Shoes

Steve Madden Shoes have a great collection of shoes with an ample opportunity for buyers who want to purchase an inimitable pair shoe for themselves. Many people never compromise with the style and fashion. They like to wear trendy things and these shoes make their wish possible. People always want everything different from others; they want that whatever they put on should be unique. These shoes are on the pulse of the hottest shoes in the fashion magazines. Sarah Palin was recently seen sporting a pair of these on the campaign trail! These shoes are available for both men and women. Earlier it was believed that only ladies are associated with the fashion, men have nothing to do with it, but now it is not so. Men are as fashionable as women.

Steve Madden shoes fulfill the demands of both men and women. The collection of these shoes includes suitable shoes for every occasion. From late night party to office, the collection of these shoes features the best style. These shoes are available in innumerable colors matching the color of the clothes. Matching shoes always give a perfect look and that too if the design is unique it is an icing on cake. People who happen to look these shoes cannot help gazing them. Beautiful sandals and sporty sneakers mesmerize people.

Line of these shoes includes from high heels to flat sleepers or sandals meeting the requirements of every kind of people. Some ladies avoid heels especially, old aged ladies but like to be updated with the new fashion, can rely on Steve Madden shoes. Ballerina style shoes are happening shoes in the fashion world. Quality and comfort of these shoes have no match with any other kind of shoes. Trim features and unique cut-out style make them the first choice of people. Multi-colored version of these shoes make them fit for the ladies who cannot afford matching sandals for different dresses. Colors of these shoes for men also suit the new trend.

A wide range of these shoes is available on online stores. You can have a look over hundreds of trendy shoes within minutes if you browse internet. You are also informed on online stores about the other colors for same design, if they are available. The prices and features for each shoe are also available there with the picture of shoes. Some stores offer free shipping if you buy Steve Madden shoes. If you also want to be stylish and trendy you can put on these shoes.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 06:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With a shoe collection bigger than Carrie Bradshaw's, Lily Allen has been delighting us this month by stepping out in a variety of  vertiginous footwear.

But for Paris Fashion Week, the singer has really raised the bar and was snapped doing a spot of shopping in the French capital while wearing a pair of £415, 4in, black Yves St Laurent shoes - her highest ones to date. All politics aside, it was a freat time!

Looking groomed and chic, Lily made stops at Chanel, Prada and Goyard.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nothing quite says "manly" like a cannonball with a handle. Fittingly, this intimidating weight, known as a kettlebell, comes with a testosterone-laden history: It debuted more than a century ago in Eastern Europe, where it was impressively hoisted by strongmen "in those full-body swimsuits and big mustaches," explains Patrick Castro, co-owner of the personal training studios BodySmith DC.

But somehow, as kettlebells have immigrated to the United States in the past few years (starting with the workouts of Special Forces guys and NFL players), the hefty spheres have attracted a new following: the ladies who lunge. "Women like to learn new things, while guys get macho and think they already know what they're doing," says Brian Wright, a local personal trainer. Many other personal trainer Sydney, Australia are using these techniques.

So it's Wright's female clients who are often more receptive to discovering the benefits of kettlebell training, which isn't so much about lifting weight as it is about swinging it. The most basic move, in fact, is called the swing; it requires squatting to lift the handle with two hands, sticking out your rear end, thrusting your hips forward and using that momentum to send the kettlebell soaring up and back down into another swing. In just that one exercise, you've tested your strength (particularly in the hamstrings and glutes), your coordination and, with enough reps, your cardiovascular capacity.

Those combined challenges are what turns on Hope Hurt, a 26-year-old who was introduced to kettlebells when she began working with Wright a few months ago. "I started to prefer them over standard dumbbells," she says. "Dumbbells are old school. It's what my dad works out with." While he's doing the same boring sets and reps, Hope is perfecting her "Turkish get-up." Starting from a supine position with one arm reaching up holding a 20 - pound kettlebell, she contorts her body in a specific series so she ends up standing straight with the kettlebell above her head.

Exercises like this demand some serious muscle as well as core strength, but kettlebells' female following has discovered that the dynamic, full-body movements aren't designed to bulk you up. Rather, the result tends to be the long, lean look often associated with Pilates or yoga, Castro says.

Certainly, that perk was on the minds of the all-female crew hefting 10- to 25-pound kettlebells at a recent session of Castro's "Tactical Kettlebell Challenge" in his Glover Park studio. Kelley Auerbach, 43, a former bodybuilder, admitted she shies away from gaining too much mass but remains partial to the feeling of weightlifting, a feeling she can get with kettlebells. "I have trouble with cardio. With this, though, I don't feel like I'm doing the treadmill," she says.

Emily Field, 29, shows up at the class for the opposite reason. "I've always been more of a cardio person. I'm a hard sell for strength training," she says.

Both of them are getting the workout they crave, Castro says, because the movements require the raising of both weights and heart rates, which makes for an effective and engaging routine. "Women who don't have a lot of time and want the most bang for their buck? Frankly, that's kettlebells," he says.

Michelle Khai first laid eyes on kettlebells about six years ago while working at an Equinox Fitness Club in New York, and she found they jibed perfectly with her two passions: Olympic-style weightlifting and dance. With a kettlebell, she could perform effective lifts (like the snatch and the clean and jerk) more easily and do them in a flow that reminded her of her Alvin Ailey background.

So she wasn't surprised, as she started introducing the moves to clients, to discover that it was the female ones who usually picked them up faster. "Women are lower-body dominant, so we're used to powering up with our legs. And women tend to be more coordinated," Khai says. And when she took the bells to the Miami City Ballet to tone the dancers, the leotard set was also instantly smitten.

But Khai guessed a massive cannonball, along with specific people who are personal training sydney, with a handle would need a makeover before it could take off with women who work out in their living rooms. So she created the "kbell," billed on her Kettlenetics Web site as "the most effective hand-held gym," a four-pound version with an attractive, cherry-red ball and a wide grip for comfortable handling. (She started marketing her bells via infomercials earlier this year.)

In this form, Khai hopes other women can understand the enormous potential of something that looks so simple. "Because of that handle, I can pass it around, flip it around," she says. "It opens up possibilities because you can kick with it, balance with it, flow with it. Part of my own practice I call my kettlebell flow. I turn on music and just play with it. It's an evolving movement art for me."

It also, she says, has done wonders for her tush. "We've coined the term 'bell butt' for that high, rounded look that every woman wants," says Khai, although the phrase would be just as appropriate for the soreness you're sure to feel in your seat a day or two after a kettlebell workout.

Or even right after. As she walked out of Castro's class in Glover Park, Kristi Bledsoe, 32, who had just touched kettlebells for the first time, declared, "My legs are about to give out." But would she be back? Definitely.

For more information about this training, please visit... http://npmfitness.com.au

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 06:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There’s nothing worse than coming back for a run with sore shins or aching knees. The pain can be enough to keep you from hitting the pavement for days or even weeks. So please, do yourself a favor and find the right running shoe.

The first step is figuring out what’s causing your pain. The two most common problems are overpronating or underpronating. Overpronators stand out for the way the soles of their shoes wear sharply inward. If the heels of your favorite kicks have some seriously angled wear, you probably fit this group. Another symptom: flat feet. If that’s you, the solution is motion control. These shoes specialize in getting your heel to hit the pavement with a more natural roll, which prevents added strain on joints and ligaments. Once you have that under cover, the pain should stop. These are a good starting point.

Higher arches cause their own problems, namely underpronating. These runners often strike the ground with the outside of their feet, which puts more pressure on a small surface area. To fix the flaw, look for shoes marketed as flexible or cushioning. These will keep your foot where it needs to be. These might change your running style.

And those lucky few who have the feet that would make Adonis proud don’t have much to worry about. Just focusing on your personal running style is enough. If you’re looking to drop time, then a racing shoe probably offers a good balance of support without adding extra weight. Trail runners, on the other hand, will be looking for something a little more durable with more protection against the elements.  Once you've found just the right shoe, you can ask yourself, Am I famous now?

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Athleticism won't be the only thing on display in Beijing. The world's top designers, from Polo Ralph Lauren to Gucci to Alexander McQueen, are getting involved in the Games, taking advantage of the opportunity to kick-start or expand their business in the booming Chinese market.

The designers will also be able to attract attention from people of several other nations, as the Summer Olympics are expected to draw over 4 billion viewers worldwide, the largest audience ever to watch the Games. And about 3 million domestic and overseas visitors are expected to be traveling to Beijing. This creates an enormous global outlet for designers to showcase their work.

"This is a different kind of Olympics," says Tony Alcindor, vice president of public relations and marketing at Ports 1961, which is outfitting four of NBC's Olympic commentators. "It has become a global mission for sports and fashion to come together to do something good, despite the political drama surrounding the games."

New Event, Same Relationship
The Olympics merely present the best opportunity for visibility. The collaboration between fashion and sports, with joint ventures between athletes and labels other than Rolex and Cartier , is nothing new.

Dolce & Gabbana partnered with Italy's Milano Beach Soccer league in the 2006-2007 season, and Cavalli's June 2008 campaign featured five players from the Italian rugby team. Collaborations, such as Stella McCartney and Adidas and Alexander McQueen and Puma, are making sportswear fashionable as well as performance-friendly.

This relationship between contemporary fashion and global sportswear is even the subject of a new exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London beginning Aug. 5. There will be about 60 outfits--including performance sportswear--on display to show the influence of sportswear on high fashion.

"Fashion and sports have a lot to give to each other," says Ligaya Salazar, the show's curator. "Fashion has the freedom of creativity, while sportswear has the knowledge of the best fabrics to make items functional."

One Giant Fashion Show
With so many people watching, all at once, the Olympics present an unparalleled opportunity for designers to connect with the sports world and build brand recognition. Ralph Lauren in particular is raising its presence in the sports arena as the official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.

"Polo wants to maintain its association with the elite, and the Olympics is one of the most austere sporting events," says Milton Pedraza, CEO of The Luxury Institute, a market research organization that focuses on high-net-worth consumers.

For the Olympics, Ralph Lauren's collection includes apparel for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as pieces for the U.S. teams to wear around the Olympic village when they aren't competing. The opening-ceremony outfits are a return to the classics that reflect the heritage and sensibility of the 1920s and '30s, while the closing ceremony outfits have a sportier edge.

"As our athletes take to this world stage they are representing the best of America, and we are proud to be a part of that," says David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications.

Apparel from the entire collection is currently available in Polo Ralph Lauren U.S. retail stores, select department stores and online.

Luxury Lines
Gucci and Prada have also embarked on limited-edition collections in celebration of the Olympics.

Gucci's 8-8-2008 Limited Edition features eight accessories, splashed in bold red, that epitomize luxury. An I-Gucci digital watch, bicycle, Mah Jong set, leather panda, two-piece luggage set and men's and women's sports shoes all make up the collection.

"Not only does red evoke happiness and celebration--two emotions that couldn't be more appropriate to describe the excitement in the world of sports--but it also happens to be a very fashionable color for 2008," says Frida Giannini, creative director for Gucci. "I also designed just eight products for this collection, which mirror the lucky number 8 in Chinese culture."

Though the I-Gucci watch will be offered worldwide for $1,415, all other designs will be sold exclusively in Hong Kong and mainland China.

And some designers are getting in on the Olympics in the name of charity rather than profit. Lane Crawford, a high-end specialty store with locations throughout Hong Kong and China, invited 12 world-renowned designers, including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Burberry Prorsum, Givenchy, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent, to create one-of-a-kind outfits inspired by Olympic events. "The Collective: Synergy in Fashion" is on display at Today's Museum in Beijing throughout August.

The garments will be auctioned, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Special Relief Funds for Children affected by the Sichuan earthquake.

Whatever the goal, however, be it profit or philanthropy, the opportunity is unprecedented for designers, since the Olympics is an event that everyone, in some way, can identify with.

"Competition, failure, achievement, these are all things entrepreneurs and people on Wall Street deal with on a daily basis," says Pedraza. "We all understand the feeling of being only as good as your last achievement."

It's that feeling designers are counting on to capitalize on for two weeks in August.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 04:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some sports require lots of expensive equipment, but all running requires is a good pair of shoes. In recent tests, Consumer Reports found that, thanks to modern materials and sophisticated design, most of the shoes tested performed well.

To evaluate 24 models of running shoes, Consumer Reports bought 205 pairs of shoes, enlisted a panel of typical runners and had them crank out a total of 1,240 miles. CR selected men's and women's versions of the same model, where available. Prices for the shoes tested ranged from $28 to $120.

Of the models tested, the $120 Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2 topped the rankings for men's and women's shoes. The men's and women's Brooks Glycerin 6 were judged "Very Good" overall, but the men's version scored better than the women's, owing to better stability ratings.

Other top-performing men's shoes include Adidas Supernova Cushion 7, $90; Mizuno Wave Rider 11, $95; and the Asics Gel-Cumulus 9, $80. For women, other top performers include Nike Air Pegasus+2007, $85; Puma Shoes, $85; Reebok Premier Hatana, $85; and Adidas Supernova Cushion 9, $90.

For adequate performance at a rock-bottom price, try the men's Champion Helium at Target, $30, and the women's Champion Wonder C9 at Target, $28.

For people who like to run after dark, give special consideration to the men's Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2 and the Avia Tuned Trainer II, both $80, and women's Avia Tuned Trainer II, $80, and Reebok Premier Hatana, $85, which have the most effective reflector strips.

Whether a particular shoe is right for an individual depends on several considerations:

•Fit. Most of the shoes provided at least a good fit for most panelists, but there were exceptions. For example, while testing the top-rated men's Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2, two panelists complained of pressure under the balls of their feet.

•Cushioning. Running can be hard on feet and joints. Shoes should provide enough cushioning to absorb impact.

•Stability. A stable shoe controls motion in the ankle. Among the men's models, all but the Champion earned a Very Good score for stability. But only half of the women's models performed as well as the men's.

•Flexibility. The front of the shoe should flex enough to let the runner push off with the ball of the foot.

•Breathability. Shoes that dissipate sweat quickly keep feet cooler and reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal infection.

•Weight. The lighter the shoe, the better -- as long as cushioning and stability don't suffer.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 09:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gas prices keep going up. The trains are jammed. Buses roll on their own whimsical rhythms. Car pools? Too much sharing.

You might as well walk. (Given that somebody killed the electric car, and teleportation isn't an option.)

But first, a brief primer on the shoe as a commute-to-work device: Notwithstanding the continuing dominance of the faux ballet slipper, flats are not your friend—no arch support. Sneakers with business duds? C'mon, now, do you really want to look like the pre-makeover Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl"? Flip-flops? Please.

News flash: You don't have to do the covert under-the-desk switcheroo. When it comes to shoes, cute and comfortable are not mutually exclusive. Seriously.

A bit of a heel helps, especially of the wedge variety. Arch support: essential. You want fabric with a little bit of give, and a sole that absorbs all that pavement-pounding. Blisters have a way of stealing the chic.

Here are some options.

• A yellow-and-white VPL sandal is our lone exception to the no-flat-surface rule, thanks to its comfy-cushy rubber sole.

• Frye, home of the indestructible cowboy boot, has gone through a major makeover with its line of women's shoes.

• Funky, functional, red: gladiator glam from Matisse.

We're having a hard time picking a favorite. Walking is going to be good for the environment, but bad for our bank balance. But then, as our colleagues will attest, we do have a bit of a shoe issue.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 08:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 05:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Any podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon specializing in the foot will say this about women's 3- or 4-inch high heels: Don't wear them. Or if you wear them, don't walk.

But the recently released "Sex and the City" movie will no doubt trigger shoe lust in naive young women, and even in women who have been hurt before.

So for those who know that high heels can lead to blisters, callouses, corns, hammertoes, bunions and foot damage that can torment them for the rest of their lives, but who still can't resist the calf-enhancing, seductive effect of the high heel -- not to worry.

Eve Michaels, Beverly Hills image consultant, has advice on just how to wear Jimmy Choo stilettos when the call of the sexy shoe overwhelms all logic and reason. One such moment is immortalized by Carrie Bradshaw in the HBO series when she spots a pair of mile-high Manolos and dreamily croons, "Hello, Lover."

For those who should, and probably do, know better, here are Michaels' top five tips on wearing "Sex and the City" shoes -- with comments on each by the president-elect of the California Podiatric Medical Assn., Daniel Altchuler, Santa Monica podiatrist.

1. The ball of the woman's foot must line up with the ball of the shoe. In other words, the pattern of the shoe must match the shape of the woman's foot. That's good advice, says Altchuler. "That's where most people get in trouble with high heels," he says.

2. Buy pointy toe high heels a half size larger. Nonsense, says Altchuler. "They make the shoe like a regular shoe, then add more material for the pointy toe. You don't need a bigger size."

3. When standing in a pair of heels, the weight of the woman's feet must be on her heels, not thrust onto the balls of her feet. Otherwise agony, not pleasure from the delicious shoes, will be felt. "That'll never happen," says Altchuler. "Once a heel is more than an inch and a half, your foot jams forward."

4. The toes shouldn't be cramped into the shoe, and it should feel comfortable from the start. The right shoe should not need more than three wearings to feel great. Good advice on feeling comfortable immediately, but Altchuler wouldn't give it three wearings. It should feel good at the shoe store.

5. Realize that some high heels are made for walking and others are made for fine dining, partying or wearing in bed! A true diva knows the difference. Altchuler agrees that women can't do much more than try to keep their balance on very high heels. "They're for posing for pictures and sitting on bar stools," Altchuler says.

Altchuler has additional advice. When shopping for any shoes, buy them late in the day, because feet swell as the day goes on, and you'll get a more realistic fit. As for stilettos, they're pretty, not functional. "But I believe that everything in moderation is OK," he says. "If you're going to wear them to a wedding, take them off to dance."

Please visit our friends... Hear Me USA! (http://hearmeusa.com/)

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 06:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Every time one of us visits the other, my mom in her car to New York and me on the train to Pennsylvania, we do a sort of inventory check. When she’s at my place, I show her hot bargains scooped up in Brooklyn boutiques. When I’m home, she’s ready with an array of unique pieces unearthed in the burgeoning burbs.

This trip, I’m officially jealous. At Kohl’s (44 of which are located in New York state and zero of which are a suitable distance from my apartment) she found striking black chunky-heeled pumps from Vera Wang’s already affordable Simply Vera line, on clearance for $20.

They’re from the winter collection, so no longer available online. But for you lucky gals with convenient Kohl’s, go check! They look high-class with everything (I can attest, I gave myself a mini fashion show before forlornly handing them back) and they have mom’s comfort seal of approval.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oh, people may say "Sex and the City" is about single women looking for love. They may say it's about female friendships or the latest Manhattan hot spots or a whole lot of sleeping around. But for a certain percentage of the show's fans, it's about the fashion, fashion so distinct that it transcends pretty outfits to become a storytelling tool in its own right.

It's the stories -- and the clothes -- that have fashion fanatics counting down the days to the movie's opening Friday.

"Sure, the characters are archetypes; they each represent a genre of a single woman in a city," says Kim Martin, the editor of StyleList.com. "But their wardrobes played a huge role in the series, and in the movie."

From the first few minutes of the first HBO episode in 1998, we thought we had the girls figured out. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) was the creative free spirit; Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), the hard-charging career woman; Charlotte (Kristin Davis) was the preppy Park Avenue princess, and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) the perennial party girl.

But that's where they fooled us. They didn't stay static characters who sat at the coffee shop, cracking wise about sexual etiquette and toxic bachelors. As the characters grew and deepened as women, so did their wardrobes, masterminded by the legendary costume designer Patricia Field.

"Pat Field is such a genius, she worked on so many levels," says Martin. "She took such care, such consideration each season about the girls. Their fashion steadily reflected where they are in their lives."

Along they way, the four women set more than a few trends.

"Like the writer she was, Carrie's clothes took inspiration from all over," says Martin. "She mixed high and low fashion, that really set a trend for society. She made it perfectly acceptable to mix designer labels and Forever 21 and vintage."

While Carrie earned fashion kudos for mixing it up, she also earned more than her share of fashion jeers for the risks she took. But is our kooky girl growing up?

"Going forward into the movie, in terms of style, people will see she is more mature -- she's 'off the market,' as Sarah Jessica has said," says Martin, who has seen the movie (and gives it a thumbs up). "She's still the creative, supercool girlfriend everyone has, and she still has a shoe collection to die for, but there's definitely less half-tops and belly-button shows for Carrie!"

As we eagerly await the movie's opening, here's a quick look at how each lady's style has changed over the series' run.

Even as Carrie added designer labels to all the vintage in her closet, she never lost her

eclecticism and creativity. Thankfully, she did lose some of the more ridiculous moments

in her fashion history -- belts over a naked tummy, anyone?

Carrie

A fashion fanatic who didn't have the financial resources to feed her habit, creative Carrie used a mix of vintage and new to create her signature looks. The rewards reaped from her growing professional success went straight to her closet -- by the show's end, Carrie was in haute couture.

Charlotte may always be pretty in pink, favoring bows, lace and headbands, but her style

definitely matured from Lilly Pulitzer-preppy to sleeker, Ralph Lauren Americana.

Charlotte

Proper and ladylike, Charlotte was never about trends. Instead, the Upper East Side denizen only wore what she considered proper, and that changed only subtly over the show's run. Her classic sense of style is the stuff that Ralph Lauren dreams of -- plaids, bows, matching suits and handbags.

The biggest transformation, Miranda wore little other than dark-hued suits off the rack and

sensible shoes as the series kicked off. But as the seasons and her confidence progressed,

she embraced color and the realization that smart girls can be pretty, too.

Miranda

For this high-powered lawyer, it was all about the suit -- at least at first. As Miranda gained more control of her career and lifestyle -- making partner, buying an apartment, having a baby -- she softened her too-harsh hair color and rigid sense of what was work-appropriate.

Ah, Samantha! Was there ever a character more of her time? Of course, that time was the

hard-partying 1980s, in which her character's style was firmly rooted. Samantha's wardrobe remained

constant in its body-baring, look-at-me-ness. And that's why we love her.

Samantha:

Talk about confidence -- this was a woman who could wear a plunging neckline to church for a baby christening and sequined hot pants for a business meeting. Her love of vibrant color was always over the top and in your face -- perfect for a powerful woman who gives parties for a living.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brazilian supermodel GISELE BUNDCHEN hates men who criticise women's extensive shoe collections - because the hobby is just the same as men's obsessions with cars.

The star - who has her own range of sandals, the proceeds from which fund water projects in the Amazon - insists her 100 pairs of shoes is far fewer than many of her fellow females' footwear collections.

She says, "I must have more than 100 pairs. I don't even think that's excessive for a woman. You could compare it to what guys are like about cars.

"Shoes to women are just as exciting and important."



When I visit Italy... I always make an effort to stop in Terni, and I visit my good friend Massimiliano! He always has good Shoe Sense!

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since 1956, The Shoemart has been providing its customers with the best quality and service in the shoe industry. We carry 30+ of the most sought-after brands. We are the largest dealer in the Northeast of Alden shoes and Luchesse boots. Shoemart has been served by the Zapatka family for three generations. We take pride in what we sell. There's no question about it.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I would definitely say to anyone who is like myself, who's father had one, if they're over 65 they should go to the doctor and ask for an ultrasound!

An expert has cast doubt on the government's plans to screen for a potentially fatal blood vessel condition in men over the age of 65.

Vascular surgeon, James Johnson, said the programme should be given more thought as surgery was risky in some patients and screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)could cause a lot of worry.

But Peter Crook, aged 67 from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, who is due to have surgery for an aneurysm next month, urged men to get themselves tested.

He discovered he had an AAA after he heard about the government plans for a screening programme through the BBC earlier this year.

"My father had an aneurysm 20 years ago and, after reading the article on Ceefax, I went to see my doctor.

"He arranged for me to have an ultrasound scan and they found an aneurysm.

"They first said it was 4.9 cm, which is reasonably safe, but then I had a CT scan and they said it was 6.8 cm and had a 25% chance of bursting within a year.

"I'm having surgery next month."

Greater awareness

Mr Crook, a retired sales manager, said he was "absolutely grateful" to Ceefax as he would not have known to get checked out.

He said the point raised by Mr Johnson that AAA smaller than 5cm did not need to be operated on was fair enough. but that people should know if they are at risk.

"If it's too small to operate you can come back and keep getting checked out.

"At least you know.

"I will have to have regular check ups for the rest of my life but I'd rather do that." The doctor used a GE Logiq 200 Ultra Sound System.

Mr Crook's father was only found to have an aneurysm when it burst and although fortunately surgeons were able to operate in time, he was very ill for some time.

"I would definitely say to anyone who is like myself, whose father had one, if they're over 65 they should go to the doctor and ask for an ultrasound.

"It only takes five minutes and could save your life."

Pilots of a national ultrasound scan screening programme for AAA in men aged 65 and over are due to start this year.

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When it comes to men's footwear, the rules are relatively straightforward: Always match your shoes to your belt, your sock to your pant and never wear socks with flip-flops.

Sounds simple. Still, many men commit a multitude of sartorial sins when wearing shoes.

"Too often I see guys wearing clunky, black lace-ups every day to the office as if it's a uniform," says Michael Toschi, founder and designer of San Carlos, Calif.-based shoe designer Michael Toschi International. "I don't think a guy needs 20 pairs of shoes to be well-rounded, but he does need appropriate shoes for each occasion and season."

Gallery: 10 Pairs Of Shoes Every Man Must Own

Gallery: Men's Guide To Power Dressing

Gallery: Men's Style Must-Haves

Gallery: Under-$500 Men's Fashion Fixes

Gallery: Best Sneakers For Your Sport

Among them: a classic tennis shoe, loafers and leather flip-flops.

The dress shoe is the fundamental first step in any man's shoe wardrobe. And this is where you should spend your money: A pair of $1,000 well-made, good-fitting, quality leather shoes will outlast a whole closet-floor full of $100 cheap imitations. By the time you have assembled your collection, you can expect to have spent around $6,000.

Prime Pairs

Toschi suggests looking for Italian-made dress shoes with kidskin lining, leather soles and leather-stacked heels. Popular styles include wing tips and oxfords. A black oxford lace-up will compliment your dark and dressy suits, while the brown wing tip (also called a brogue) looks better with lighter suits or with a gray pin stripe. A brown shoe should also be worn with navy suits and to dress up dark jeans and a sport coat.

"The toe should lift slightly off the ground," says Toschi of the round-toe styles currently in fashion. "It helps distribute a man's weight evenly on the foot."

The loafer is an appropriate choice for more casual affairs. It pairs well with a sport coat and jeans or slacks. Driving moccasins are softer, more casual versions of the loafer and feature with a flexible sole and rounded heel designed for ease and comfort while driving. Driving shoes look and feel best in suede and can be worn without socks.

Though this may seem like a lot of options, Meghan Cleary, TV personality and author of The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You, thinks otherwise. "While women choose their shoes based on their mood," she says, "men, on the other hand, choose their shoes based on activity, whether it's for work, sports, going out or running errands, and they need an appropriate shoe for each function."

That's why a casual, distressed leather boot with a "broken-in" feel is another choice, perfect for a night out on the town (sneakers or dress shoes don't cut it for this occasion). A leather flip-flop, casual tennis shoe, athletic shoe and tuxedo shoe round out the list of must-haves.

Need one more excuse to go shopping?

"A woman always notices one thing about a man when she meets him," says Cleary, "how well does he take care of his shoes? It's a direct sign of how he takes care of life and maybe even how he takes care of a woman."

Posted by Bobbo Gus at 05:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)