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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

shoes

Nine West: 1+1=FREE!

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I did it, friends. I visited The Weather Network, and clicked on “Long-Term Forecast”. And I don’t want to jinx it (please, PLEASE don’t let me jinx it)… but I think warmer Spring weather is finally on its way.

(SHH! Don’t say anything. Just nod your head and cross your fingers.)

And with Spring weather? Fabulous Spring fashion promos, of course. Including the one below from Nine West:
nine westOkay, that’s not a promo. That’s an ad for green shoes (which, if they’re your thing, are a fabulous choice). But here’s another reason to circle St. Patrick’s Day on your calendar: From now until March 17th, good things come in three’s at Nine West. That’s right, 1+1=FREE! Customers can purchase 2 items from their spring collection and receive the 3rd item for free.

In addition to BIG EASY and MARTINA pictured above, get into a Spring frame of mind with bold and sassy DELFINA or bright and cheery CONFETTY.

The countdown is on! Just two more weeks until the aprés-Winter thaw begins.

Are Flipper Feet in My Future?

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I’m filing this one under: AGING SUCKS.

And, it does the WEIRDEST things to your body.

Case in point: I’ve been a size 7 shoe for almost my entire life – certainly ever since my foot stopped growing around the age of sixteen. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my bestie – a confirmed size 7 whom I often swapped footwear with during our clubbing days (noticeably CFM* boots).

(*If you don’t know what CFM boots are, you’ll have to Google it. Sorry, I’m too old to use that kind of language.)

Anyhoo, I noticed a strange trend over the past few months – shoes that I’ve worn for YEARS suddenly felt very uncomfortable near the toes. The shoes clearly were too tight – my feet ached in protest if tried to slip them on for any length of time. Huh?

So last night, I had my husband bring up a storage box filled with old shoes – the ones I was hesitant to give away (hoping the style would recycle in the not-to-distant future). There were shoes and shoes and shoes.

And none of them fit. They were ALL too small. What.the.hell.

Exhibit A: These Barbie by David Dixon shoes were worn when I was 35 weeks pregnant. Do you know what women’s feet look like when baby-to-be is due? They’re swollen, take on manatee-like proportions and often lack a certain sex appeal.


(Of course, I’m still rocking my creepy skeletal feet, but trust me, they were quite larger than what I’m used to.)

And so when I came across the shoes last night I naturally thought, “These will fit for sure! If they fit while I was pregnant, certainly I can get into them now!”…. Yeah, not so much. Waaaay too tight.

So what gives? According to Terence Vanderheiden, D.P.M., “Feet can increase in size as you get older. Your feet are not really growing, but the tendons and ligaments tend to get stretched out and this leads to a larger foot size.” Also, weight gain (perhaps from 2 pregnancies in 2 years?) can also place pressure on the feet, slowly stretching and loosening the muscles.

The result: Mama needs some new shoes!

I have decided to embrace my newly size 8 feet and look forward to re-building my shoe collection, one pair at time. To begin, let’s start by coveting these colour block looks from Town Shoes:

Have your feet changed size over the years? I’d really like to think I’m not the only one!

Spring 2012 Trends: Tangerine Tango

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You know how multiple sources predicted the demise of Kim Kardashian’s marriage to whats-his-name?

Sure, I would have taken that bet.

Another sure thing? Spring 2012’s “it” colour – Tangerine. Far and wide declared the hottest hue for the upcoming season, vivid bursts of the fiery colour have been seen everywhere from the runway to home decor. In fact, Pantone named “Tangerine Tango” the 2012 Color of the Year.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

I love tangerine/orange shades and am thrilled that the colour is making a revival for Spring  – especially after the long, dreary winter months. Wondering how you can incorporate the lively hue into your lifestyle to stay on trend? I’ve spent the morning scouring the ‘net for some affordable, easily accessible ideas that will energize your wardrobe and perk up your living spaces. Now orange you glad you popped by?…

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New in Style: BeachMint Launches in Canada

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Paging Canadian Fashionistas!

Here’s a little something different for you. If you haven’t heard of BeachMint – parent company of JewelMint.com, StyleMint.com and ShoeMint.com – listen up, cause this may be the answer to your search for frugal and fashionable finds. And in breaking news – they now ship to Canada!

How it works:

1. Create a FREE StyleProfile so you can be paired up with the looks that suit you most.
2. Every month, you’ll receive personalized suggestions based on your profile. Choose to buy or skip a month in the first 5 days at no charge.
3. If you love what you see, great news! It’s affordable too. ALL StyleMint.com and JewelMint.com pieces are just $29.99 USD, and ShoeMint.com items are $79.98 USD. So, you always know what to expect when it comes to pricing, and may be pleasantly surprised with the selection.

StyleMint.com features product designed by Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen; JewelMint.com is co-designed by Kate Bosworth and celebrity stylist Cher Coulter; and ShoeMint.com, the most recently launched partnership is co-designed by Rachel Bilson and celebrity stylist, Nicole Chavez. Legendary shoemaker Steve Madden manufactures the shoes.

The only caveat: Once you make your first purchase, you have officially “joined” the club. Then, if you don’t opt out in the first 5 days of each subsequent month, you’ll be charged $29.99 (StyleMint and JewelMint) or $79.98 (ShoeMint) as a membership charge. This appears as a credit and can be used to purchase an item that month – but for busy gals such as myself who may not remember to opt out, it can definitely add up to unnecessary purchases. So be forewarned!

I received some goodies from each of the ‘Mints, including these crazilicious “Pauline” wedge platforms from their Winter Debut Collection.

Elevate your Fall/Winter wardrobe with our leg-lengthening suede platform bootie. Named after Nicole’s grandmother, Pauline, the gold corset detail and matching cord offer a vintage touch to this avant-garde, sculpted silhouette. 2″ platform and 6″ wedge heel….

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Summer Fashion: SKECHERS Shape-ups

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

Do you remember SKECHERS Week on Listen to Lena!, when I gave away 5 pairs of SKECHERS Shape-ups? Well, this wouldn’t be a Summer Fashion event unless I gave away 5 more, now would it? Woot!

Since most of my readers will be familiar with SKECHERS from my previous review, I”ll give y’all the Coles Notes version:

1. The goal with Shape Ups is to simulate walking on soft ground. SKECHERS has turned hard surfaces into comfortable ground through revolutionary technology (it’s science!) designed into the framework of the shoe. The core of this technology is in the dynamic rolling bottom, the soft foam insert under the heel and the dual-density midsole.

2. SKECHERS Shape-ups are not your typical orthodic sneaker. They are HOT as h*ll. Don’t believe me? Just check them out here.

3. Walking on softer, uneven surfaces forces you to engage muscles not normally used when walking on hard ground. Not only does this strengthen your muscles, but it also increases blood flow and reduces the impact on your joints and lower back.

4. Wearing SKECHERS Shape-ups will give you a body that is a cross between Kim Kardashian’s and Brooke Burke’s. Seriously, it’s science.

5. SKECHERS Shape-ups are the perfect supplement to your gym routine, or for any gals who may not have the time to exercise but want a proven, low-intensity method for toning and tightening up.

And now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for! Introducing the newest members to the Shape-ups family (click pictures to enlarge to view details):

Shape-ups LiV by SKECHERS, as worn by Brooke Burke and Kim Kardashian
– designed for walking and light running
– lightweight Resalyte midsole with sock-fit construction
– feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, very flexible

ProSpeed SRR, as worn by Brooke Burke
– designed for performance running
– lightweight Resalyte midsole and mid-foot strike technology
– dedicated runners and elite athletes love this shoe
– Exo-Skin seamless streamlined upper design

Tone-ups RUN
– designed for recreational running
– low profile, lightweight Resalyte midsole
– very light and flexible
– removable cushioned comfort insole

Tone-ups Fitness
– designed for toning and walking
– Kinetic Toning Pods and lightweight Resalyte midsole
– great for all-day wear
– dynamic flex-grooves in outsole provide traction control

Tone-ups Glamgirl
– comfortable sandal designed for toning and walking
– soft faux nubuck upper with wraparound side design
– cushioned and contoured comfort foam footbed

You can learn more about these Shape-ups, and more, online at SKECHERS Canada.


SKECHERS Shape-ups can be purchased at virtually any reputable retailer of sneakers and/or shoes, including SKECHERS retail stores! They retail for approx. $119.99, but several styles can be found on sale or on promotion. Visit their website to find a store near you.


Thanks to the awesome folks at SKECHERS Canada, I’m doing it again – giving away FIVE (5) pairs of SKECHERS Shape-ups – one of each pictured above!

To enter, check out the shoes featured above and decide which Shape-up fits your lifestyle best. Then, leave a comment here telling us which one it is, and why you’d like to win a pair of Shape-ups.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena! (2 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” SKECHERS Canada on Facebook
(5) Follow SKECHERS Shape-ups on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this SKECHERS Shape-ups Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for five (5) winners on August 14th. Good luck everybody!

SKECHERS Shape-ups… Winners!

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Rejoice! Here’s the one you’ve been waiting for!

It’s time to announce winners of the Lena Loves… SKECHERS Shape-ups giveaway. Thank you to every one who entered, and to those who didn’t win… quick! Run out and grab a pair, cause summer is just around the corner :)

I’ve got five (5) awesome pairs to give away, so without further ado… here we go:

The winner of the SKECHERS SRT Trainers in White/Silver/Pink is… #231 JENNNY!
The winner of the SKECHERS SRT Trainers in Silver/Blue is… #1226 silverbullet71!
The winner of the SKECHERS SRT Trainers in Black/Pink is… #139 nicolthepickle!
The winner of the SKECHERS SRT Trainers in White/Purple is… #1213 airwin!

Finally, readers voted on their favourite pair of Shape-ups from a choice of four (4) styles, and the runaway winner was the Silver/Pink style with 44% of the vote.

The winner of the SKECHERS SRT Trainers in Silver/Pink is… #404 A.N.Drew!

Congratulations to all the winners! Please send me an e-mail with your contact details – and your shoe size – and I’ll have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to SKECHERS!

It’s SKECHERS Week! BONUS ENTRY!

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Oh BOO, are we already at Day 5? I’m having so much fun, I don’t want the week to end!

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that I’m giving away FIVE (5) pairs of SKECHERS Shape-ups! The shoes help maximize calorie burn, firm the buttocks and improve posture – all without setting foot in the gym. Sweet!

ENTER HERE TO WIN!

So far, the following styles are up for grabs:

For today’s BONUS ENTRY, YOU CHOOSE the final style that I’ll be giving away! Simply leave a comment on my original giveaway post with which Shape-up fashion you’re loving. I’ll tally up the responses and draw for the most popular shoe.

You can choose from:

Good luck everybody!

It’s SKECHERS Week! BONUS ENTRY!

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It’s Day 4 of SKECHERS WEEK at Listen to Lena! Today, I’m loving these über pretty White/Purple Shapers Kinetix Response SRT shoes… they’re just the right combination of sporty and girly. And they just happen to be one of the styles up for grabs!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY for a chance to win one of FIVE pairs! I’ll be drawing for winners on April 10th, so you’ve got lots of time to re-Tweet the giveaway for extra entries, and take advantage of a few BONUS entries I’ll be posting before the contest ends.

Speaking of which, why not grab another entry today? Simply visit SKECHERS online and check out their ads. The commercials are awesome! Then, leave a comment on the original post telling us which one is your fave. It’s that simple! Good luck everyone!

It’s SKECHERS Week! Read on for BONUS Entries!

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Are you enjoying SKECHERS week as much as I am? Remember, you can ENTER TO WIN a pair of Shape-ups!

A few writers have written to me pleading for BONUS entries – so of course I aim to please. Read on for a chance to earn TWO (2) bonus entries into the draw!

But first, check out Kim K. rocking these Shape-ups Kinetix Response S R T shoes in Black/Pink. Pretty hot, right? Well, they’re more than just eye candy – read about the construction of the shoe:

– Lace up front
– Smooth leather, synthetic and mesh fabric upper
– Side stripe overlays
– Padded collar and tongue and fabric shoe lining
– Cooling mesh panels at front and sides
– Contrast colored edging and stitching
– Textured synthetic toe and heel bumpers
– SKECHERS S and Shape-ups logo

These beauties are built to endure all your Shape-ups workouts! And, considering they’ll soon become your favourite shoe, you’ll be wearing them ALL the time :)

Now for today’s featured shoe – you guessed it – this gorgeous pair of Black/Hot Pink trainers. Re-tweeters can always earn bonus points for re-tweeting daily, but for the non-Twitter folk (or Twitter folk who’d like even MORE chances to win) here’s what you need to do:

Visit Listen to Lena!’s Facebook Fan Page. Share my post: “I LOVE my Skechers Canada Shape-ups! Read my review, and enter for your chance to win 1 of 5 pairs I’ll be giving away! Giveaway open to Canadians only.” (I’ve placed it near the top for your convenience.)

Once it’s posted to your profile, leave TWO (2) comments on the original Giveaway Post telling me that you’ve done so. Good luck everybody!