Run, Santa, Run!

Dust off the red suit… Saturday is the annual Running of the Santas!  A Philly tradition since 1998, expect a few thousand people in Santa outfits to be in the NoLibs bars starting early.  The highlight of the day, though, is the actual running of the Santas: a five-block run from McFadden’s to the Electric Factory.  It’s going to be a sea of red.

Do you have your running shoes?  They’re red, I hope!

Hey, these are my running shoes!  The Gel-Kayano by ASICS is a great running shoe (I vouch for it!) with cushioning systems, guidance systems, biomorphic fit…and a really great red color, and swooping silver lines.  Let’s also take a moment to appreciate the mottled red-and-white part of the sole—love that.  Also available in 11 other color choices; yours for about $100 on Amazon.

The Flex Run 2014 by Nike is a featherweight running shoe with responsive cushioning, ventilation, and traction.  My favorite part, though, has to be the polka-dot print fabric on the toe and around the heel—like little snowflakes adorning your feet.  Available in five other color options (including a pretty awesome sky blue shade); find them at Sports Authority for $60.

Ooh, this one’s kind of sexy with the black, isn’t it?  The S-Lab XY 6 by Salomon is built for off-road racing instead of street racing like Saturday, but who knows?  Depending on how much you drink…  (But seriously, be careful with that.  No more missing people in canals or anything, okay?)  The tongue is designed to keep mud and debris out—isn’t that cool?  You’d need that on trails.  There’s a pocket under the quick laces too, to store things.  There’s an internal sleeve to envelope the foot, and support to control the rate of pronation.  All cool things!  Yours for $170 from Zappos.

All ready?  Ho ho ho!  Off you go!

Still some tickets left for the Running!  The weather looks nice… go have fun!

Sales this weekend:
Bakers: Buy one, get one half off
Lord & Taylor: 25% off with savings pass or promo code FRIENDS
Macy's: 15% off with promo code EXTRA
Nine West: 30% off entire purchase
Payless: Up to half off all holiday dress shoes
Steve Madden: Get 30% off now and you'll get a coupon for 30% off later too!

Philadelphia Marathon

Woo!  Philadelphia Marathon Weekend is here!!  Not only the marathon, but a half marathon and an 8K as well—and they’re all sold out!  Way to go, Philly.  Way to show how awesome we are.

Now, if you’re running, I know you have your shoes (and running socks, and sports bras, and anti-chafe, and Gu, and all the other hundred things you need) all ready to go.  But perhaps this is inspiring you to take up distances races.  You’ll need shoes!  Here are some recommendations:

I swear by my ASICS.  I’ve had two pairs now, and I think they’re just the best.  Their GEL-Kayano has FluidFit upper technology that adapts to the foot for a one-of-a-kind, glovelike fit, and a FluidRide midsole that provides enhanced cushioning and durability resulting in a responsive and exceptionally stable ride.  On sale for $79 from Nordstrom.

My friend that I do half marathons with loves her Nikes, and here we have their Lunarglide.  With arguably the best upper fit in the industry, the Lunarglide +5 women’s running shoe provides lightweight support for the mild to moderate overpronator.  Evolved Flywire technology hugs the entire length of the foot with customizable lightweight support heel clip that engages upon footstrike for snug fit and support; Lunarlon cushioning system with a “bottomless” carrier construction and the Dynamic Support platform provide support and plush cushioning; and natural-motion-engineered flex grooves promote an efficient stride.  (Man, there’s some serious engineering in these shoes, isn’t there?)  On sale for $85 from Dillard’s. 

A woman we ran our last half marathon with has worn many brands, but she says Saucony is her favorite.  The Ride 7 is built for a neutral runner.  Their RUNDRY collar lining wicks away moisture to keep feet cooler and drier, while the molded EVA ComfortLite Sockliner contours to the shape of the foot to better support the arch and reduce peak pressure points in the forefoot.  Their PowerGrid midsole features GRID technology to help center the foot, absorb impacting shock and distribute pressure, for a superbly smooth and responsive ride, and the SRC (Super Rebound Cushioning) Impact Zone attenuates impacting shock and promotes a smooth transition.  Their iBR+ rubber outsole provides three times more cushioning while being 33% lighter than standard blown rubber, so it won’t weigh you down while you run!  Yours for $110 from Zappos.

So there you have three recommendations from three different distance runners.  Whichever you choose, lace’em up and go!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; I was unable to check the sales for you since I’m getting my wisdom teeth out this morning.  (Oh joy.)  But the hunt is half the fun, right?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

See all that pink everywhere?  Then you know it’s October—Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it’s the second-leading cause of death for women.  Good news, though!  Many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

Those new discoveries and treatments, though, cost money to develop, and every little bit helps.  A purchase of any of today’s featured shoes contributes just a little towards the cause!

The Chaste Ballet is a sweet little ballet flat with the breast cancer awareness ribbon at each round toe.  And look at all the cushioning on the inside!  A donation has been made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and your purchase of the pink Chaste Ballet will support an incredibly important cause.  Yours for $79 from Hush Puppies.

The Shiny Classic Mini Zipper Cancer Awareness is the classic UGG silhouette, but in shiny chestnut!  The breast cancer ribbon is embroidered on the outside heel of the boots.  Through November 30, UGG will donate to Susan G. Komen $5.00 for each pink ribbon product sold with a guaranteed minimum donation of $50,000.  Find them at UGG for $180.

The GT-1000 3 PR by ASICS is such a cheery running shoe anyway, in its bright white and pink—but if you look, you’ll see the breast cancer awareness ribbon embroidered by the back heel.  There’s also a big pink ribbon on the inside, where your heel rests.  But my favorite is the mottled pink and white sole—oh, and the fact that ASICS has teamed up with Christina Applegate’s Right Action for Women to help provide screening assistance to women who are at increased risk for breast cancer.  Yours for $99 from Famous Footwear.

This glamorous pair of rain boots has a 2.5inch heel, and uppers of a gorgeous pink-on-pink damask print.  And they do double good—not only does a purchase of them fund 1% of a mammogram, but for every pair sold another pair of shoes will be given to Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization giving shoes to needy people both in the U.S. and abroad!  And even better: they’re on super sale for $18 from The Breast Cancer Site.

Do good and look good.  Can’t go wrong here!

How to Outsmart a Zombie in Three Easy Shoes

This weekend, some friends and I are going to test our wits against a zombie.  That’s right: we’re willingly trapping ourselves in a locked room with a zombie, and we’ll only have an hour to find our way out.  The zombie's chained to the wall to start, but every five minutes the chains get let out another foot...

My fellow zombie-bait Christina asked me for some appropriate shoes.  Christina, here I give you (and all of you, should a zombie apocalypse ever actually occur) three ways to beat a zombie.

1.  Speed.

This is the easy one.  (Unless we have the unfortunate problem of a running zombie apocalypse instead of a shuffling zombie apocalypse, in which case I hope you’ve been training.)  I swear by my Asics, so here I give you their GEL-Kayano 20.  Responsive bounce back, multidirectional stretch mesh, a lightweight and supportive design… this will give you a fighting chance!  Available in a dozen other color combos as well; your choice for $160 from Lady Foot Locker.

2.  Weaponry.

Bang bang!  The Bondgirl by Pleaser is well stocked, with a gun-shaped 7.5-inch heel and ammo all around its ginormous platform.  Not enough ammo for you?  They come with detachable ankle straps, so you can load up as needed.  (Okay, so this isn’t really a gun.  BUT you could bash the zombie on the head with this and stand a fighting chance.)  Also available with silver bullets (…in case of werewolves?); your choice for $88 from Exotic High Heels.

3.  Camouflage.

If fighting and running aren’t your style, you could always try blending in.  Perhaps the undead will see the Zombie Stomper and think (can they think?), “Ugh.  She zombie.  Me no eat.”  And once you’ve lured it in with your sexy four-inch heel, stomp its brains, like the shoe’s name suggests.  Done!  Find them at Iron Fist for $45.

Wish us luck!  Hopefully I’ll be back next week…

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Buy one, get one half off-- the entire site!

Bloomingdales: 30-40% off designer shoes

Lord & Taylor: Friends and family sale-- 25% off with promo code FRIENDS

Macy's: Extra 25% off with code EXTRA

Payless: Every sandal on sale

Resolution Rescue

We’re now four days into the New Year!  How are those resolutions going, ladies?

Yeah, me neither.

But all hope is not lost!  I’m here help you get your New Year off on the right foot.  Maybe your resolution was to get more organized?

The DAZZ Patented Shoe/Sweater/Bag Carousel comes recommended by Deputy Shoe Fairy Maria: “Bought one for myself and love it!” she says.  It looks like it has three sides that hold five pairs of shoes each, and then five (apparently surprisingly large) center compartments for hats, purses… or, of course, more shoes.  Hang it in your closet and you’re ready to go!  Find it on Amazon for $15.

Or was it to relax more?

They’re little piggies!  The Carol Slipper also comes as a gray raccoon or black cat if the pig doesn’t tickle your fancy, but just look at it: a knit upper, two perky ears, a pink snout, and little black eyes.  Adorable!  You’ll just want to rush home and put them on.  Yours from Target for about $14.

Maybe you’re trying to get healthy in 2013:

The GT-2000 by ASICS is a little like wearing sherbet on your feet, isn’t it?  The orange and pink will inspire you slip them on and head outside for sure!  It has a lot of fancy registered-trademark features that I’m sure mean something, but it feels a little like I’m reading Greek:  two-layer Solyte® midsole, Dynamic DuoMax® support system, Trusstic System®...  If it’s not Greek to you, pick them up at Lady Foot Locker for $120.

Or maybe you want to fit more fun in your life:

Instant party: just add the Circus by Sam Edelman Taylor!  They are radiant in silver glitter, and chic with black trim around the peep toe, under the two-inch platform, and up the 5.5-inch heel.  Also available in blue suede and black suede, but…why?  Neither has any glitter!  Yours for $108 from Zappos.

Whatever your resolution, keep on going!  And always remember, the right pair of shoes can help you along.

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Winter clearance, up to 70% off
Bakers: Limited time clearance sale
Bloomingdales: Sale and clearance, 25-65% off
Call it Spring: Extra half off all boots
Macy's: Shoe sale and clearance, plus an extra 10% off with code SAVE
Nine West: Up to 60% off
Saks: Up to 55% off

Color Me Rad!

I love me a wacky 5K run.  I have even done a 5K through a cemetery dressed as a skeleton ballerina.  (That was not the original intention of the costume, but it just kept getting poofier...)  Why do a regular 5K when it can be so much more, I figure?

So this Sunday, my brother, lovely future sister-in-law (which I should probably just begin abbreviating LFSIL), and I will be running around Fairmount Park getting bombarded with color!  The Color Me Rad 5K involves brightly colored cornstarch being hurled at runners from the sidelines for three miles.  When you get to the end, what started as a white outfit looks like Easter exploded on you.  It’s going to be amazing.

The eternal question: what shoes?  You could do a white running shoe, of course, to collect the color as you run...

The Free Run + 2 by Nike is almost ghostly, in its white and gray (though it comes in ten color options too).  It’s highly flexible and gives the runner an almost barefoot sensation, and the deep grooves in the sole help exercise muscles you didn’t know you had.  Yours for $90 from Finish Line (and hey, free shipping!).

...but the spirit of the day calls for something more like this, don’t you think?

  

The Supernova Glide 4 by adidas is a bright cheery blue (called Super Cyan) with bright pink and shiny silver accents.  It has an anatomically contoured sockliner, midfoot support, impact protection, and a breathable mesh upper.  Find them at Zappos for $115.

The WR890 by New Balance is a fruity explosion of berry pink, yellow, and purple.  This shoe has won awards for its running awesomeness, including a responsive and long-lasting cushy insole, a unique flat-lacing system, and maximum shock absorption.  Find them at Zappos for $100.

The brightness!  The blue laces!  The pink and blue splotchy sole!  The Noosa Tri-7 by Asics Gel looks like it’s already been through the Color Me Rad 5K, totally capturing the joy of being thoroughly covered in color.  It has a mesh upper for breathability, an insole designed to reduce excess pronation, and some special features that mean you can wear it without socks if you want.  Yours for $110 from Lady Foot Locker. 

This weekend’s 5K is sold out!  You can still come and hurl color at us (please do!), or try the July 15 Boston race or August 25 Pittsburgh race, which are still accepting registrations.  There’s a similar run (The Color Run) that has some waiting list spots for its July 19 Philadelphia run, August 25 and 26 NYC runs, and September 9/October 21 DC runs.

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Free shipping on every order

Lord & Taylor: 20% off with promo code SUMMER or savings pass

Macy’s: 15% off one pair, 20% off two pairs, and 30% off three pairs with promo code GREAT

Payless: Summer sandal sale

Party Redux

Well, here we are on the other side of Philly Shoe Fairy’s first birthday!  I think the party was a rousing success—thank you to all who came to celebrate!  I am happy to report that many found just the pair of shoes they were looking for... maybe two!  Here are some shoes that found happy homes Sunday morning:

This bright number went home with Rosie: “I’ve been looking for red shoes forever!”  The Minnie by Liz Claiborne are red patent leather peep-toe slingbacks with a 2.5-inch heel—perfect for work!  You can find them online at DSW.com for $40 (also available in navy and beige), but Rosie got hers for 30% off!

Another pair of red shoes went home with Maria:

“Look at the way they shine and change color in the light!  The epitome of cuteness and class,” she gushes.  And she’s right: the Vega by Sofft are black cherry beauties practically glow from inside.  They have a 2.75-inch heel, sweet buckle, and round toe, and while they’re not on DSW.com, you can find them at SeaSoles for $69 (but Maria got hers for 30% off too!).

Mia picked up two pairs—a sneaker and a heel:

“Classic snakeskin in lavender with a feminine bow and my go-to walking shoe!”  The heel is the Pippy by Moda Spana, and while technically the color is listed as “taupe” Mia and I both agree it looks like a soft lavender.  It has a 3.75-inch stacked heel and a three-quarter-inch cork platform, and you can find them on DSW.com for $60 (also available in yellow!).

The sneaker is the Gel Cumulus by Asics.  It has cushioning designed especially for women’s feet and a ton of other features... apparently even the eyelets that hold the laces were specially placed!  I can’t find them at DSW.com, but they are at Lady Foot Locker for $95 (though Mia got hers for 30% off!).

Renee left with two pairs as well!

 “If it has chains I probably love it,” she says.  And the Ariel by Mix No. 6 (on the right) certainly has chains—and flowers and beads and awesomeness.  Check them out for yourself at DSW.com—they come in the red multi Renee got, and also a nude and brown combo.  Both beautiful; each $45.

 

“I’m not a flower girl but I just love these!” Renee said of the Apple of my Eye by Poetic License.  It’s got a 4.25-inch heel and one-inch platform in a lovely blue, with a bronze strap across the toe with three tulle roses and patterned fabric up the front and around the ankle.  Also available in a cool red combo; while I can’t find them at DSW.com they are at 6pm for $43.

 

Shoes were bought; prizes were won; fun was had; shoevenger hunts were completed; muffins were eaten.  A very, very special thank you to Nancy (the KoP DSW manager) and her wonderful, wonderful staff!  If I ever go into the shoe-selling business, I want it to be with them.  They were beyond fantastic!

 

Philadelphia Marathon

This weekend is the Philadelphia Marathon! A full weekend of runs: an 8K, a half marathon, and the official 26.2-mile grueler through Old City, University City, Fairmount Park, out to Manayunk, back in... god, I’m exhausted already, and I’m not even running. If you are, though, you’ll need proper shoes. I found a really cool find-a-shoe thing at Runner’s World where you can enter info about your feet and running style and it’ll help pick you the perfect shoe. I may not be able to be quite that specific with you, but here are some awesome running shoes anyway! The Adrenaline GTS 11 by Brooks has all kinds of fancy features listed online—I can barely decipher what they mean! Tri-density Progressive Diagonal Rollbar, DRB Accel shank-like thermoplastic device, BioMoGo midsole, Brooks DNA cushioning compound, HPR Plus rubber outsole... well, whatever that all means, it has 227 five-star reviews! Pick up your pair (five color choices!) for $100 from Zappos. The Cumulus by Asics is another one with a huge list of features: memory foam heel, Impact Guidance System (which is apparently linked componentry that enhances the foot’s natural gait from heel strike to toe-off), gender-specific forefoot cushioning and Space Trusstic System... three color options too. Find them at 6pm.com for about $75. And I’ll even include one pair of those weird toe running shoes: The KomodoSport LS by Vibram FiveFingers have speed laces, a stitch-free and seamless footbed for maximum comfort, rubber outsoles with some serious grip—and apparently they’re machine washable! Pick up yours for $110. I swear, all of these things are part shoe and part engineering marvel. I’m pretty sure there were fewer special features on Apollo 11. But hey, if that took people to the moon, these can certainly take you to the finish line!


Get up early on Sunday (race starts at 7 AM!) and go cheer on the runners. Cheer zones are set up all around the city—you can find them on the map here. If you’re running, good luck! Here’s hoping you finish with a personal best! You have my admiration. Go you!! 


Sales this weekend: 
Aerosoles: 15% off all boots
Bus Stop Boutique: Designer of the month: NICOLE! Pick up a pair of NICOLE boots or shoes & enjoy $20 OFF
Macy’s: Saturday: BOGO on select styles!
Payless: BOGO!
Steve Madden: free shipping on any order (no minimum) using code HOLIDAY
Lord & Taylor: 15% off regular-price items and 20% off sale items with code BIG