July 2nd, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

When assembling an Independence Day outfit, it’s easy to get carried away.  Everyone is always temped to dress entirely in red, white and blue, but unless you own a sailor dress, it’s tough to make that work.  And be forewarned that if you do wear your sailor dress, you’re going to see yourself coming and going.  Rather than throwing some flag-colored clothes together into a look that is probably going to end up more kitschy than cool, try dressing in a classically American style.  It’s a more sophisticated hat’s off to our great nation, and you’ll be the best dressed girl at the party.  It works in any setting and sparklers make the perfect accessory!

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

I was walking past the Apple store yesterday and I noticed about 7 people lined up in lawn chairs outside of the store.  “Oh,” I realized.  “The new iPhone comes out tomorrow.”  I shrugged it off and kept walking. “Wait,” I thought.  “It’s 4pm.  These people are going to wait outside upwards of 18 hours for a new phone?”

Later I passed a dad not watching his kid run into the street, a homeless man sleeping on a bench, and drunk girl falling.  I didn’t judge any of them, but I could not help thinking about those people waiting in line.  What a half-baked plan.  “I’ll waste an afternoon, a night, and an early morning so I can be one of the first 7 people to get a phone at this location.”  What I found utterly ridiculous was that if they’d gotten online this afternoon, they’d wait maybe 5 hours.  That’s a lot, but nothing compared to 18.

It’s true–maybe there wouldn’t be any white left and that would be disappointing.  And the iPhone is the single most amazing phone/tiny computer ever created.  But seriously, 18 hours?

All that aside, the iPhone is a beautiful accessory in any season.  Here are some shoes to match.  You can wear them while sitting in a wireless network video chatting your other friends who have new iPhones, free time, and happen to be sitting in wireless networks as well.

June 17th, 2010 by The Barefoot Intern: Eliza Zweig

June has been declared Aquarium month. Who knew? So get out your DVD’s of Finding Nemo, retrieve your saved episodes from Shark Week and take part in the celebration!  If you’re feeling really ambitious, you could even head over to your nearest aquarium.  It’s easy to get hypnotized by the gigantic tanks inhabited by peaceful turtles, graceful stingrays (although Steve Irwin might disagree…) and the schools of small spunky colorful fish darting around.  Either way it’s the month of June and thus the season must be honored with a trip to Sea World, a new pet goldfish, or at least a viewing of The Little Mermaid.

Featured are: Ciao Bella “Petunia” wedge, Faryl Robin “Madison” wedge, Cocobelle “Starfish” sandal, and Cocobelle “Maasai” sandal

May 27th, 2010 by The Barefoot Intern: Eliza Zweig

Now that classes are finally over, I am no longer forced to read textbooks with itty-bitty print and stare at colorless charts that do nothing but confuse me even more. The time has begun when I can finally read something that catches my eye and draws me into a story.  “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson has gained the privilege and honor of kicking off the unofficial season for diving into a great book.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with this book or its storyline, there is an interesting cast of characters. One in particular, Lisbeth Salander, really caught my attention.  She is a talented, spunky sleuth employed by a conservative security company in Sweden.  Her appearance, to say the least, sticks out like a sore thumb in such an environment.  She is described as having “…hair as short as a fuse , and a pierced nose and eyebrows.” Not quite who you would expect in an uptight office.

Her perseverance to disprove her superiors’ false first impression to be wrong is inspiring.  These Ed Hardy sneakers are the epitome of her edgy, independent spirit and make me feel like I can be just cool as her just by slipping them on.  So maybe I’ll wear them today and see what happens…

“Low Rise Dubai”

“Organic High-Rise”

“Low Rise Santiago”

What shoes remind you of the book you’re reading?? Post a picture of the shoe with the title of the book and share with us.

You can get these shoes and more 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 9th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Spring is very officially here and with it comes a whole new outlook on life.  We all smile more and feel healthier and suddenly foods like sushi and frozen yogurt have more appeal than pasta and cheese burgers.  We want to walk places again.  We listen to the dance playlist on our ipods, and we’re more likely to leave our jacket and bag in a pile by the fence and go join the kids on the swings.  Because what Spring brings is a new lease on life.

I noticed yesterday though, as I was walking around SoHo, that some people’s new leases were a lot stronger than mine.  It was as if a fairy stylist had flown around the streets poofing people’s outfits into looks fit for the runway, or at least to appear on The Sartorialist.  It was undeniably inspiring, but it also had me saying to myself, “I wish I had all new clothes and shoes.”  An entirely new wardrobe is out of reach for the majority of us, or rather the bottom 99%.  We all want all new stuff though, and so it helps to know where to get the good stuff cheap.  For instance, let’s say you can afford to spend $200 on new shoes: you can get one pair, or you can get three.  In terms of sandals, I favor quantity every time.  I like to have options and we all know how the shoes can completely change the look.

The Sandals: The Poetic Licence ‘My Haven‘ ($69); The Blowfish ‘Mirage‘ ($49): The Gwyneth ‘Valerie‘ ($79)

Of course they’re all on Barefoot Tess dot com!

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

The Weekend is very nearly here, and it’s important to be ready.  In just a few minutes, everyone is going to stop their pencil tapping, paper pushing, and clock watching, grab their blazer off the back of their swivel chair, and make a mad rush to the elevator.  They won’t miss the crowded commute or the institutional lighting and why not?  Because the weekend is a time for parties!  In terms of where to party, that’s up to you and your crowd.  (I’m sure you know where I’m going with this.)  The party options are endless and we all know what that means. So too are the footwear options.

Friday Night at…

A Neighborhood Sports Bar

The crowd is rowdy and loud and the beer is served in pitchers.  Men fight over the game, the women, and the last buffalo wing on the platter, so the place can be messy.  It’s best to dress on the hot side of cute and don’t be too shy to talk in your outside voice and beat all the boys at darts if you’re so inclined.  Someone is inevitably going to offer you a shot–take it.  Tonight is all fun and games.

A Speakeasy

You’ll step inside past the subtly-marked street entrance and through the heavy velvet curtains into an establishment that seems misplaced in the year 2010, lucky you. The lights are dim, the specialty cocktails are strong, and if it weren’t illegal, smoke would fill the air.  Squeeze into a tiny booth with your date or an intimate gathering of good friends and enjoy your drinks and their stories.  The perfect outfit is chic and only accidentally seductive, but you know what you’re doing.

A Wine Tasting

Welcome to a night of pretending to know what other people are talking about.  FYI, they’re pretending too.  The tone is sophisticated and phrases like, “dry” and “full-bodied” are going to be thrown around all night.  Remember to partake in the appetizers– this is not a crowd that will find it adorable when you start to slur your words.  Whether or not this really is your scene, dress the part and you’ll fit in just fine. Stylish but conservative, no jeans, pearls a plus.

A Low Key Lounge

Anything goes at this fine drinking establishment.  You want to request a song?  You want to dance on your table?  You want to order something weird the bartender has never heard of? Do it.  The point of the night is to enjoy yourself, so mingle, visit and chat it up with anyone you want and in keeping with that theme, wear whatever your heart desires.  Disclaimer, I didn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind and accept strange drinks from strangers.  By all means, be safe.  I just meant you should throw caution to the wind and wear your hair curly for a change.  And all within reason ladies.  I’m still not condoning sneakers.

March 11th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

The Mountain Jaunt

It’s always delightful to join the ranks of the Channel snow suit-clad beautiful people in the Rockies and on the Matterhorn.  It’s also way fun to rent a cabin with a bunch of friends, wear flannel, and go crazy, yo.  So whether you’re sipping après-ski champagne in a Swiss chalet or rocking out to your friend’s drunk guitar playing in front of the fire, you’ll want to look appropriately adorable (or chic in the case of the champagne.)  It’s always hard to have a good time when you’re cold, so mind the mountain weather and stick to boots.  Also remember that falling every time your try to get off the chairlift is totally OK, it’s normal to have trouble figuring out how the snowshoe fits over your real shoe, and no matter how appealing that outdoor hot tub seems, getting out is one of the worst feelings ever, even worse than burning the roof of your mouth on too-hot cocoa.

The Boots: The Koolaburra ‘Erika’ ($249); The Bernardo ‘Blondie’ ($228); The J. Shoes ‘Bridle’ ($179)

March 10th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

The Cross-Country Road Trip

You and your ragtag crew will crank the tunes and cruise from rib joint to national park to Indian casino, all the while sleeping in dingy motels and taking turns pumping the gas.  You’re going to want to wear your play clothes because you’ll spend a lot of time crumpled in the back of the station wagon or climbing monuments until the guard motions for you to hop down and back under the railing. That’s not to say you shouldn’t look adorable at all times.  You still want to make an impression at the local bar.  So no cross trainers-wear cute sneakers and the second you hop off the mechanical bull you’ll have cowboys standing by to flirt and offer you a Bud Light.  This land is your land, woo!

The Sneakers: The Superga ‘Bologna’ ($65); The Simple ‘Satire’ ($69); The Ed Hardy ‘Dubai’ ($59)