shoes Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Why Dream Pairs Boots Are My New Obsession

Paula — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:03:00 +0000

Is there anything more “Canadian” than the eternal struggle of finding shoes or boots that actually look cute but won’t leave you sliding across a frozen Tim Horton’s parking lot? I’ve spent years cycling through boots that are either “industrial-tundra-chic” or “fashionable-but-frozen.” Product was provided for consideration and affiliate links are included as a service to readers. I make a small commission via qualifying purchases. The last pair I had were great and a well known brand, don’t get me wrong, but sexy they were not. Fashionable, NO. Functional only and I feel like there’s space for both function and fashion in the winter. So, discovering Dream Pairs boots this month was magical for me. My Favourite Boots But this season, I finally hit the jackpot with Dream Pairs boots. Honestly, I’m a bit late to the party, but now that I’m here, I’m not leaving. I received four different styles—boots, runners, some mid calf boots and indoor, outdoor slippers—and they have all become my daily winter uniform. In fact, I loved some of these so much that I already grabbed a second pair of indoor outdoor slippers as a gift for my daughter who was already a big fan of the brand. “I trust that Dream Pairs are good quality.” 1. The Suede Boots: A Winter Game-Changer Let’s talk about the Suede Winter Boots first, because they were the biggest surprise. Usually, I’m wary of suede in our slushy winters, but these have been incredible. They are lined with the softest fur that honestly feels like a hug for your feet. Even on those mornings where the wind chill makes you want to stay in bed, these keep my toes genuinely toasty. The best part? They don’t have that “heavy” feel of traditional snow boots. They are stylish enough to wear with leggings and a cute oversized sweater for a coffee date, but sturdy enough to handle a trek through the snow to get the mail. These are my new apres-ski boots. Perfect for the run from the van to the lodge or the run down the street to the mailbox or the mall. Pro Tip: If you’re in Canada, I recommend a quick spray of suede protector just to keep them looking pristine against the salt, but they are treated prior to purchase. The quality of these for the price is unbeatable! 2. The Runners: From the Gym to the Grocery Store Next up are the Nortiv 8 women’s walking shoes. We are all picky about sneakers—they need to be supportive, not overly expensive but also extremely comfortable. My feet, knees and back demand good support. These are so sleek and lightweight. I’ve been wearing them for my indoor workouts, but I can see these transitioning into my favourite “running errands” or walking shoes. They have a cushioned sole that makes it feel like you’re walking on clouds, which is a lifesaver when you’re navigating the gym or any errands you need to do. Plus, the breathable mesh means my feet don’t overheat when I’m dashing around and working out. 3. The Slippers: The Ultimate Indoor-Outdoor Hybrid Finally, the Dream Pairs Fuzzy Indoor-Outdoor Slippers. These are the MVP of my house winning the winter right now. We have hardwood floors on the main level of our house that get freezing in the winter, so slippers are a non-negotiable. What I love about this pair is the durable rubber sole. I can wear them while I’m making breakfast, and then walk right outside to take the recycling to the curb without having to swap shoes. They have a plush, luxurious feel that reminds me of high-end brands, but at a fraction of the cost. These are actually the warmest indoor outdoor shoes or slippers that I have ever had. 4: The Knee High Pull On Full Boots In numerous colours, these knee high pull on full boots are actually mind blowing. Love the style and the height. Love that there are several pairs of boots with wide calf fit options too if that’s what you need. And when these arrived and I spied the soft inner lining plus the pockets in the boots, I squealed for joy. I mean pockets in boots? Life altering fashion meets function. My Fave Features of These The Hidden Pocket: Perfect for stashing cash, key, or card, these women’s dress boots come with an inner pocket. These knee-high boots offer both style and function. Comfortable Height: With a 0.5-inch heel, these cute boots are ideal for long walks, shopping trips, or all-day wear. Sizing and Shipping Shopping on Amazon Canada can occasionally feel like a gamble and buying shoes, boots or clothing can be hit or miss for sizes. That’s my biggest issue sometimes, but the shipping was fast and the sizing was spot on for all of these. When I saw how much I was wearing my indoor outdoor slippers, I knew I had to get a pair for my daughter. It was either that or she was going to end up owning my pair. Just as an aside, my daughter, Payton says these are everywhere on campus and frankly the ease getting them on and off is a big deal for her due to arthritis. Why I’m Gifting Them Too It’s rare to find a brand that hits that sweet spot of: If you’re looking to treat yourself or need some trendy fashionable boots that you know will actually get used, check out the Dream Pairs storefront. Your feet (and your wallet) will thank you!

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Are Flip Flops Bad for Your Feet?

Paula — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 09:49:15 +0000

Flips flops are a staple in everyone’s summer wardrobe. True story – my kids have been buying these on their own for years. Who can blame them? They are inexpensive and easy to toss on and also cute. Once I wrote about the time my older girl zip lined through Puerto Vallarta rain forest wearing flip flops. Oh so popular during the summer months and when you go on holidays, flip flops are inexpensive and easy to pack. It’s no wonder people love this popular form of footwear. They are easy and flexible and they scream beach vacation. But Are They Good, or Bad, For Feet? Formerly reserved for the beach, community showering facilities, or the gym locker room, flip flops have found their way into day-to-day wardrobes. They can often revamped for dressier occasions. Despite the popularity of the shoe, people who wear flip flops on a regular basis, or those who wear flip flops as their go-to footwear, are doing more harm than good to their feet, knees, and legs. While wearing flip flops in moderation may not make a difference, habitual flip flop wearers may find a variety of aches, pains, and conditions that are associated with their favourite footwear. In fact, your body may even alter the way in which you walk if you wear flip flops a lot. Study Finds that Flip Flops Cause Pain in Feet, Legs, and Back Flip flops, by nature, are not a very protective shoe. They lack any structure at the back of the foot to provide ankle support and are usually made from thin rubber or foam-like materials, which provides little cushion while walking. Additionally, flip flops made with the traditional squishy foam are likely to absorb water and create a slippery surface to walk on, especially when floors or sidewalks are wet as well. A study done by Auburn University found that wearing flip flops alters the way you walk. This can cause back, leg, knee, and foot pain for those who habitually wear the popular shoe. Newsweek reports that Auburn doctoral student Justin Shroyer and biomechanics laboratory director Dr. Wendi Weimar were discussing ideas for a research project when the two decided to examine the way humans walk when wearing flip flops versus other shoes. Shroyer and Weimar collected a random sample of thirty-nine college students, both male and female, and had them wear flip flops while walking on a special platform. This platform measured the amount of pressure that was applied each time a foot hit the ground. Additionally, Shroyer and Weimar recorded study participants while they were walking to document the movements of their feet, legs, and hips. Shorter Steps Equal Risk of Pain What data collected from the platform tests and video recordings showed is that people wearing flip flops take shorter steps. That means the body has to do more work to move the same amount of distance when a person is wearing flip flops versus athletic shoes. Since the body is doing more work than usual for that activity, the risk of pain and injuries to the muscles, tendons, and joints that the human body uses to walk increases. Scrunching Toes The structure of the flip flop also caused a problem. “When you wear flip-flops, you kind of scrunch your toes to keep the flip-flop on your foot,” Shroyer told Newsweek. This constant scrunching causes certain muscles to tense. Over time this can cause pain in your toes. Benefits of Flip Flops Surprisingly, there are some benefits to wearing flip flops, despite the potential for pain and damage their use has on toes, ankles, feet, legs, and knees. Good For Showers For ages, camp counselors, college and university personnel, fitness center owners, and even branches of the military throughout the world have recommended wearing flip flops while using public showers. The flip flop’s structure allows people to still wash their feet while preventing skin infections from public facilities. Since these shoes are also relatively inexpensive, they can also be disposed of and replaced if infections or illnesses break out as a result of public showers. Another Study A study conducted by Rush Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, has also found that wearing flip flops in moderation may be helpful for people who have arthritis. People who have arthritis, the study showed, had less stress on their knees as a result of wearing flip flops versus any other kind of shoe, even athletic shoes, according to one CNN report. However, Rush has also indicated you should not wear them if you have planter fasciitis. Alternative Shoe Options Sandals in general have been worn for centuries and date back thousands of years. Podiatrists and researchers, however, recommend that people wear flip flops in moderation to prevent pain and damage to their feet and legs. When looking for summer sandals, podiatrists recommend finding a pair that has a cup-like structure to support the ankle as a person walks. It’s ideal to wear shoes that have a secure way of fastening onto the person’s foot. This prevents the toes from scrunching up to keep the shoes on and allow people to walk with a more natural stride. As Always Moderation is Key As warmer weather arrives, flip flops continue to be a popular summer foot wear option for those who have toes that need sun too. Fans of these shoes, however, should be careful to wear their beloved shoes in moderation to prevent injuries and pain in their toes, ankles, feet, legs, and other body parts. Excessive flip flop wear is not beneficial for your feet. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchases made via qualifying links equal a small commission for me.

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Five Reasons I Love Vionic Shoes

Paula — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 15:29:00 +0000

I hurt my foot two days ago. It was a sad, silly home office injury. Someone was at the door and I raced to answer it and in doing so, I wiped out right at the door to my office where the carpet meets the ceramic floor tile. Somehow my toes, the side of my foot and my knee took the brunt of the trauma. Naturally I still managed to answer the door. But my foot hurt like mad and even now it is still very bruised. The thing is you never realize how important feet are until you hurt them. So I hobbled around and swam for a bit with the kids and finished work and then I remembered at Blogher 14 I was invited to a private party for Vionic Shoes. And we left with the cutest slippers. So many cute colours and styles – closed toe, open toe, purple, pink, or leopard print. What impressed me about Vionic the day we met the marketing team in San Jose, California was the quality of the shoes and slippers. Vionic makes shoes and slippers with built in Orthaheel technology. That means the shoes and slippers have strong arch and heel support. The Orthaheel technology helps reduce over-pronation. Over-pronation is associated with many common pains such as plantar fasciitis, lumbo-sacral pain, (lower back pain which I get a lot), knee pain and shin splints. So I put my slippers on from Vionic Shoes and I remembered how nicely they cradled my feet. And amazingly, my bruised and sore foot felt better. A lot better. I was reluctant to take them off at the end of the night because they fit that nicely and eased the painful symptoms I was experiencing. So, I thought I would take a closer look at some of their other styles and options and share them here on Thrifty Momma’s Tips. Please note: these are not inexpensive shoes or slippers. They are not $2 flip flops that will harm your feet. In fact they range between $70 to $120 for shoes, or slippers. One dress pair is up around $150. The slippers you see below are worth $70. Would I normally pay $70 for slippers? No. But then I had this injury this week. I tried these out and I am hooked. Now I am hunting for some more Vionic shoes to add to my wardrobe. Why? Because quality is often worth paying for when it comes to health and comfort. I will buy some of these sandals because I have felt the difference and I love it. My foot feels loved. My back and knees don’t hurt. My husband and I repeatedly have this conversation about the importance of shoes and arch support and how I shouldn’t buy crappy $5 flip flops for my feet. Sometimes I buy them anyways. Vionic Shoes have a line of flip flops with Orthaheel technology built in. They are currently running a break up with your flip flops campaign that I fully understand after witnessing the difference a great shoe, or slipper, makes in daily life. Now my only issue is which ones to buy. I may indulge and purchase a couple of varieties, plus I really have my eyes on their active footwear. My running shoes are pretty much done and I have been wearing them for way too long. Also if you ever priced orthotics then you know they are expensive and often not covered by insurance. They can range from $200 to $400. By that standard Vionic is completely affordable. Five Reasons I Love Vionic Shoes 1. Orthaheel technology: Designed by an Australian podiatrist named Phillip Vasyli, the orthotic is essentially built right into the casual and dress sandals, shoes, lounge slippers and active footwear by Vionic Shoes. I like that this is built in. (Also have you ever needed to buy orthotics for someone? Do you know how much they cost? I helped my Mom buy hers a couple of years back and they ran at least $200 plus she needed to remove them and put in each pair of shoes that she used. That’s a total pain in the neck.) These slippers would have been perfection for her. She lived with bunions, foot surgery and pain most days. 2. Ideal for heel pain, knee pain and back pain. I started wearing these because I hurt my foot. They made a huge difference fast. These shoes and slippers with built in Orthaheel help alleviate heel, back, foot, shin and knee pain caused by over pronation. You will be impressed and you will feel the difference. 3. Great quality. These are substantial shoes. They come with a 30 day guarantee. Your comfort or your money back. 4. They feel amazing. The slippers hug my feet. They cradle and support and feel almost like a massage for your feet. 5. The range of styles. Check these out: http://vionicshoes.ca/collections/women I love the Cancun style. Several are on sale right now. If someone told you that you needed orthotics tomorrow what would you think? You’d probably think – I am not 70 years old. No way am I wearing orthotics because they make you look older than you want to look and they are not fashionable at all. Well, I love the detail on my slippers. I adore the sandals and the wedges. Check the Vionic lineup out here. (US site) and Canadian site here: http://vionicshoes.ca/ These would make a wonderful Christmas gift. The slippers are divine. These get a $$$$$ out of $$$$$: even though they are more money than I would usually pay, the quality, comfort and health byproducts of purchasing and using Vionic is more than worth the money. Five dollar signs is my highest rating. Follow Vionic on Facebook. and on twitter. Disclosure: I received product with no expectation or obligation to review. My opinion is all my own.

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Shoe Lust and Why Good Shoes Matter to Moms

Paula — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:44:00 +0000

I have never been a shoe gal. Well, short of a very brief experiment in high school when I devoted all of my after school job paycheques to buying high heeled pumps dyed to match my blouses. Even those fashionable shoes though during that brief transgression, were most often purchased on a budget, found scouring Shoe-per store or Payless. My Teens In my teens there were more than a few bad choices. Anyone remember jelly shoes? Now as an adult I know the value of quality products. Those old cheap shoes typically lasted one or two seasons at most and then fell into the dark abyss at the back of my closet, occasionally liberated from this prison by a twice yearly trip to the Goodwill bin. Good shoes last, but are they worth the price tag. Well…yes mostly. Mom Shoes As a busy Mom of two, most days my primary concern is getting the children out the door in time for school or day camp, or karate lessons. Clothing, check, coats, check, backpacks and shoes, check and check. Once in awhile I do pause and wonder about good shoes. More often though I suddenly gaze downwards and wonder if I am even wearing shoes, nevermind good shoes. Every So Often I Look Down My mental list of things to do is long and usually dominated by these daily things that make life hum along somewhat smoothly. Once in a proverbial blue moon I pause just long enough, usually when my foot is already pumping the gas and backing out the driveway, to look down at my feet make sure I am wearing shoes that match. Laugh all you want, but every Mom out there knows there are days when so bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, the latest ear infection or late night feedings, that you cannot even see straight. These are the days it’s most likely you will realize that your mascara from last night is still sort of on, but travelling down your cheek, your hair is really not behaving at all, or is matted down in some odd and really visible spot. Or even better yet your earring is stuck with hairspray to the crown of your head and you will not spy it until it somehow works its way free and falls at your feet. Mirror, what mirror?! Blast From the Past I once worked with a reporter at a busy Kitchener daily newspaper who came to work with mismatched shoes. I used to think this was a desparate ploy on her part to prove to management she was overworked and stretched too thin at work and home. Now I know how this is done and have come exceptionally close to leaving the house wearing either: a: nothing on my feet at all. b: adorable little fluffy slippers knitted by someone’s grandma. c: a sandal paired with a slipper. In fact, I do periodically take a moment or two to sneak off after grocery shopping or dentist trips and visit a shoe store. It was during one of these recent outings sans children that I decided to make a quick run to Seigel’s shoes in London where I found an exquisite pair of Keen shoes that moulded so perfectly to my feet they felt like slippers. I didn’t balk at the $85 price tag, because I know now that as a Mommy sometimes it’s okay to splurge a bit when the quality warrants it. And these warranted it. Hello Shoe Love Let’s face it. I am all too aware that when you’re running ragged picking up Pampers from the drug store with 20 extra pounds of baby poised on your hip your feet are taking a beating. And when you’re suddenly called on to haul a screaming 40-pound four-year-old from the playground because they hit the neighbour’s granddaughter, your shoes had better meet the challenge. This year my Crocs never stood a chance. Bye, bye Crocs, hello Keens. This is love… Post may contain affiliate links as a service to my readers.

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