Trip-Trapping on Comfy Flip-Flops

July 26, 2013 by

Wearing the right footwear will keep your feet healthy and the rest of your body more comfortable as you live your active lifestyle.  I myself am most comfortable walking around in flip-flops than in wedges. You might not think much of flip-flops, but there’s actually more to this unassuming footwear.  There are actually different types of flip-flops.  There are rubberized sandals hardy enough for outdoor activities while there are also those leather sandals that are glammed up with gems and glitter.  There are also those that are fashionable yet comfortable and practical too.  The Fanning black and pink number is one such pair for those looking for the most comfortable fashionable flip-flops around.  A dressier pick is the Moonlight Palms Festival Footwear.

Reef Picks

Left: Fanning in Pink Right: Moonlight Palms

Left: Fanning in Pink
Right: Moonlight Palms

The sporty Fanning is great for running around the whole day.  It fits really well with the contoured EVA foot bed that supports the wearer’s arch.  It also has a polyurethane enclosed heel airbag that cushions every step.    It’s also great for outdoor activities like hiking and camping.   The synthetic nubuck upper is water-friendly so you do not have to worry about suddenly stepping on a puddle or wading through shallow rivers.  A curious feature, which I’m sure will be much appreciated by campers, is the bottle opener built into the Fanning’s sole.

In contrast, the Moonlight Palms has a dressier feel with its leather deck and metallic detailing.  Despite its styling, this pair also comes with the same rubber outsole and heel construction as well as the EVA foot bed as the Fanning.  This means comfort for your feet whether you are indoors or outdoors.  You can wear this pair with a sundress at a beach party or perhaps to dress up a pair of shorts and a stylish tee at the evening bonfire and barbeque.

Choosing High Quality Flip-Flops

No matter what design of flip-flops you choose, you should not sacrifice your feet’s comfort and health.  Ill-fitting shoes can cause health problems.  To avoid this, it is important for you to get flip-flops that provide your feet the perfect fit and support.  They should also be able to withstand long periods of use without affecting its cushioning.  It is not always a good idea to choose flip-flops based on price alone.  Consider quality first and make sure that you are getting good value for your money.  High quality flip-flops like Reef’s Fanning and Moonlight Palms are affordable and are worth the money you pay for them.  With proper use and care, these flip-flops can stay looking and feeling new for years. These flip-flops make it easy to combine practicality and comfort.

Filed Under: Beauty on A Budget, for DAD & MOM, Mom's Corner, Products We Love Tagged With: , ,

Mom Fashionista Wannabe

January 24, 2012 by

I’ve never really been fashionable nor trendy.  I grew up old with shorts, t-shirts and jeans worn with sneakers or comfy sandals which I would wear almost everywhere. You’d find a couple of dresses and blouses in my wardrobe but these are worn only during special occassions.   Probably 90% of the clothes I own are t-shirts and tank tops.

However,  I have resolved to start dressing a bit more my age and have started to update my wardrobe with dresses, blouses, leggings, and pants.  I want to look mature not matronly so I’m very partial to chic designs and trendy cuts. 

Of course, a change in wardrobe necessitates new shoes to match my new look. Platforms have recently been back in the fashion scene and along with funky wedges, material girl sandals are on top of my shoe wardrobe must-haves this year.  I’ve already seen some great ones with animal prints, floral designs, and elegant neutrals.  I’m thinking of buying a pair of cork wedge sandals before the sale season ends.  Aside from giving me a much needed boost in height, wedges are also quite comfortable.  I’d still be able to run after the kids while attempting to be a mom fashionista.  I don’t want to spend a fortune though revamping my image so I’d have to carefully choose shoes that would go well with most of my clothes.

I still have no qualms wearing worn shirts and shorts to the mall or to the grocery but I am really going to make an effort to look more polished and more mature every time I head out our door. 

Filed Under: Mom's Corner, Products We Love Tagged With:

How To Choose The Perfect Pair of Toddler Shoes

July 12, 2011 by

We’ve started to give the toddlers more freedom on mobility.  We have long given up on keeping them safely penned in our room as their ubiquitous curiosity and insatiable quest to discover new things is really impossible to quell.  I really feel that they should not be called toddlers – runners or sprinters are probably the best term for this stage of development.

Since they are now more mobile, we have given more importance to choosing shoes that are of good quality, that do not hinder the development of their feet, and that give them utmost comfort and support.

Here are some pointers you may want to consider when buying shoes for your toddlers:

  • None of those high-heeled shoes please! High-heeled shoes for little kids are detrimental to their growth. I reckon that the Department of Health should consider these as health hazards and ban them from being manufactured and sold. I know you want your little princesses to be fashionable but please don’t sacrifice their comfort. After all, children are supposed to be running around with their friends and not walking like undersized fashion models.
  • Be sure to get the exact size. One size bigger would still be fine, but buying shoes that are two or more sizes bigger is really not advisable. Again, I stress that at this age, your toddler’s feet are still developing and shoes that are too big (or too small) could have dire effect on his physical development including his walking stance. Allowance for growth in front of the shoe should be no more than the size of your thumb’s width.
  • Choose comfort over aesthetics. The shoes may look utterly cute and may be in high fashion, but if your toddler can’t take several steps without tripping over or experiencing pain, then those shoes are definitely not worth buying.
  • Check the soles and choose ones with great traction. Not all shoes have skid-resistant soles. Skid-resistant soles provide greater traction and lessen the chances of your little one slipping while walking or running.
  • Choose lightweight shoes.  Shoes that are heavy affect growth and posture so make sure that the shoes you buy are appropriate for your child’s size.
  • Bring your child with you when shopping for shoes. Although there’s an international standard for shoe sizes, shoe size still varies from one manufacturer to another. Your child may be a size 23 in one brand but a 24 on another. Also, ask your child to walk for a few minutes wearing his new shoes to ensure that he is comfortable in them.

When buying new shoes for your toddler, keep in mind that his feet are still growing. Posture and comfort are greatly affected by ill-fitting shoes so always buy shoes that are a perfect fit.  This will ensure your toddler’s safety as he walks and runs while exploring the vast world around him.

Filed Under: Kids At Work, Products We Love Tagged With: ,

Shopping For Toddler Shoes at the Robinson’s Galleria Department Store

July 10, 2011 by

Before going home after the Moose Gear Grand Fans Day at the Robinson’s Galleria, we took a quick trip to the Robinson’s Department Store to get some rubber shoes for the toddlers. My husband and I were able to buy a pair each a few weeks ago but the mall that we went to didn’t carry a wide selection of toddler shoes.

Since we were already in the area, we decided to check if we could get some nice pairs. Most of the stores we’ve been to had benches you could sit on while waiting or while trying on a pair of shoes. What made the Children’s Section of the Robinson’s Department Store different were the small plastic chairs that children could comfortably (and safely!) sit on. There was only one kiddie chair in the area we were in but when the toddlers started quarreling on who gets to sit on the chair, a sales person promptly brought another kiddie chair to us.

I so love these kiddie chairs at this department store

My husband is the family expert in choosing shoes so he was the one who scouted for good pairs. Although he always looks for shoes in trendy style, he makes sure that these are of good quality, have great sole traction, are lightweight, and are easy to put on. He places much emphasis on good sole traction as slippery soles may lead to accidents.

matching shoes for the toddlers…Mama’s thinking of getting orange and green shoes to match the little’s girl’s…teehee!

Jade, as always, clamored for rubber shoes with Tinkerbell or Princesses on it. However, my husband found these sturdy Florsheim pairs and bought them instead. Our little princess didn’t put up a fight though and still happily wore her new white rubber shoes. Our little boy was up and running with his new shoes in a jiffy. We really are so blessed to have children who are so easily pleased.

It was a nice experience shopping for our toddlers’ shoes at the Robinsons Department Store. Aside from the kiddie chairs making the toddlers feel comfortable, the salespeople are also friendly and accommodating. And they do have a wide selection of shoes and children’s wear.

Filed Under: Kids At Work, Products We Love Tagged With: , ,