Get Ready for Summer & Support a Great Cause with @oofos Footwear!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

It might not be flip flop weather nowadays (at least where I live in MN) but it's never the wrong time to stock up for Summer and dream of warmer weather!

I am dreaming of beach life and sun with OOFOS, the pioneer in recovery footwear! They are not only changing the way athletes think about recovery footwear but making strides in advancing breast cancer research. For every pair of shoes sold on www.oofos.com – 365 days a year – OOFOS donates 3% directly to breast cancer research. For every pair sold from its Project Pink collection, a specially curated line for men and women featuring pink accents, OOFOS donates $10 to finding a cure. To-date, OOFOS has donated more than $130,000 to breast cancer research.

I am loving my new WOMEN'S OOLALA PROJECT PINK SANDAL in BLACK ($59.95).

This is their most popular shoe and I can see why! It soothes and reinvigorates your feet after a workout, so you’ll be ready to do it again tomorrow. With patented OOfoam technology, the OOlala absorbs impact, cradles your arches and allows you to move naturally. Your feet will know the difference!

As an athletic trainer, I know how important it is to have supportive shoes, especially flip flops & sandals! That is why I love what OOFOS stands for and the flip-flops they have designed!

And to top it all off, they give back to a great cause (Breast Cancer Research) and that makes it just that more fun to get new footwear!

I recommend ONLY arch supportive flip flops and sandals and OOFOS are a great brand of those! Get ready for summer today with OOFOS sandals!

Buy It:

You can purchase OOFOS sandals from their website. 

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Watch Your Children Run, Play and Explore This Spring in M.A.P. Footwear & #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

My children are all about adventure, play and, for sure, motion! With that said, I can't tell you how happy I am to have spring here and warmer weather so they can get that energy and motion out of their systems OUTSIDE!

With that much play, I have got to have tough shoes to outlast their energy (and the summer!) and that company for me is M.A.P. , a children’s shoe brand that is designed to encourage motion, adventure, and play.

These shoes are designed with advanced technology that makes them perfect for outdoor play! They are not only super comfortable for my children, but come in cute colors that will make any child happy! Plus, their new spring collection features sporty closed-toe sandals that are perfect for our family walks/runs AND school!

Check out two of their great styles that my children are loving this Spring!

Girl's Niagara Toddler Sandals

These sandals feature a playful mix of color, mesh and flowers and an easy to put on striped hook-and-loop closure strap at ankle. My 4 year old loves that she can easily slip these shoes on and off and that she doesn't need socks!

They also feature floral-print pull tab at mesh tongue and back heel and solid and floral-print straps and bungee laces at mesh vamp. The closed toe is great for protecting little toes and for allowing them to run fast like they want! :)

Little Boy's Emmons Sandals

My son is light on his feet in these sunny-day-awesome sandals from M.A.P. Footwear, featuring closed-toe styling and cool mesh details. My son HAS to have shoes that allow him to run fast but he likes that he can wear "sandals" in the summer that allow him to go without socks and that can be put on FAST! :)

He loves how comfortable they are to wear and how fast he feels in them! I love that these shoes are made to last and have a durable sole for protecting my children's feet and arches!

TWO Thumbs up from the WHOLE family for these M.A.P. sandals!

To see all the styles from their Spring collection, check out their online catalog: https://issuu.com/vidakidsshoes/docs/m.a.p._spring_2016_catalog

Buy It:

You can purchase M.A.P. shoes from Nordstrom Rack and other retailers near you.

Win It:

M.A.P. is generously offering (1) pair of shoes in any color/size from their spring catalog to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Pair of M.A.P. shoes from the Spring Catalog
(winner picks color/size) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to M.A.P. Footwear for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Make Winter Easier with @ButlerOverboot & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

One thing that I hate about winter is the extra minutes that are taken away from our day just in getting dressed to go outside. With having to dress three young children in hats, coats, mittens, boots and even snow pants sometimes, that can add up to a lot of time, stress and frustrations!

One thing that is definitely going to help and improve my son's dressing and undressing time this winter, especially at school is the use of his new Butler Boots! They are a relatively new children's footwear brand that make ultra lightweight rain boots that stretch right over kids’ shoes to keep them dry and protected! This is so helpful for young children that struggle with taking shoes on and off - they only have to do it one time with these boots!

They are also making headlines because of their commitment to US Manufacturing. Butler produces its high quality children's boot that provides unparalleled comfort and performance in the very same Indiana factory that once made Studebaker automobiles.

This instantly iconic brand of protective footwear is designed so even the littlest hands can slip them on and off. The Butler Overboot makes parents’ lives easier and lets kids keep on adventuring, rain or shine!

Slipping into a pair of Butlers really is child’s play. All kids have to do is step into them wearing any pair of shoes, secure the strap and voila! Let the puddle jumping begin.

For fall 2015, Butler Boot transforms its ultra-lightweight kids Overboot into a product that can be worn all year round, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A comfortable and breathable liner increases the versatility of the originals that are worn over shoes. The liner, worn over the foot, makes the bold, innovative rain boot a four-season must-have.

I absolutely LOVE that my son can not only wear these great and easy to wear boots in the summer and spring but also fall and winter when the temperatures drop and snow covers the ground! The warm liner will keep his feet warm and protected.

My son immediately LOVED the look of these boots, the color and how easy they were to put on RIGHT OVER HIS SHOES! He thought it was such a cool concept that he could wear boots OVER his shoes and he didn't have to take the time to put his shoes on and off all the time!

I LOVE the concept as well because it just save me that much more time in life. I don't have to sit and wait for him to take his shoes off, put his boots on, get to school, take his boots off, put his shoes on and on and on and on! :)

Plus, they work great to slip on ANY TIME...even over jammies! :)

The Butler Overboot is available in six distinctive and unique colors. The sizes range from Children’s 8-12 and Youth 13 and 1-3, for true fit over the shoe. Make sure to order at least one size bigger than your child normally wears. I ordered two sizes bigger so that they would last for a long time! These still fit my son great!

Buy It:

You can purchase Butler Boots for $49.99 from the Butler Boot website.

Win It:

Butler Boot is generously offering THREE winners free pairs of Butler boots!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Pair of Butler boots
($49.99 value!!!)

THREE WINNERS!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Butler Boot for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

pediped Shoe Naming Contest & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Have you ever dreamed of putting on a shoe and knowing it is named after YOU??? How cute would it be to put on your children's shoes and know they have a shoe named after them??

Well, now is your chance because one of my favorite children's shoe brands, pediped, has a great contest going on where a new style of shoe will be named after one of their own fans!

Parents and caregivers around the world have the opportunity to submit their child’s name for the chance at naming a pediped® shoe after him or her. The winning name will be used for a style in the pediped® Spring/Summer 2016 Collection. The contest will be hosted on Instagram and fans must follow @pedipedfootwear to participate.

To enter the contest, fans must post a picture of their child, with his or her name, and the reason why pediped® should name a shoe after him or her. The photo must be posted with the contest hashtag #namethatpediped and the pediped® Instagram account must be tagged as @pedipedfootwear.

Photo entries will be accepted until 11:59pm PST on January 1 1, 2015. The winner will receive a $100 pediped gift card and a free pair of the style named. pediped® will announce the winner in February upon the official launch of the Spring/Summer 2015 Collection.

On top of that fun contest, pediped® also debuted their Fall/Winter 2014 Collection offering over 100 new styles of American Podiatric Medical Association accepted footwear across its three signature lines: Originals®, Grip ‘n’ Go™, and Flex®. The collection highlights more than 90 Flex® styles now offered in larger sizes up to 36 (US Youth 4.5) along with 30 new machine washable styles.

Inspired by a child’s eagerness for fall adventure, the collection features a vast variety of Mary Janes, athletics, casual sneakers, and boots. Perfect footwear choices designed to cover every exciting occasion from back-to-school to holiday time, the winter wonderlands and beyond are offered. Top-selling Giselle is reinvented with chic black patent available in both a Mary Jane and fashion boot. Also added to the collection of fashion boots is Kacie and Maggie, and best-selling Naomi boot makes its anticipated debut into Grip ‘n’ Go™. More than ten cold weather boots with waterproof technology are highlighted including new color combinations in Boulder. The selection of machine washable athletics containing Ultra Light Technology™ adds six new styles.

Originals®

* The Originals® line of soft-soled, flexible infant shoes is recommended by pediatricians and podiatrists as the shoe’s design closely mimics barefoot walking. Each style is leather lined with a slip resistant leather sole.

* Fifteen new styles have been added this season. Highlights include Becky, a Mary Jane offered in on-trend corduroy and Jasper, an all leather sneaker style; bringing a little sparkle to the collection is the new Delaney. New styles Jerome and Teddy are stylish and comfortable options.

The Originals® collection will retail for $35-$41 and is available in sizes newborn to 24 months.

Grip ‘n’ Go™

* The Grip ‘n’ Go™ line has special feature G2 Technology™, making it the perfect shoe for active toddlers transitioning from early walking to a confident stride.

* Size 18 is now available in Grip ‘n’ Go styles

* The innovative line of fashion boots grows this season with Naomi and Kacie along with the debut of Rosa, a stylish boot with faux fur lining. Justin and Boulder highlight the collection of rugged boots with waterproof technology.

The Grip ‘n’ Go™ line will retail for $48-$52 and is available in sizes 18-23.

Flex®

* Flex® is the ultimate shoe for an established walker who has developed a confident, natural stride. The Flex® line offers more than 50 styles with maximum flexibility and comfort.

* New back-to-school options include Sarah and Channing, two all leather styles available in classic brown, navy, and black. Frank and Becky are machine washable options making them great for every day wear.

* The popular line of washable athletic shoes featuring Ultra Light Technology™ debuts Mars, a new style featuring flex grooves to support natural foot movement and heel cushioning. This line provides maximum flexibility while remaining light as air (5 oz. based on a size 27).

* The line of waterproof boots expands with new style Justin; Popular Boulder gets an update and is now available for girls and boys.

The Flex® line will retail for $39.95-$80 and is available in sizes 20-36 (available sizes vary between styles).

Buy It: 

You can purchase the pediped Fall/Winter 2014 Collection online at www.pediped.com and also in select retail stores.

Win It:

pediped is generously offering (1) pair of Originals shoes (0-6, 6-12, 12-18 or 18-24 months sizing) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Pair of pediped Originals shoes 
(0-6, 6-12, 12-18 or 18-24 months sizing and winner can choose boy or girl and size but not style)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to pediped for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Durable & Comfortable Back-to-School Shoes from KEEN

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Good, durable and comfortable shoes are a MUST as your children head back to school. In fact, it was even on my son's preschool school supplies list! My son's new shoes for his first time going to school are from KEEN and he can't wait to wear them on his first day next week!

Known for durable and playful footwear that kids love as much as mom and dad, KEEN is giving active families more options to choose from this fall with a deeper line-up of hiking styles for kids and fun and funky boots for little ladies.

My son is loving his:

Boys Austin II

These shoes come in Toddler sizes 1 through 6, youth sizes 8 through 13 and with these, your child can be just like dad!

The Austin II boy's leather shoe boasts youthful looks with just the right touch of big boy polish. At home on the playground or on the weekends, it features a soft leather upper and comfortable, padded collar. Smaller sizes feature an additional hook and loop strap to keep this guy secure. This boy's leather oxford features a classic look that pairs nicely with play clothes or school uniforms.

Features:
- Hook and loop strap over instep
- Leather upper
- Non-marking rubber outsole
- Padded collar for comfort

These shoes come in two colors: Black and Dark Earth/Burnt Orange and are super comfortable and classic to match with any outfit - dressy or play!

Buy It: You can purchase the Austin II Toddler shoes for $55 from the KEEN website.

* Thank you to KEEN for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Dearfoams Thong Slippers & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Though we’re still enjoying the summer breeze, before we know it will be time for parents to start thinking about the beginning of the school year (many start today or already have!).

The beginning of a new school year can be quite the adjustment — not just for kids, but for moms, too. Beyond work and other daily responsibilities, there are appointments to keep, pickup lanes to navigate, supply shopping to do, practices to attend and so much more that keeps you on the go. In the midst of all that craziness, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a little extra comfort?

That’s where Dearfoams comes in. With stylish slippers featuring fashion-forward designs and a variety of colorful styles (including moccasins, scuffs, clogs, open toe slippers and more), you’ll be comfy and chic wherever you wear them — whether at home or on the go. Each slipper is stylish and sturdy enough to be worn out and about with your favorite outfit and boasts the indulgent comfort that Dearfoams has specialized in for more than 60 years.

I received a couple of pairs of Dearfoams from the Signature Collection, Dearfoams’ premium slipper line. I absolutely LOVE them and love to wear them every where - to run errands, around the house, to drop my son off at school or after a nice relaxing shower or bath!

tropical flower thong

Dearfoams Style # 30029

sale $19.60 was $28.00

Aloha! Release your inner island princess. Women’s flip-flop slippers in bold tropical colors. Each is accented with a vibrant faux flower embellishment and contrasting lining. For a night at home or a day at the pool.

Upper: Terry
Lining and Insole: Velour
High-density, perfect foam cushioning
Rubber outsoles with skid and abrasion resistance
Embellishment: 3D Tropical Flower
Machine washable

I love the fun, funky design of these slippers - they remind me of a fun, tropical vacation and they are so soft and comfy! I do recommend ordering these slippers in a size larger than you normally wear - they seem to run small.

sequin thong

Dearfoams Style # 31231

sale $15.60 was $26.00

Bold color women’s thong slippers feature a sequin pop on top. With a silky feel inside, you can dress them up with the perfect pedicure in mixed or matching colors. They’re flip-flop fab.

Upper: Two Color Sequin
Lining and Insole: Silky Boa
High-density, perfect foam cushioning
Rubber outsoles with skid and abrasion resistance
Machine washable

I love the color and bling of these thong slippers! They are so fun and flirty and it is seriously like stepping on a pillow or cloud every time I step!

If you are in the mood to treat yourself in the midst of the upcoming hustle and bustle, then definitely take a look at the super cute and comfy Dearfoams selection and get ready to slip into complete comfort and style!

Buy It: You can purchase all Dearfoams slippersfrom the Dearfoams website

Win It: Dearfoams is generously offering (1) Pair of Slippers (men’s or women’s) from the all-new fall line to TWO lucky winners!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Pair of Dearfoams Slippers 
(Men’s or Women’s) 
from the All-New Fall Line

(TWO WINNERS!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Dearfoams for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

FootBalance QuickFit Pre-Molded Footbeds

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

As an Athletic Trainer, I highly recommend this stocking stuffer idea today: FootBalance QuickFit pre-molded footbeds.

FootBalance QuickFit pre-molded footbeds can be customized to users’ unique feet in one of two ways—either the Wear Mold or Heat Mold methods. With the Wear Mold method, users place the pre-formed footbeds in their shoes, where a natural customization process will take place over time. The Heat Mold method allows users to customize the footbeds in their conventional oven at home, or in a FootBalance oven at participating retailers to quickly contour the QuickFit footbeds perfectly to their feet. By walking around for five minutes, the QuickFit Heat Mold footbeds take form while the patented Balance Plate core provides optimal posture and alignment.

FootBalance QuickFit footbeds come in a narrow width model for narrow to normal width shoes and a standard width model that fits normal to wider shoes. They also feature a universal mid-to-high arch height that will mold to arches of all shapes and sizes.

FootBalance QuickFit pre-molded footbeds complement the brand’s current line of 100% custom molded footbeds. The fully custom option is rapidly molded in fewer than 10 minutes by trained FootBalance dealers using the FootBalance Recommendation System (FRS) software to provide a free overview of users’ unique foot dynamics and stance. The FootBalance team includes medical specialists, sports professionals and footwear designers working to create footwear products to enhance the health, comfort and performance of its users, for a wide range of activities.

Footbalance is an innovative insole that brings you the benefits of custom orthotics at an affordable price. With Footbalance you get a complete foot analysis and custom molded insoles in under 10 minutes. Each insole is individually custom molded for each foot, to ensure perfect fit and support no matter your arch type, foot shape or differences between the left and right foot. Your insoles are available for trial and use immediately - at a price that won't break the bank.

The Footbalance custom insole line includes a full range of cushioning and support levels to help you achieve a comfortable, customized fit in virtually any footwear whether for sports, work or leisure.

Buy It: You can purchase all FootBalance QuickFit Footbeds from Road Runner Sports and Foot Smart.

* Thank you to FootBalance for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Juil Footwear

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

As an athletic trainer, I have seen foot injury after foot injury from wearing flip flops all summer. I personally can't wear them very often anymore on longer walks because of previous foot injuries in my left foot. HOWEVER, I LOVE FLIP FLOPS!!!!

So I am always on the search for flip flops and sandals that will support my foot like a shoe does but is still comfortable and cute to wear!!!

Well, with that said, today I recommend Juil!

You know that calming, peaceful feeling that you experience when you walk barefoot in the sand or grass? Well, there’s some science behind it.

Juil makes footwear based on a concept known as “earthing” or “grounding.” Whereas most footwear insulates our bodies from making a connection with the earth, the copper “dots” on Juil sandals act as a conduit between your body and the Earth, allowing you to stay truly connected and balanced.

Juil sandals cleanse your body of stress and toxins in the form of free radicals. The benefit, it’s simple, you feel better. They’re not only comfortable, but they recreate that calming feeling that you’ve come to associate with walking barefoot. In the science world, this is a concept known as grounding.

In everyday lives, we’re exposed to toxins and stress. Toxins include anything from breathing polluted air, to carrying our cell phones around. Stress can come from anywhere – work, school, friends, or family. Exposure to these stresses and toxins leads to a buildup of free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals attack healthy cells and cause inflammation, which, oh, by the way, is the root of almost all medical ailments. Fortunately, we have the Earth, a giant magnet with an endless supply of electrons. If we stay connected by wearing earthing or grounding shoes, these electrons are absorbed to neutralize and release the harmful free radicals in our bodies.

While the easiest way to stay grounded is to walk barefoot, that’s not always possible, fashionable, or appropriate. Most footwear has rubber or plastic outsoles that insulate our bodies from making a connection with the earth, but the copper “dots” in these earthing sandals act as a conduit and allow you to stay truly connected and balanced.

I picked out and received the Hera flip flops. I loved the classic but comfortable look and they were as comfortable as they looked! In these Hera sandals, I experience comfort and connectedness to the earth like never before. They are supportive, cute and comfortable and I can't go wrong wearing these Juil sandals.

Buy It: You can purchase all styles of Juil sandals from the Juil website.

* Thank you to Juil for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*