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Sneakers For DIY’ers

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Confession: I spend more time thinking about these…

…than these:

Those are the shoes I wear every day, all day, and will continue to until those faux leather straps are no longer attached to the sole. Or it gets too cold outside to wear them. Whichever comes first. (Considering the amount of money I paid for the shoes- A new pair of shoes may actually come first.)

And before it was those, it was these:

I wore those suckers for, like, three years before my foot finally busted out the side of one of ’em.

That was a very sad day, and visions of fixing them with super glue may or may not have been dancing in my head when the incident occurred. If they hadn’t been so stinky worn out, I definitely would have tried it. Definitely.

I went through a couple of pairs of flips flops after my skull sneakers bit the dust. Flip flops, by the way, are my favorite type of shoe to wear…but why do they all seem to break so quickly? Am I just too hardcore? Or is it because I refuse to pay over $30 (okay, $20) for a pair of shoes that I know I’m going to be DIY’ing in every day? Hmmmm…

Anywho…after a lengthy phone call with the gal who’s “styling” us for our pilot episode experience, I discovered that a “nice pair of sneakers” that “weren’t atheletic-looking” are in order. So yesterday, I picked up these little navy numbers at Target for $9:

I ran in and out of 4 stores before deciding to get them. I tried on approximately 14 pairs of shoes before deciding to get them. I licked my hand and used it to moisturize my leg before deciding to take that picture.

I like them, but oh how I wish they were a little more….uh….open-footed. And I just know I’m going to get a blister on the ol’ achilles if I don’t walk all Cindy Lou Who-style. (I can’t remember exactly how she actually walks, but I’m sure there are tip toes involved.)

Also in the Target bag yesterday: Band-aids.

So, my question to you, shoe-buyin’ DIY’er: Where can a girl get a nice pair of sneakers that are a little more Mary Jane-ish and a LOT more Layla Palmer-ish? (And by that, I mean: better arch support and that aren’t so tight around the achilles.)

Do they even make a shoe like that? Help!

PS- I realize I’ll have to spend more than twenty bucks this time…but I’m getting reimbursed for them, so it’s all good.

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Comments

  1. kim

    Keens! Keens! Keens! They are my favorite shoes ever! Zappos has a great selection. There are dozens of styles and many fun colors. Every member of my family has at least one pair. They are pricey, but they last forever!

  2. Melanie Messer Chiang

    Love the reflection on shoes. And if your show is successful, please come to Boston! So many houses here could use your magical touch. I wish you and your husband much peace and success during this wonderful time.

  6. Shawn

    Try Merrell’s. Comfortable support, sneaker style to ballet style slip on. All the best with the show!

  8. Leah

    I think its about time you got yourself a pair of TOMS! They prob have just as much support as those $9 target shoes but are super cute, confortable and mold to your feet. They are my go to flats.

  9. Larissa

    if you want some support but love an open toed sandal try a pair of spencos or orthaheels- they are great for your feet and cute too.

  10. Bethanie

    You crack me up!! I definitely think you’re a TOMS kind of girl…not to mention when you buy a pair they send a pair to a child in need…yellow box are the most comfortable flip flops on the planet! They’re at the top end of my price range at $20, but they’re the bombdiggity!!

  11. Kim Meagher

    Check out Keens. They have a bunch of styles and colors and the mary jane style that you are looking for. Love your blog!

  12. Patricia Hardin

    I KNOW it’s hard to spend money on flip flops but TRUST me, living in TEXAS, I wear them EVERY day of the year! I buy the cloth REEFS and they last over two years (and never stink!!). I buy mine at Whole Earth!! in Austin, but you can get them online. Good Luck friend 🙂

  13. Gigi

    My granddaughter wears flip flops by Crocs. The are very cushy and have a great arch support!

  15. Laurie Ann

    I always have good shoe luck at Zappos.com — just type in “Mary Jane” in the search box and dozens of styles will pop up. Free shipping and returns, too.

  16. alison

    yeah keens are awesome, but i don’t wear mine everyday. i do wear my teva flip flops every day!!! evvveeerrryyy daaayyyy. they are the best, i got mine for about 22 bucks at fred meyer, they are solid black and i got them last summer, or maybe the summer before. still goin strong.

  17. Kristine

    Keens
    Simple
    Toms

    And while you’re at it but Kevin a pair of the Reef flip-flops that have the bottle opener in the sole. My husband says they’re super comfy and practical, once you get over opening a bottle with the sole of your shoe!

  19. Debbie J.

    Do a google search for Privo Kosmo Flat. Endless.com has free shipping. They are a mary jane type sneaker. Cute, cute, cute and soooo comfortable. I have 3 different colors!

  20. Holly

    I love my Sanuks – they are super comfy, come in many styles/patterns/textures, and don’t look sneaker-ish at all.. As for regular flip-flops, try the yellow box brand (I get mine at Belk Dept. Store) they are seriously the most comfortable flip-flop I’ve ever owned. I’ve kicked my rainbows to the side – I definitely choose yellow box over rainbows (plus, yellow box are about $30 cheaper). Good luck, and let us know what you end up with!!

  21. Jen Gilday

    Zappos.com is a great shoe resource. Free shipping BOTH ways. And you get them send in 24 hrs. So you can buy a ton, try them out, then ship them back for free before it even shows up on a visa bill!! Love it!! Here are a few of my favorites, which I’ve personally owned.

    http://www.zappos.com/keen-womens-shoes~1Q#!/keen-women-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wFSAqsDwAEB4gIEGAEKAg.zso
    (Favs are the Keen Coronado. I own in black and wear most of the time. With shorts, capris. Jeans….can’t go wrong).

    http://www.zappos.com/simple-womens-sneakers-athletic-shoes~b
    (I own the Simple Satire-Hemp with polka dot laces. So fun!!)

    Hope that’s helpful!!!! They are worth the money and will really last you. Great arch support too!!!

    As far as flip flops, I love my havaianas. Only $18!!
    http://www.zappos.com/havaianas-womens-sandals~d

  25. Leah

    You need to come to Auburn and go to Kinnucans-they have just about every shoe mentioned here in your comments, you could try them on and decide!!

  27. Madame Meg

    BLISTER BLOCK! Ok, that’s not a shoe (I throw my vote with Tom’s and Merrill’s, though I don’t often wear sneakers.) But I DO regularly wear blister-inducing shoes, and you shouldn’t bother with bandaids at all, but get yourself some blister block, which is a bit like a mini-deodorant for your feet. It’s fantastic stuff and can be found either right next to the bandaids, or over with insoles depending on your store. Good luck!
    : ) Meg

  29. Melanie

    im loving ur new canvas shoes! ur legs look tan, my saliva doesnt self tan my skin, i just tried it, lol!

  30. Nancy

    TOMSK I just bought my first pair and I don’t know why I waited so long to get some. They are casual and super comfortable!

  36. Jessica

    Check out Simple Shoes. They are sooooo comfortable… they are a little bit more than $20 but totally worth it, especially if you are going to be on your feet most of the day.

  37. Peggy

    With all this great advice I have a feeling you’re going to have to get more than one pair……have fun shopping!

  38. Cara

    I love my Converse low-tops. Lots of colors and personality!
    Good luck on your pilot, can’t wait to see it. 🙂

  42. Cheryl F

    “I licked my hand and used it to moisturize my leg before deciding to take that picture.” Layla, you rock. I love your honesty and humour!

    Sperry Topsiders have been a fave of mine for years. You should also check out anything made by Rockport. Yes, they cost a little more but you will have them for years! I bought a pair of their leather flip flops ($60 in Canada) and I’ve had them for 6 years and they’re still going strong. That’s only $10/year. Don’t think I’m all stinky feet, I rotate amongst my other shoes, I would hate to leave a pair out and hurt their feelings but the quality really is there.
    Have a great Thursday!

  43. Sue S

    Merrills makes really good quality casual shoes. Some Mary Janeish, some clog style (my faves) and some others. Great for outdoor or indoor wear! And they are COMFORTABLE!

  44. Beverly Palmer

    Try Crocs! I live in central Florida and we practically LIVE in them! Also, they’re washable time and time again. Gotta love that.

  45. Dawn

    Try sperry’s. They are like deck shoes (worn for sailing). Kind of a slip on that can be broken in and worn comfortably for hours without socks! 🙂
    Good luck!

  46. Amy Ann

    If you want flip flip, rainbows are the only way to go – http://www.rainbowsandals.com/. They are leather and come in different colors and strap widths. I have had my pairs for 6+ years and they only get better with time. They have arch support and are SO comfortable. They even guarantee the sole for life (or if the strap comes off-view it on the website). They are a bit more pricey, but it is totally worth every penny. I do all of my DIY projects in them. They have paint on the soles. 🙂

    • Layla

      No flips allowed this time around…but thanks for the tip- you know I love my flips! 😀

  48. kelly

    sometimes skechers has some cute slip on ones?!
    i have a hard time with shoes! living in hawaii makes it much easier we wear slippers (flip flops) all year, and as far as flip flops i love fit flops and sanuk brands!