#LifeGoals: Rothy’s

Many years ago when I started my quest to find office appropriate heels that were comfortable and eco-friendly, the struggle was reeeeeal.  I’m not gonna lie, pickings were slim.  We did have some great brands that were forward thinkers and sustainably minded.  But I’m over the moon in how the selection and most importantly, the comfort of these earth-friendly options have come along in these last few years. 

Enter Rothy’s.

Oh. My. God.  So few things feel this good, especially on your feet.  It’s utterly mind blowing that they are made out of recycled plastic water bottles!  Granted the merino wool thread probably makes them feel so dang yummy, it’s still so green!  The insoles are that foam that you feel bounces back when you lift your foot.  And stays that way!  Plus, they’re just so light, and incredibly soft, inside and out.  Imagine your best tailored cigarette pant as a shoe, and that’s this flat.

In reality, I had these on my radar for quite some time but it wasn't until I saw one of my coworkers sporting them around the office one day.  And you know me, inquiring minds wanna know... I immediately interrogated her about them.  She raved about them. I was sold.

These babies come in all colors and hues of the rainbow, with some special collections periodically.  And they have rounded toe, their original shoe, The Flat, or pointed toe, The Point, and classic loafers, yes, you guessed it, they’re called The Loafer.  They like to keep it simple. 😄 

They have just debuted a brand new style, The Mary Jane.  It’s like The Point but with adorable thick straps you tie into a bow. And true to the brand, all styles come with the signature blue halo.

The thing that really sets Rothy’s aside, is that all their styles are machine washable.  All you do is take out the insoles and throw them in with your shoes into your cold water delicate cycle and air dry.  That makes your dollars go farther and it helps reduce landfills of those single use plastic bottles. 

Rothy’s is also reinforces their sustainable focus by humanely harvesting the merino wool they use for their thread from an Australian farm (still standing after the fires) and then crafted at a sustainable Italian mill.  The insoles are made from bio-based castor oil and recycled materials.  Their outsoles are made of either carbon-free rubber or luxe vegan leather.  They’re shipped in their boxes so there’s less waste in the shipping and packaging of your new kicks.  Good for the earth, good for fur friends, good for your feets, TERRIFIC all around.

Sustainability and quality do cost some cash though.  Rothy’s range in price between $125 and $155 depending on the style and special collection.  BUT your Working Girl has got you a hook up with $20 discount!  Use this link to get $20 off your first order.

So get out there with your new Rothy’s looking fabulous and feel super knowing you are doing your part to save the planet one step at a time.

*hearts*

2017 Trends Taking Us To New Heights

Versace Spring '17

As we move into the new year, the Spring and Summer shows move us to new heights… shoe heights that is.

Marc Jacobs Spring '17

One thing is really clear about this year’s trends, they’re bringing back all the fun in fashion.  

Vivienne Westwood Spring '17

The exuberant proportions of the 90’s serve as a reference for where we’ll be going this year.  And this time around, it includes our shoes in a totally new way.

Gucci Spring '17

Last summer’s platform sandals and espadrilles have crossed over into more than just leisure wear taking it to another level.  And we see the introduction of ultralow loafers and ballet flats.

 

Chanel Spring '17

Boots are being designed with mid-calf shaft heights which makes them wearable by more calf widths for one, and more COMFORTABLE so you can be stylish that much longer in your marathon long working days to nights.

Louis Vuitton Spring '17

The trend I’m most excited to see and try is the new heel heights that are not the basic 1", 2", and 3½” heights.  The new heels are about ¾” high and 2½”.  Most shoes I’ve seen in this height have a block heel.  It reminds me of kitten heels but far more stable to walk in.

 

Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Pump, 1 1/4"

J. Crew Velvet Ankle Strap Heels, 1 2/5"

Louise et Cie Brianna, 1 1/4"

While I don’t know if I’ll be rocking the gladiator platforms, I am rather excited that 2017 promises to bring innovative styles to this Working Girl’s Shoe Closet.

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Wishing you a stylish new year!

*hearts*

Uuuuuuugh... My Love/Hate Relationship with Uggs

Uuuuugh, UGG!  I hate you.  But I really do love you.  How long have these wooly mammoths been on the market?  Going on three decades now?  And still I can't resolve my relationship status with Uggs.  When girls in my high school were trotting around from class to class in shorts and Uggs, I swore then I would never wear them.  They were officially on the 'Not On Your Life' list of shoes I'd rather die than wear.  Birkenstocks had solo'ed on that list up until that point in my young life.

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Growing up in Southern California, I found it insulting to our incredible weather to wear Uggs.  They were utterly unnecessary in a climate that on a severely cold night reached the upper 30 degree range.  And that was rare.  Aside from giving you insta-cankles, they were just blobby and aesthetically so unflattering to any body shape other than matchstick-like planks.  And like every other teenage girl, I of course, felt like a double-stuffed Oreo the majority of my youth.  So of course, these were just viscerally rejected from Day 1.

A short two and a half decades later, like its counterpart on my "Don't Insult Shoes By Calling Them Shoes" list, Uggs and Birkenstocks were holding strong.  They were a Winter staple no matter what coast you lived in or what the actual temperature was.  Holding strong to my "shoe ethic", I had never entertained the idea of even trying a pair on.  I had no desire to do so.

As life kept happening, and I continued into adulthood, shoes were sometimes not my ultimate and first priority and focus in life.  Work, relationships, aging, and all that comes with that would occasionally take precedent.  And when I least expected it, Uggs were back in my face.  A friend I came upon was such a devotee to her Uggs.  She swore by them October through February of every year.  She was a Disney Freak meaning she had one of those super deluxe crazy expensive annual passes and she would only wear Uggs to get her through all that park hopping and Main Street walking.

On rare occasion, we found ourselves at The Grove shopping and she insisted on getting me into the Ugg store.  I politely agreed and even complimented some of the styles by saying, "oh, these aren't as bad" with a half smile.  She begged me to try on a pair so that I would understand.  Being a committed shopping partner, I finally agreed.  And. OH. MY. GOD.

I UNDERSTOOD.

My first pair of Classic Shorts in Black came home with me.  I had no idea you could wear clouds on your feet.  The utterly soft pillowy-cushiony-deliciousness was like having my feet in mother's womb.  I instantly handed over my credit card like I was handing over my license thrilled that the bouncer thought I was too young to get into the bar.  Color me blissful.

My friend passed away unexpectedly earlier this year from undetected cancer sadly.  She found out when the stage 4 was more like stage 5.  Truth be told, I have worn my Uggs less than 10 times since purchasing them sobered by the realization that they are still Uggs.  I make it a habit to clean out my closets at least 4 times a year.  I always have the conundrum of whether to keep them or get rid of them.  I am confronted with my love/hate of Uggs.  I put them in the 'Maybe' pile and ultimately, always put them back in my shoe closet.  They make me and everyone else look like they have cankles.  They are not "cute".  They blobby.  I rarely feel the weather justifies the actual need to wear them.  However, when I do, I still feel like I'm walking on clouds and think of her.

Dedicated to V.

*hearts*