It's hot your shoes should match

When the weather turns upwards of 90 degrees it's time to bust out the sandals and the shorts.  This can be accomplished with style if you know what to look for in a good pair of summer shoes.  Don't buy anything plastic go for natural materials they hold up better in the heat.  They look better, breath better, and most importantly they don't wear out after 2 weeks of wearing them.  Shoes like anything else is a matter of getting what you pay for so don't cheap out.  Below are a few of our summer favorites.

Blowfish espadril flats

 

Minnetonka Sandals 

Jeffrey Campbell spike sandals

A splash of color

Adding a splash of color to your wardrobe is like adding a splash of Jack Daniels to your morning coffee.  It helps you prepare for the day.  These are several pairs of shoes that can give you that little edge without getting you DUI on your way to work.  As for the shakes they won't help with that but they certainly can't hurt.

Critics Choice

Jeffrey Cambell Barbary in black and Silver

Sam Edelman Zoe in Dogwood

Minnetonka El Paso bootie

It is within the realm of reason and logic to choose the right clothing and shoes for any occasion.  However it is the deviation from normalcy that gives us an inherent sensibility and predilection to art.  That which is beautiful and draws attention is rarely mundane.  A peacock garners attention and potential mates through elaborate displays and ornate pageantry of specialized feathers that few birds possess.  As creatures that roam this earth a little self adoration never hurts.  So treat yourself right and pick up a pair of shoes that you love and more importantly love you back.  The shoes above are the staff favorites at High Stepping.

Jeffrey Cambell Barbary love it so much had  to show it twice

Weather you do or you don't

As spring breaks across this great valley of ours the birds begin to sing the grass begins to get greener and most importantly your wardrobe changes.  From the backs of our closets dresses, skirts, and boy friend jeans start to reappear.  The hardest part about the weather change is the footwear.  Well we've got that covered because these sandals go with all of them and are way more comfortable than that cheap pair of flip flops you wore out last year.  Introducing our limited edition line of Minnetonka sandals.  All of them delicately adorned, leather and like all our Minnetonka shoes made to last. 

 

I am a child of the 90's I loved the music, the movies and especially the fashion.  I'm not talking about the grab your fathers flannel and a pair of docs.  I'm talking about the style pop art inspired 50's reminiscent.  The kind that would make Andy Warhol rise from the dead and ask you what your wearing.  In recent fashion related events that I have either watched or attended I've had the pleasure of what we will be seeing on the shelves well in advance.  So bust out your Easter egg decorating kits because pastels and polka dots are making a splash.  Lime greens and chunky heels are likely to grace the runways and couture clothing lines this spring.  In keeping up with the fashion of the times we are offering our Mad men inspired (Thanks Jovie) peep toe heel from Madden Girl at an affordable price and a with a subtle blush coloring and moderate button strap you can't go wrong.

The little black dress has met it's match

A perfect black pump can be worn with nearly everything.  It has a near magical quality to it.  It steady's you in confidence, it struts its stuff in an unassuming yet sure footed way.  It can ad swagger without adding a devilish sleep with me easy look.   We would love to put you in a pair of these but were afraid it's shear versatility will keep you from buying more shoes from us.

Short Story made even shorter

She sneaks quietly out the back door making sure that the subtle clicking of the latch is muffled.  Out to the car no time to let it warm up.  Steadily she drives through the neighborhood and down the side streets.  Her destination is key and her breath quickens with excitement when she thinks about.  She remembers the smell, the light and the object of her obsession.   Her pulse quickens further as she makes her way into the parking lot.  Confident now that she knows she will be satisfied when she leaves.  There is a shuffle of gravel underfoot and 7 concrete steps to the door.  Clean wood floors and white walls.  She knows the way by friends who had taken her there through happenstance. Inside she is greeted without the obligatory cheesiness that accompanies most ventures into the heart of retail.  They know what they sell, they know the have good prices and most of all they know what she wants.

Post apocalyptic footwear

There may come a day in our lives where we regrettably survive the apocalypse.  It might come from global warming, zombies or some other made up disaster but it will happen.  So while most people will be scampering around looking for food we will be more concerned with footwear.  I have a couple of obvious choices for what I want.  You might think that a good sturdy boot, built for durability and comfort would be a good option but your wrong.  I'm going with the Steve Madden Craizie's.    I can get big strong men and a few women to do anything I want while wearing these.  That beats a good pair of  boots any day.  Oh and they are all leather so they should last till the next inevitable Apocalypse.

Fall into fashion

We shortly leave behind the warm weather and trade our shorts for shawls.  Don't be worried though fall is one of the best times of year for shopping.  The trend this fall is simple Grey's are big, skinny jeans are fading and fading jeans are coming back big time.  Look for neon's as in "80's good god I can't believe there back" neon's.  Then come pick up some sexy boots by Steve Madden because they are the hottest thing going this fall. We have them in brown as well for 75.00 regularly 109.00 in bigger stores that we won't mention.  So get in here and get your fall fashion Here.

Origins of Labor Day

Contrary to popular belief the origins of Labor Day do not begin observance on September 5th 1882 after members of the New York Labor Unions were killed by Military  No Labor day goes much further back to the time of Pharohs and Sphinxes.  It all began according to ancient astronaut theorists during the construction of the sphinx. The sphinx was built over 10,000 years ago by the Steve Maddeions a race of sentient alien beings.  They had come to earth to locate patent leather which has been used in interrsteller travel for millions of years. While they were here they thought it would be funny to build a half lion half man statue to confuse people for thousands of years.  During the construction a few thousand Egyptians were borrowed from nearby city's to assist the Steve Maddeions with the more labor intensive portions of construction.  In exchange for their labor the aliens taught man about the importance of patent leather and the biochemical properties that would make it possible for man to one day use interstellar travel.  Well man not quite understanding what the hell they were talking about thought that the patent leather would make for some really nice shoes and they were right.  The first pair was given to the aliens who found them to be aesthetically pleasing so they gave everyone the day off.  The first Labor Day...  Flash forward 10,000 years in honor of these brave and well rested Egyptians we have a copy of that first aesthetically pleasing pair of black patent leather pumps named for the aliens that once graced our planet.  They are Steve Maddens and we sell them for a mere 49.00 regularly 89.00.  Come in today and own a piece of history folks.

Trend Setting

We spent 3 days wandering the trade show last week looking at the newest and hottest fashions.  This is a brief run down of what I think will be hot in the coming year.  First wedges are not going anywhere for sometime what has changed is that daring looks that would normally be saved for sci if TV movie monsters are actually leaning towards the normal.  So we will continue to stick with the classics chunky heel and gladiatorial wedges like these from Blowfish.

In the coming months you can expect us to have many more Steve Maddens knee high boots and the classic pumps. Minnetonka has allowed us to carry the new red version moccasin coming soon. Like these except in red. Minnetonka was the fastest growing company last year and their sheepskin boots are hot commodity already in NYC and LA. You can get them here first because we already saw it coming.

 











These were are hottest seller this summer but the navy and white espadril flats were just as present in the new collections of some of the big names in fashion.  So we will continue to carry our classic Navy and White flats from blowfish in a closed toe form.

We would also like to thank everyone for their contributions to the direction what we will carry in the coming months.

I like um' chunky

Tactile differentiation is paramount when it comes to what we see and feel.  Often times what we find pleasing to the eye may not necessarily be pleasing to the touch. Lava for example comes in a multitude of colors shapes and sizes all more beautiful than the next but I doubt very much that it would feel very good on our hands. The same is true regarding cheap high heels while some of them can look spectacular they may also not be made well. They can hurt our feet in ways most mid evil torture practitioners could not even begin to fathom.  Our very nature has established us as creatures of of comfort.   Creatures that enjoy wearing comfortable, breathable clothing that keeps us in that does not limit our movements.  It's this that brings me to the whole point of this particular blog.  Wedges and heels with a little chunkiness to them are extremely comfortable and give the appearance of a slimmer ankle.  They go with everything from jeans to a summer dress.  Basically they look great with out causing you discomfort and really that's what it's all about.

The best part of summer has yet to come

  Summer brings mosquito bites, bad flings (good flings), sun burns, horrible burnt hot dogs occasional jet ski accidents and the inevitable bout of Cryptosporidium from the local pool.  With all these things it also brings us warm nights on the porch with loved ones. The magic of star gazing on blankets up  in the hills is always fun.   You also get outdoor cocktail parties with friends.  Then theres the barbeques with family that can't be missed.   Make sure each one of these events you have the right foot wear.  Come on down to High Stepping we will get you started off on the right foot.  Remember the best part of summer is right around the corner and we want you to look your best.

Michael Antonio driver 24.99 for a limited time

Confidence from the ground up.

When we step out the door each day we have the option of holding our heads up high and strutting through the day with confidence or we can push through the door with an air of lackadaisical reluctance.  I prefer to make a good start by throwing on a great pair of shoes and to know that I have a firm foundation below confident strutting self.  Nothing can quite make a good day like a new pair of shoes that you know you look good in.  So come on down to High Stepping will get you started off on the right foot.

The Crystal Pepsi Cartel vs The Crystal Meth Cartel

Lets take this back a few years all the way back to 1992 when a ill conceived plan to take on the Crystal Meth Cartels was hatched by Pepsi.  Alfonzo Derago head of Pepsi's new products division started a short lived war by introducing a new crystal product.  Crystal pepsi originated in the small village of Crystalis New Hampshire they were plundered by pepsi for thier natural crystal clear yet horrible citrusy waters.  It was bottled and sold under the guise of Crystal Pepsi.  Little did they know that the fresh waters of Crystaliswas also one of the main ingrediants to make early 90's meth.  The cartels were not very happy Pepsi had unknowingly entered the drug trade, even though crystal pepsi had no caffiene.  They ended Alfonzo's career through the use of a letter bomb and someone else took the blame for the bad idea of a clear cola.  Had they just collaborated on the idea of "Crystal Meth Pepsi" the drink would still be around. It would be cheap easy to come by and just as bad for your teeth as original Pepsi. 

(warning not everything in this blog is factual except the last part)

Now here's a two item combo that will be on your menu this fall.  Minnetonka launched a fringed sheep skin boot that screams comfort, and fashion.  Come in and get it while it's hot.  With or without the fringe short or tall.  We promise it will be around alot longer than crystal Pepsi.

Come walkin in these steps

So there is some interesting things going on behind the Zion curtain over at BYU.  Most of these things I don't really care about but today I read something pretty interesting.  A group of BYU students have come up with an ingenious way to create prosthetic limbs from PVC.  I guess you really can do just about anything with PVC pipe.  The group called 2ft prosthetics can produce the artificial limbs in just under a day for around 25.00 not nearly as expensive as the carbon fiber models.  This gives people in developing countries who may have been plagued by war or industrial accidents the opportunity to walk again.  Which for us means just a few more people walking around and buying more shoes.   I'm thinking some with 6 inch stiletto's would be way cool. To help or support them go to http://www.2ftprosthetics.org/ and donate. 

photo courtesy of KSL

Doing something different

On occasion we need to shake thing up a bit or life gets monotonous.  So tomorrow get up several hours earlier than your used to and take the time to do something you enjoy before work.  When you get to work demand a standing ovation for showing up, you'd be surprised how much people will actually appreciate you being there.  After work grab a cook book or recipe online and make something you've never made or even possibly eaten before.  After dinner go for a walk with your sweet heart,  hold hands and tell each other how cool they are.  If you don't have a sweet heart go for a walk and pretend you do but you still have to hold hands and tell each other how cool they are.  Most people will avoid you and think your crazy but that's half the fun.  Any variation from this plan is encouraged.  I would like you all to share your experiences in deviation from your routine on my facebook page.  www.facebook.com/highstepping

Staying cool

Air Conditioning is always nice.  So is a quick dip in the pool.  Don't have either? don't fret here are some easy things you can do to beat the heat.  We all have lawn chairs and we all have a Walmart close by so why not set up an impromptu get together in the freezer section.  I've never had them kick me out so long as I get up every 4 or 5 minutes and explain that I'm just waiting for the corn to go on sale.  By far the easiest way to stay cool this year is to pick up a pair of Blowfish navy and white flats.  They are very comfortable and go well with just about everything in your summer wardrobe.  For other terrible advice about loitering and great fashion advice come by our store on 1800 south state street Orem. 

Blowfish Sandbox

Getting it on!

photo courtesy of thedailygreen.com

You know exactly what I'm talking about.  We are hard wired for it, we love it.  We enjoy it with friends.  Of course I'm talking about trying on and wearing shoes. There are several methods for getting them on.  The partner method.  This is where you sit back and let someone else do the work.  You have to be soft and yielding if the partner is firm and rough.  You can also be the aggressor and slam that heel home if you've got a good fit.  There is also the solo method which is the most common but you may have need of tools to do it right.  Using a single hand slide the shoe up onto the foot with a slow methodical well practiced motion.  Using a shoe horn slip the back of the shoe over the heel and presto you've got foot wear.  We may not always be in the mood to get it on but it would be a rough day without wearing them. So throw on some Al Green, stretch a little and get down to our store will show you how to get it on the right way.  Check these Madden Girls out while your here they are a nice looking pair.

1800 south state street Orem, Ut 84097.

Click Click Boom.

photo courtesy of Dude Craft

Thanks to some a creative and awesome dude in Denmark Lego's having been giving us a creative outlet for many years.  I'm not for growing up to fast, in fact I hope I don't hit adulthood until well into my 70's.  These shoes capture a era of youth and fun.  While these may not be the best shoes for the office, I can't think of anything funner than cruising around in a pair of lego heels.   Either way they are fun to look at, make a great conversation piece and all in all are fairly aesthetically pleasing.  The point is you can wear whatever you want.   I'm not suggesting that you go out and buy a gas mask and a packet of glitter to put together a post modernistic interpretation of the banana hammock but whatever you choose to wear, make it your own.  This life is to short not to have fun.  So get come on down to the store at 1800 south state street and we will help you pick out your next craft project.