2015: Spring Wishlist

1) Target - Women's Bernice Taper Toe Two Piece Flats
2) Forever 21 - Boucle Knit Cardigan
3) Triangl - Milly Swimsuit
4) J. Crew Factory - Racerback Cami
5) Amazon - Fashion Vintage Round Thick Horn Style Sunglasses
6) H&M - Top with Butterfly Sleeves
7) Topshop - Scallop Frill Tee
8) Jessica Simpson - Jadyn Wedge
9) Claire V - Supreme Haircalf Fold Over Clutch

Act of kindness: Student sees classmate being made fun of, gives him new shoes

High school can be tough for a lot of kids.

Many people try to fit in with the right clothes and the right friends, but not having those things can make you the target of bullies.

Jared Newby, a sophomore at Northeast Guilford High School, was the center of a joke because of his worn out sneakers.

Little did he know, a senior in his French class would go out of his way to change that.

“Jared’s a smart guy. He comes to class, he doesn’t bother anybody. He does his work all the time,” Yaovi Mawuli said.

During French class, a student began to make fun of Jared’s old shoes.

“When he started talking about it, it just saddened me,” Yaovi said.

“They hurt because of the grit, which I had to stand on because the soles on the inside had popped out,” Jared said.

Yaovi is known for his stylish taste in shoes.

He says he buys and trades different shoes online to add to his collection.

“So I decided to just give a pair of shoes that I had in Jared’s size to him,” Yaovi said.

However, he wasn’t exactly sure how to make that happen, so he turned to a group on Facebook for advice.

His post said he just wanted to “help a brother out.”

“I told them what I was doing and asked them, ‘Is there a way I can do it without him feeling bad?” Yaovi recalled.

The next day, a school counselor called Jared to her office and gave him the shoes from Yaovi.

“The first thing I did when I got my new shoes was I threw the old ones away,” Jared said.

The senior and sophomore then took a picture together, which has since made the rounds on social media.

“It felt like I was standing on air,” Jared said.

The shoes Yaovi gave Jared were a pair of “Concord” Air Jordan 11 lows.

“I don’t think this is something big, I think this is something small. It’s something everybody should be doing every day. We can make the world a better place just by doing the small stuff,” Yaovi said.

“Sometimes with the dumb stuff that goes on in this world, the small little things that people will do for other people gives me a little bit more hope in the survival of humanity,” said Jared.

“If you give back, that’s the only way you can get blessed. The Word said just help others out and you’ll get exactly what you gave back,” Yaovi said. “Whenever you have a chance to give, just give to somebody else beside yourself.”

“Just giving somebody something they don’t have that they need makes a huge difference to start with,” said Jared.

“Yaovi, he’s awesome,” said Jared Newby.

Source

eBay listings

I'm selling two pairs of shoes on eBay! Check them out:

Corso Como knee-high leather boots

Steve Madden pink/coral snakeskin flats

Christian Louboutin redefines the "nude" heel

In fashion, "nude" can be used to describe the color of anything from Kate Middleton's favourite pumps to a blouse or a shade of nail polish. The color in question is a sort of beige, biscuity shade, roughly similar to the color of Caucasian skin. It is praised for its flattering qualities and, when it comes to shoes, its leg-lengthening powers.

People with skin of any other color – and, therefore, women from ethnic minorities – are implicitly unable to participate in this trend. If a pair of "nude" pumps blends with the color of a white woman's skin, the same pair will contrast against black skin. As with plasters, children's dolls and – still – foundation, white skin remains the default option.

Christian Louboutin – more associated with red soles and the highest of heels than race relations – is making attempts to change that. His Nudes collection is designed to match a range of skin tones – from the familiar traditional "nude" to a rich dark brown, with five different styles available. The campaign images show off the idea with lots of legs of various races, and an app even matches the shade of your own skin to the shoes for you.

Smaller brands may have dipped a toe in this debate, but for one of the biggest names in footwear to jump in is to be applauded. It's a no-brainer, though – commercially as much as anything else. Whatever you think about the style, it's smart to offer the leg-lengthening trick to many more of the female population – you'll sell more shoes. With prices around the £400-and-up mark, Louboutin's collection isn't, of course, going to make an impact on the vast majority, but the ripples sent to the high street no doubt will. In the meantime, "nude" remains a word that should be used with caution.

Source

Currently Craving: Ready For Fall

Lace-up Heels / Sleeveless Dress / Combat Jacket /
Cobalt Skirt-Dress / Triple Heart Necklace / Coated Skinny Jeans
Imitation Leather Skirt / Print Cardigan / Bootie

What happens when a store allows all returns?

Sunny Pettinati walked into the L.L. Bean store in Yonkers, N.Y., clutching a plastic bag and looking a little embarrassed.

"I'm returning a sweater that I purchased, I think, about 10 years ago," she said.

The sweater had sat in a drawer, unworn, for years, and she was trying her luck with the store's famously lenient return policy.

It turned out to be painless. A few taps on the keyboard, and the saleswoman handed her a gift card worth the full value of the sweater.

L.L. Bean has an astonishingly lenient return policy. The company has taken back a live Christmas wreath that had turned brown and a shirt ripped by a rescue crew after a car accident. My own Planet Money colleague, Lisa Chow, has been returning her L.L. Bean backpacks for two decades whenever a zipper breaks. She's gone through three or four backpacks this way. Every time, they send her a new one free.

I asked Steve Fuller, L.L. Bean's chief marketing officer, if Lisa was gaming the company's system. He was a model of nonjudgment. "If she believes her zippers should last a longer time, we'll respect that and we'll refund her money or give her a new product until she's happy," he said.

L.L. Bean customers seem more worried than Fuller about the return habits of their fellow shoppers. "A customer will come to the desk after watching a return, and she or he will say: 'I can't believe you're taking this back. I hope these people aren't ruining it for the rest of us,' " Fuller said.

L.L. Bean competitor REI used to have a return policy like L.L. Bean's. "I've seen some 15-year-old shoes that went directly into the trash in a toxic waste bag," Tim Spangler, REI's senior vice president for stores, told me.

But REI began to worry it was getting a reputation as a sucker. Customers started giving it nicknames like "Rental Equipment Inc." "Rent Every Item" was another. Some called it "Return Every Item."

Two years ago, REI noticed that the number of people returning really old stuff was increasing. Some customers talked about their returns on social media, which led to even more people bringing in their old junk to get refunds. It was hurting profits.

After intense debate and customer surveys, Spangler and his team unveiled a new policy: From now on, you get only a year to return your stuff.

"I don't want to be in the business of looking somebody in the eye behind the counter and questioning the morality of their return," Spangler said. "I want to be able to say, 'Look, it's outside the confines of what we agreed upon when you bought it, or it's within it, and we're going to take care of you,' and leave it at that."

For his part, Fuller of L.L. Bean says his company is sticking to its policy. He says he's never been in a meeting where someone questioned the value of the guarantee. The only question he gets is whether the company talks about it enough.

If anything, L.L. Bean seems to be welcoming the customers REI might be willing to let go. Behind its store counters, the guarantee is written in giant text. And there are a few reasons why this may be better business for L.L. Bean. Many of its sales are mail order, so it's less convenient for customers to return stuff. And, Fuller says, the crazy return stories are great marketing for the company.

"How many times has your colleague talked about the fact that she's returned that backpack, and L.L. Bean gave her a new one without question?" Fuller said. "That's really the value of the guarantee."

As a business practice, it's expensive. As advertising, it's cheap.

Source

Ten solutions to your most annoying shoe problems

Shoes that feel as cozy as slippers in the store can become just the opposite after an evening out or a couple weeks of wear. And few stores allow customers to return worn shoes. The shoe's material and construction could be the problem, or it could be fit. "Sizes in even the most expensive shoes don't accommodate individual lengths and widths of feet," says Linda O'Keefe, author of Shoes: A Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers and More. Rather than burying the pair in the back of your closet, check out these 10 fixes for the most common is shoes.

1. Too Tight Straps
While many leather straps stretch with wear, you can shorten the breaking-in process with water. H2O can gently stretch leather, molding it to the shape of your foot, says Meghan Cleary, author of Shoe Are You? Before you wear shoes out the first time, spritz them with "a light spray of plain water," she says. "Wear them around until dry."

2. Blisters
These are most likely to crop up on the bottoms of feet because of friction between your feet's soles and the shoe's. To avoid blisters, line each shoe with moleskin foam, which creates a cushion. The padding absorbs friction with a layer of cotton over the foam. "Adhere it to the inside of each shoe before the first time you wear them," suggests Cleary.

Dr. Scholl's Molefoam Padding, $28.46 for an 8-pack; Amazon.com

3. Arch Pain
Shoes that cause this likely don't provide enough support in the middle of your foot. Stick to brands known for supportive kicks, including Cole Haan, Clarks and Onex, suggests Kimberly Ade, a stylist at Keri Blair Image Experts in Denver. Or at the very least, "opt for wedges instead of skinny heels," she says. Wedges distribute weight away from the ball of your foot and more evenly throughout the shoe. And when you wear heels, choose ones that are shorter than three inches, adds Ade. But if most shoes make your arches ache, orthotics, custom-fitted shoe inserts from a podiatrist, may help…for a price. They can set you back $800.

4. Sweaty Feet
Too-small shoes can heat up your tootsies and cause blisters. To get a better fit, "only buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet may be swollen and tired," suggests O'Keefe. Even if the shoe fits, the material may turn up the temperature. Save patent leather and rubber for colder times of year, and opt for breathable canvas and natural leather in warmer weather. And if you're wearing socks, choose cotton ones, rather than those with artificial fabrics, to absorb sweat. One more trick:Cleary recommends sprinkling baby or shoe deodorizing powder in shoes before wearing them to soak up moisture while they're on your feet.

5. Cuts on the Back of Your Heels
Shoes that dig into your skin can be some of the most painful to wear. While you may think they're too snug, the problem is more likely that they're too big. Overly spacious shoes let feet shift around and are the biggest reason for cuts, says Ade. Consider taping heel pads into the back of your shoes. The cushion "prevents your heel from moving in and out of the shoe and skin from getting cut," Ade explains.

Foot Petals Heavenly Heelz, $6.95 for a pair; FootPetals.com

6. Calluses
The hard, dead skin that can form on the soles of feet and the sides of big toes can be tough to get rid of. But prevention starts with choosing well-fitting shoes. "Avoid jamming your foot into a shoe that's too small or narrow," says Cleary. Another good idea: Wear socks or tights in shoes, which can thwart unwanted friction. "If you already have calluses, soak, pumice and moisturize your feetoften." Or use a foot file to slough them off.

Diamancel Diamond File for Foot Calluses, $38; Sephora.com

7. Heels Sinking into Grass
Attending a dressy outdoor wedding? Rethink the stilettos. Many types of heels sink into the ground and even thick carpet, making maneuvering tricky and dancing next to impossible. If you must wear skinny heels, tack on a heel cap that adds surface area to the bottom of your heel, lowering your chances of getting stuck in the ground. Otherwise, stick to wedges, which elongate legs like heels do, but are more comfortable outdoors.

Solemates High Heelers, $19.90 for two pairs; Solemates.com

8. Scuffed Leather
A single visible scratch can make nice, new shoes look like old, poorly made ones. While there's no way to completely avoid scratching leather shoes, polishing shoes you wear often can help, saysAde. "The more you polish, the less likely scratches are to form," she explains. For best results, once a month, wash the shoe before polishing; then, use a cream-based polish and buff with a soft cloth. Keep in mind that patent leather is more prone to deep scratching, Ade adds.

9. Wobbly Heels
You're walking around when BAM-your heel detaches from the sole. How embarrassing. Not all shoes have a sturdy metal shank that connects the inner sole to the heel. So before you buy, walk around the store to make sure the heels aren't wobbling. Ade says chunkier heels are better bets. Whatever shoes you purchase, "don't rock back and forth in them; that'll weaken the attachment," Ade points out. If heels do detach, a cobbler can reattach them for about $20-which may or may not be worth it depending on the original shoe cost.

10. Soles Wearing Off
Dressier shoes' soles can quickly become scuffed from hitting the street, resulting in tattered-looking footwear. Try sole protectors, which make soles extra-durable and slip-resistant. "Addingrubber soles to the bottom of shoes or heel taps can extend the life of the soles and heels," Clearyexplains. Ask a cobbler to add rubber soles; the service runs anywhere from $15 to $30.

Source

End of summer: Currently craving

Boots (sold out everywhere - but I'm keeping my eyes out!) / Necklace / Dress
Jacket / Wellies (in kid's size since I have short legs) / Sweater
Flats / Tote / Top

Three things you didn't know about TOMS shoes

In an age of soaring corporate profits and bloated CEO salaries it may seem like fantasy for a company to put charity before profit. In this Breakout profile, we meet TOMS. On the surface they look like just another trendy footwear company, but for every pair of shoes TOMS sells, a pair gets donated to a kid in need. Last month, after less than seven years in business, they donated their ten millionth pair.

The company’s founder and “chief shoe giver” Blake Mycoskie started the company after vacationing in Argentina in 2006. He competed in there with his sister as a part of CBS’ “The Amazing Race” in 2002, but it was when Mycoskie returned that he met a group of aid workers collecting used shoes and handing them out to children who had none.

“I saw the absolute joy that these kids got and their families got and the gratitude from a simple pair of shoes,” Mycoskie explains in the attached video, “and that’s when I really wanted to do more to help.”

He started small. Mycoskie brought back 250 pairs of shoes from that first trip. They were modeled after a traditional Argentinian shoe called an "alpargata." The plan was to sell them on the boardwalk near his Venice, California home, go back to Argentina with the profits, and make shoes to donate to the kids he saw on his trip.

“I said if we sell a pair of shoes today, we can give away a pair tomorrow and we’ll call them 'tomorrow's shoes,'” Mycoskie explains, “but tomorrow is too long for the little tag, [we] shortened it to TOMS, and of course people have called me Tom ever since.”

Business has exploded since those first 250 pairs of shoes and here are three things you may not know about this philanthropic company, even if you're wearing a pair as you read this.

1. TOMS has no advertising budget
Success came by word of mouth and profiles in publications like the L.A. Times and Vogue. The company has succeeded without outside investors and has never had to buy an ad. “It allows us to stay focused on our mission,” says Mycoskie, “and also allows us to have a long-term vision. That’s a very rare situation in business.”

2. TOMS donations are the highest quality productsTOMS doesn't produce a low quality shoe that's meant to be donated. In fact, it's the opposite. The shoes that are given away are often higher quality than what's for sale on store shelves.

“We have a winter boot now that we make for kids who get frostbite and we have an athletic shoe that we’re giving to kids in America that they can play on the blacktop and do some sports,” says Mycoskie.

3. TOMS donates new shoes when kids grow out of their old pair“Our giving is all about repeat giving,” Mycoskie says. “So we’re not just dropping them off once, we’re building relationships with these communities so not only do the kids gain these shoes as they grow out of them or wear out of them, but they’re also building self esteem because they know those shoes are coming and someone cares about them in that way.”

What started in Argentina has now spread to more than 60 countries around the world. And Mycoskie says it's not just about shoe donation; he's trying to have a positive impact on local economies as well.

“One of the things we’re working on doing over the next couple of years is creating more jobs in the countries where we give shoes," he says. "My goal is by the end of 2015 that a third of our giveaway shoes will be made in-country.”

Another goal for the future is to give away the secrets of TOMS charitable "one for one" business model to other companies.

“I really outline kind of how Toms has done it, how other organizations have done something similar. It might not always be one-for-one but how they incorporate giving into their business, or if they’re a charity, how they’ve used business practices to make their charity more robust and powerful.”

And he's seeking to make TOMS' pace of donation more robust, setting his sights on donating another ten million pairs of shoes in less than two years. Not bad for the 36-year-old businessman from Texas.

Source

Five tips on when to splurge and when to save

And of course everyone’s idea of a “splurge” is different — so always consider your personal budget before making any wardrobe investment.

SPLURGE: Handbags


A great bag will elevate even the most basic outfit. Find something in a quality material and versatile style that goes with most of your wardrobe. It’s important look for durability and craftsmanship to ensure that it holds up under frequent use. Plus, if it’s something that you use nearly every day, your cost per wear (i.e. the cost divided by the number of times you use it) makes a splurge worth it.

(Bags listed clockwise from top left)

Givency $2300

Space Style Concept $229

orYany $298

Coach $345

Modalu Antonia $245

Balenciaga $815

SAVE: Denim


Denim trends change with the wind, and even designer brands go on sale constantly. Mass market and lower priced brands like Gap and Zara catch on to trends quickly, and often do them well. Also scour department store and boutique sales for deals on designer denim — jeans are almost always overstocked.

(Jeans listed clockwise from top left.)

Hollister $50

Cheap Monday $38

Bullhead $25

Madewell $80

Gap $18

French Connection $40

Gap $31

Summer picks $30 and under

We're more than halfway through summer (sadness!). In an effort to cheer myself up, I did some internet window shopping and put together some steals for your summer wardrobe.



1. Forever21 - Crisscross Romper ($13.50)
2. Pierre Dumas - Golden-1 Sandal ($25.00)
3. Zara - Blonde Shorts ($29.99)
4. Banana Republic - Beachcomber Bracelet ($22.99)
5. Asos - Oasis Plait Belt ($14.08)
6. Charlotte Russe - Pleated Hem A-Line Dress ($24.99, on sale right now for $20)
7. Bauble Bar - Fushia Triad Strand ($28)
8. Nasty Gal - Isabella Striped Dress ($30)
9. Urban Outfitters - Kimichi Blue Abstract Floral Clutch ($19.99)

Red, white, and blue

I hope everyone has a great fourth of July! Here are some items that you can wear to celebrate AMURICA.



1. J.Crew, Painter Boatneck Tee
2. Forever21, Essential Polka Dot Shorts
3. Old Navy, Striped Ruffle Tube Dress
4. Adrienne Vittadini, Viva Wedge
5. Tobi, Spotty Scarf
6. Lee Angel, "Paloma" Red and Gold Plated Mix 3 Set Bangle Bracelet
7. The Cambridge Company, Red Leather Satchel
8. Anthropologie, Be-All Buttondown
9. Zara, Pop Slim Fit Denim

Coral

This summer's hottest color is definitely coral. I love this trend because coral is a cheery, feminine color that looks good on almost everyone. Here are some ways to incorporate coral into your wardrobe.


1. Mod Cloth, Cameo So Cute Wedge
2. In Love With Fashion, Love Coral Scuba City Dress
3. Kenneth Cole New York, Modern Riviera Coral Resin Bead Half-Stretch Bracelet
4. Charlotte Russe, Extreme Hi-Low Linen Blazer
5. Top Shop, Basic Peplum Top
6. Asos, Metal Bar Detail Envelope Clutch
7. Tobi, He's Not My Boyfriend Shirt
8. Piperlime, Skinny Enamel Bangle
9. J.Crew, Chino Shorts

White on white

A new trend I've been seeing around lately is wearing white on white pieces. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this. I'm not a firm believer of the style requirement of not wearing white after Labor Day but there is definitely a time and a place for white clothing. Here are some items that can be mixed and matched either together or with colored pieces.

1. Forever21, Textured Shawl Collar Blazer
2. J.Crew, Ring-Around Eyelet Top
3. ASOS, Metal Keeper Super Skinny Waist Belt
4. Top Shop, Self Stripe Knot Back Dress
5. Ray Ban, Cat Eye Sunglasses
6. Old Navy, Denim Cut Off Shorts
7. Madewell, Skinny Skinny Ankle Jeans in White Wash
8. Tobi, Knucklehead Clutch
9. Macy's, Sleeveless Lace Scoop Neck Tank
10. Urban Outfitters, Kimichi Blue Macrame Slingback Sandal

Summer finds under $30

Summer is almost upon us so I figured that it was a good time to do some online browsing and find some inexpensive pieces to help you get ready for the warm weather. The great thing about summer clothes is that they tend to be cheaper because less fabric is being used. Enjoy!

1. Forever21, Cat Eye Sunglasses - $5.80
2. Forever21, Lace Shorts - $14.80
3. Old Navy, Women's Braided-Trim Cross-Front Sandals - $19.94
4. The Webster For Target, Jersey Sleeveless Dress - $29.99
5. Nordstrom, - h.i.p. Scalloped Hem Top $16.90
6. 7 Hills, Skinny Color Blocked Belt - $29.00
7. Tobi, Super Nova Stud Earrings - $12
8. ModCloth, Trapeze-y Going Tank - $17.99
9. Asos, Digital Heart Ditsy Pendant Necklace - $8.70

Zara's Basic Sandal

If you read fashion blogs as much as I do, I'm sure you've seen these Zara basic sandals everywhere. They are so easy to style and only cost $49.90.  I can't blame people for scooping them up so quickly; I just bought the exact pair above. Zara keeps bringing them back in stock to keep up with demand but I'm not sure how much longer they will do so. Below are some ways I would style this sandal and others like it for the summer/fall. 

Casual look:

J.Crew, Vintage Straight Jeans

Zara, Long Back Cable Knit Sweater

Forever21, Twisted Necklace

Asos, Metal Handle Fold-Over Clutch

Summer look:

Zara, Crochet Shorts

Nordstrom, Chambray Denim Shirt

Kate Spade, Gayla Cat Eye Sunglasses

Juicy Couture, Princess Stud Earrings

Dressy look:

Top Shop, Chifron Dip Hem Dress

Marc By Marc Jacobs, Katie Bracelet

Sabine, Opal Stone Ring

Vince Camuto, Olga Clutch Gunmetal

Flat summer sandals

After a mediocre weekend, we are now in for some summer-like weather here in DC (with summer showers and all)! Here are some flat summer sandals to keep your feet cool and cute.

1. ModCloth, Wearing is Be-weaving Sandal
2. Lucky Brand, Heda Sandal
3. Steve Madden, Suttle Sandal
4. Madison Harding, Jennings Sandal
5. Tobi, Tokyo Cross Sandal
6. Joe's, Tina Sandal
7. Kimchi Blue, Scallop Sandal
8. Dolca Vita, Ida Flats Sandal
9. Zara, Flat Jelly Sandal

Coachella Fashion

Yeah...

So unless you've been living under a rock (or avoiding facebook), you know that the Coachella festival was the weekends of April 13th and April 20th. Music festivals are a fun place to experiment with fashion but Coachella concert-goers are notoriously bad for their ensemble choices with some exceptions (Diane Kruger and Emma Watson looked fabulous).

Here are some great pieces that won't make you look like an obnoxious hipster or horribly racist (I'm looking at you, Vanessa Hudgens) and are appropriate for the 100 degree weather.

1. Urban Outfitters, Staring at Stars Crochet Lace-Up Sweater Tank
2. Forever21, Floral Drawstring Cami
3. Forever21, Embroidered Lace Dress
4. Tobi, Pleated Maxi Skirt
5. Michael Stars, Lace Crochet Tote
6. Melie Bianco, Gwyneth Bag
7. Zara, Pleated Strass Hairband
8. ModCloth, Stick To Your Guns Flat
9. Nodstrom, TOMS Cruz Wedge
10. Piperlime, Hive & Honey Claudette

Tobi

Tobi is my new favorite clothing website! Everything is reasonably priced (and often on sale) and very cute for spring. Here are some things that I found that are perfect for the season.

Good Morning Button Down, $47
I.Ner In Triangles Ponti Dress, $25
Naked Zebra Twisted Around Top, $33
Gjg Solid Skinny Jeans, $37
Everly Broken Lines Shift Dress, $39
Honey Punch Butterfly Top, $33
Joia Neutral Pumps, $48
Joia Push The Envelope Clutch, $32

Wedges

It's almost time to put away those winter boots and bring out your sandals and wedges. Below are some of the ones I'm loving right now. As you can see, I love nude or brown on my feet but I do think there are some great colored options out there as well.

1. Steve Madden, Brodee Wedge
2. Seychelles, Eye To Eye Wedge
3. DV By Dolce Vita, Shellie Wedge
4. Elle Tahari,  Weaver Espadrille
5. Sperry Topsider, Harbordale Wedge Sandal
6. Eric Michael, Katherine Sandal
7. DV By Dolce Vita, Tulle Wedge
8. Toms, Corbel Wedge
9. Kimchi Blue, Perforated Leather Heel