Barking Dog Shoes

Ecco Summer Ballerina Ankle Strap Flat: My Review

What I love about my Ecco Summer Ballerina Ankle-Strap Flats:
1. They're shiny gold.
2. Mod geometrical cut-outs. I can feel the wind between my toes.
3. Comfortable insole. Wore them to the grocery store and couldn't feel the hard floor.
4. Ankle strap is decidedly feminine.

Do they bother my mid-size bunions? After about three hours of wear, yes. The toe box doesn't pinch at all, but the vamp is cut across the bunion area of the big toe. I really wanted to wear these about town when we visit San Antonio in June, but I'll stick to my Birks. However, I see myself getting a lot of wear out of these this summer with flouncy skirts, sundresses and bermuda shorts.
$124 at Zappos, $119.95 at Endless.com, free shipping and returns.

Memorial Day Shoe Sales

If your Memorial Day festivities get rained out, you can always shoe shop. Here are some deals to brighten your day:

• REI offers 30% off select footwear such as the Keen Sienna Ballerina Slip-on for $49.83.
• OnlineShoes.com has a BOGO 25% off sale going on through Tuesday.
• Save big on Birkenstocks at GroundedSoles.com (20% off all styles) or Happy Feet Plus (23% off).
• Shoes.com will give you an extra 15% off sale and clearance shoes with promo code MEMDAY08.
• If you spend over $100 on select sandals at Endless.com, $25 will be deducted from total.
• PlanetShoes.com always offers a Deal of the Day. Today's deal is sweet! Indigo Peony for $54 marked down from $74. Enter promo code  tenoff at checkout for 10% off total.

Rieker Enie 49275: Dress Shoe with Roomy Toe Box

I've tried to engender some warm, fuzzy feelings for Rieker shoes, but it's been difficult because they keep making shoes that look like this. But today I'm feeling some love for the Rieker Enie ankle-strap pump. Rieker produces what they call "Antistress" shoes meaning they are lightweight, flexible, shock-absorbing and my favorite: roomier in the toe box. As you know, it's difficult to find a nice looking dress shoe with a generous toe box. So if you have hammertoes, bunions or wide forefoot, the Rieker Enie is a good choice for you. $94 at Zappos.

 

KiKi*C Wedge Slides: My New Shoes

New shoes for me by Kiki*C! Described by founder Kit Stetner as, "fun, fashion-forward wedges with a slipper feel and a go anywhere vibe," Kiki*C footwear is handcrafted with an ultra cushioned memory foam footbed that molds to the shape of your foot after a few wearings.

Today I wore the Laura model around the house, to the salon (ok, it was Cookie Cutters hair cuttery for kids), to the grocery store and back. They're certainly not my typical errand running shoe, but I felt so stylish in a 2.5" wedge heel with grosgrain ribbon and rhinestone clasp!

The footbed is very comfortable and provides good arch support (as you can see, I have high arches). I would, however, recommend Kiki*C wedges for those with a narrow to medium width forefoot. They fit a big snug around my bunions, but heck, they cover them up nicely too. If you're between sizes, order down as they run large.
$96.95 at Shoebuy.com

Dansko Gretel: Charming or Ugly?

What's the first word that comes to mind when you see this shoe? Enter a comment below.