*This post is sponsored by Shoe Carnival. Thank you for supporting the companies that support this site!
I don’t know what your experience was like when you got your school shoes, but my experience wasn’t too different from my own kids! I remember the thrill and excitement of getting fitted for new shoes (and just praying my feet grew so I would HAVE to have a new pair). I then remember the joy of walking out in my brand new shoes on the way home, and those old, awful shoes thrown in a bag. Is there any better feeling than walking out with fresh, cushy shoes on your feet and all the promise they hold? It was always one of my favorite days and a rite of passage into the next school year.
Today I’m partnering up with Shoe Carnival for the back-to-school season and to show off our FirstDay Kicks with you! I don’t want to just tell you about it though, what fun would that be? I’d love to share FOUR $50 gift cards so you can get your kids some stylish kicks to wear on their first day back!
My children wear uniforms to school so our shoe choices are a little more limited than when I was a kid. I do remember that my mom always pushed us towards practical (AKA BORING COLORS), but practical shoes that adhere to school guidelines are what we have to look for now. Shoe Carnival has always been where I have taken them because of the plethora of choices we can get at one store that meet our requirements. They not only offer a handful of great options within our limited choices, they even carry brands like French Toast that are specifically for kids like mine who wear uniforms.
When you walk in, you can ask for an associate to help you with foot measuring! We did that and found out both of the kids had gone up at least one size (oh, their prayers were answered!). Each kid picked one pair of athletic shoes and one pair of dress shoes for the school year, as is our annual tradition. Do you do that too?
For my son’s dress shoes, we found the Vans Atwood was a great shoe for a wider foot. I loved that the shoe trim was in black to prevent these shoes from looking worn out quickly (a problem all moms of boys face!). Anything I don’t have to maintain to keep bright for this kid is a win in my book.
My daughter found the French Toast Ashley was the perfect shoe to wear when she wants to doll up for school, with Velcro closures and a padded collar on the back for comfort. We love the price too (under $20) which helped keep our shopping excursion affordable.
We have always relied on Nike for our athletic shoes for comfort and durability! My son picked out a Nike Flex that he can’t wait to break in on his cross country runs. My daughter loved the Nike Revolution with the pink accents, Velcro closure, and cushy bottom for her gym class needs.
We are particularly thankful for our Shoe Perks Rewards that we get. Have you signed up yet? You earn a point for every dollar you spend, receive a $10 Shoe Perks reward certificate for every 200 points earned, and get 50 points just for joining!
Those points add up fast, especially when your kids are growing in and out of shoes so quickly. Just look at my son! Who is this man I am living with? Shoe sizing has been changing every few months in our house!
For me, back-to-school is a lot different as an adult than it was when I was a kid. Between dance lessons, cross country, piano lessons, guitar lessons, and volunteering in our community…it is a season that I really struggle with. Running these kids, running a household, and running a business…tough stuff!
Did my mom do this for us?
She was a saint.
Since I’m on my feet all day, I treat myself to a back-to-school reward too. For me, it’s all about maximum comfort and maximum style. I’m not 20 anymore (oh, the things I did to my poor feet!), so point me in the direction of the comfort aisle, please!
Let’s break down my three favorites for the mamas out there!
First, if there is a cuter shoe than the City Classified Taylor then I would be shocked! This has a comfort cushioning footbed, a beautiful herringbone oxford exterior, and a nice rubber tread on it. I love a good throwback and these fit the bill perfectly.
If you want a pair of these, size up one size because they tend to run a little shorter than my other shoes. Also note, this lady has a wide foot and these accommodate a wider foot.
Have you tried BOBS yet from Skechers? My girlfriend recommended I check these out and I am so glad I did. It is like I am walking on a cloud, not kidding! These shoes could double for slippers! These are also filled with cushy memory foam and I love the company’s mission to donate new shoes to kids in need with every purchase. I’m all about companies that care for those in need. It makes me feel good about my purchases.
I chose a neutral tan to go with my whole wardrobe. I recommend sizing down since these will stretch out over time. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. I had to resist the urge to get them in every color, especially since they are so comfortable!
We did a lot of walking in Italy this summer, and you may recall I purchased the Clarks Wendy Estate shoe as a treat to myself for Mother’s Day. My feet never hurt (not once), and after walking seven miles in Italy, we came back to our hotel room and I still didn’t take them off- they felt that good.
They are just the perfect shoe with supportive cushioning and Velcro adjustable straps. They come in a wide and medium width. I have worn them all summer long and love that this shoe looks great with dresses as well as shorts.
I am of the belief that if you love something that much, you should get it in all the colors.
Are you too?
So here she is in black. It’s the perfect shoe. I mean it.
Did you love our haul? Today I am giving away a $50 gift card to FOUR lucky mamas to treat your amazing family to some new FirstDay Kicks with Shoe Carnival. Please follow the instructions below in our Rafflecopter widget to enter. I hope you have an incredible first day of school!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Shoe Carnival.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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