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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Waterproof Leather Boots from Portugal!

Bos. & Co. Braga $219

Bos. & Co. Buford $219

I think it’s safe to say that the majority of us want a waterproof boot that doesn’t look waterproof. When I think of a waterproof boot, I think of a shapeless, rubber boot that looks as if I can fit an already shoed-foot into it.

When our new Bos. & Co. waterproof boots arrived, I was pretty surprised to see that they look similar to other fashion boots we have in the store already. The Bos. & Co. boots not only have waterproofed leather, they are also 100% shearling wool lined, giving you added warmth and comfort. By definition, shearling is hide from a recently sheared sheep or lamb that has been tanned and dressed with the wool left on.

These two new boots are here courtesy of Bos. & Co. This company has been family owned and operated since 1976. The Bosco family takes pride in their commitment to developing quality and comfortable footwear that anyone would be delighted to wear. With features like: Soles made from thermo-rubber which remains flexible in cold temperatures, insulated insoles that add warmth and extra comfort, and silicone tanned leather uppers that repel water, not to mention the fabulous fashionable style!

Stop by and try a pair on before the rain, rain won’t go away!

-post by Amanda and Stacey

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Around The Garden, Tennis Anyone? and Exploration Of Color

Around The Garden

Tennis Anyone?

Exploration Of Color

Photos by Stacey Larnerd

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Steampunk: This Year's Hottest Halloween Theme

A couple of days ago, a woman and her husband came into the store looking for a boot to wear with her Halloween costume. The theme? Steampunk! The husband showed me pictures of their costumes on his phone, and I was amazed. This couple goes ALL OUT and they just happened to walk into our store which has several styles that fit the steampunk look perfectly.

For those of you who have NO CLUE what steampunk is, it’s a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy, frozen in Victorian-era Britian that incorporates fashion, design, and culture. Steampunk is featured in some films such as Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Sleepy Hollow, Wild Wild West and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In these films the anachronistic science fiction prevails and the fantasy is addictive.

As you can see, steampunk fashion is like a mix between Victorian fashion and mechanics:

So, wondering what shoes we have available for Steampunk costumes? Check them out below:

Neosen’s Rococo S795 is the most authentically Victorian shoe I’ve seen in my entire life. The romantic design of the shoe is true to that era. As elegant and ornate as the Late Baroque period, the vintage-inspired Rococo S795 from Neosens is truly a work of art!

Another great steampunk pick is Eric Michael’s Juno boot (only size 36 left in stock!). In fact, a girl once ran into the store and grabbed the boot while yelling, “LOOK AT THIS STEAMPUNK BOOT!!” to her boyfriend.

And lastly, the one that our customer bought, the Khrio 21006 boot that arrived last week. This boot’s complex color and wrap around lace gives the boot a look that makes me believe its wearer is on the go. The almond shaped toe is feminine and looks fabulous peeking through a to-the-floor skirt or dress. Not only does this shoe fit the steampunk bill, it also will look great after Halloween with skinny jeans, or tights and a dress.

For those of you who won’t be going steampunk this Halloween, we have plenty of other styles that will work perfectly with your witch costume, your pin-up girl outfit, pirate getup, and any many more. Have a look! It’ll be October 31^st before you know it!

1st photo courtesy of dailysteampunk.com

2nd photo courtesy of bizarrebytes.com

Post by Amanda

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Baby, It's (Going to Be) Cold Outside...

It seems as if Fall is quickly approaching in Ashland, Oregon. The air in the morning and at night has a crisp chill to it. You second guess leaving the house without a sweater or a jacket. Before we know it, we’ll be bundled up in jackets and scarves and ordering our coffee hot instead of iced.

I normally wind up wearing tights under my pants in the cold months to help seal in my body heat, but this fall/winter I’m going to try Smartwool tights. The wool will definitely help keep me warmer than my traditional nylon tights. One athlete came into the store to purchase our Smartwool tights to wear while cycling for added warmth and also because the tights help wick away moisture and allow the skin to breath, which it typically doesn’t in a synthetic material.

Another trick that some of the girls I work with use is to wear leg warmers under their boots for an extra layer of warmth, and also works to fill any excess space you have in the boot shaft. This looks fantastic with a dress (or skirt), tights, and the leg warmers popping up above the boot to create a layered leg look. In the store, we carry B.ella leg warmers that come in a dark purple and a dark olive green. What’s funny is that customers have also been buying them to use as arm warmers to wear with their short sleeve shirts.

What are some things you do for a little added warmth during the cold months? Share your stories and pictures with us.

-post by Amanda

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Why Do So Many People Love Blundstone Boots? We'll Give Give You The Scoop.

Since 1870, Blundstone has made the toughest no nonsense footwear for rural, work and outdoors. Synonymous with elastic sided boots worldwide, Blundstone Australia sells a wide range of footwear for all sorts of purposes. Blundstone's proud heritage stretches over three centuries and the company continues to be a 100% Australian family owned company based in Hobart, Tasmania.

Working hard on your feet all day can cause serious issues if you have poor footwear. With every step , two to three times your body weight can be directed on to your foot. Poorly designed footwear directly affects workplace fatigue and orthopedic problems in the lower back, legs and feet. These are significant occupational health concerns.

Blundstone is the pioneer in enhancing comfort in work and safety boots. They first developed the patented Shock Protection System (SPS) in their dual density soles across Polyurethane, Nitrile Rubber and Thermo Urethane Polyurethane soles. SPS directly reduces workplace fatigue and orthopaedic problems in the lower back, legs and feet. Since then they have further engineered and improved the performance of their soles with the addition of PORON® and now PORON® XRD™. Blundstone is committed to continuing to enhance the comfort of their boots and support improved foot health. They invest heavily in research and development.





Go anywhere and do everything in the lightweight and durable 500 Boot from Blundstone! Featuring stout brown premium leather uppers with elastic sides which provide a snug fit and an easy on and off and a V cut upper to reduce stitching exposure. A steel shank ensures correct step flex point and assists with stability while an ergonomically engineered toe spring reduces wearer fatigue. Blundstone's sole construction (SPS MAX) is designed to reduce workplace fatigue and orthopedic problems in the lower back, legs and feet. SPS MAX includes a large insert of PORON, the world's most advanced microcellular shock absorbing material under the heel reducing the impact of each step and greatly enhancing underfoot comfort. Fully removable insole. The TPU (thermo polyurethane) outsole is highly resistant to hydrolysis and microbial attack and is oil, acid, and organic fat resistant. Outsole is heat resistant to 284 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now if these aren't the best work boot you'll ever own... we don't know what is! With world renown recognition you can be confident when you buy a pair of Blundstone Boots.

Shop Blundstone's Now!

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From Spain, With Love...

Bringing new shoe lines into the store entails more than placing them on a shelf. With each line that is brought in, many questions come up: Where are they made? How do they dye their leathers? Are they handmade? What message does the company want to send out to its customers? These questions are ALWAYS asked, and as associates, it’s our job to be able to answer these questions and to know the ins and outs of a shoe. We recently introduced three new lines from Spain: Wonders, The Art Company, and Neosens. All three lines are very different in style, and after reading up on the companies and their manufacturing processes, I must say that they’re not just in the business of shoes, they’re in the business of improving the quality of life (as cheesy as that sounds…).

Wonders shoes are handmade in Spain. They believe that fashion shouldn’t compromise comfort. Between the soft leather uppers and rubber sole, they’ve made beautiful shoes that you don’t have to second guess before you leave the house in the morning. They’ve adapted their styles to different countries and cultures to make practical shoes for different regions. I visited their website to learn about their company and found a video that shows women in professional attire walking around the city, riding their bike to work, and sitting on a subway on their way home at the end of their day. Their message is clear: their shoes are designed to carry you throughout your day…no need for an emergency pair of shoes in your purse.

Born in 1995, and soon becoming popular in France, Germany, Holland, England, Italy, and Spain, they knew they were doing it right. The Art Company takes design seriously, but not itself. They believe that nothing gets you further in life than humor and it’s obviously reflected in their line. Their shoes are playful in that they are not afraid of bold colors, unusual prints, and unique structure. Keeping an ear out, they learned that their customers loved to be surprised and that the youthful designs have been embraced all over the world.

Neosens originated in a province in northern Spain called La Rioja, which is known for its wine and of course, its footwear. The inspirations for their designs are pulled directly from the town. The rich reds of their wine and the romance of the town reflect in the historical makeup of their shoes. Also inspired by nature, some of their shoes include an intricate floral design on the heel and sole of the shoe, literally making the shoe beautiful at all angles. Utilizing different leather dying techniques to add depth to the colors used, each shoe is unique. The collection appears to have been conjured up in a daydream the designer had while walking down a beautiful path at twilight.

post by Amanda

photo courtesy of wikipedia

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ATTENTION ALL WOMEN WHO WEAR A SIZE 11/42!!

Eric Michael 'Montana' -avail in size 11-$199

I can’t count on my fingers and toes how many times women have come in saying they are just browsing because we don’t have size 11 shoes. After chuckling, I tell them we have a MASSIVE amount of size 11’s, and am half tempted to lead them downstairs to show them the wall that is consumed by shoes their size.

To date, we have 46 pairs of size 11 shoes in stock. If you’re on a hunt for a comfy casual sneaker, we have many different styles of Simple tennis shoes. If you’re looking for a rugged boot, we have the Frye Carson Shortie, Harness 12R, and Carson Pull-On. If you need a practical, everyday dress shoe that can be dressed up or down, we have a gazillion styles of Fidji shoes for you, including my favorite, the E166 style, and my runner-up, the E701. Our Fall of 2011 shipment of Eric Michael included the lovely Esme bootie in two colors.

So, if you wear a US size 11 or a Euro 42, stop by and be surprised by what we DO have in stock for you.

Current brands available in an 11/42:

Groundhog

El Naturalista

Mariana by GOLC

Fidji

Frye

Eric Michael

Simple

Nicole

Matisse

John Fluevog

Worishofer

Hispanitas

Rainbow Sandals

post by Amanda

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Yoga? Really? Do I Have To?: Part II

Alright, so I told you guys that I would report back to let you know what I thought about my very first yoga class experience…

Thursday night I set my alarm to go off at 6:45 am. Friday, I reluctantly got up, turned my alarm off, and checked my phone to see if I had any important messages. There was one message: Yoga has been canceled.

Laughing, I climbed into bed and fell back asleep.

So, I think if anybody asks how yoga went, I think I’m going to tell them it went pretty well…

post by Amanda

photo courtesy of icanhascheezburger.com

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Yoga? Really? Do I Have To?

Twice a week, the girls that I work with move the furniture in the store and have a yoga instructor come to help with their bendiness. The class is at 7:30 am and it’s quite known that I don’t even know my own name at 7:30 in the morning, let alone partake in any activities that involve anything but sleeping. I tried to talk them into a class that involves us lying on yoga mats in the ‘child’s pose’ for about two hours, but none of them seemed to keen on the idea. These people actually enjoy waking up at that hour and doing something good for themselves. I think these people are crazy. That being said, I have my own flavor of crazy going on, so why not join the circus? I shouldn’t knock it until I’ve tried it, so this Friday, I will set the alarm to go off at an ungodly hour, and I will schlep myself to class. I figure worst case scenario, I can put myself into a sitting pose and watch them work out while I snack on a Snickers and sip on an iced coffee.

I will report back on Monday to let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!

photo courtesy of lstock

post by Amanda

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The perfect summer treat without the guilt!

I knew when I started making my own Brazil Nut Milk to add to my morning coffee that I was fully committed to this vegan lifestyle. For years I loved half n half in my coffee, but nothing I found in the grocery store could replace it's creamy texture and beautiful blend with my rich, dark morning brew... until now. Once I conquered that battle, it became a breeze to change the way I ate. I am now, for the most part on a vegan plant based diet and have been for the past 8 months... and I feel better than ever!

How do you stay committed to a strict yet healthy eating plan without going crazy? Meet my new love: Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss. This yummy non dairy coconut milk wonder has me over the moon! Sweetened with agave syrup it has a low glycemic index which doesn't alter your blood sugar as much a sugar and it's super creamy texture will have your kid's asking, "Are you sure it's not ice cream?"

It's decadent treats like this once and a while that keeps me sane on this path to health and vitality. My favorite flavors so far are Pineapple Coconut and Hazelnut Chocolate Fudge. Grab a pint and let me know what you think! It's a perfect summertime treat. Find your bliss and enjoy!

- post by Stacey

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A Brilliant Idea...

Here is a brilliant idea from one of my favorite bloggers... a do it yourself earring holder! Colorful, vibrant and very creative here is a quick way to solve one of those annoying clutter problems we all face at some point with our jewelry. What I really like about this is that you see all of your jewelry so your more likely to grab a pair you haven't worn in a while... I tend to wear a lot of the same jewelry all the time because I keep my stuff stored away in a case.

If you have any creative ideas like this send us an email and we can post it for our readers! Thanks for listening.

-post by Stacey
photos courtesy of Modish

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Eric Michael Boots - Designed To Fit!

'Juno' by Eric Michael - $209
'Madrid' by Eric Michael - $269
'Tuscany' by Eric Michael - $249

Although it’s only mid July, our current weather in Southern Oregon has me thinking it’s fall. To make matters worse, our fall line of boots is starting to arrive and they are quite lovely. I’m starting to feel content with our cold and rainy summer because if I decide to purchase one of the new beauties I can start wearing it now! Eric Michael boots arrived a few days ago, and what’s really great about this line is the design of the boots. I’m not necessarily talking about the bells and whistles that make the boots beautiful, but the fact that they are designed to be worn by women of all body types.

I have always had a hard time finding a tall boot that looks good on me. I have tiny bird legs, and I’m always swimming in the boot shaft. I find myself falling in love with a boot, but unable to buy it because the shaft is just too baggy on me and looks a little silly. Working at Village Shoes, I come across women who have the same problem as me, but also see women who can’t buy a boot because the shaft is too small for them. The designers of Eric Michael boots did something right when they designed a lot of their tall-shaft boots with a zipper on the side along with a lace up front that allows you to tighten or loosen the shaft to fit. With this kind of option, women with larger calves or very small calves can fit into the same boot.

The Juno, Tuscany, and Madrid boot by Eric Michael all have this option, so the problem won’t be that the boot doesn’t fit right, it’ll be that you have to actually choose one!

post by Amanda

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Laurel Denise Jewelry!

Handcrafted in the USA, these one of a kind pieces are in store now! Come by and check them out! Laurel Denise Jewelry.

who she is:
laurel “lolly” smith, owner and designer of laurel denise.

what she does:
simply put, laurel accessorizes an accessory. she uses her original illustrations and her unique handwriting to create stunning glass and sterling pieces.

why she’s here:
because of a dream.

no, really. in 2005, laurel had a dream and in it she was using new tools and innovative materials to craft the beautiful creations that have since become the distinct and unique laurel denise aesthetic. before that dream, she’d never even heard of some of these tools and never ever thought her life would be filled with jewelry design.

laurel graduated from james madison university in 2003 with a degree in studio art. if you sat down to get coffee with laurel (iced, please, with a little bit of cinnamon), she'd measure her college years by those "late-nights of printmaking", one of her first studio art obsessions. later, laurel lived and worked just outside of new york city, developing what would become laurel denise.

but laurel's tendency towards art and creativity started even earlier than that. her childhood memories are speckled with what she calls "experiments," a favorite of which was on a home-bound snowy day,

"my two sisters, my mom and i decided to paint my niece’s room--i remember sitting on the window sill, painting little fairies inside and out, fading their dresses, giving their hair depth and adding smiles to their faces...i think it was the first time i felt really good at something, like maybe that’s what i was put on earth to do—to create and show love through art."

laurel has been creating her whole life. her vision and motivation behind laurel denise is not simply to make jewelry, but to take what could be considered a “job” and make it into art. laurel wants to take jewelry and turn it into an experience, a story, pieces that can be passed down.

laurel's dedication to her unique and authentic product make wearing her jewelry personal: to wear laurel denise is to know laurel denise, and, hopefully to draw inspiration from her art to yours.

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