Back to School 2010: pediped Flex Adjustable Fit Girl's Shoes

Just about a year ago, I had tried pediped children's shoes for the first time in the form of girl's leather sandals for my daughter. I was extremely impressed with the pediped Flex sole on those sandals then, but seeing the Flex sole combined with the custom fit feature of these Giselle leather mary jane shoes made me an even bigger fan of pediped.

The pediped Flex is the line of shoes especially designed for walkers in the pediped Footwear System. The Flex shoes are available for both boys and girls who are approximately ages 1 to 6. This line includes casual shoes, dress shoes, athletic shoes, and boots . . . everything your child needs for back-to-school.

Aside from the ultra-flexible sole and the supple leather upper, what impressed me the most about this shoe is the extra set of insoles that are included in the box.

These insoles are meant to be placed under the existing insole of the shoe. They not only provide an extra cushion for added comfort, but they extend the life of the shoe for your child. Our children go up a half size about every 3 or 4 months as far as shoes go. Adding an extra set of insoles to shoes normally make them 1/2 size smaller. So you can purchase shoes just slightly larger than your child needs and have them use the extra insoles until their feet grow a bit. When it is time, you can remove the extra set of insoles and for a roomier fit.

I am loving these Giselle shoes for fall! They will go well with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses. Plus it is wonderful to be able to have an option other than sneakers when looking for a really comfortable shoe. My daughter loved these so much the first time she put them on that she wore them in the house all day long. She would never do that if they bothered her feet at all.

The same style of the Giselle is also available in pediped's new Grip 'n' Go shoes collection designed for toddlers ages 9 months to 3 years old. Both styles of the Giselle retail for $45.

To view the new fall styles in children's shoes, visit pediped.com . You can order pediped shoes right on the website or use their store locator to find additional retailers. You can also find pediped on Facebook and on Twitter. For a limited time, you can receive Free Ground Shipping on orders of $75 or more when you use Code: 75Ship at checkout!

Thank you to pediped for sending us a sample pair of shoes free of charge to base this review upon.

Review: Naturalizer N5 Comfort Elements "Keene" Sandals

Before I became a busy mom, I was pretty vain . . . enough so that I was willing to sacrifice comfort for the perfect look. Shoes were no exception. I remember this one pair of white faux patent leather heeled boots I had. They drew blood, but they sure looked cute!

Well Michelle Ebbin, Naturalizer's N5 reflexologist and mom to 3, would like other moms to know that taking care of their feet is important and we do not need to give up being fashion-forward in order to be comfortable.

Here are some tips from Ebbin regarding shoe shopping:

• 15 minutes of…comfort: When selecting a shoe, you should be able to walk for at least 15 minutes without discomfort or pressure to any part of the feet. Even if you live in heels, you should be able to feel balanced and stable enough so that you are not carrying all of your body weight on the balls of your feet. Balance ensures that your core is stable and energy circulation can flow easily. Stability promotes stress relief and improved posture.
• Breathe easy: Every woman knows how annoying sweaty, sliding feet can be. And when your feet can’t breathe, your energy can’t flow. Find shoes with a breathable lining. By keeping your feet cool, and comfortable, you can relieve and prevent energy blockages in the feet.
• Lighten up and embrace the softer side: Hard, clunky shoes are more than just ugly, they can affect your circulation. The lighter the weight and the softer the cushioning, the less pressure on your feet which means better circulation.
• The 2010 shoe mantra – NO BREAKING IN: Flexibility means no “breaking-in” period. Supportive, lightweight shoes lessen the impact of gravity, which can wreak havoc on your feet and your entire body. Buy shoes that feel good straight out of the box.

Naturalizer's N5 Comfort Elements line is all about combining style with comfort. I was fortunate enough to be able to test this out for myself. When I saw the Naturalizer Keene, I knew they were for me. Not only do they look super-comfy, they are much more stylish than the last three pairs of plain black platform slide sandals I've owned. The silver studs and the slightly distressed look really give these shoes a little edge.

The characteristics about the Keene that makes it one of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn are the extra cushioning in the footbed, the lightweight yet cushy cork platform, the flexible non-slip outer sole, the rounded toe, and the supple smooth leather. These shoes would work great with jeans, capris, shorts, or a casual skirt or dress. One thing that makes this shoe more casual is the cork platform midsole, which gets nicked and scratched easily. The cork is only black on the outer surface, so these shoes will gain an even more distressed look over time.

I have to say that, if all the Naturalizer N5 shoes are as comfortable as these, I'm sold! I will be turning to Naturalizer next time I need dress shoes. I have yet to find a truly comfortable pair of dress heels in all my adult life.

If you would like to shop for your own pair of Naturalizer shoes, you can save 15% off your purchase (some exclusions apply) when you use Code: NTWELL at checkout on Naturalizer.com and Naturalizer.ca . This coupon expires on June 10th, 2010.

Thank you to Naturalizer for sending me a sample pair of shoes free of charge to base this review upon. This review was written as part of a campaign for the Family Review Network.

Review: Sanita Leather Clogs

I have never been a fan of shoes with laces. In fact, I would say about 90% of my shoes are either slip-ons or backless. The other 10% are boots and sneakers for walking or running.

If you have it in your head that clogs are uncomfortable to wear, then you have been misinformed. I can't speak on behalf of wooden clogs, but these women's leather clogs from Sanita are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own. The Professional Cabrio clogs have a smooth polished leather upper, which is perfect for a city girl like me.

When I first put on my Sanita clogs, I thought they were a bit heavy and was worried they would be difficult to walk in. I was proven wrong when I was able to feel the natural rocking motion the shape of the soles provide. Walking in these shoes is almost effortless.

Another concern of mine is that the front of the shoe felt hard when I first slipped these clogs on. I wondered if they were going to give me blisters after awhile. Surprisingly, after about 30 minutes, that feeling went away. It does not seem possible for leather to mold to my feet so quickly, so I cannot explain it. These shoes went from slightly uncomfortable to completely comfortable in no time at all.

Sanita recommends keeping these Cabrio clogs polished and clean with a soft dry cloth, but I have not had to perform any maintenance so far. I've worn these shoes for a month and a half and the leather has retained its luster. I am very curious to see how well they will hold up through a New England winter. The rubber soles have a tire tread pattern, so I cannot wait to test them out on the snow and ice.

You can find Sanita Clogs at many specialty shoe retailers, such as The Walking Company. Use the Sanita products store locator to find a retailer near you.

Thank you to Sanita for providing a pair of clogs for this review.