Pedi-Perfect Polish for Fantastic Flip Flop Feet

The shoes are only half of the summer battle.  Like a fun travel poster from your favorite beach getaway, your artistic touch showcases the fun you intend on having between now and the dawn of fall.

 

Here are some tips for making the most of your toes this summer.

 

Bold Colors

 

A classic French pedicure certainly stands the test of time, as does a conservative linen dress, or a classic straw hat. 

 

But the cut-loose trend this year is BRIGHT!  BOLD!  And SPARKLY! 

 

OPI and China Glaze, two pillars of the nail polish industry have introduced bold colors that range from deep dark colors to neon hues. 

 

Most of the colors are also metallic to some degree, ranging from a subtle sheen, to straight-forward glitter.  This season, bolder is better!

 

Multiple Polishes

 

When Sally Henson ruled the polish roost, all ten fingers and ten toes were strictly painted the same color.  But those days of monotony can barely be recalled.

 

This year there is no stopping the combination of colors and finishes.  Feel free to compliment a subtle sheen with a bold glitter, or vice versa.  Mix colors to cover your entire wardrobe palette.  Or mix and match the same color in gloss and matte finishes.

 

 

Nail Art

 

Nails have become tiny canvases for pedicure Picassos.  You, a talented friend, or a nail technician can add geometric designs, flowers, hearts, or other art with free handed design. 

 

 

 

There are also several pre-fabricated options if you are more of a paint-by-number type.  Department and drug stores offer low cost peel-and-stick art that can be clipped to customize your particular look. 

 

High end options are also available that can be customized and added to existing polish schemes, or trimmed to fit an entire nail.

 

 

With all these options, there is no good excuse for keeping your feet in covered feet caskets.  Put on your fancy polish and celebrate this summer with some pedi-pizzazz.

Not Your Grandma’s flip flops- They’re Satan’s

As you may imagine, my tolerance, nay appreciation, for flip flops is quite broad.  In fact, I thought there was no such thing as a bad flip flop.

 

Until these.

 

 

 

Vionic flip flops.

I found them quite by accident shopping online.  Sure, they didn’t look especially cool, and weren’t super cheap.  But in the snippet of information that pops up as you roll the computer arrow over the photo, there was some reference about arch support and posture.

First, I should tell you that I have worn flip flops regularly for nearly 20 years.  My chiropractor(s) have reminded me that the feet are the foundation to the body which is the vessel for the soul.  Ok, maybe they don’t say that exactly.  But the point is, “don’t gripe about your back being out when you walk around in this crap.”

So when I found a flop with support, I pressed “add to cart” with the mature enthusiasm of the responsible adult I am slowly becoming.

When they arrived, I opened the box with reserved enthusiasm, took them to my still-covered pool deck, and tried them on.  With great anticipation, I stared at the feet version of the fanny pack, and then slid them on, silently reminding myself of all the benefits promised in the blurbs.

The silent cheerleading was quickly overwhelmed by the horrible, horrible pain shooting through my feet.

The shoes feel like what the sidewalk scene in American History X looks like, or like standing on a brick sideways.  While a grown boar hog is laying on your toes.   The footbed feels like concrete.  And the toe-strap feels like fine grit sandpaper.

“Surely I can get used to it,” I thought. 

“Surely they don’t look that bad,” I thought.

“It’ll be worth it in chiropractic savings,” I thought.

But I was wrong, on all counts.  I walked the shoes across my carpeted floor for a foot-eternity, hoping to adjust.  With each lap, the shoes seemed to become more cast-like.  Eventually, I felt like FDR on a campaign tour. 

Finally I gave up.  I reviewed the website and found no appealing colors.  The fit is horrible and the price is no bueno. 

But, on the upside, I have finally found my flip flop line.  Or sidewalk as the case may be.

These are on their way back to the store, if you’re looking for feet fanny packs.

Wedding Season is for (flip flop) Lovers

Wedding Season is for (flop) Lovers

 When I entered holy matrimony nearly five years ago, I wore these ironic beauties:

 

I was certainly not the first bride to showcase comfortable sensibility and style in my choice of wedding shoes.  But flops are more than a bridal fad.  Designers have permanently entrenched the flip flop into wedding wardrobes.

Beach Weddings

Duh.  If you must wear shoes, as a bride, bridesmaid, or guest, then the flip flop is the only logical choice. 

If PCB is your wedding destination, then maybe one of these colorful options from Old Navy is for you! 

 

 

 

 

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55147&pid=898919582

Choose one of approximately 834 colors, and pay only $2.50 for a pair!  That’s only $1.25 per shoe, or a quarter per toe.  There is no bigger front-end bargain to be had.  And since women’s sizes 5-11 are offered, almost anyone can have it!

 

These transition nicely from vow to wow and will sure to be a hit at Spinnakers.  Be careful, though.  Too much dancing, drinking, and/or dampness and you, the shoes, or both will end up broken. But for $2.50, who cares? Buy a pair for every hour.

 

For the slightly classier resorts of Seagrove, Destin, or Tybee Island, look to Old Navy for these simple faux leather capri sandals.  Also a bargain at $9 to $13 a pair. 

 

 

 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55151&vid=1&pid=173463022

 

Banana Republic has this conservative leather number that will look great in wedding pics, is easy to carry in hand or in a reasonably sized purse or tote, and is relatively inexpensive at $39.50.  (Cheaper if you get the credit card, or sign up the email list)

 

 

For the four-star events in your life, consider these Tory Burch flops, and a second mortgage. 

 

 “Slightly more expensive” at $125, these flops can be customized with charms to reflect your personality, or initials.  To soften the blow, free shipping is offered with any order over $300.  This designer offers an Old Navy-esque thin flop for $50.

 Themed Outdoor Weddings

Nothing conveys romance like bar-b-que in barns.  Or fish fries.  Or whatever outdoor venue has attracted your marrying friends.

To celebrate the marital hoe-down, try these cork wrapped shoes from Land’s End.  A real bargain at $24.50, they create an outdoor look of class and comfort.

 

 

Or join in with themed flops from L.L. Bean like these for $27.95:

 

Adventurous Wedding Expeditions

If your event requires a tour to a mountain top, try these flops from Teva, available at any outdoor store:

 

 Bride

And for the star of the day, the internet offers many options in rhinestone, white, and bride specific.  Although Google is flush with recommended suppliers, Etsy is far more user-friendly, and can range from informative:

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117363058/custom-bridal-flip-flops-check-size?ref=sc_2&plkey=d58d502b7288a6a6f99f6589de594d9ec1b1bf1e%3A117363058&ga_search_query=bridal+flip+flops&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

 

To classy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/127922429/ivory-rolled-flowers-flip-flops-bridal?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=bridal+flip+flops&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

For a general overview, search “bridal flip flops” on Etsy.com. 

 I  have not personally worn any of these flops, so much as found them while I was shoe shopping. But with such a variety of styles and prices available, the bride and groom won’t be the only perfect pair this wedding season. 

Pedi-cure? Or Pedi-crap?

I have been completely sucked in by the Amope© video shorts posting regularly on my facebook feed.  Does it really do that?  Surely not. I don’t know!  But I kind of want to know!

This mystery has plagued me for a while, but spring is a perfect time to solve it.  As winterized heels and toes begin to emerge from their heavy booted coverings, feet maintenance will be an urgent need.  Because let’s be honest, even flip flops can’t make gross heels cute again. 

So I faced Walmart on a Saturday to buy an Amope© and a Ped-Egg© auto foot sander thingie, the only other competitive product placed conveniently next to the Amope©.  After highly scientific testing, I should know whether facebook has lied to me, or if there is a product for the self-pedicure that makes feet miracles happen.

First, a few warranties and representations:

1.      I find feet disgusting.

2.      Pedicures are on my “needs” list, right below “shelter”, but a good three priorities above “health care”.

3.      There may be other products that a similarly a belt sander for your feet.  I did not look for these products, or try them. 

4.      My feet generally feel no pain, because I have worn flip flops year round since 1999. 

5.      It has been four weeks since my last pedicure.

 

For this highly scientific test I labeled my left foot with an “L”, and my right foot with an “R”.  Then I broke into these products.  Here is what I learned:

Price and Packaging: 

The Ped-Egg device retailed at my local Walmart for $14.95.  The packaging was very easy to open. 

 

 

 

And came with this fantastic coupon for a discounted cubic zirconium engagement ring.  This coupon says, “Our product works so well, you better get ready to get married.”  I don’t know if I am expected to get married to the product, or some cheap guy with a foot fetish.  Either way, I appreciate the confidence.

 

 

 

The Amope© retailed for $34.95.  I broke a thumbnail, a thumb, and a promise to Jesus that I would not cuss for the rest of the day, opening this item.  There was no confident coupon for discounted wedding jewelry in this package.  That does not bode well.

 

 

Instructions:

Both items have an instruction sheet that was easy to find and read.  But we are dealing with tiny belt sanders, for your feet, with one button.  If you need the instructions, maybe this product isn’t for you. 

Use:

Neither product suggests soaking my feet prior to using these gadgets, or applying any special lotion or treatment.  Once you have the do-dad out of the plastic, and you get the batteries configured, both are ready to use.  The Amope price point, though higher than the Ped-Egg, does include the four AA batteries it needs to be used.  The Ped-Egg does not include the two AA batteries that it requires.  So I started with the Amope.

The Amope was super easy to use.  Turn it on.  Grind your feet.  There is a super annoying high pitched noise that is reminiscent of a dentist’s drill.  But it in no way felt like a dental procedure.  The rotating sander would occasionally bog down if I applied too much pressure, but I had to intentionally apply it. 

After about 3 minutes, I was able to tell a distinct difference in the texture of my right foot.  I reached maximum benefit at just at 5 minutes.  The smoothing effect is similar to that of my regular pedicure.

The Ped-Egg does not come with batteries, but it does have two sanding rollers.  The first is a coarse roller for initial use, then a fine roller for finishing. 

After stealing two batteries from the Amope, I used the Ped-Egg on my left foot.  The Ped-Egg was just as easy to use, except that the smaller motor is easily overwhelmed. 

After five minutes, I could tell a difference.  But after eight minutes, I gave up.  I tried the finishing sander to see if that would help.  It did not.   I put the two batteries back in the Amope and called this project completed.

 

And the Verdict: 

The Amope is guilty of being loud, expensive, slightly smelly, and effective. 

There is no substitute for my favorite nail salon, salt scrubs, and hot rock massages.  And at a price point equal to the second finest pedicure available at that salon, the Amope is not necessarily cost effective unless you skip a few pedicures in favor of at-home treatment. 

But I find it is worth the investment for in-between maintenance, and will make any delay between pedicures a bit more tolerable.  I do recommend lighting a scented candle, turning on loud relaxing music in earphones, and maybe enjoying a glass of wine to class up a rather disgusting task.

 

The Ped-Egg is guilty of generally being useless.  Only small children and the medically infirm will confuse the effect of this item with that of a pedicure.  If the Amope investment is too much, then regular moisturizing and a manual callus remover will be far more effective that this product.

So, facebook did not completely misguide me. But I am still a bit cynical about the free ipads. 

Flip or Flop? A shoe review

The 2006-2010 J.Crew, thick soled embroidered flip flops are the greatest flip flops of all time. 

But, as the date implies, those days of flip flop feast have passed.  So we move forward, to find the latest and greatest of today’s flip flop offerings.

 

 

Ideal Occasion:  Post-Brunch Lake Tour with a jolly chap from Princeton or the Barefoot Contessa, (on an old wooden runabout boat)

It’s a quandary as old as time—what can I practically wear to tour the Cape at 11 am on a Tuesday? 

 

The obvious answer is:

 

 

 Sperry Top-Sider Seafish

Sperry has been long renowned for the finest boat shoes the Atlantic Northeast, or a 2003 sorority party, has to offer.  But the flip flop has been somewhat overlooked as a staple of the Sperry stable.

This is the year that changes.

Most notably, the company is offering this stylish workhorse in several styles ranging from a not-your-grandmother’s floral, to more classic Navy and Cork pattern.  Basic solid colors are available as are some youthful animal prints, depending on vendor. 

The soft single fabric thongs, with signature boat lacing, join at a leather seam and comfortable woven toe-piece. 

 But the finished rubber footbed sets this distinguished flop apart from its summer-slut counterparts.  Not only are the soles textured to provide sufficient stability on boat decks, piers, and poolside, but the detailed “stitching” around the sole create a shoe that purposefully lacks a top, rather than an homage to the counter-culture casualness of summer.  The visual impression is one of a sophisticated seafarer who has likely chosen this footwear to further the ambitious amphibious goals of the day.  This as opposed to those of us who shuffle into some footwear lest we step on a pop top on our way to the beer store, and have to cruise on back home.    

 Unfortunately, pop-top prevention is likely more comfortable than this choice for the long haul.  The footbed is not cushioned in any sense of the word, though the textured waves can be something of a foot massage for the first few minutes of wear.  The hard rubber edges are blunt if a misstep causes you to land a bit askew.  And the shoe runs a bit small, or close to size.  I have not been able to wear them more than a few hours without taking a flop break.

 Nonetheless, I will wear these to church on occasion, to every clam bake on my calendar, and anytime I find myself at the Cape at 11 am on a Tuesday. 

This line is available generally in women’s sizes 5-12, and range in price from $19.95 to $50.00, depending on style and vendor.   I ordered online.

                                                          

Overall Impression-- Flip!

When you, and your flops, flop

One of my dearest and bests recently showed her dearest and best when she lost her footing on a wet sidewalk at a theme park. 

 

She blamed her Yellow Box flip flops.  I blame myself.

 

I blame myself because I know better.  I choose my flip flops carefully to match occasion and need, especially in bad weather.

 

As you may expect, many flip flops are constructed from waterproof material like rubber, foam or ethyl-vinyl acetate.  These materials are cost-effective, durable, and a cinch to manipulate in design. 

 

But while the ability to shed water is brilliant on top of your foot, it can make things a bit slippery on the bottom.

 

Companies have latched on to user friendly materials to create fashion forward flops like these:

 

 

 

 

While these shoes are very comfortable, and fun with any casual outfit, the bottoms have little texture to create grip.

 

When these materials are exposed to water and force, like when walking on a wet sidewalk, for instance, the material absorbs some of the water.  Then the shoe filled with water sits on top of the sidewalk covered with water.  It is the flip flop equivalent of walking on ice cubes. 

 

Point being, you fall down. 

 

The better choice in rain is an adventure or beach flop like those made by Teva or Reef:

 

 

 

 

Although these shoes are also made of inexpensive, waterproof material, the bottoms are generally crafted of deeply treaded rubber.  Like a tire.  This additional layer creates a stabilizing grip that keeps you upright in bad weather.  A perfect choice for spring time and tropics!

 

Don’t put away the Yellow Box for good, though.  Adventure sandals are perfect for bad weather, but these shoes need a break to dry thoroughly.  Long time wear can result in an unpleasant odor.  Sit them in the sunshine, the next time you see it, and take the fashionable flops for a stroll.  

 

 

Sole in Jeopardy

"I'll take 'Things a Pop Top will Blow Out, for $1000, Alex'"

What are flip flops?  Besides a $1000 answer, flip flops are the ethyl acetate sole, er, soul of summertime for beach lovers and Buffet fans everywhere.

But for some of us, the flip-flop sound of summer echoes in our hearts and our wardrobes year-round.  The Urban Dictionary defines us as Flip Flop Warriors.

This is our site.

Here we will celebrate all things flip and flop.  We will find thonged treasures, and share flop-flops. 

But mostly we will keep summer alive all year-round.