Both Kassie and I had ballet training in the past, and thus, have had our fair share of toe, heel, arch, and ankle pain. In fact, there was a time in my preteen years when I actually encouraged the growth of calluses on my toes in order to prevent blisters from forming when wearing point shoes. While my dance training didn’t exactly leap into a dancing career, those calluses have stuck around and are permanent features on my feet. And now, with all this fashion pressure to expose your toes, and if you’ve got less than perfect feet (like me), mental anguish can be added to your list of summer foot ailments.
So in the heat of summer, we here at SimplySoles decided it was time to tend to our feet, and not just our footwear. While we love our shoes, we recognize that our feet don’t always look good in them. So we went in search of simple, inexpensive and effective summer tidbits and treats for your feet…and we’re calling them Cool-Aid.
SimplySoles’ Recipe for Cool-Aid:
(1) Enjoy Foot Soaks: There are two options here...you can make your own using a combination of Tea Tree Oil (reputed to have antibacterial and antiseptic properties) and Epsom Salts, or if looking for an even simpler solution (like me) you can buy the Fresh Foot Forward Soak by Bath by Bettijo. Both will help to refresh and revitalize swollen and aching feet.
(2) Apply Foot Powder or Wear Loafer Socks: Use in closed toe shoes and sneakers. Pour in shoes, but have some handywipes ready when you remove your shoes or you may see a footprint powder trail through your house. Also be warned that if you pour too much into your shoes you might create clouds when you walk (which is not part of the “cool-aid” recipe because foot powder clouds just aren’t cool). Nothing fancy is needed, Dr. Scholl’s will do unless…of course you wish to coordinate your powder with your perfume (in which case you are probably getting weekly pedicures and don’t really need this advice). If you’re not a powder aficionado, try wearing a pair of cotton blend peds/loafer socks. Sure they might show a little around the edges, but wouldn’t you rather have a little sock show than have blisters or stinky feet? Besides, sweat will stiffen the leather in your shoes over time so consider using powder or peds as part of the designer shoe investment process.
(3) Use Petroleum Jelly/Vaseline: This may seem weird (or sound gross), but applying Vaseline (or chapstick) on the tops of your toes, on your cuticles, and on the back of your heels will actually soften the corns and calluses in the heat (I learned this from my ballet teacher although I ignored the advice at the time).
(4) Enjoy Some Sand and Stone Therapy: This advice is easy…take walks on the beach. Everyone knows that walking in the sand exfoliates your feet and helps strengthen your arches, but have you ever picked up hot stones on the beach and placed them on the soles of your feet? Aaagh...just like a fancy spa treatment…only cheaper. If you’re more prone to laying down on the beach than walking on it (like me), simply wiggle your toes into the sand for an exfoliating treatment and a little bit of exercise.
(5) Apply Lotion Before Bedtime:The sun and heat can strip moisture from your feet so as part of your bedtime routine, slap some lotion on your feet and go to sleep. Keep the bottle on the nightstand so you don’t have to walk anywhere after application. Lotion on your feet during the day can be a slippery proposition.
(6) Get Pedicures: It’s always amazing what a fresh coat of polish will do to a tired pair of feet.
These are all simple treatments…probably ones we’ve heard before and chosen to ignore. Don’t ignore them though. Not only will they help your feet feel better...you’ll feel better about your feet. And if that’s not enough enticement, consider these footcare concepts as footwear care. Healthy (exfoliated) heels and soles actually help increase the lifespan of your favorite footwear fashions.
With Warm Regards and Cool Feet,
Rebeccah
PS – If you haven’t already checked out our summer sale, consider stopping by. We’re also getting our fall merchandise in so keep checking back to see the latest additions to the site. Our Fall 2005 catalog will ship in mid-September, but all styles can be pre-ordered online.
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