White Mountain Shoes + a Giveaway!

It's only just begun to feel like Fall up in these parts. It's been unseasonably warm and all I really want to do is to wear my boots, people! Well, I am getting  my wish plus taking my new White Mountain Shoes out for a spin this month. They were nice enough to send me a peek at their new Fall collection, and let's just say that the boots were made for walkin' (and frolicking and chasing your kids) and I am smitten with my new pairs. It was hard to choose but I managed to make the tough decisions and landed on some versatile and fun additions to the shoe wardrobe. Check out my choices then scroll down for a little giveaway for all of you!

Major Brown Boot

In neutral colors like brown, grey, black and deep navy, the White Mountain Shoes boots will leave you with the comfort, style and affordability that you're looking for in a Fall boot. I always have issues with some styles fitting my calves but I don't have that issue with the boots from WM and they also offer a wide variety of sizing options if that's a concern for you. Just take a look for yourself!

Blackbird Stone Sueded Boot

A post shared by Amanda (@primandpropah) on Sep 19, 2017 at 3:27pm PDT

Since my friends at White Mountain Shoes are the coolest, we've teamed up to offer two Prim and Propah readers the opportunity to win any pair of White Mountain Shoes of their choice! Isn't that awesome? Check out the rafflecopter below and enter in a number of different ways. Giveaway runs from Monday October 9th through Monday October 16th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can follow White Mountain Shoes on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

Local Lovin: Tiem Athletic

When you see an amazing idea, it totally sticks with you. That's how I felt when I first discovered the spinning shoes from TIEM Athletic. They look like sneakers, can be worn to and from the studio but are built as an innovative click in cycling shoe (with these SPD cleats) with a rigid sole plate perfect for cycling. Pretty amazing right? It's footwear for the modern athlete and the company is based right here in Massachusetts! I had the opportunity to chat with TIEM founder Tracey Mcleod about her line and the exciting things that they're working on for the future!

Give us a little background as to how TIEM Athletic came about. What initially drove you to start your brand?

As an avid indoor and outdoor cyclist, over the years I have noticed a glaring gap in women’s-focused product in the cycling shoe market. The indoor cycling movement has continued to grow, and the boutique athletic-wear market has evolved so much in recent years. So the need for a new kind of cycling shoe which was both functional and fashionable was greater than ever. With TIEM we’re trying to fill that gap for the consumer who demands both.

When creating your products, where do you take inspiration from?

We’ve always referred to our target customer as the Modern Athlete, and that’s really our biggest source of inspiration-- seeing what she wears to these classes and creating footwear that compliments that style aesthetically, while not sacrificing any performance. There has been such a boom in the athleisure and athletic space in terms of footwear and apparel. Everything is pushing towards versatility. I wanted to bring some of the innovative materials and concepts we see in the running category into the cycling world.

I love the way that you have shaped your business. Plus it's no secret that I love shoes and fitness and I would assume you do too. What's it like to have shoes be your bread and butter? (as you can see, I'm very, very jealous!)

Prior to launching TIEM, I had worked 20+ years in the children’s footwear business. I was fortunate enough to work with brands like Reebok, Ralph Lauren, Roxy/Quiksilver, and Sam Edelman. Touching on brands that were in both the fashion world and the athletic world was always so much fun for me. Today with TIEM, I get to bring all the footwear knowledge (athletic and fashion) to my other passion, fitness! I feel pretty lucky!

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

If I am not spending time with my family, I generally can be found riding my bike on a path at the Cape or in Boston. A 7th year Pan Mass Challenge rider means logging lots of miles on my bike. :)

You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see TIEM Athletic headed in the future?

Of course we started out in the cycling market and have had tons of success here, so we’d like to continue to push that even further. We have some exciting plans for new, even more innovative designs for cyclists. Once established in the boutique cycling world, we plan to expand into all aspects of boutique fitness (e.g., barre and cardio). This idea of boutique fitness goes beyond the indoor cycle experience, so we want to provide footwear that meets the needs of the modern athlete as she shifts from class to class.

The folks at TIEM have some treats in store for us this holiday season headed into New Year so keep your eyes peeled for new products coming down the line (yay exciting!) plus I'm absolutely loving their Slipstream in Light Peony which sales of will be benefiting breast cancer research in the month of October. You know that I love a good cause and the color is so spot on. I'm excited to see what's in store next for TIEM and would love to hear your thoughts on this innovative shoe. Do you own a pair or have you been toying with purchasing a cycling shoe?

You can find TIEM Athletic on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Local Lovin': Ser Verde Shoes

Shoes Shoes, Glorious Shoes. You know I love 'em, you know I wear 'em and you know that I am always on the lookout for new pairs to come home and live in my home. I was perusing my Instagram one day, as I often do, and a joint event between my buds at Urban Grape and a brand I'd not come across, Ser Verde Shoes popped up in my feed. A shoe brand that's local and I hadn't heard of them? For shame on me, a lover of shoes. Well, I knew I wanted to know more about their brand and since I'd been skulking on the 'nets I decided to reach out and get the lowdown on what Ser Verde shoes are all about! I caught up with Amy Lambroukos-Silva, owner and designer with some of my Local Lovin' questions!

Give us a little background as to how Ser Verde Shoes came about. What initially drove you to start your brand?

I was traveling five years ago and found these beautiful Spanish style shoes. I bought a few pairs and initially fell in love with them. Years after that I searched all around the US for similar style shoes with the same quality and did not have success in finding them here. So I got in touch with the factory through where I bought the shoes and started the business with my husband, Chris. Ser Verde means be green which just really came to me.

 
When creating your products, where do you take inspiration from?

I love our customer feedback and definitely take note of that. Everyone of course has a different styles, which makes designing so much fun. I love the beach and the ocean so we designed our shoes with a boat friendly natural colored rubber sole so it does not scuff a boat's deck and the natural color is really pretty and matches every leather that we work with.

I love the way that you have shaped your business. Plus it's no secret that I love shoes and I would assume you do too. What's it like to have shoes be your bread and butter? (as you can see, I'm very, very jealous!) 

I have always love shoes myself so this has been so much fun for me and I feel like it makes you work harder when you have a deep passion about what you are doing. We are still only a year into this business so we are hoping to make the bread-and-butter soon but it is a process. But we are very positive that it is going in the right direction.

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

We are both born and bred New Englanders. We are both more summer people than winter. We love New England beaches and spending time with our three-year-old son Preston who is also very much a beach person, yay!!! We love traveling up to Kennebunkport and going to Goose Rocks Beach. We also love lobster so any summer travels around New England definitely include that. We also love Nantucket and are selling our shoes over at SkinnyDip on South Wharf this summer. So we are hoping to make some more trips over for a little business as well as pleasure. 

 
You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see Ser Verde Shoes headed in the future?

We see ourselves expanding outside of New England because we are focusing this business around primarily a summer type of shoe. And hope to do more wholesale around the country as well as some trunk shows which have been great so far. We are also collaborating with Calypso St. Barth this summer starting soon. We are extremely excited about that. 

 You can find Ser Verde online, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Kids Kreativity: Shoe Painting with the Littles

I love to craft and create but my oh my, it's been too long since I had the opportunity to do so. I've painted shoes before and it's something I wanted to do with toddler since he's very artistic and I thought he was ready for the awesome responsibility that is crafting with Mama... umm, I don't know that he was 100% ready. I'd calculate it more at 53% ready. We started off so sweetly. It was going to an uplifting how to post on painting with your toddler. LOL.

Preparations were made using painters tape with some Target canvas shoes for me and some toddler shoes that I found on ebay because it turns out, plain canvas shoes for children are sort of hard to come by. I had plans, people, and we were going to create matching shoes using fabric paint, glow in the dark and some of my crafter's paint because, I mean, he's mature enough for those mediums, right? Acrylics. LOL.

The excitement grows as we set up shop. The sun room is perfect for this type of craft and the creativity that will ensue. The toddler is ready with all his paintbrushes, water for rinsing, paper towels he won't use and a sense of adventure. Let's get ready to rumble, he thinks to himself. He makes a note to not to listen to Mom for the rest of the morning. LOL.

Next time, I'll use a tarp. Next time, I won't give him free reign of the amount of paint that I will allow him to use. Next time, I'll take his socks off first. Next time, I'll use paint that can be easily removed using any household cleaners, not glow in the dark that has to be chipped off with time and care. Next time, I'll go into a kids craft with less expectations and more freedom for fun. I went into this with too much seriousness and the goal of perfection. I'll enjoy it so much more next time when I don't put pressure on us to be the most artistic mother-son pair in Massachusetts.

Overall, our shoes do look very similar and I gotta say that the toddler took to painting inside his shoes like no other. He did commit a good amount of time to this project, which for a toddler, not even three, was a success in and of itself. I ended up finishing both pairs of shoes, which is fine by me and maybe in the future, he and I can do something else together that will be organically awesome and not something I set out to "make a blog post" out of. That's so silly of me, to think like that. I should be planning things for us to do that's fun, not technology centered and doesn't have any other goal than to enjoy each other's company doing something we love.

But that aside, do you like how they came out?

Shoes with Soul

I love shoes, that should come as no surprise. I have long since thrown out my husband's silly rule of getting rid of two pairs for every new pair I want to bring in. I am just far more conscious about what I'm bringing in an who I support. I love brands that have great people working for them and also support great organizations. I love brands that use recycled materials and also want to be a part of important conversations. Whatever it is that resonates with you, if you do a little research, there are shoes that you can feel good about bringing into your home and adding to your collections. Here are some of my recent faves!

Rothy's Why I love them: They've created a go to shoe made from recycled fibers with low waste, low impact materials, hand assembled for high quality and durability. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Common Ground Why I love them: Common Ground is a shoe company whose mission is to find a path for progress on important social issues through empathy and authentic, constructive conversations between real people, reinforcing the message that people, just like two feet, must work together to make progress. Follow Common Ground on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Indosole Why I love them: They re-purpose indestructible tires into the soles of some of the most durable footwear around. Want less tires in the landfill and comfy shoes on your feet, then these are for you! I totally want to be one of their "Good Humans".  Follow Indosole on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

White Mountain Shoes Why I love them: Besides being local to New England (out of Lisbon NH), this portfolio of brands prides themselves in their integrity, quality and loyalty. There are employees who have been with the brand since it's inception in 1979 and to this day they are one of the biggest employers in Lisbon, NH. They've partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which I love! Follow White Mountain Shoes and their brands on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Sseko Designs Why I love them: Sseko Designs is a fashion brand based in Uganda. Sseko began as a way to generate income for high potential, talented young women to continue on to university. And it is working! Every woman who has graduated from Sseko is currently pursuing her college degree or has graduated from university and is on her way to making our world a more beautiful place. Follow Sseko Designs on Twitter and Facebook.

Do you have any favorite shoe brands that you believe in? Please share!

Finding Common Ground

It's no surprise to anyone in my life or those who even remotely know of me... this woman LOVES her shoes. I have quite the collection and while my husband doesn't say as much, I know that he thinks that I have too many of them. I work from home and am currently pregnant so how many shoes do I really need? That's a silly question, that I won't dignify with an answer. So along comes Common Ground, introducing me to shoes that aren't only shoes (which is normally enough) but they are shoes meant to start a meaningful conversation about important issues.

Common Ground was born from the belief that empathy and open-minded conversations can change the world. Their products serve as a daily reminder to seek to understand others. Isn't that something that we should all strive to do, understand others? I personally took a shine to a pair of shoes that they offer, that is meant to raise awareness of and do what I think is important, ending gun violence. You see, it's something that I feel very passionately about, which you may already know... more passionately than I feel about shoes!

We can #endgunviolence

A photo posted by Amanda (@primandpropah) on Dec 13, 2015 at 10:53am PST

I walked with Everytown for Gun Safety last Fall and I've been supporting them ever since. I've written letters to and called my state reps. I want my voice to be heard.  I cannot bear the thought of yet another mass shooting but I know that the statistics are increasingly telling us that this will not slow until we have more common sense gun legislation. The conversation doesn't have to get heated, it just has to happen.  I am willing to and always want to have a candid but thoughtful discussion about ending gun violence because I firmly believe that it is a huge issue in our country. I am a firm believer in trying to change minds but not through fighting but rather through understanding. Common Ground is trying to do the same thing through their shoes. Whether it's ending gun violence, talking immigration, gender equality, marriage equality or general progress, there's a lot that the folks at Common Ground are trying to tackle and want you to start these conversations in your community, with your peers, trying to achieve progress. I think my next pair may be the gender equality because that's a conversation I want to have as well. I mean, I want to talk about it all and make the world better, you know?

The shoes themselves? Well, they're comfortable, durable, ethically made and don't make these pregnant feet cry so they are thumbs up in my book all around!

• Canvas for great comfort and durability
• Fully lined microsuede interior
• Highly flexible and responsive underfoot support
• Sponge rubber sole with tactile grip lugs provides comfort and durability 
• High abrasion, solid rubber toe cap for enhanced durability

What do you think of Common Ground? I've love for you to check them out! Show your support by following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online!

From Where I Stand- Hush Puppies Fall

Honestly, it's been hard for me to adjust to being pregnant this time around AND feeling "cool" because dude, I got big, fast and still have two months left to go. When I was welcomed to the Hush Puppies brunch earlier this month, I was totally stoked but admittedly felt a little out of place with all the local girls with their gorgeously put together ensembles. Here comes Mama with her blanket scarf! LOL but truly, once I started really getting the opportunity to style my Hush Puppies suede booties, I was "stepping" up my Fall fashion game without sacrificing the comfort that I so desperately need this Fall/Third Trimester. No matter where I have gone this busy October, I've really been able to work these booties into nearly every scenario and weather condition (even the rain, hello Worry Free Suede)!

We went shopping to pick out our Fall decor, mums, pumpkins and all the things we'd need to make our Home in New England, one that is festive for the Autumn colors and seasonal flare! We ventured out in the rain to run errands but I still looked cool! We hit the park and the library on a chilly Saturday morning and I was the "Bomb Mom". Headed to another blogger event, I wore these booties with a simple black dress from a local brand. I was pretty much able to work these booties into every aspect of my Fall life, as you can see. There's nothing like getting a pair of shoes that are super versatile for an on the go Mom who wants to look fashionable, for real.

You can find your very own Hush Puppies online, and check out their socials on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest! Let me know what you pick!

I've Got Shoes On My Mind

If you are a lover of shoes and haven't purchased any shoes in awhile, then you know what it's like to get a real hankering for a shoe binge! It's nice to indulge once in awhile, treating yourself to a new pair of shoes... and guys, I'm craving some new ones, like big time. I've been perusing the sites, especially a new one to the US, Octer.com, you know as one often does and I've come up with some crushworthy Summer into Fall shoes that would be more than welcome in Amanda's Overflowing Shoe Closet.

Callisto of California Sorcha Red Sued Flat

Louise et Cie Adelise Oxford

Crowne Comforteur Duchess Sandal

Nevie D'Orsay Oxford

Report Ignatious Booties

Reef Rover Low TX

Nine West Jackpot Pointy Toe Pump

Mia Abba Clog

Fidji Scalloped Flat

Sole Society Soludos Gladiator Sandal

But at the same time, do I need more shoes? The simple and realistic answer is NO. I don't and I am fortunate enough that I don't have to worry about keeping shoes on my feet or my child's feet or even shoes that I buy for my husband that he has never worn. If you're like me and don't need new shoes but feel like you want to make a shoe purchase, you could always donate to Soles 4 Souls, a non-profit that is helping to "wear" out poverty one shoe at a time. You can donate shoes or make a monetary donation, both of which I know will make you feel good.

So if you're feeling like buying shoes, then buy them but if you feel like buying shoes and know you don't need any (like me!) consider donating to a worthwhile charity!

Flipping Out for Warm Weather

Aaaaah, 'tis the Season... the season to pack up my socks and live solely as one with the flip flop. I love having a huge selection of flip flops and sandals at my disposable because #1 you need a pair to match every outfit and #2 I leave mine all over the house so have to be sure I'll find a match pretty quickly. Something that is a must for me is versatility. I want comfort. I want cuteness. I want pedi- ready. Summer activities will take you from the park to the pool to the Farmer's market and back again and this girl wants to be ready!

Earthing Shoes for Your Sweet Feet

What is an Earthing shoe? I didn't know either so don't feel silly or dumb. Earthing, means walking barefoot on the natural surfaces of the Earth; the grass, sand, dirt and the like. This blog post from the folks at Juil explored the benefits of walking on the "earth". It suggests that as electrical beings, our body responds positively to walking barefoot. It can help with healthier circadian rhythms as well as decrease inflammation among other things. Sounds pretty legit to me. People walked around barefoot long before shoes were a thing (I am so happy shoes are a thing). So what the people at Juil did, was pretty much a great idea. They combined one of my favorite things (SHOES) with the effects of walking barefoot.

Obsession Alert: Swoonworthy Boots for Fall

The weather just took a turn, a turn for the chilly. Just last weekend, I was walking outside and nearly got heatstroke and this week we dipped down into the 50's ad 60's. While there are many things I will miss about Summer, I am totally looking forward to boots season again. I love my classic riding boots but one thing my shoe closet is seriously lacking are some lower height bootie goodness and before I pulled the trigger on a new pair (or three), I thought I would map them all out from versatile and classic to colorful and interesting. Take a look at my swoonworthy picks for Fall!

Crown Vintage Grace Bootie, Sam and Libby Cap Toe Ankle Boot, Mountain Sole Talkshow Boot, ASOS Acting Up Suede Ankle Boots, Betsey Johnson Terrri Bootie, ASOS Riff Raff  Leather Lace Up Ankle Boot, Dirty Laundry Lovestruck Bootie Mossimo Supply Co Work Boot, Timberland Waterville Boot

Steve Madden Rubin Bootie, Coconuts Vickie Bootie, Dr. Martens Pascal Metallic Bootie, H by Hudson Askern Zip Suede Boots, Diba Office Dixie Patterned Bootie, Qupid Wyatte Combat Boot, Minnetonka Classic Fringe Soft Sole Bootie, Cole Haan Halley Crepe Wedge Bootie, Joie Iago Bootie

What are your favorite boots' style for Fall?

Spring Wishful Thinking, Give Me Sandals or Give me Sandals

I know that I am not the only one who is itching MAJORLY for warm weather. I am heading to North Carolina tomorrow night to visit family and I am so looking forward to a few days in the 60s and low 70s. I have some of my best sandals and open toed shoes packed for the excursion... but in packing my favorite wardrobe staples, I was left thinking about all the sandals I have seen floating around my social media feeds and popping up in my online shopping searches. I think it's time to start thinking about what my go to Spring and Summer sandals will be, so I have compiled my favorites right now. What look are you going for, come the warm weather?

 Miista Rachel Platform Sandal, $170, Shoe Cult Brinkley Sandal, $78, Tessy Platform Heeled Sandal, $57, Dorothy Perkins Nude Block Sandals, $44, Calvin Klein Nikole Wedge Sandal, $70, Swedish Hasbeens Haga Flat Sandals, $167, CL by Laundry Serafina Sandal, $40, Sanuk Yoga Sling Flat, $35,  Juju Babe Pearl Blue Glitter Sandal, $52,  Mel Navy Jelly Flower Flip Flops, $44,  Jack Rogers Navajo Sandal, $109, ASOS Harbour Heeled Sandal, $65

If anyone is looking to get me a present, I wear a size 7 as a rule ;-)

Sizzling Summer Shoes

I haven't really had the opportunity or the necessity really, to purchase new shoes this Summer... which is totally not me haha! There have certainly been shoes that have caught my eye, mainly a pair of graphic booties from earlier this year that Elissa from Style Wire grabbed at the GILT Warehouse sale. I am happy to report that I found a pair in my size on Ebay and I am hours away from winning them (keep your fingers crossed for me!)... but I digress. There are so many more that I am crushing on, that I just had to share... and all are under $75. Perfect prices for sizzling Summer shoes, am I right?!

• Charles by Charles David Reverse Sandals

• Gypsy Sandal in Natural Cozumel Linen by Blowfish Shoes

• Levity Austin Platform Sandal

•  Splendid Nickerie Oxfords, 

• Bensimon Limited Edition Sneakers

• Diba Rosey Floral Wedge Sandal

• Adrienne Vittadini Clementine Wedge Sandal

• Coconuts All About Flat Sandal

  Which pair is your fave?

   

I Dream in Shoes

All I want to do, is share my (current) dream shoes with you...

• Brandee Wedge Platform Heel, $220, 
• Seychelles Do What Ya Like Heel, $80.00,
• Nanette Lepore Highball Heel, $178.80,  
• J Renee Riley Pump, $59.95,  
• L.A.M.B. Jocelyn Pump, $220, 
• Rachel Zoe Leah Platform, $220  
• Honorable Mentions in my subconscious: Sam Edelman Sutton Wedge, $124.95, Michael Kors MK Open Toe, $140.00

Your Friday Bon Mot

Nanette Lepore and Popsugar Event, Boston

 

It's no secret that I adore Lepore... Nanette Lepore. When I got the email from Popsugar that asked me to RSVP for an event to shop at the Nanette Lepore's Boston boutique, while Nanette Lepore was on site, well let's just say, I wasted no time. It was like the stars aligned for me on this night of nights. I didn't hit any traffic despite there being a Sox game, I found on street parking on Newbury Street and I was right on time. Perfect!

Shoe Shopping Frustrating? For Once, it Was...

So my little baby sister is getting married in June. She is having me and my other sister (the green kangaroo) as her bridesmaids. We are very excited, for her shower, for her wedding and of course for celebrating her married life, yay! The bridesmaids dresses are kelly green; the kid loves green, what can I say? So we all agreed that a neutral dressy sandal of some sort would look good with this dress. My sister and I began the hunt for the perfect, understated nude sandal... which is easier said than done.

Le Silla, Jimmy Choo, DSquared, Dolce and Gabbana, Rupert Sanderson

Spring Shoe Crushes

We are in the process of moving. Moving is one of those things that, most people will agree, is friggin' awful.  You have been living where ever it is for who knows how many years. In those years, you have found that you have gathered tons and tons of sh!t... shoes in my case. In packing up some of the contents of my closet, I realized that I have a lot of shoes that were great at purchase but not in practice. I cleaned shoe house so to speak and got rid of 3-6 pairs (some are still in the Sal Val bag so technically are still with me). In this effort to clean things out, I have found myself wanting to replace said shoes with some new little family members. There are so many Spring colors and so many places to wear them in the coming months that I might just have to snag a steal, no room for a splurge but I'll still crush on them.

Seychelles Third Degree Pump, $64.94, London Rebel Cynthia Pump, $49.95, Minnetonka Kilty Suede Moccasin in Light Pink, $30.99, Sam Edelman Aster in Tangerine, $149.95, Pour La Victoire Lena in Tan Vechatta, $325.00, Franco Sarto Hallie in Lilac Leather, $89.00

A girl can dream to get a couple pairs past her man, am I right?

The Wedding Shoes by Valentino

I got our wedding pictures back a couple weeks ago but hadn't gotten a chance to set up any posts to show you guys any of the awesome decor, action shots and somewhat importantly, the outfit. Since I have yammered on about these shoes, I thought I would make this the official first post in a small series devoted to my wedding pictures. Listen, I am not going to shove them down your throat. I just think our photographer, Alvah Reida, did such an awesome job that I had to share with you guys. Introducing the shots dedicated to my very special shoes.

The Shoes of My Wedding Weekend

Note: I didn't post this on Friday as intended, so sue me! Today should be Friday, January 4th and today should be the day before my wedding day. Yeah, I'm excited. Yeah, there is so much going on right now. And yeah, I will document my days in the shoes I will wear. You might call me crazy, and you can if you want, but I love shoes so very much. I will note these babies in my wardrobe and how they played their part in my big weekend.

Running Errands Shoes:

The girls at work chipped in and got me a DSW gift card as a wedding present. Oh how lovely to get a present that can only go towards supporting one of my favorite hobbies, shoe shopping. I chose a pair of sneakers because #1 my faves are starting to get worn and #2 I wanted something a little sturdier to bring on our honeymoon for adventure seeking!

Nike Women's Air Alvord 10 Trail Running Shoe