In Vog We Trust!

Hey there Sole Foodies,
It's Linda again, and I have a serious problem. (Ok, maybe not that serious.) I cannot stop thinking about Fluevogs! Ever since Sole Food started carrying more styles from John Fluevog last winter, I have been smitten. These shoes make a big statement! While some artists use canvas, photography or sculpture to express their art, John uses shoes:

“I’m an armchair philosopher, and artist and a style monger, my shoes and messages are quite simply a part of me.”

I like to think that I am a "Fluevoger," with my BBC Radio boots. I can't count how many times I have received compliments from these boots and was so glad to help out some ladies in the store with a pair of the same ones last weekend. I wear these with everything and even commute on my bike with them.

New styles just arrived...

The CBC Radio shoe, in an awesome plaid pattern (available for men only.). And guess what? These shoes are VEGAN. Not into the pattern? We also have CBC Radio shoes in black, brown, and even green leathers. A true Fluevog classic.

The BBC boots (just like my brown ones above) are a great compliment to any outfit. For men and woman both, this boot comes in brown, black and burgundy.

The Bartoli ankle boot. A heeled boot inspired by John Fluevog's Giulia boot (which is also have in the store!)

One of my new favorites, the Promise shoe is a fun shoe. It has a small heel, layered leathers and a stamped pattern on the main part of the shoe. I would definitely wear these with black tights and my dresses.

Also part of the Radio series, the RCI boot for men is ready to slip on and go. It is seen here in charcoal gray.

Annie is showing off the RTP Boot! Details include super soft leathers, a grey buckle and strap across the foot with a matching strip along the back of the boot shaft, and two zippers on each side.

This is only a taste of Fluevog at Sole Food. Come see more for yourself!

Back to School!

It's almost time for school to start back up again, and you know what that means...time for new shoes! New styles for kids of all ages are arriving almost every day. Here are a few of our favorites from Keen, Camper, Morgan & Milo, and Primigi.

Keen Coronado High Top (infant size 4-youth size 4)

Keen has taken their popular Coronado sneaker and turned it into an awesome high top! These shoes are comfortable and durable, and the non-marking natural rubber outsoles are perfect for school.

Camper Peu Shoe and Ankle Boot (size 26-34/US 9-2)

Camper really takes the cake when it comes to making stylish shoes for kids, and these are no exception! Super soft leather and ergonomic lasts ensure all day comfort, while the side zippers make them easy to take on and off.

Morgan & Milo-from left to right: Sequin MJ (size 7.5-13), Ginger Floral (size 7.5-13), Avery H&L (size 7-12), Woodstock Lace (size 6-12)

Morgan & Milo is a relatively new footwear company (established in 2003), but they have quickly become a favorite of parents looking for high quality shoes at a great price point. From sporty sneakers to sparkly maryjanes, Morgan and Milo has it all (and in half sizes)!

Primigi-from left to right: Jenny-E Boot (waterproof!) in size 28-38/US 10.5-6, Jenna Patent (size 24-35/US 8-3), Livia Boot (size 24-35/US 8-3), Jessie Boot (size 28-34/US 10.5-2)

Primigi has been crafting children's shoes with distinct Italian style for over 30 years. Their boots are perfect for fall and winter, and come in supple leathers, pretty patents, and waterproof GORE-TEX.

These are just a few of the great new styles we have for back to school... there are plenty more in-store! Come on in and we'll help you find the perfect pair to start the school year off right!

-Lindsay (315!)

Ciao Bella!

That’s what you’ll hear if you walk down the street in our great Gidigio heels and boots! We picked up this fabulous line all the way from Le Marche, Italy! Known as affordable luxury (who doesn’t love the combination of those words?) this line was created by the Bettis family in 1996. It’s a small operation, literally Giorgio DeLasandro, his wife and son, plus eight other employees produce the shoes.

What’s so great about the brand? The shoes are perfect for work, walk and wine! They’re not over the top, surprisingly comfortable and cute enough for a night on the town. They’re also rare because you can’t find them on Zappos and we are the only store that carries them on the west coast. You’ll never see another woman out there with your shoes on! Talk about one of a kind! Another great bonus is that comparable Italian brands on average cost about $100 more. So you’ll get the Italian fashion at a great price!

We have two boots and three shoes in stock by them currently. One boot is a black heel and the other is a grey/brown flat. Both lace up the front, which is a popular trend this year. The three heels are very classic looking and we have them in a black, brown and a grey. Once you put them on you’ll be amazed at how great they feel.

We love supporting other small businesses like us and we really believe in the brand. In the words of an Italian – Arrivaderci! We’ll see you soon!

Keep Your Boots and Shoes Looking New!

Does this situation sound familiar?

Step 1: Find the perfect pair of boots.

-There are so many styles of boots to choose from, and being the true shoe trooper you are, you stuck it out and delved through what seemed like hundreds of styles to find THE PAIR that you had been looking for.

Step 2: Buy them before everyone else does.

-Whew! You didn't think you would find THE PAIR, but by some miracle you have. Now you must buy them before someone else does. because you know it's only a matter of time before they sell out. The moment you slip on your new boots you realize the blood, sweat, and tears were well worth it.

Step 3...

-Wait...what? There's a step three?

Well since you spent a good amount on those brand spankin' new pair of boots, it would be a shame if you didn't try to keep them that way. That's where good shoe maintenance comes in. Properly maintaining your boots (or shoes) is the best way to keep them not only looking their best, but it also makes sure they will last their longest. So how do you do this? Two words: clean and protect.

Keeping your shoes clean is a good start. Dirt and grime not only make shoes look worn out and dull, it also causes them to wear out faster. If you have canvas or fabric shoes, using a shoe cleaner like Kiwi Select Universal Cleaner is a good way to keep them clean. For more delicate materials like nubuck or leather, using Kiwi Saddle soap is your best choice. Not only does Saddle soap do a good job of getting the dirt off shoes, it also keeps the leather moisturized (preventing cracking)!

After your shoes are clean, you'll want to protect them from the elements. If you are going to be out in a lot of rain, using a heavy-duty waterproofing product like Kiwi Mink Oil on your smooth leather boots or shoes is a good way to go, but if your shoes are made of other materials (such as suede, fabric, etc.), or if a lighter-duty protection is desired, using a silicone spray like Kiwi Select All Protector is a great alternative. As a bonus, spraying your shoes will also help repel stains! Always test any products on your shoes in an inconspicuous place first to make sure they are colorfast.

So where can you find these items? Sole Food, of course! Taking the small easy step to clean and protect your footwear is definitely worth the time and effort. THE PAIR of boots you've always wanted will now last that much longer and your shoes will definitely thank you for it.

Gabor Boots for Every Calf Size!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Katie and I’m one of the sales associates at Sole Food. I have worked here for the past 3 years and have seen a lot of boot styles come and go. One thing that I have noticed is that women come in all sizes and shapes, and that includes our calves. In the years past if you came into our store and had a slightly larger calf you would have been frustrated with the boot selection. Trying to fit your calf into a pair of boots and not being able to zip it all the way up would be a huge disappointment. You’d ask yourself, why don’t these shoe companies make boots that will fit normal women?

Luckily this year we just got in these fabulous new boots from a company called Gabor. If you have had trouble zipping up boots, Gabor is going to be one of your favorite companies to come out of Germany. They make boots that are still ultra cute and chic but they have an adjustable calf width. We received three styles, two flat boots and one heel. The flat boots have a narrow calf width or a medium calf width, and the heel comes in a wide calf width. All three of these styles are adjustable for ANY calf size. I tried all three of them on myself (I have average sized calves) and could fit in the narrow, medium, or wide as long as I adjusted the buckles. If you have not had a chance to come down and check out our new fall boots you should come by!