What do your favorite shoes say about you?
It’s the week after spring break and the latest trends have hit stores. The spring fashions are out, making their marks on society (and the ground beneath it).
The in thing this season? New spins on old favorites. It seems the designers are taking the classic shoes and giving them a new twist with bright colors, add-ons such as flowers or glitter and even changing the structure of the shoe by adding platforms or extra heels. Whether it be for going out or just hanging around, this spring has a plethora of choices for anyone. But which one should you choose? How about old faithful— that classic shoe everyone has hiding in his or her closet, with the toes or heel so worn out, the gravel can be felt beneath it.
So, what does your shoe of choice say about you?
The Pump
This gal knows what she wants and exactly how to get it. Very no-nonsense, but with a sense of style that channels Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. A classic heel that can go from day to night, the pump covers an array of needs while also grabbing attention. The girl who wears pumps commands respect from those around her. Very practical, she’ll buy one pair she can wear with almost anything. It’s classic and respectful, but can still be modern and sexy.
Into a new look? Try Kenneth Cole’s “Black Patent Leather Platform” heel. This particular shoe is multifaceted— perfect for a club with the girls, or for a family dinner.
Into a little more frills? The Jeffrey Campbell “Michelle” could be the perfect pump for you. The extra height will call attention to the wearer without the woman-in-heels discomfort. It’s the perfect shoe for the classic woman.
The Stiletto
The woman who chooses the stiletto demands attention— all eyes are on her when she walks into a room. This shoe puts her well above average height, with a thin heel that requires a model’s strut. Paired with a dress or skinny jeans and a cute top, the shoe is the focus of our attention.
She is usually a leader and likes a bit more glamour and sparkle than the average girl. The stiletto is more limited in its versatility, so its wearer is a likely “shoe-aholic.” She may not make up her mind easily, but when she makes a decision she sticks with it. She likes choices and thrives on an adventurous lifestyle.
Sound like you? Try the Martinez Valero “Caitlin” Sandal— a pink shoe with a sparkle buckle that will go great with any summer getup. Looking for more of a rocker style? The Jessica Simpson “Tansas” sandal has straps made up of zippers that will cause anyone to stop and admire. Whichever style you choose, these stilettos are guaranteed to make a statement.
The Espadrille
A classic summer choice, this light and airy shoe is the perfect daytime comfort. The wedge heel allows for easy movement and comfortable walking. This woman likes the dual package of comfort and style. She isn’t a night owl and is up with the sun. She gets everything done while the sun shines, but also knows how to have a good time.
Evoking that ‘40s look, this type of shoe is perfect for the girl who likes to make to-do lists and check off everything from a grocery trip for bobby pins, to that perfect present for her best friend’s birthday. She dresses to impress and may be quieter, but gives off a calming aura. She’s the girl every guy wants to bring home to mom, and can’t wait to meet the family. She doesn’t immediately call attention, but is invited to everything because she can entertain herself and knows what needs to be done. The woman who chooses the espadrille has a wardrobe for each season and an outfit for every occasion.
The Burberry “Heart” Espadrille is the perfect combination of style and utility. Multiple straps ensure that it will be cozy to the wearer, while the design is fun enough to add a carefree feel to any occasion. For the more versatile sandal, the Via Spiga “Thatcher” is the perfect accessory. Made in silver and bronze, this shoe will complement any summer ensemble for the classic or modern woman.
Ballet Flats
This girl is a diva who exudes feminine charm while simultaneously declaring that she can handle anything. The lack of heel allows this busy bee to go from place to place to accommodate her demanding schedule. She is relaxed and ready for a night on the town, or just out for quick bite. Spontaneous and adorable, this girl is one to keep around. This shoe can be worn anywhere. On a walk on the beach, out to a club or just around town, this comfortable shoe can liven up any outfit, depending on the make.
The wearer can also choose the more demure style, inspired by the classic ‘40s or the legendary ‘20s. Perfect for any spring day, this shoe is cool enough to be worn by any age and can complement any outfit.
For umph and style, try the Corso Como “Festive” flat. It comes in a range of colors, and at only $60 each, you can buy enough to supplement your entire spring and summer wardrobes. For a nicer evening out, the Kate Spade “Natalia” flat can make a statement with any outfit, without breaking the bank.
The Peep-Toed Pump
This girl runs down the middle of the road. She’s not quite the classic type, but loves the idea of a classic style. She wears these shoes with purpose, and they’re usually the loudest part of her outfit. Flowers and sparkle bedazzle these shoes that show off just the ends of her freshly pedicured toes. She gives nothing away and is a sweet addition to any social function.
The perfect shoe out this spring is the Poetic Licence “Genteel Peep Toe.” With patterned fabric and large flowers, the shoe is automatically the center of attention. Running in pink or black and blue, this shoe is perfect for a country club-status dinner. Looking for a more professional shoe?
The Burberry “Check Print” is the perfect height and design to make the peep-toed pump-wearer happy. The spring season is the perfect time to let loose a little, which you already know if this is your shoe of choice.
Loafers
Let’s not forget the men. Shoes can make just as much of a statement for men as they do for women, but which type of shoe should guys wear? The loafer is the perfect complement to any business man’s attire.
The loafer is a classic shoe that’s easy on the budget and can be worn out to dinner with the girlfriend’s family, or to that job interview. The man who chooses this shoe is ready for action as he looks toward advancement in the world. That company you’re interning with this summer will be impressed when you show up in the Rockport “Margin Oxford.”
Running shoes
Now we all know that style doesn’t have to be impractical. Those who choose the running shoe as their default are ready for any beach day, flag football game or just hanging around with friends. An active person for whom you can count on for anything dons these sporty shoes.
For the more active wearer, the running shoe can match impeccably with any outfit. Jeans or a workout ensemble require shoes you can move in with guaranteed comfort, while supporting the arches, calves and knees.
Nike, Adidas, Mizuno and Asics all have a brand new line out for the spring season. Whichever shoe fits you best is the one to pick and run with, so check out any sporting goods store. They’ll observe how you stride and tell you the best shoe for your feet. If you’re looking to have an active summer, this is the perfect shoe for you.
***
Whether dressing to impress or lounging in sweatpants, the shoes you choose can have a major impact on how you’re perceived. Spring styles have officially taken over the racks, so look around, pick a pair and live it up in these coming months of warmth, sunshine and beach before another school year’s over. After all, if we’re going to have to step into our futures, we might as well look great doing it.
credit by: ALEXANDRA EVANS
Ed Hardy Women’s Robertson High Heel Sandal
Ed Hardy Women’s Robertson High Heel Sandal
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Christian Audigier, has succeeded in taking the fashion industry by storm and making Ed Hardy a househould name. He has ultimately become the king of the designer T-shirt, and having acquired exclusive rights to work with the designs of the tattoo artist, Ed Hardy, he delivers unique handbags with designs that feel both vintage and edgy.
Product Features
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Ed Hardy Women’s Casablanca Wedge
Ed Hardy Women's Casablanca Wedge
Ed Hardy Women’s Casablanca Wedge
| Price: | $69.99 – $77.00 |
Take your rockin’ style to new heights with the vibrant Ed Hardy Casablanca wedges. Canvas upper in a contemporary dress platform wedge style with a round, peep toe. A curvaceous vamp adds a stunning touch. Bold, colorful screen-printed Ed Hardy tattoo designs throughout. Textile lining and cushioning insole. 1 inch cork platform midsole. Rubber traction outsole. 4 1/2 inch cork wedge heel with logo detail.
Product Features
- Canvas
- Rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 4 1/4″
- Platform measures approximately 1″
- canvas
- Rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 4 1/4″
- Platform measures approximately 1″
Dolce Vita Women’s Wiley Boot
| List Price: | $297.95 |
| Price: | $95.34 – $291.00 |
Give your boot collection an instant upgrade with Dolce Vita’s Wiley style. The supple leather upper is burnished at the toe and intricately stitched. The pull-on design also offers a stacked heel for easy height. Dust bag included.
Product Features
- leather
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- Shaft measures approximately 16 1/2″ from arch
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- Boot opening measures approximately 15 1/4″ around
crocs Toddler/Little Kid Cayman Sandal
crocs Toddler/Little Kid Cayman Sandal
| Price: | $7.49 – $30.00 |
The CrocsTM Shoes Cayman is so comfortable that you’ll wear it day and night! It molds to your foot and is so easy to get on and off that you may forget how to tie your shoes. The loose fit of this slide allows feet to bend and expand naturally, reducing fatigue. It is buoyant, weighing only ounces, and combined with the circulation nubs that stimulate blood flow, this slide is sure to become one of your favorites. Made of CrosliteTM material and features anti-microbial and odor-resistant material with an ergonomic styling and orthotic footbed. The patented strap increases performance and support, and the soles are slip resistant and won’t mark up floors.
Product Features
- Croslite
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- Available in whole sizes and medium width only
- Ventilation ports increase breathability and filter water and debris away from the footbed
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- Massaging nubs stimulate circulation
- Patented strap for secure wear
Need a dress for prom?
The calendar says it is only February, but it isn’t too early to start thinking about what to wear to prom later this spring.
At least that is what the organizers of the first Topeka High School Prom Closet believe.
“We’re hoping this will become a tradition,” said Shawn Johnson, a parent and member of the THS After-Prom Committee. “That every year people will look forward to the Prom Closet.”
The concept of the Prom Closet is simple: The community is asked to donate used formal attire, including dresses, suits and accessories, on Feb. 13 and 20 at the First Congregational Church, 1701 S.W. Collins. The items then will be sold Feb. 27 to any high school student in Topeka and Shawnee County for $10 to $50, depending on the item. All proceeds from the sale will go to THS’s after-prom party that follows prom on April 24. All donations are tax-deductable.
Andrea Hartzell, co-chair of the committee, said about 75 items, mostly dresses, were collected Saturday, the first day donations were accepted. She said although the committee just recently got approval to begin the Prom Closet, members have been thinking about trying the concept for more than a year to raise additional money for the after-prom party.
“We just wanted to do it and see what happens,” she said. “It’s the perfect thing (to support the after-prom party). We give the kids a safe place to go after prom.”
Hartzell said the Prom Closet is just one of several fundraisers this spring that will support the after-prom party that includes games and other activities with the “Planet Hollywood” theme. Hartzell said about 437 THS students attended last year’s after- prom party with more than 100 parent volunteers.
Addison Keegan-Harris, 18, a THS senior and all-school president, said the Prom Closet is an economical way to still dress up for prom.
“This is a good way to raise money for after prom and a less expensive venue to find a prom dress,” she said. “There’s more popularity in finding gently-used things and tailoring them to make them your own, making them your own style.”
April Bloxsom was one of several people who donated items Saturday.
“I was excited to be able to give these away,” she said, referring to three dresses, a blouse and a pantsuit. “It’s pretty high quality stuff. It’s nice to give it to people who are going to use it.”
Lee Geary, a THS parent, also donated several dresses, blouses and a men’s dress shirt.
“It gave me a chance to dig through my closet and find these things,” she said. “It makes you feel good to give.”
Fitting rooms and minor alterations will be available as part of the Feb. 27 sale. Event organizers say although the economy has affected everyone on every income level, THS and other high school students can still attend prom in style.
“These dresses are just too pretty to be used once,” Jamai Luna, another THS mother and member of the after-prom committee. “They need to dance one more time.”
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Apple Expects iPod Touch Boom in Bulgaria after App Store Debut.
Representatives of Apple in Bulgaria have said that they expect a huge rise in sales of the multimedia player iPod Touch after the introduction of the App Store in the country.
On Monday the App store for iPhone, iPod Touch, and soon iPad, applications was officially launched on the Bulgarian market.
The App store allows Bulgarian customers to register for free, download thousands of games and applications for business, entertainment, productivity, and more, and pay with credit cards issued in the country instead of looking for different creative ways, such as using an address in Romania, as it has been until now.
The launch of the App store in Bulgaria was simultaneous with the launch in 12 other countries such as Macedonia, Jordan, Kenya, and Madagascar.
App store currently offers over 140 000 applications, some free and some paid, and has locations in 90 countries around the globe.
In Bulgaria, the mobile operator Globul is the official distributor of the iPhone.
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Temperatures Rise at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Despite snowy conditions for the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this February 11-18, 2010, the Bryant Park tents are red hot with the New York debut of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and E-Class Cabriolet.
While not on sale until spring 2010 and a yearlong wait list, the 2011 SLS AMG is the most eagerly anticipated sports car to hit the international car market. Its first New York appearance is the runway shows in Bryant Park, a backdrop worthy of its status given the 60 plus designers showcasing their fall collections and more than 100,000 attendees expected to descend on the tents for this “fair well” season before the shows move to Lincoln Center in September.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with its iconic gullwing doors and innovative technology draws design inspiration from the 1954 300 SL “Gullwing” first introduced at the New York Auto Show nearly 56 years ago. The SLS AMG is the first car developed from the ground up by AMG, Mercedes-Benz wholly owned performance car builders, and is available in nine distinct paint colors – ranging from the AMG Le Mans Red to AMG Monza Grey Magno to AMG Alubeam Silver, a new paintwork process used nowhere else in the world that lets paint shine like liquid metal.
The sporty interior of the SLS AMG features a central “aviation engineering” design theme and is reflected in the wing-shaped dashboard, the center console in the style of a jet’s operating console, and four air-vents reminiscent of aircraft engines. The sport seats are upholstered in hand-sewn, single-tone Designo leather with a choice of seven different color combinations including seat stitching and piping.
The SLS AMG engine is built on the overall AMG principle of “one man, one engine,” where every single engine is handcrafted from start to finish by a single Master Mechanic at the high-tech plant in Alfalterbach, Germany. The SLS AMG 6.2-liter, front-mid V8 engine creates 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque propelling the super sports car from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds.
Innovative design at the tents is not limited to the SLS AMG, but also the 2011 E-Class Cabriolet, the newest Mercedes-Benz open top, two-door, four-passenger convertible that joins the highly successful 9th generation E-Class line of sedans, coupes and wagons.
In keeping with the motto “four seasons, four people,” year-round usability was top priority for engineering the new E-Cabriolet. Features that ensure four season, open-top driving fun include the electric AIRCAP[R] wind deflector. This new system is deployed at the touch of a button, and greatly reduces wind turbulence inside the vehicle’s cabin while creating a pool of warm air around the occupants. AIRCAP[R] eliminates the installation procedure for conventional wind deflectors, retains accessibility to both rear seats, and doesn’t spoil the clean lines of the Cabriolet’s side profile image. Optional equipment includes the next-generation AIRSCARF[R] heating system integrated into the front seat backrests, which blows warm air from adjustable vents in the head restraints to warm the neck and shoulder area like an invisible scarf.
Comfortable travel with the roof closed is ensured by a sound-dampening soft-top, which comes standard and provides a high level of sound insulation. With the roof closed, the E-Class Cabriolet is one of the quietest interiors in its class. The roof can be opened or closed at the touch of a button within 20 seconds – and even while driving at speeds of up to 25 mph.
The new Cabriolet also offers the most extensive safety equipment package in this vehicle category with innovations one would expect from a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Highlights include roll-over protection, reinforced A-pillars and B-pillars and seven standard airbags with the first Mercedes Cabriolet to feature headbags, which are housed in the door paneling.
“Beyond the fully redesigned exterior, the amount of new safety and lifestyle features in this four-seat convertible will provide enjoyment and peace of mind for those that love top down driving,” said Lisa Holladay, Manager, Brand Experience Marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA. “This convertible is the equivalent of having the perfect black dress that’s right for any occasion.”
The 2011 SLS AMG and the 2011 E-Class Cabriolet will be available at Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide in spring 2010. Pricing has not been released.
Keywords: AT&T, Advertising, Aviation, Engineering, Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Usa, Sports, Technology, Telecommunications.
This article was prepared by Journal of Engineering editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Journal of Engineering via VerticalNews.com.
