DISNEY KEDS SHOES

Disney Keds Shoes At The Disney Store
January 26, 2011 |  by Disnology Staff

You can now personalize your own Keds shoes online at DisneyStore.com. You get to pick the color of a number of different parts of the shoes to make a totally unique pair of shoes just for you!

Be sure to let us know if you design your own pair of shoes and what colors you choose! So fun!

http://www.disnology.com/2010/11/30/disney-store-times-square-new-york-city/

MY THOUGHTS

check it out by clicking the title.  see if you'll love them,too.

Better Job Might Mean Hotter Shoes

Better Job Might Mean Hotter Shoes
January 22, 2011 By Mark Whysall

If you are one of the millions of people that are currently looking for a job you probably already know how important a resume is. Did you know that a resume doesn’t have to be the only thing that is going for you? Dressing to impress may land you the job you want and that means everything from your shirt to your shoes. Hotter shoes could mean the difference between a rejection or a second interview.

Many managers that have been in their position for over twenty years may be relying on old hiring tactics. Those tactics, while rather superficial, might be what has been holding you back from landing that job. One of those old tactics is judging someone by their shoes. If their shoes are old and unpolished then that may mean the interviewee doesn’t take care of their belongings very well, so why would they protect the company’s belongings? Another thing that managers might attribute to a pair of hotter shoes is that the interviewee took enough time and has put forth an effort in everything and that includes their shoes.

It doesn’t take a lot of money to have hotter shoes. It might just mean some new laces and some polish, but it may make the difference in your next interview.

MY THOUGHTS

i remember judging job applicants by their manicure. that's because the job calls for it. and shoes, yes, i look. a bit.  but it was never the deciding factor.if i see someone with worn out shoes, i figure, the guy really needs a job.

Store owner wearing real Nikes charged with selling fake ones

Store owner wearing real Nikes charged with selling fake ones
Merchandise seized as three Volusia stores, Seminole apartment searched
January 21, 2011|By Gary Taylor, Orlando Sentinel

Amir Qadir was wearing a pair of Nike shoes when he was arrested Wednesday by Volusia County Sheriff's investigators.

Qadir's shoes were the real thing, but in his DeLand store, Hip Hop Clothing, investigators found 471 pairs of counterfeit Nikes, Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

Qadir, 44, and Pedro Melendez, 33, owner of NY Streetz in Deltona, were both arrested as part of a three-month investigation into counterfeit merchandise.

MY THOUGHTS

why am i comparing this to a dentist fitting a client's false teeth when all his teeth are still originals?  because i'm crazy, that's why!!!

H&M Exclusive Line of Clogs

Retail roundup: H&M to sell exclusive line of clogs, Kardashian Silly Bandz, Ontario Mills adds Lacoste outlet
January 22, 2011 |  6:00 am

-- H&M is adding to its selection of cheap-chic apparel with a line of clogs. Yep, you read that right -- H&M says the wooden-soled shoes, made by "cult shoe label" Swedish Hasbeens, will be "one of this spring's must-haves" and will be available April 20 in 150 stores worldwide.

Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's head of design, said the shoes -- H&M is releasing three styles priced from $59.95 to $69.95 -- "take something traditional and Swedish and make it contemporary and modern."

"These Hasbeens for H&M fit perfectly with the '70s bohemian look that's so important this coming season," she said.

-- They've already got reality TV shows, boutiques, multiple apparel lines, dietary supplements, a book and perfume deals, and now the Kardashians are moving into children's toy products.

Kim, Kourtney and Khloe have teamed up with Silly Bandz to release their own pack of the collectible rubber bands that are molded into various shapes. The Kardashians' Silly Bandz feature silhouettes of the individual girls as well as a stiletto heel, perfume bottle, kiss lips, sunglasses and other "glam" shapes.

-- Ontario Mills mall will be opening a Lacoste Outlet location this summer, joining a new Sports Authority store and "greatly expanded" Forever 21 and Burlington Coat Factory locations. The Lacoste store will feature 25% to 80% off the brand's regular prices, the mall said.

-- Andrea Chang

MY THOUGHTS

clogs are really hopt these days.  they give your legs a great look, you get more height but they won't kill your feet.

PORCELAIN SHOES

Antiques: Porcelain shoes reflect flamboyant post-Victorian era
By John Sewell     * Fri Jan 21 2011

Q. My father has a pair of china shoes that have been in the family for years. The shoes are about 13 centimetres in length (five inches). They were given to my grandfather as a wedding present, between 1890 and 1899. On the bottom of each shoe, there are markings and the word “Germany.” Can you tell me if they have any value, and if so what that might be?

— Sally, Toronto

A. Definitely, these shoes weren’t made for stomping grapes. While they are typical of thousands of porcelain shoes made in the past, the realistic grape leaves and applied grape clusters give yours extra flair.

They were made by Galluba & Hofmann between 1905 and 1927. This German company was in business, as early as 1888, making porcelain figurines and decorative gift articles. Literally, hundreds of porcelain shoes were produced, featuring hundreds of different decorative motifs. Your attractive shoes reflect the flamboyant post-Victorian era. And it’s unusual, to have a pair that have survived in top condition.

Today, these impressive ornaments carry a value of about $85.

MY THOUGHTS

for a while there,i thought people in the victorian era wore porcelain shoes.  can you imagine yourself walking with porcelain shoes?  like cinderella's glass slippers? click on the title if you want to see the pic.

Best Care for Python Bags and Alligator Shoes

The Best Care for Python Bags and Alligator Shoes
By CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN

Exotic skins like python, anaconda and alligator have become increasingly common in handbags and accessories. Generally more fragile than leather, these skins should be treated with special care, says Steve Dumain, co-founder of the high-end Be & D handbag label.

Mr. Dumain, who uses exotic skins in both his main and bespoke handbag and shoe lines, says he enjoys using skins such as eel or ostrich, because their unusual patterns can " add depth, richness and texture." The designer, who has a personal collection of more than 600 bags, shoes and other accessories in all sorts of leathers and skins, says that if the skin is natural or untreated, the first thing he does is apply a light coat of waterproof spray. "This will help reduce dirt and water marks, as well as help preserve the natural characteristics of the leather," he says. He usually uses Collonil Waterstop Spray but tests it on a small section of the item first—and is careful not to "soak the product" in it, which could ruin the skin.

Generally, he is careful not to expose exotic skins to direct heat or sunlight for long, which "may cause uneven fading to occur," he says. He also avoids putting his bags on rough or sharp surfaces, as exotic skins can scratch easily.

Exotic skins may dry out faster than leather. To prevent that, Mr. Dumain periodically applies a leather conditioner made specifically for exotic skins. Alligator and crocodile are less susceptible to drying and cracking than python and ostrich, "due to the shape of the skin and scales," Mr. Dumain says. "But all exotic skins need to be treated on occasion—every few months for snakeskin and less frequently for smoother exotic skins," he adds.

Before applying the conditioner, Mr. Dumain thoroughly cleans the surface with a damp rag. (Mr. Dumain avoids using household cleaners, which can be particularly damaging.) He puts the conditioner on a lint-free or microfiber cloth, not directly on the item, and applies several light, even coats, letting the leather dry between applications. With shoes, which face more wear and tear, Mr. Dumain will often use conditioner more frequently, depending on their condition.

It isn't necessary to keep items made of exotic skins in the bag they came in, but storing them in some type of bag or box can help preserve them. Mr. Dumain keeps them in a place that's cool, dark and dry, since moisture "can lead to mold." If he spills something on an exotic-leather item, he blots it gently and then uses a little warm water on the stain right away. Once he is home, he applies a professional leather cleaner made for suede, which is more delicate than leather.

While all this care may sound like a lot of work, Mr. Dumain believes it has a long-term payoff. "Your exotic skins have the ability to last for many, many years—even decades," he says. "So take the time to give them the attention."

MY THOUGHTS

i'm not a fan of animal skin.  i've had a few pieces but nothing i bought myself.  ostrich and eel?  well, have you seen those wallets made out of frog skins? yikes!

Are Asian Feet Different?

Are Asian Feet Different?

Is the shape of an Asian foot different from a Western one?

Apparently, that’s what the luxury shoe brand Rupert Sanderson is banking on with its new line, which it says is tailored to an Asian foot. The shoes will hit shelves in its Hong Kong boutique next month.

The brand, also sold at Lane Crawford, is managed in Asia by Bruton Limited, a Hong Kong-based company headed by Bertrand Mak and Teresa Wong.

“We basically developed a new last [the mold on which a shoe is built] that is tailor-made for the Asian foot,” says Mr. Mak. “We’re trying to make a four-inch [10-centimeter] heel more comfortable.”

According to Mr. Mak, Asian feet tend to be higher-arched and narrower than their Western counterparts. The custom mold will provide greater support for the instep, says Mr. Mak, and make the heel “feel considerably lower” — indeed, half as high.

Science, though, disputes Mr. Mak’s claims.

“Asian feet tend to be slightly broader in the forefoot and they have a lower arch profile,” says Hong Kong podiatrist Alexandra Duff, who has been practicing for 15 years. In fact, she says, about 80% of Asians are flat-footed — more than any other ethnic group.

Mr. Mak admits that he did not consult a podiatrist in making the mold. Instead, his research consisted of speaking with friends and customers. “I have no interest in going into the technical aspects of making a shoe,” he says. The mold was also created from the casting of a single foot: that of business partner Teresa Wong, who he says has very high arches.

“Of course it’s not very accurate; every foot is different,” admits Mr. Mak. “We took a more pragmatic approach — our customers were saying that the shoe styles did not feel supported.”

But extra support for the arches will do little to alleviate the damage high heels inflict on women’s bodies, says Dr. Duff, who recommends that women stick to heels under 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters).

“Once you go over that, your foot doesn’t work properly at all,” she says. “It’ll increase lower-back pain and give you knee issues.”

As for the Rupert Sanderson mold? “You’re just putting a little build-up in the inside of the shoe, but it’s still a four-inch heel,” she says. “It’s like wearing a pair of Jimmy Choos with an insole in it.”

MY THOUGHTS

i never really thought of the differences.  i know we Asians can wear shoes made outside of our continent.  it's true though that our feet are smaller but broader and we have a lot of flat-footed individuals.  so,  this may well be a welcome change. we Asians must be one big market for shoes if someone had taken the risk to specialize on beautiful shoes for Asian feet.