If you have high arches like I do and must walk miles on concrete, you get to a point you'll only buy shoes with solid arch support to avoid feet pain (and surgery) in the future. Ideally all your shoes should stabilize your heels too, but doctors know people desire sandals during the summer. If we must wear flip flops, pediatrists have said Vionic flip flops with arch support are way better than other flimsy options.
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Vionic Shoes With Orthotic Arch Support
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Plantar Fasciitis Relief Shoe Insoles
The pain of plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation after tiny tears occur in the plantar fascia, the tissue that connects our heels to our toes. These tiny tears are very painful and slow to heal.
Suddenly in November 2023, I could barely walk! One day I walked without pain, the next day I limped!! Plantar fasciitis had developed in my right foot. Friends and friends of friends who also have the condition have gotten better. So I tried to make myself better. I pulled out a pair of custom orthotics a podiatrist had made for me years earlier which were so chunky I couldn't fit them into ANY of my leather shoes. They lay dormant collecting dust. I started wearing them in my cloth houseshoes around the house. The practice worked as long as I didn't leave the house.
The following are 2 brands of orthotic insoles that ease pain and fit into my shoes. I'm listing them in the order of which I wear the most:

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Bejeweled Athletic Shoes
Blue by Betsey Johnson |
Kurt Geiger London Laney Crystal |
Tretorn Nylite Plus Glitter |
Clarks Nova Spark Sneaker |
Monday, April 27, 2009
Finding Shoes For Discerning Feet


The human foot is a wonder. There are more bones in the foot than in any other single body part. And when you consider that your feet support the weight of your entire body and make walking, balance and dancing possible, you begin to understand why. So buying well crafted shoes isn't just a vanity, but a necessity. Skimp on footwear and you experience pain and foot problems. And certainly fashion matters.


Thursday, June 7, 2018
The Shoe That Grows
Do you know that 3 billion people live in poverty -- nearly half the world's population? Moreover, 1/3 of a billion people are extremely poor living on less than $1.25 a day.
However for the millions of children who can't afford shoes, a non-profit has stepped up to help fill the basic need.
Not having shoes is an enormous hurdle. Not only do shoes save children from cuts and infections from wounds, they stop podoconioisis from getting into their bloodstreams through the soles of their feet, leading to serious health problems. Furthermore, many undeveloped countries do not let children attend school barefoot, so these children never learn to read or write.
And children fortunate enough to acquire a pair of shoes outgrow them leaving them to once again go barefoot, or wear shoes that no longer fit.
On a trip to Kenya, a young American man, named Kenton Lee, noticed this plight and decided to do something about it. He returned home with a vision. Although not an inventor or shoemaker, Lee perfected a shoe that grows 5 sizes with a child and is made of durable materials -- a sturdy leather upper and compost rubber sole -- to last 5 years. The shoe adjusts and expands in 3 areas to fit a foot as it grows.
For $15 we can buy a pair of shoes for a penniless child. How often do we get to change a life significantly for such a small sum?

If you wish to learn more, here is The Shoe that Grows' website.
Have you ever thought about what life would be like without shoes? And what your life would be like without the benefit of going to school? Lastly, did you already know that many children in the world cannot afford something as essential as a pair of shoes?
You may also enjoy:
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Thursday, September 7, 2023
Shoes For Paws
Photo: Rover - which is linked - gives you 15 best dog boots to buy. |
Photo: Rover |
Photo: here |
If [still] a pet owner, I suppose I'd extend these findings to my dog's paws in cold and warm weather. More and more, it seems like a good idea in a high-traffic city for several reasons!
Photo: Amazon |
Sidewalks also get hot and at times there's broken glass or sharp objects to potentially cut paws.
In a pinch, I've read ... you can outfit your dog's paws with 4 rubber balloons. but more permanent shoes made for dogs are relatively affordable. Some are for dryness and others for warmth. Here are tips on training your dog to wear them.
Please weigh in: If you bring your dog to a major city with lots of foot traffic, the sources of germs, would you adorn him with cute little shoes?
Monday, December 4, 2023
Exercises For Plantar Fasciitis
Photo: Avita Health System |
In my 30s I wisely started selecting shoes with arch support and stable heels, as well as, putting insoles with arch support inside my shoes. Years ago a podiatrist also made custom orthotics for my high arches, but they don't fit most of my shoes including my Nike sneakers! They are so wide they only fit my Ugg boots and Croc ballet flats. His answer was I had to buy very big shoes! {Ridiculous! ... clown shoes!?!} I've read this is the wrong solution as custom orthotics can and should be made to fit most of a wearer's shoes, and one shouldn't have to go up more than 1/2 shoe size. Alas, I gave up on the podiatrist several years ago.:)
Well, luckily I averted heel pain until this November 2023 when suddenly I developed worrisome pain in my right heel. Now I'm on a quest to find an effective drugstore pair of orthotics to fit my other shoes. Recommendations are welcome!
Meanwhile, daily stretching of the foot and calf can help ease pain by helping to decrease the amount of tension in the plantar fascia. Pain is caused by the inflammation of this connective tissue. If you've ever experienced it, you know you can barely walk when you rise from bed, or sit for a while, but moving makes walking and the extreme pain better.
Podiatrists recommend 3 exercises that stretch the plantar fascia:
Wall Stretch
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Photo: The Healing Sole |
2) Keeping both feet on the ground, lean towards the wall and bend the front knee until you feel a stretch in the back leg.
3) Stop if you feel pain.
4) Hold for 20 - 30 seconds and repeat with the opposite leg.
Towel Stretch
Photo: Versus Arthritis |
2) Loop a towel over the ball of one foot at a time while keeping your leg straight. Pull it towards you until you feel a stretch in your calf and hold for 20 - 30 seconds.
3) Repeat with your other leg.
👠👟👣
UVM Health org |
2) Slowly lower the heels until you feel a stretch.
3) Hold for 20 - 30 seconds.
Other actions to ease the pain include:
The Tennis Ball RollI'm also rolling my arches and heels over a tennis ball which brings relief. It's advice I read years ago. Btw tennis balls are multi-taskers. Toss them into the dryer in place of fabric sofer. They work!
Other exercises to gently stretch the foot help too like flexing and pointing your toes up to the sky.
It's a pity no matter what we do to slow it down, the years inevitably take their toll. We are all destined to fall apart. Teeth, feet, ligaments, and bones, wear out. Aim to slow "it" -- i.e. your state of disrepair down with sensible strategies. :)
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Rosweeta: A Fairy Tale
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Neuschwanstein Castle, The Black Forest, Bavaria |
In college, I had to write either a Brothers Grimm-style fairy tale, or an Aesop-like fable. Fortunately, I was weaned on the Brothers Grimm.
[Not only did I have books, but my poor parents had to listen to records of the stories over and over again. Be careful what you buy your kids. Always ask, can I tolerate the sound of this toy, or recording for hours at a time. If not ... and you don't have a separate wing to put the little children in, leave it on the shelf :). But, I digress.]
My fairy tale, while staying true to tradition (Hey, I wanted a good grade!), mentions my heroine's bearing, as well as, her beauty. The story is about overcoming limits ... with a little help from her friends. Rarely in life can a person achieve anything alone. It usually takes teamwork, or at least a few good ideas and the support of others.
Here is my old, freshman English assignment, a Brothers Grimm-que fairy tale. Mr. Jerry Rogers made me write it. Notice, I was ahead of my time ... I knew trolls were bad before the internet. Just saying! :) --
One summer day Rosweeta wandered into the forest, not far from the palace. As she walked, her eyes beheld a striking sight -- flowers of all different colors.
“Oh, what beautiful blossoms,” Rosweeta thought!
As the Princess picked a handful of bright, red roses, deep blue irises and white, delicate baby’s breath, a wicked, old troll came up from behind and forced the frightened Princess away deep into the woods.
The wicked, old troll locked the beautiful, shocked Rosweeta in a hollow tree trunk high off the ground. The hollow tree trunk had no door nor staircase, but only a round window.
The troll came to see Rosweeta daily. Often the wrinkled, old troll was accompanied by his nephew, who was as ugly and wicked as he. To get inside of the quarters where the Princess was imprisoned, the troll and nephew walked sideways up the trunk with their magic shoes.
After visiting Rosweeta, the two went off into the forest to await and plunder weary travelers.
One day the troll announced to Rosweeta that she was to wed the nephew soon!
The thought of marrying that horrible nephew made Rosweeta very unhappy. When the troll left later in the day, the poor Princess leaned her arms on the round window and stared at the distance that separated her from the ground. Rosweeta could think of nothing to prevent the dreadful event. As the hours passed, the Princess grew more frightened, until at last she burst into tears.
One late afternoon as the troll and nephew were out looking for loot, the nephew spotted the heavy purse.
“Look Uncle,” he cried, “a raft and on it a satchel filled with jewels!”
The wicked, old troll snarled with delight, “Some clumsy fool must have fallen into the water and drowned. How lucky for us that he has left his gems to be retrieved!”

The sparrows then took both pairs of magic shoes to Rosweeta. To the Princess’ distress, she soon discovered the shoes were several sizes too small.
Many lonely days passed. Not even the faithful sparrows could cheer her with their daily visits and fresh food.
One sunny afternoon, a tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed Prince was riding through the forest. The Prince saw the Princess gazing out of the round window of the hollow tree. The Prince was so enchanted by the Princess' demeanor, he knew he had to meet her.
He rode close to the hollow tree, but could find no entrance. The Prince introduced himself and asked the Princess to come down out of the hollow tree. And so, Rosweeta sadly revealed her misfortunes to the Prince and explained how she was unable to free herself with the magic shoes.
The tall, dark-haired Prince asked Rosweeta to throw the two pairs of magic shoes down to the ground. The Princess did so and the Prince, taking his knife, cut the tips off the magic shoes and placed a pair on his feet. Then he boldly climbed up the hollow tree trunk, gave Rosweeta the second pair of magic shoes to put on her feet and walked, hand in hand, with her down to the ground.
Rosweeta smiled. What a joy to be free!
The Prince returned with Rosweeta back to the palace. A year later, they married and lived happily ever after.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Walk The Walk With Modern Vice
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Custom make your shoes: Leather, suade or snakeskin |
Experience shoe making in person by taking a tour of the factory to watch experienced cobbers at work. On a visit, you can either buy shoes at factory direct prices from the showroom, or get fitted, select your own leathers and work with the designers to custom make your boots and shoes.
The experience is a throw back to another time. For a reasonable price, you get a handmade, quality shoe that is designed and stitched togther by people who have been making leather shoes for generations.
Wow, Modern Vice is the right name for this shoemaker! The private label shoes are chic, comfortable and affordable.
You may also enjoy:
What Are Pysis?
Roseweeta: A Fairy Tale
Consider The Shape Of Your Foot
Corso Como Del Pump For Comfort
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Introducing Lori's Shoes Of Chicago


Lori's Shoes Of Chicago is a fabulous find! Launced in 1983 in a vacant storefront on Armitage Avenue by Lori Andre, the entrepreneur has two passions: shoes and gourmet cooking. Thirty-four years (and three sons) later, her business now includes several other brick and mortar stores, as well as, a thriving website.
Moreover, Lori's business model remains the same: Offer fashionable, high-quality shoes that customers won't find elsewhere at affordable prices. The retailer's shoe buyers select styles from small factories in Italy that are new, fresh and fashion-forward, but not so bizarre and aggressive as to be impractical.
As reported in The Chicago Tribute, her top selling brands include Bernie Mev, Jeffrey Campbell, Franco Sarto, Sam Edlelman and many contemporary brands. The inventory now includes some apparel and accessories also.
Personally, I scored a sleek pair of leather sports ballet flats for $29 (+$8 shipping). With great arch support and athletic rubber soles, they are marked down from $100. What a steal!
You may also enjoy:
Rosweeta: A Fairy Tale
A Shoe Company On A Mission
Walk The Walk With Modern Vice
The Sample Sales Of New York City
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Pandemic Sheltering In Place Fashion
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Uniqlo for crew-neck t-shirts here. Pair with a cardigan on cold days. |
Perhaps it would be entertaining to see my pandemic uniform. Everything featured I'm wearing as I write the blog.
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Aeries - cotton with a touch of spandex lightweight Chill leggings here. |
Furthermore since rarely leaving home, I sometimes hand wash the leggings or t-shirts in Woolite, or dishwashing soap and hang them up in the bathroom to dry before bed. The less I have to go down to our common laundry room, the better. Being at home constantly, this bit of handwashing gives a gal a small sense of accomplishment. What is there to dooo next? Let me at it!
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NAZAROO Shoe Insoles Arch Support Inserts (here) are excellent to keep my high arches happy in my Merrell ballet flats. With insoles I should be able to turn them into outdoor shoes this summer. We'll see. |
Once in a while to make myself happy, I put on a bracelet in my apartment. But I stopped wearing makeup and jewelry to go outside to buy groceries. I mean, why wear anything under a face mask? It would only get the mask dirty. And rings on fingers when you're forever worrying about Coronavirus and washing your hands? I think not!
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Merrell Dassie - my outdoor to the supermarket shoes here. |
What are you wearing at home during this pandemic?
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