TOMS Shoes

I've been eyeing TOMS Shoes for a couple of years now. Who wouldn't? They are stylish and look incredibly comfortable. About a week ago I stopped a women wearing a pair and asked her if she'd recommend them...she smiled and after a few minutes of her praise of the shoes, she finally said, "So yes, I guess you could say I'd recommend them!" So I'm now sold.

I started researching them a bit more and found that they are a company that was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, a former contestant of The Amazing Race (a show my husband and I never miss). Blake was inspired by the low-cost alpargatas (espadrille-type shoes) during a trip to Argentina...where he saw their extreme poverty first hand.

Since 2006, for each pair of TOMS shoes that have been purchased, TOMS has given a pair of their shoes away to a child in need. So far that total is over 60,000 pair of shoes gifted to children in Argentina and South Africa. Their goal is to give away 200,000 shoes in 2008...a goal I plan to help them accomplish!

TOMS shoes are available in women and men sizes and Tiny TOMS (like the two adorable pair above) are available in infant and toddler sizes. Shoes start at $34.00 a pair...I mean for two pair...one for you and one for a child in need. And if that doesn't have you walking a bit lighter, I don't know what will!

Visit tomsshoes.com to purchase.