First of all, we’d like to thank all of those who entered Challenges #13 and #14 (the recent UGG Giveaway Contests). And congratulations to our winners @shopaholicchic and @DinaJ, who came away with free pairs of UGG boots. We loved the hundreds of entries, and are excited to follow it up with another contest to help you spring forward: Challenge #15.

Challenge #15: The Facebook MBT Giveaway Contest starts 3/12/10 and runs through 3/24/10. To enter, simply become a fan of our shiny new Facebook page, and give us a nice warm welcome. One courageous contestant will be rewarded a brand new pair of MBT shoes with a maximum value of $300.

If you’re new to the weekly Footwear etc.  Challenge, you can read the (very simple) rules here. If not, you’re all set: Become a fan of Footwear etc. on Facebook to get started!

Since there are so many of you UGG fans out there in Twitter world, we’re doing it again. That’s right. Another UGG Giveaway! It runs 3/5/10 through 3/10/10 and one excellent entrant will win a pair of UGG Australia boots of their choice (with a maximum value of $300) from www.footwearetc.com.

To enter Challenge #14, simply follow us and tweet: “#Win UGG boots. Just follow @Footwearetc and ReTweet http://bit.ly/aqI75R”

If you’re new to Footwear etc. Twitter Challenge, you can read the (very simple) rules here. Otherwise, you’re all set: Follow Footwear etc. on Twitter to Enter!

Since our last Twitter Challenge went on for three long weeks, we thought we’d make this one three times better than normal. It runs 2/26/10 through 3/3/10 and one cool contest entrant will win a pair of UGG Australia boots of their choice (with a maximum value of $300) from www.footwearetc.com.

To enter Challenge #13, simply follow us and tweet “#Win UGG boots. Just follow @Footwearetc and ReTweet http://bit.ly/brt1hF”

If you’re new to Footwear etc. Twitter Challenge, you can read the (very simple) rules here. Otherwise, you’re all set: Follow Footwear etc. on Twitter to Enter!

The Diamond Heart in Beige Leather is the perfect pump for work and it also comes in Black Leather and Grey Metallic Leather. Made with high quality leather and patent uppers, these shoes are elegantly designed with contrast stitch detail and a 2½ -inch stacked heel. The rubber outsole prevents you from embarrassing moments like slipping and falling on your own coffee spill in front of your boss. The Diamond Heart will soon be your favorite item to wear to the office as they practically go with every outfit!

With its classic oversized button strap closure and comfort foam footbed construction, perforated for improved breathability (Goodbye smelly feet!), it’s the perfect marriage between retro and modern design. If your feet hurt from wearing closed toe pumps at work, these peep toes are a great alternative. The soft, leather interior massages your feet with each step. Suddenly the multiple trips to the copy room aren’t so bad after all! Plus, it allows you to get away with wearing open toe shoes in any season! If that’s not practical, then I don’t know what is.

Prior to my “sole mate” encounter, I’ve spent my entire life with shoes that weren’t the right “fit”. My motto was – if the shoe didn’t fit, I’ll make it fit…until I found Dansko.

Dansko. What a funny name, I thought. My inquiring mind provoked me to find the meaning of this wonderful sole mate of mine. Within a few clicks, I found that Dansko means “Danish Shoes” in Danish! Why, wouldn’t you know!

So here are my top picks.

The Dansko ‘Serena’ is soon to be your next spring (and summer) staple. It features intricate flower embroidery and is absolutely gorgeous in turquoise – the hottest new color for spring! The Serena is available in five vibrant colors including Turquoise, Sangria, Brandy, Java and Black.

The Dansko ‘Carmen’ sandal has an adjustable in-step strap that contours to the feet and comes in seven sophisticated colors – Sangria, Espresso, Stone, White, Black, Lilac and Toffee. With subtle details like the flower embellishment on the side, you’ll ditch your boring flip-flops in a heartbeat!

Finally, the Dansko ‘Surraya,’ in Crinkle Patent Leather, is a strappy, lightweight, versatile sandal. Available in three essential colors: Red, Toffee and Black.

And here’s the icing on the cake – all these sandals carry the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Approval, so you can trust that these shoes are good for your feet. So what are you waiting for? Hurry and find your “sole mate” before it’s too late!

1. MBT Baridi

2. Allrounder by Mephisto News

3. Clarks Wave Cruise

4. Ecco Yameo

5. Privo by Clarks Devine Light

6. Naot Bramble

7. Mephisto Leidina

8. Skechers Shape-Ups Sleek Fit

9. Merrell Women’s Circuit

10. BeautiFeel Filippa

Once every week or two, a new challenge will be posted by @Footwearetc on Twitter. Sometimes the challenge is as simple as retweeting to enter, and other times we’ll ask you to further participate with sheer use of wit, or even patronage.

The panel of discerning Footwear etc. judges judge the entries, and the winning entrant is usually awarded with a gift certificate or pair of shoes from one specific brand. Without further ado, here are the official Twitter Challenge winners:

@Amadesa won Twitter Challenge #1
@zanvia won Twitter Challenge #2
@Amadesa Doe won Twitter Challenge #3
@tiramisu8 Doe won Twitter Challenge #4
@ninamena won Twitter Challenge #5
@shawnaleeirish won Twitter Challenge #6
@lisaburnham won Twitter Challenge #7
@Twittinontherun won Twitter Challenge #8
@loodge won Twitter Challenge #9
@mommabird62 won Twitter Challenge #10
@PgPalettePirate won Twitter Challenge #11
@clallen1971, @kandykaddy and @matzsmith won Twitter Challenge #12
@shopaholicchic won Twitter Challenge #13
@DinaJ won Twitter Challenge #14

Congratulations to these winners, and a hearty “A” for effort to all other participants!

Here are a couple of my favorite new styles coming in February:

Skechers Shape Ups Action Packed in Grey/Turquoise Leather. Turquoise is already making a trend across the globe and is THE color for Spring and Summer. I recommend pre-ordering now before they sell out!

During a 6-week clinical trial, Skechers reported that women wearing Shape-ups for their normal daily activities and walking program, lost an average of 3.25 pounds and reduced body fat by an average of 1.125%. Plus, there was an average increase of 41% in butt muscles and 37% in lower back strength. Not too shabby! Shape-Ups really do live up to their hype. I’m so glad I canceled my gym membership! I get far more use out of these shoes than the gym!

The MBT Spring 2010 Collection at Footwear etc. has arrived with 25 new light and airy styles!

The Collection includes an update to their best selling Kisumu sandal, the Kisumu2, available now in top quality, full grain leather uppers. The Kisumu2 Sandal features a new, impact-resistant Integrated Shank midsole.

Among the newest styles available are the Women’s Baridi and Women’s Fora. The Baridi is a spin off of the very popular Mary Jane style shoes with playful color combinations, an easy tape hook & loop closure, and a highly breathable 3D Mesh woven fabric material. It features a Dual Board Shank midsole construction, providing high wearing comfort all day long.

I think the Women’s Fora is the sportiest look in the collection. It includes all the features of the Baridi plus a rubber toecap and efficient lacing system so you don’t have to worry about tripping over your shoelaces or bumping your toes on things.

The Men’s Kimondo is the counterpart to the Women’s Fora. What better way to exercise with your significant other than with matching shoes! Oh what a lovely pair! The Kimondo is lined with 3D Mesh materials to keep your feet dry and 3D Mesh and Synthetic uppers with a Dual Board Shank midsole. Available in two sought-after colors – Black and  Chime.

Last but not least, the Men’s Sini model has a classic urban design with a modern look and feel. Constructed with Split and Nubuck leather, 3D Mesh materials, and a highly durable Dual Board Shank midsole. 

Don’t wait till Groundhog Day to see if spring will arrive early. The new MBT Spring 2010 Collection signifies a jumpstart to a rejuvenating you!

First of all, we’d like to thank all of those who entered Challenge #11: The New Balance Giveaway Contest. And congratulations to our winner @PgPalettePirate, who came away with a free pair of New Balance shoes. We loved seeing the hundreds of entries and are excited to follow it up with another athletic shoe contest: Challenge #12.

Challenge #12: The Skechers Shape Ups Refund Raffle starts 1/25/10 and runs through 2/24/10. To enter, purchase a pair of Skechers Shape Ups at footwearetc.com, and tweet your order number to @footwearetc. Three lucky winners will receive a full refund of the amount paid for their Skechers Shape Ups. Note: Entrants may only submit orders placed during the above contest dates.

If you’re new to the weekly Footwear etc. Twitter Challenge, you can read the (very simple) rules here. If not, you’re all set: Follow Footwear etc. on Twitter to get started!