Chaos Theory Reviews

Awhile back a representative from NAOT contacted me to see if I might be interested in trying out a complimentary pair of shoes this summer for review purposes. I’m not a shoe fanatic in the sense that I don’t have a closet jammed full of them, but I’m also not crazy - I do not say no to shoes!

Possibly the worst part of this entire experience was poring over the catalog and agonizing over which pair to try. There were so many beautiful shoes and it was a tough call. However, I had been wanting some red shoes for awhile and my practical side had always said no. Well, why not? So I narrowed it down to pairs available in red, flipped back and forth between three or four choices and finally settled on the Medeira shoes. The catalog photo made them look like they were quite nice. This was a LIE because they were so much MORE than just “quite nice”. They were stunningly beautiful and I may or may not have slipped into Lord of the Rings mode and referred to them as “my precioussss”.

Alas, it was winter when they arrived. Winter is long here in Canada. Patience, grasshopper.

Luckily for Canadians, we also have a fairly intense summer season; it may not be very long but it’s hot and humid enough that sandals are about all you want to put on your feet so I’ve had plenty of time to test drive (walk?) my NAOT Medeira shoes.

First of all, I have to tell you that NAOT puts everything they’ve got into comfort. Yes, these shoes are sassy and sexy and beautiful BUT they’re also not the kind of shoes you desperately want to kick off at the end of the day. They look like shoes but feel like slippers. I don’t think I’ve ever had a softer, more comfortable insole in my life. If my feet could talk they would have said “ahhhhh” after I slipped them into my shoes for the first time.

I’ve worn them out to dinner, while walking around, and all day long. They’ve never become uncomfortable and I’ve never regretted wearing them instead of another pair. Even after a long walk around the neighborhood they didn’t hurt my feet or give me blisters.

Style-wise, they’re gorgeous and I still love them as much as I did when I first opened the box. As far as manufacturing goes… Well, I don’t know much about what goes on in the production of shoes, but I can tell you that the hand-stitching on these sandals is impeccable. I am confident that these shoes will not be tossed out next season because they’ll last for years.

I know I’m gushing but honestly, I’m in love with my NAOT Medeira sandals. LOVE. If you’re in the market for a new pair to show off your pedicure this summer, this is the brand to buy and with so many styles available, there’s something there to suit everyone.

Check out their website over here for more information and to find a store near you.

One day, the Parent Bloggers Network asked if I’d be interested in trying out some new running shoes for review. Well, of course! Who doesn’t want to try out new shoes? It was perfect timing when they arrived in the mail, because a week earlier I had inadvertently melted the rubber sole of my (really, REALLY) old running shoes when I was sitting by t he fire when we went camping.

When I first put my new Ryka shoes on, the very first thing I did was sigh. They were so ridiculously, incredibly comfortable that I kind of wanted to wear them to bed. My old shoes had been bought about a decade before (no kidding!) so my Ryka shoes felt like slipping my feet into a big, cuddly pillow.

I was able to test them out right away since I had to go to the store. The entire time I was walking, I felt like I was bouncing. The soles are good and thick, nice and cushy. The shoes never felt uncomfortable and I had no need to rip them off in relief when I got back.

Ryka makes two types of shoes, one specific to running and one specific to walking. As much as I sometimes entertain the thought of getting back into running (I ran cross-country in high school), I know it’s unlikely. I got the walking shoes instead and I have worn them almost every day since I got them. I can not say enough good things about them.

Starting on Wednesday the 5th of September, Ryka is giving away - no joke - 50 pairs of shoes per day. That’s right - FIFTY per DAY. Those are damn good odds. If you think my new shoes are as cute as I do and you need some extremely comfortable running or walking shoes for yourself too. head over and enter to win!