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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Cute Shoes Can Be Comfortable with Vionic

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Disclaimer
After working as an event planner for many years and standing on my feet for countless hours, I learned a lot. However, the idea that “if you’re nice to your feet, they’ll be nice to you” firmly left a lasting impression and one I live by today.

Lately in my search for cute comfortable shoes, I’ve been lucky to find first the most beautiful boots from Lane Boots and now an adorable designer wedge that doesn’t look like something from 1983.

Vionic-Shoes-MamaChallenge


Before I even show you why they are so comfortable, you have to admit you never would have thought these hot snakeskin wedges are made to be as good to your feet as they are to your style. I’ve had some many compliments wearing these both casually or to the office. And while I’m not about to start running in these, I bet I could as soft and little impact that my heel feels even after hours of wearing them!

Vionic Footwear with Orthaheel Technology offers footwear that helps prevent and alleviate foot pain and fits a variety of lifestyles. Vionic shoes feature a removable orthotic footbed that supports feet and helps realign the lower legs, improving posture and balance – an ideal option for daily fitness walking.

Shoes should make your feet feel great and look good doing it. That’s why Vionic has built every style starting with a tried and true foundation – a contoured Footbed with revolutionary Orthaheel Technology.

Vionic-Wedge

You can wear Vionic shoes from morning to night, for most activities. Slide into a pair of slippers to reduce the heel pain first thing in the morning, complete your office wardrobe with a pair of comfortable wedges to wear to work, lace up a pair of orthotic active shoes to walk for exercise, and then slip back into your spa-style supportive slippers at the end of your day. Plantar fasciitis can hit the road, but not before you do, moving through life without giving heel pain a second thought.

So why would you choose anything but cute and comfort for your feet? I would like to add that these Vionic shoes run large and in no half-sizes, so choose your true fit if you order these shoes online.  If you’re the type that normally orders the wide shoe option for your shoes, this style called the Antonio doesn’t need room to make you look good. It does that already. And when you order your first pair of Vionic shoes, you aren’t just getting a pair of shoes, but you are getting support, knowledge and lifestyle from a brand that many have proclaimed have changed their lives for the better. You can learn more about about those in their #SOLESTORY. 

“>Vionic-Wedge

To order your own Vionic with Orthopedic Technology  or to find a retailer near you, visit http://www.vionicshoes.com/store-locator.

To find other great comfortable and stylish shoes you should have on your feet, check out this post! 

 

 

Made for More than Walking: Lane Boots

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Like most girls, I can appreciate a pretty shoe.

I don’t care who you are (and what kind of shoe you wear), there’s nothing sexier than a pair of ruby-soled Louboutins.

So when I came across a local boot maker that sported a turquoise sole, I totally appreciated the Texas twist on a pair of their designer cowboy boots. But the blue hue wasn’t the only standout I discovered about Lane Boots.


Lane-Boots-MamaChallenge

Like Louboutins each pair of Lane Boots has its own personality complete with unmatched design, first-class quality, and even a unique name to boot (pun intended.)

After lusting after each of the different looks searching for the pair that spoke to me, I decided I’d slide the studded, black calfskin tallboy on just to take a look. After all, this much “pretty” must really mean that comfort was never part of the design plan (and I hadn’t seen anything on their marketing materials that said so either.) But once my heel was in place, I was surprised at how comfortable the boot was.  And a little walk around the room showed me that these weren’t your normal boots.

But then again nothing about Lane Boots is normal.

Lane-Boots-MamaChallenge

Based in Arlington, Texas, Lane Boots was born out of a business opportunity from entrepreneur Patrick Lane in 2007.  After being a boot broker for another line of boots, he wanted to create a boot company that not only celebrated the rich tradition of well-made Western boots but showed “the attitude in your style and a smile on your face” when you wear them; and Lane Boots was born.

Lane-Boots-Logo

Just looking at the more than 300 different styles, each boot had so much detail from the sophisticated embroidery, hand-applied studding, and unique artisan inlay design.  Although I don’t know much about how a boot is made,  these bench-made beauties are like “artwork for your feet” as each pair is handcrafted from the motherland of fine boot making in Leon, Mexico at the Lane Boot manufacturing facility.

Lane-Boots-MamaChallenge

Even though comfort isn’t their selling proposition, like me, once you put a pair on, you know why you’ll be a customer for life.  With a  four-layer process of heel liner, heel cushion, insole and sole, you can tell these boots can be used for a lot more than a little walking…you’ll be ready to go all day in your Lane Boots.

However, good luck trying to decide on your first pair.

Lane Boots are available online or at several western wear and clothing retailers including 11 Main.

Get social with Lane Boots with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

 

Grapevine Mills Mall Just Got Real with New Updates

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I distinctly remember walking into Grapevine Mills, the mega mall in Grapevine,  for the first time when I was in college.

From that moment forward, at least for the next two years, I was like a frequent flier and even got points for it by how often I went to the movies and then got points for free food at the Dick Clark’s restaurant inside (next to where the SEA LIFE Aquarium is now and Gameworks which has also long left the place.)

Like me and college, I outgrew it. What stores I once frequented I no longer did because my style had changed. The way I spent my evenings changed. The feel of the really cool “space age” mall had changed.


Unfortunately, the mall really hadn’t changed so I moved on.

Grapevine-Mills-Mall-Kids

However, recently I found myself back at Grapevine Mills. I was surprised that I no longer could visit the stores I wanted in around a 30 minute visit. And hitting up the mall wasn’t just something to do with the kids with a stop at the Lego Land Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Rainforest Cafe, the Disney Store Outlet and my favorite The Children’s Place (it’s huge!)…AND a run by Great American Cookies (there are no shortage of cookie stops at this mall!)

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This is the most popular print at Vera Bradley in Grapevine. I bet you have at least one piece of VB, right?

Coach-Cape-Grapevine-Mills

I LOVE capes and one at Coach Outlet had my name all over it. SO CUTE!

This time I actually found myself wanting to check out a new list of my favorite stores like Banana Republic Outlet, J Crew, Coach Factory, Vera Bradley and a run through Steve Madden. And no doubt I had to hit up the Janie and Jack Outlet. That was for this time. Next time includes a trip to Lunar Golf, Bed Bath and Beyond…I mean just look at the map. Why wouldn’t you go?

Grapevine-Mills-Shoes

I want a pair of these Steve Madden pumps in every color. I do not have anywhere to wear them, but I will make one up.

And that’s just a few of the new ones. There’s a lot more happening at “The Mills” than changing stores. Just take a look at the blueprint for the interior of the mall.

grapevine-mills-makover Until Fall 2015 when you will see these changes, you should definitely take a RElook at The Mills today.

About Grapevine Mills
Grapevine Mills is a wonderful climate controlled indoor mall featuring 180 stores of shopping, entertainment, and restaurants. Among the 180 stores at Grapevine Mills features Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, H&M, Forever 21, NIKEFactoryStore, Coach Factory, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Under Armour, Disney Outlet, J Crew and much more! Also at Grapevine Mills, we have fun for the entire family at the AMC Grapevine Mills 30 with Dine-In Theatres, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium and Rainforest Cafe! Grapevine Mills is conveniently located off HWY 121 and Grapevine Mills Parkway, just two miles north of DFW International Airport.

Grapevine-Mills-Map

What’s your favorite Grapevine Mills location? If you’ve never been, what store really peaks your attention? 

 

Shoe Shopping for Back-to-School at Famous Footwear

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Mama Mondays: 
Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card from Famous Footwear as well as the opportunity to shop for as many shoes as possible as part of a local Famous Footwear event hosted by Dallas Moms Blog. All the comments here are my own. 

It’s no secret that I have issues with shoes. Really. 

While I enjoy looking at them, I don’t like to wear them. When you have a wide foot it makes it hard to put on cute shoes and be comfortable. That’s why I’m the queen of sandals and always in need of a new pair of shoes – at least ones that aren’t summer specific. And since it was also right before back-to-school, I wasn’t the only Reos could use another pair of kicks. 

That meant shopping. And shoe shopping is the worst… 

However, just in time, I was invited to a little special “mama time” with some friends to do a little private shoe shopping at Famous Footwear. Thank goodness. I needed some female opinions so I could make some purchases in a reasonable amount of time that weren’t just comfortable, but functional and hopefully, cute too!

Oh, how I found all kinds of choices – just which ones should I buy? 

Considering my current athletic shoes were about two years old (and just a little note, that’s way too long to not replace your running shoes), I really could use a pair, especially since the ones this season are fun, bright and very colorful. There were also some adorable Sperry boat-style shoes that were SO cute. I’ve always liked Sperry’s for the whole family, especially since they give moms like me an alternative to flip flops – ideal during the winter time! Black and white damask with red laces, sequins and even leopard print, I eyed several pairs I would want to add to my wardrobe. And of course, I would have to peak at some gladiator sandals, my always go-to. The ones I found were so hot and had a little Bohemian vibe. Adorable. 

What to buy. What to buy? What to buy! 

Thankfully, for a limited time, I didn’t have to purchase just one pair, but could get a second pair half off! (Gotta love some BOGO 1/2 off!) Then add my special discount for being a Famous Footwear Rewards member, I had discounts coming out my ears! Now that +  shoe shopping was something to be excited about. 
It was time I leaped over to the kids’ aisle. While my little girl is a little young for these Converse, I couldn’t help but stop to take a look at them. With all kinds of colors and fun tongues that even included emoticons on the reverse side, these shoes screamed “I would have to have you IF I had a teen!” 

Finally reaching the little girls’ shoes, I set eyes on a pair of tennis shoes that Miss T. had to have. They were pink, glittery, blingy, and had studs all over them! And they lit up too! And considering little girl had a birthday the next day, I just had to snatch these up and surprise her for her big day! Aren’t these Skechers CUTE!?!


Starting to really find my stride after my first must-have, I spotted this sign:
Discovering this great little kernel of knowledge was perfectly timed since I had eyed me a pair of these Naturalizer Peep Toes (both stylish and comfortable!) Unfortunately, my size was missing! What to do, what to do? I just brought the shoes to the register and they took my address. For $0, they would send these gotta-have heels to my doorstep. (Now that’s service!)
And that wasn’t all either! A little love from Lady Luck made me a winner of an opportunity to get as many pairs of shoes as I wanted in :30 seconds with a little shop-to-you-drop. That meant I was able to pull a pair of Sperry’s for both me and my hubs, plus, of course, those cute shoes for my two-year-old! (And I may have also found a pair of sandals that would get a little play for the remaining weeks of the summer!)

So perhaps, maybe, I don’t mind shoe shopping. Especially if I can get it all in one place and at a price I can afford. Thanks to Famous Footwear, I was able to find that and more. 

Now I understand why their tagline is “Victory is Yours.” 

There’s a mama challenge I was excited to win. 


Flip Flops That Make Your Feet Fit

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Disclaimer: I received these products for purposes of this review. All comments expressed here are my own. 

It’s no secret I’d prefer to be barefoot to wearing shoes any day of the week. However, since it’s kinda gross to walk around like that most the time, I’m always on the lookout for shoes that are good to my feet and hopefully are fashionable to wear as well. 

So when one of my favorite pairs of summer sandals bit the big one the other day, I was almost in a panic. Then like a little FedEx fairy, a box arrived at my doorstep with new flip flops that claimed with every little step my butt, hips and thighs are doing reversed incline stretches while toning my muscles. So basically, I walk and and the worst parts of my body get a little more toned? So like any woman would, I tore the box open and put these babies on my feet immediately.
 


Developed by famed fitness icon Tony Little (you know the guy with the blonde ponytail exercising on the Gazelle trainer), his new footwear line appropriately named “Cheeks” is constructed with an inclined sole that imitates uphill walking. The shoes work by placing the body at a three-degree angle; most of the weight rests on the heels, thus promoting improved posture. 

I was able to wear these sandals every day, all day for going to work out, walking around Schlitterbahn, the grocery store – well everything. And because of the design, I could easily wear them with many outfits.  While I didn’t take my measuments before I began weating the shoes, I can tell you I could feel a little strain on my legs after I wore them for hours – just like I had been running up a hill. Success. 
 
 
And they have all kinds of styles too – from black, pink with some bling and even some interchangeable straps so you can coordinate your look by flipping it over! 
 
Starting at $24.95 this line is definitely worth a walk around the block. 
Available for purchase on HSN.com and TonyLittle.com. 
 
Anytime Dr. Oz makes a recommendation, we all come running and buying. And these sandals from Wellrox were high on his list for improving balance, better posture or just a more comfortable stride. So of course, I was quick to give these “bear claws” a try. 

By separating and providing individual thongs for each toe, Wellrox has developed “GRABS” technology, a revolutionary sandal that reduces the risk of slippage and enables a more surefooted gait. The GRABS™ technology offers added grip, relief, alignment, balance and support, so when spreading your toes, you’re redistributing your weight more evenly and begin using your proper foot muscles to walk as intended. This concept is well known throughout Yoga and wellness circles (yogitoes.)


These sandals bring much needed relief to your aching feet and leg muscles. You can wear them every day, or whenever you need recovery – before or after a workout or a Yoga session, or after a day of wearing constrictive shoes. You can even wear them for a pedicure. (At least they are much better than those throw-away shoes they give you at the pedi place!) 

You can buy these summer sandals at Macys.com and local Macy retailers. For more information, visit wellrox.com.

So now you have options to work out your feet and then give them a massage by just putting your shoes on!

Happy Walking!


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