Thursday, December 29, 2011

Choosing Winter Shoes For Your Leg Shape

Today we are pleased to have a timely and informative guest post
from Nicole Rodgers about choosing the right winter shoes
for your leg shape! Enjoy!

Winter Shoes To Accentuate Your Leg Shape
Stand in front of a full length mirror and assess the shape of your legs. Fashion isn't totally dependent upon the latest trends. Fashion also means enhancing your personal sense of style. It's more than possible to find winter shoes that not only focus on personal style but also makes a fashion statement about your legs. Shoes worn in winter needn't be drab in color or material. Coordinate your personal style in shoes for winter with the rest of the season's wardrobe. Most of all, keep the shape of your legs in mind before purchasing shoes.

How To Choose Shoes For Your Personal Leg Shape
Slim legs needs shoes that don't overpower. Balance with long, slim legs is essential to how to choose the perfect winter shoes. If calves are wide or ankles tend to be thick, choose understated styles that are deliberately simple and don't call attention to your legs. Take note of the type of heels on winter shoes. This can be a clue to how attractive they will make your legs appear. Err on the side of caution with shoes worn in winter, particularly if being outdoors is a daily necessity. In this case, it's important to choose shoes with secure soles and heels to avoid slipping and falls.

Love Your Leg Shape
No matter what shape leg you have, there's always an attractive option to make them look great. The materials from which shoes are constructed often play a role in this. Winter shoes may be made from leather, suede or other grain materials. Each of these materials offers various leg shapes a wider range of choices to create "leg appeal".

Don't be afraid to try winter shoes in several types of materials to know which makes your particular leg shape most attractive. Thicker leather looks best on slim legs while elegant suede creates the right note of style for wider calves and ankles. Couple the types of shoe materials with colors that have a slimming effect and the result is nothing short of ultra high fashion.

Narrow Leg Shapes
If your leg shape is very narrow, this is actually an advantage. Winter shoes can add just the right amount of depth to legs that are narrower in shape. Keep balance in mind when choosing styles for this type of leg shape. Exaggerated styles will make the legs appear more linear. Watch the type of heels on winter shoes for slender legs. Ultra slim or reedy higher heels place a direct focus on very slim leg shapes that may not be as attractive.

Funky, Fun Or Flirtatious Winter Shoes

Shoes aren't just a covering for the feet anymore. Today's fashion in winter shoes demands a certain panache that makes the entire wardrobe stand out. Winter shoes can be funky, fun or flirtatious for casual or more formal wear. The numerous options available in winter shoes make it easy to choose the right style for any type of leg shape.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the fashion, fitness, and technology. This year Nicole decided to start eating well to lose weight. This helped her fit into her favorite jeans again for the new year. To celebrate Nicole decided to purchase some new jeans, boots, and nail polish to welcome in the new year.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Prediction of New Year Shoe-tastic Trends

I can't believe the New Year will soon be here. With 2012 just beyond the horizon I have to wonder what kind of shoes will continue and become the greatest of fashion trends in 2012. I don't consider myself a fashion pro by any means but I do love observing and learning what is popular and what is becoming popular in the fashion and specifically the shoe industry.
Will we continue to see people invest in fashionable shoes that look great AND help children in need? Toms does this and I think this is one of the most amazing companies to buy shoes from. Being able to save a life and invest in fashion at the same time is pretty amazing.
Will we continue to see fashionable pumps that look like boots with laces that are made out of suede and other luxurious materials? I've seen quite a few looks of this style this past year, especially on the runway. My guess is that I will continue to see them in the year 2012 as well.
I've seen leopard print become the greatest pattern trend in 2011. I personally am not a huge fan of this shoe trend and clothing trend & pattern as well, but who knows. Perhaps it will continue to gain popularity in 2012 as it has in 2011.
 
What about glittery pumps?! I think glitter, glitz, and sequins on heels will NEVER go out of style. I think they grow in popularity every single year. I love love love glittery pumps! :)
I'm hoping to see a lot more of floral flats, sneakers, and heels in early spring 2012. Florals are darling, classy, and very vintage looking. I definitely will invest in floral shoes if they are still around in 2012. Or I will find some and become a trend setter! ;)
And of course...let's not forget about the infamous Christian Louboutin shoes that will NEVER go out of style. I'm hoping 2012 will be my year to buy a pair of these fabulous pair of pumps. Or 2 or 3. Well, I'll just shoot for one pair right now. :)


So what are your shoe predictions for the year 2012? 
Do you like the shoe trends from this year and 
are you hoping they carry over to 2012?

Or would you like to see new trends, patterns, and fun new looks?

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Catch Santa in Your House!

What a cute idea! I saw this and thought it was adorable so I wanted to share it with you. A great way to keep that sense of wonder and believing alive as long as we can.

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home.  iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.

In three simple steps anyone can:
  1. upload a holiday photo
  2. add Santa Claus
  3. print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter.

Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.

Best of all enter: SANTA50 and get your entire order for 1/2 price!

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Fill Your Holidays with Glitz and Glamour

The holidays remind me of how much fun it is to get all dressed up,
head out for a fun evening, and wear your favorite pair of glitzy shoes. 

If you could go anywhere on Christmas, where would it be? 
Would you choose to stay nestled by the fire with loved ones, 
or would you go to a different country, 
wearing a favorite pair of sparkly shoes along the way?

I think it might be tempting to take off and visit another country 
(Scotland, Ireland, or the Carribean) 
and pack a sparkly pair of shoes just for fun. 
I'd grab a delicious dinner and walk along a 
new location that I'm now in love with
and feel like a holiday princess.

Here are some sparkly shoes that get me in the holiday mood
and make me dream of heading to my dream location stat:

So how about you? 
If you had the chance to go anywhere you wanted
in your sparkly pumps, where would you go?
I think it would be fabulous to get up and go somewhere
during Christmas. It would be darling and it would
be adventurous. Plus it would give me plenty of places
to wear a new pair of sparkly heels!

I'm ready for a Christmas full of glitz and glamour!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Shoe Shopping & Shopping Shoes

Show me a girl who doesn't like shopping and I'll show you a girl who has not lived. Granted, this time of the year is probably not ideal. The shops are full and the prices are sky-high.

However, I had the once-in-a-lifetime invitation to go shop until I drop - tomorrow! Best of all - it is ALL expenses paid! Yes, yes... I am the luckiest girl alive!

I don't know what I am going to get or even where we are going. My only instruction was to wear comfortable shoes, because I am going to be doing a lot of walking.

Hmmmmm.... so what to wear?

The weather is warm and rainy and as I mentioned, the malls are jam-packed. We need something flat, definitely.  Let's take a look at my options:

Dr. Scholl's Cheers Fast Flats (Women's) - Black Satin   Black is always a practical option and this stunning pair of Dr. Scholl's is very versatile and stylish too.


New Balance True Balance Thong (Women's) - BlackLook at these lovely athletic thongs from New Balance! Is this not beautiful, comfortable and athletic?

Shopping at this time of year is somewhat of an adventure, which is why I like to be as comfortable as possible. These shoes fit the bill!

Ed Hardy Lowrise Bangkok Sneakers (Women's) - Fuchsia

I suppose it is the frumpy mommy in me who wants to wear the most comfortable shoes possible. Then again, I need to avoid dropping too soon!

What shoes do you wear on marathon shopping sprees?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

New Bright Nike Air Shoes to Brighten My Winter

Finally my new Nike Air shoes arrived...
just in time for the winter time. 
What I love about them besides the hot pink (of course,) 
is that they are extremely comfortable. 
If you remember on my last post I talked about my athletic 
shoes and how I've mainly only used ASICS through the years. 

Well now I'm excited to wear my Nike shoes!
 Aren't they so cute?!

I love them because I can wear them during so many different seasons.
The hot pink will go beautifully with a pair of jeans and a bright top.
They also work well during the winter time - I can wear a black
pair of pants or jeans with a long sleeved shirt as well! 
The pink brings out a little bit of brightness in this cold 
winter time and I can't wait to take them on my upcoming
trip to California! 

Anyone else loving a new pair of shoes that they own?


Monday, December 5, 2011

Keeping up with the Clauses

I have good and bad news for our readers today.

The bad news is that according to the World Meteorological Organization, the ice in the North Pole is melting at a rapid rate. This news was revealed at a climate change conference which is being held right here in our sunny province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Some of the famous faces in attendance include Angelina Jolie and Leonardo di Caprio.

According to the UK's Met Office in Hadley Center, the polar ice may melt away completely during the northern summers in a mere 50 years from now.

This is problematic for our dear friends, the Clauses. But the good news is that we'll be seeing a lot more of them, as they will have to move their operation further south.

That is why they turned to ITSDF for some practical advice on suitable shoes to wear on the warmer side and we were happy to oblige.

Mrs. Claus is very much looking forward to flashing a bit more skin and since she always aims to please, we thought this beautiful pair of nubuck pleasers would suit her perfectly. Also, the heels are not too high, so she should get used to it pretty quickly after years of wearing those heavy snow-boots.


Pleaser Chic 40 (Women's) - Red Nubuck/Red
Pleaser Flair 436 (Women's) - Red/Red                                                                 She also loved this pair.


At first Mr. Claus was against change. He loves his boots and he's
not so big into change, but when he saw this beautiful pair of shoes, he grabbed them right away and he adores them.

I must say, it makes him look about 40 years younger...

Timbuk2 Hidden Stuffel - Rev RedGiorgio Brutini 21009 (Men's) - Red Smooth/Croco Print Leather  He also decided to get a few new bags to put the gifts in.
     The elves also had to be kitted out with some new footwear too and we thought these are ideal. They are fashionable (something those guys needed - if you know what I mean ;-) )
J75 by Jump Fender (Men's) - Red Silk?Leather/Black








What do you think about our selections? Anything we missed?

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

House Party Shoes!

So I'm having a huge house party this Saturday night... I do this twice a year, it's my chance to catch up with family and friends and see everyone. OK, and let's be honest it's also my chance to let loose and overindulge a bit! And by a bit - I mean to excess... but enough said about that...

Every time I have one of these parties, I start the night off in a pair of amazing shoes that I love - usually my newest acquisition like these which I adore -

Luichiny Kir Sten (Women's) - Multi Rock Glitter

But after about three or four Milky Way Martinis and a couple of hours of visiting, I can't walk in them, let alone stand in them - so I don't look so sophisticated any more.  Instead I end up barefoot or in my fuzzy slippers!

This party I'm thinking of trying to wear some cool shoes with lower heels: comments and input appreciated!

I could try these Chinese Laundry flats:

Chinese Laundry Addie

Or these from Chinese Laundry:
Chinese Laundry Glamor

But I'm not sure either feel dressy enough for me.

These are cute - but I'm not sold on the color:

Erna - Bronze Mauve Glitter

I like these J. Renee - cuz they still have a heel...
J. Renee Rosina (Women's) - Gold Glitter Fabric

This pair of J. Renee looks kinda vintage to me... so maybe I could build an outfit around them...

J. Renee Affair (Women's) - Gold Dance Glitter Fabric

Bottom line - I dunno what I'll be wearing on Saturday - for shoes or an outfit - but I'll definitely be having fun. Any suggestions or ideas appreciated!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Everyone

I just wanted to stop by today to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! While it's probably a mad rush for the hostesses, I hope that you enjoy the special times with loved ones.

We don't do Thanksgiving in South Africa and I wish we did, as I think it is awesome to remember the things we should be grateful for. That feeling of goodwill and happiness makes for a happier atmosphere for everyone and all is good for at least one day.

In this spirit of Thanksgiving, I am so grateful that I have been blessed to be a part of If The Shoe Doesn't Fit for more than a year. During this time I have met two amazing ladies, Ellen and Sierra who have been a pleasure to work with and who have become special friends.

I'm also incredibly thankful for all our loyal and fun followers who have been a part of the success of the company.

I'll leave you with this poem:

May your stuffing be tasty 
May your turkey plump, 
May your potatoes and gravy 
have nary a lump. 
May your yams be delicious 
... and your pies take the prize, 
and may your Thanksgiving dinner 
stay off your thighs! 
-Unknown
And now I'm off to enjoy my normal old spaghetti dish.... :(

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Frumpy mumzies should practice wearing heels once in a while

And I speak from experience...

Working from home and running after my kids all day means that I have to ensure that I wear comfortable shoes - when I actually have time to put shoes on. The sad truth is that I tend to lean towards the frumpy side, which wouldn't be a problem if I weren't a business woman too.  I absolutely adore heels, but the opportunity to wear them does not represent itself often.
Ellie Flamingo-415 (Women's) - Black Sequins
I was so excited to be invited to a business networking breakfast this week for 2 reasons:

1)  A break from the mundane
2)  The delicious food the hotel is known for, enjoyed with a spectacular ocean view

However, this was not on my mind when I put on my highest heels, which I used to wear with no problem years ago.  It felt uncomfortable right away, but I thought I would keep it on and hopefully adjust to it.

But, oh dear, was that the worst idea or what?

I wished the time away and walked so carefully so as not to slip that it was the only thing I could think of.

Afterwards, I approached Ellen for advice and this is what she said:

It’s really about learning to shift your weight in a different way.  Most of us are back weighted meaning we tend to lean back a bit when we stand and walk – and when we put on heels they automatically shift us forward.  This feels awkward and so you have to find a new balance point – for some people it means leaning into the shoe, for others it is leaning back a small amount but these are subtle adjustments to your posture – and once you get used to it walking is easier.

So as an early New Year's resolution, I have decided to invest in some better shoes to wear around home to get used to heels.


Funtasma Anchor 22 (Women's) - Blue/White PatentThis might just be a stylish "trainer" shoe - the strap means that the shoes will not go flying as I walk - LOL!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Working on My Fitness with Speedy Athletic Shoes

Through the years I've gone through many athletic shoes. It's hard finding the ideal pair that are comfortable for your feet and makes you feel speedy while working out. During High School I wore Nike shoes. I thought they were really comfortable, but that was when I was under the influence on what my parents thought I should wear. Not that I have anything against Nike (I actually have a pair of shoes in the mail that should be arriving soon...) but later after college I fell in love with different brands of new athletic shoes as well.

Then after college, I started to run half marathons. I ran a total of 3 half marathons until my right leg developed tendonitis. Unfortunately today I've been unable to run marathons after injuring my leg. However, I still try to workout 4-5 days at the gym. It's hard with running though, once you have to stop it's hard to retain it. Hence why I don't run anymore (more than 1-2 miles), except if you count the elliptical or the stair master, ha ha.

But back to shoes...when I started running half marathons my boyfriend suggested that I were Asics. I fell in love with ASICS. Not only were they comfy, but they didn't give me blisters during my runs. One pair of shoes in particular I wore during two half marathons. You're only supposed to wear a pair of running shoes for one half marathon, but I loved this pair so much that I wore them for two. Since then I had to let my favorite pair of shoes go. I have a hot pink pair left and a basic pair of Asics and they both are great.
So know that you know the history of my athletic shoes...what shoes do I want in the future? Well, you already know that I have a pair of Nike shoes coming in the mail. I got them on sale from Bloomies. The second pair I want is the pair that you see above: Asics GEL-Finite Black/Hot Pink. I LOVE the hot pink on them!! For one last pair that I want...

A pair of Nike Free shoes! My brother has a pair of Nike Free shoes and they are so lightweight! I'd love to purchase a pair of these in the near future. Even though I don't run as much as I used to, I still like to wear comfy running shoes to the airport and of course to work out. They're even great to run errands in!

Tell me about your favorite pair of athletic shoes!