March 9th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Spring break is on its merry way, and lots of us (not including me) are hightailing it out of town for some R & R*, and also some D & P*.  The destination options are endless and we all know what that means–so are the shoe options.  As per usual, I’ll walk you through: 1 vacation a day for the rest of the week.

*Rest & Relaxation

*Drinking & Partying

The Tropical Romp

Grab your wayfarers and jump on a 5am flight to where the sun is 3rd degree-burn inducingly strong, the all you can eat nachos are included in your package, and the frozen drinks come in tall plastic souvenir glasses.  You’ll stumble through the week napping on the beach, dancing with boys in Hollister polos at Señior Frogs, and being subjected to countless “Which girl deserves the most attention?” contests.  The shoe you’re looking for is a sassy flat sandal that will match both your bikini and your going-out shirts–they’ll keep you looking put together no matter how many daiquiris you’ve had.  And for the love of God, don’t come back with braids!

The Sandals: The Bernardo ‘Mojo’ ($129); The Dolce Vita ‘Dori 2′ ($49); The Dolce Vita ‘Ontario’ ($69)

February 24th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Two weeks ago I blogged about the Boutique 9 Elation, and I was previously jazzed about the J.Shoes Meadow.  After writing about them, I got both comments and e-mails asking how to wear them in a more professional capacity.

I’ve been thinking about this, trying to come up with a way, but I think the difficulty here is that these shoes are simply never going to be professional.  That’s not to say no one can wear them to work.  If your dress code is Smart Casual, you’re all set with a pair of black skinny pants and a feminine top under a cardican or blazer–adorable.  But if you work in a law firm or you do some sort of financial planning or banking or something else for The Man, you’re going to have to save the boots for your pre-happy hour costume change.  The best rule of thumb I could think of was, if the men wear suits, you shouldn’t wear these boots.

P.S. Due to an overwhelming response, we got all held up– V-Day Giveaway Winner Announced Friday!

February 8th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

We don’t have royalty in the US, but God knows we’ve got to be obsessed with someone!  Celeb stalking is the perfect outlet.  And we’re learning from them–get their looks here!

Christina Aguilera

The Blowfish ‘Summerfest’

Kate Winslet

The Paul Mayer ‘Titou’

Megan Fox

The Mukluks ‘Sweater Knit’

(Warning: Only a few pairs left, but we also have tan!)

Nicole Richie

The Havaianas ‘Top’

Rihanna

The J. Shoes ‘Empire’ (They also come with black laces)

February 4th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Simply recycling just doesn’t do it anymore.  Now, if you want to be truly environmentally responsible, you have to eat local, carry your own reusable water bottle, and drive a hybrid car.  Actually, forget about driving entirely and get a bike…a used bike…rebuilt from the parts of other trash bikes.  There’s a lot to keep track of, and endless advice to be dispensed, but every vegan and her yoga teacher are qualified to do it.

I am not a yoga teacher.  I am not a vegan, nor do I ever want to participate in a recipe exchange with one.  I am however, a girl who knows shoes.  So I’m going to pass this little environmentally friendly fashion tidbit onto you.

Want to do your part?  Wear sustainable footwear!  Note: I would never be making this suggestion if these sneaks weren’t cute.  Sometimes I leave the lights on when I go out.

The Simple ‘Satire’: $69 at Barefoot Tess

January 26th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Meryll was the shy twin, short and chubby enough that her mom watched her snack intake.  She just loved trail-mix with a little too much fervor.  She liked to play with magic cards, and read Time Magazine, and look for tiny elves in bushes and under stones in the back yard.

Lucy was the outgoing twin.  She wore the same pigtails, but they hung so nicely, just a little nicer.  She could eat all the trail mix she wanted, not that she even liked it that much, because she was always dancing.  She took some time to play house with the neighborhood girls.  Meryll had the time, but not the invitation and that was a shame.  And why would she want to play with Lucy anyway, for Lucy was god awful mean.  Meryll could not understand why the neighborhood girls wanted to play house with Lucy anyway, for she lacked imagination.  Nothing happened when Lucy played house.  Feed the baby, put it to bed, smoke a crayon cigarette, wake the baby, and so on and so on and so on.

One day Lucy had to go to dance class and mom had to go to the doctor.  Meryll, she said, you’ll have to watch Lucy’s class.  There’s no one to take care of you and no one to play with you.  And Meryll nearly died of dread for fear of having to take a dance class herself.  I’m not a mover or a shaker, she told her mother.  And no one thinks you are, dear, her mother promptly replied.  And then they went, off to Fancy Feet Dance School, Meryll fighting the urge to jump out of the moving station wagon all the way.

Fancy Feet Dance School was just as Meryll could have suspected, bright white walls and hot pink everywhere, dazzling gold trophies, shiny wood floors.  Everyone up and greeted Lucy as she arrived.  She seemed to be their golden child.  What a change from home, Meryll thought and rolled her eyes.  No one noticed.  You’re to sit on this bench and watch, Lucy pointed and Meryll sat.  Class started, and the girls began to dance, and Meryll pulled out a Time Magazine and baggie full of trail mix.  You there, the teacher called out and Meryll looked up to observe the commotion.  Yes you, on the bench, it’s not a watching class.  Meryll’s chest tightened. I don’t dance, she said, surprised she’d found her voice so quick.  Well ya do now, said the teacher.  It’s a new routine and you’ll learn it with us. And she bent to fasten her tap shoe. But I really don’t dance, Meryll called back.  Well ya will or you’ll leave, now get up here.

Well, Meryll had no choice and she knew she was doomed, but no alternative was available.  She stood and brushed the peanuts from her lap. Not there! Come on over here and follow the steps with me, the teacher pointed out a spot and Meryll followed.  The routine started and something happened.  The music was so lively, the steps so uplifting. Meryll couldn’t help but dance.  She couldn’t help but dance extremely well. Flap ball change, wings, a double time step!  By the end of the hour, she couldn’t help being the best student in the class.

And that’s how it’s done ladies. The teacher held her hand out to Meryll.  I’d like you to join my national team.  Your smile’s adorable, your pigtails are just a little out of place, and you got some quality.  You’re my golden child.  Meryll shook teacher’s hand and promised to return next week, and she knew she really would.  Lucy pouted , and Meryll knew she probably had to fight the urge to jump out of the moving station wagon all the way.  Now she was only the silver child.

The Dance by All Black, $59

January 20th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

December 28th, 2009 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

I bought a pair of vintage combat boots around this time last year.  Upon spotting them, I thought they were cool and edgy and they gave me a bit of nostalgia for the last time they were in style.  (I rocked them in the fourth grade.)  So, quite pleased with myself, I skipped home to show them to my roommates.  I didn’t even much like having roommates, but I will always treasure this ritual of ours.  Fine, it was just my ritual– no one else liked showing off her new purchases.  One of the guys once showed us a new DVD though, and I made sure to give it a lot of praise.

Anyway, I was used to the unveiling of my new finds being met with oohs and ahs.  The combat boots however, were met with an uncomfortable silence and a cough for comedic effect to cut the palpable awkwardness of the uncomfortable silence.  I was shocked!  These boots were so cool.  I tried to explain to my roommate how I would wear them and what I loved about them, but it was in vein.  They refused to agree with my taste.  I forged on though, and wore them out of the apartment in front of my closest friends, only to be met with ridicule.  To be fair, my closest friends are allowed to ridicule me and I them, which is why now I can say to them, “Ha ha, look who’s wearing them now!”

There you have it–they are in fact a trend. So as not to give myself too much credit, I will admit that although mine were vintage, I picked them up at Urban Outfitters.  They’re great for balancing an ultra feminine look, they flatter the legs in skinny jeans, and they exude an air of bad ass no matter what you pair them with.  They’re all around winners and I think, due to their versatility and undeniable chic factor, that they’re here to stay.

The J. Shoes ‘Meadow’ from Barefoot Tess:

The J. Shoes ‘Meadow’ Combat Boot have the added detail of the ribbon laces for a feminine contrast.  Love ‘em.

November 16th, 2009 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Congratulations for JL, the winner of these very awesome Jeffery Campbell mini-wedges!

Here’s the winning post!

“Who doesn’t love free stuff? I’m highly competitive, so I absolutely love free stuff from raffles or dumb contests at family gatherings, etc - stuff that you don’t pay for but that you feel like you deserve since you ran a little faster or found more Easter eggs than someone else. How does it make me feel? Awesome!

The best free thing I ever got was my grandpa’s old jacket. It’s really well-made and after a trip to the cleaner’s it looked awesome. Whenever I wear it I always get compliments. And when people ask where I got it, I just reply, “Oh, it’s vintage” and walk away trying to look as chic as possible.”

Great job to everyone else– there will be countless contests in the future and tons of chance to win many more free things, so keep commenting and look out for Jeffery Campbell at Barefoot Tess in February!

P.S. Follow me (Barefoot_Tess) on Twitter for daily promotions and exclusive deals!

November 12th, 2009 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Walking through the East Village today, I passed a pack of street urchins.  They were in their teens and twenties, dirty and disheveled, and something just told me they owned the street.  Sure, they looked like they might steal a loaf of bread at any moment and bring it back their leader at his abandoned subway station office– accessible only through the sewer system– a loaf of bread that he would then distribute to the kids at the tent colony under the bridge. But they were so cool.  I see them every once in while and I always make the same observation: Their style is rough and dark, but they’re great about balancing this look by contrasting its hardness with long flowing strawberry hair or a blousy floral top beneath a worn leather motorcyle jacket.

And they don’t just walk, they saunter such that when you think of them after they’ve passed, your mind converts the memory into slow motion and “All the Young Dudes” plays in the background.  They’re perfect, beautiful creatures, modern New York City icons.  Today as I passed them, the oldest boy smiled.  I, of course, smiled back.

Get the Look with J. Shoes:

November 5th, 2009 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

This just in from Barefoot Tess:

We caught a fabulous break and we can’t help but share the wealth! We’re thrilled to bring you J. Shoes with a once in a lifetime offer: world exclusive sizes at world exclusive prices. These boots, beautifully constructed and meticulously detailed, define modern elegance. We’re offering them at a fraction of the retail price just for you, but act quickly. Supplies are extremely limited and J. Shoes have a knack for flying off the shelves and onto the feet of fashionistas!

The J. Shoes ‘Empire’: Fastidiously designed with an eye for beauty and a mind for practicality, these lace-up boots demand admiration and reverence for their perfect construction, undeniable versatility, and exquisite style.

The J. Shoes ‘Meadow‘: These leather lace-up boots combine industrial innovation and femininity, all the while hearkening back to the days of flannel, tattered cut-offs, and “My So-Called Life.” Luckily, the flannel and the cut-offs are back in style!

The J. Shoes ‘Bridle’: These equestrian inspired boots are classic, beautifully crafted, and perfect for a weekend fox hunt in the country, complete with a mink stole and a brandy nightcap.

They’re new and hot at prices that are almost sinful.

Tomorrow on Blogging Barefoot

Style Tips for Girls on the Go: Quick fixes for looking cute in a hurry!