ModernGear Shoes: It's Simple!

I don't gush about shoes very often...

Oh come on, who am I kidding?! Maybe I find this a worthy topic just once in a while (Balenciaga), every now and then (Brad Pitt's shoes), once in a blue moon (Christian Louboutins), but the fact is, if it's a gushy post about the aforementioned designer shoes you can be assured that I a) don't own them and b) don't advocate buying them if it's the shoes or your mortgage (or rent, or baby food, or or or...).

Whew.

The fact is, apart from admiring those pieces of artwork for your feet - I am a simple girl, with simple needs. What I need, I discovered this week, is really simple. No, I mean it - it's Simple (Simple.com).

Like
Simple Shoes - Toepaz-Hemp (CUB)




and

Simple Shoes - Toepaz-Hemp (BLACK)




Why are these slip-ons so great? Well, they're SO comfy. I got them earlier this week and have worn them during the day for a few days, and after work if I wore other shoes that day. They're also the most guilt-free shoes I have ever owned or worn, because of their impressive eco-friendliness.
To wit:
*sustainable hemp uppers
*certified organic cotton lining
*braid of jute
*natural latex "pedbed" with certified organic cotton canvas cover
*outsoles that used to be a car tire
*held together with water based cement
They're also guilt-free because of the incredible sale going on right now - they were $75 and are now -- get this - $19.90!
Click this link to get there:
Simple Summer Clearance Event. (Select Women's and Men’s styles 50% to 85% off!)


Here are some other cute casual shoes from Simple for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure!

Simple Shoes - Caramel - Silk (HORTENSIA),$60



Simple Shoes - Tictacktoe - Silk (BLACK), $85




Simple Shoes - Teetoe - Organic Cotton (BLACK), $65



I'd even wear these in cooler weather:

Simple Shoes - Toetally - Certified Organic Cotton (BLACK), Was $120, Sale $69.90




There are also Simple shoes for men and kids, here are some of my favourites (Kid's shoes come in Big Kids, Little Kids, and Infants):

Simple Shoes - Loaf Off Road - Hemp (BLACK), $90



Simple Shoes - Loaf Off Road - Hemp (CUB)





Simple Shoes - Innertube - Little Kid's (BLACK MULTI), $42




Simple Shoes - Weebit-Infant's (SLATE ROSE), $24




Simple Shoes - Weebit (NILE GREEN TREES)





Simple Shoes - Weebit (CANDY PINK TREES)





Simple Shoes - Weebit (BLACK MULTI)




I can say that these shoes run ever-so-slightly smaller so I'd order a half-size smaller for women...I am usually a 6 and the 5.5 Toepaz fit me like a hemp glove. And I am in love.

And that is all the poetry I shall attempt!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!
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Brad Pitt in Cannes - Now THIS is a man who knows how to dress!

Another Cannes Film Festival, another Brad Pitt fashion post.

Last year's dissection of the monk strap shoes he was wearing provided a lot of hits to my little site here in the blogosphere and for good reason - this is a sexy, stylish man and people want to know what he is wearing! Men want to know how to look this good and women want to know how to get their men to look this good.

Today, just a sampling of the Pitt fashion smorgasbord...but I'm going to track down a few nice Pitt-inspired pieces for the men in my audience or the women in my audience who have men...coming next.




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ModernGear Books: Change The World For Ten Bucks

Just when you think you're overwhelmed with all the negative news and scary headlines coming at you, something comes along that plants a seed of hope.

For me, that tiny seed was a new book, called Change The World For Ten Bucks.

I often get bogged down with worry about the state of the environment, the country, the city, my neighbourhood, my bank account. This book arrived at a time when I was questioning what I could do to improve things, and how one person could make a difference (even though I do know one can).

A community-based organization called We Are What We Do started up in London in 2004 (read all about them here), and this wonderful book of theirs has been inspiring efforts large and small, ever since.

Think about some of the suggestions they make for how small actions x lots of people = big change. Some I am aware of, and practice, like Action 31, "Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth", and Action 34, "Buy fair-trade products".

But others were things I was not doing, but will. Action 12, for instance, is "Unplug appliances when not in use." Why is this important? They tell you why:
"A TV that's plugged in is still using half the electricity of a TV that's turned on.
Most appliances - VCRs, DVD players, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances - use power even when they are switched off."

Action 42 is "Recycle your specs". That is something I have always meant to do but yet here I am packing to move into another house, and what have I found but an extra 4 pairs of glasses I haven't worn in a long, long time. Why have I hung on to those?

When we move into the new house, I am going to use Action 45, which is: "Give your phone number to five people on your street". They have handy-dandy pull-out tabs on which you can write your name and number, with the message, "Please call if I can help." How amazing would it be if people reached out to each other like that?

Change The World For Ten Bucks sells for $10, natch, at Chronicle Books. It's also $8 at Amazon through this link: Change the World for Ten Bucks: small actions x lots of people = big change
- is it weird to save $2 on a product from a nonprofit organization?

Whatever you pay, I have a feeling that this book will be as inspirational and warm-fuzzy-giving to you as it has been to me. Happy reading, and doing.
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ModernGear Gift Guide: Something for everyone!

Okay, so I'm cutting it a little close to be posting my Gift Guide this late in the season, but I have good reason! I'm nursing some injuries sustained in a spectacular wipe-out down wet stairs on the weekend (I'm fine!! Just on some muscle relaxants is all, until things heal up nicely)... zzzzzz...where was I?

Oh yeah! The Gift Guide. Well listen, many of these e-shops deliver up until the very last minute. And if your gifts get sent late just think- you're extending the fun of Christmas!!

CLICK ON ALL IMAGES TO MAKE LARGER!

FOR THE HOME
1. For the mod home with everything, and perfect to match to your Eames lounger, AM/FM Clock Radio & iPod Speaker - $199.50, Delight.com.
2. Since I am loving walnut and birds, Birds of a Feather Mobile - $65, Wishingfish.com
3. Because pottery is perfect, Pitcher in dark blue - $28, Ant's Pottery on Etsy.com.
4. Better than Grandma's silver that you have to polish, Wonky Handmade Ceramic Candlestick - $20, LucindaChips on Etsy.com.
5. For the person who'd like to wake up to a view of Paris, IZOLA Paris Photograph Shower Curtain- $25.99 at Amazon.
6. For the mid-century modern lover, a Lotus Table Lamp that will complement the Nelson Bubble series. $325 at Modernica.

FOR THE GUY
1. For the guy who has everything (on his shirt), Dress for Dinner napkins - $5.95 for 20, Wishingfish.com.
2. For the drinking biker, Bike Chain Bottle Opener - $13.95 at Ecoist.com.
3. For the guy who likes his fellas to hang out comfortably, Bamboo Boxer Briefs - $15 from egreent.com.
4. For the handyman without a tool belt, the Kelvin.23 - $24.95 at KelvinTools.com.
5. For the man who likes to know the time, NIXON Esquire Cs Watch - $220 from Beckersurf.com

6. For the techie with a space issue, The Sanctuary universal charger and hold-all - $129.50 at Delight.com.

FOR THE SMALL PEOPLE
1. For the kid who likes things a bit different, UglyDoll Bop N' Beep Blue/Green 12-Inch - $19.95, Amazon.com.
2. For the little guy who really loves that UglyDoll, Robeez Tredz Funky Monsters shoes - $42 from PinkyScout.com
3. For the outdoorsy baby, BLANKET 212 Evolution by 7 A.M. ENFANT - $179, at Babesta.com
4. Crouching Baby, Hidden Tiger, Tea Collection Dragon Pant - $27.50, at CuteLittleClothes.com
5. For the Tiny Dancer, Customizable Tutu Halter Dress - $52.99 at Mom4Life.com.
6. For the kid who won't eat all her veggies, the Silicone Monster Placemat (I seem to have a thing for monsters, don't I?! They're all the rage now, don't ya know?) - $17, at UncommonGoods.
7. For the kid who likes to splash around but never wash! Winter Wonderland Soapsicle $8 at Soapylove (and at some shops in the US and Canada too).

FOR THE LADY
1. For the woman who has everything (including cramps), Lambswool Hot Water Bottle - $19-48, GarnetHill.com.
2. For the environmentally-friendly fashionista, Recycled Candy Wrapper Handbag -$90 at Ecoist.com.
3. For the woman who would like to be comfy while she works out her lower half, Fitflops for Winter - $80 and good news - Fitflops: get a workout while you walk! Plus, get free shipping and a free tote when you spend $75.
4. For the adventurous beauty product lover, Seanik Solid Shampoo - $8.95 and
Shampoo Bar Tin -$5.25, from LUSH Cosmetics.
5. For the comfy chick, fleece done right!
JAMES PERSE WOMEN Heather Grey REVERSE TWISTED LONG SKIRT -$125 at
JamesPerse.com.
6. For a woman you love, to remind her, Forget Me Knot Ring - starting at $48.75, Delight.com.
7. The BEAUTIFUL Sedum necklace - $75, from Prismera.

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