Teva Zirra

Teva Zirra- Chocolate Chip

Anytime the color of the shoe has chocolate in it, you know you have scored. I bought these looking for some brown sandals that I could wear with skirts, shorts, and capris. I have them on with some denim capris and they work wonderfully! The thin straps make them slightly daintier than similar sandals, like Chacos. Actually, that isn't entirely true. Chaco has some models with thinner straps, but honestly, I couldn't find any that were plain brown. The straps on these are adjustable, but again, curses to my skinny ankles, the strap was a tad loose. They are pulled as tight as they can go, and I need to thread them through the back so they don't drag on the ground. I did read another review on them and the lady was complaining that the straps were too tight on her, and they were stretched all the way! She must live in Houston where it is hot and humid already (and she did confess to having wide feet). The thing that struck me about these as soon as I put them on is how light they are. In my mind, light= flimsy, but I am hoping that isn't the case. Teva makes great shoes and I trust the brand. But it will take some getting used to over my chunkier Chacos. The sole is about an inch thick (maybe less) but seems super comfortable and flexible. I'd say if you were going hiking on rocky terrain, these wouldn't be the shoes for you. But if you are looking for something to romp around in, something versatile and feminine, you've found your mate:)!

Naturalizer Lailah

Naturalizer Lailah- Teakwood

I got some shoes in this week, which turned out to be perfect timing- my dog, whom I have had for fifteen years, passed away yesterday so these have provided some much needed distraction. Some people turn to the bottle... me? I find shoes much more therapeutic. So, first up: Lailah, from Naturalizer. I chose them in Teakwood mostly because I needed some brown-toned sandals and have a belt that would match these perfectly. These are super cute, and surprisingly, comfortable! They have the espadrille look to them on the sides with the base being cork, or a cork-lookalike. Sizing is normal, in my opinion. I am usually an 8.5 in sandals and these seemed to fit well, granted the weather has been raining and cooler. I think most people's feet tend to swell in the summer- that's not an insult or judgement, just science. My one criticism is that the ankle straps were a bit loose on me, even at the tightest hole. I never like to wear my sandals/ shoes on the tightest anything because I feel like with wear, they will stretch, and then I either have to wear them big, or make another hole myself, which isn't a big deal, other than the extra strap flapping around. Maybe when the weather warms up, my ankles will swell to fit the shoe. The heel is a nice 3", but given that I am already 5'10", and teach young kids, these don't seem like a practical work shoe. Comfort wise, it would be no problem. I would just tower over my children. I had these on with a denim skirt and really like them, but given that I would wear them once a month, I think they need to go back:(. Nothing against the shoe, it is more my lifestyle than anything else. Young kids, full time teacher... I don't get out much. But if I did, these would be a great addition to my shoe closet!

Identity Crisis...

Now that spring is in the air, I am somewhat excited to be able to wear open toe shoes and flip flops. It does add an extra level of work to make sure that the toes are well manicured on most days (I will fully admit to being the "toe nail polish" police... if you can't keep the polish updated, take it off! Better to have no polish, than chipped or half polish...), but overall, I am more of a skirt and sandals kinda girl, so warmer seasons suit me well. Upon searching for some new spring shoes, I came across these on the Ann Taylor Loft site. My first thought: "What on earth?" I have to think that the designers- those people who really don't live in the real world like the rest of us, where wearing bikinis under dress shirts doesn't really fit our "business casual" look- thought this would be a really versatile shoe. But really, they seem quite the opposite. They are peep toe shoes, which tends to put them into the spring/ summer category, but they are suede and they are booties... more in the fall, winter category. So instead of being the "shoe for all seasons", it ends up being the shoe for no season. Pick a style, would you?!

To be honest, I have never quite understood this trend. They just don't look good on normal people (I apologize if you own any and wear them proudly... you are a braver woman than I!) I like my sandals and boots to be just that: sandals and boots. Once the weather warms up, I am all for showing off those ankles that have been hidden like vampires in sunlight all winter long. Maybe I think more of my feet than I should, but bring on the strappy sandals (just not the gladiator style ones... next blog on that...)! These "peep toe booties" will not be added to my closet this season, unless maybe to go with my bikini and dress shirt that I wear to Panera for lunch every now and then...