Slippy-Slide Soles (Say It Three Times Fast)

I've finally worn them! My Ferragamo Varina patent leather flats, that is. After waiting a full month (mostly out of fear of scuffing pretty shoes within three minutes of wear), I exchanged for the proper size - my feet, it seems, shrink a half size to a six in Ferragamos - and then waited another week while I deliberated on how to best protect my investment.

Since the exterior is patent leather, I wasn't worried about the shoe itself getting dirty or wearing down. One of the reasons why I chose patent was because it masks stains and marks better; the shoes being flats, I planned on wearing them often and didn't want to baby them. What made me hesitant to wear the Varinas right away were the slippery bottom soles. Made of leather, the soles seemed too nice to ruin and I cringed thinking of the gritty Manhattan asphalt scraping them up.

I decided to look into adding rubber soles to the bottom of the shoes. Actually, to back up for a minute, I considered the options I had. For other similarly slippery pairs, I'd stuck on self-adhesive grippy pads, but those didn't last long and eventually ground all the way down. I wanted a more permanent solution this time. I also thought about just wearing the shoes normally and letting natural scuffs increase their traction, and later getting them completely resoled. But this seemed like a never ending (and not to mention, pricey) alternative - I'd have to replace them repeatedly once the new sole wore down. To me, I'd rather preempt the issue by getting a rubber sole applied to the bottom.

I took the flats to a local shoe repair shop and was quoted $18 for the pair. Note that $18 was just for half of the shoe's length - a thin layer of rubber material is applied from the toes to about where the arch begins. It would be extra if I wanted to keep going and cover the full length. This is useful if you have Louboutins and don't want to cover the beautiful red bottom (because really, that's why you bought them in the first place). In this case, the Varinas came with a slightly lifted rubber heel already so I only needed to coat the front. The shoe peddler also told me they have red and beige colored soles; useful if ever I have light colored shoes and don't want black bottoms to contrast.

Finished result. This is the only picture I have that clearly shows the original sole - see how shiny and slippery it is?

The rubber soles are great. Now I wear the flats without anxiety of falling, and am satsified knowing that my shoes will last longer. Next time I purchase a pair of expensive shoes, these will be the first steps I take to protecting them.

Fashioning a Path for Asian Americans

Sunday evening, I attended a panel called Asian Americans in the Fashion Industry panel hosted by Columbia University. The event was part of Asian Pacific American Awareness Month, which I suspect is also why Wong Fu was there the previous weekend. SuChin Pak (MTV News Correspondent) played MC, and she was brilliant - funny, articulate and melodious, deftly facilitating the evening's conversation, making sure all panelists had a chance to voice their opinions, and really allowed the audience to get what they came for.

 

SuChin Pak glowed with her red lipstick and dress! 

[photo credit: Opening Ceremony]

The speakers included Carol Lim and Humberto Leon (founders and owners of NY boutique Opening Ceremony), Phillip Lim (designer), Joe Zee (Creative Director of Elle, I first saw him on Stylista), E.J. Samson (Online Editor of Teen Vogue), Tina Chai and Aya Kanai (both freelance stylists), Ujjwala Raut (first Indian Victoria's Secret model), Patrick Li (Creative Director of Li, Inc.) and Arabelle Sicardi (blogger, fashionpirate).

There are already reports regarding the night's spoken contents (here - by the organizer herself, here and here), but I wanted to share some of my own thoughts.
First, one of the early surprises came when I read the brochure and learned that 4 of the 10 panelists graduated from Berkeley! Suchin, Carol, Humberto and Patrick were all former Bears (and the first three were friends during their undergrad days). Knowing so many people who refused to leave the sunny nest of California (can't blame them), it's always interesting to me to find out that there are more Californians in New York than I thought. However, most cross-country migrants I know move to work in the finance or consulting industry; few are in fashion or other creative arts. It's revealing to know that not only is it doable, but also possible to be incredibly successful here.

Second, after SuChin posed the question of "What did you want to do as an 18-year old" to the panelists, it became clear that nobody had a detailed execution plan for arriving at the posts they are now, but they had the passion, even if they tried to stifle it at first. Joe Zee read all the fashion magazines cover to cover and tested himself on whether he could correctly identify the photographers, stylists, and designers before checking the credits. Tina Chai worked in law offices and tried other prudent career paths before finally admitting to herself that she needed to express herself more ceatively. Carol even went through years of banking, consulting, and merchandising before ultimately opening her own store. None of the speakers went to Parson, FIT, or other fashion-specific schools. Not even Phillip Lim, who actually has a degree from CSU Long Beach. The academic pedigree matters less; the focus is on enthusiasm and making sure you complete every task you're given with competence, diligence, and a great attitude.

 

[photo credit: Columbia Spectator]

Third, there is an amazingly broad spectrum of occupations in fashion. Typically, only the most visible ones come to mind - designer, model, buyer maybe. But there are so many ways to insert yourself into the industry if it is your chosen path. From stylists, merchandisers, editors, creative directors, bloggers and writers, legal counsel even. If fashion is where you want to work, you can find a spot to wedge yourself in.
And finally, Phillip Lim is an enthralling story teller! It could be the multiple interviews he's gone through after rocketing to the forefront of fashion and receiving awards left and right, but he can captivate his audience. After hearing of how he came to start 3.1 Phillip Lim and his well-crafted answers to difficult, philosophical questions about fashion's obligations to third-world countries, I appreciate his person so much more. I also am in love with his designs.

More 3.1 Phillip Lim...

At the end of the night, I was inspired and motivated by all the speakers, and could feel that the rest of the audience felt that way too. The panelists gave off a sense of attainability - "if they can do it, I can too!" - they were down to earth, encouraging, and made working in fashion or other creative industries seem closeby and achievable.

Who Says Girls Can't Be Techy?!

With the latest slew of fancy beauty tools, my vanity continues to look more and more technologically advanced with each passing day. It's true that we live in a very fast-paced and ever changing world and the beauty sector is nowhere behind! Technology grants us two crucial positives: convenience and efficiency. With all the time that must be spent on prepping and primping, us girls need all the help we can get, right? Two new toys I picked up this year are the Enzo Milano clipless curler and Emjoi Light Caress epilator and they have made a world of difference in my life. Effectively easing the art of attaining perfect, long-lasting waves and smooth underarms, they've become my top must-have items!

Life saver #1 is my beloved Emjoi epilator. My friend, Polly, was the first person I knew to whip out an epilator and to be honest, I was pretty scared when I initially saw it. The swirling buzz (and vision) of 36 sets of tweezer plates would totally scare off anyone, right?! Thoughts of intense pain entered my head, immediately. However, never being one to like the after-feel of shaving my underarms (who does?), I figured this was something I needed in my life. No pain, no gain. It actually doesn't hurt at all after getting used to the feeling. The unit comes with a massage head attachment that's meant to reduce the pain sensation, but I found this to be completely useless and hindering of actual hair removal. Bite your lip, girls, and this will be your savior. The hypoallergenic plates work quickly and leave my arms smooth, without the fear of nicks, bumps, or ingrowns. I love that it's rechargeable, easy to clean and maintain, and small enough to travel with. It's perfect for those days where you decide last minute that you need to wear a sleeveless top or dress and didn't plan ahead. I've tried using it on my legs as well, but am too impatient to wait through that much surface area. The Emjoi comes in a great selection of adorable colors (yellow, pink, purple, blue) and has saved me from my constantly busy life! This was a perfect investment and I don't think I can live without it ever again. Summer days, I'm totally ready for you! You can buy this at places like Target, but I'd recommend searching Google Shopping or Ebay for some better deals. I got mine off the official Emjoi Ebay store for around $60 (compared to $90ish).

I'm a little late to the party since clipless curlers have been all the rage for a while now, but I couldn't really justify spending more than $30 for a curling iron, let alone $100! I've failed at learning how to curl my hair with straighteners, so have pretty much stuck to the use of drugstore curling irons for the past 5 years. I can decently handle my 1 1/2 inch Revlon curler well enough to attain natural-looking curls, but the frustration of seeing an hour's worth of work fade after 2 hours is no bueno! As such, beautiful waves are saved for very special occasions. How unfair! Finally, after being obsessed with the many YouTube gurus and their beautifully curled locks, I decided to just try out this miracle tool. I bought the 50mm (1-inch) Enzo earlier this year and tried it out for the first time on my recent trip to Vegas. Miracle, it kind of is! The handling takes a few tries to get used to in terms of holding the barrel correctly and looping your hair with the opposite hand using a heat-resistant glove, but once I got the hang of it, the rest was quick and easy! I found that without the hassle of flipping your hair through a curling clip, my curls heated up faster and were more evenly set. Even better was that my hair was pretty long--almost halfway down my back--and the whole thing only took about 20 minutes! Even with a half-attempt at prepping with styling creme, the curls lasted through the majority of the night and photographed super nicely--much better than what I've been able to get from any curling iron I've owned. I'll probably do some more practicing on future nights out, but am definitely sold on this. No more preshistoric curlers for meeeee.

Pick up both items from Beautychoice, especially since the Enzo Milano is on sale for $59.95 (orig. $119.95). I love this site for its quick, free shipping and plentiful promos. Like the Clarisonic, these cost a bit more than I'd like to spend on beauty tools, but definitely worth the investment. With enough care, they'll last forever anyways and save me from my laziness!

Zara Spring Collection Goodies

I've always been a *huge* fan of Zara because of its sophisticated, yet girly style. The brand keeps things simple with a pretty neutral palette and classic pieces. The San Francisco Westfield location is one of my favorite Zara stores, but I'd have to say that the Washington, D.C. Metro Center Zara (1025 F St. NW) definitely gives SF a run for its money! After a day of roaming around the D.C. monuments, my friend, Kim, and I were surprised to find the store unassumingly nestled down the street from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Since it was getting chilly, we figured we could pick up some jackets and scarves to get us through the rest of the night... Instead, we stumbled upon a WHOLE bunch more, thanks to Zara's spring collection.

Although I wasn't really looking to buy that much, I managed to find some super adorable pieces that I've always wanted--a ruffled skirt and simple, crisp white dress! The clutch and tee were just bonus, random goodies. I've been looking for a pretty skirt to wear in the spring with either a long cardigan or blazer, depending on the occasion. I *love* the pretty silk print and can't wait to wear it. The tee was a random item I picked up to try with the skirt, but it ended up fitting well enough for me to buy it. I've seen a few girls wearing these shoulder-ruffle tees, but would've never thought I could pull it off. It's definitely different from anything I own, despite being so simple. The clutch is made of real leather and is perfectly tiny for nights out. I didn't take a picture of the inside, but it's very well constructed with a zippered pouch for coins, pockets for credit cards and IDs. Plus, it fits my iPhone and camera!

My favorite piece has to be the dress, however. The cut is slim and hits about an inch above my knee so that it's flirty enough on its own for daytime lunch dates, or conservative enough for summertime family outings. What's fun is that the ruffled neckline can be worn in the front or in the back. I tried pairing the dress with my gold J.Crew high-waisted belt for a more fitted look. Love that I could even substitute the belt with a bright colored satin ribbon for an even girlier look (the endless color combos are what's so great about white dresses!). The large eyelet texture also gives it a breezy, playful feel. Love, love, love the low-back since it will be perfect to pair with a large side-braid when my hair grows out again. I can't wait to wear this!! 

I also fell in love with this super cute dress while I was there, but they were out of XS. This is more of a fun dress and although I've been trying to dress more sophisticated, being in business casual for the majority of the week makes me appreciate pieces like this even more. Can't you see this being a great choice for a day in the park or at the beach? So many dresses, so many possibilities! I am loving all the blues and whites that the brand's decided to use for their collection and am excited to see more of what they have to offer. Another Zara trip is definitely in order in the coming weeks...

More Delia's...

Scaling the Walls - Brooklyn Boulders Rock Climbing Deal

Brooklyn Boulders, a rock climbing playground reminiscent of Berkeley Ironworks, is offering a deal via BuyWithMe, a collective discount buying website similar to Groupon and Scoop St. For $45, you get 5 visits, a Learn the Ropes introductory course, and equipment rental! Having gone quite a few times the past 6 months myself, I can tell you that is a STEAL. The first time I went to Brooklyn Boulders, I bought the Learn the Ropes package for $60, which included the class, 2 days admission and free gear rental. With the BuyWithMe deal, you get 3 additional days...and at 25% off!

New York's getting warmer, but for a more challenging activity than tanning at Central Park's Sheep's Meadow, rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders is a great alternative. The owners converted what used to be a garage into a large indoor space with lots of climbing surface area and tons of other exercise options to boot. The industrial interior adds to the grittiness of the location and only motivates you to leave the prissiness at home and get your climb on.

In addition to toproping (your standard climbing experience with a harness and partner belaying you from below), Brooklyn Boulders also has areas for lead climbing, bouldering (climbing without any straps or protection), angled wall climbing, a tightrope to test your balance, rings, and a dedicated "no-feet" wall purely for strengthening the upper body. It's the untraditional gym you'll love to workout at.

The way Brooklyn Boulders sets up the route markers is easy to follow and straightforward (you pick a color corresponding to a difficulty level and climb all the way up) and they also change the wall layouts often so those who go regularly won't tire of the same routes. Rock climbing is a great group activity since you can relax and cheer on your friends in between climbs, and the multitude of other exercises is like a little playground, where you can dare your friends to attempt random stunts =P

My boyfriend and I have tried to go rock climbing semi-regularly, but I'm hesitant to fully commit to the sport and purchase my own equipment. That said, I do enjoy going every so often to switch up my exercise schedule; it's a fun change of pace to bikram yoga.

There aren't too many options to rock climb in New York City (Chelsea Piers does have a facility, but you definitely pay for the Manhattan location and there's also one much farther out in Westchester), but if you've been looking for a new activity to try, check out the deal and Brooklyn Boulders!

One of the coolest (and quite scary!) walls at BB - you can climb the Brooklyn Bridge!

Wong Fu Spring Tour at Columbia University

Last night, I went to a Wong Fu Productions presentation at Columbia University, where the company shared stories of how they got started in the film-making industry, showed recently completed new videos, and answered some Q&A from the sold out audience. I’ve been a huge fan of Wong Fu since my college days, and was excited to finally meet them in person!
u

A little background on the company: Phil, Wes, and Ted are the guys behind Wong Fu Productions, and they met during a film class in UC San Diego. They decided to turn their hobby into a long-term career, choosing to start an independent film productions company after graduation. Highly prolific and diverse, the trio now creates music videos for up and coming new artists, collaborates with YouTube personalities on entertaining webisodes, and produces their own written feature films – all this, and they also design and sell graphic tshirts and Awkward Animals stuffed animals! They have an ever broadening fan base (particularly with young Asian Americans who identify with the characters portrayed in their videos), and have garnered recognition from the likes of CNN and the Cannes International Film Festival.

Their video content range from the funny and quirky to sentimental and touching. It just shows how versatile they can be, making videos on funny topics like “What’s it really like to brush your teeth with a bottle of Jack?” (a la Ke$ha) as well as touching storylines about friendship, relationships, and home.

Below are links to some of my favorite Wong Fu videos. These give just a flavor of the variety of videos these guys create.

- “A Peace of Home”
- “Dance like Michael Jackson” by Far East Movement and "Drift Away" by Magnetic North music videos
- And the one that started it all “Yellow Fever”

Much more than just random videos to pass the time online, Wong Fu videos are inspirational, not only due to their content but because of the drive and motivation of the people behind them. Demonstrating that Asian Americans can supercede and break past the stereotypes stuck onto us (kungfu-fighting, socially inept math nerds), Wong Fu encourages others to veer off traditional career paths and strive for something more creative. The routes to these occupations may be rockier, but ultimately will be more fulfilling than taking on a job just to please your parents or because it’s what everyone else is going into.

I have a lot of admiration for Asian Americans in the creative industry – whether it’s following your life dream of being a singer, dancer, artist, actor, media mogul, etc. As someone who’s still struggling to find my “calling" in life, it’s exciting to know that there are more ways to make a living than the customary paths we learn about through school and growing up. We don't have to be stuck if we don't choose to.

I’ll leave you with some pictures of the event. We were in the front row, about 6 feet away from the table!

Wes, Phil, Ted. Oops, Ted is blinking!

Kooba Sample Sale

For those in the NYC area, Kooba is hosting a sample sale next week from Tuesday through Friday!

About the company: The Kooba brand features unique and trendy leather handbags. Designs are fresh – modern but not too out there – and they also have work-appropriate classic pieces with more interest than your basic black bag. The style is very distinctive as it’s easy to spot a Kooba bag from the sharp angles / lines and unique designs. Koobas trend on the casual side and are great for coffee/movie dates, shopping day trips, and everyday activities.

Kooba holds a special recognition as the first sample sale I’ve ever been to. It was a year and a half ago, and having just moved to Manhattan, I was excited to participate in the serious discounts that New Yorkers enjoyed. I considered it a consolation prize for the ridiculous rent prices that people paid to live here.

I went toward the end of the sale so it wasn’t crowded but selection was limited. I still scored though with a dark silver clutch and an adjustable, wide belt. This was my first “designer” purse since most of the bags I had before retailed for less than $100. Kooba made me keenly aware of the affordable luxury designers – prices under $800 – eventually, this led to discoveries of Hayden-Harnett, Rebecca Minkoff, and now I am in love with beautiful purses.

Detail shot of the lovely texture and color

 Hard to tell here, but the back has three different positions you can "click" into

 I love this clutch and use it often with my black and gray-toned outfits when going out. It’s spacious too, and can even fit an umbrella! You can bet that when it’s raining and I’m heading out for the night, I’ll try to pick an outfit that matches the clutch =P The belt I actually have not worn yet, it might be a tad too wide for my short torso. I need all the elongating real estate I can get without a belt splitting me into two and looking smaller!

Action shot

More Kooba...

Some current favorites at the Kooba site

GODA Yoga: $35 for 5 Classes

After my intense fat-status vacation (and harsh couple of months of over-eating and over-working), I officially launched into a diet this week. Changing the way I eat and making more of an effort to work out are two crucial goals I've been meaning to tackle and after only 2 days, I already feel great!

Shopping for--and actually eating--healthier food is not as hard as I was expecting, but the working out part is a concept I constantly struggle with. Running outside works the best, but getting off work in time to get in some good sunset runs is not always a dependable expectation. Because of this, I've found instructor-led classes, such as, the beloved Bar Method, to be the most beneficial and effective.

Well, thankfully, timing is everything! Bloomspot, an online service that provides a limited supply of steals and deals in various cities, posted up a great deal today for yoga classes at GODA Yoga in Culver City. For only $35, you can purchase a set of 5 classes at the studio. I used to be more of a yoga enthusiast during my school days thanks to Berkeley's awesome yoga classes, but I haven't been going at all since moving back to LA. I thoroughly *love* yoga for its challenging, but calming workout. As such, I jumped on this immediately and can't wait to try out classes at GODA!

Maybe one day I will work up to trying some bikram yoga!

Clarisonic Brush Sales Galore

While in NYC, I tried Janice's Clarisonic brush and am hooked! As expensive as it is, I have never really thought of getting one before actually seeing it in action. Gentle and easy as ever to use (read more on her skin regimen), I couldn't help but order one of my own right away! I opted for the new Mia for its smaller handle size and lower price. With an additional 20% off from Skinterra, I also purchased the Delicate Brush head to minimize any irritation the brush might cause. The store is currently offering 20% off and free shipping on all Clarisonic products until April 30.

Another one of my favorite beauty sites, Beautychoice, is offering 25% off its Clarisonic stock. Although their inventory is more limited to the regular and plus versions, the PLUS Bundle is an amazing deal ($131 after promo savings). I wish I would've seen this before I ordered my brush! Use promo code: SONICGHD312 until April 20.

Janice's skin absolutely glows now and I want mine to as well! At her suggestion, I also ordered the Acne.org AHA+ and definitely love it more than the Alpha Hydroxy Souffle that everyone raves about--we ordered these back in school and my skin never adapted to the grainy cream. After more than 2 months of using the souffle, my skin tone and texture didn't improve at all, and the cream was just too harsh to continue using. I haven't tried any other AHA's since. Hopefully with my new spiffy Clarisonic brush and AHA treatment, I can be as diligent and careful as Janice so that I can finally get rid of those pesky post-acne marks.

East Coast Good-buys: NYC

Home, sweet home after an adventure-filled week with Janice and Jessica (of See Jessica Go) in NYC, followed by a short stopover in Washington, D.C. I can't believe my vaykay is already over! Having only been to both cities once before, it still doesn't fail to amaze me that there are just countless things to do and places to see. Thankfully, the great LA-style weather made roaming around even better (temps in the 80s in April? *GASP*). Although most of my trip was planned around indulging in the many yummilicious food offerings, the main excitement came from shopping, of course! Without actually focusing on making any big purchases, I came up with some great finds, nonetheless:

1) Project 234 (Mulberry & Prince in Nolita): A small, but humble shop, I was surprised to find some great deals here! After doing some more research on the store, it actually plays host to a bevy of local designers and focuses on soft blouses and dresses. We came in during a massive Yumi Kim explosion. I've always wanted to try the designer's pieces after seeing them prominently featured by Tiffany, but couldn't really convince myself to spend the hefty prices. It was more than a pleasant surprise to find that Project 234 was offering, on average, 60% off! Even better was that there were actually sale items in all sizes (yes, beloved XS and S were plentiful!).

Pictured above is the Shayla top, but I picked up a similar top in this print for only $48 (original price tag of $142). This will be the perfect flowy top to pair with shorts or skinnies for the summertime! Jessica also got the Elena dress for $78 (original price $193), which has a simple, but sleek silhouette (add a belt for a quick form-fitting fix). We were definitely excited about our good-buys!

2) Topshop (Broadway & Broome in SoHo): Of course, a trip to NYC would not be complete without stopping in at Topshop! I've definitely been wanting to check it out since its opening last year. Stopping by on a busy Saturday was a little overwhelming, especially during a photography event, so we didn't end up buying anything. However, two great features of the store was the Style Advisor element and amazing shoe collection (see photo to the left of Janice trying on one of the store's crazy offerings)! I definitely need to come back on a quiet day, with some time to really browse through the three-story megastore.

3) Century 21 (22 Cortlandt in Financial District): Oh bargain shopping... I am actually the worst person about shopping at these kinds of large discount retailers because my patience for rummaging and crowds is fairly low. However, Century 21 isn't that bad... It's decently organized and the two main areas I appreciate are the handbag and shoe departments. Having only packed a small carry-on suitcase, I desperately needed an additional travel bag to lug home (which will also be great for weekend overnighters). A LeSportsac Leigh bag was the perfect choice! Super cute and super durable, I've always wanted one. My favorite features are the sturdy handles and lightweight feel. C21 had quite a few available in different patterns for $59.99 compared to a regular price of $120.


After a long day of trekking through the NYC tourist attractions, I couldn't conjure up enough energy for the Women's clothing department, so no finds there. However, I did fall in love with some Dolce Vita sandals in the shoe department. I'm not very adventurous, so all I was looking for was cute and simple (and easily versatile for all kinds of outfits) and these were exactly what I need:
These Able sandals were on sale for $39.99 from $120! Such a steal! Why, oh why, are there never any 5.5/6's?! A few online sites, such as, 6PM, Endless, Zappos, and Shoes.com have them, but I'm sad about missing out on such a great deal.

I have to admit that the majority of my money went towards food, so I'm not too sad about not doing as much shopping in NYC as I originally planned. Plus, D.C. had some surprise finds that I was glad I stumbled upon! Will have to update on that next after I get some much needed sleep, sleep, sleep!

Anticipating New Nordstrom Rack Opening

Nordstrom Rack is coming soon to New York City, woohoo! I'm a big, big fan of the company - over the years, I've been won over with their extremely attentive and consistently awesome customer service, clean and spacious storefronts, and also, their outlet store, Nordstrom Rack, which carries merchandise from the department stores at about 50% or more off the retail price.

There was a Rack about 10 minutes away from the house that I grew up in, and my friends and I would drop by after classes to play around with the purses, shoes, accessories, etc. Over the years, I've realized what a goldmine it was and picked up a few items at great prices (this winter I got Hudson skinnies and a Swarovski necklace). Sadly, ever since moving to the east coast, I haven't stepped foot in a Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack as the closest store is in New Jersey.

But all that will soon change! The Virgin Megastore in Union Square closed down last year and speculation brewed that a Nordstrom Rack was to take its place. The store would compete with several other discount merchandisers in the area - namely, Filene's Basement and DSW, located a mere block away, but I think the Rack will hold its own (if not, fare better than the competition!). The products offered at the Rack are higher end and I hope the layout will be clean and well-organized... although it being Manhattan, I'm sure any semblance of order won't be maintained for long.

I received an invite for the pre-grand opening in May which renewed my excitement! Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and live music. 3 hours of shopping while tipsy, oh boy. Come join me in the festivities if you're in the area =)

Happy Feet - Heel Liners

During Christmas, Aldo was having a big sale and I picked up a pair of nude patent leather pumps. Aldo shoes aren’t offered in half sizes, so I sized up and crossed my fingers that I could make them work. Unfortunately, when they arrived, I teeter-tottered about in them because the foot bed was too large and my feet kept slipping out. Felt like I was 7 years old wobbling around playing dress-up in my mom’s heels! Even after putting in insoles, they were loose and my feet had to curl into camel pose to hold up the shoe. They were cute though, so I wore them out one night – only to end up begging my boyfriend to carry me back to the apartment!

After setting the shoes aside for a few months, I decided to look into heel liners to see if they could make the inside of the shoe smaller and consequently, fit better. No reason to let pretty shoes sit at home unworn! I went into the foot care section at Rite Aid and bought some Dr. Scholls’ heel liners (also on sale at drugstore.com). They’re adhesive sponge grippers that fit inside the concave back of the shoe, and the point is to fill out space in the shoe so that your foot shifts back against the back of the shoe and aren’t slipping out.

They worked great and made a dramatic difference! With the insoles and the heel liners, my foot now filled out the shoe much better and I had a solid grip in each step that I took. Now I could walk confidently in the shoes (well... still carefully, since they’re super tall)

Alternatively, toe pads can be used fill out the front part of the shoe to prevent feet from slipping. I tried these initially but there was still too much space. Aldo’s half size up meant business. Companies like Dr. Scholl’s and Foot Petals (I like their Sole Stoppers too) make great products to help with shoe problems.

Poorly fitting shoes strains the feet and increases your chances of tripping/falling/spraining an ankle. Pretty shoes can still be comfortable! On top of that, it’s a waste of your money to buy shoes that end up sitting in the closet. The good news is, there are lots of solutions to help ensure a great fit!