Barking Dog Shoes

New Shoes for Christmas? There's Still Time!

It's not too late to gift or get shoes for Christmas!  Here's the round-up of online retailers offering shipping in time for Christmas:

• Zappos: order by 1PM PST 12/23 for guaranteed delivery before Christmas--shipping is FREE!!!
• Endless: Procrastinators rejoice! Items marked "FREE Overnight" can be ordered until December 23 5:15 p.m. PST for December 24 Delivery.
• OnlineShoes: Get it there on time! Order by Dec. 22 at 6pm EST for delivery by 12/24 ($5.95 2nd day air shipping).
• Shoebuy: Visit the Last Minute Gift Center for free 2 day delivery by Dec. 24th.
• PlanetShoes: 2 Day Air available for $4.95--order by Monday, Dec. 22, 7:00 PM EST.
• The Walking Company: 2nd Day deliveries FREE with any order $200+ your order must be placed by 11:00 a.m. EST on 12/22.

Related Posts:

• 8 Comfortable Footwear Gifts for Under $50
• Red Party Shoes for Your Tender Tootsies

Tsubo Anush and Acrea Heels: Reviews by Adriene and Sally

I've visited Tsubo's website. It's missing an eye-catching promotional image on the homepage and I think I've discovered the perfect one. This is Adriene and her Tsubo Anush mary jane pumps. Don't they look great at the end of her toned ballet dancer legs?  Amazingly the arrows are not photo-shopped, they're rings!

Now I'm as skeptical as the next gal with chronic foot pain about a three inch heel, but I remain open to trying a new brand that claims to meld style with comfort. Adriene's positive comments  helped me make the decision to place my order today.

"The pumps in the picture have this padded/shock absorption under the ball of the foot, and the heel is placed in such a way that support the female body and the stresses of city walking.  I LOVE my shoes."

Adriene also tipped me off to Amazon's amazing deal on the Tsubo Anush: $41.99 with free shipping!

Another popular style by Tsubo is the Acrea slingback. My stylish blogger friend Sally over at AlreadyPretty owns the Acrea in black and red. In fact she featured them with some  "easy throw-on outfits" earlier this week. Here's what she had to say about her comfortable shoes:

I consider my Acreas to be my basic, go-to pump. Although they have a strap - which, technically, makes them Mary Janes - it's a thin, asymmetrical strap so, in my mind, they become "awesome, unusual pumps." They have a high enough heel to elongate my leg, but since the heel is relatively thick, they are still superb walking shoes.  Well, for distances of 10 or fewer blocks, anyway. Tsubo Acreas have a rounded toe and wide toebox, for optimum tootsie comfort, and a slingback detail that makes them even more interesting and appealing.  I own them in black, red, and brown, and have been eying them in cream and gray for a while.  I recommend them to friends and strangers on a weekly basis, no lie. Acreas are comfortable, stylish, and trendproof.  Love 'em!

Where to buy:

Tsubo Anush mary jane (fits true to size):

• Amazon, $41.99 with free super saver shipping.
• Endless, $76.97, free overnight shipping.
• Zappos, $145 for multi-colored Anush.

Tsubo Acrea slingback (fits true to size):

• Shoes.com, best selection of colors, $130.
• Amazon: $38.99-$134.95 depending on size and color.

Looking for more comfortable pumps? Click here.

El Naturalista Iggdrasil Clog for $39 at Eastern Mountain Sports!

I found it. The deal you can't refuse. I searched for an hour weeding out namby-pamby 10-20% off sales and it paid off. The Iggdrasil by El Naturalista is $39 (from $130) at Eastern Mountain Sports and I don't believe it to be a typo. However, this price may change quickly, so act now. Read Marielle's review over at Chez Shoes to get an idea of fit and feel (keeping in mind hers are closed back, not the open-back clog).

This isn't the only great find at EMS. Browse their footwear department for more splendid deals on comfortable shoes and boots (like North Face boots for $36).

 

Wear Around Mary Jane by Keen: Review by Katrina of PuglyFeet

 

Hi, my name is Katrina from PuglyFeet!  A month ago, I won an Online Shoes-sponsored giveaway from Barking Dog Shoes.  I used my $100 gift certificate to order a pair of Keen's Wear Around Mary Janes in lovely Port Royal.

Before placing my order, I did my research and read all the reviews at both Online Shoes and Zappos.  Truth be told, most of the reviews I read said that these particular shoes run a bit small. Some complained about the elastic back and how it gave them blisters.

Taking those reviews into account, I ordered a 9.5 just to be safe, though I normally wear sizes between 8.5 and 9. But, the 9.5 turned out to be too big. So I exchanged them for a size 9 and luckily, they fit perfectly. I've worn them several times and my heels aren't bothered by the elastic back.  These shoes are light, comfy and offer good support.

So, if these Wear Around Mary Janes strike your fancy, I recommend trying them on at a brick and mortar store first before ordering, since the sizing is unpredictable. If online is your only option, I recommend getting 2 sizes:  your regular size and another pair one size larger.  You can return the one that doesn't fit.

Thank you, Barking Dog Shoes and Online Shoes!  I love them completely.

Naot Illusion Boot: Jen's Review

Ahhh....Carpenter's Christmas on Sirius XM, Candy Cane Lane tea, wool blanket and kids in bed. Time to blog about comfortable boots. Tonight I present to you stylish Jen in her beautiful Naot Illusions. There was a day when Naot could easily be confused with Birkenstock; not so anymore. Naot has taken great strides to become more fashion forward as evidenced by the Illusion boot.

Jen's Review:

I absolutely love my Naot Illusions, both for comfort and style. I've had issues in the past with boots that don't fit my calves or tend to slouch/bunch up around the ankle. The Illusions have an elastic gusset up the back that allows for a perfect fit around a more generous calf, and there's just a little extra room in the ankle for me. The foot part of the boot is very comfortable. I've never  considered myself to have particularly narrow feet (in fact, I'm pretty sure I don't), but these are supposedly made for narrow feet. What I find is that they do hug my foot pretty snugly but are not uncomfortable in the slightest. Instead, I feel like there is a perfect melding of foot and boot.

Looks-wise they have bit of a western flair to them that keeps them on the casual side. There is an embellishment detailing (interlocking leather rings up the length of the boot) that I think makes them particularly unique.

Where to buy:

 

• Zappos: brown and black leather, $300, free shipping both ways.
• OnlineShoes.com: $299.95, free shipping and exchanges.