BarkingDogShoes | Reviews and Deals - Comfortable Shoes for Women

Unique Birkenstocks from Germany

I may not wear Christian Louboutin or Prada stilettos, but I like my Birkenstocks to look good. I figure if I'm going to wear molded cork shoes that look like glorified flip-flops, they may as well have some bling on them. Or flowers. Or cow spots.

Baumhouse.com is an e-tailer of unique Birkenstocks from Germany. I discovered their website a few years ago and have ordered three pairs of Birks from them. I didn't want plain jane Arizonas, so when I searched their site, I found a navy pair with white edelweiss flowers. After getting so many compliments on them, I continued to order new fun Birks  summer after summer. Once you know your size, you can't go wrong.

The prices are listed in euros, so use this currency exchange site to help you figure US dollars. Airmail shipping from Germany is a reasonable $16.

Stylish Shoes for Bunions

Update November '08: New Post! Stylish Bunion-Friendly Shoes

Update July '08: Check out my new post about comfortable shoes for bunions.

Bunions. Not just for grannies anymore. It seems that more and more women in their thirties are developing these painful protuberances on the sides of their feet. Heck, according to Manolo the Shoeblogger, even Posh Beckham has bunions (oh the horror).

But what if your bunions weren't caused by wearing 5 inch Jimmy Choo's every day? Perhaps you just have a genetic tendency toward misalignment of the toes or maybe you did indeed wear ill-fitting shoes to work for too many years. What are the treatment options?  A bunionectomy (surgical removal) isn't always successful and the recovery is rough. Orthopedic shoes? Don't get me started. So what's a girl to do?

Think! Inua Boot: The "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Ugly Boot of the Month

Caption please? I'm opening this up to reader input today. Submit a comment below with a caption for these most dreadful boots.

Rockport Griano Skimmers: French Provencal Print for Nu Shooz Monday

If Scarlett O'Hara can wear a dress made out of her green velvet curtains, then you can wear a shoe made out of bed sheets, right?  Seriously, I love the crispness of this blue and white Provencal print skimmer by Rockport. Can you believe the upper is made of easy-to-clean leather? I was sure it was canvas at which point I pictured my $75 going down the drain with one step in a spring mud puddle.

I wonder what outfit Stacey London would put together to wear with these shoes? Any ideas? Or would these be on your what NOT to wear list?

Naturalizer Voss Mary Jane Pump: $39.99 at Shoetrader.com

Meow...again. Two animal prints in a week! Forgive me, I just think these are too fun to pass up at $39.99! The Naturalizer Voss avoids being classified a "flat" by 7/8 of an inch--just what this shoe needs to differentiate it in a world of predictable ballet flats and skimmers.

The Voss does run small, so order up a 1/2 size. If you tend to have a wider foot, don't deliberate, order the wide width.

Leopard, Red and Black available for $39.99 at Shoetrader.com; free shipping and returns.

Naturalizer Creston Slip-On: $64.95 at Shoebuy

Described as "fitting like a glove," the Naturalizer Creston has received rave reviews for comfort and support. No longer does Naturalizer specialize in solely frumpy sensible shoes; there are more than a few fashion forward styles. The Creston is for those of you that like a sporty shoe that isn't a sneaker...or worse, a shoe with holes.

Price Points:

• Famous Footwear has a few sizes left in black for $39.99 (free shipping if delivered to store near you).
• Shoebuy has an excellent selection of colors, sizes and widths for $64.95, free shipping and returns.
• Shoemall also has good selection of colors, sizes and widths for $69.95, free shipping and returns.

Dansko Lotus: Transition into Spring Comfortably with this Mary Jane Clog/Sandal

The Dansko Lotus in pomegranate reminds me of those beautiful springtime warm-red tulips. Ah...the promise of spring (as I sit typing with TWO space heaters failing miserably on this -2 degree night).

Gone are the days when your only Dansko option was a clog with a hard sole and footbed. While supportive and roomy in the toe box, many women complained that the footbed hurt their heels and caused metatarsal pain (ball of foot). The Lotus has a dual-density Carbosan foam TM footbed and 2 inch rocker sole that alleviates pressure on forefoot.

I think this shoe would be perfect for someone that has a narrow heel yet wide forefoot due to bunions. You could adjust the ankle strap to secure the fit at the ankle/heel while your toes are free to move around in the roomy toe box. 

Sure, this shoe might not be ultra-chic, but it sure is cute--don't ya think?

Price Points:

• Zappos: Pomegranate Red, Black and Cognac for $123.95, free shipping and returns.
• Shoes.com: Black and Cognac for $119.95, free shipping and returns.
• OnlineShoes.com: Pomegranate, Black and Cognac for $119.95, free shipping and returns.