Peep Toe

Today my friend bought these 5 inch heels that were GORGEOUS. They were plain black, but had a nice flair to them. But the one thing that made them unique and cute were the fact that they were peep toe. Peep toes are when the front of the shoe has a little "hole" where about 2 or 3 toe nails/toes (depending on your foot) can be seen. Although she naturally passes me up in height by about 4 inches (I'm 5'4"), these heels make her look model tall. I wanted to try these shoes on so I could actually see what it is like in her world. When I did, they were not only a gift of height, but also pretty comfortable. I hope she doesn't cry in pain wearing these shoes and best of luck to her!

(Photo from bakersshoes.com where the shoes were bought)

And yes, this post is dedicated to the owner of these shoes, my BFFL, Keerthi!

This is not what you expect

This blog has been about different types of shoes and their individual reviews. Today I'm going to share something I stumbled upon deep down in my mother's closet. I found a pair of perfectly polished and unused Mary Janes... in a toddler size 5. Although their appearance fooled me for a grand total of one minute, I realized these shoes were not unused at all. In fact, these were my shoes when I was at the cute (obnoxious) age of 1. This, I believe, is where the saying "act your age not your shoe size" does not apply. I had definitely had bigger feet than my age. Seeing these shoes made me retreat to the old, dusty bookshelf that contained my baby photo albums. Searching through these, I found these shoes in almost all of the pictures ranging from ages 1-3 (after that, my foot size grew). Such occasions include my first birthday, second birthday, and any family members birthday in between. My question was answered while looking through these photos. Why were these shoes in such a perfect condition? The truth is, I never walked on solid ground wearing those black Mary Janes. One of my family members would always be carrying me, even though I was perfectly capable of walking or crawling. Seeing these shoes made me recollect the few memories I had of that age, and I've never been happier that my mother kept these shoes on top of her shelf, deep in her closet.

Everyone's Favorites: The Flats

I'm sure EVERYONE has a pair of these. They are comfortable, good looking, don't make your feet sweat (ew I know) and can be worn in any occasion. And when I say any occasion, I mean ANY. I have a pair of brown flats that I wore when volunteering at a 3rd grade classroom (trust me those can get pretty messy) and then wore the same pair to my family friends wedding reception. They still looked classy. But the one problem with flats (especially ones like mine) is that they get damaged very easily. Some can be sturdy and long lasting (if you found any of those let me know!). But the ones I have already have a hole where my big toe is. They only lasted about 6 months. Was it because of those angelic (evil) 3rd graders I helped out? Possibly. So overall quality is an average of 2.5 of 5 stars (unless you are one of those VERY lucky people). But if you are really just going for the looks, ballet flats are 5 of 5 stars.

(NO PICTURE! I went onto Nordstrom to find a nice pair of flats to glamorize, when I found their website "under construction." I was so upset, I did not feel like finding another picture. I think Nordstrom has failed me once again :(... Sorry Beckie)

Climbing Trees

They are not hiking boots, but rather running shoes that help you bike and climb trees. Or at least, the Nike Airs did for me. Although I bought these shoes for a sport I attempted to play in preseason but failed miserably, I have now found a different use for them. Today I went biking with my friends around our neighborhood. We attempted to climb this huge tree stationed a block from our houses. The result: success. I climbed to the center of the tree where we talked about life in general. So how does climbing trees have to do with these shoes? If it were not for my new running shoes, I would not have been able to keep such a firm grip on the tree with my feet (and I'm pretty sure my feet would be screaming in pain if not for these shoes with the bike ride that accompanied this journey). These shoes now carry the memory of a grand tree climb/bike ride. With comfortable padding on the inside, these shoes are great for biking, tree climbing, and of course their original purpose, running. (Nike now fits wide feet much better than before)

All Day I Dream About Shoes (A.D.I.D.A.S.)

The infamous Adidas. Everyone has owned at least one pair of these... I know I went through my phase in middle school. Although mine are now beat up, dirty, and slightly tearing, I have had some memorable moments in these shoes. I wore them everywhere. But the one memory that remains vivid in my head is the first day I wore these to school. Just opened from the box, I slipped these shoes on in the morning, only to find they were huge on my feet. None the less, I walked out of the house (or more precisely, walked out of the shoes themselves) feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness that these were my new pair of kicks. As I came to school, I still remember getting many compliments on how cute they looked (and comfortable). Then came after school. In my navy blue Harker uniform, I went to the Upper School campus to collect some item of my brothers from the lost and found (I can't remember why I had to do it, but I'm pretty sure my brother was sick that day). While I was digging through the pile of lost, useless, and deserted items, I saw a pair of shoes almost identical to the pair I was wearing except old, black, and definitely not being looked for. It made me wonder if I would separate from my new obsession, and if my spotless shoes would ever look as deserted as the shoes I was staring at did. This year as I entered high school, I realized that my once extolled shoes are now somewhere in my house's version of the lost and found looking old, beat up, but filled with memories. These shoes have lasted me a long time, and I still use them now as substitutes when I cannot find any other shoe to wear that looks slightly more attractive and taken care of.

(Image from Journeys.com)

What to Wear to your Uncle's Wedding

Last August, I went on vacation to Canada to attend my uncle's wedding. I ran into the problem of not having fancy high heels that would match typical Indian party attire and a fancy dress. Not to mention, they had to be very comfortable because I would be wearing them from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. the next day. Before I left to go to Canada, I looked at the always reliable Nordstrom store for a pair of heels. This store disappointed me greatly with the little selection of party heels. With time running out, I started digging through the garage to see what old pair of fancy heels I could find. Finally I ran into a shoe box in mint condition that had a pair of shoes I had not seen for about 2 years. My white heels with about a 1.5 inch heel, no back, and shiny sequins that covered the entire shoe had never been used before that I had bought previously for another wedding. A coincidence? Probably not. With not much time left to spare, I took these with me to Canada. And they allowed me to go the whole day without suffering. Although the 1.5 inch heel did not supply me with the height I wanted, I was able to be comfortable, and I must admit, they looked stunning and stood out. Although a wedding usually means wear very high heels, I learned that comfort is more important than height, especially at your uncles wedding when you have to stay there the longest. Ever since the discovery of these shoes, I have worn them to every fancy party I have gone to (including another wedding).

Thongs, Gladiators, Sandals

Thongs, gladiators, and sandals. Do these all relate? In fact, they do. All these names are pseudonyms for a type of shoe that recently caught my eye. It has a similar shape to a flip flop, but with a strap around the heel; it is also commonly seen with a band connecting the toe straps to the top of the heel strap. Although I have not owned a pair myself, many of my friends own these sandals and have given them very good reviews. One said that it is more convenient than flip flops in the sense that the strap around the ankle and heel provide more support when walking. Another said they feel comfortable and look formal enough to wear practically anywhere. If I could buy one more set of shoes for the upcoming Summer season, I would definitely look into these sandals. I found a variety of them at www.dsw.com.

(Picture above taken by Ishika Peravali)

Is it Worth Spending ALL that Money?

From Juicy Couture to Louis Vuitton, all these high end brands sell their own style of shoes. But what makes them so uniquely special that they have to be so expensive? In my opinion, nothing. Besides the fact that Coach's footwear sometimes has the sparkling C's and backwards C's, there is nothing worth spending over $100 for. I have been able to find the same shape of heels or flats in other brands that only cost around $20. Although some people feel superior walking in their new Juicy shoes, I think they need to wake up and realize the economy is horrible these days. Recently I saw a five or six year old girl walking around with Juicy Couture flats. I really wondered if the parents even considered her shoe size would grow within the next year, and that they would have to throw away the shoes. There are plenty of replicas of these brands out there. If the need to have those C's on your shoes is gnawing at you, I suggest thinking more than 100 times before actually going and getting them (and if this post worked, not getting them).

(Image from the Coach Official Site)

They are from the Recycling Bin... Literally

Who would have thought that you would be wearing recycled car tires to be environmentally conscious? I would if I had these shoes. My friend, Priyanka Mody, bought sneakers from REI, an outdoor equipment and gear store, in order to "go green." The Simple Satire Treehugger Shoes consist of PET laces, organic cotton linings, plastic outer lining, and an outside made of recycled car tires. These shoes are not only eco-friendly, but are also very fashionable. With a similar shape to converse, these shoes can never go out of style. Priyanka's rating of the performance of her shoes is "they are really comfortable and they function just as well- even though they are made out of all this recycled and old trash. Basically- they haven't let me down." Remember, going green does not mean buying Pumas that are made out of real leather. So try spending all the money ($60) on these shoes instead.

The link: Simple Satire Treehugger Shoes

(Image provided by Priyanka Mody)

The Chill Ran Down My Spine

As the winter season approached last year, I realized how pathetically prepared I was when it came down to shoes. I decided to go window shopping, and with all the Christmas sales going on, I was bound to find one nice cheap pair of shoes that would last me for this winter and winters to come. As I walked past one of my favorite stores, Shoe Palace, I immediately fell in love with the Bearpaw 12 Inch Shearling Boots, and went in to check the price tag. The holiday sales blinded me from reality. Although a little cheaper than Uggs, they were still around $65. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I would never bond with these beautiful shoes. Luckily, a couple days later I was at Target when I thought I saw Bearpaws. Yes, Target sells those too, but what I accidentally stumbled upon was target's own brand of boots: the Bearpaw look alike, as I like to call it. These boots are currently $30, but during the holiday sales I got them for $25. But, what about the quality and look? As for the look, the only thing missing was the tiny Bearpaw tag that hangs out on the side of the shoe. The quality decreased a little, but I still have mine today without any holes.

(Images from Target. Left - Target Brand. Right - Bearpaw)

Nike - Going Skater Look

Nike is renown for its excellent running shoes, but is now making shoes with a new look. Part skater look and part basketball look, the Nike Dunk Low 6.0's have been a trendy style. The shoe does not have just one main color, nor two, but three or more. Although the performance of these shoes are below the usual high expectations of Nike, many people grow to love them, just as I have. My Nike 6.0's are one of my favorite shoes to wear to the mall, or on a sunny day at school. They even look good in the unusual pattern of laces I have put on them using the Laces book mentioned below. Overall, I would give these shoes a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and anyone who is thinking about buying them should think a lot before they decide if this shoe is worth the money.

Laces are Key

One important part of the shoe is the laces. I went to Barnes and Nobles to buy a book when something else caught my eye. Laces: 100s of Ways to Pimp your Kicks. Yes, it's true. The infamous book store was selling a book on how to "pimp your kicks." This book by Ian Fieggen comes with laces, and the front cover provides a space for you to practice. The easy to follow steps are accompanied with a picture of a shoe with that lace design on it. It provides useful information such as which laces work better with each design, what type of shoes look good with those laces, whether that style gives the shoe a tight or loose fit, and many other tips. I strongly recommend getting this book, or at least looking at it in Barnes and Nobles to see what's in it for you.

(Image from Barnes and Nobles)

The Long Lasting

The unexpected shoes that would end up lasting a very long time: Vans Slip Ons. I have had these board shoes for over 2 years, and they still do not have a tear in them. Although covered in dirt, the peach color is still prominent, and it shows that I have used them a lot, and that they can withstand it. I strongly recommend these shoes for someone who needs convenient slip on shoes that they can wear practically anywhere. If you get the right size, they will never give you any blisters either. 

Everyone's Must Have

After spending a little over two years with my navy blue Converse, I decided it was time to go for something a little more original. These classic looking shoes have little wear and tear, but the once vibrant navy blue color is now a mix of dirt brown and purple. Today I bought a new pair of Converse All Star Lo Multi Hearts. With a white base and red inside, colorful hearts of different sizes cover the entire shoe. I strongly recommend owning at least one pair of these shoes. They can be used for almost anything and last for a very long time. Not to mention, have Converse ever gone out of style? I think not. I feel the most reliable store to get Converse at is Journeys Shoes.

(Image from Journeys)

The Sole Purpose

From colorful Converse to bold high heels, shoes are one of the most important parts of an outfit; it's what makes it complete. Some people find buying new shoes to match an outfit a waste of $ money. It's not if you buy the right shoes that can be used for many outfits and still look stylish. That is what this site's sole purpose is. From different types of laces to the inner color of a shoe, here you will be able to find a reliable, long lasting shoe that's right for you, through a series of reviews of many shoes and other objects I have found helpful to me.