Los Angeles Magazine - in their new "Summer Issue" - has a fun feature for the ladies: three outfits to get you through this Memorial Day Weekend: 

• For a daytime barbecue, the feature recommends Manolo Blahnik "gladiator sandals"
• For hanging out at the beach, or around the pool, or somewhere informal, Tory Burch sandals are the shoes of choice
• And for going out in the evening, Aperlai suede wedges (with a thick sole) are on display

Myself, I'm going out of town for a few days. I'm packing my new UA Spine running shoes I featured last month, for getting in a quick run in the mornings; my laid-back canvas shoes for barbecuing and hanging out by the pool; and a pair of leather loafers - with recently repaired soles - in case I go out to dinner one night. 

What shoes are you planning on sporting this holiday weekend? 

Dang, just a few more days and Memorial Day is upon us, the "unofficial start to summer." How'd that happen? It feels like New Year's Eve was a month ago. I'm going out of town this weekend and grabbed my baseball glove to pack - there is nothing I love more than throwing around a ball on a lazy-summer-weekend afternoon - when I noticed the strings were coming undone. I started thinking about other things that might need to be repaired for the summer. I have a few.

We've written this before, but some people aren't aware: Zabellos does more than just dress-shoe repair. Sure, we are experts at it, but that makes us experts at pretty much anything involving leather. 

• Baseball gloves. If your glove is banged up like mine, we can help.
• Cowbot boots. Do any of you like to ride horses in the summer? Anybody going to a dude ranch? If your boots need repair, we can almost certainly get the job done. 
• Luggage. Do you have a big trip planned and you suddenly realized that your leather bag is split, or the handle has come loose, or the zipper has broken? Not a problem for us. 
• Formal and/or dance shoes. I have three weddings to attend this summer, what about you? And my brown shoes could use a cleaning. How about you?
• Golf shoes. I'm not much of a golfer but most of my friends are. We repair scuffed-up golf shoes all the time. 

To see a list of just some of our custom packages, please take a look here. If it's leather, we can handle it. 

It brought a smile to our face yesterday when we read the news on CNN of Henry Linder, a 93-year-old cobbler who promises he'll never retire.

Linder starting repairing shoes when we was 17 years old, during the Great Depression, and - other than a few months of retirement two decades ago at the age of 72 (which only lasted three months before he went back to work) - he has been repairing shoes ever since. He admits he is not financially wealthy, but he is rich in friends and he can look back on all the decades of work with pride.

We at Zabellos understand Mr. Linder's passion: decades ago, our fathers learned the art of shoemaking from European masters and they passed that passion down to us. When we repair a person's shoes, it fills us with no small amount of pride to hear our customers tell us what a great job we have done.

If we are still repairing shoes and putting smiles on people's faces when we are 93, we will consider ourselves lucky indeed.

Remember a few weeks ago when we told you about Pope Benedict's shoes? Well, we have some news about his replacement, Pope Francis's shoes, thanks to Catholic News Angency.

Unlike the famous red shoes, Pope Francis prefers to wear the same traditional black shoes that he has worn for decades, from a shoemaker outside the Pope's hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. And recently, he called the cobbler for help in repairing his shoes. 

We at Zabellos would be happy to repair the Pope's shoes any time, but we doubt he will take us up on the offer, and we understand why: Pope Francis knows that repairing a beloved shoe is better than simply buying a new one, and part of that routine involves using a trusted cobbler. 

We have our loyal customers, too. (If you've never tried us, please consider doing so - we bet you will become one of them!)

image courtesy NY Times

Spring is definitely here and summer is right around the corner. How many weddings are you going to this year? I have two lined up for sure, and maybe even another that I have forgotten. For summer weddings, I usually wear one of two pairs of shoes: my classic brown-leather Allen Edmonds (almost always with a linen suit) when it's a more formal wedding, and some canvas shoes (usually with the same linen suit, sans-tie) when it's less formal. 

But I think it's easier for men than women. And that's just if you're a guest. If you're the bride, I'm sure there it's even harder. So let's take a look at a bunch of style guides for women's shoes for the 2013 wedding season: 

• The New York Times has an article that, not surprisingly, repeats a pattern (no pun intended) we are seeing a lot these days: bright colors and floral prints, from lesser-known names to the famous ones. 
• Weddings Illustrated has a photo essay on beautiful bridal shoes in all kinds of styles; apparently lace is also popular this year
• Squidoo.com has compiled a massive number of shoes for brides, including links to where you can find all the shoes
• Refinery 29 has a slideshow of 12 "insanely gorgeous" wedding shoes for this season
• And JJ's House has a listing of 407 different styles for sale. Even if you aren't ready to buy, you can get plenty of ideas here

What do you think of this season's wedding shoes? How many weddings are you going to? 

Did you happen to catch the Bulls/Heat game last night? I'm a big basketball fan, but if you're not, I'll sum it up for you: the Bulls, who are missing three starters (including point guard Derrick Rose, the only player other than LeBron James to win an MVP in the last 5 years), beat the Heat, who have been far and away the favorites to win the Championship this year. 

Another interesting thing, hard to miss, were the shoes that LeBron James was wearing. Before the game he was presented with the MVP trophy, as we just mentioned his fourth in five years. To celebrate, Nike outfitted him with a special pair of shoes: the LeBron X MVP. 

According to Nike, these shoes feature "MVP on the shoe tongue [and] weave the story of James’s incredible journey over the past year." To be honest, I have no idea what that means, but these shoes certainly seem to tell some kind of story. 

It's funny how these styles come back around. A little over twenty years ago, when I wasn't even yet a teenager, I remember these bright shoes being popular. Then, when I was in high school, no one I knew would be caught dead in such a bright pair. (I bought a pair of Nike basketball shoes in 1998 that were all white with only a touch of grey, and I remember the ad sold them as "old school," the implication being that they were the opposite of the ostentatious shoes of the early 90s.) But now the best basketball player in the world is sporting some pretty wild shoes. 

What do you think of them? Nike claims that a limited number of them will be available for sale in the near future. 

Today, New York Magazine released a slideshow of 50 shoe styles for spring and nail polishes that look good accompanying them. 

We've mentioned more than once how bright colors are going to be in vogue this spring and summer. The article makes a good point about spring styles: after a winter of wearing boots and big, clunky shoes, people are anxious to add some color to their wardrobes. This past winter wasn't a terrible one overall in New York - though Hurricane Sandy was brutal - but it seemed to drag on forever. Today, May 2, is the first day I remember it getting into the 70s in 2013. 

So it doesn't surprise me that people want to show off some colorful styles and celebrate the nice weather. Check out the slideshow if you have time - there are the usual numbers like Blahniks, Zara, Jimmy Choo, and Marc Jacobs, and also some newcomers to the scene. 

Do you see any that you like?

We've mentioned before that the trend in shoes this spring is looking like it's going to be bright colors. It's already started. Some stories for you to check out: 

• Arnold Swarzenegger stepped out in New York City in the bright blue shoes you see above. (He also walked around his hometown of Brentwood with equally bright blue soles.)
• From the UK's Guardian, an article on the move away from last year's "nude" shoes (made popular by Kate Middleton) towards the bright color and accessories of this season. 
• NewJersey.com has an article on the bold color trends of this year's high school students as they choose their prom outfits and shoes (and also the major price tag that often goes along with the fashions).
• Check out some of the bright summer sandals that are going to be popular this year. (The orange and pink ones are especially vibrant.)
• About.com has a listing of all the trends this spring, remarking that there are a lot. 
• And finally, for the men, Men's Health has 13 cool styles for spring. They're not all as bright as the ladies' styles, but a lot of them are.

What do you think of these colorful styles? Are you looking forward to them or do you prefer the more traditional traditional colors? 

I thought I would take a few minutes today to let you know about my newest running shoes, the UA Spine Venom, because, although I've only had them for a few days, they may well be the best running shoes I have ever owned.

Last June, we let you know about the launch of UA's new "Spine" technology. The soles of the Spine shoes are meant to mimic the human spine, containing an ultralight foam to keep the weight down and a tread that looks like a spine. I tried on a pair last summer and I really liked the way they felt and was surprised - nay, amazed - at how lightweight they were, but I didn't buy a pair. I had been at a sporting goods store during a 4th of July sale, seen a pair of Nike running shoes - which have always been good to me - on sale for only $50, and snatched them up. So I wasn't in the market for another pair of shoes at the moment, even though I really liked the UAs.

But my Nikes have now worn out for runs and they have become my wear-around-the-neighborhood shoes. And UA has released the Venom, the second generation of the Spinie technology, so I ordered myself a pair from Amazon.

From the first time I tried them on, I loved them. The uppers are lightweight foam and mesh - they feel more like wearing a comfortable sock than a shoe. The sole, as you can see, is hollowed out and looks like a spine. The hollowing-out, obviously, makes the shoe weigh less while retaining the flexbile, sturdy structure needed for running.

I've only done eight miles in these shoes, so take my opinion with a grain of salt if you wish, but so far I am extremely happy with them. I will let you know how they hold up over time. I've been wearing Nikes for basketball, cross-training, and running for more than twenty five years. If these UA Spine Venoms hold up, it'sentirely possible I will be switching brands of athletic shoes, which is something I never thought I would say.

So it caught my eye this afternoon when I saw the headline on NYRacked.com proclaiming "Top Ten Shoes for Summer in the City." It turns out they're all women's shoes. I should have figured. But I am still passing on the link. Included in the article are: 

• Chloe ankle-strap sandals. I was actually just with someone who was looking at a pair of those yesterday. 
• Bass Clementine sandals. I've already seen quite a few pairs of these on the (few) warm days over the last month. 
• Pierre Hardy color-blocked suede sandals. These feature several of the pastel colors that are rumored to be popular this summer. 

Several other shoes are shown in the article, of course. Take a look and let us know which are your favorite. 

And if none of them are for you - if you're a guy, like me - I'll tell you what I wear: canvas shoes with no socks whenever possible. If I know I'm going to be walking a lot, I'll wear my Nikes with low-cut socks. And, when I absolutely have to dress a little nicer, I wear lightweight leather loafers. 

image courtesy New York Times

Have you ever been on a vacation where you spend so much time walking that your feet end up hurting and you have to change your plans? I once walked several miles on a hot day on vacation in New York City in shoes that turned out to be a bit too small. My feet developed blisters and hurt for at least two days. 

If you have a pair of shoes that you love to walk in, you're all set. (On subsequent vacations, whenever I know it's going to be a day full of walking, I wear my Nike running shoes.) But if you're not sure what to wear, why not turn to those who spend every day walking in tourist destinations: tour guides. 

An article yesterday in the New York Times does just that. The author asked dozens of tour guides from all over Europe what shoes they prefer. 

Among the men, some of the brands were ones that I own and love: Nike, Timberland, and Rockport. For the women, there was a larger number of shoes. Fly London, which makes sandals and boots with rubber soles, was mentioned, as was Hush Puppies, Clarks, Mephisto, Munro, Cole Haan, and many other brands, several of which I do not know. 

Do you have a pair that you like to wear when you're walking around doing touristy things? Please let us know which.

Are you a sports fan? (I am a big sports fan; there is literally not a day that goes by that I do not watch a game and/or watch at least an hour of ESPN.) Two recent things have caught our eye and we want to share them with you. 

First, legendary dress-shoe maker Allen Edmonds has released a line of custom-made shoes, designed for you to show support for your favorite baseball team. So if you're a Red Sox fan, you can sport the above pair to show your love. If you like another team, most are available. (I'm an Angels fan and I just spent five minutes designing my own pair. But I just don't think I'm going to order them.) More details can be found on the Allen Edmonds website.)

For those of you who are golf fans, Jack Nicklaus has teamed up with Allen Edmonds to release a line of dress shoes (and also casual shoes, as seen in the photo above, which, along with an article, can be found at bizjournals.com). The Golden Bear has released plenty of shirts, hats, and golf accessories in the past, but this is his first foray into dress shoes. 

What do you think of Allen Edmonds releasing shoes aimed at sports fans and golf enthusiasts? Do you see them making a dent in the market, or do you think they will continue to be known only for dress shoes?

image courtesy lifehacker.com

What would you say if I told you that you never have to tie your shoes again - or, more specifically, that you never had to worry about your shoes becoming untied every again? Would that at least get your attention?

Lifehacker.com brings us news today of a new product called Lock Laces. Lock Laces look like normal laces, but they have elastic inside, allowing you to pull them as tightly as you like, and a circular, plastic sliding mechanism that a cinches the lace in place. 

Like the above picture, the Lock Laces probably look best when worn with black athletic shoes. They might stand out to much with white shoes, and they definitely might look strange with dress shoes. What do you think? Are you interested in trying out a pair? 

I think I will - they are available for only $7.99 on Amazon. I'll let you know how it goes. 

Here's a collection of some interesting tips we have heard from people. We don't vouch for all of them - and certainly we promise that a Zabellos repair will be better than any of these - but we thought we'd pass them along, if only for the humor. 

• Did you know that you can use a banana peel to shine your shoes? The potassium and oils on the inside of the peel will do a good job in a pinch. Just lightly rub the peel on your shoes then brush with a soft cloth. 
• Some people swear that freezing your shoes will remove odor. This might be one of the tips about which we are skeptical - and we urge you DO NOT put your expensive leather shoes in the freezer, but if your old sneakers are getting funky, you could try putting them in a Ziploc bag in the freezer overnight. (The theory is that the extreme cold will kill the bacteria.)
• Tea Tree Oil is ubiquitous these days at health care stores and pharmacies... you can take a cotton ball, get a little of the oil on it, and lightly rub the inside of your shoe for a pleasant aroma that will overpower any funky smells.
• If your shoes are a bit tight in places, slip on some socks and the shoes use a hair dryer for one minute on the tight places, then continue wearing your shoe as it cools. Again, I don't think I would try this with a nice pair of dress shoes, but I have watched my better half do this with her slip-on flats and it works. 
• Often, vinegar and water will remove road-salt stains on your shoes
• For scuff marks on a leather sneaker, try a mix of water and lemon juice and then let your shoes sit in the sun all afternoon
• Likewise, a paste of baking soda and water is supposed to work on canvas sneakers

Any other interesting tips you can add? 

Don't forget, if it's an expensive pair of shoes or you don't want to try any of this homespun wisdom, Zabellos is always here to help. 

It's baseball season again. Does that make you happy? It makes me extremely happy. Last year, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers became the first player in 45 years to achieve a Triple Crown. (For those of you who aren't baseball fans, that means he led his league in home runs, RBIs, and batting average - very few men have ever done it, and those who have are names that even you would recognize: Ted Williams, Mickey Manthle, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, etc...)

So how do you honor such an accomplishment? You know, besides an MVP award? Give the man his own shoe! Detroit shoe store Burn Rubber has teamed up with New Balance shoes to create "The Miggy": navy blue and orange (the Tigers' colors), a woven tongue with three crowns (get it?), and Cabrera's legendary statistics on the back. 

The bad news if you want a pair? Only 44 are being made. (44 being the number of home runs Cabrera hit last year.) And they will only be available at the Burn Rubber location on West Fourth Street in Detroit, starting at noon on April 13. If there are any shoes left by 1PM, they will be available on the store's website... but nobody is expecting that. 

I wasn't thrilled with Cabrera's season (I'm an Angels fan) but I certainly respected it. I would never wear the shoes of a player on a rival team... but I admit I love the way these look. What do you think?

The website hollywoodlife.com has alerted us to the shoes that actress, singer, and dancer Victoria Justice wore at the Kids' Choice awards the other day: ALDO Alvara sandals.

The sandals are bright red, with a 4.75" heel, criss-cross strap, and a big buckle. If you search around online, you can find them for under $100. 

What do you think of the style? If the bright red is too bold for you, the shoe is also available in a neutral bone-color. 

• The Lowell Sun has a listing of new technologies in Running Shoes, including new Adidas "Energy Boost" sneakers and Nikes made of a polyester yarn. 
• New York Magazine has a slideshow of shoes styles to wear with spring printed styles
• Jezebel.com reports on an exhibition containing 31 shoe styles "you won't believe"
• The Guardian has a cute knitting pattern for baby shoes
• Do you watch March Madness? It's my favorite sporting event of the year. It seems like simple advice, but it's important to remember to tie your shoes!
• The museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology is winding down an exhibit called "Shoe Obsession"

Do you have any other news to share?

Well, it's spring now. We wrote about new spring styles the other day, but there's another issue that comes with spring: how did your shoes survive the winter weather? Rain, snow, mud, the salts they put on the streets... all of these things can beat up on your shoes, even shoes that  are made for harsh weather. Two recent articles dealt with the issue. CBS in Minnesota weighed the pros and cons or repair (vs. purchasing a new pair) and decided that each person should decide what is best for him or her. (Although it seems like their list of cons is that some people don't do a good enough job to make a repair worthwhile - we promise you that isn't an issue with Zabellos!)

Meanwhile, ABC interviewed the founder of Angie's List and concludes that the most common shoe repairs are well worth it and give your favorite old shoes new life. 

I won't pretend that we at Zabellos are completely impartial. After all, shoe repair is our business; of course we want to serve you. But I promise you, it is much more than just a business to us... it is our passion. Remember, we are not just shoe repairers, we are shoe makers, schooled in the old world ways of master cobbling. 

If you incurred any damage to your shoes over the winter, please consider trying us out. We guarantee you will be pleased. 

Spring is almost here. Well, last week it felt like summer around these parts; today it feels like winter. But going by the calendar, only a few more days until spring. We thought we'd share some stories we've found recently about shoe styles for spring.

• The Shopping Diva blog writes up the above pair, some cute and comfortable flats from Target that may have you rethinking how you feel about inexpensive ($29.99) shoes.
• Nordstrom has it's Spring 2013 Jimmy Choo Lookbook available for browsing. Sure, they cost a little more than the Target wedges, but you know how it goes...
• The Hull Daily Mail writes that it's going to be "strappy or shiny" shoes this spring. Or maybe both.
• Glam has a listing of "flirty flats" that it loves this season. Neon colors, quirky colors, and florals abound.
• And finally, the OC Register echoes the idea that floral prints will be popular this spring, as well as noting that this year's "spring pastels" will be deeper hued and less "airy" than years passed.

What do you think? Do you like this spring's styles?

Just unveiled at South By Southwest yesterday, Google's new smart shoes are basically a smartphone for your shoes, as reported by NY Daily News. The Adidas sneakers have been heavily customized with all of the trappings of a smart phone: an accelerometer, gyroscope, and pressure sensor.

The shoes also have a speaker in them in an attempt to motivate the wearer. (Example: ""if standing still were a sport, you'd be world champion!")

Now, it's not known whether these shoes will ever see production. It's entirely possible they were created simply to show off the technology; to show what smart technology is capable of doing. What do you think? Do you have any interest in owning a pair of shoes that works like a smart phone? Do you think that would be cool, or an unnecessary (not to mention silly) application of the technology?