Mama Threads

Style Alert: Bensimon Sneakers

On a recent family trip to the Berkshires, I popped into a tiny boutique in Great Barrington.  I saw the cutest sneakers that looked insanely comfortable: Bensimon Shoes!  Found!  Piperlime is having a sale on their classic for just $29.99 with free shipping and free returns. 

They have a couple of simple styles and a million colors.  Reviews online say they are just as comfortable as they look.  Can't wait for mine to arrive in the mail.  They were too pricey at the moment but I made a note to check online. 

Hot Boots: Vegan Over the Jeans Boots for $69

I eat meat but these boots totally got me!  They look absolutely gorgeous and are very wallet friendly.  Boots are very mommy friendly because they pull on easily and quickly as you are dashing out the door AND keep the bottom of your pants dry on those rainy days where you still have to get out of the house to avoid going stir crazy!

Shopping Tip: Use code SHOP to get 15% off purchases.  Expiration unknown.

Step Up: Flats for Fall

I am ready to throw away my flip flops.  As much as I love my Havaianas, I am ready to wear real shoes again.  I was strolling through Soho today (on a much needed window shopping, coffee sipping mommy break) and noticed that flats are it for fall.  In my sleep deprived haze of the last few years, I never noticed that shoes have four seasons too!  I don't have to jump straight into my clogs.  I can stop and enjoy the slip on fun of flats -- and put off socks at least one more month! Check out this pair from Wanted Women.  I am leaning toward practical black but might just have go for the silver!

Favorite Mama Shopping Spot: SoftSurroundings.com

I love clothes that are as comfortable as they are stylish.  One of the key things for me as a mama to two small children is that I be able to put on my clothes and then not think about them again until the end of the day...but look great the whole time.  SoftSurroundings.com has some interesting options that fit my requirements!  One of my favorites are these beautiful boots with vintage styling.  I love the look of tall boots over jeans and these are nearly perfect: low heeled with great details.  They are outside my usual limit of $100 (at $168) but some things are worth a little extra and leather boots for less than $200 can be considered a steal!

Shopping Tip: Use this link to get $15 off orders over $100 for MamaThreads.com readers! No code needed!

Good Coupon: Get $10 Off American Vintage at Nine West

Nine West is debuting a new collection for fall called American Vintage.  Call it a modern twist on the 1970s.  One of my favorites is this pair of suede boots that would look perfect with jeans.  I love the low flat heel and the option to wear them pulled up or slouched down.  At just $99, these are a good deal for leather boots.  Use the coupon code NWVINT98 for $10 off at checkout. 

Shopping Tip: These come in five colors and three widths - I love the options!

Comfortable Sandals: Gizeh Birko-Flor Thong

My sister-in-law treated us to a fun photoshoot today with a great photographer who just happened to be super stylish!  I noticed she had the great shoes that also looked extremely comfortable - and to my surprise, they were Birkenstocks!  Check out the Gizeh Birko-Flor line.  They come in a million colors but I love the collection of patent leather shiny styles.  They follow the trend for thongs that is so hot this summer but hold up way better than flip flops and give your feet some support.

Buying Tips:

Shoebuy.com had good deals on limited colors ($68.95)
6pm.com had a funky pattern ($48.95)
Overstock.com had a few different colors in limited sizes (check the side bar for more colors)
Birkenstockusa.com had the best selection of colors and sizes ($79.95) including the black patent

Shopping Tip: Wherever you buy, make sure to check retailmenot.com or naughtycodes.com for potential deals!

Get A Deal: Born Oxford On Sale!

The big sports store Cabela's (the one with with the stuffed dead animals!) is having a big sale.  In all my years of shopping, I have discovered that it's sales like this that have some of the best deals.  Take this pair of Born Oxfords.  Stylish yet perfect for a mom that has to walk a million miles each day!  Regular shoe stores rarely put the Born brand on sale but sports stores look at their inventory differently and there are deals to be had for the discerning shopper!

Staying Dry: Chooka Boots On Sale

It's rained nearly every day in the month of June here in NYC and I am starting to be pretty tired of wet feet and soggy pants.  I did a little poking around and found a great sale on Chooka Rain Boots - stylish and practical at just $30!  This site has three different styles all for half off - with $5 flat rate shipping.  My personal favorite is the polka dots!

Shopping Tip: 6pm.com has the Hunter Rain Boots on sale with limited sizes and colors.

Found! Perfect, Stylish, Comfortable Wedges

When I think Crocs, I generally think of the ugly but comfortable slip-on that my kids insist on wearing every day in the summer.  I secretly envied them because they really are amazingly comfortable.  I will let you in on a secret though: they make comfortable wedges that are super cute!  I have two favorites: the Cyprus and the Sassari.  They are casual heels but so comfortable, I can wear them to walk all over my Brooklyn neighborhood.

Shopping Tip: Check out the newest line from Croscs called You.  The shoes look to be comfortable but are made of more traditional shoe materials.  I would love to hear how they meausre up on the comfort scale!

Buying Tip: These shoes run slightly large so buy on the smaller side if you are between sizes. Also make sure to check Froogle.com for some decent discounts. Just search the style name!

Wish List: Silver Shoes

I am dying for a pair of silver shoes! They go with everything and add fun to summer outfits. I thought they would be the perfect thing for little black sundresses or short crop pants. Here's a few of the favorites I found on my shopping spree:

Puma Espera: Sporty, closed toe sandal with a flexible sole.

Naturalizer Quirk: Simple flat with lots of built in comfort features.

Free People Gladiator Sandals: Criss cross straps that actually look comfortable!

Dream Sandals: I love Sven clogs but they are not really in my price range except as a birthday present or a splurge.  My favorite is the traditional open toe clog sandal - of course, in silver!