It wasn’t too long ago I reviewed ScooterBees for the first time on Boutique Cafe’s Daily Dish. I am still just as in love with their foot-friendly design (i.e., chunky feet, small feet, long toes included) and unique storytelling powers as I was when I first laid eyes on them—and Livi laid feet in them—in July. Unfortunately her feet were just about bursting at the seams of her pink Growing Bird ScooterBees, so those will be passed down to a little friend of hers…and we will have to do the same with the latest pair. Trust me, I’m crying silent tears as I write this review.

ScooterBees just launched it’s new 2010 collection, which features a line of supple leather shoes handmade in Peru. The company sent us the Bloom story (”a flower story from bud to bloom”) in a beautiful gray and you can believe I tried to make them fit Livi’s not-so-size-6.5 feet. The leather is super soft and dyed using vegetables and fruits grown at the tannery, so each color reflects the crop of the season. How cool is that? And the company doesn’t use the chemicals traditionally used in tanning leather so you can be sure each component of ScooterBees is made from sustainable and safe materials. As with their 2009 line, the company is all about being eco-friendly. The new collection features a midsole made from recycled carton and lined with recycled fleece fibers and an outsole made using natural and recycled rubber (PVC and phthalate free).

Here’s a really great little video I found on their site that shows how the ScooterBees StoryTelling Shoe works. (It would’ve taken me hours to try and put something like this together for you, and I was too busy trying to get Livi’s feet in those dang cute Bloom shoes!)

Do any of the shoes in your little one’s closet tell a story? I’m not talking the “I was worn while jumping in mud puddles” or “I’m her favorite pair of sparkly princess shoes.” I’m talking endangered animals or dinosaurs or egg in a nest to tweeting bird in just two flaps. If you want a unique gift this holiday that is as good for your child’s feet as it is for the environment then choose a story from either the bamboo or leather collections offered by ScooterBees.

So Livi’s feet never did fit into her ScooterBees shoes from the new 2010 collection. Can you tell I’m seriously sad about it? Fortunately she does have a BFF (yes, even at her young age) who is slightly smaller in stature and will be able to give these shoes a good test run. Guess I’ll have to settle for a review by proxy. Sigh… –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! ScooterBees is giving away one pair of shoes, winner’s choice! Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway (please leave a separate comment for the ones you do):

•    Visit ScooterBees.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite product.
•    Follow ScooterBees on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•    Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•    Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: December 14, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Heidi, the winner of the ScooterBees giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

Fortunately I’m not talking about the stay-put bootie you get after all that holiday eating–I’d stay far away from a company offering that! Nope, I’m talking about what is sure to become you and your child’s cold-weather friend this holiday season: the Stonz Wear bootie. I could think of no better intro than this cute video on Stonz Wear’s site:

Need I say more? Okay, yeah, I do since this is the Daily Dish and it is about our take on the latest and greatest products for parents and kids alike. Stonz Wear sent me a pair of their Daisy Brown booties for Livi and until recently it wasn’t cold enough to sport them around town…and then when it was cold enough we hibernated inside. That combined with them being a bit too large and my not yet purchasing the fabulous Sherpa-fleece linerz for Stonz means Livi hasn’t actually worn these babies yet. But I can tell you they are within easy access so once I get those Sherpa-lined Linerz (they’ll be on their way today!), these will be our go-to shoes here in frigid Utah. And here’s why:

• They are the cutest dang boots I’ve ever seen!
• Wind and water-resistant thanks to a nylon upper.
• Soft, comfortable fleece lining provides warmth.
• Easy on, easy off (need I say more?).
• Toggles at calf and ankle make sure these booties stay on!
• Skid-resistant soft soles.
• Machine wash and dry, inside out on delicate cycle. (Bet your current boots can’t do this!)
• Made in Canada by a mom who knows a thing or two about cold, wet weather.

Though they do come with a fleece lining I am definitely adding a pair of Linerz to the boots. Stonz Linerz fit snugly inside and add even more warmth to the bootie and I love that the top of the Linerz can either fold over the top or you can leave them up for extra warmth. That’s a lot of warmth…you feelin’ warm yet? (Note: The Linerz will make the boots fit a titch smaller so size accordingly.)

Stonz Wear booties are now available for children up to four years of age–how cool is that? Though at about $45 they are slightly pricier than a snow boot from Target they are definitely worth it. Think of how much time you’ll save getting these booties on and off (we’ve already wasted too much time in our house trying to cram feet into snow boots) and knowing exactly where they are at all times (on their feet, of course!). Stonz Wear also has the most adorable collection of reversible and pointy Hatz and Mittz. I’m tempted to get the matching Daisy Brown Mittz to go with Livi’s new Booties. What a fashion statement that will make at the next sledding trip! –Emily

I love shoes. No, wait. I. LOVE. SHOES. Heels, ballet flats, tennis shoes, flip-flops, you name it and I have a pair or two or three. And when the cold weather hits and snow starts to fall (it seems to skip right over rain here in Utah) I’m a big fan of any shoe that keeps my often chilly toes super toasty.

Last year I reviewed Bearpaw shoes and am already a fan of Uggs, but this year there’s a new fave in my closet and I have a feeling it will be worn a lot more than the others because it combines comfort, warmth and some serious style. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on–and toes in–a pair of Sorel boots so the company sent me the Shila from their newest line. (Oh, the sacrifices I make for our readers…) Though I think the Shila is one of their cutest styles I have to admit I can count at least five others that come close. I’m thinking it’s the combination of 45+ years of experience and some pretty talented product designers that make their line so irresistible!

So the Shila arrived, tie-up laces, wedge heel and all. My first thought was something like, “Dang! These boots are even cuter in person!” It was then followed by, “How did I not notice ‘SOREL’ written along the outside of the heel?” At first that was a bit off-putting, but that’s probably because I don’t love brand names printed noticeably on clothing. I think I would’ve preferred it to be the exact same color as the background (it is in the black) just so it blended in a bit more, but as it was the boot had enough chic style to compensate for this one little “flaw.”

Of course being cold-weather boots meant I had to wait for a nice wintry day to test them out, and fortunately for this review–but unfortunately for me because I hate snow–we actually had some snow fall yesterday, enough to warrant a thorough test drive. I pulled on Sorel’s Shila boots and opted for some straight-leg jeans so I could show off the super cute laces. I wore those shoes from about noon until about 6pm, even keeping them on while in the house, they were THAT comfortable. I swear the sole of the shoe had some serious cushioning but I had added spring in my step, something I’ve lost these past few crazy weeks. Though I love my Uggs and Bearpaws they don’t have near the comfort when it comes to the insole. My feet were toasty and looked fabulous, if I do say so myself. I did notice the SOREL printed on the boot wasn’t nearly as noticeable once the boots were on my feet, and no, that’s not just because they were harder to see. It really blended in well to the overall look, so I guess first impressions can be deceiving sometimes! (Gotta love my expression; it’s like I’m trying to pretend I really and truly do love snow. A for effort!)

Sorel has a wonderful line of boots for men and children as well so you can make sure everyone’s tootsies are warm this winter. If you happen to live someplace like Phoenix, I say buy a pair and then come up and visit me just so you can wear them! I already have my eyes on the Hoonah and Maribel in black…merry Christmas to me! –Emily

*** Giveaway! Sorel is giving away one pair of children’s boots, winner’s choice! Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:
•    Visit Sorel.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite shoe style.
•    Follow Sorel on Twitter and leave a comment telling us you’re their newest follower.
•    Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•    Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: November 5, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Chris S., the winner of the Sorel giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

“Unique and fashionable bite-sized shoes for the little ones in your life.” Sound yummy? Foxpaws Shoes are that and then some! These little treats for tiny toes are quite possibly the most stylish shoes my little fashionista owns. (Even at 1 1/2 she loves jewelry, shoes and sunglasses so yes, she’s a fashionista already!)

Foxpaws Shoes are designed using the highest quality materials and “luxury comfort soles” so fashion beautifully meets function for little feet. The effect is the perfect accessory for any outfit, whether it’s his favorite jeans and t-shirt or her favorite party dress. You can bet no other tot will be sporting the same pair of shoes, and while that may not matter as much as later in life, it’s never to early to make a fashion statement.

My little Livi received the Classic Giraffe shoes in size 6 (18-24 months). When I opened the box I swear I’d never seen such a fabulous pair of infant shoes in my life! Though a loafer style they reminded me of one of my favorite pairs of heels: black patent leather stiletto with a patch of leopard print over the toe. Before I know it Livi will be borrowing those heels, but until then she can strut around town in her Foxpaws. They are a little big for her now so we haven’t had any photo opps yet, but believe me, when she finally fits into them we’ll be snapping pics left and right!

What I love about Foxpaws Shoes is each one is truly one of a kind because of the authentic and unique real leather hides used in their construction. And though the website gives you a good idea as to the superior craftsmanship, it is best appreciated up close and personal. Trust me, these shoes are going to last many play dates and parties and will be passed down to the next lucky little girl.

Foxpaws Shoes carries a couple styles for boys but it’s the Cheetah Peek-A-Boo and Sleek Snake Boot that have me wishing they came in sizes larger than 24 months! What makes the company–and the shoes–even cooler in my book is their efforts to help abandoned and disadvantaged children in South America through the Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO). Foxpaws sends private donations to OSSO with each order to help sponsor children and orphanages in need. Foxpaws Shoes isn’t just another pretty shoe; it’s a shoe with style and substance! –Emily

* Promotion! Foxpaws Shoes is currently offering customers $10 off their order plus free shipping! Use code foxpaws09 when checking out. Hurry! This offer is for a limited time only!