OK, time to 'fess up. How many pairs of shoes do you have in your closet that you'll likely never slip your dainty feet into ever again? And how many pairs are lurking around in the shadows thathave never even seen the light of day since leaving the store? Chances are for most of us, at least one or two, right?
Here's a grand solution to free up a little space for some sweet new footwear to find their merry way righ back onto your shoe rack:
Southern Sonoma County-based style guru, TV personality owner of Clothe Your Spirit Image Consultancy and author of Growing More Beautiful, Jennifer Robin is hosting a Give Shoes/Get Shoes Event.
Our favorite fashion advisor came across the idea after hearing how her long-time Feldenkrais Method mobility teacher Kathy James (a strong and mighty 60), is riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the AIDS/LifeCyle ride this summer, from June 3rd through 10th.
James will spend a week pedalling 545 miles to raise funds and awareness for AIDS research and people living with the disease.
"I was thinking of ways to support her as I was pondering the fact that I was never going to wear many of my shoes again and a light bulb went off in my head. The rest is history," says Robin.
She's hosting a Shoe Adoption Event with a daily Facebook posting of like-new shoes available for only $10!
All proceeds go to sponsor Kathy James on her AIDS ride. Petaluma consignment clothing store OOH-LA-LOFT pitched in 25 pairs of fabulous footwear.
"I’ve been having fun photographing each pair and watching to see who claims them on Facebook," says Robin. "It is not too late for you to participate, even if you choose to avoid the nefarious social media."
Email Jennifer Robin your shoe size at jenyrobin@aol.com and she will send photos of shoes still available for adoption. Or call her at (707) 769-1172.
To sweeten the deal, San Francisco's branch of SHOES-N-FEET is donating a new pair of custom fitted shoes. Every person that donates $10 to James' ride will be entered into a drawing for the shoe of their choice.
Kathy James will pick the winner from all entrants when she returns from LA in June. "I am taking donations, or you can go directly to Kathy’s donation page," says Robin. "Let me know you’ve contributed and I’ll enter you in the drawing."
Robin offers the following tips on her blog for wearing comfort shoes with style:
- Build your outfits around the kinds of shoes you are able to wear. If you are shoe challenged, don’t leave them as an afterthought. A pencil skirt does not look good with Birkenstocks, but slouchy long linen pants do.
- If your shoes are not thrilling, distract the eye and send it elsewhere
This facebook link doesn't like to the event -- just a personal page.
Posted by: Emily | Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Jennifer is posting the shoes on her Facebook page
Posted by: Frances | Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 11:47 AM