How many Hot Mamas out there love shoes? Me too.  Well, meet fellow shoeholic (and Grace Jones fan) Tinu Naija.  The New York City model and singer’s latest music video, “Shoeholic,” from her sophomore album Addicted, is an ode to her enviable collection of  boots, pumps, sandals, platforms and everything in between. You can even enter to win a shoe bag designed by Tinu.
I chatted with the stunning Nigeria native via email.
Hot Mama Daily: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Tinu: (Laughs) Mum is the word here! I am so ashamed to say the number out loud for the …read more

Over the summer I wrote about Shabby Apple, an online boutique that shows you how to dress for your body type.  The web retailer launched the interactive “Fit to Flatter” feature on its website and as an iPhone application, which educates women on which cuts, fabrics, and styles will fit them best.
 
 
Just in time for fall, Shabby Apple also offers a selection of stylish footwear. The styles range from the sexy, ruffled pink “Body Talk” pumps in the above photo to the funky day-to-night “Jenny Choo,” accented by studded leather and a chunky heel.
Image credit: Shabby Apple

Doesn’t it feel good to pay less?   It sure does, especially when you can score designer shoes at Payless prices.  Just in time for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the affordable shoe retailer’s guest designers — Stacey Bendet (Alice + Olivia), Lela Rose, Laura Poretzky (Abaete), and newest guest designer Christian Siriano — unveiled the Payless Fall ’09 Designer Collections in true “high-low” fashion on the runway.
 
 
 
 
“This season presents a range of inspirations from the Egyptian landscape to the enchanted forest — the unique designs from each are truly amazing,” LuAnn Via, CEO and president of Payless ShoeSource said in a press …read more

My mother’s been telling me to wear comfortable shoes for years.  And I wouldn’t listen.  I continued to wear inexpensive flats that failed to give me the arch support I needed.  Then I turned 39, and even if I still look like I’m in my 20s (please humor me) my feet feel every bit my age.  So these days whenever I hear about a shoe that’s comfortable, supportive, and better yet has a fitness benefit, I’m ready to try a pair.
 
 
Here on Hot Mama Daily, I’ve written about Skechers’ Shape-Ups (I have to admit that this shoe has grown on me …read more

I’ve been stalking this pair of Nine West gladiator sandals for months now.  I debated ordering the Ruffian sandal (on sale for $39.99), online but didn’t want to pay for shipping and handling. Besides, there’s not tax on clothing and shoes under $110 in New York.
When I no longer saw the sandals on display at a local Nine West store, I asked if they still had the shoes in stock.  They didn’t, but the helpful staff did the next best thing.  They found a nearby store and mailed the shoes to me without tax or shipping.
My Ruffian sandals arrived this week …read more

This is the perfect time to score major shopping bargains.  Most stores are marking down their summer  merchandise to make way for fall fashion stock. That’s great news for us.  This weekend I scooped up this pair of Dollhouse sandals that regularly retail for $40 for only $20 at Starwberry’s, a trendy discount mini-chain in New York City.
 
 
Although I’m still on the prowl for a pair of quality black studded gladiator sandals on sale, these funky, beaded brown sandals will do the trick for now.  Alas, if you want the same “Abiba” sandals, you’ll have to pay regular price.  I …read more

A couple weeks ago I pondered the purchase of FitFlops, a stylish pair of flip flops that promise to improve muscle tone and posture and burn calories.  But this cheap  budget fashionista wouldn’t cough up the forty bucks.  And I’m glad I didn’t because here come TheraSandals — a far less expensive “fit flop” — to the rescue.
Apparently, TheraSandals can do anything FitFlops can do, all for the bargain price of $9.99.  I like the bronze pair (see photo) I picked up at Kmart.  My only complaint is the thong irritates my toes.
But heck, I saved $30, so that’s nothing a couple …read more

I know I’m asking a lot of questions this week, but I love it when Hot Mama Daily readers talk back.  So I want to know, am I the only urbanite still pondering the purchase of yet another pair of gladiator sandals? 
I bought a brown leather pair from Nine West at the end of last summer and they are surprisingly super comfortable. 
Because of that, I’d like to purchase this pair of black studded “Ruffian” gladiator sandals, currently on sale  for $69.99 with an additional 30% off.
Be honest with me Hot Mamas.  Do you think the gladiator trend is over or …read more

This week, I’m starting a two-week “Hot Mama Daily Diva Diet and Fitness Challenge” (I’ll post on the yoga classes I take and diet changes I make) and I’m planning to work any and all angles to shed some pounds before summer officially starts.
As my devoted readers already know (at least I hope I have some devoted readers), I test drove a pair of Skechers’ “Shape Ups” across the Brooklyn Bridge with mixed results. So in my search for a more fashionable, bum-toning fitness shoe I came across FitFlops.  Before I part with $40, however,  I want to know if they really:

Improve …read more

I’m a clothing swap fashionista.  Thankfully in New York City I have plenty of opportunities to get my swap on.  I’ve written about how clothing swaps work here on Hot Mama Daily, so hopefully you’ve had a chance to experience this recession busting way to shop.  
This weekend I went to a clothing swap in Brooklyn at an outdoor art and event space called the Brooklyn Yard.  The swap was well-organized with garments hanging on clothes pins; a DJ spinning funky new wave and hip-hop beats; and vendors selling Mexican food, beer, and fruit.  
I brought a bag of unwanted …read more