Getting Shoes to Fit

I will admit it, I hate buying shoes. It's not that I don't like shoes, it's that I really struggle to find a pair that fits. So much so in fact, that when I find a pair that does fit, I have been known to buy multiple pairs - in the same color, but also the same shoe in several colors. I look with envy at the really fun and cute shoes that others wear. I want to be able to wear them too, but frankly, comfort comes first.

Recently, when a pair of shoes that I loved developed a hole (one of the seams simply came unstitched), I was forced to pick up a new pair of shoes on short notice. Of course, that same style was no longer available - you better believed I checked that first. I found a pair of shoes that seemed comfortable and they were leather, the problem was that the size 7 1/2 was a little tight and the 8, I slipped out of. I liked the way that the shoe fit and cushion of the insole. Despite being a little tight, they were the best that I had found.

I tried stretching them by wearing them with sport socks around the house in the evening - I am sure it was a sight to behold. This method of extended wear with bulky socks has worked in times passed, but with this pair, they just didn't seem to actually stretch though.

So, I decided to try something I had read once. The next morning, when I was drying my hair I took a break of drying my hair and aimed the hair dryer into the shoes - warming them on the inside. Then, I slipped them on with a pair of white socks, which are slightly thicker than the socks I wear with dress pants. For extra measure, I let the dryer blow over the tight spots for a few minutes. Then, I allowed them to cool.

When I finally took them off and put them back on with just dress socks, they fit wonderfully. The heat from the dryer allowed them to give and stretch just enough - and in just the right spots. It is so much better than having settled for the larger shoes and dealing with the inevitable blisters that would have developed from wearing them or trying to wear the shoes around the house for several days trying to get a little bit of stretch out of them.

Now that I know how wonderful this works, and how much quicker than trying to break them in for several hours, I might just try this trick on every new shoe before I wear them. Of course, if they aren't 100% leather, I'm not sure that it will work as well, but I will likely still try it.

Using a hair dryer to get shoes that fit, works for me!

Foldflops

When I was in high school and college and worked an office job, I loved to dress up and wear heels. Then, I got my first job as an engineer and I had to wear steel toe boots everyday for work. My feet got used to wearing flat shoes most of the time. Sure, I had some tall loafers and a couple pairs of heels that I would wear when I went out, but nothing on a regular basis.

Now, I find myself back in an office job. At first, I stuck with slacks that I could easily wear flats or short loafers with. Then, I decided that I wanted to be able to wear dresses and cute skirts. I felt like for some of the dresses and skirts that I really needed a taller loafer or a heel to make the outfit. Only problem is that at the end of the day, I just want to take my shoes off. My feet just aren't used to wearing that type of shoe and they hurt, plus I couldn't walk as fast as I wanted.

So, when I learned about a product call Foldflops, I was intrigued. A pair of flip flops that fold up and fit in a bag. What a great way to quickly change out of my dress shoes at the end of the day, to allow me to hurry home or run quick errands.

Foldflops are a new foldable flip flop that is convenient, waterproof, lightweight and fashionable. Foldflops will take you from the office to the soccer field in no time - simply unfold and go! Foldflops fit perfectly in your purse, tote bag, or glove compartment so they're ready to slip on anytime or anywhere heels just won't do. Available in bright red, black and champagne, foldflops are designed for men and women.

After trying them, I have a few thoughts. The shoes are a reasonable thickness and fit like you would expect a flip flop to. The portion of the shoe that folds looks like it should hold up well to multiple folds and unfolds (although, only having had them a few weeks, I can't be sure exactly how long they hold up). Because they have a reasonable thickness, they don't fold up as small as I had envisioned - I was hoping it would fit in my purse. They do come with their own bag, so it's not that big of a deal that they don't fit in my purse. Overall, I feel that they offer a nice option of having a pair of shoes to change into handy.

Want to learn more?
You can check out the Foldflops website, Like Foldflops on Facebook or Follow Foldflops on Twitter.

Giveaway!
One A Busy Mom of Two reader will win a pair of Foldflops!

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Giveaway will remain open until November 10th at 6 pm. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will be selected using a random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (be sure to leave one!) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. A complimentary pair of Foldflops was provided for the review. Foldflops is also supplying the pair of Foldflops for the giveaway. All opinions are my own or that of my family.