A Holiday Lookbook from ShoesCentral – Dress things up in UGG, Dansko, Miz Mooz, Keen, and Earthies

Here at ShoesCentral, one of our favorite things about the holidays is all of the parties! And parties, of course, demand stylish attire. From relaxed family get-togethers to glamorous New Year’s soirees, we’ve put together a collection of outfits that look stunning with your favorite shoe brands. As we all know, shoes can make or break a look! That’s why we’ve chosen some of the very best from our ShoesCentral websites – UGG boots from FleeceFootwear, Dansko heels from ClogsCentral, and more! These styles will keep you feeling good and looking fab.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Earthies Chelsea in Black

Perfect for a glitzy Christmas or New Year’s party, the Earthies Chelsea has a stylized heel, ruched leather, and stylish buckle that add some oomph to any outfit. Paired with black leggings and a sequined top; you’re sure to shine at whatever party you’re headed to!

Dansko Buffy in Dark Brown Nappa

For a chic look that will keep you feeling nice and warm, the Dansko Buffy is a versatile ankle boot that looks pretty with almost any outfit. We’ve paired the rich, brown leather bootie with soft green skinny jeans and a cozy cream sweater. Wear this to a girls’ get-together while sipping wine and listening to holiday music.

UGG Bailey Button in Grey

As everyone knows, UGG Australia is the very best at creating a casual-cute look. The full-length Bailey Button Triplet has fun, stylized buttons and cozy sheepskin that’s absolutely perfect for chilly Winter nights. We wear ours with maroon leggings and a loose-fitting grey sweater. UGG is perfect for lounging by the fire and exchanging gifts with the family.

Miz Mooz Charlotte in Wine

The Miz Mooz Charlotte has a unique vintage look that looks oh-so stylish for holiday work parties. Since this Mary Jane heel has plenty of adorable details, we simply added a black flared skirt, soft grey top, and maroon belt to complete the look.

Keen Akita Mid in Miles

Keen is known for its high-performance footwear, but who knew they made such cute boots?! Called the Akita Mid, this ruched wedge boot pairs effortlessly with brown jeggings, white button-up top, and purple infinity scarf. A girly twist on business-casual attire, this look is great for a party with friends or coworkers.

Miz Mooz Tailor in Black

Last, but certainly not least, the Miz Mooz Tailor is a classy statement piece for formal occasions. A sleek full-length boot with a swirled leather pattern and unique heel, this Miz Mooz goes best with a vintage-inspired red dress, flowing black jacket, and patent-leather clutch. Complete the look with a glass of champagne.

Whatever the party, we’re sure that these shoes (and more!) will get you there in style. Happy holidays from ShoesCentral!

Twas the Night Before Christmas at ShoesCentral

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the warehouse
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The shoes were all stacked in their shelving with care
In hope that tomorrow they all would be bare

The employees were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of shoes danced in their heads
When all of the sudden they heard such a clatter
They sprung out of bed to see what’s the matter.

Out of the chaos arose such a sight
It was all of the shoes beginning to take flight
They dashed left and right, they dashed up and down
And all we could see was that they were leaving our town

The comfort of Dansko, Birkenstock, and Keen
Make feet feel so comfy that you joyfully scream!
And the warmth of UGG boots this winter
Will be sure to prevent the coldest of shivers

We woke the next day and all gave a cheer
We shipped all the shoes both far and near
The UPS man came and went on his way
As we all exclaimed, “Have a wonderful holiday!”

UGG Boots for the Holidays – A Gift Giving Guide for the Men in Your Life

Last year, there was something on my husband’s holiday wish list that I never thought I’d ever see… a pair of UGG® Classic Short Boots!

ClassicShort_chestnut

He’s always been a big fan of UGG® slippers but never showed much interest in the boots. On Christmas morning, he opened his gift and put them on. Since then, he’s worn them more than I ever expected.

So ladies if you think your man would NEVER wear UGG® boots, you may just want to have him try a pair. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Besides the Classic Short, there are several more UGG® boots to choose from. The Stoneman in Metal (left) and Rockville II in Dune (right) are classy yet rugged, making them both excellent choices. If your guy seems a bit hesitant, just remind him that Tom Brady endorses UGG® Australia!

 MENS Stoneman Leather metalUGG Rockville II in Dune

If all else fails, no man can say “no” to a cozy pair of UGG® slippers! Featured below from left to right are the Ascot in Charcoal, the Kenton in Chestnut, and the Scuff Romeo II in Espresso.

AscotSuede_charcoalKenton_chestnutScuffRomeoII_espresso

If your man isn’t quite ready to take the plunge with UGG® Australia, ShoesCentral offers a wide variety of styles to fit the man on your shopping list. For the more outdoorsy man, try something from Merrell on one of our newest websites, FrontierShoes. I would highly recommend the Merrell Moab Waterproof (left) or Merrell Moab Gore-Tex (right). All of the men in my life own a pair of the Moab. Quite simply, it’s one of the best all-around shoes!

Mens Moab Waterproof in BelugaMENS Moab Gore-tex in Dark Chocolate

Whether your man works at a desk or in a busy kitchen, comfortable yet good-looking footwear is a must. Dansko and Naot offer the most professional footwear a man could ask for… and you can find them on our websites - ClogsCentral and Natural Footwear. Featured below are the Naot Magnate (left), Dansko Wyatt (middle), and the Dansko Professional (right).

Mens Naot Magnate Black Madras LeatherMens Dansko Wyatt Mocha Full GrainMens Dansko Mens Professional Black Oiled

So whether the man in your life is your husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, or just a great friend, ShoesCentral is sure to have a great gift for him this holiday season.

Cooking in Style – Dansko Clogs are perfect for holiday prep work in the kitchen!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And it’s definitely getting chilly outside. Time to stay indoors and do some holiday baking.

Imagine you’re in your kitchen. The smell of spices and sweets fills the air. “Dreaming of a White Christmas” is playing in the background. The fireplace is snapping and crackling. Snowflakes float lazily past the kitchen window.

But wait – there’s an element to this happy scene that you may not have considered. All of that baking and basting means that you’ll be standing for long hours, which can be hard on your feet.

Never fear! We have the solution. Already beloved by professional cooks the world over, Dansko shoes make standing for long periods a joyful experience… and we have a fantastic selection on our ClogsCentral website! To make this experience even better, Dansko’s new winter colors are bright and festive. You can go straight from the kitchen in the new Mary Jane in Black Cherry Patent to this evening’s showing of “The Nutcracker.” For a more traditional feel, try the Professional in Purple Pearlized Patent – it’s festive, fun, and oh-so-comfy. Plus, a quick wipe of the cloth and those patent leather clogs clean up instantly!

Dansko Maryjane Patent in Black Cherry PatentDansko Professional Pearlized Patent Black Cherry Pearlized PatentDansko Professional Pearlized Patent Purple Pearlized Patent

This year, I plan to do my holiday cooking in a pair of Cherry Patent Dansko clogs. And I’ll be whipping up the delicious recipe listed below. At my house, this is Santa’s favorite recipe. Happy cooking!

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
5 eggs
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 packages (3 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup chopped nuts

Grease 2 large 8×4 loaf pans and set aside. Mix oil, eggs, and pumpkin in mixing bowl. Beat well. In separate bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix until blended. Stir in pudding mix and nuts. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves.

New UGG Australia Styles for Fall 2012!

Every season UGG Australia re-energizes their staple boots with trendy new colors and materials. Fall 2012 is no exception. Here are some of our favorites in fabulous new colors. Enjoy!

Classic Short Sparkles in Autumn and Champagne
These sparkly stars change colors like the wind. Brush these dual-sided sequins down for a solid color look or brush up to add some shimmer to these fall beauties.
Classic Short Sparkles in AutumnClassic Short Sparkles Champagne

Classic Short Graffiti in Claw Seal Sugar Plum and Claw White Grey Violet
This fun-loving print is sure to bring out the inner child in everyone!
Classic Short in Claw Seal Sugar PlumClassic Short Claw White Gray Violet

Bailey Button in Auburn, Navy, and Sugar Plum
Who doesn’t love this wildly popular short boot? If the boot fits, buy it in every color!Bailey Button in AuburnBailey Button in Sugarplum

Classic Tall in Auburn, Mushroom, and Rum Raisin
An unmistakable silhouette wrapped in rich colors – it’s perfect for the chilly months ahead!
Classic Tall in AuburnClassic Tall in Mushroom

Last but not least, Bailey Button Triplet in Mahogany and Navy. With three decorative wooden buttons, these have become a favorite among UGG fans. Try them out in their amazing fall color palette.

Bailey Button Triplet MahoganyBailey Button Triplet in Navy

This is a little taste of what UGG Australia is offering up for the upcoming Fall 2012 season. Don’t miss out on these autumn beauties by ordering from FleeceFootwear today!

 

Keen and Dansko are Favorites for Autumn Gardening Shoes

Autumn is my favorite season; it’s filled with countless sensory delights. Right now I’m going to focus on just one of many – it’s harvest time. I have been digging in the dirt all summer and now it’s time to reap the fruits of my labor.

Anyone who gardens knows that good shoes are paramount.  I need a shoe that’s not only easy to slip on and off, but also easy to clean. Most importantly, I’m looking for something that will protect my feet and give me good support. Gardening is not always leisure activity. I spend long hours standing and digging. There’s always a shovel involved. Luckily, I have access to good shoes. And they make all the difference. I have two favorites.

Dansko Pippa in MagentaThe first is the Dansko Pippa. Dansko is already one of my favorite shoe brands. It’s the best shoe for work, especially when standing for long hours. Last Spring, Dansko came out with a gardening clog – the Pippa. Rather than leather, this style is made of a lightweight plastic compound that’s simple to clean. The footbed provides stability and support; the molded tread offers traction. Plus, they’re easy to slip on and off and come in an array of bright colors. And the best part? I rinse them off at the end of the day and they look great!

My second go-to gardening shoe is the Keen Coronado. This is an amazing shoe. It’s constructed of durable canvas and a rubber outsole that holds me steady while I shovel. And it doesn’t matter how dirty I get them because I can just throw them in the washing machine when I’m done for the day.

Enjoy your harvest and protect your feet – wear good shoes!

Enjoy the Brighter Things in Life with Our Favorite Brands

We all know that black goes with everything, but that doesn’t mean your shoe collection to be boring! Whether you’re working out, at the office, or lounging at home, we have an array of shoes that add some color to any wardrobe.

Hit the Gym in Merrell Barefoot
Looking to brighten up your workout? The Merrell Pace Glove can offer you just that. Merrell Pace Glove in Caribbean SeaLadies, this shoe is specifically designed for you with the patented Vibram®-sole for protection against rocks and roots with an ultra-light weight upper foot sling for stability. Because of its shining attributes, this shoe has received five out of five stars in every review.

Spice up Casual Friday in Dansko Clogs
Let’s face it, work can be challenging sometimes – whether you’re on your feet all day long or running up and down stairs throughout the day. Anything is possible with the right shoes on, which is why we turn to our favorite shoe – the Dansko Professional Clog.Dansko Professional Paint Splatter

If you are looking for a bright shoe to liven up your outfit, splash into the Professional Paint Splatter clog. Each shoe is unique based on the way the paint splatters in production andmatches well with most scrubs.  This shoe is sure to provide long lasting comfort with a vibrant eye catching pattern!

For our next fun clog, get ready to “fall” in love. The Copper Leaf Patent clog is a warm Dansko Copper Leaf Patentcopper color with beautiful gold tones perfectly suited for fall time in the office. The best part of this clog is when you step out of the office and see them shimmer and sparkle in the sunlight!

When looking for a subtle, but unique shoe, look no further than the Marbled Patent clog. This clog offers the dark professional look with a faint, elegant pattern to spice it up. These clogs are perfect for around town or at the office.Dansko Professional Marbled Patent

All of these featured clogs are the flagship Professional style, which embodies the all-day comfort and support that Dansko is famous for. These clogs are created with a firm foot and arch support, a contoured midsole, shock-absorbent outsole, a roomy toe box, and an anti-fatigue rocker bottom to keep you going all day long. For more great styles and colors, click here.

Picnic on the Beach with Keen Water Sandals
When brightening up your outdoor adventures, the Whisper is a sandal that is ready for Keen Whisper in Apricot Rayaevery water activity imaginable. The quick-draw, elastic-cord lacing system gives you a secure fit, and the patented toe guard guarantees your toes will be protected from stubbing hazards. Thin strapping provides feminine, eye-catching appeal as well as light, airy coverage.

Whatever the occasion, ShoesCentral has the perfect shoe to brighten your outfit.

Get a great work outfit to match your favorite shoes – Dansko launches a healthcare apparel line

Dansko is a leader when it comes to engineering all-day comfort footwear. The companyDansko Healthcare Apparel is now using its industry know-how to launch an extensive line of healthcare apparel.

This year’s line is an expansion of their original line, which had a successful launch in Fall 2011. Like their renowned footwear, Dansko apparel offers a high level of comfort, quality, and functionality. Each piece features soft materials and clean lines. True to Dansko’s all-day comfort promise, these garments feel great and look amazing wash after wash.

“…Dansko’s apparel color palette direction is cheerful yet maintains the level of professional elegance that a health care professional requires,” says Ann Dittrich, Dansko Creative Director. “Our colors are clear and bright, conveying a sense of optimism.”

The 2012 collection’s pieces all feature Dansko’s LOCK technology, which is engineered to meet the demands of busy healthcare industry. Temp LOCK materials wick away perspiration and help maintain a steady body temperature for all-day comfort. Care LOCK technology increases durability – the garment appears new after numerous washes. Materials are wrinkle-resistant and colorfast to release stains and maintain their vibrancy. This means these garments keep their owner looking professional and put together after every wash.

For a cute-meets-comfy work outfit, pair Danko’s new tops and bottoms with Dansko Professional Clogs. New this fall is the Black Cherry Pearlized Patent and the Paprika Textured Nubuck. For a wilder look, try the new Paint Splatter Patent or Copper Leaf Patent. With a huge selection of colors and styles, Dansko has a shoe for every personality.

For a great look that withstands the demands of the healthcare industry, Dansko Apparel Collection and Dansko Professional Clogs will undoubtedly become the new norm for healthcare clothing.

Keen Introduces “Made in USA” Line

Made in USAWhile almost all footwear manufacturers have abandoned US production for to capitalize on the low cost of offshore production, Oregon-based footwear brand, Keen, is bringing manufacturing back to the states. In 2010, Keen opened a production plant in Portland, Ore., home of their corporate headquarters Currently, the company also manufactures cargo bags at a California factory and socks in North Carolina.

James Curleigh, CEO of Keen, explains. “The numbers do stack up. Seventy percent of our new business is still domestic and 100 percent of our new category in steel-toed boots and work boots is domestic. So transportation alone; we’re in the U.S. for the U.S. market.” Keen used the launch of their casual and steel-toe utility boots to start bringing jobs home.

“When you think about a category of steel-toe, you think about built in America; you think about Americans building things,” Curleigh says. “By building a factory here in Portland, Ore., we were able to say we completely understand labor dynamics, overhead dynamics, the shift from manual to automation. And as a result … when we speak to our other sourcing partners, we’re much more educated to be able to make better decisions in the interest of cost reduction and quality improvement.” Curleigh also says that his company has been growing by more than 30-percent a year, partly due to decisions to open manufacturing facilities at home versus overseas.Keen Portland Factory

For Keen, it’s not just about the bottom line – it’s about making a difference in the world we live in. In fact, part of Keen’s company ethos is to “care for the world around you.” John Curleigh and executives from 13 other companies, as large as Intel and as small as Lincolnton Furniture of North Carolina, joined President Obama at the White House earlier this year to discuss the need for more production jobs in the United States. On companies creating jobs and keeping them on our home turf, President Obama said, “Not just because it’s increasingly the right thing to do for their bottom line – but because it’s the right thing to do for their workers, for our communities, and for our country. They are leading by example.”