How to Break in Your Wedding Shoes

 Crush dyeable wedding shoe, $88, by PINK Paradox London

Gorgeous wedding shoes still should be broken in to avoid those "ouch" moments shoes can give you.  Here are my top three favorite ways to break in shoes.

1. Shoes on the snug side?  Wear socks and walk around your house!  Grab a pair of thick athletic socks and wear them with your shoes at home or while you watch TV.  Still too tight?  Take them to a shoe cobbler to get them stretched out a little bit.

2.  Shoes a little too stiff?  Hold them in your hands and massage any parts that feel extra stiff,  Think straps on the toe or that cupped d'Orsay back.  Massaging the fabric will help break down the material so they fit better.  If your shoes are white or Ivory, rock out a pair of clean, cloth gloves or make sure your hands are super clean to avoid any smudges.  If you still have problem areas, pop in a pair of Strappy Strips or a little bit of moleskin to cushion any areas that might rub.

3.  Shoes slippery?  Get the bottoms rubberized.  If you're worried about slipping on the dance floor like Chandler in Friends, have a cobbler rubberize the bottom of your shoe's soles.  This is a trick dancers and actors use on stage all the time.  Avoid using those little stick on grips though, the edges can peel back and create a tripping hazard.

Happy feet make for a happy bride!

Written By ~ Kirsten

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How to Care for Your Jewelry

 Photo by Melissa Diep

We often get asked by brides and jewelry lovers alike, how to take care of the jewelry they are purchasing.  The good news, is with a few simple steps, your jewelry can last a long time!  Here are our top 5 tips to keep it looking as good as the day it was purchased.

1) Don't wear it in the shower!  Moisture can tarnish the surface of some costume jewelry, so always take it off when you're in the shower or bath.  Ditto for the pool and when washing dishes.

2) Store it properly.  When you're not wearing your pieces, keep them stored in Ziploc bags or in the boxes they came in.  This will limit the jewelry's exposure to oxidation, which can break down metal over time.  Proper storage will also help keep everything free of scratches and tangles too.

3) Put it on last.  Hairspray, lotions, and perfumes are not your jewelry's friend.  Keep everything free of sticky residue by making sure jewelry is the last thing you put on in the morning.

4) Make it shine.  If you notice your silver colored jewelry looking less than fabulous, take a soft buff cloth to it to buff away tarnish.  Or, dip it in a costume jewelry compatible cleaner.

5) Take it to the doctor.  If you notice loose stones, clasps, or prongs, take your jewelry to a jeweler to be repaired.  Having that stone reset now will prevent you from having to get it replaced later.

Written by ~Kirsten

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