Can Comfortable Shoes also be Stylish Shoes?

So many people are asking for advice this month (thanks to the long overdue warm weather) on finding stylish shoes for summer that are also comfortable.  As women, I think that’s one of the most common questions we ask throughout our whole lives, don’t you?

We all want to look our best – which often means shoes with a heel, especially for special occasions.  But at the same time, we know that we won’t truly look our best when our feet are killing us and preventing us from being as active as we want.  We’ve all been there right?  Sitting at our table near midnight at a friend’s wedding because if we get out on the dance floor one more time, our toes might fall off.  Or cutting a day at the theme park short because we just can’t walk another step without screaming.

With summer travel plans, sightseeing, weddings and BBQs on the agenda, we’re here to help you find some amazing shoe options that are, indeed, both comfortable AND stylish!

Our Top Pick for Summer Shoes has to be the WEDGE.

The wedge heel provides a comfort and stability that is almost on par with a flat shoe, but with the added benefits of height, leg-elongating visuals, and the formality of a high heel.  They’re perfect for a backyard barbecue (no heels sinking into the grass), a day of sightseeing (whether its Paris or Niagara Falls) and many are perfectly dressy enough for a wedding or special occasion.  Here are some of our favourite wedges of the season – all available at our boutique on Pearl Street.  Click on any image to launch the larger gallery:

Donald J. Pliner

Sofft

Marc Fisher

Fugitive

Donald J. Pliner

Donald J. Pliner

Other great choices include embellished gladiator-style sandals in trendy colours like mint green or classic go-with-anything black or tan tones.  We have some excellent options from Steve Madden and Guess in stock this year.

Steve Madden Sandals

Guess Wedge Gladiator Sandals

One of our favourite lines, Sofft, also makes a great line of slip on heels that come very close to being as comfortable as your favourite running shoes.  They have to be tried-on to be believed!  We love the white option, as white is (as you likely know) so hard to find in a flattering heel.  This one is so comfortable and the gold accents make it even better!

Sofft White Cork Heel Sandal

Sofft Heel (also comes in black)

Sofft Patent Slip On Heels

Come on by and let us help you find a way to pick out gorgeous summer shoes that are as stylish as they are comfortable!

~ Pearl Street Fine Shoes: 401 Pearl Street, Burlington, Ontario.

WHAT’S NEW IN SHOES FOR SPRING SUMMER 2013

Ivanka Trump sexy summer sandal. Gorgeous metallic heel and just the right amount of color

All you ladies will soon get your feet ready to strut your stuff, as 2013 is all about gorgeous shoes!

Architectural influences proved to be a huge trend all over the runways. There are many bold styles including transparent detail, pointed toes (a must), prints and metallic finishes.

Here’s a preview of what’s to come:

Guess glitter Neodany pump adds excitement to any outfit

Crushed crystals and metallic detail.

This Guess glittering pump is one of my favourite evening shoes.  Great for prom and other special events, these classic silhouettes have a pointed toe which visually elongates the leg.  The chunky glitter design is accented with a beautiful mirrored stiletto heel adding a chic finishing touch.

Ivanka Trump pump is classic and versatile, yet sleek and stylish

Check  out this stunning low heel pump.

Not everyone is a 4″ heel fan and Ivanka Trump has made this everlasting elegant low heel pump.

It comes in beige or black and looks fantastic with a skirt or jeans.  It’s also great for work or travel because it’s so comfortable.

With the warm weather approaching it’s also time to ask: what about sandals?

With multiple thin straps and oversized antique-gold hardware on the face, Steve Madden flat sandals are simple yet scream fantastic

This year look for straps and metal.

Steve Madden introduces the Sinamon. Nothing flatters the foot like a beautifully made sandal.  Gleaming gold-tone hardware adorns ankle straps of a modern sandal finished with an easy back zip.  Wear Steve Madden Sinamon for some floor-stomping, envy-inducing footwear!

Donald Pliner lucite wedge heel + snakelike foot adds Wow! to your outfit

Eye catching chunky heels:  Donald Pliner has done it again.  Let the exotic beauty of snake set off the season. The edgy transparent wedge gives the DEBB sandal creative dimension.

The padded footbed ensures all day comfort.

So what else is happening?

Fun suede short boots embellished with lace. Great comfortable summer boot which looks amazing with almost anything you’ll wear.

Summer Boots are an interesting trend and many have added lace and jewellery to extend their uniqueness.

They make a statement when worn with shorts, skirts or jeans.  Check out these Fugitive short boots.

With the sunshine heading back our way soon, don’t forget about the return of fun summer colors in footwear:

Add color to your outfit by wearing stylish but fun sandals this summer. Fugitive Frison made in France

The Frison from Fugitive delivers a little bit of everything with its multi color look.   These sandal features amp up the modern effect of an ankle-wrap sandal.

Leave it to the French to come up with such gorgeous sandals to add flare and panache to all your summer outfits!

And finally………………Flats!!

If you love flats, you’ll notice the patent leather and bright color combinations for 2013 (by the way, orange is a must this year)!   The Isaac Mizrahi loafer offers a cushioned footbed.

Isaac Mizrahi’s loafer: tons of comfort with it’s cushioned footbase + flexible sole

Mamzelle colorful comfort patent leather in one of the hottest colour combinations of the season

HARVEY’S PURSES COMING SOON

Harvey’s Handbag Treecycle tote

So what happens to seatbelts which don’t meet automotive standards?  In 1997 a California couple Dana and Melanie Harvey had a great idea to make handbags. I fell in love with these amazing bags and so excited to be Burlington’s distributor.

They have such a wide variety of trendy, durable handbags and accessories.   They include totes, satchels, handbags, baby bags and laptop.  Each bag is made of 100% Authentic Seatbelt, the same stuff you trust your life with, and is held together by NASA grade Nylon thread!  They’re not only stylish but also enviro-friendly.

Color is happening this year so here’s just a few samples of what I’ll be bringing in the store and available for shipping.   Many colors or different styles available.

 

And of course we’ve stocked up on everyone’s favorite the “Treecycle purses”

My favourite is the Lola Ruffle Satchel.  This durabe dainty alternative to the classic Seatbeltbag. Vertically stitched seatbelts adorned with ruffles, braided handles, fully lined interior and sleek black nickel hardware.

Here’s the Harvey’s story:

“Hello, we’re the Harveys…

husband & wife, Dana & Melanie. In March of 1997, while installing seatbelts into our 1950 Buick, we had the idea of making Melanie a matching handbag. Everyone loved hers so much, we decided to make more for you.

What started out as a one-car garage operation has since grown into 16,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in sunny Santa Ana, CA. Here, every Seatbeltbag is lovingly hand-crafted using the finest American Made materials.

On the First Friday of every month we launch new styles, colors, and prints… something for everyone! In addition, we’re constantly adding items back to stock. “

I’ll have stock starting March 1st.  So exciting!!!!!

BEATING WINTER BLAHS

Happy New Year! You made it through the Christmas rush and New Year’s Eve.  For months you’ve put a lot of love and time pleasing family/friends and now it’s time to treat yourself.  If you’re like me you’re already tired of the cold, short days.

Let us understand what happens in the winter.  As the days get shorter and colder, we spend more time indoors and are become less active, according to Ashley Solomon, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who blogs at Nourishing the Soul. “We tend to be more sedentary, which we know impacts our level of energy and even interest in activities,” she said.  Our bodies produce more melatonin when the sun sets making us more sleepy.  Our eating habits also change in the winter.

Here are some tips to help you change your perception of winter and bring warmth and light into a chilly life:

adding cinnamon to food also helps control blood sugar levels

1) Cinnamon: Simmer a pot of water, apples, and cinnamon sticks on the stove for a lift. The spicy scent eases stress, helps headaches, and increases alertness.

2) Flower Power: Grab a bunch of flowers, like gerbera daisies, for your desk or living room. A Harvard study showed that fresh flowers make you feel less anxious.

pilates excercises help strengthen your inner core

3)  Pilates/Yoga:  Exercise is known as a mood enhancer, raising the brain’s levels of serotonin and endorphin. Some of us are bored with treadmills and Stairmasters that go nowhere. Change up your routine.. Try some new classes in Yoga, Pilates or weight loss boot camps. I personally go to Kinetic Physiotherapy in Burlington http://www.kineticphysiotherapy.ca/default.aspx.  The classes are  small and the instructors are able to provide personal attention and will modify exercises if needed.  Get a buddy to excercise with or make new  friends.

Dress warmly and go for a brisk fitness walk. If you can get to the shore, a walk on the beach is peaceful and inspiring.

4) Treat your Feet:  Your feet take a beating this time of year. Show them some love with a relaxing pedicure.

5) Sales:  You know sooner or later I needed to plug my store, so here’s my help making you happy.  Winter just really started so get happy at Pearl Street Fine Shoes.  You’ll find excellent sales on your favorite brand named boots such as Guess, Steve Madden, Fugitive, Everybody and Tommy Hilfiger and Martineau at 50% off.  Other footwear and accessories from 30-70% off.

6) Soak up the Sun: Lack of sunlight can trigger a drop in the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, leading to depression—and cravings. Drink your morning cup of coffee outside, work by a window (if you can), and take at least 15 minutes to walk on your lunch break. A well-lit home and office can help, too: Add cool fluorescent lights, the type used in therapeutic light boxes.

scarves add to any outfit

7) Wrap yourself up:  You’ve seen our selection of scarves, so now that the weather outside is frightful or your house or office is drafty, wrap up with our cozy scarves, all at 30-50% off.

8)  Winter Squash: You may have enjoyed luscious farm-stand tomatoes all summer, but now their grocery-store counterparts look pale and feel like mini–medicine balls. But the produce that’s naturally in season in winter is your secret weapon for keeping off the pounds: People who ate the most dark-green and orange fruits and veggies lost the most weight in six months, according to Brazilian researchers.

Hello, broccoli, carrots, kale, oranges, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, winter squash! They’re all delicious this time of year—so toss them in your cart.

9) Be Social:  Many people socialize less throughout the winter months,” points out Pottier. But isolating yourself can only worsen those depressive symptoms. Pottier recommends finding reasons to get out of the house, like joining a hobby club or taking a class. Even planning a visit to out-of-town friends – if that luxury tropical vacation isn’t feasible – can help break up the winter.

I found this website quite fun and helpful: Six Green Ideas for Beating Winter Blahs.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/01/21/six-green-ideas-for-beating-winter-blahs/

Party Time!

This Guess glitter pump will make any dress stand out

Christmas season provides us with the perfect excuse to dust off our party frocks, slip into a pair of killer heels and adorn ourselves with jewels that reflect our all-consuming and over-riding passion… you guessed it… trends!

Whether it’s your office party or new Years Eve, you can buy fantastic outfits, but the best way to make your outfit fashionable is the accessories you choose.  It’s all about heels, glitters, sparkles and metallics to shine on the dance floor! If the high heels is a big problem for you , no stress. We have very fashionable lower heel shoes too.

There a a few distinct accessory trends for this year’s holiday season.

GLITTER AND BLING:    This year you’ll see the extravagant and glamorous dazzling pieces embellished with gemstones, crystals, semi-precious stones.   Bling and glitter always add a sense of sophistication and nostalgia.  Diamonds ARE a girls best friend.

VICTORIAN LOOK:  One of the great inspirations for 2013 is the Antique look.  Any magazine or runway show you see you’ll noticed that the Victorian era has been one of the most popular among many high-end designers.

Gold Jewelled Evening Purse

Rose Gold Watch $35

GOSE GOLD:  We all know that silver and gold jewelry are timeless classic metals, however from time to time we always see the Come Back of the Rose gold. This amazingly colored metal adds a touch of femininity to any jewelry piece and for 2013 Rose Gold Jewels will be exemplifying Glamour. Be sure to pick up some Rose Gold Jewellery this season.

GEOMETRIC SHAPES:  Geometric jewelry is definitely in and you’ll see more in 2013.  This look was in a number of years ago and now is back with a vengeance. Introduce an urban edge into your jewellery wardrobe this season with metallic mesh patterns and grid-like silhouettes.  If you have some pieces from yesteryear it will give you the opportunity to re-use what you already have or update with this spectacular necklace and bracelet from Macy Fair.

COLOR BLOCKING: Another vibrant trend that started in 2012 and will continue to carry on in the year of 2013 is color blocking jewelry. Earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets are a great way to add color to a an outfit and this year you must invest in bright and vivid colors.  Colored metals, colored beads and neon rhinestones are also a super hit. In this picture we feature an amazing Pink Stix necklace in blue and also comes in a hot pink.

BANGELS: It’s all about wrist love rattling their way up the wrist in a stacked perfection.  Thin wired bangles are seen decorating wrists everywhere.  They range from the subtlest gold metal cuff to attention-grabbing jewels including geometric and two-toned sets clinked across the catwalk.

There you have it.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year 2013.

PURSE ORGANIZERS, WONDERFUL GIFT IDEA UNDER $25

tuck aways-purse inserts-organizer

Looking for a unique gift ideas under $25?

Anyone who owns a large handbag or tote knows the frustration of trying to find items which you know are in the bag, but simply have dissapeared.  Is it me or does this always to seem to happen when you’re in a hurry, and then, you get home and there it is.  I once thought I lost my rings and a couple of months later, when I was looking for my keys, I found my rings hidden deep in a corner of my handbag.

Two years ago I was introduced to this remarkable purse organizer called “Tuck Aways”.  I love showing these to customers, especially the people who love compartments and need organization in their life.   They  discover how Tuck Aways make the most of limited space and how you can easily transfer them from one purse to another.   The other beauty of these Tuck Aways are the selection of stunning colors, which will embellish the purses you already own.   When customers buy one or more for gifts they end up getting one for themselves.

The organizer has:

• 6 conveniently located inner compartments with lightly elasticized pockets on each end to stow sunglasses and/or reading glasses
• Generous center space for wallets and hairbrushes
• Outer pockets, located at each end, are perfect for cell phones,      business cards, pens, etc.
• A large zippered compartment on the back can be used for cosmetic      items, eliminating the need for a cosmetic bag.
• The front has an easy-access slip pocket for passports, employee      security cards, etc.
• An inner key fob, when clipped to a ring on the opposite side, allows      for all contents to be easily moved from one bag to another. This strap      can also be used for added security for handbags and totes with no means      of closure.
• To keep their shape and effectiveness, the sides are reinforced.      We’ve kept the ends soft to conform to all bag shapes.
• Since they simply MUST be pretty, they come in satin-inside and      out.

They come in two popular sizes 9″ in length which fits the average handbag, and a larger one which measures 11″ in length.  This is perfect for large or oversized handbags, totes, diaper bags and carry-ons or weekenders. Both Regular and Large are 6.5″ high x 3.5″ in width.

You can contact us and we’ll be happy to ship one or more out to you.

Check out these stunning colors:

TIPS ON WEARING BOOTS

This Tommy Hillfiger tall boot has been a best seller this year

What makes us love boots so much?  They can make any outfit look amazing.  I took part in a fund raising fashion show this past weekend where I provided shoes and boots for 6 boutiques.  I loved the increased versatility that boots allowed each outfit to have.  They allow you to wear skirts or dresses in cold weather; they can provide a sleek look, a country look, or a more down to earth look.  Hint: boots with beautiful detail aren’t covered up by pants!  Here are a few tips on wearing boots.

When wearing a fitted shape skirt or dress, allow a few inches between your hem and your boot.  When wearing a fuller skirt, make the hem fall just over the top of the boot.

Kate Middleton and Prince William

With a short skirt you can wear a tall boot with high heels or flat heels.  You can also wear tights with a shoebootie.  Whichever you choose you’ll look amazing.

Strut your style with short leather boots

If you want to wear jeans in your boots you have a couple of options.  You could consider the equestrian look.  This provides a more casual look while still looking chic.  Or, you can tuck in your skinny jeans inside a high heel boot which will give you a sleek stylish look.  How much fun is that.

Many women with heavier calves avoid shopping for tall boots because they cannot pull up or zip up the boot.  I’ve been selling these fashionable Martineau boots with an expandable calf and let me tell you how ecstatic women become.  They finally can wear tall boots with dresses or skirts, tuck pants in or just plainly wear tall boots.  There are expandable boots out there, you just need to ask for them.

Tall Martineau boot with expandable calf

And finally the shoebootie, I’ve seen woman wear these with a short skirt and tights, with long skirts, well just about any length skirt.  You can wear them under pants as they will give a cleaner look.  Lace-up short boots provide a trendy look with tights and bunched-up socks. Finally for the daring who wishes to make a nighttime get-ups make a statement and be more playful, couple your evening dress with a bootie.  I’ve seen it and it works.

As you can see, every woman should have a few pairs of boots in their closet.  Here are a few images to generate some new looks for you.  Enjoy.

Steve Madden leather lace up boot