Join Us Friday and Enjoy A Free Cupcake and Coffee from The Cupcake Daily!

Join us Friday December 2nd from 5-7pm to celebrate the season!

As a special thanks for your continued support through out the years we will have the The Cupcake Daily here serving up their divine gourmet cupcakes and Stumptown coffee.

The Cupcake Daily is located in Talent, Oregon. They make all of their cupcakes, frostings and fillings from scratch with the best possible ingredients. This mother and daughter team really know what they are doing! Their goal is to make each cupcake a surprise that awakens your senses.

Please come by and enjoy a free cupcake and coffee with us.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Village Shoes!

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Winter Shminter

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is walk over to my windows and open the blinds to see what kind of weather I’m dealing with for the day. During the summer I scowl because everyone I see walking around looks sweaty. During the winter I cringe when I see that people are wearing a gazillion layers. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m such a scrooge when it comes to weather and I’ll tell you why: I’m a Southern Californian. I was born and raised in Long Beach and we had no weather. None. Not ever. Sure, some days I’d have to wear a jacket with my shorts, but overall, it was just consistently nice outside. Now that I’m a Southern Oregonian and actually have to experience REAL seasonal changes and the weather that’s normal for those seasons, I’ve had a hard time adjusting to the weather and adjusting my attitude. I decided this winter that I need to work on embracing the crisp air by using a mental approach rather than bundling up…

First off, I decided that at least once a week I’m going to put on a bathing suit and turn the heat up in my house. I mean, really let it blast until I’m uncomfortable and then walk around complaining about how hot it is. I’ll go about my house chores, and eventually I’m bound to forget that it is actually 30 degrees outside.

Another thing that I’m going to do is continue eating frozen yogurt and ice cream. They say that smells and tastes spark memories, so I figure if I taste the same frozen yogurt and ice cream flavors that I insisted eating multiple times a day this summer, I’m bound to be transported back to a day where I insisted on complaining endlessly about how freaking hot it was. I’ll also plan on wearing sunblock throughout the winter, which will send me back to warmer times powered by the scent of summer.

I’m hoping these mind tricks will work, and if they don’t, well, I guess a future blog will be about my extreme concern of losing toes to frost bite this winter.

Wish me luck.



post by Amanda

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25 Ways to Wear a Scarf

It's safe to say I love scarves as much as I like shoes and mac n' cheese. I have a duffel bag in my closet filled with them that vary in size and color, but I seem to wear them all the same way. Another thing is that many of them seem too lightweight to wear during the fall and winter months, so their use is very limited. It turns out I just needed to watch a youtube video about how to wear scarves to make my lightweight scarves usable year round and to give me new ideas as to how to twist and turn that fabric around my bare neck.



Did you notice the 4th example? Notice how she used two lightweight scarves? Why didn't I ever think of doubling up on my scarves to give me extra warmth and an extra pattern or pop of color?

The 6th example made me realize most of my scarves could become an infinity scarf if I just tied the very ends together. WHO KNEW?!

Clearly this girl is craftier than I am even on my best day, but you know, I doubt she knows 25 ways to jazzy up Top Ramen.


post by Amanda

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I'm In Love! - Holiday Decorating With Felted Acorns

I came across these adorable felted acorns on etsy and simply had to post them. I think they are so sweet and such a great holiday decorating idea. They also make a great gift idea for that hard to buy someone who appreciates arts and crafts.

A set of 10 medium sized felted acorns in Delica's favorite muted but bright colors. Let's spice up the decoration! Each felted acorns are hand felted using softly spun merino wool and then glued to real acorn caps.

A set of 10 medium sized felted acorns in shades of greens. Each felted acorns are hand felted using softly spun merino wool and then glued to adorable real acorn caps.

Lavender-filled felted acorns for an aromatic space!
Six giant sized felted acorns that are filled with highly fragrant Camphor lavender buds from a farm in Oregon.

To see more of the artist's work, check out Delica Handcrafted Delights on Esty. A newcomer to the handmade scene, Delica creates felted home decor and personal accessories from 100% natural merino wool. Each piece is carefully crafted by hand using full felting, needle felting, and wet felting techniques. Started by an architect-in-training, Delica carries eco-friendly products, such as felted bowls, coasters, placemats, pebbles, jewelry, and vessels. Inspired by nature, Delica plays with color, form and texture.

- post by Stacey

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Why Should You Support Small Business and Shop Local?

With all the recent political battles consumers are hearing a lot about supporting small independent business, "Shop Local" is becoming as popular as "Green is the new Black." Have you ever asked yourself why? Why is it so important? Does it really matter whether you take that stand? The answer is YES!!! Do you know how spending your money at a small business supports and directly affects your local community? During the last few years the retail climate has been challenging for consumers and businesses everywhere. As the price of goods get more and more expensive and people's budgets get tighter and tighter everyone starts to feel the strain. If you already support local and small business do you ever wonder how big of an impact that actually makes? I'm going to use Village Shoes as an example of the impact your spending has.

Here at Village Shoes we have 5 employees, all of whom have been able to maintained their jobs because of you, the consumer. When you spend your hard earned money in our store, you help keep us employed. In turn, we eat lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, buy our groceries in our local co-op, pay our rent, go to the movies, the theater, etc... which then supports all those people who work in those industries. Hopefully that local restaurant buys organic produce from a local farmer which then helps support sustainable organic living, which is better for the planet and our environment and improves the quality of life for future generations. It all has a ripple affect. When you think of it this way, your spending choices are hugely powerful in determining what kind of world we will live in and you make a big statement. The power is in your hands.

American Express has labeled November 26th as Small Business Saturday! They are issuing a $25 credit to those customers who go out and support a local small business and use their Amex on that day. Join the movement and take a stand for the kind of community you want to be a part of!




- Post by Stacey

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Winter Will Be Wonderful In Your Wooly Whites

I think it’s safe to say that many of us need extra support from an orthotic shoe insert, however many of us would rather go without than spend hundreds of dollars on a custom made pair. Thankfully, Superfeet makes an insert that does the job just as well without forcing you into a Top Ramen diet. Superfeet makes inserts for many types of shoes to help support your feet no matter what your choice in footwear.

At first I thought that more cushion in a footbed meant more support, but quickly learned that isn’t the case at all. Superfeet are actually pretty firm for a reason. The type and amount of support below your foot can affect your legs and your back. The hard, structured Superfeet forces your foot to sit correctly within a shoe, resulting in proper alignment which can help prevent or improve heel, knee, hip, and back problems. Much like the strength of a building depends on a solid foundation; your body depends on your feet just as much.

For tight-fitting footwear
Recommended for dress, casual, cleated, and cycling footwear
Slim, ultra-light support for all foot types

For footwear with removable insoles
Recommended for running, hiking, alpine and industrial footwear
Designed to provide maximum shock absorption


For tighter-fitting footwear
Ideal for running, hiking, casual, and cleated footwear
Our most versatile insole for all-purpose footwear


Insoles for long lasting comfort and support in heels 1" or higher
Support and soothe your feet in even the highest heels
Take the pressure off the ball of your foot for the ultimate in comfort and stability

For women's footwear with removable insoles
Ideal for athletic and industrial footwear
Designed to provide maximum shock absorption for running and high-impact activities


For tighter-fitting footwear with an elevated heel
Ideal for hockey skates, figure skates, and road cycling shoes
New Diamond Venting system improves air circulation

For men's footwear with removable insoles
Recommended for running, hiking, alpine, and industrial footwear
Designed to provide maximum shock absorption for running and high-impact activities

Last but not least, the Wooly Whites (pictured at the top) have the same qualities as the Blue Superfeet, except the Wooly White insoles have a 90% Merino wool top cover that helps manage moisture and regulate foot temperature. Using the Wooly White insoles in your boots will add much needed comfort and warmth as the weather turns cold.


post by Amanda

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Taste Testing Starbuck's Hot Cocoa

Now that the weather has turned cold (or depending on your location, “colder”), we are switching to hot drinks. Like many of you, hot chocolate never crosses my mind during the spring or summer, but as soon as a chilly fall breeze swirls my hair around, I find myself craving it. I’m an adult…I should want hot tea or a hot toddy, but no…I want hot chocolate. I like to think of myself as a Nestle’s Mini Marshmallow kinda gal, but you know, since I’m a fancy adult, I think I should try Starbuck’s Hot Cocoa that they recently rolled out with. They have various flavors to choose from such as Salted Caramel, Peppermint, Double Chocolate, and last but not least, the classic, Toasted Marshmallow. Is there a drink accoutrement more exciting than marshmallows? I think not. Actually, hot chocolate with money floating around would be pretty exciting, but until that day, marshmallows earn gold stars.

I decided to put Starbuck’s Toasted Marshmallow hot chocolate to the test. Furthermore, I decided that the rest of the Village Shoes gals should put their two-cents in as well.

Halle, Molly, and I used whole milk and Stacey used almond milk that we purchased steamed at our local coffee shop, Evo’s.

Here are a few of the comments made while sipping the hot chocolate…

“The marshmallows don’t taste toasted.”

“This is a lot of mix for 8oz of milk.”

“This is definitely on the sweet side.”

“These marshmallows are large, but they’re hard and chewy.”

“Maybe use extra milk if you don’t want it to be too sweet.”

“This is super rich and creamy.”

“Almond milk is great to use to keep it vegan since there is no milk in the mix and it tastes f*@#ing good.”

“I’m surprised by the marshmallows because they have the texture of toasted marshmallows.”

Overall, we all agree that it’s better than any of the other hot chocolate packets we’ve had in the past. Give Starbuck’s Hot Cocoa mix a go and let us know what you think.

post by Amanda

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Halloween In Ashland 2011

Isn't her make-up amazing? Me gusta Dios de los Muertos en Ashland, Oregon!

So many people!

How cool is this dog?

Around 15lbs of candy gone in about 30 minutes! (I ate about 4 lbs of it myself...)

My favorite costumes of the day! Their creativity is overwhelming!

Photos by Stacey Larnerd
Post by Amanda

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