Barking Dog Shoes

El Naturalista Iggdrasil: Current Obsession

I don't know what it is. The whimsical spiral, the delicious thought of vegetable-tanned leather, the name "El Naturalista" and with its flipped "r" and Spanish ancestry, the green frog logo? Or could it be I have yet to find an owner that isn't crazy for their El Naturalistas for reasons they will tell you below. Whatever it is, I know without a doubt this will be my next shoe.

Take Shari Bonnin of Bonnin Designs who hand-crafts the most exquisite hair pins and flamenco-inspired jewelry. Not only is she incredibly talented, she knows a good shoe when she sees it. Pictured above is Shari in her El Naturalista Iggdrasil clogs. Here's what she had to say about her comfortable shoes:

I've had my shoes for over a year and still wear them on a regular basis and love them. I also have foot problems and need comfy shoes that I can just throw on. I get compliments all of the time when I wear them and people want to know what they are and how to get them. El Naturalistas are worth the investment because some might think over $100 is a lot, but they are made very well and last. Like I said, I've had mine for over a year and they still look new and wear like new. And I love that the soles are made from recycled materials.


Our second El Naturalista fan is Kim, or Yarny Old Kim as she goes by on Flickr (which also happens to be the name of her blog). As you can see, Kim can knit me (and many of you, I suppose) under the proverbial table. She specifically looks for shoes to show off her awesome socks and says this about the comfort factor of her El Naturalista Iggdrasil clogs:

The clogs are so comfortable, plenty of room for my toes. Arch support seems good. And I adore the way these shoes smell. Yes, they have a great smell. Apparently there is tea tree oil beads embedded in the sole. I am also really tickled that each pair of shoes comes with an herbal tea bag. Yes, herb tea. How crunchy hippy is that?

A word on sizing to keep in mind:

Sizing for this clog is a bit off. I normally wear a Euro 39 but in this shoe, I wear the 38. Odd thing is, other El Naturalista shoe styles run true to size.

Want to read more about El Naturalista footwear and their committment to producing quality, foot-friendly, eco-friendly shoes? Click on over to their website. Be forewarned; there is a strange purple squid blurbing around on the homepage.

Where to buy the featured El Naturalista Iggdrasil clog (closed-back version also available):

• PlanetShoes.com: $140, free shipping and returns.
• Amazon: $105-152, free shipping.
• Endless (great selection of El Naturalista): $149.95, free overnight shipping, free returns.

Indigo Tanzania: For Tapas and Church

As my mother would say, I look a bit "washed-out" in this photo, and I'd have to agree.  If you can look past the drab hue cast by the gray, dreary day and the heavy dose of ineffective concealer, you will see my true intentions--I want to show you that I'm wearing heels and not grimacing in pain. I really feel quite good. Could I chase my toddler around in these? No ma'am.  But can I go out for tapas with husband and good friends, walk around the block a few times, get up the next morning and wear them to church without limping at the end of the day? Yes. Yes I can.

I love the Indigo Tanzania for many reasons:

• cross-over straps on forefoot cover (and hide) bunion area without irritating.
• Platform makes shoe look higher without feeling higher.
• Soft foam footbed provides decent cushioning.
• Chunky heel feels stable (love the diagonal wood grain). Apparently an ABS heel core is used, which I understand is an acrylic insert to keep the heel stable and lightweight.
• Flexible outsole--bends in all the right places when I walk.
• Great traction.
• Closed heel if you didn't have time for the Ped Egg.

Disclaimer: Could I have worn these two years ago when my knees were swollen from flare of rheumatoid arthritis? No. Before foot surgery to fuse bones? No, no, no. You know your body best. If you've never worn heels before, don't start with these!

Where to buy (runs true to size and width):

• Zappos: 5 colors, sizes 5-12, $100; free shipping both ways.
• Shoebuy: 3 colors, sizes 5-10; $99.95 (currently running Mother's Day sale--20% off plus free shipping).
• OnlineShoes.com: 4 colors, $84.99; free shipping and exchanges.

Coming up tomorrow: El Naturalista Iggdrasil revisited.

Birkenstock Madrid in Peridot Patent

I'm sparing you the up-close chipped polish shot in exchange for the long torso/little feet shot. No one was home to photograph my new Birkenstock Madrid sandals, so this is the best I could do.

I'm wild about my new comfortable shoes. I started wearing Birkenstocks 12 years ago when I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, but in no way were they as cute as these!  I've reached for my Madrids more than any other shoe in the closet lately. I just slip them on and go, even if the high was only 47 yesterday.  I refuse to wait any longer for spring.  And wow, are these kind to my barking dogs!  The footbed molds perfectly to my foot with excellent arch support and deep heel cup. Read more about the foot health benefits of Birkenstock here.

The strap doesn't rub at all and is the most lovely shade of green: some may call it lime but Birkenstock prefers "peridot." The Madrid is quite reasonably priced at $49.95 and comes in 7 shades of patent Birko-Flor™(free ground shipping from BirkenstockUsa.com). Can't find your size? Try GroundedSoles.com

A word on sizing: most styles come in narrow and regular. Even though I have a medium width foot, I must wear a narrow in Birkenstock--the regular size swims on me. So if you have a wide foot, go with the regular. Also, the 40 fits best on my 9.5-10 size foot even though the drop-down menu says a 40 fits a 9-9.5.

Miz Mooz Burnette patent slingbacks from jb and me

No fretting allowed. The semi-daily reviews of Keens, Clark's and all shoes comfortable will be back, but I want to take just one day to show you these Miz Mooz platform slingbacks; their fierceness makes my other shoes cower. Although I wouldn't recommend these for anyone with severe foot problems, if you have fairly normal feet and want a comfortable yet young and ultra-hip shoe, consider Miz Mooz.

Even with rheumatoid arthritis, I can wear the Miz Mooz Burnette comfortably for shorter stints. The cushioned footbed saves my metatarsals and the serious platform (1 1/2"), although bit awkward at first, keeps my foot at a walkable angle. I also like the elastic slingback strap--much easier to manage than a buckle. This particular style does run about a half size small. I ordered the 10 and as you can see it fits perfectly.  And just look at them! Patent leather, peep-toe,  high-gloss wood platform and chunky round heel--husband likes these, for sure. 

Where did I get these mamacita shoes? If you're in the Holland, Michigan area you can head on over to jb and me boutique and pick up a pair today. And if you're not, head on over to their online boutique of Anthropologie-esque jewelry, clothing, accessories and Miz Mooz shoes (and more)! jbandme.com carries the latest fashions from designer lines to looks for less. The owners, a mother and daughter team make it their mission to find quality fashion forward products at a great price. Besides my new shoes, I love their echo tie-dyed scarves, expandable rings (great for arthritic fingers), and vintage-inspired birdy necklace.

In fact, use the discount code barkingdog and get 15% off your purchase at jbandme.com.

What do you think? What in the world should I wear with my new sparkly shoes? I need some tips.

Easter Sunday Shoes: Born Plumeria

I've had my Born Plumeria sandals sitting in my closet just waiting for an occasion to come out.  Between April snow showers and downpours,  we finally caught a break today with a sunny, albeit cool, Easter Sunday. So you can bet I snatched my sandals out of their dark dungeon and quickly got to work on incorporating them into an ensemble.

I'm surely no clotheshorse; I try to mix and match what I already own, but I like what I came up with this time. The jacket, sweater and skirt are from past seasons at Gap, the tee from Target and the bag from a local thrift shop. But it really is all about the shoes. The HUGE floppy flower adds a fun and feminine touch to a fairly understated outfit. By the way, the Born Plumeria earned a shout-out in the April '09 issue of O magazine--the sandal was chosed by the editors to be included in the Green O List (I never thought of the Plumeria as being a "green" shoe, but after reading the article, I now understand).

Although I wouldn't choose the Born Plumeria for traipsing  about town, it will be my official date and dress-up shoe for summer--no need for a heel when everyone just looks at the flower. Other foot-friendly features: padded footbed, soft leather, flexible sole, strap doesn't cut into foot. Since this sandal comes in whole sizes only, I ordered the 10 (foot runs between 9.5-10)  and it's just a smidge long on me, but overall fits very well.

Where to buy:

• Shoeline: $99, free shipping. Use code twitter1 for 10% off.
• Zappos: sage and teal, $89.96; other colors (not red) $99.95.
• BornShoes.com: $99, free shipping.

Congratulations to Tracy J., the winner of the second Born giveaway!