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I have done blogs on running shoes in the past, so I think this may be why The Fresh Air Fund decided to contact me about the New York City Half-Marathon for their charity being held August 16th. But even if I was a totally random pick, I’m glad I know now because it’s a great cause!
The Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit agency since 1877 (!!), organizes free Summer vacations for disadvantaged New York children, 6 to 18 years old. Ok, pause there. What did you do on your Summer vacations when you were in school? (mine were filled with beaches, pools, crafts, disneyland and uninterrupted hours with books). Imagine what it would have been like if you couldn’t have done any of that fun stuff. It seriously makes me a little teary thinking about what a gift this must be for so many kids.
The other awesome detail is that all the kids don’t go to the same place; The Fresh Air Fund lets kids stay with volunteer host families in 13 US states and in Canada. They also have 5 Fresh Air camps in upstate NY too – which is good because not every kid is adventurous enough to live with strangers for 2 weeks.
Last year’s Half-Marathon raised more than $125,000 which went directly to The Fresh Air Fund’s free programs for NYC children and, of course, they hope to earn even more this year. Grab your running shoes and register here, or, if you lean more towards stilettos than sneakers, you can sponsor a runner instead by also using that link!
You can learn more about The Fresh Air Fund and even sign up to volunteer, by visiting their website: http://www.FreshAir.org
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 for vicarious running through sponsorship |
This appears to be a fairly small recall, the shoes in question were sample shoes and only sold in sizes 7 and 9 (so if you bought a different size, don’t worry). There are two item numbers involved, item#SAMPCHSHOE and item #SAMPCDSHOE (those item numbers can be found on your original receipt from Nordstroms), but those two items include various styles and color by the brands Charles David and Charles by Charles David. (The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission did not mention if the items pictured on their website represented some or all of the variations but I’ve copied those pictures for you below).
Apparently some handmade heels were attached to those recalled shoes instead of the actual production heels which is the reason for their instability. Luckily, Nordstrom is offering full refunds for the recalled shoes! If you have additional questions or need Nordstrom contact info, please click here. And if your stiletto heels broke but were not a part of this recall, here’s a semi-helpful but funny article about how to not snap your high heels in half.
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You may have already met in my previous blog on crazy new flip-flop styles, but now I’d like to formally introduce you to Swamisz! Founded in 2006 in Australia, Swamisz were previously sold only in the land down under, but they are now shipping all over the world from their fun website to the delight of toes everywhere! Swamisz sandals are unique because of their disconnected toe plug (imagine a mushroom shape) that keeps the shoe on your foot without your having to grip them actively with your toes; your feet can actually relax while walking… and running at traffic lights, going down stairs, etc., things other flip-flops have problems with (yeah, personal experience talking here).
Swamisz are made with natural rubber (a renewable eco-friendly resource, of course) and their sandals are a lot sturdier than your basic rubber flip-flops. Not only are the straps and toe plug made a little thicker, the Swamisz strap is extra reinforced at the bottom, so you don’t have to worry about these plugs pulling out while you’re walking (the fate of so many old flip-flops). All that and they’re seriously comfortable!
 The shoe bag! (reverse has brand name & logo) |
 Note the extra reinforced bottom - love that unique slightly pointed shape too. |
My Swamisz (above) arrived in a standard brown shipping box, but inside the box, they were wrapped in a super cute (and hand-stenciled!) cotton shoe bag. A shoe bag coming with shoes that cost less than $300!!? I’m in heaven! (and, yes, a little ridiculously obsessed with shoe bags 
). The tag booklet (printed on 100% recycled eco paper) was equally as cute, if not more so, so I have to share part of it below:
“Swamisz (swaa-meez) n. – 1. Designer footwear made with natural rubber and held securely on foot by distinctive toe plug and support strap. 2. Contemporary footwear; an evolution of design modeled on ancient Indian wooden shoes names ‘Paduka.’ Dating back over 5000 years.. ‘Padukas’ are said to be worn by the Gods. 3. Chosen footwear of India’s Swamis; respected, enlightened masters of self-realization* 4. Chosen footwear of those who know that mere ordinary flip-flops are “so passe.”
*wearing Swamisz may not lead to enlightenment…buy hey… at least you’re looking good.”
Now let’s get to the important part, Swamisz retail for $35 plus shipping!!! And you were getting worried, weren’t you ? They currently offers soles in 11 different color for you to choose from, all with a black strap and black toe plug, except for their signature orange version which is solid orange. I chose the not too girly-girly purple color which is dark enough to go with any outfit but still bright enough to be fun; but honestly, it took me hours to decide. You should also note that sizes are in AU (Australian) from 4-12 but their website does give you a nice size conversion chart complete with US, Canada, Euro, UK, Japanese sizes and centimeters to compare your foot to. I’ve found that women wearing US sizes should generally order one size down. If you wear a size 8, you’ll probably want to order a Swamisz size 7. Now get out there and start being a flip-flop free thinker!
As they say, “Swamis and Yoga masters don’t wear them for nothing.”
Even my kitty had to stop mid-scratch to take a look!
Showing Some Love