The Shoes Everyone is Talking About

We've had an influx of new readers over the past few days, so I wanted to welcome those stopping by for the first time and remind everyone to check us out on Facebook as well.

Right now, we're talking about this stunning pair of shoes, but I promise we chat about homeschool-related topics too!

Hot Deal: 50% off handbags - including 150 vegan styles - at Bossa

In case you were wondering, yes, my love for shoes does extend to handbags and other accessories. So I was pretty excited to see this Eversave deal for a handbag site called Bossa that I hadn't heard of before. In just skimming the site, I found so many cute styles in every price range, including over 150 vegan bags! The Eversave deal is good today and tomorrow, and offers a $45 gift card for $22!

If you haven't heard of Eversave, they feature 50 percent-90 percent off on restaurants, spas, local activities and online deals. It is free to get their email with daily deals, and for each new friend you refer you can earn $12 in Save Rewards to use towards great deals. So if you purchase today's deal - or just sign up for the daily newsletter, please consider doing so through my referral link and we'll both save!

Shoe Sale Saturday - Salsa Shoes, Part Deux

I know that I keep saying “it’s not all about the shoes”, but sometimes it is . . . just a little. And Saturday seemed like a good day to reward myself for a hard week’s work by browsing the best shoe deals online . . . who knows, maybe you’ll reward yourself too!

Well, my salsa shoes arrived this week - two hours before my Wednesday night class. Of course, I couldn't wait to wear them, so they made their maiden voyage to the studio and I hoped for the best. Fortunately, they turned out to be great! And with the amount of anxiety I have about the choreography and the costume, it's a relief to have one less thing to worry about. In fact, I think they've somehow given me a bit of much-needed confidence. If I pull this off, I'm giving at least some of the credit to the shoes!

Shoe Sale Saturday - Great Shoe Giveaway

I know that I keep saying “it’s not all about the shoes”, but sometimes it is . . . just a little. And Saturday seemed like a good day to reward myself for a hard week’s work by browsing the best shoe deals online . . . who knows, maybe you’ll reward yourself too!

On Monday, September 27th, The Healthy Voyager is giving away a pair of Neuaura shoes - the super-cute Heron pumps in teal. I hadn't heard of Neuaura before, so after entering the giveaway, I headed over to their website to check out the shoes.  

Turns out that not only does Neuaura make great-looking shoes, but all their footwear is animal-free and the company is committed to protecting the environment. Their factory. located in Brazil, is powered by hydroelectricity and sponsors a habitat for endangered animals native to their area. Even it I'm not lucky enough to win the giveaway, there may be a new pair of Neuaura in my closet soon!

Shoe Sale Saturday - Salsa!

I know that I keep saying “it’s not all about the shoes”, but sometimes it is . . . just a little. And Saturday seemed like a good day to reward myself for a hard week’s work by browsing the best shoe deals online . . . who knows, maybe you’ll reward yourself too!

So here's what I'm buying this weekend . . . my very first pair of salsa shoes. I know nothing about salsa, mind you, but I will be performing it on stage in a mere two months. In fact, at my next major bellydance show, only one of my performances will actually be bellydance (the others will be salsa and Romani).

The salsa routine is intimidating for about a dozen reasons, and I've thought many times about retreating to my comfort zone. But, each escape attempt is foiled by a seemingly random coincidence, so I taking that as a sign that it's where I'm meant to be. It feels like a major life accomplishment that I'm even open to this, as in my younger days I'd launch an unwavering fight to make things go my way.

So as you can imagine, these shoes are a big deal - way more than just a pair of shoes. I wonder where they'll take me . . .

Don't Miss This Great Shoe Groupon - Today Only!!!

Wow, I sure wish I'd had time to blog about this earlier in the day when my friend Crystal over at Solidity of Rainbows messaged me about it. Fortunately, there's still enough time to buy it!

Today's Groupon in Lincoln (but can be used anywhere since it's for web purchases) is for $40 worth of shoes and apparel from ShoeBuy.com for only $20. I've never been to the Shoe Buy site before today, but I was really impressed by their selection. I found plenty of cute shoes to enjoy during my window shopping. They also offer free shipping, free return shipping (if they don't fit), no sales tax and a 100% best price guarantee.

If you haven't signed up for Groupon yet, please consider doing so with my referral link. It's free to join, and you'll receive an e-mail each day with a special offer for your city. As of right now, this deal is available for three more hours. Check it out, and happy shopping!

Walking Art - Punk High Heels

I've been having fun browsing over at Chiq lately and couldn't resist sharing this photos of shoes that truly are pieces of walking art.

Not much I can say about them other than "WOW!!!"

Hot Shoe Deal - Up to 75% Off Top Brands at 6PM

If you're shoe shopping at all today, be sure to check out today's great deals on top brands from 6PM (the sale includes clothes and handbags, too). Standard, flat-rate shipping is only $6.95.



Today's top deals include:

• Up to 75% off Sesto Meucci
• Up to 70% off BCBC Maxazria
• Up to 70% off Tsubo
• Up to 70% off Rockport
• Up to 70% off Red Wing Shoes
• Up to 65% off Nine West
• Up to 65% off Fall Fashion Boots
• Up to 60% off Adidas
• Up to 60% off Trina Turk

25% Off All Orders Over $100 at Endless

Now through September 9th, take 25% off your entire order at Endless.com with a purchase of $100 or more by entering the code FRIENDS25 at checkout.

The following brands are excluded from the offer: ASICS, Brooks, Callaway, Dansko, ECCO, FitFlop, Fossil, FRYE, Giuseppe Zanotti, Hunter, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Michael By Michael Kors, Mizuno Running, New Balance, Patagonia, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prince, Reebok, Skechers, Stuart Weitzman, The North Face, To Boot New York, Wilson, Bulova, ESQ by Movado, Citizen, Seiko, Bulova, Caravelle by Bulova and Pulsar.

Also remember that you can use Amazon gift cards earned on Swagbucks to pay for purchases at Endless, too. In the three months I've been using Swagbucks as my search engine, I've earned about a dozen $5 gift cards to Amazon - that's nice shoe money!

Shoe Sale Saturday - 25% Off Sandals at Endless

Although I have boots on the brain, I'm a sandal girl at heart - and it makes me happy that sandal season in Florida is virtually year-round. So when Endless was kind enough (ha!) to e-mail me a reminder that all sandals are 25% off this weekend, I couldn't help taking a peek. Shoe Sale Saturday is definitely going to cause me trouble - these totally adorable, completely impractical sandals are only $25 (including FREE two-day shipping).

Shoe Sale Saturday - 15% at PiperLime through Ebates

I know that I keep saying “it’s not all about the shoes”, but sometimes it is . . . just a little. And Saturday seemed like a good day to reward myself for a hard week’s work by browsing the best shoe deals online . . . who knows, maybe you’ll reward yourself too!

As an avid shoe lover and newly-reformed couponer, it's hard to believe that I've never shopped on PiperLime and still haven't checked out Ebates. So when my friend Missy e-mailed me about the great shoe deal the two are teaming up for this holiday weekend, I knew it was the perfect deal to share for Shoe Sale Saturday.

Shop on PiperLime through Ebates this weekend, and get 15% cash back on your purchase. Since a lovely little cool snap has hit Virginia (where we're vacationing) today, I'm in the mood for boots! I'm window shopping only today, but aren't these great??? Love them!

Shoe Sale Saturday - Paisley Rain Boots

Now I have to admit that I'm not big on rubber shoes, and I don't think I've ever owned rain boots in my life . . . but for some reason, I think these boots are adorable! I found them on this fun blog called Great Green Shoes, which I'm sure I'll spend many hours exploring. "Cute" isn't generally the first word that comes to mind when you hear the phrase "vegan shoes", but she has managed to find some really great ones!

25% Off All Sale Sandals at Endless

For a limited time, the fabulous shoe website Endless.com is offering an additional 25% off a huge selection of already-discounted sandals. One of the many perks of living here in Florida is wearing cute sandals almost year-round . . . so shop away. My favorite thing about Endless is the free overnight or two-day shipping (varies by shoe), along with free return shipping if you don't get a perfect fit.

The sale applies to sandals for women, men and kids, and it's an instant discount (no coupon code needed) that applies at checkout. If I were shopping today, something like the Marc Jacobs pair pictured here (actually part of the sale) would be the ones to catch my eye, although I know it would be much more practical to buy ahead for the kids Crocs for next summer.

"Me Time Monday" - A Success Story and . .. Well . . . Not So Much

It’s true that Monday isn’t the first day that comes to mind when I think of having some time for myself. I’m more likely to spend this particular day tackling mountains of laundry, piles of dishes and otherwise catching up from a busy weekend. So each week, I’ll be making a point to try out a new idea for “me time” and reporting back every Monday, when we all need inspiration the most.

Let me get this out of the way up front. Today, I will not be sharing my "me time" experiment from last week . . . mainly because it was a complete and utter failure! As a clue, it was something do do with overcoming excuses, and let's just say that the excuses won - for now. But, I am gearing myself up for a rematch in the near future.

Okay, on to something more fun - a "me time" success story. I remember vividly a time after my son was born that I felt like nothing but a Mommy. And as much as I loved being Mommy, I was slightly envious of how little my husband's life had changed since Noah's birth. Don't get me wrong, he is an amazing dad and threw himself into the Daddy role 100 percent. But he still went to work every day. If he wanted to stop for a cup of coffee along the way, he could. When he needed a haircut, he just went and got one. And if he felt like going for a bike ride (his pre-baby hobby), he did. And then there was me . . . at home with the baby, and that's pretty much it.

Somehow, jumping back into swim / bike / run training with a nursing baby didn't seem doable, and for the longest time, I was content with doing nothing for myself. Even the idea of a mom's night out baffled me. Who would want to go out with friends when their wonderful, amazing, awe-inspiring child was at home???

In the few months after he turned two and before my daughter was born, I started seeing the value in that time - in any kind of "me" time. But I had no idea what to do. Jim suggested that I needed a hobby - but have you ever tried to randomly pick a hobby? It doesn't really work. And of course, the fact that I was six months pregnant and about to start "babyhood" all over again was slightly limiting.

Ava turned out to be a much different baby than Noah had been. Where he demanded me and only me 24/7, she was content with Jim for a surprising number of hours between nursing. In fact, since she liked things quiet, she much preferred to stay home with him than to join me on a girls night out for coffee or a movie. So when she was about nine months old, I went to watch a friend perform at a bellydance recital. I have to admit, I knew nothing about bellydancing and it didn't sound particularly interesting . . . I just went to watch and support her.

Little did I know that night would take my life in a new direction. About five numbers into the show, I had decided that bellydancing was for me, and I called about classes the very next day. A few years down the road, here I am . . . still taking classes, dancing with one of my studio's performing troupes and even working a paying gig at a local Greek restaurant. Trust me, I collapsed with laughter when my "bellydance" business cards arrived in the mail . . . who would have ever thought I would have needed those???

For me, dance feeds my sense of self in several ways. First, it's the ultimate girl's night out, time away from the house with wonderful and supportive women who have become some of my closest friends. Some are also moms, but many aren't, giving me the chance to take my conversational skills back to a place that doesn't involve diapers and breastfeeding (or in these days, math curriculum and year-end evaluations). It's also a way to be active that's drastically different than anything I've done in the past, and of course, there are the costumes. Bellydance fills my need for all things girlie - glitter and sequins and makeup - oh my!

Recently, it's been fun to share my love of dance with Ava. In fact, she and I will be performing our first duet this weekend. But more than that, I think it's so important for both my kids to see that I exist as more than just Mommy . . . to see me as my own person with my own interests. I think this can be more challenging for homeschooling and stay-at-home moms . . . but very important to model for our kids for their future.

Shoe Sale Saturday - Something to Keep Me Running

Moving on to something a little more practical, I finally ordered new running shoes. I don't even want to tell you how many miles were on the old ones, and if I'm going to start running again, new shoes are definitely in order. But before you start thinking I choose my running shoes based on looks, please know that it's only a coincidence that they're cute and pink. Most of my former running shoes have been pretty hideous looking, so I'm excited about these!

They should arrive on Tuesday - free 2-day shipping courtesy of Endless, and they ship back for free if I don't love them. I've never bought running shoes online before, but since I've worn Asics for years, I thought I'd give it a try. The biggest selling point for me was the $30 I knocked off the price by using the Amazon gift cards I earned through SwagBucks (Endless is owned by Amazon).

If you haven't signed up for Swagbucks yet, it's a great way to earn prizes (such as Amazon gift cards) by searching online (which you already do anyway). Make Swagbucks your homepage, and search through them instead of another search engine. If you decide to sign up, please consider doing so through my referral link so we can both earn points (and shoes!)

A Little More Shoe Art

Writing about shoe art made me think about my favorite artist, Derek Gores, and all his amazing pictures of shoes. Now it's a new thing for me to have a favorite artist, but I was strolling through an art festival last year and was completely taken with his collage work. Check it out on his website or Facebook . . . the shoes are only the beginning.

Though I'm not usually fond of artwork with people in it, his portraits of women are just stunning and he's posted a preview of a commissioned piece for the Orlando Magic.A commissioned portrait is on my "big wish list" for someday, but I don't know how I'd decide the subject . . . the kids, a bellydance portrait, recreating a wedding photo. Too many choices. For now, I'll just covet the shoes.

A Little Shoe Art

So it's Saturday, and I have shoes on the brain - mainly because I've designated today as Shoe Sale Saturday. But before I start shopping (all for your benefit, of course), I thought I'd share this lovely photo with you.

My friend Jill over at Vegan in the Kitchen sent me the link to this earlier in the week. After digging around a little, I found that they'd been causing quite a stir online because people were trying to order them . . . only to find out they were just a piece of art (rather than actual shoes). Still, I thought they were too cute not to share.

Free Shoes Giveaway at Southern Savers

If your little one loves shoes as much as I do (or, if they just need something to wear on their feet!) check out the Free Shoes Giveaway going on right now at Southern Savers. One reader will win a free pair of kids shoes from the Eleven Collection.

I have to admit that I'd never heard of Eleven Collection before. But after browsing their website a bit, I realized why I loved their shoes so much; they're the sister company of See Kai Run, a brand I've always loved.  Eleven makes super-stylish, well-crafted shoes for ages 3 to 8 that don't require a break in period. I'll be browsing the cute styles on their site just in case I win the giveaway!

Suddenly Shoeless

So this renewed triathlon interest has brought me to the realization that I no longer have shoes . . . shoes appropriate for running or cycling, that is. Somehow, it seems hugely ironic for the Homeschooling in Heels girl to be shoeless.

It's been seven years (seven years!!!) since I've taken my road bike for a spin, and my cycling shoes - veterans of my two Ironman races - seem to have disintegrated during that time.

My last pair of running shoes remains in my closet, and I take them out walking from time to time. But seeing as how they've been through one marathon and three half marathons over the past two years, they're probably a year overdue for replacing.

Not sure which to start with, but if I can find some cute pink Asics like the ones pictured, that will make the decision easier. Going to check out the local running store this week, but since I've been hording $5 Amazon gift card prizes from Swagbucks, I have about a $35 head start if I order them from Endless instead.

New Daily Features at Homeschooling in Heels

Over the past few months, I've been hinting at adding some new content to Homeschooling in Heels. In addition to the Homeschooling 101 section - which is coming after I finish our lapbook templates for the year - I'll be blogging daily on certain topics to inspire us through each day of our homeschooling week. Here's a sneak peek at what's coming:


“Me Time” Monday

It’s true that Monday isn’t the first day that comes to mind when I think of having some time for myself. I’m more likely to spend this particular day tackling mountains of laundry, piles of dishes and otherwise catching up from an overly-busy weekend. So each week, I’ll be making a point to try out a new idea for “me time” and reporting back every Monday, when we all need the inspiration the most.

Teaching Tool Tuesday

Don’t tell, but my wish lists at Lakeshore Learning and Amazon are much longer than the one I have at Endless.com. Honestly, I’m a sucker for books and educational games, software and toys. But this past year I’ve honed my ability to discern the best teaching tools for use at home . . . and I’ll be sharing our top picks with you every Tuesday.

Wild Idea Wednesday

Need some new ideas for keeping learning fun? I’ll be sharing our favorites each week on Wednesday. To be honest, the thought of committing myself to having one great idea every week is stress-inducing, so I’m going to put it out there in advance that I will probably borrow heavily from all my wise mama friends.

Thankful Thursday

Ever get struck in the middle of a crazy, hectic day by overwhelming wave of gratitude for being able to share a special moment with your kids? Well, that’s what Thankful Thursday is all about. Each week, I’ll aim to share a special moment that I would have missed had my kids been away at school . . . and I’m counting on all of you to share yours, too. It will give us something to reflect on during those other six crazy, hectic days!

Field Trip Friday

My kids love being on the go as much as I do, and if we all had our way, every day would be a field trip! We’ll be spending more time at home this year, but every Friday, I’ll be sharing a field trip that we’ve done or have planned, along with how we tied it in to our studies at home.

Shoe Sale Saturday

I know that I keep saying “it’s not all about the shoes”, but sometimes it is . . . just a little. And Saturday seemed like a good day to reward myself for a hard week’s work by browsing the best shoe deals online . . . who knows, maybe you’ll reward yourself too!

Time Saving Sunday

We love our weekend family time, but Sunday often becomes my day to prepare for the upcoming week. This will be the day I’ll call upon some fabulous mama friends to share their expertise on how to keep our homes running smoothly and our families well fed while still leaving plenty of time for school.