.com.  What shoe buff will be able to resist? 

Just like the author, I know how it feels to spend hours and hours looking for the perfect pair of beautiful shoes.  Hundreds of times, I have wished for  a certain kind of heel to a certain kind of color, a certain kind of color to a certain kind of style.  Frustrating - not just for me but for the salesperson who's trying to make a living by convincing me that this particular pair is just the right pair of beautiful shoes. 

I'm sure one, if not all, of those sales persons wanted to tell me - "why don't you just design your own?".  Well,  why not?  And the worldwide web has caught up.

I checked on milkandhoneyshoes.com.  Wow!  You get to choose your style, material, color, piping, embellishments and, of course, your size.  The price of the beautiful shoes you are creating  is there for you to see as you go along.  I had a grand time simply designing my beautiful flat shoes.

The Shoe Design Studio is another great site for us lovers of beautiful shoes.  This site's a little bit more complicated.  You also get to choose the style, materials and colors but you need to click on the shoe part first. 

On the other hand, Shoes of Prey is too simple for me.  Or maybe I just couldn't find my way around the site.  What I liked about this site is I can design my beautiful shoes with a friend.  How cool is that?

Oh well, I just bought myself 4 pairs of shoes a barely a month ago.  I've just about spent my budget for beautiful shoes.  Next time I shop though, I won't go to the mall.  I think I'll give Milk and Honey a try.  How's that?

Beautiful Shoes and Knee Osteoarthritis

Are Your Shoes Giving You Knee Osteoarthritis?

Heels Stack the Deck Against Knee Joints

By Fran Golden, Special to Lifescript

Reviewed by Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer

Published February 17, 2012 

 

 If you’re attached to high heels the way your husband is to ESPN, think twice: Studies show that your towering stature may come at the expense of joint health. Which shoes best lower your risk of suffering from knee osteoarthritis? And if you already suffer from arthritis, which footwear is right for you? Read on (your knees will thank you)...

Sure we love our Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks, but are those leg-flattering heels and high wedges increasing our risk of knee osteoarthritis – or ruining joint health?

Unfortunately, yes.

Women’s shoes “have a substantial impact on the load on knee joints, particularly when we walk," says Najia Shakoor, M.D., a rheumatologist at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center.

That’s because joint loading is a key factor in the development of knee osteoarthritis, she says.

How? Researchers at the University of Virginia found back in 1998 that wearing heels alters the normal function of the ankle and makes the quadricep muscles work harder. 

 

 By compensating, we load the knee joints in ways that could lead to degenerative changes in the kneecap and medial (inner) knee, areas where osteoarthritis usually lurks.

So what’s the right footwear if you have knee osteoarthritis? Read on for practical tips from arthritis experts.

1. Don’t wear heels.Heeled shoes are a no-no, whether they’re 4-inch stilettos or stacked 1-1/2 inch sandals. Whatever their height, they cause the same harmful alterations of knee torques, according to a 2001 University of Virginia study of wide-heeled and narrow-heeled shoes.

Even moderate high heels can contribute to the development or progression of knee osteoarthritis, according to the researchers.

“Overall, you can’t wear a heel and not increase loads on your joints,” Shakoor says. “They may increase your pain and the progression of arthritis – so you shouldn't keep wearing heels if you have osteoarthritis.'

2. …Or at least limit your use of high heels.There are occasions when practical shoes just won’t cut it, and you need a high-heeled stunner to complete the look. 

 

 “I usually tell my patients to save their heels for formal functions and limited periods of time,” Shakoor says.

It's OK to wear them for a few hours – to a wedding, date night or other special evening – once in awhile, she adds.

3. Avoid the narrow toe box.
A narrow toe box, which scrunches toes together, can cause big problems, not in terms of knee osteoarthritis, but with toes later in life, says David Felson, M.D., a rheumatologist and professor of medicine and public health (epidemiology) at Boston University School of Medicine, and principal investigator of the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study.

The risk is hallux valgus, in which the big toe suddenly bends to the side a bit.

“That's a function of shoes with a narrow toe box, some of which are high heels,” Felson says.

4. Wear flexible footwear.
Flat, flexible footwear, such as flip-flops or sneakers, significantly reduces the load on knee joints compared with stiff shoes that provide foot support, according to a 2010 study by Shakoor published online in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. 

 

 The study examined the gait of 31 patients with symptoms of osteoarthritis in the Rush Motion Analysis Lab while they walked barefoot and in four popular shoe types: Dansko clogs, Brooks Addiction stability shoes, which are prescribed for foot comfort and stability; Puma H-Street shoes, a flat athletic shoe with flexible soles; and flip-flops.

Researchers found loads on knee joints were up to 15% greater when wearing clogs and stability shoes than with flat walking shoes, flip-flops or no shoes.

One explanation: Shoes with stiff soles make us artificially stomp when we walk as opposed to the flexible movement when we go barefoot, Shakoor says.

“I tell patients to try a flat, flexible shoe and see what it does for their arthritis,” she says.

When choosing a shoe, hold it in your hand and see if it bends, she suggests.

“If it’s really stiff and doesn’t allow you to move it, then you’re not going to get that barefoot movement of your foot,” Shakoor adds. 

 

 Still, she says, not everyone will be comfortable making a change from a big bulky shoe with support to a flimsy, flat, flexible shoe.

“Our feet may not like it,” Shakoor says. “You may have to work it in gradually.”

“If we’re used to wearing a big bulky supportive shoe and now we’re wearing a flimsy, flat, flexible shoe, our feet may not like it," she says, adding you can let your feet be the guide, starting with an hour or two a day and working your way up.

Plus, Shakoor says she wouldn't recommend flip-flops as practical wear, because their loose fit could contribute to falls.

5. Go barefoot more often.
Traditional doctors and rheumatologists once recommended that patients wear supportive, cushioned shoes, Shakoor says.

“The idea was these shoes would provide some shock absorption and be better for your joints overall,” she says.

Now doctors are finding that barefoot is best. Studies at Rush University have found that walking barefoot is associated with lower knee loads than walking in conventional footwear, Shakoor says. 

 

So you may want to try going barefoot, at least around the house. For the brave, Vibram makes its popular FiveFingers men's shoe glove for women now too. It cushions and separates each toe and has a rubber sole to protect feet from rough terrain like asphalt. It hasn't been studied for joint wear and tear.

The Rush lab has created its own shoe that mimics the natural flexibility of going barefoot so that the lab can study it more – and see if wearing such a shoe can lead to delayed progression of knee osteoarthritis over time. (The shoe is not yet being commercially produced, though a manufacturer has shown interest).

“Amazingly, we don’t really have much information to guide us,” Shakoor says. “We’ve been going based on common sense and what feels comfortable.”

"We're in very early research stages of finding the right shoe for long-term wear.”

6. Try wedged inserts.
Many doctors suggest wedged orthotic shoe inserts to relieve pressure on knee joints for patients with osteoarthritis. But do they work?  

A 2009 study by University of Melbourne researchers looked at “Advances of Insoles and Shoes for Knee Osteoarthritis,” and found that lateral wedge insoles appear to reduce load on the knee, in people with medial (inner) knee osteoarthritis (the most common type of OA). The insoles do not appear to slow progression, however.

The Australian researchers gave clinical recommendations on the basis of current research: that the wedge should be the full length of the foot, not just the heel; should tilt around 5°; should be worn for 5-10 hours a day; and should only be worn in fitted shoes with a flat heel.

Inserts appear to work best in younger patients with less severe knee osteoarthritis who aren’t obese, the researchers said.

7. Try an ‘unstable’ shoe.
You’ve probably seen ads for “unbalanced” shoes. They're designed to mimic barefoot movement, tricking your foot into feeling like it's walking on sand or grass and not a hard surface. Brands include MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology), Reebok Easy Tone and Nike Free. Do these help relieve pain on knee joints? 

 

 Canadian researchers tested the effectiveness of the MBT shoe in reducing knee pain in people with osteoarthritis (among other things) and found they “can reduce pain in subjects with moderate knee osteoarthritis.”

Specifically, the study said pain was reduced after three weeks and remained after 12 weeks. But a caveat – the study also looked at a regular New Balance walking shoe and found similar results in terms of pain reduction.

8. Go with a cheap flat shoe.
A Brazilian study published this past May in the journal Gait & Posture looked at whether inexpensive, flexible and off-the-shelf footwear would decrease joint loading in women ages 60-70 with knee osteoarthritis. They tested 45 women and compared Moleca flat shoes with modern heeled shoes and walking barefoot.

The conclusion: The cheap footwear reduced joint loading the same as going barefoot, while still providing external foot protection – in other words, an improvement.

For more information, visit our Osteoarthritis Health Center.

 

My Thoughts

 

How sensible can that be?  Beautiful shoes that are flat and cheap.  However, I think I find it sensible now because I've taken to wearing down.  It has become, for me, an issue of comfort.  And now, it seems it's an issue of health, too.

 

When I was younger the only beautiful shoes for me were stilettos.   Now I look forward, with dread, to those special occasions where flats seem to be out of place.  But then, why not?

 

Beautiful Nike Shoes and Jeremy Lin

Nike introduces a Jeremy Lin-themed Hyperfuse, just in time for All-Star weekend

Published: Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:00 PM     Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:01 PM

 

 

By Allan Brettman, The Oregonian
Follow

 

Nike has created a shoe for Jeremy Lin for him to wear starting tonight playing in the Rising Stars Challenge consisting of rookies and second-year players in Orlando.

The Oregon-based company sent out a notice this evening announcing the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low iD basketball shoe created for Lin, the New York Knicks point guard who emerged from near oblivion this weekend to fame.

The $130 shoe won't be available at off-the-shelf retail, but can be created and purchased at the NikeID.com website. Consumers can replicate the exact customization options of Lin's shoe.

In so doing, the company will avoid the possibility of an ugly riot like the one that broke out Thursday in Orlando as people scuffled in line to buy a $220, limited edition basketball shoe.

Nike iD is the design process that allows customization of several existing Nike products.

With this announcement, Nike answers the question of whether Lin will have his own signature shoe. And the answer, at least at this time, is no.

Signature shoes for Nike basketball players are limited to LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. For Nike's Jordan Brand, Carmelo Martinez, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade have signature shoes.

Nike chief executive Mark Parker and other company executives talked earlier this week in New York about Lin's rise to stardom. At that time, Parker told The Oregonian that a Nike-affiliated trip was planned to Taiwan and China, though details have not been completed.

-- Allan Brettman; twitter.com/abrettman 

 

My Thoughts

 

I wonder -why not?  Why not his own signature beautiful shoes?  Is it to early?  Not enough following yet? Need more scores?  More assists?

I'd better stop here.  I don't want to voice out the other possible reasons that come to mind.

Small but Beautiful Shoes

The Odd Slipper Makes Shoes Specifically For Ladies With Size 3-5 ½ Feet, Here’s Their Story

By Dhani Mau Friday, Nov 18, 2011 / 8:00 PM

 Are you a small-footed gal who has a hard time finding shoes in your size that you actually like? If so, look no further than The Odd Slipper. While I, like almost everyone, am a standard size 7½ (which has its own disadvantages), it makes total sense that those with more modest feet would want options other than the kid’s section.


The site launched recently as a resource for gals who wear size 3-5½ shoe. However, it’s more than just an ecommerce site. Each week, they unveil a new shoe style, which users can vote and give feedback on. They then manufacture the best reviewed styles with the highest amount of votes and let shoppers know which styles have been picked and when they’ll be ready for sale. The advantages of this business model being that there is little risk (shoppers are getting what they want) and costs are kept at a minimum since they coordinate manufacturing directly.

The site is doing well and they hope to expand to offer even more options for petite ladies. We chatted with founder Sindy Sagastume about how the site came about, how it works and what’s next!
First, can you give our readers a little background on what the Odd Slipper is?
The Odd Slipper is an online space for petite women that is currently focusing on petite shoes sizes 3-5.5. We offer designs to our customers so that they can vote on them, and manufacture the winners. We provide high quality shoes, at lower prices than traditional retail because we handle all parts of the process, from design to customer.

How did you come up with the idea for the Odd Slipper? Do you have small feet yourself?
I am 4’10″ with a size 4 foot, and an obsession with shoes, and I wanted to do something about the disappointment that comes with seeing a great pair of shoes knowing 100% they are not available in my size. The few choices available were either very expensive or not fashion-forward enough.

How did it all come together?
I worked in fashion for many years, on the business and the operations side, and finally kept comfortable working on a project for myself that I could be passionate about, and serving a neglected group of women was just the right venture. I contacted my best friend who is a developer in the tech industry to head the website and together we came up with The Odd Slipper.

How does it work exactly–who designs the shoes, where are they produced?
We collaborate with independent designers to create our samples, and then invite our customers to vote on the samples. We also work with manufacturers who show us available “lasts”, which are general shoe molds/shapes and allow us to mix and match different materials on them. Our shoes are produced overseas, depending on price points, either China or South Korea. After seeing the comments and votes, we decide which styles to manufacture and once they’re here we ship them out!

Why should people by shoes from here as opposed to, say, the kids section?
Our main goal is to serve the petite shoe market so we take pride in checking that all of our styles (every individual pair that ships out) are sized correctly and that they are not marked as a 4, but really are a size 5. Our styles are designed for women, some fun, some conservative and some in between, with women’s materials and a women’s silhouettes. Kids shoes are usually manufactured with lighter weight materials, and also a wider silhouette because children’s feet are shaped differently than women’s feet.

I know you just launched shopping on the site (is that right). Do you have any other plans (or hopes) for expansion? New features? Collaborations?
Correct, we officially launched the shopping section of our site (before it was only voting) on October 27th, and we are already extremely excited about the potential of the petite market as a whole! We are currently working on bringing all sorts of new styles each week and be the first source for petite feet. However, we are already planning our expansion into apparel, with bottoms being the closest on the horizon. It will be a long road but our goal is to serve the women’s petite market 5’2″ and under!

 My Thoughts

This is certainly good news for my youngest sister.  I remember helping her shop around for beautiful shoes.  And I can still feel her frustration when we have to troop down to the kid's section -as a last resort.  Well, there are lots of beautiful kid shoes.  But I will not be seen wearing a beautiful pair of shoes with disney characters!  Neither would my sister. 

 

Do you Have the Right Beautiful Shoes?

How to Choose the Right Athletic Shoes

By Elinor Smith

Published November 11, 2011

| Real Simple

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/11/how-to-choose-right-athletic-shoes/#ixzz1dSDHCg8B

You’re just steps away from a better workout. Here’s how to pick a pair of shoes geared toward your routine and body.

Running Shoes vs. Cross-Trainers
Go with running shoes if you mostly jog or walk, since they’re engineered for heel-to-toe motion. Why not walking shoes? 

“Running sneakers cater to a wider range of foot types and are built to last longer,” says Megan Leahy, a doctor of podiatric medicine at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, in Chicago.

Go with cross-trainers if your routine includes an activity like aerobics, weight training, or kickboxing (basically any exercise on a hard surface that involves side-to-side movement).

What’s Your Foot Type?
“Runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, and early-onset arthritis are just a few problems that arise from exercising in the wrong sneakers,” says Louis Pack, a podiatrist in Greensboro, Georgia, and the author of The Arthritis Revolution. In contrast, shoes designed to compensate for the impact of your feet can prevent injuries and improve structural alignment and performance. To determine your foot type: Have a podiatrist examine you, or get an idea yourself by looking at the soles of a pair of worn-in flats. 

“The wear patterns show where you’re putting pressure when you walk,” says Pack. 

If You're a Supinator. . .

Supinators’ feet tend to have high arches and roll outward. 

You need: Cushioning (also referred to, confusingly, as neutral ) sneakers for shock absorption.

Look for: Soft midsoles (the layer between the mesh upper and the treads), since this type of foot doesn’t provide enough shock absorption on its own. That means the shoes’ soles will tend to be more flexible. You can also usually spot them by the shape of the sole: 

“A cushioned shoe cuts in at the arch, resembling a kidney bean,” says Leahy.

Shoes for running: Extra rubber built into the sole means a smoother, bouncier gait. 

Shoes for cross-training: Make lightning-quick pivots, thanks to flexible grooves in the sole. 

If You’re Neutral...

You’re neutral and have an average gait with equal weight distribution across the foot.

You need: Stability or moderate-stability sneakers, which offer a balance of cushioning and support.

Look for: Cushioning with a good dose of stability—in other words, a lightweight shoe that bends just to the ball of the foot. That said, “in many cases, this foot type has the most freedom and can wear whichever sneakers feel best at the store,” says Dr. Steven Raikin, the director of foot and ankle services at Rothman Institute Orthopaedics, in Philadelphia.

Shoes for cross-training: These crazy soles act like a Slinky, putting an extra spring in your step. 

Shoes for running: This innovative design reduces heel slippage and instep strain.

If You’re a Pronator...

This means your feet roll inward. Flat arches or low arches are common.

You need: Motion-control or high-stability sneakers to keep your feet better aligned with your legs.

Look for: Shoes that are a contrasting color (often gray) near the arch. This indicates the presence of a dense material that provides reinforcement to keep the arches from collapsing. The shoes tend to be fairly stiff and will flex only near the toe area. The added support can sometimes give these sneakers a boxy appearance, says Luke Rowe, a vice president of the sneaker retailer Fleet Feet.

Shoes for cross training: A wide toe box allows for comfortable lateral movement. 

Shoes for running: Stabilizing roll bars help protect arches. 

What If Your Feet Get Sweaty and Blistered?

Invest in smarter athletic socks and get rid of your basic white ones. 

“When shopping, look at the fabric, size, and seams—not necessarily the amount of cushioning,” says Fleet Feet’s Luke Rowe. 

Bypass 100 percent cotton and reach for a moisture-management material, which will wick away irritating sweat. 

Pick a sock that comes in a range of sizes (say, from extra small to extra large) as opposed to a one-size-fits-all style (“sizes 6 to 11”) for less blister-inducing slippage. And, finally, look for seamless construction, which eliminates chafing and irritation, especially around the toe area.

What’s Up With Those Funky Shoes That Look Like Gloves for Feet?

They’re designed for barefoot running, a new movement that tries to replicate the unshod experience using barely-there shoes. This practice, which borrows from indigenous peoples who don’t have the luxury of the latest Nikes, supposedly strengthens the foot muscles and allows the feet to move more naturally. But is it safe?

“If you didn’t grow up running on bare feet, it’s extremely risky, resulting in everything from stress fractures to arthritis,” warns John Brummer, DPM, a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, in New York City. Feet not only need protection from hard, uneven surfaces but also require customized support for their unique structure.

How Can You Tell If You Need New Sneakers?
Keep an eye on the shoe’s midsole—the cushiony layer between the treads and the mesh upper, Leahy says. When you notice deep-set wrinkles there (like a squashed marshmallow), it’s time to say good-bye.

Click here to learn more about the right athletic shoes from Real Simple.

MY THOUGHTS

That's one great article, isn't it?  If you're into running or walking, that is.  

 

Beautiful, athletic shoes.  I'm not much into it these days.  I have an assortment of beautiful, sporty shoes and only a couple would pass the requirements to make walking or jogging worth while.  No wonder I get achy feet most of the time.

 

There was a time when a pair of beautiful shoes, with rubber soles and all, can make me bolt out of the door for a walk or a stroll.  Not anymore.  These days,  I need a lot of inspiration to go out and walk.  This community doesn't have what it takes to give me the much needed push. 

 

Maybe a new pair of beautiful shoes for running can do the trick.  But wait!  I still have a couple of beautiful shoes, wrapped up in a box. So, that's not it.  Maybe I should move to another community.  Now, that's an interesting thought.  

 

If someone asks, why did you move?  

"Because I need to use my beautiful, athletic shoes - that's why?"

Shopping for Beautiful Shoes Online

Online Retailer of Branded Shoes Offers Discounts for its Products
http://pressmediawire.com/27187/Online-Retailer-of-Branded-Shoes-Offers-Discounts-for-its-Products.html

PressMediaWire.com (Press Release Distribution) - Sep 09,2011 -
Louisville, KY - ShoesMalls, a largest store online for designer clothing for men, women and kids offers up to 10% discount for its products. They offer replacement or refund for all the products if the customers are not satisfied with the product's quality. Shoesmalls are not just restricted with shoes that they also provide top brand clothes, sun glasses, handbags and more. Top brand shoes such as cheap puma shoes are available at $28.0

"Now, people are looking for top brand shoes because of their elegance, long lasting nature, and affordable rates. Therefore, we have filled our online store with top brand shoes namely cheap Nike air Jordan shoes, Puma, Gucci, Prada and more. Our top brand products are categorized under different section for men, women and kids, which can ease the searching process and guide you directly to the products you intended. You can also make use of our search options to identify a product swiftly", says a spokesperson for Shoesmalls.


"Try to avoid uncomfortable shoes, since it may cause muscle stiffness and other leg problems during running or walking. You can make use of Cheap Prada shoes that are designed to offer comfort and flexibility to your legs. If you are not satisfied with our product then you can get refund or replacement. Besides, we consistently update our website, so you can find all the latest products in our site without any difficulties", adds the spokesperson.

About ShoesMalls.Net:

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MY THOUGHTS

I/ll take that advice anytime.  No to beautiful shoes that are uncomfortable.  If you're a beautiful shoe expert, you know what comfortable and uncomfortable means.  Shopping for beautiful shoes is not like falling in love at first sight.  You can't just buy shoes because of color or shape or even brand.  You make a decision after you/ve walked around in it a little.  How do you do that on line?

Your Beautiful Shoes and Your Age

Dress Your Age, Not Your Shoe Size
By VERONICA RITTER
Asst. Life Editor

Published: Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Updated: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 22:09

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." – Coco Chanel.

     As we grow up, our styles and what we like change drastically in order to reflect the person that we are. If they haven't, then they should. As you become older, it's important to dress and look your age. At a certain point, it is crucial to graduate from one wardrobe and move on to the next.

     Now, in only the second week of school, what you're wearing still matters to the teachers that don't know you yet, and to potential friends. What you wear has the power to attract or repel people.

    When dressing yourself, you may want to ask, "What type of people am I trying to invite into my life?" Or, "What message am I conveying through my outfit?"

    Believe me, what you are wearing speaks volumes before you even get the chance to say, "It's so nice to meet you."

      First impressions are crucial, especially when they have the ability to affect you for the rest of the year in a classroom setting. Also, being aware of your outfit at a job interview is extremely important. People judge you based on how well you put yourself together. It's beneficial for you to start taking your clothing as seriously as you take yourself, and others will do the same.

     College is that opportune time that students begin to realize for themselves what it's like to be considered and treated like an adult. Not only are students given the chance to find out who they are and what interests them, but also gives them an opportunity to start fresh and recreate themselves — wardrobe and all.

    I'm not telling you to become obsessed with fashion or spend more time figuring out what to wear rather than studying by any means. What I am suggesting, though, is that you take a few extra minutes everyday in the thought and planning of an outfit.     

      If you've never thought about it before and just grabbed whatever was at the top of your clean laundry pile, just take a moment and ask yourself the important questions. Or perhaps, go through your closet to get rid of things that are no longer relevant to your life — like that miniskirt from eight grade or your T-shirts with the cheesy logos. It will only help you in the long run to make room for new and grown-up clothing in that third grade closet of yours.

      Simple items like a blazer (for girls and guys) adds instant sophistication to an outfit. Also, other pieces such as a pair of chic flats, or even a not-so-high platform for girls, adds a mature touch. Guys, boat shoes and loafers do the trick most times as long as you're matching it with appropriate things on top, such as a simple colored crew or V-neck T-shirt.

    Whether or not you've taken anything I've said to heart, try to remember these simple seven words. Dress your age, not your shoe size.

Email: veronica.ritter@ubspectrum.com

MY THOUGHTS

So, do you look your age in your beautiful shoes?  Or do your beautiful look like it was meant for your teenage daughter or sister?  I agree with the author,  when shopping for beatiful shoes and wearing them, consider your age.  You should draw attention, if you want to, because of your elegance and fashion sense.  Not because people are sneering and laughing at you.  You want your beautiful shoes to make you beautiful and not a laughing stock.

BEAUTIFUL SHOES FIGHT BACK

BEAUTIFUL SHOES GO TO COURT AGAIN

The Louboutin Case Goes Back to Court on Friday
8/18/11 at 6:00 PM
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/08/louboutin_case_court-ysl.html

As promised, Christian Louboutin's lawyer is fighting tooth and nail against YSL's push to have the red-sole trademark canceled entirely. After Judge Victor Marrero ruled in favor of YSL's right to create and sell red-soled shoes last Wednesday, YSL's lawyer David Bernstein said that he would pursue a summary judgement to repeal Louboutin's trademark. He'll face Louboutin's lawyer Harley Lewin before Judge Marrero again on Friday to argue whether the motion can continue.

Judge Marrero will mostly likely side with YSL again. In his initial ruling last week, he stated that "Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection," since "in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition." He also would have anticipated YSL's move cancel the trademark, as it's a logical next step from his decision to deny Louboutin's injunction.

What's also clear is that Louboutin's lawyer will "fight like hell," as Lewin stated himself. He's already appealed the judge's ruling, and vowed to appeal any forthcoming decisions endangering the trademark. Susan Scafidi, director of Fordham University’s Fashion Law Institute, tells WWD:

    Louboutin’s nightmare is that every fast-fashion retailer will begin stirring up vats of red dye because it believes the trademark is officially canceled or is about to be ... Louboutin stands to lose so much. This is identity theft for him. Those red soles are almost as recognizable as his name.

But retail consultant Hana Ben-Shabat presents a valid counterpoint:

    At the end of the day, what makes a Louboutin a Louboutin is the fact that the shoes are beautifully made and beautifully crafted. And those who want to be associated with the brand want to be a part of that.

Earlier: Christian Louboutin to Appeal the Judge’s Decision in the YSL Red Sole Case
Related: Read a step-by-step guide to the case in this week's Fall Fashion Issue. [NYM]
Louboutin, YSL to Appear Before Judge [WWD]   

MY THOUGHTS

In my earlier post, When Beautiful shoes Go to Court, http://beautifulshoesinlaguna.blogspot.com/2011/08/when-beautiful-shoes-go-to-court.html we learned about the judge ruling in favor of YSL.  Of course, Louboutin will not just give up the fight for his beautiful shoes.  I feel for the man.  Why do people have to be copycats?  Infuriating!

Do You Own a Beautiful Pair of Jimmy Choo Shoes?

These Choos are NOT made for walking: The £425 designer shoes that look old and tatty after one day’s wear
By Joanne Hegarty

Last updated at 4:19 AM on 14th August 2011

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2025689/These-Choos-NOT-walking-The-425-designer-shoes-look-old-tatty-day-s-wear.html

They are more than just beautiful shoes. It’s the fantasy they evoke that has intelligent women joyously handing over small fortunes for a pair.

Ever since Carrie Bradshaw and her glamorous friends strode through Manhattan balanced perfectly on their Jimmy Choos, the designer heels have been the height of aspiration for millions.

Last month I, too, happily succumbed. Of course I didn’t really believe that if I bought a pair of Jimmy Choos all my dreams would suddenly come true, but I did think they would add a bucketload of fairy dust to my wedding day. And, given the £425 price tag, I confidently expected I’d be able to enjoy them at lots of future occasions.

When I saw them in Selfridges, it was love at first sight. A pair of  kitten-heel Oslo sandals in antique cream with shimmery flecks of gold and thin leather straps, they were exactly what I wanted – elegant and understated. I didn’t even bother trying on any others.

As my big day approached, I excitedly confided in a couple of close friends that I had ‘Jimmy Chooed’ for the occasion – emailing pictures of my new beauties – and was rewarded with gratifying oohs and aahs.

My wedding day left me with lots of wonderful memories but, shockingly, what I don’t have left is a pair of gorgeous shoes.

The next morning I was bitterly disappointed at how they looked.  I had spent most of the day indoors, apart from a short time standing on a lawn talking to guests. But my Jimmy Choos looked old and tatty, as though I’d been wearing them for weeks, not one day. And the soles needed replacing.

When I took them to my local cobbler and handed over £20 for new soles, he astonished me by telling me that I should have brought them to be re-soled before wearing them.

‘I see lots of expensive shoes like this and I always tell people they should have them re-soled as soon as they take them out of the box,’ he said. ‘Otherwise, it’s like going out in the rain without a coat.’

To make matters worse, the cobbler put plain ugly soles on that don’t go with the elegant design of the shoe.

So the sandals that I have now  simply aren’t the same ones I fell for in the store, where the shop assistant didn’t say anything about them needing re-soling before wearing or being unsuitable for outdoors.

Nor is there any such warning in the care booklet, although it does tell you to avoid ‘rain and direct contact with heat, oil, grease, alcohol and other abrasive products’.

I complained about my Jimmy Choo experience to friends and, to my surprise, two said they had suffered exactly the same problem.

Dyane, a TV presenter, was bought a £450 pair of Jimmy Choo as a  first Christmas present by her boyfriend. ‘He took me to a boutique and told me I could pick any pair  I wanted,’ she said. ‘I spent three hours trying shoes on before I chose Jimmy Choo’s black Clue design with a diamante buckle.

‘After I bought them, the shop assistant did quietly warn me that I would have to get them re-soled before wearing them. I couldn’t believe it. I loved the cream leather sole – they were what had attracted me to the shoe.

‘I decided to ignore her. They were £450 shoes – how could they need to be re-soled? But I wore them the following weekend and after only an hour the sole was damaged. The next week I took them to be re-soled. The new soles were black. What’s the point of putting on a nice cream leather sole if it’s so fragile it has to be covered up straight away?’

Another friend, Emer, an advertising executive, splurged on Jimmy Choos for her wedding in March and she, too, said hers were battered and worn-looking after one day.

‘I hadn’t planned to splash out on shoes but I went shopping with a friend and saw these amazing silver strappy sandals,’ she told me.
My beautiful Jimmy Choos looked as if they’d been worn mountain-climbing.

‘They were the right height, looked sturdy enough for walking around in all day and they were Jimmy Choo. Perfect! My friend loyally recited the mantra needed to justify the £350 I didn’t have: “You’ll get loads of wear out of them.”

‘I wish I could tell you they delivered on that promise but I can’t. I took them off in the early hours of the morning to discover the peep  toe was stretched and the soles destroyed. My beautiful Jimmy Choos looked as if they’d been worn mountain-climbing.’

Could it just be the three of us?  I posted my grievance on Mumsnet, the community website for mothers, to find out. Within 78 seconds, Tillyscoutsmum replied: ‘I also treated myself to some Jimmy Choos for my wedding. By the end of the day, the front of the sole had come lose and was flapping around.’

Another reader posted: ‘Apparently you are supposed to get them re-soled if you are expecting to wear them outside. Bonkers as conkers.’

And Worldgonecrazy wrote: ‘If shoes have leather soles, they should really have something more sturdy applied before wearing them outside. If you weren’t told this when you bought them, take them back and complain.’

Dexter  73 summed up the whole situation: ‘What is the point of them, if you can’t wear them outside?’

Last week I returned to Selfridges to buy another pair of Jimmy Choos to conduct our test (see below) and spoke to the same shop assistant. This time, I was more sceptical and asked her whether they would wear well. At first she said: ‘We sell these to lots of women and they don’t complain.’

I asked whether I could wear them outside. She replied: ‘Yes – they are perfect for garden parties,’ before conceding: ‘I won’t lie to you, they are delicate shoes and after a couple of wears they will look worn.’

Last night, a Jimmy Choo spokeswoman said: ‘Every Jimmy Choo product is made with the finest quality materials and created with expert craftsmanship. With luxurious and delicate materials our products must be treated with care, as such they are subject to wear and tear.

‘We pride ourselves on customer service and aftercare at Jimmy Choo and are always more than happy to offer support and advice concerning any of our products.’
Life and sole of a pair of sandals

We gave model Gail Shuttleworth, 36, three pairs of shoes to wear for  a day, from 10am until 10pm – a  £450 pair of Jimmy Choo ‘Demure’ sandals, a pair of Miss Dior pointy-toe pumps (£370) and a pair of open-toe black leather sandals (£58) from High Street shop Office.

Gail says:‘The first shoes I wore were the Jimmy Choo beige patent sandals. When I slipped them on, I felt incredibly elegant.

'I did notice that the leather sole felt rather thin but it would never have occurred to me to have them re-soled.

‘After picking them up at The Mail on Sunday offices, I walked 200 yards to High Street Kensington Underground station in West London and caught a Tube to Hampstead where I live.

I walked down the hill to my local Tesco, spent 35 minutes browsing the aisles then walked 400 yards home.

‘I spent the next four hours at home, doing odd jobs and preparing my dinner. Then I walked to my local pub 300 yards away to meet a friend and walked home again.

'You couldn’t say it was a gruelling day for my feet but when I took off my shoes that night, I was surprised. The soles were badly worn down, especially at the front. There was a little crack as well as two little tears on the heel. If I’d had these on for a full week, they would have been wrecked.

‘The second pair that I tried were the Miss Dior pumps. I wore them driving from my boyfriend’s home near Sheffield to the town centre and walked around the shops for two hours. I later walked in them for 20 minutes down a pathway.

‘I spent the rest of the evening cooking and watching TV.

'If anything this was a tougher day for my footwear but, though the leather soles had some wear-and-tear marks on them, they were not as worn down as the Jimmy Choos and the heel was still in good condition.

‘Finally, I tried the Office sandals. I spent three hours running errands in Sheffield then drove to my boyfriend’s home.

'I spent the afternoon doing chores at home and watching TV. At 7pm, I went to a restaurant, a ten-minute walk.

‘That night the rubber soles had some scratch marks and the heel was a little worn down. But because they started life with a thicker sole, I won’t need to take them to the cobblers any time soon.’

MY THOUGHTS

That's really sad.  I used to envy the Carrie Bradshw for the beautiful Jimmy Choo shoes she seemed to enjoy so much.  Those shoes really look beautiful.  Now we know better and take caution when we buy them.  I won't mind paying that much for a beautiful pair of shoes.  But I would want my money to go a long way.  Any pair of beautiful shoes won't be worth it if I need to have it re-soled as soon as I take it out of the box.

When Beautiful Shoes Go to Court

Lawyer: Ruling steps on shoe designer's toes
By Stephanie Gallman, CNN
August 11, 2011 -- Updated 2323 GMT (0723 HKT)

(CNN) -- French shoemaker Christian Louboutin is seeing red -- and will likely be seeing a lot more of it -- after a judge in Manhattan denied an injunction that would have kept fellow designer Yves Saint Laurent from selling shoes with red soles.

The lawsuit, filed in June, takes issue with four specific shoes from YSL's Cruise 2011 Collection: the Tribute, Tribtoo, Palais and Woodstock models, claiming the shoes violate Louboutin's trademarked "lacquered red sole."

"Everyone sees the flash of red and associates the red with Louboutin," attorney Harley Lewin said Thursday about his client.

In fact, Louboutin's red soles have graced many a red carpets, adorning the feet of celebrities Oprah Winfrey, Heidi Klum and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2009, Jennifer Lopez wrote a song about them, "But it's the last time, I'm movin' on, I'm throwing on my Louboutins."

In his decision Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero acknowledged that in choosing a red sole for his shoes, Louboutin had "departed from longstanding conventions and norms of his industry," to create a product, "so eccentric and striking that it is easily perceived and remembered."

However, Marrero went on to say that, "Louboutin's claim to the 'the color red' is, without some limitation, overly broad and inconsistent with the scene of trademark registration."

"This was a trademark that never should've been issued," David Bernstein, attorney for the defendant, Yves Saint Laurent said.

He adds, "YSL has been using red since the 1970s, other designers have used red on the soles of their shoes. They aren't doing so to confuse people, but because it's a design aesthetic."

Lewin thinks the judge went too far.

"This is no longer about the case," he said.

Judge Marrero's decision drew parallels between painters and fashion designers, calling them both members of a creative industry where no one should be barred from using color to achieve their aesthetic. Doing so could, "interfere with creativity and stifle competition."

Berstein agrees. "No designer should be able to monopolize a color."

There have been cases when companies have copyrighted color.

Owens Corning, for example, has the trademark for pink fiberglass. Marrero said industrial products are different because the application of color is simply to distinguish one manufacturer from another.

Lewin says his client "separated his shoes from everyone else's by using a red sole."

Lewin said he's never had such an outpouring from his fellow attorneys, law professors and members of the fashion industry, telling him, "This [verdict] is an abomination. Tell your client to appeal."

On August 17, both sides will meet for a case management conference, and Lewin says he will announce his plans to do just that.

"This is not over," Lewin said, "Not by a long shot."

MY THOUGHTS

Crazy, don't you think.  But then, the business world can be just that-crazy.  Personally, I think YSL did copy.  But I agree that no one should be able to monopolize a color.

TONING SHOES

TONING SHOES

Did you fall for those expensive toning shoes?  Here's an excerpt from the article "The Craze Over ‘Toning’ Shoes Is, Well, Over" by Brad Tuttle publshed on July 28, 2011.  If you want to read more, click this link - http://moneyland.time.com/2011/07/28/the-craze-over-toning-shoes-is-well-over/#ixzz1TT90c1L3

"A year ago, consumers eagerly handed over upwards of $200 for each pair of special fitness “toning” shoes that, thanks to designs featuring padded, wobbly, uneven soles, would supposedly tighten buns, thighs, calves, and abs. Nowadays, amid widespread claims that they don’t come close to working as advertised (and may even be dangerous), toning shoes are more likely to be selling for $50 or less, and shoemakers are unloading millions of them at a loss.

Sales of hot new toning shoes from the likes of Reebok, Skechers, and Avia rose 400% in 2010. But almost as quickly as consumers hopped on board with a gimmicky product that promised quick results through less effort, doctors, fitness gurus, and consumer advocates expressed deep skepticism amounting to something like: “Come on, who are you kidding?”

A study released last fall from the American Council on Exercise concluded:

    “Across the board, none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation. There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.”"

MY THOUGHTS

So, you see, it pays to wait a little while before jumping onto the band wagon.  Expensive and branded beautiful shoes do not always mean you'll get your money's worth. 

UNWANTED SHOES

Gardena man's nonprofit turns unwanted shoes into needed clean water
By Melissa Evans Staff Writer

Gardena resident Scott Kjos and two others recently started a nonprofit to help combat the world's clean water crisis.

But they don't want money. They want shoes.

"Old shoes, new shoes, worthless shoes, heals, pumps, slippers," he said. "Bring everything and anything, except socks. We don't want socks."

His organization, Soles for Life, will collect donated shoes Saturday at the Pacifica Open Air Market in Gardena. The shoes - he hopes to collect enough to fill a semitrailer - will be donated to another nonprofit, Edge Outreach, which sells them by weight to an exporter.

The exporter resells the shoes to vendors in developing countries, who sell them to people at a low cost. Edge Outreach then uses money from the exporter to buy inexpensive water purification systems, which produce 10,000 gallons of clean water per day in places where it's needed most.

Thousands of people die each year in developing countries due to dehydration and disease spread through unclean water, Edge said.

The water systems, which clean well water, are made using a 12-volt battery, salt and a purification pump. The cost is extremely low, those involved say.

"It's really a win-win-win for everybody," Kjos said. "If there ever was a good thing to do, this is it."

None of the donated shoes will wind up in landfills, he said - everything is used, even old shoes that can't be worn.

He and others are hoping to collect up to 10,000 shoes at Saturday's event, enough to eventually fill a semitrailer that holds 25,000 shoes.

Several churches also are involved in the effort, including Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach, along with the Easter Seals and a handful of local businesses.

melissa.evans@dailybreeze.com

MY THOUGHTS

Such a great idea.

KATE WEARS BOAT SHOES

Deck-ready Duchess: Kate leads renaissance for boat shoes
By Kate Melhuish

Last updated at 12:18 AM on 21st July 2011

No longer the preserve of sea dogs and Sloane rangers, boat shoes — or deck shoes, in nautical circles — are experiencing a renaissance.

Similar to a loafer, but more casual, this no-frills footwear works perfectly with the season’s pared-down fashions.

On traditional boat shoes, the laces were made of leather or rope, but this summer’s high-style varieties come in a dazzling array of jaunty hues and finishes.

And, best of all, as they were originally designed to be a non-slip shoe to sport dockside you can guarantee there won’t be any embarrassing slip-ups during the unpredictable British summer in a sturdy pair of these.

Fashionable yet sensible? Sounds good to us.

 HOW TO WEAR

    Keep it casual — team your deck shoe with a pair of cotton shorts, T-shirt and a chunky knit to keep you warm in the evening.
    Wear them with a pretty floral dress for a tomboy take on a girly look.
    Team with cropped trousers, rolled at the ankle, and a pretty blouse.


MY THOUGHTS

I love them. Period

500 pairs of shoes needed

500 pairs of shoes needed
July 14, 2011
Love INC seeking help to put shoes on homeless kids feet

Stephenie Livingston Suwannee Democrat

Live Oak — A first grader was living in a truck with his mother and two other siblings. On his first day at a Suwannee District school this past school year, his jeans were too big, “falling off” were his teacher’s words, and his shoes were in bad shape.

Suwannee teachers report throughout the school year that homeless students don’t have adequate footwear. Some shoes are missing laces, others soles. Some homeless children even come to school barefoot.

Now a local nonprofit is seeking the community’s help.

Love INC, a Christian organization that assists families in need, is challenging local churches, agencies and civic groups to collect 500 pairs of new tennis shoes for homeless children in Suwannee County beginning July 15 and ending August 15. The tennis shoes can be any size for children kindergarten through 12th grade.

Love INC will collect the shoes at their facility at 609 5th Street SW Suite 5 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. daily. Shoes can also be dropped off at the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce in Live Oak at Old City Hall on North Ohio Avenue from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“While a lot of students will have a cool Harry Potter or LL Bean embroidered backpack on the first day of school, these children just want underwear and a clean pair of socks and new shoes,” said Sherrie Anderson, fundraising coordinator for Love INC.

She said the community must understand the extent of the issue and how far reaching homelessness is in Suwannee County in order to combat the problem. In June of last year there were over 360 homeless students in Suwannee County schools. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines “homeless children and youths” as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.”  This definition is broad enough to include “the hidden homeless,” including children and youth that are temporarily doubled-up in housing because they cannot afford a place to live. It also includes those who sleep in a shelter, or a car, park, abandoned building, substandard housing, or low-budget motels.  Those classified as Unaccompanied Homeless Youth are young people who lack safe, stable housing and who are not in the care of a parent or guardian.

Many homeless children in this county are shuffled between family members, according to Anderson.

“I want the community to know what a huge issue this is,” said Anderson. “We as a community need to do something.”

Eventually, she hopes the organization will be able to provide new complete outfits for homeless students. To do that, she said it will take involvement from the entire community.

For some of these students, the first day of school is a dreaded experience. Sometimes, children do not show up because they lack shoes or are embarrassed by their clothes.

For this particular shoe driver, the organization asks that only new shoes be donated.

“We want them to feel special. On the first day of school, as they look at the student to their right and to their left, with a totally new outfits, at least they will have new shoes,” said Anderson.

It’s so very important that these students have necessities, like shoes, she said. “I don’t feel like five hundred pairs is unrealistic.”

Love INC is providing other ways the community can help students meet their basic needs for the new school year.

There are currently nine homeless students in summer school at Suwannee Elementary. Five of them don’t have enough clean underwear, according to Anderson. Love INC is also hosting an outreach program called “Stuff the Bug”. They are working along with local churches to gather underwear, socks, deodorant, toothpaste, and other things of this nature.

The finale will be held at Walmart on SR 129 on July 30 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Homeless advocate for Suwannee County Schools Melanie Buchanan said there are approximately 232 active homeless students currently in the District and over 310 entered the program during the 2010-11 school year. When students enter the homeless program, they are given two new outfits and one pair of shoes. The younger students are provided with crayons while the older students are given calculators.

With budget cuts to special programs and stimulus money drying up, Homeless Liaison Lisa Garrison said the funding they are getting is essentially needed for medical care and counseling. She said the community is helping to provide necessities, and their program needs that help to continue.

However, it's not just about getting them in a school five days a week and making sure students are clothed and healthy. It’s about how much self-confidence a new pair of shoes can give.

Anderson told a story of a student who was constantly acting up in class. Teachers couldn’t understand what the problem was. Why was he acting out? Then one day the child opened up to a faculty member that other students were teasing him about his worn, generic tennis shoes, and told her that’s why he acted out. Wanting to help the student’s feelings, the faculty member bought the student a new pair of shoes.

“Teachers saw a huge improvement. New shoes made all the difference,” Anderson said.

Often, all that is needed is a little self-confidence or something to make them feel special.

“It is unbelievable what it does for a student to have a new pair of shoes on,” said Garrison. “It doesn’t seem that important to some of us, but I get emails from teachers and grandparents saying how it changed the child and gave them some self-confidence. Just because of a new pair of shoes.”

The first grader, living in a truck with his mother and siblings, was given a new pair of jeans, shirt, shoes and a used jacket that had been donated to the school’s homeless program. His teacher thanked the program’s advocates, “You have made one little boy very happy! It’s amazing how a new pair of jeans, shirt and jacket can completely change an attitude.”

She added, “..The jacket is a little small, but he won’t take it off. He loves it.”

MY THOUGHTS

Great idea!  I hope they get all the shoes they need.  And I hope I'd get the guts to start something like this.

TOMS SHOES GETTING INTO EYEWEAR

TOMS SHOES GETTING INTO EYEWEAR

from the article 'Shoe company debuts eyewear for a cause'
By Ashley Archibald

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-06-07-71957.113116-Shoe-company-debuts-eyewear-for-a-cause.html

June 08, 2011

"MAIN STREET — TOMS Shoes, a Santa Monica-based company that provides footwear to underprivileged children in foreign countries, announced Tuesday that it will expand both its product line and charity to fight another global health problem — blindness.

The company's founder and Chief Shoe Giver Blake Mycoskie unveiled the newest product, a line of designer eyewear that TOMS will use to further the "one-for-one" model it established with its shoes.

For every pair purchased, a person with vision problems will receive care that they could not afford before.

"In 2007, when we'd sold 10,000 pairs of shoes, we realized that the one-for-one model was working," Mycoskie said. "We also saw that there were many more needs that were not being met."

It didn't hurt that TOMS shoes became popular with the young, hipster set.

Four years and 1 million pairs of shoes later, Mycoskie and his band debuted three styles of designer sunglasses, with the tagline "Every Stripe Tells a Story" for the pattern built into each pair.

The sunglasses, which are made in Italy, sport three hand-painted stripes, two blue sandwiching one white."

ashley@smdp.com

MY THOUGHTS

A noble cause or a business cause?  What does it matter?  If a thriving business on beautiful shoes is able to help the less privileged, they shouldn't stop at eyewear.

Shoe War vs. Schuh and Shhh

Shoe shop toe to toe with rival over name
Published Date: 29 May 2011
By Bill Magee
http://www.scotsman.com/news/Shoe-shop-toe-to-toe.6776127.jp

A FAMOUS retailer with a 30-year pedigree of selling footwear to the nation is threatening to take a small chain of designer shoe stores to court in a row over the use of similar names.
In an episode being dubbed "Shoe Wars", Schuh, which opened in Edinburgh in 1981, says it will take legal action against Dumfries-based Shhh if it goes ahead with its plans to roll out its shops with its intended title over the next few months.

EN - Disney Books promo
Shoe shop toe to toe with rival over name
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Published Date: 29 May 2011
By Bill Magee
A FAMOUS retailer with a 30-year pedigree of selling footwear to the nation is threatening to take a small chain of designer shoe stores to court in a row over the use of similar names.
In an episode being dubbed "Shoe Wars", Schuh, which opened in Edinburgh in 1981, says it will take legal action against Dumfries-based Shhh if it goes ahead with its plans to roll out its shops with its intended title over the next few months.

Entrepreneur Steven Moffat, who previously specialised in web-based retailing, is planning to open a chain of designer shoe shops in eight British cities from the summer. The first is intended to open in Edinburgh in August but Moffat has now received a strongly worded letter from Murgitroyd and Company, a Glasgow-based firm of trademark attorneys.

The letter claims the trademark Shhh "is similar to our client's well-known mark Schuh, and is to be used in relation to the supply of identical services, leading to a likelihood of confusion on the part of the general public".

It adds that Schuh, which has 59 stores in the UK and Ireland, is the proprietor of several trademarks bearing its name. But Moffat, who claims he is both upset and saddened by Schuh's move, says he is not backing down.

"As I understand it I've to give written undertakings to not supply services under the Shhh… banner and I'm being given 14 days' notice to withdraw it or else they state they reserve the right to take action without further notice," he said.

"We're a luxury shoe boutique, Schuh is a volume retailer. I just don't see the possible confusion. To say that our clients are going to mistake Shhh… pronounced 'Shhh' for Schuh, pronounced 'shoe' - is ridiculous. We're simply just not the same. In fact Scholl and Schuh are much closer and their brand points are much more closely aligned."

Moffat added that his chain will sell only high-end designer shoes in a different retail environment to an average high-street outlet.

"A shot across my bow like this was the last thing I expected or needed," he said. "I've always held Colin Temple (Schuh's chief executive] up as an idol of mine in business and I admire what he has achieved in the footwear industry.

"I respect the brand and the Schuh story is a great story on an ailing high street."

Schuh is not backing down either. A spokesman said: "At Schuh, we are committed to protecting the integrity of our trademarks.

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Shoe shop toe to toe with rival over name
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Published Date: 29 May 2011
By Bill Magee
We do this to ensure that our trademarks perform their essential function, which is to guarantee the trade origin of our goods and services and, in so doing, to protect our consumers."

Following the opening in Edinburgh, Moffat says he will forge ahead with plans to open his first "designer shoe experience" in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, York and Birmingham.

He is a long way behind the well-established Schuh, which from modest beginnings now has a flagship shop in London's Oxford Street, along with a presence elsewhere in Europe.

Its first store opened in Edinburgh's North Bridge Arcade in 1981 and it expanded to Glasgow two years later before building up a nationwide empire.

Schuh moved its headquarters to Livingston in 1991, where last year it opened a store in the town's main shopping centre. In 2010 it also won Best Multichannel Retailer at the Draper's Etail awards, Footwear Etailer of the Year and Multiple Footwear Retailer of the Year.

Moffat intends to concentrate at the designer end of the market, offering brands including Chrissie Morris, Natacha Marro and Kat Maconie. "I see only opportunity on the high street," he said. "Historically, during any depression or downturn is exactly when to push for growth, and the age old story of spotting a gap in the market - no matter how thin - will always hold true."

Moffat, founder of Dumfries-based Huan, has to date concentrated on internet-based shopping websites, including Hip Furniture, which he shortly plans to expand to the US.

The Shhh project would fill a gap in Huan's portfolio, he said, as his e-commerce group had no luxury brands. "Fourteen or more years ago I was so excited about the possibilities of the internet.

"I now see the same possibilities for the future of the High Street."

MY THOUGHTS

What's in a name?  A lot, apparently.