April 30th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Here’s another way to wear the Nine West Naughty flat.  I’ll warn you–it’s very romantic.

Shoes available at Barefoot Tess!

April 30th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Whether you’re a double agent or the ring-leader of a large-scale heist, you’re going to need to creep around.  You’re going to need to wear all black.  And you’re going to need to be agile and inaudible to those in the next room.  Stealing diamonds from an impenetrable safe or a list of names off of the CIA database is hard work.  It’s not a time to mess around, but rather a time to be prepared for anything. Bring along a stick of gum that, when folded, turns into a bomb.  Carry your iPhone.  And wear these shoes.

Available at Barefoot Tess.  And don’t worry–we’d never tell anyone who we sold them to.

April 27th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

The Nine West ‘Naughty’ are a serious staple. Every few days, I’ll post a new look featuring them in  new color.

Day 1: Collegiate-Chic

Featuring the Nine West ‘Naughty’ in Bronze.

20% off today only with code ’9west’ at Barefoot Tess!

April 23rd, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Commuting, no matter where to and from, is a nightmare.  In L.A. it means sitting in traffic or leaving at the crack of dawn to beat it and then still ultimately sitting in traffic.  In New York it means elbowing the other suits on the train and speed walking in the street to avoid the sidewalk foot traffic.  And I think in Tokyo it means getting groped on the subway.  It’s never pleasant.

There are certain things I like about the New York City commute–the fact that the newspaper is free, albeit a rag (I’m lookin’ at you, AM New York) and the fact that everyone agrees that in the morning, silence is in order.  8am, the uptown 6: you could hear a pin drop.   And then there are things I hate, like looking at people’s ugly shoes.  I sit (if I’m lucky) in my spot on the train, coffee in hand, thinking, “Dear God, if I have to look at another white New Balance sneaker paired with a lady’s pant suit, I am going to pry open the doors of this moving train and throw myself out.”  Flip-flops, Uggs, anything would be better.  But you know what would be the best?  A nice flat–stylish, sensible, comfortable.  The right pair will match anything from business formal to smart casual, and you’ll look like you care what you look like!

The greatest change though will be that you feel empowered.  Whether you notice it or not, when you like the way you look, you’re more confident, more dynamic, more poised.  It will work wonders in the workplace.  So give it a try, and don’t be surprised when you end up in the corner office, or at the very least with an assistant who brings you coffee just the way you like it.

And now for the best commute-friendly flats:

The FS/NY ‘Welsh’ ($159), The Dolce Vita ‘Cairo’ ($69), The Barefoot Tess ‘Classic’ ($169), The All Black for BFT’Quilted’ ($129)

All available from Barefoot Tess!

April 22nd, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

In these tough economic times, whether they be tough because the economy has failed you or because you’re simply in your early 20′s like me, we can’t go around buying everything we see in our favorite shop windows.  It would be lovely, but impossible to do that and pay the rent, so here we are with less than our fantasies demand.  This is no excuse not to look great all the time though.  The key is to pick your pieces carefully, paying attention to how well they will match the rest of your wardrobe.  Of course some shoes are suitable only for a black tie gala or your spin class, but in general, they should work on a broader spectrum. For instance, Spring to Fall or Day to Night.

I know what you’re thinking–everyone is going to remember that you wear the same things all the time.  No. No, they will not.  They might remember specific outfits, but as long as you mix and match and change up the accessories, (scarves, jewelry, cheap sunglasses) you’ll always have a fresh look.

For example, this outfit: Notice the shoes, shorts and top are the same.

The Shoes: Faryl Robin ‘Madison,’ ($199), Available at Barefoot Tess

April 21st, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Once the initial blisters heal and the skin on that part of our feet gets tough, we all LOVE a new pair of sandals.  We pick out dresses that compliment them and stare at our feet lovingly as we walk.  It’s all very wonderful.  But there’s something we all have to remember: just because we’re used to looking at our own chipped toenail polish or lack there of, doesn’t mean everyone else wants to see it.  And that’s not the worst of it–our toenails have it in them to look like those of a dinosaur and we have to keep their growth at bay.  In other words, get a pedicure!

You don’t have to go to a nail salon and pay $25 to put your foot in a little jacuzzi and feel bad that you haven’t shaved your legs, but you do have to go to CVS and buy a file, a bottle of polish, and a clear top coat.  If you don’t like color, the clear still gives you a really clean look.  And you’re not just doing this for the people around you.  You know those sandals, the ones you’re absolutely in loves with because they have those great buckles and metallic detail and they made your calves look tiny?  They’ll look a million times better with pedicured feet in them.  It’s a pain to keep up, but we’ve all always known beauty takes pain.

A tip: Essie and OPI are the nail polish brands that most salons use.  They’re a little more expensive than say a Revlon or a Sally Hansen, but they are much better quality.  So if you’re buying yourself a staple color to use for the season, invest.

Staple Colors for Every Skin Tone

The Colors: Clam Bake, Pink Parka,  Tomboy No More, Life Saver

(All $8 from Beauty.com. Your local drugstore probably carries them too!)

And the sandals come from Barefoot Tess!

April 16th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Hey girls, hey!

I’m always writing about how cool you can look in your BFT shoes. Well, now I want you to prove it to me.   Show me how cool you look in your BFT shoes.  Send in a picture that shows your personal style and you in a pair of shoes you bought at Barefoot Tess.  I’ll post the top 10 style icons on the blog.  The number one style icon wins a pair of Nine West Naughties and second and third place win a pair of Havaianas.

If you’ve never owned a pair of BFT shoes, explain that in your entry and we’ll still consider you.

Show me what you’ve got!

The Prizes

1st Place

2nd and 3rd Place

Send all entries to contest@barefoottess.com with the subject “Style Icon Contest.”  Include your name, hometown, and shoe size with your picture!

Good luck!

April 16th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Paris: Bensimon

Los Angeles: Ed Hardy

Brooklyn: Simple

Rome: Superga

Amsterdam: Blowfish ‘Hackysack’

San Fransisco: Blowfish ‘Homie’

All OBV available from Barefoot Tess!

April 14th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Get yourself a glass of water and sit down.  I’ll wait.  OK, ready?  Barefoot Tess is running a sale today!  I know, you’re shocked because it’s not sale season and so you weren’t expecting this.  If the color has left your face, lie down.  If you feel faint, put your head between your legs.  If you’re hyperventilating, try breathing into a paper bag. There’s also Xanax.

Alright, drama queen.  Now that you’ve settled your nerves, listen up.  The sale is only running today and it’s 20% off the ENTIRE SIT’–all the hot new sandals and flats and wedges and heals.  So go for it.

Happy shopping!

Love,

The Barefoot Blogger

P.S. Use code ’20off’ to get your discount at check out!

April 9th, 2010 by admin

Platforms are Back! by Barefoottess