Lipstick to Crayons » Shoes

Ross Dress for Less Comes to St. Louis/$25 Giftcard Giveaway – CLOSED

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:00:27 +0000

If you love getting awesome, name-brand stuff at ridiculously low prices, then you need to visit a Ross Dress for Less store. And that visit got a whole lot easier for St. Louis-area residents last week (3/3/12) when the nation’s largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain made its debut in the area with two new locations in Chesterfield, Mo. and Fairview Heights, Ill.

I was among a lucky group of women who got invited to a special opening of the store and I left the place with a LOAD of great bargains. Here’s a list of my delightful finds, all for $134.19:

a name-brand (can’t say the brand) dress for me to wear to my Godson’s first communion
a boutique-quality sundress for my teen
two pairs of shoes (also name brand) for my 4-year-old
a name-brand summer top for me
a “sliders” burger basket for my grill
a “Live Laugh Love” wall decal for my family room
an 18×24 wooden framed mirror for my kitchen

As promised, I found the same brand names carried in department and specialty stores priced at 20 percent to 60 percent less at Ross. In fact, the above-mentioned dress would have cost me nearly “$130 at my favorite department store, and I got everything on that list for $134.

Ross Dress for Less stores — more than 1,000 nationwide — have been in business for 30 years and carry apparel, shoes and accessories for the whole family, as well as home fashions. It’s literally a treasure hunt shopping experience.

The Ross “strategy” is “no frills, big thrills.” And that holds true in the store — no fancy displays or staging of the merchandise but thrilling merchandise just the same. Despite the “no frills,” the store was super organized and easy to navigate, and the racks aren’t overstuffed like you find in some discount stores. Plus, the associates were helpful, efficient and informed, even on the first day the store was opened for business. I think that bodes well for the customer service going forward.

But don’t take it from me — try it out for yourself. I was told (and I believe) that the best way to find those treasures at Ross is to visit often and snatch them up when you find them. Enter the contest below for a $25 Ross Dress for Less giftcard to get you started.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter the contest, you MUST subscribe to Lipstick to Crayons (subscribe button in upper right corner) and then comment below that you did so (or leave a comment telling me you’re already a subscriber). After completing this mandatory first entry method, you can gain additional entries by doing any or all of the following (but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do):

Blog about this contest.
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (You can tweet daily, but leave a comment for each time you do so).
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time March 20, 2012. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If the winner does not claim the prize by March 23, 2012, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROLSUE, COMMENT #39.

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$10 JC Penney Coupon Code Plus Free Shipping

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:35:01 +0000

Right now, JC Penney is offering free shipping on shoes, and you can use the coupon code LIZ4YOU to get $10 off your purchase. I just bought my husband a pair of winter snow boots using this code and got them for $39, plus free shipping. Enter the code at checkout (pick the checkout option that says promo code.

Thanks STLMommy!

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Low-heeled Shoes to Make Your Fashionable Heart Sing!

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:08:22 +0000

I love shoes — particularly strappy, spike-heeled shoes. But those styles have made less and less sense with each passing year. Last year, I bought a pair of “croc-like” shoes to get me through my days of chasing my toddler and I couldn’t have felt more fashionably “Momified” unless I’d wore them with a Moo Moo and an apron. But when I started giving up my heels, I found fewer and fewer pairs of fashionable shoes from which to choose. I just don’t like the look of flats, so why bother, right?

WRONG! Scarpasa believes that low heels are far from frumpy and when done right, are just as sexy as sky-high heels. The unique online shoe boutique delivers a carefully curated collection of fashionable and walkable shoes that make the perfect transition from a day of carpools to a night on the town. Looking chic and feeling good no longer have to be mutually exclusive! So when the company contacted me and asked me to review a pair of their shoes, what could I say?

Here’s the pair I received, and ZAZING! These are the kind of shoes that make you want to buy multiple outfits to go with the shoes. I honestly tore through my closet as soon as they arrived and determined how many different ensembles I have that will work with these shoes! Then I put them on, and OMIGOSH! They fit perfectly and feel great. And they look so adorable. And I walked all over the mall in them the first time I wore them and not a single moment of discomfort.

These slip-on Pons Quintana’s stylish python contrast flats (superbly made in Spain) are so chic. Made with with woven brown leather, a soft, flexible design and a hint of python print at the toe and heel, I can wear these covetable leather skimmers with cropped pants or dresses to add a touch of the exotic to my Mommy style.

We’ve all been there before. You buy a stylish pair of high heeled shoes only to suffer from immense discomfort later in the evening. Being active women, we’re always on our feet – running around, meeting people, working, living life… and painful heels just don’t cut it. At the same time, few of us have the time or energy to hunt down stylish shoes we can actually walk in.

Scarpasa was created for active women like us: Women who love being stylish, but who also love being able to go somewhere and not worry about whether their shoes will send them home early; women who need wearable fashion we can walk in – style for women on the go. After all, even the uber-fashionista deserves a break from her high heels sometimes.

Finding stylish, wearable shoes shouldn’t be a difficult process, but somehow it is. Who has time to look for these shoes? Scarpasa does. At Scarpasa, they do the work for you, scouring the world for quality flats and low and mid-heeled shoes. They have an international collection of the hottest wearable footwear from independent designers so you can look good and feel good while doing what you do best.

Now, if you’ve spent any time around this blog, then you know I’m all about being frugal. Scarpasa shoes are NOT frugal. It’s that simple. So when I was asked to review them, I really thought I’d have to say something like: “I LOVE these shoes, because what’s not to love, but they’re too expensive.” Honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever owned a pair of $265 shoes. But now that I’ve worn these shoes half a dozen times, I will say this: they are supremely well-made and exquisitely comfortable. I will probably wear them more than any other pair of shoes in my closet and I suspect they will last several years, even at high-usage. So, I think the price needs to be divided by some formula that includes these variables:

Fashionable quotient
Comfort
Lasting Power
Functionality
Longevity in the face of constant wear

Using this elusive formula, I can suggest that even a frugal shopper like myself might have to admit that the price is commensurate with the quality. And right now, all of the Spring and Summer styles are discounted to make room for the fall stock.

About Scarpasa: Scarpasa is a new online shoe boutique that delivers stylish shoes in flat and walkable heels to today’s practical fashionistas. Founded by Wharton MBA Chris Luhur, Scarpasa is aimed at modern women on the go who need well-made, versatile shoes. The Scarpasa team scours the world for fresh, wearable styles from independent European designers, many that are available to the US exclusively through Scarpasa. The carefully curated selection of flats, slides, sandals, wedges, pumps and boots all provide the support necessary to take you from day to night, in high style.

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Simple Shoes – Easy on the Environment

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:53:21 +0000

More and more companies and consumers are starting to give some thought to the products we use and consume and their affect on the environment. But have you ever given any thought to the impact your clothing might have on environment? Simple Shoes certainly has.

Simple’s manifesto is: “HOW we make our shoes is just as important as WHY we make them.” That means finding more sustainable ways of doing business so we can make a gazillion more pairs of shoes. The company realized that with all the over-built, over-hyped products out there, it’s pretty hard to ?nd sustainable shoes that you can live with. So they started Simple.

I received the D-Kay Organic Cotton shoe to review, and I put it to the “Mom test,” which is to say I wore it all over the place. It’s comfortable, lightweight and while my toddler and I were enjoying the outdoors, I could feel good about doing my part to sustain the outdoors. The D-Kay upper is made from a certified organic cotton and hemp blend and certified organic cotton laces. The “pedbed” (the cushiony and supportive stuff at the bottom of the shoe) is made of super soft and squishy polyurethane foam and recycled rubber. And the sole of the shoe is biodegradable! Just another way to reduce our dependence on petroleum, and it also means no nasty smelling glue for the people who put your shoes together. Plus the earth friendly foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper and the shoebox is made of post-consumer recycled paper, sustainable soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue. Check out this cool message inside the shoe to get you motivated:

Still, I’m all about fashion, so if I didn’t like the “look” of the shoes, I wouldn’t wear them. Simple Shoes seems to understand the more “shallow” fashionistas out there, and they’ve made some really cute, fashionable designs to accommodate us. They make boots, sneakers, sandals and bags to please women, men and children.

Not surprisingly, such a hip and happening company that is aware of its responsibility to the planet while trying to pay the bills and is “in touch with its inner hippie” is all over the social media scene, so be sure to visit them on Facebook and Twitter .

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Nike Store Special Offers and Updates

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:24:34 +0000

I’m a big fan of Nike products. As a runner, I love their shoes, and as a regular exerciser, I love their active wear. My daughter’s competitive swim team is a Nike team, so we have a lot of Nike products in our house.

Still, I know the products can be expensive, so I love a good sale or promotion. If you want to make sure you don’t miss any Nike special offers and if you want to be among the first to hear about new products, go here and sign up.

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Discount/Designer Shopping at Its Best

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:36:46 +0000

In my B.K. days (before kids), I never shopped anywhere but at the mall. It’s not that I LIKED paying too much for things, but I didn’t have to worry as much about stretching my clothing budget. Plus, I didn’t really know what great deals I could find at what have become two of my all-time favorite stores – T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s.

I really learned to appreciate Marshalls when I worked at this amazing strategic communications firm. One of my former colleagues was/is among the best-dressed professionals I know, and whenever I’d compliment her clothes or shoes, she’s say, “another Marshall’s exclusive.” I started visiting the store more and more often and quickly discovered that it is the best place to get designer clothes at deep discount prices. So, I began giving T.J. Maxx a little more attention, too (they’re owned by the same company), and found just as many great deals.

Thus, I was delighted when I was invited to participate in a Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx Secret Santa blogger gift exchange. I was given a gift card for Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx for myself (where I bought some great new Adidas running pants and a matching top for about $25) and another gift card to buy a present for my Secret Santa blogger partner. I’m not supposed to tell you her name, because it will ruin her surprise, but I got her an all-leather, mustard-colored Nine West handbag for about $23 with tax!

Plus, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx have a selection of all the hottest toys that would make even Santa’s helpers jealous, including Transformers, Barbies, My Little Pony and cars! They feature everything from from MP3 accessories, electric razors and golf accessories to electronics to golf balls to gourmet food ingredients. You can find beauty products, fashion and holiday accessories including Italian leather gloves, knit wool hats, cashmere scarves, oversized handbags and more.

If you’ve got a Secret Santa (or a not-so-secret person for whom you haven’t finished shopping), you can buy Marshall’s gift cards online here and they can be used at T.J. Maxx, too. Or, go here to find a store near you. (Just a hint if you’re ever in Chicago — the BEST, BEST Marshall’s I have ever visited is in downtown Chicago, just off Michigan Avenue!).

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HUGE Sales on Shoes! I mean DEEP discounts, Ladies!

lipsticktocrayons — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:11:26 +0000

Starting at midnight (PST) Oct. 30, 6pm.com (a very cool, happening online shopping destination) is having a big sale on Nine West footwear, with all styles going for $19.95. Seriously — you’ll be able to get a pair of suede, faux fur-accented 3 1/2 inch boots for $19.95! That’s more fun than all the chocolate I plan to steal from my kids’ Halloween stash on Saturday.

Even more fun — the footwear sale actually starts at midnight Oct. 28, with Pomiscuous footwear going for $10.95 and Romantic Soles shoes for $10.95.

Then at midnight on Oct. 29, all Puma shoes will be 60 percent off, and Bouquet footwear will be $8.95 a pair.

As I mentioned, Nine West is $19.95 starting at midnight Oct. 30, but that’s not all. CL by Laundry and Na Na shoes will be $10.95.

Then at midnight on Oct. 31, Asics is 60 percent off and Softspots shoes will be $19.95.

6pm.com is the type of site you need to check back regularly because each week they host huge, surprising sales . All sales start at midnight PST. Inventory usually goes quickly, so if you really want something, stay up or set your alarm clock. The site offers brand name shoes, apparel and accessories for women, men and kids – all at up to 80% off retail prices. Standard shipping is only $6.95.

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Comfortable Shoes Giveaway – Amen!

lipsticktocrayons — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:13:59 +0000

Disclaimer: If you’re looking for shoes that your teenage daughter will admire and want to borrow, then this giveaway isn’t for you. If that’s not important to you, and you’d be interested in winning a pair of shoes that mix comfort and practicality with enough style to be acceptable to this Mom of many hats, then continue reading.

Timberland PRO is introducing the Renova™ Series – a stylish line of shoes designed for healthcare professionals, caregivers and other working women ( Moms are SERIOUS working women) who spend long hours on their feet, but don’t want to sacrifice on style. The shoes are slip-resistant, easily washable and feature an exclusive Anti-Fatigue Technology, which offers superior shock absorption and exceptional leg and back support.

Timberland sent me a pair of these shoes to try and now I wear them just about everyday. That’s saying a lot, because anyone who knows me knows my closet is chocked full of high-heeled boots, strappy sandals, pointy-toed pumps and just about every other foot-damaging, back-killing, bunion-causing style of footwear known to womankind.

No — these shoes cannot and will not replace my fun and sassy shoe collection. But as I get older more mature, I realize that chasing my toddler around a pumpkin patch in pointy-toed cowboy boots, grocery shopping in strappy sandals and walking three blocks from my parking spot to the Zoo entrance in high-heeled clogs just don’t make sense anymore. What does make sense is having a pair of stylish but also comfortable and durable shoes that can help me “get ‘er done” day after day.

In designing the Renova™ series for optimal comfort, Timberland PRO leveraged its exclusive Anti-Fatigue Technology, which features molded, inverted cones that support, collapse and return in key pressure zones, providing higher energy return, resulting in all-day standing comfort and support. In addition, the shoes were designed with a heel-to-toe rocker sole – or anatomically rounded heel – which reduces forefoot pressure and enables an effortless gait.

The Renova™ series offers , series offers three silhouettes, ranging from clogs to athletic styling in its three distinct lines — the Caregiver, Provider and Professional.

The Timberland PRO® Renova™ series became available at all authorized Timberland PRO retailer locations, independent specialty retailers, healthcare catalogs and on the Internet in August 2009 with suggested retail prices ranged from $60 – $100. The shoes are accompanied by a 30-day money back comfort guarantee. To learn more, go here.

One lucky reader of Lipstick to Crayons will receive a pair of these shoes for free by entering the contest below.

Giveaway Guidelines:

Visit the Timberland Pro Renova site and come back here and tell me in the comment section below 1) why you deserve a new pair of Renova shoes, and 2) which style you prefer.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

Blog about this contest
Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (you can tweet daily if you want, but make sure you leave a comment each time you do).
Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
Stumble this post
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook
Enter my GE appliance giveaway here.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time Nov. 6. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Contest open to United States residents only. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

This contest is closed. Congratulations to Janice, comment # 121. You are the winner!

If winner does not claim prize by Nov. 8, 2009, he/she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner.

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Fabulous Accessory Giveaway

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:22:47 +0000

I love all things fashion. But admittedly, there’s at least one area of my wardrobe that gets completely ignored — the sock drawer! (Okay, maybe I ignore a few other areas, too. At least my teen would say so). But back to the point — I’ve got white athletic socks for running, and black and blue socks to wear under my jeans and pants in the fall and winter. Creative, eh?

Well, Ozone Socks wants to help elevate the status of the forgotten stepchild of fashion — the sock. That’s why they help you put your best fashion foot forward with socks and tights that are almost art forms. Ozone is a Manhattan legwear company, founded by Laurie Mallet in 2000 because she strongly believed that socks were one of the only items untouched by fashion. Amazingly, they were still looked upon as undergarments, according to Laurie.

The company is devoted entirely to putting fashion and fun into socks and tights. And they’ve been successful. Their use of bright colors and fun/clever designs make their socks and tights unique. Ozone offers products for both men and women in several lengths. And, they’ve solved the problem of the missing sock –they will sell you an individual sock, as well. You also can join the Sock of the Month Club, which involves getting a new pair of socks every month for a reduced cost and free shipping.

Ozone socks are sold around the world and through a network of two thousand stores in America. I got to try these Rose Black tights, and I loved them. They’re comfortable and sturdy, yet fun and fashionable at the same time. My husband got to try the Carnival black socks, and he’s a big fan, too.

Ozone socks are a great item to brighten up your day while adding some punch to your wardrobe! They also make wonderful gift items, particularly in this economy where the expensive sock is still an inexpensive gift! Now, two lucky Lipstick to Crayons readers will get to try two pairs of
Ozone socks for free (that’s two pairs for each of the winners). See the details below.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To win, visit Ozone Socks and then come back here and tell me in the comment section below about a pair of socks or tights you like.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

Blog about this contest
Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter
Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
Stumble this post
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time Sept. 22. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by September 24, 2009,he/she will forfeit the prize to alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA and Canada residents only please.

This contest is closed. Congratulations to the winner s– Freda, comment #16 and Amanda, comment #78.

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Remarkable Running Shoes Giveaway

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:41:46 +0000

Running is my drug of choice. It keeps me sane. My Dad and my father-in-law think I’m crazy, always telling me that I’m going to regret the pounding that running delivers to my body. Maybe, but I’d probably experience more regret for the lost years in the psyche ward if I give it up in exchange for pain-free hips, knees and ankles.

However, I recently started running in a running shoe that I’ve never tried before, and in about a month, I’ve been able to shed my ankle brace and cut back on my ibuprofen. Outdoor Divas sent me a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 running shoes to put to the test. They are stability shoes that have added cushion and support to help you “run longer more easily.” The shoe is billed as having ‘midfoot wrap and forefoot capture.’ I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I can tell you that my arches and ankles feel supported and I don’t feel like my big toe is going to break through the front of the shoe when I’m running.

I’ve run the St. Louis Half Marathon three times and the Chicago marathon twice — once in Adidas and once in New Balance shoes. I have to say that I like these Brooks shoes better than any of the other brand in which I’ve run distance.

Here’s another thing to like about Brooks shoes: the company is leading the way in creating and developing green footwear, including being the first to create and a fully biodegradable midsole foam for footwear. In about 20 years of entering a landfill, a pair of Brooks shoes with a BioMoGo will biodegrade and be completely converted into useful nutrients. That is about 50 times faster than it takes any other midsole to degrade (it takes about 1,000 years for an EVA midsoles to degrade in a landfill).

I also should mention that if you’ve never visited the Outdoor Divas site, you need to click on over. These ladies live by the motto that that women are not small men. Thus, they offer a superior selection of gear and apparel designed exclusively for women. And as the name suggests, they cater to those of us who like to get outside and play (or run or hike or climb or ski or bike or swim, etc.) They’ve got two stores (in Boulder and Denver), but their wares are available online, too. And, to get to encourage you to get to know them better, they’re offering a pair of these remarkable Brooks running shoes to one lucky reader of Lipstick to Crayons.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To win, visit Outdoor Divas and then come back here and tell me in the comment section below about a product you like on their site.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

Blog about this contest
Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter
Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
Stumble this post
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time Sept. 14. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by September 16, 2009, she will forfeit the prize to alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA and Canada residents only please.

This contest is closed. Congratulations to Alicia W., comment #149. You are the winner.