Happy New Years!

We wish all of you the best in the coming year, and we can't wait to see all the the joys and challenges that come our way. Cheers to 2015!

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New Year's Party Style

The New Year has crept up on us faster than most of us would like to admit. In the midst of visiting family, traveling, buying gifts, giving gifts, receiving gifts, and trying to recover from the annual Christmas cookie sugar crash, suddenly 2015 is upon us.

Resolutions?! I haven't even unpacked my suitcase yet!

But time keeps ticking regardless of how much we wish we could just have a few hours to get in a good long nap, and in two days time we'll be out again waiting for the ball to drop and the champagne corks to pop.

New Year's parties are almost always a blast. It's a chance to be out with the previous year, however good or bad it may have been, and welcome in the fresh and new. It's full of possibilities and joy of what could become.

In the midst of such joy and potential, we want to look and feel our best. So, before we tackle the heavy questions of what we want our 2015 to look like, or what our goals and hopes may be, let's tackle the more immediate question:

What are you going to wear?!

Golden New Years by jessie-scales featuring Fluevog Mariella

We love pairing lux black lace and velvet (courtesy of Modclth) with metallic gold accents. Fluevog's eye-catching Mariella gold oxfords add glamor without pain (no need to bring a pair of flats to change into). Get ready to shine your way into 2015

New Years Sophisticate by jessie-scales featuring Chocolat Blu Royal

This outfit is all about the details. The subtle show of skin, the contrasting textures of the Chocolat Blu Royal shoe, the sparkle of the bag. Your outfit may not be screaming with color, but you are sure to be noticed.

Cozy New Years by jessie-scales featuring Fluevog Murillo

Looking for a more casual new years style solution? Dress up your cozy, comfortable basics with a statement shoe, like Fluevog's wild paisley printed laser-cut suede bootie Murillo, and a touch of sparkle near your face. You'll look super chic, and all your friends will be jealous of how warm you'll stay.

New Years Glamour by jessie-scales featuring Wonder's L-7050

Get dressed to the nines to bring in the New Year! A sexy detailed dress with patent leather pumps by Wonders will have you feeling ready for anything in 2015. Accessorize with classic New Years metallic and celebrate!

Cheers to a fabulous New Year everyone!

With love,

Jessie and the Village Shoes Team

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Holiday Gift Guide

As the weather gets colder and colder and we flip the pages of our calendars, it's time to start thinking about gift giving. It can be overwhelming to come up with something for each and every person on your list (or even coming up with who to put on that list! Do I need to buy something for my brother's girlfriend? Are they even still together?). But before you resort to buying 30 Starbucks gift cards, check out some of our suggestions for cute, personal and (mostly) easy holiday gift ideas.

Socks

No one, I mean no one, can resist the allure of a cashmere sock. Warm and luxurious, they are perfect for lounging around on cozy mornings with family and friends, and look fantastic peaking out from the top of a boot. For the young and adventurous, try an over-the-knee style, but for Dad or Grandma, stick with a classic crew style. We have some awesome options available online.

 Food

This is a gift that is guaranteed to be enjoyed (and won't sit around in a drawer gathering dust). We especially love food gifts with a personal touch. The Food Network  and Buzzfeed have some great "in a jar" recipes that you can personalize with what's inside, and how you decorate the outside (By Stephanie Lynn has some good decorating ideas if you're stuck). If you're not the best cook, making a personalized gift basket is easy and fun (and less likely to cause a fire). Buy a basket at Goodwill, fill it with some tissue paper or rafia, and fill it up with foods that meet a theme. One year, I made a spicy basket with hot sauce, salsa, spicy dried sausage and chili peppers, though the possibilities are endless: sweet, savory, salty, chocolate, boozy. Have fun with it!

Scarves/Gloves/Hats

Although it helps to have some sense of a person's style before giving these keep-warm gifts, they tend to be one-size-fits-most, and going with a simple solid or a kitch-y holiday pattern will go over well with almost anyone. Scarves are my go-to last minute gift for those distant relatives I wasn't expecting.We carry some cute ones here at Village for both men and women, though if you're feeling adventurous (and crafty!) you could always try and make some!

Jewelry

This gift requires a little more finesse. Does the lady (or gentleman) in question like big, or smaller pieces? Simple, or more ornate? Do they wear earrings, or necklaces more often? If you think you can swing it, jewelry is the type of gift that can really wow. If you're around Ashland, drop by and check out some of the local and semi local artists we have in stock, if not, check on Etsy for beautiful handmade pieces that will set you apart from the Zales and Kay Jeweler's crowd.

Bags

Like jewelry, bags require a little more thought. When giving a bag, think about the other bags the person owns. Do they carry huge purses all the time (guilty!), or are they more of a clutch person? Are they the type that needs a pocket for everything, or are they more dump-and-go (also guilty)? For the gentlemen in your life, perhaps they could use a new briefcase or messenger bag. Bags are particularly good gifts for students of any age, as they need something to carry all those books and papers around in (but can't always afford something that the handles won't tear off of every 6 months).

Books

Although I have a terrible time picking out book for myself at bookstores (or online), I love receiving books as gifts. If you have even the vaguest notion of that person's interests, you can do a quick online search for books about "_____". Gardening, painting, farming, finance...you'll find libraries about any of them. Pick out one that seems particularly relevant, or, if you're unsure, just pick one that got good reviews. Of course, the New York Time Best-Sellers List is a safe bet as well. If you're out on the town and willing to spend a little more time shopping, head to your local bookstore and ask for suggestions. Supporting your local economy and getting a super personal present, now that is spreading the holiday spirit.

Good luck out there!

Love,

Jessie + The Village Shoes Team

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Going Home: Tips to Survive the Trip

  The holiday season is just around the corner and many of us will be hopping aboard planes or getting behind the wheel to visit with our families and friends.

Whereas spending the holidays with the people you love is a blessing, actually getting there can be a pain. We've pulled together some of our favorite tips to make your trip a little more enjoyable.

What to bring:

• Wear comfortable clothing while traveling—but don't limit yourself to sweats! Leggings with a tunic and boots, a cozy maxi dress, or a simple tee and jeans are all comfy without compromising on style.
• Having a unique bag can make it easier to locate at baggage claim, and easier to find in a dark cluttered car.
• Bring items that are multi-functional and can be easily mixed and matched.
• Keep important items (like cash, tickets, credit cards, passports etc.) in a smaller bag in your suitcase or purse so they can be easily accessed.
• Wear a scarf on the plane or in the car. You can use it as a pillow or a small blanket during the trip, and it’s a versatile and warm accessory to jazz up your outfits while you're there!
• You only need two or three pairs of shoes for most trips. A comfy casual for travel and walking, something a little more formal, and an tennis shoe (for those morning runs you promise you'll take).

  

We had so much fun putting together these travel sets. Here we have a bag by Leaders in Leader to hold all your carry on needs, a pouch by Will to keep necessary items ready for easy access, Viscose and Cashmere tights by B.ella to keep you warm and beautiful two tone metal earrings for a versatile accessory while on your trop. For shoes, we picked the Kool by Boss & Co-- a super comfy waterproof boot with a hidden side zip so you can get them off easily for security. For the more formal shoe we chose the Maple by Chocolat Blu--this beautiful italian leather shoe can be dressed up or down, and the stacked leather chunky heel makes it more comfortable than you would expect.

We couldn't leave out the guys! We chose an army green weekender by Jessilyn Blake with plenty of space and extra pockets. She makes a matching pouch that is great for holding tickets, sunglasses, and other important items. The Adora hat makes for a great versatile accessory and can help keep you warm if you're headed home to snow. For shoes, we picked the Frye James Lug Chukka. Sophisticated in appearance but hardworking underneath, the rubber lug sole makes them comfy and adds traction. Put some waterproofing spray on them and you're ready for anything. If you need to go to a more formal party, opt for the J-Shoe's Men's Charlie. The brogue detail makes it formal, and the textured leather makes it cool.

How to pack it:

• Roll your clothes rather than folding them. They'll take up less space in your suitcase so you can save room for any goodies you’re bringing home.
• Keep all spill-able/liquid items sealed in plastic baggies in case of leakage. Bring a few extras for accidents or new items.
•  Use a pill container or straws and buttons to keep your jewelry from tangling.
• Pop a dryer sheet in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh
• Wrap your shoes in shower caps (which you can buy at the dollar store) to prevent them from getting your clothes dirty
• Wrap small fragile items in rolled socks.

Flight Tips

• Take an empty water bottle that you can fill once through security
• If you’re traveling with a friend or significant other, bring a headphone splitter. In-flight movies are more fun when watched together.
• If you don’t have a travel size or sampler of your favorite cosmetics, store a small amount in a contact case. 
• Avoiding alcohol, getting some exercise, and getting plenty of sleep can help you combat jet lag.
• When waiting in the security lines, chose the line with the fewest children and the most business men, it'll go faster.

Pit-stop!

• Pack nutritional snacks. It’s easy to end up at McDonalds when you’re tired and it’s late. 
• Get the wifi password to most cafés by checking the comments section of Foursquare
• Have meals frozen and ready for when you get home. You won't feel like cooking after traveling all day.

What are some of your favorite tips and tricks?

Safe and happy travels, 

Jessie

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Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Him and Her

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all roses and chocolates, ya know? Skip going overboard on the romance this year, and choose a gift that's practical and playful. Here's what I came up with...

Gift Ideas for Her:

This Spreading Landscape Throw from Anthropologie will add a fun pop of color to your home decor, and will be perfect for a snuggle session on a cold night. $168

A VS Gift Certificate is ALWAYS a fantastic gift!

How cute are these Dining Room Measuring Spoons? These would make for an adorable gift for a woman who loves to bake or likes tiny spoons. $24

Gift Ideas for Him:

Chances are your fella can use a new pair of shoes. The James Crepe Chukka by Frye is perfect for everyday casual wear. $248

This leather cardholder from Tanner Goods is perfect for business cards, or a few credit cards and some cash. The high quality leather will only get more interesting as it ages from handling. $65

"A swashbuckling Bourbon that requires a whip and a chair." Uh, sounds like any man (or woman!) could use a glass of Booker's Bourbon on a boring day. $50

Bonus Treats:

Custom made chopsticks make for a unique gift, huh? You don't have to go with engraved initials...maybe choose a risqué message instead! $20

If you truly love someone, you'd make sure their pizza leftovers have safe transportation. This Collapsible Pizza-To-Go Box ensures your honey's pizza slices remain unmangled, and un-fused by the time they're ready to enjoy it! $14

I had no idea highlighter pencils exist, but apparently they do. These Eco Highlighters come in a variety of colors and look...well, fun! Oh, and you can annoy your lover by writing them notes with them...strain their eyes like they (at times) strain your heart. $9

For the love of God, do not send your child to school with boxes of these Risqué Valentine Hearts to pass out to their classmates!! These hearts have messages like 'cute butt, beg 4 it, and strip 4 me,' which makes them, as advertised, shamefully delicious! $3

post by Amanda

 

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Holiday Gift Ideas for a Manly Man

I came across a website a while ago called Uncrate.com that prides itself on providing info about ‘The Best Gear for Guys.’ This website is AWESOME! It features outdoor gear, technology, style tips, grooming products, and pretty much anything else you can think of. They even provide you with a link that directs you to a site where you can purchase the item.

I mean, a Wave Cave?! Some of this stuff I doubt I’d ever come across in real life (or on the internet) if it weren’t for this site. I also love the furniture they post. What man doesn’t want an Aviator Chair to sit on while sipping on some Woodford Reserve?

One of my favorite things that I discovered through Uncrate is Moonshine: A Gentleman’s Cologne. Having “a woodsy aroma with hints of spice: including notes of black pepper, tobacco, leather, gin, and patchouli,” this cologne seems like the perfect gift for any man. To be honest, who doesn’t want their man smelling like a very relaxed James Bond while vacationing at his cabin?

Now ladies, on Twitter, I asked one of the founders, Charlie Holderness, if he has heard of any women wearing his cologne, and he responded, “Yes, we’ve actually had several women buy it for themselves. It’s a very subtle scent, not too overpowering, but it smells fantastic.” If Moonshine sounds like something you’d want to wear, GO FOR IT…I think I just might.

So, seriously, if you’re on the hunt for a cool, unique gift for any man in your life, definitely check out Uncrate.com for loads of inspiration. If anything, the website is fun to browse through when you’re bored.

UPDATE: I forgot to acknowledge the fellas that read our blog! If you guys are looking for gift ideas for the ladies in your life, just stop by Village Shoes. Chances are, she already has the next pair of shoes she wants picked out.

photo courtesy of uncrate.com

post by Amanda

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