The FitFlop Leather Crush Boot from Sole Provisions is Style & Ultimate Comfort Rolled Into One

Thank you to Sole Provisions for providing a complimentary FitFlop boot sample to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

You may have heard rumors recently about my turning forty.  Well, it's true.  Although I mostly faced my recent birthday graciously, I was suddenly more aware of the aches in my lower back and knees.  Those pains weren't new.  I had already mostly given up on wearing any shoes with heels higher than 2-inches.  These aches were just evidence that I was no long a 30-something mom.

When I first heard of the brand FitFlop, I was skeptical.  Then I went to the Sole Provisions retail site and found myself to be pleasantly surprised that FitFlop not only offers much more than just thong-style sandals, they make clogs, sneakers, and boots!  Did I ever mention that I am a boot-addict?

What FitFlop is known for is their MICROWOBBLEBOARD midsole.  This technology allows their footwear to distribute the pressure underfoot.  The soles also do an excellent job of absorbing the shock from walking, so there is less stress on the legs and joints.  I was thrilled to be able to try out a pair of the FitFlop Leather Crush Boots and I knew just the place to take them for a test run . . . at the annual Renaissance Faire.

Aside from sitting down to eat lunch and to watch a few shows, my family and I spent the rest of the time from 10am to about 5:30pm walking around.  There were lots of shops to browse through, lines to wait in, and fun costumes to see.

I must say that my feet did not feel tired at all and it was not until the last hour that we spent at the Renaissance Faire that my legs started to feel slightly tired.  These boots were lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear.  The Crush Boot was the first pair of shoes I've tried that rivaled the comfort and support of sneakers.  If I had a choice, I would choose a stylish pair of leather wedge-heeled boots over sneakers any day!

I should mention that the boots came with a little warning on the tag that said the special midsole could potentially increase the activity of certain muscles when walking.  It also advised that I wear them for a short time at first and then slowly increase the length of time.  When we got home from the Renaissance Faire, my legs were barely tired at all.  The next morning, however, my legs felt like I had run a marathon.  So, that is something you should keep in mind with your first pair of FitFlop footwear.

Visit SoleProvisions.com to view the full selection of FitFlop shoes.  The Crush Boot is available in versatile colors in both leather and suede uppers.  Which one is your favorite?

Back-to-School Must-Haves: Clayton Kids Waterproof Hiking Boot by KEEN

Want to give a child incentive to learn to tie his shoelaces?  Let him pick out a pair of super-cool lace-up boots or shoes!  Our 5-1/2 year old son is determined to learn to tie his new Keen leather hiking boots before the cold weather hits.  That is the promise he made to me when he chose the Clayton Waterproof boots over the laceless pair I was considering.

In addition to a pair of traditional snow boots, I always like my children to have a pair of shorter waterproof boots.  The snow boots can be saved for the days when there is a lot of snow on the ground, but the ankle boots can be worn for rain, slush, or a little snow.  An added bonus is that, with these boots, our son does not need to change his shoes when he gets to school.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

Although I agree with my son that the Clayton WP boots are pretty cool looking, what impressed me as a parent is the non-marking lug sole.  Our son is a peanut, so he needs all the help he can get to gain traction when walking in the slippery slush and snow.  I have slipped and fallen more than my fair share throughout my life and am always worried that my children will sustain a serious injury if they should slip and fall.

There are also lots of small details that shows there was quite a bit of thought put into the design of this shoe.  I love how the tongue stays upright and in place, something our son often struggles with on his sneakers.  I also really appreciate the large loop on the back of the shoe to help our son pull the shoe onto his foot.  On so many shoes, the loop is very small.  On the Clayton WPs, my son can fit more than just one finger in the loop.

The unisex Clayton WP is new to the KEEN footwear collection for Fall 2012.  It is available in four colors (our son is wearing the Slate Black/Chili Pepper) and retails for $70.  To learn more about these and other KEEN footwear for the whole family, visit www.keenfootwear.com and KEEN on Facebook.


Thank you to KEEN for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Shop 'n' Share: Wonder Woman Canvas Sneakers plus Some Early Holiday Gifts

Last month I shared with you the tank top and ring I had ordered from Oasap.com.  This is my second month as an Oasap Fashion Hunter blogger and am thoroughly enjoying myself.  I love to shop and share and that is what this program is all about.

This month I used my Oasap Fashion Hunter credits to order these Wonder Woman Canvas Sneakers that I had saved on my wishlist last month.  I was so relieved to find that they had not sold out yet, like several other things I had on my wishlist did.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

The shoe box arrived inside an Oasap reusable tote bag, which was a nice surprise.  The shoes themselves were just as cute as they appeared to be online.

I had ordered my normal shoes size, which is a US size 7.  The shoes fit perfectly (without socks) and felt comfortable, but after several hours, they started to feel slightly snug when my feet began to expand from being warm.  I think it would not hurt for you to order one size up in these shoes, especially if you live in a warm climate or if you like to wear thick socks with your sneakers.  The other thing I wanted to point out is that the shoelaces are shorter than I am used to.  If you like to double-knot, be aware that the laces on these sneakers are not long enough to do that (not easily anyways).

 Since I had additional credits leftover, I decided to choose some items for holiday gifts for a couple of my fashion-loving family members.  My 8 year old son thought this Vintage Balloon Bear Necklace would be perfect for his sister, so I ordered it for him to gift to her for Christmas.  Although the necklace is adorable, I had a couple of issues with it.  The first issue was that one of the chains that held the balloon to the basket was disconnected on one end.  I was able to reconnect it with the help of a pair of small pliers.  The second issue was that the lever on the lobster claw clasp broke off while I was testing out the adjustable length of the necklace.  Again, with the help of my trusty pliers, I was able to fix this.  I removed the clasp and the extender altogether and made it into a necklace that would just slip over my daughter's head since the chain was long enough.

I also chose this Long Retro Butterfly Necklace for our children to gift to their grandmother this holiday.  I think she will like the bold design and the rich colors.  After what happened to the teddy bear necklace, I double-checked the clasp on this necklace and it seemed to work just fine.

Some perks about shopping on Oasap.com is that they offer Free Shipping Worldwide.  They also offer a 20% discount on your first purchase and you can earn credits towards your next purchase by using their Rewards Card and sharing photos of your purchases.


Thank you to Oasap for providing credits for me to shop and share my experiences with my readers.

The Jambu Rainbow Mesh - Vegan . . . Stylish, Sporty, Comfortable Flats

Having tried and fallen in love my first pair of Jambu shoes last fall, I was eager to test out a pair for the warmer months, during which comfort is key for someone like me, whose favorite season is autumn.  Over the past year, I have gradually replaced my less-than-comfortable heeled shoes with flat-soled shoes.  I have purchased several pairs of sporty flats, but I am having a difficult time adding to that collection because they are all starting to look too similar.  That is why I chose these Rainbow Mesh - Vegan Flats in Pistachio for myself.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

Like all other Jambu shoes, these have a unique look due to the attention to detail that Jambu has come to be known for . . .

In addition to grey being one of my favorite colors lately, what really attracted me to this shoe is the two-color twisted and knotted cording that spans the the heel and the vamp.  This is such a unique detail.  Also, this shoe has reflective strips across the Velcro strap, on the heel, and across the vamp, but these strips simply look grey like the rest of the shoe until light is directed upon them.  This makes the shoe look slightly less sporty, making them suitable to wear with a causal dress or skirt.

I wore the Jambu Rainbow Mesh shoes to my son's soccer game during a very unusual heatwave last week.  With other shoes, I have had the problem of their becoming uncomfortable the longer I wear them because my feet tend to expand slightly when I am warm and I have been on my feet for awhile.  I did not have any problems with this shoe because my feet never felt hot.  The mesh, as promised by Jambu, is very breathable.  Between the memory foam footbed, the rubber outersole and toe bumper, and the extremely secure Velcro strap, this shoe was comfortable enough for me to wear while warming up with my son before the soccer game.

Besides the style, comfort, and wearability of their shoes, Jambu is also known for its efforts to produce eco-friendly shoes.  The Jambu Vegan line of shoes is 100% animal-friendly.  The outersoles on all the shoes are made of partially recycled rubber.  The sturdy reusable shoe box is 100% recycled and recyclable, as are the accompanying shoe bags.

The Jambu Rainbow Mesh - Vegan Flat retails for $99.  To learn more about Jambu, visit Jambu.com and the Jambu Adventure Designs blog, as well as Jambu on Facebook and on Twitter.

Trendy Camo Wedge Shoes from My Shoe Connection

At first glance, it would seem that My Shoe Connection only offers prom shoes, bridal shoes, and other special occasion footwear for women, men, and children.  If you dig a little deeper, however, it turns out that this site also offers some fun trendy casual shoes for both warm and cold weather.  I was so very surprised at the huge selection of fall and winter boots available on this site.  I actually had to talk myself out of reviewing a pair of boots because a small part of me (the part that does not suffer from allergies) is looking forward to the arrival of Spring.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

The shoes I selected for myself were these canvas Casual Wedges in Pink Camo.  Since the huge wave of 3d flowers emerged last Spring, I have kept my eye out for a pair of warm weather shoes that I liked.  Many of those sandals had a strappy and severe tribal look to them, but these are fun and flirty.

I have to admit that, while requesting these shoes, I thought to myself, "I might just sprain an ankle chasing after the children in these shoes."  It turns out that these shoes are very secure.  I ordered my true size, which is a 7M and they fit my foot perfectly.  They actually cradle my feet, which do not slide forward or backward in the shoe while I walk.  The sole is rubberized and offers great traction.  The footbed is curved so that your foot rocks forward with each step.  They would work great with any denim, khaki, or canvas pants, shorts and skirts, as well as with a casual dress.

Although this shoe is comfortable, there is not much cushion in them.  They feel very similar to wearing a wedge-type espadrille.  This is fine for anyone like me who has no problems walking around barefoot on hardwood and tile floors.

These casual wedges retail for $42.95 on My Shoe Collection.  In addition to the Pink Camo, they are also available in a Grey and a Red skeleton pattern.  You can view these and their entire selection of shoes, dresses, handbags, and accessories by visiting MyShoeConnection.com.  Remember to take advantage of their Free Shipping on shoes and the rest of your purchase totaling $40 or more within the continental U.S.  Also, 3G2S readers can receive an additional 10% off your purchase when you checkout using Code:  Garnet12.


Thank you to My Shoe Connection for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Shop 'n' Share: Great Prices for Kids' Skechers & New Balance Sneakers

If your children are anything like our nearly 8 year old son, then he (or she) already has certain brand names he wants for things like graphic tees and sneakers.  Since our son no longer wears shoes that fall in the toddler category, the price for the same pair of shoes is about $10 more on average.  I am not sure if it is the way I was brought up, but I refuse to spend $40 or $50 on a pair of shoes that will be outgrown in 3 months time.  It is possible to buy quality shoes in the brands my son wants at a reasonable price.

There are some stores where I happen to get lucky once in awhile and find some Skechers, New Balance, or Nike sneakers on sale, such as Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Marshalls.  I have purchased good brand name children's sneakers from these stores for anywhere from $20 to $30.  If I need to buy a pair of sneakers for my son in the near future, I really do not want to check so many stores just hoping to get "lucky".  A few months ago, I realized that Famous Footwear carries the brand names that my son wants and often have a Buy One Get One Half Off deal.  I now consider FamousFootwear.com a reliable source for me to shop for shoes for my family.  My husband also is very specific about what brand of sneakers he trusts, so having the BOGO deal really works out for us.

I just purchased these Skechers Kids' Volcanic Sneakers for my son and a pair of New Balance sneakers for my husband at Buy One Get One Half Off and an additional 20% off on top of that.  Both pairs of shoes were already slightly reduced in price before these two promotions.  My husband's shoes ended up being only $43.99 and my son's Skechers were ultimately only $14.00!

Another reason why I like Famous Footwear is that they offer flat rate standard shipping for $4.50 for the first two pairs of shoes and free shipping on three or more pairs of shoes.  Now I just need them to expand their selection of handbags . . .


No compensation, gifts, or products were received for sharing this shopping experience with my readers.

The Jambu Tokyo Mary Jane . . . a Sporty Shoe with a Little Edge

Over the past 8 months, I have slowly been converted from being a loyal full time wearer of heeled shoes to a part time wearer of flat-soled shoes. I know that I feel taller and more confident in heeled shoes, but the comfort that flat shoes offer sometimes make me forget about that.  These Sporty Wedge Designs Tokyo Mary Jane shoes by Jambu have renewed my faith in heeled shoes.

One thing that bothers me about sporty flat shoes, other than their making me feel short, is that they are too casual and are only a half a step dressier than sneakers.  I like to wear shoes that will look just as stylish with a pair of jeans as with a skirt.  I loved the look of the Quebec ankle strap shoe, but my size was out of stock.  The main things that drew me towards the Tokyo Mary Janes were the details of the side zipper and the red contrast stitching.  Nothing is better than a little hardware to give shoes a little touch of edginess.  The combination of brushed suede and vintage leather is right in line with the Fall 2011 trend of mixed media clothing, shoes, and handbags.

(Click any image to enlarge)

Although I very much like the look of these shoes, the comfort of the memory foam footbed was what made me love them.  That combined with the cushy rubber outersole made these shoes surprisingly comfortable.  One thing I had been worried about was that the wedge bottom would be rocky and unsteady.  I own a pair of clogs with a similarly shaped bottom that never fail to cause me to sprain my ankle because my foot would tip too easily.  It turned out that the bottom of the Tokyo shoe was not tippy at all and were very secure to walk in.

Something Jambu footwear is known for is their efforts to use recycled materials.  The outersoles of these shoes are made of partially recycled rubber.  The shoebox these shoes came in is 100% recycled, recyclable, and reusable.  In fact, there is a message printed on the inside bottom of the box that reads "A Keepsake Box for You - 100% Reusable".

To view Jambu's full Fall 2011 line, including the Sporty Wedge Designs, Metro Designs, Bare Feet Designs, and more, visit Jambu.com.  The Tokyo shoes retails for $120 and is available in Black and Moss.  You can purchase these shoes at Athleta.com.


Thank you to Jambu for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Back To School 2011: Teva Kid's Charge High Performance Sneakers

Our soon-to-be second grader starts school again at the end of August!  I remember when the first day of school was not until after Labor Day.  Not only does that cut our summer short, but it also takes away the time we have for back-to-school shopping.  I am in pretty good shape for all three of my children as far as back-to-school goes.  I have most of the school supplies purchased from the teachers' lists and I always shop the fall/winter sales from the previous year so that I have some fall clothes already.  This way, I do not have to panic and buy a ton of clothes all at once, which is harder on my sanity and my wallet.

One thing I rarely buy ahead of time for my son anymore is shoes.  During their infant and toddler years, I was able to accurately predict what size each child would be during the upcoming seasons, but now that my oldest son is in grade school, he goes through growth spurts that seem to happen overnight.  I have also learned that I cannot skimp on his sneakers.  He is an active child, so he needs shoes that are not going to fall apart and ones that will offer him comfort and support.  He also is beginning to be very brand and fashion conscious.  Our son is very excited to be wearing these Teva Kid's Charge High Performance shoes on the first day of school, which offer him all of the above.

Our son has owned sneakers with only elasticized laces before, but they were not adjustable.  When he put on these Teva shoes, he complained that they were too tight.  Once I showed him how to loosen the laces a bit by adjusting the toggle, he found the shoes to be very comfortable.  He was also thrilled that he did not have to tie any shoelaces.

The Durabrasion Rubber sole offers extra traction.  We have yet to test it out during winter weather though.  It is also great that the rubber sole is non-marking, so my son can wear these in the school gymnasium.

These shoes were designed for both boys and girls and are available in Gunmetal (shown), Harvest Pumpkin, and Very Berry.  My son's first choice was the Harvest Pumpkin with the orange trim, but is extremely happy with the Gunmetal, which has a yellow trim, now that he has seen it in person.  I think the Gunmetal is perfect because the colors would work all year round, whereas the darker Harvest Pumpkin looks better-suited for fall and winter.

The Kid's Charge shoes by Teva retail for $45 and also comes in a waterproof version for $55.  You can shop for them on Teva.com and locally at major retailers of outdoor footwear, such as REI.


Thank you to Teva for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.