Aug
13
StyleSense not only has great shoe selection, but now they’re also giving you a run for your money.
Coming up this Friday September 11th, you could win $10,000 just for running in your high heels. Sounds a bit insane doesn’t it? Well, if you’ve ever been to a sample sale or hell, even a normal sale you know that sprinting in heels is a bit precarious but often worth it. Besides, it will likely be hilarious for bystanders, though hopefully no one breaks anything (like their ankles).
The first woman to cross the 100-metre race finish line in 3-inch heels will win the cash and walk (or hobble) away with bragging rights at the first ever Stiletto Sprint. And guess what? Guys can join the race too. There will be a separate race for males where they can win $1,000. So grab your hubby and encourage him to get practicing. No doubt your new running team will soon be the talk of the neighbourhood.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting this exciting event”, says Shannon Johnson of StyleSense. “Not only is the race a great opportunity for women who love shoes to showcase their dexterity in heels, but they will also be supporting a great cause in the process”.
Now for the even more fun part: All registration proceeds will go to Look Good Feel Better, a Canadian charity that helps women affected by cancer deal with the appearance-related effects of the disease.
Info for the event can be found on the StyleSense website. The race takes place at Ontario Place and the minimum $15 registration fee goes straight to Look Good Feel Better.
Registration officially closes on Wednesday, August 26 but space is limited so if you want to do it go on their site asap.
Even if you aren’t daring enough to compete you can check out City TV that will be broadcasting live the day of. And you can watch Breakfast Television’s Jennifer Valentyne don her best pair.
I won’t be running myself – my knee probably couldn’t hack it – but I’ll definitely be watching this fun event unfold.
–Kate Daley
May
22
For those of us who don’t own a car (and have to pathetically beg for one to transport ridiculous Ikea furniture) shopping trips to the outer echelons of Toronto are a no-go. Especially when they aren’t very accessible via sweet enviro-friendly public transportation.
But that all changes come tomorrow. The Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre just outside Toronto now has a shuttle.
StyleSense, Banana Republic Outlet and Holt Renfrew Last Call here I come! The shopping shuttle is Toronto’s first ever and it will depart twice daily from Union Station. It couldn’t get much more central than that. Plus, get this: It’s free!
Starting Saturday May 23rd at 1pm this shuttle will take 49 passengers in a plush motor coach on a first-come-first-serve basis from the City Tours & Attractions Desk in the Great Hall at Union.
There are two daily departures for those looking for deals: The morning service departs at 10 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m. and the afternoon service departs at 1 p.m. and returns at 5 p.m. Both services allow for three hours at the mall before returning. So bring comfortable shoes ladies! (I also recommend clothing that’s easy to slip in and out of for quick changes!)
Located just north of downtown Toronto at Hwy 400 and Rutherford Road, the mall is fabulous, but kind of far from the main shopping areas. It has over 250 stores, such as the Bass Pro shops Outdoor World (you can check out live freshwater fish tanks and cool boat equipment) and tons of outlets from great brands such as Tommy Hilfiger.
Happy shopping!
-Kate Daley
StyleSense is opening a new store in Mississauga and I’m pretty excited. In case you missed the memo, it’s the sister company to Winners and HomeSense and it has a fabulous selection of designer footwear along with great accessories such as bags, sunglasses and hosiery. They also have shoes for men and children so you can do some shopping for your loved ones to assuage your buyer’s guilt.
This store, opening at Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre, is the chain’s third location and will be 15,000 square feet of fabulous shoes.
Time to pick out some colourful summer sandals.
I’ve checked out their Vaughan Mills location and was thrilled with the great designer selection of flats, heels, boots and my favourite hosiery. Not only does it have great selection, but like Winners, it’s all discounted designer duds. So as you tighten your budget you don’t necessarily need to sacrifice your footwear.
The store opens today in Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre, at 5915 Rodeo Drive.
Check out their other locales at Vaughan Mills, and Oakville Place or you can visit their site: www.stylesense.ca.
–Kate Daley
Mar
12
I’ve got big feet and I’m okay with it. I’m pretty tall and they are perfectly made so that I can balance without falling over. Plus, I don’t generally lament over the parts of me I can’t change. I appreciate my body for all that it’s done for me, despite the moments where it fails me.
But I admit, my feet aren’t petite. I’m not sure if plus-sized is the correct description for big feet, but I think anything over a size 9 falls into such a category.
My feet shouldn’t be that hard to outfit. I range from a size 9.5 at Michael Kors up to a size 11 at Aldo (depending on the shoe). But this past winter I was turned away from a store because they didn’t actually make my coveted suede boots in anything bigger than a size 10. It was funny and yet kind of sad.
But, I’m not alone. Apparently, more than 30 percent of Canadian women have over size 9 feet.
Here are a few suggestions for those seeking cute, bigger-sized shoes recommended by both friends and my own finds:
Divna: Founded by Veronica Ljubicic in 2006, a size 11 who found herself frustrated at her shoe shopping experience. She believes every woman should own a great pair of shoes. And I agree! The sizes range from 10–13 and the price ranges from $80–$300. Buy it online or if you’re in the Toronto area you can browse it in person at their showroom.
2255 Kipling Ave., #4,Toronto, Ontario,M9W 4L5. Call 1-877-342-0502 toll free.
Tall Crest: Check out their website for locations across the US and Canada. They carry sizes 10–13. Their prices range from $35–$190.
Browns Shoes: The company says they stock up to a size 12 but friends tell me that stores generally only get one or two size 11 or 12’s in and they go quickly so check in frequently.
Payless Shoe Source: With stores all across Canada, they carry up to a size 13 in most styles.
Winners: We all know this store is truly about good finds. They do stock larger shoe sizes in dressy and casual styles so get out there and happy hunting!
Nordstrom: For those who like to shop south of the border my friend recommends this store. They stock all the way up to a size 16, and ship to Canada if that style comes from the warehouse only. Check out the styles you want online and call their customer service. They’re super helpful and will let you know if they can send the shoe to you or if you have to make a cross border trip.
BarefootTess: Recommended by a friend of a friend, this site has everything from wedding shoes to wide calf boots to vegan shoes. And they come in styles up to a size 15.
Feel free to send me any other suggestions as good shoes shouldn’t be so hard to find.
A special thanks to my helpful friend Marni Mann, who describes herself as having “well endowed phalanges”. Big feet and proud. I love it.
–Kate Daley
