Shoe Smitten

Remember when I shared with you a reader comment asking for more comfortable and reasonably-priced shoes to be featured on Shoe Smitten?  I’m sorry that I’m just now starting this weekly series, but better late than never, right? =)

This week’s Sensible Sunday feature is OKA b., “Shoes That Love You”.  Oka b. is not just another “pretty shoe”.  They are cute and comfortable, but they are so much more than just a pretty accessory.  Here are a few things you might not know about OKA b. products that set them apart from other comfort shoes in the market:

• Reflexology-inspired design: The theraputic principles of reflexology guide the design of OKA b. products.  All of the shoes feature an ergonomic footbed enhanced with massage beads to pamper feet with every step.
• Antimicrobial & odor resistant: OKA b.’s non-absorbent material resists the growth of mildew, fungus and bacteria.  A great feature for spas and resorts!
• Non-slip & non-marking: Wear OKA b. shoes in wet or dry terrain, and don’t worry about the colorful shoes leaving marks on floors.
• Microplast® technology: This provides a lightweight, flexible shoe that remains comfortable and durable.
• Machine washable & colorfast: Keep your feet clean and healthy - your OKA b. shoes will resist fading even through repeated washings.
• One-piece construction: All of the shoes feature one-piece construction for superior durability and comfort.
• Endless color combinations: OKA b. offers a diverse color palette and style selection.
• Made in the U.S.A.: The design team and factory are located north of metro Atlanta in Buford, Georgia.  On-site manufacturing allosw for unmatched quality control and attention to detail.
• Vegan friendly: The processes by which the shoes are made are friendly not only to the environment, but to its natural inhabitants as well.  OKA b. does not use animal by-products of any kind on the manufacturing process.
• Environmentally conscious: OKA b. shoes are recyclable, and customers can send their well-loved shoes to the corporate headquarters, where they will be ground and mixed with virgin material to create new product.

Styles I Own

I received two pairs from OKA b.: the Annabelle ($35) in black(below left) and the Gwyneth ($30) in brown(below right).  The Annabelle has a cute little bow, and features an elegant pointed silhouette.  The Gwyneth is a simple design, with a similar pointed silhouette.  Both pairs are amazingly comfortable and wearable.  I’m wearing them today to go grocery shopping!

Some Other Great Picks

As seen in Oprah Magazine, the Chloé is a light and breezy style perfect for running errands or wearing to picnics.  This is a go anywhere thong!  Price: $20

As seen in OK! Magazine, the Savannah will dress up your toes in sparkling style.  Both stylish and comfortable, this glamorous thong looks pretty with a flowy skirt or with jeans.  Price: $30

Whether you need a pair of casual shoes to run a quick errand or go to the spa, or you want a comfortable shoe that can be worn with nearly anything, OKA b. will keep you stepping in style without hurting your feet or breaking the bank.

For more information and to purchase OKA b. shoes, visit www.shoesthatloveyou.com.

Twitter was abuzz today with this unusual story, and I first caught wind of it from @LenKendall and @attitudegrrrl. Thousands of shoes of all kinds appeared out of nowhere on the southbound lanes of Palmetto Expressway, disrupting traffic for hours.  No witnesses have come forward, and it remains a mystery how the shoes got on the busy highway at 7:42 a.m.  Seriously, no one saw this?!  I guarantee if I had been in the area, I would have seen it from a mile away.  Poor shoes!

Some say it could have just been a truck whose doors swung open, releasing its huge shipment on the concrete.  Others think it was a prank similar to one pulled by thieves who returned a statue stolen from the West Palm Beach home of Bernard Madoff.  Others still believe it to be a protest against President Bush, a reference to his recent shoe-dodging experience in Iraq.

But there is an upside to this story of shoe abuse: several nonprofits are benefiting from this shoe-a-lanche (as my friend @attitudegrrrl called it).  Many were invited to pick up as many shoes as they could carry from the stack that the Florida Highway Patrol was keeping in northern Miami-Dade.  Unclaimed shoes will go to Soles4Souls, a shoe-giving charitable organization with projects around the world.

This mess of shoes caused long traffic delays and a two-hour clean-up Friday morning.  Law enforcement officials said whoever dumped the shoes will be charged for the clean up, and it won’t be cheap.

I wish you all a Happy New Year!  I have a feeling that it will be the best yet.  I’ve made a few New Year’s goals for myself and Shoe Smitten:

1. Blog more.  I don’t think I will ever blog “enough”, but my goal is to blog twice a day - once in the morning and once at night.  
2. Conduct more interviews with fashion bloggers and designers.  Want to be interviewed on Shoe Smitten?  Email me and we’ll set it up!
3. Go to at least one fashion show.  Yours truly has never been to a fashion show, and I know I’m missing out.  It’s hard to find fashion shows here in Kansas.  But I want, no I need to see those fabulous shoes up close and in person!  And when I do, I’m going to blog about it so that you all can see, too.
4. Buy more flats and wedges.  Most of the shoes I own are stilettos and peep toes.  It’s high time that I give my feet a bit of a break with some more comfortable (and still stylish) shoes.

trend
n.
1. The general direction in which something tends to move.
2. A general tendency or inclination. See synonyms at tendency.
3. Current style; vogue: the latest trend in fashion.

The New Year is coming, but not all is out with the old and in with the new in shoe fashion.  Here I’ve made a list of what I believe were the best and worst shoe trends of 2008.  Some captured my imagination and have me hoping that they last well into the New Year; others horrified me and all I can do is hope that they make their exit when the clock strikes midnight tomorrow!  What do you think were the best and worst trends of 2008?

Best

• Peep toes and colored/textured tights - Just follow a few simple rules and you’re golden!
• Architectural (extreme) heels - The more interesting, the better if you ask me!  Visit shoes.about.com for an example.
• Super stilettos - Pair a super-high heel with a platform and you will stand above the rest and stay safer (the platform helps with balance).  Learn more about the risks and lures of the super stiletto.
• Animal Prints-I love animal print, in small doses, usually on accessories (not all over the body), for example my Bernardo “Biker” flats.  Browse the top animal print shoes for women and decide how much of your wild side you’ll reveal in 2009.
• Embellished shoes - Buttons, buckles, chains and other embellishments add that certain something to a pair of shoes.
• Two tone - Two-tone shoes add interest to an otherwise boring outfit.
• Bold statement shoes - Just take a look at this CBS News video, where shoes make a bold fashion statement.  I love letting my shoes do the talking, while the rest of my outfit lays fairly low.
• Tall cuffed boots - ShoeBlog and I agree that the tall boot is a classic that will never go out of style, just make sure that if it’s cuffed, you avoid jeans since the cuff adds bulk to the calf.
• Purple footwear - I love the color purple because it is such a rich tone that compliments so many of the colors I enjoy wearing.

Worst

• Socks with sandals - I feel that a sock underneath a beautiful strappy stiletto totally counteracts the elegance of the shoe.  Sandals are meant to show off the foot!  However kpriss at Stylefrizz, like some other fashion gurus, supports this trend.
• Crocs - If you follow me on Twitter, than you are well aware of my feelings against Croc shoes.  What scares me is that, as Dan says in his article Crocs: The Latest Trend That Just Won’t Die, “they seem destined to become a staple of our collective closets.”
• Furry boots - Do I really need to justify why these hairy monstrosities made my “worst” list?
• Uggs - I dislike the traditional style Ugg boot, although I did note that not all Uggs are ‘Ugh’ when I spotted a pair of stacked-heel Uggs at TJ Maxx.
• Industrial/Military boots - ShoeDish might love these, but I just don’t see the appeal.  However I think the military boots she found are the prettiest I’ve seen.  I found this site, Combat Boot Review, dedicated to combat boots that offers good advice on finding the best pair, if you want to take this trend with you into the New Year.
• Wedges - They are okay for every now and then, but I hope that they cease to dominate the feet of most fashionistas (I only own one pair).  Unlike pumps and stiletto heels, the wedge is flattering on few legs.

Today I tried on my new Pura Lopez Women’s N601 Peep Toe Pumps with my new satin skirt from Forever XXI (see what else I got there today here).  Please excuse the veins on my feet - I just got home from working out   I love the detail on the vamp - so festive!  I plan on wearing them to one of my New Year’s parties, although I know for certain that I’ll be wearing my L.A.M.B. “Yoyo” sandals when I ring in the New Year.

You can buy a pair of these pretty pumps for $354.95 at www.endless.com

I’m breaking away from my usual posts to announce that today my best friend Marlena (@mhood1776) just found out she’s having a baby girl!  She came over today and started making her online baby registries at Target and Babys ‘R’ Us.  Here are a few shoes that I helped her pick out for her registry.  The first two pairs were no-brainers because Marlena has a thing for butterflies.

Ministar Baby Shoes - Flowers, $12.99 at Target

Ministar Baby Shoes - Butterfly, $12.99 at Target

Ministar Fur Bootz - Beige, $19.99 at Target

And if you’re in a humorous mood, pick up a pair of baby high heels: