Just because..

20 years of Christian Louboutin

20 beautiful years of Christian Louboutin

The French shoemaker famous for his red-soled shoes is releasing a book dedicated to his most fantastical designs of the last 20 years. It would make a great coffee table book for any shoe lovers! 

The Christian Louboutin company came into existence in the year of 1992 and his first store was opened in Paris.. mais bien sûr! All of his boutiques are different, but all designed and decorated by Christian Louboutin himself.

The shoes on this page are some of my favorite that would look pretty fantastical in my closet! I think his shoes have a magic power that can make people happy. ❤

Did you know that his famous red soles were inspired by an employee's nail polish? 

Christian Louboutin website

L'Art Du Deplacement

This is amazing!

Have you ever heard of Parkour? PK? Art Du Deplacement? Freerunning? People doing insane jumps between buildings.. What ever you call it.. I freaking love it!!! Many questions are raised between the differences of parkour and freerunning but it is quite similar.. I read that freerunning is expressing yourself within your environment and parkour is aiming to get from A to B the fastest. Parkour is often combined with other forms of acrobatics, such as free running, street stunts, tricking and traditional Chinese martial arts like Qing Gong (light body skill). It is amazing and is becoming more and more popular.

Parkour has appeared in various television advertisements, movies such as the film Casino Royale, documentaries, comic books, video games and music videos. Remember Madonna's video for her song "Jump"? Also her music video "Hung Up" contains some clips of free running. For Madonna's Confessions tour, free running was used for the choreography of "Jump". Even the Militaries from different countries are looking for ways to incorporate parkour into training such as the British Royal Marines, they hired parkour athletes to train their members.

I think that this new sport kinda reflect our lives. The buildings and fences represent the obstacles that we face and that we see impossible to overcome.

I can't help asking myself.. what kind of shoes are they wearing to do this? I believe one of them is wearing Kalenji running shoe.. Kalenji has become a firm favourite in the scene as THE shoe of choice amongst Freerunner’s and Traceur’s alike. The shoes are ugly!.. but they seems to be the best! Free running founder, Sébastien Foucan (The Casino Royale dude) helped K-Swiss develop the first shoe for free running and parkour. The shoes are called the Ariake. Sébastien appears in a commercial for K-Swiss, free running. You can see it here.

Want more? Here is 2 great documentaries about Parkour and Free Running:

"Obstacles are found everywhere, and in overcoming them we nourish ourselves."

Quote by David Belle, Parkour founder.

10,000 steps a day!

Every day is the same dilemma.. Heels or Chucks Taylor ? It is no secret that high heel shoes have been linked to a range of problems - from corns to schizophrenia!! Woman have about four times as many foot problems as men do. Also, the pain can be worse for women who are overweight, have arthritis, or have a high/flat arches. In my case, it's arthritis and back problem so I had to think of a solution! Obviously, no one expects ME to completely stop wearing heels!!

Here are a few high heels tips:

• Limit your wear time for special occasions and for shorter days! Did you know that people take an average of 10,000 steps a day?
• Wait for the afternoon or at the end of the day to buy shoes.
• Buy soft, high-quality leather or suede, not synthetics! Patent leather, plastic and fabric doesn't stretch to accommodate the foot.
• Brake in the shoes by wearing them around the house with thin socks for a few hours daily
• Wedges and platforms are comfortable but for even more comfort you can ask your shoe repair guy to add rubber soles.
• Try those Dr.schools insoles. They can make a 3 inch heel feel like a 2 inch heel by distributing stress from your forefoot to the middle of your arch. They are less than $10 and your feet and knee will thank you at the end of the day!
• Stretching your toes after taking off your shoes can be quite helpful. This helps the circulation to the poor little tootsies that are cramped in your shoes.
• Stretch your Achilles tendon and calf muscles every day.
• Try gripping a light towel and holding your foot up. It will strengthen some muscles you used when wearing heels.
  
• Give yourself foot massage rolling your feet back and forth over a tennis ball.
  

Did you know that there is a few studies that suggest that wearing high heels may improve your pelvic floor muscles and boost your sex life!

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Elephant Dung Heels - No thanks but interesting!

Elephant Dung Heels -- Look Like You Stepped in Something!

Image Source Both: http://www.insaland.com

These 10-inch stiletto heels, created by a London artist/mysterioso were commissioned by the Tate as part of a series of design “responses” to a recent exhibit by Chris Ofili. He is a painter who smeared elephant manure on his controversial 1996 piece, The Holy Virgin Mary. Chris won a Turner Prize with 'The virgin Mary' made up of black porn magazine collage, oil paint, glitter, polyester resin and elephant dung on linen. Manchester born artist Chris Ofili uses very unique mixed media for his art..

Image source: Artthrob.co.za

Karl Lagerfeld, Mickey Mouse ears & Hello Kitty hair bow?

This show was absolutely amazing!! Dusty Cotton candy and this Metallic touch is THE perfect color combination for the elegance of Madame Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel and the edge of Monsieur Lagerfeld. Karl, may I work for you?

Karl has a magic mind when it comes to elegant accessories. I LOVE those gloves.. the jewelry and the boots are worth buying and framing. I am loving everything. Haute couture is ART.

It looks like Lady Gaga may be Karl's new muse!

Year of the Tiger - Bata Shoe Museum!

February 3 - March 12, 2010

Special Event

Year of the Tiger – Celebrating Chinese New Year at the Bata Shoe Museum

Snapshot exhibit on display from February 3 - March 12, 2010

This temporary exhibition will feature a unique selection of rare arte facts from collection of Glenn & Judy Roberts.

Born in a Year of the Tiger? If you were born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, or 2010, get in free with proof of your birth date between February 9th and 28th, 2010!