Happy Friday! And happy birthday to a PlanetShoes.com buyer who wishes to remain anonymous! On this sunny, summer Friday afternoon, I have to admit, my mind is starting to wander toward the weekend. Whatever you’re planning to do this weekend, PlanetShoes.com has the perfect pair of athleisure shoes to get you out enjoying the summer weather!

For the guys, I’d recommend this fine piece of El Naturalista footwear. The El Naturalista Moai N241 is casual, comfortable and looks great! This men’s casual shoe slips on and provides anatomic support thanks to a molded footbed. Sporty contrast detailing and the rubber outsole suit this shoe to your athleisure needs. Perfect for long walks around town, catching a concert or grabbing dinner, this shoe can go wherever your weekend takes you in style and eco-friendly fashion! Not only that, but this El Naturalista men’s shoe will transition easily to fall, thanks to the rich colors of the leather upper.

I’m super excited to go rollerblading this weekend along the Charles. Last week I wore my awesome orange Cushe t-shirt and for good reason. Cushe shoes are the perfect pre/post adventure shoe! Comfortable casual shoes are just what I need after speeding along the pavement, but out in the city I need style, too. The Cushe Mia Remy is perfect – this athleisure shoe slips on easily, but stays secure thanks to the Mary Jane strap. This women’s casual shoe features an EVA midsole, so each step is well-cushioned. All that and the full-grain leather and suede upper is super chic with it’s contrast stitching detail and overlays. Feminine yet sporty, the Cushe Mia Remy is perfect for the walk home and also will transition well to fall weather!

When your day involves adventure, athleisure shoes are the perfect weekend go-to shoes. So get out there! Have a great weekend and enjoy those last few days of summer!

There is just something about an El Naturalista shoe. Maybe it’s the gorgeous and eco-conscious materials. Or the eye-catching colors. Or maybe it’s the unique and beautiful outsoles. Whatever it is, we cannot get enough of El Naturalista shoes here at Planet!

Our appreciation extends beyond just their beauty – we love how these shoes are made! Made in Spain, they are crafted out of materials we feel great about. These eco-friendly shoes feature naturally treated leathers, recycled carbon insoles, and recycled rubber and cork outsoles. They are hand stitched for a truly exquisite look and the anatomic and removable insoles make them comfortable enough to wear all day!

A pair of El Naturalista’s are so much more than shoes. They embody a philosophy that extends far beyond simply what you put on your feet. Constructed with a reverence for life, experience and the environment, each line of El Naturalista shoes is inspired by a fascinating story. Whether it’s world traveling, nature or childhood memories, these finely crafted and beautiful El Naturalista shoes carry with them a love of adventure and eco-fashion.

The El Naturalista Cork Oak N402 is part of a collection that pays homage to the popular sustainable and recyclable material, cork, and those who work to harvest it.

Revered for qualities such as being waterproof, lightweight, insulating and abrasion-resistant, cork is used in the sole of this El Nat shoe.

It is also shock-absorbing, so you know the N402 will be comfortable!

This style is also just plain beautiful with a high quality eco friendly leather upper and comfortable clog fit. In fact, the top strap is even adjustable. Perfection!

Turn heads in this gorgeous El Naturalista shoe. The El Naturalista Duna N522 is a cut-out bootie style set in a layered leather upper.

A side zip makes it easy to get in and out of and the heel adds a sophisticated look. The multi colored ankle details offer great contrast and the rough seaming adds visual interest. This bootie makes a fun and sexy fashion statement.

The Duna collection is inspired by the dunes of the Namib Desert and this is reflected in the beautiful detail of the outsole.

Made with eco friendly materials and responsible construction techniques, the Duna is as fashionable as it is comfortable.

Inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, the Arrecife collection from El Naturalista brings attention to and pays homage to the beauty of this natural wonder, one that reminds this shoe’s creator of a community of stars.

This collection is El Naturalista’s way of raising awareness that the reef is in danger of disappearing and through these finely crafted shoes, El Naturalista seeks to help save the natural beauty of the reefs.

The Arrecife N312 is a great summer slide. Offering full protection, this style is easy to slip on and off. Set in a naturally treated leather upper, it features stylish hand-stitching detail on the vamp.

Groundhog Raymore

The Groundhog Raymore is part of the Groundhog Greenbelt Collection. This sandal has a toe thong with an up to date ankle strap.  The upper is made from a Semi-vegetable dyed leather upper and a soft flex-moulded contour insole covered in bamboo microfibre.

All Groundhog shoe linings and sock liners are  bamboo microfibre. Eco friendly, deliciously soft and supple leather and a clean, simple look complete this great spring and summer eco gladiator.

Simple tanTAN

Women’s Tantan – Eco-Certified Leather sandal with uppers made of leather from an eco-certified tannery (BLC/ISO 14001)

• Embossed leather lining and footbed
• Midsole of natural crepe rubber for cushioning
• Stacked leather heel cushion for luxury and comfort
• Outsole of a car tire and natural rubber blend
• Water based glue is used to hold the shoe together, not petroleum based
• Just another way to reduce our dependence on petroleum, and it also means no nasty smelling glue for the people who put your shoes together
• Shoebox made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue

El Naturalista Wakataua N435

Be confident and dream, life will reward you! With the Wakataua sandals on your feet, you will feel like a “Viking of the South” – strong, secure, and bold. Row your canoe and go where you dare to go….These sandals are a representation of the Maori people, of their aesthetic qualities, their extensive symbolism, their great sense of freedom, and their respect for the sacred as well as their nobility, determination, and honorability. Cork seemed to be the perfect material for these sandals. With its purity and durability, cork is very similar to Maori craftsmanship and their complex and artistic products… the woodcarving, the poetry, the music, the dance, the oratory, the tattoos, and other forms of arts. The texture, lightness, liveliness, and flexibility of cork make it a perfect choice. And of course, it also complies with El Naturalista’s philosophy and does not contaminate the environment.

• Materials: Leather upper, cork outsole
• Country of Origin: Spain
• Item #: N435
• Lining: Leather

Jambu Troy

The Jambu Troy is strappy, sporty and sexy all at once. This 2 ½ inched sporty wedge is both glamorous and comfortable. It features a smooth leather/nubuck or vegetable leather/naked leather materials and has a quick-closure bungee lacing system. Its memory foam contoured foot bed cradles and supports the foot, which maximizes comfort. The troy has a signature translucent mid sole design and toe and heel bumpers that provide protection against the elements.

• Materials: Leather upper, non-marking partially recycled rubber outsole
• Heel: 2.5″
• Item #: WJ09TRO
• Weight: 10 oz.

All of us want to shop more responsibly, support businesses that are doing their best to improve the world and still enjoy the great fashion and fun shopping that we love.

PlanetShoes.com has created the Brands That Care store to show us what companies are creating change. These companies take their responsibility to the Earth, their communities and their employees seriously.

Many strive to change the way that their products are made to create less of an impact on the environment. Some, like Chaco, have used wind or solar power to create a carbon-neutral footprint. Others, such as Patagonia find ways to re-use the scrap materials generated in their manufacturing process to lighten their eco-footprint.

Changing the world is not easy, but it is a challenge worth taking on and there are plenty of worthy causes to support. New Balance has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to join the fight against breast cancer. Lace Up For The Cure offers specially designed New Balance shoes where part of each sale goes to fund the fight against breast cancer. While Mi Mo handbags donates a whopping 5% of all of their profits to charities that fight domestic violence.

Several companies have integrated a commitment to others as a part of their corporate identity. TOMS Shoes donates one pair of shoes for every sold, an unparalleled effort to change the way millions of people face each day. While casual favorite Crocs created SolesUnited to collect used Crocs, recycle them and then donates the shoes all around the world to people who otherwise would go barefoot. Millions of people are sickened and injured every year by not having adequate footwear, and these companies are changing the harsh reality step by step.

Timberland has created the Earthkeeper project committed to building community gardens, rebuilding playgrounds and engaging their employees in community service. They have made steps towards changing the way that their company runs from the manufacturing to the sales of their shoes to reduce their environmental impact. Less packaging, streamlining distribution and selecting sustainable materials will all make this world a better place.

Patagonia, a leader in responsible business practices has also teamed with partners to create a re-soleing program that allows customers to keep their favorite shoes and boots on their feet and out of the landfill.

Ten years ago the 1% For The Planet organization got their start with just a handful of businesses, now 1248 companies donate 1% of their sales to a network of 2,023 environmental organizations worldwide. Planet Shoes, Patagonia and El Naturalista have joined this great cause and have helped to contribute to more than 30 million dollars raised for the planet!

Many of the companies featured in the Brands That Care store have progressive policies that allow their employees to live balanced and active lifestyles. Timberland and The North Face encourage employees to use alternative transportation, carpool and bicycle whenever possible.

I love knowing which companies are doing good things behind the scenes to make my world better. I get to shop in a way that is responsible and supports causes that I believe in. Each step that I can take to make my life, my habits- especially my shopping habits greener and more socially responsible the better I feel. The Brands That Care store is my cheat-sheet for knowing just where to look for great footwear with a conscience.

I was over on People.com yesterday and they’ve been getting plenty of pics of the Gossip Girl stars being filmed for this season. Enjoying their fashion as I do, I was particularly inspired by a look Leighton Meester was sporting in one of the images – and particularly by her striking hot pink strappy sandals.

Truly, they are almost like strappy shoeties, but you totally know they price out of the budget of the bargain fashionista so I was determined to find some more feasible options among the Planet Shoes offerings!

The look is outstanding, and the way they have been paired, as a contrast rather than a collaborator in the overall outfit it pretty darned fun.

So what can we find to get this look, or close to it?

The first option I came across was the OTBT Libia in Canary yellow. No, they aren’t bright pink, but the bright hue of these sandals immediately cheered me and I suddenly pictured them with my midnight blue maxi dress and started to bounce on the couch.

These OTBT Grecian inspired sandals are sexy and practical, designed for walking and travel while looking fabulous. The matte leather upper stays supple and offers a snug fit while the rubber sole absorbs shock and the textured sole also gives you traction no matter the terrain.

Next up, a funky option that is both fashionable and eco friendly, the El Naturalista Rana Tharu! I chose this one because I believe it mimics the shoetie styling, and the color, as well as the height – but in a rustic and off beat way.

Offered in a gorgeous bright reddish leather that is literally treated with river stones to give it suppleness and flexibility, this modified up front strappy sandal has a thick and stable heel as well as an ergonomic foot bed made from cork and recycled materials for maximum comfort. The outsoles on this shoe are all natural rubber and offer traction as well as shock absorption. This shoe is also named for the people that inspired them; the Rana Tharu who live near the border of Nepal and are known for their colorful jewelry and clothing.

Oh, I love these! The J Shoes Anya is just delicious. This wedge heel strappy sandal with adjustable ankle strap has a canvas and leather mid sole and a goat suede sherbet pink upper. The soft texture of this shoe is a big part of its appeal, offering a feminine look while the shape makes an artistic statement.

The heel cup especially offer a more bootie feel to what would just be another strappy wedge heel. You can see this emulates to color and strappy theme of Leighton’s fab sandals, and the height without the stiletto heel but this is a more delicate and less edgy look.

So, as the summer progresses, take advantage of the freedom of crazy color on your feet. Several of these styles are on sale right now over at Planet Shoes so indulge yourself and use the style mavens you see in the magazines and on TV to inspire your own look!

Rubber, as we all know, is used in a lot of footwear. We find rubber in the soles, the footbeds and even the body of our shoes all the time. But how much do you know about rubber? Do you know, for instance, that although we can harvest this natural resource with relative ease, that we still make a synthetic version based on petroleum?

So let’s bounce around some good rubber information, shall we?

Like all materials, there are options that are more eco friendly than others. Rubber, or latex, naturally comes from trees – and not just rubber trees! According to our friends at Wikipedia, rubber is an elastomer originally derived from a natural latex found in the sap of some plants. Scientists derived the chemical makeup of natural purified rubber and then began producing it synthetically.

In the eco-friendly shoe world, there are several companies who are making the effort to move to natural rubber, which can easily be harvested from a variety of plants in a sustainable way. Many companies are also employing recycled rubbers to offset waste.

So, who is doing what?

Natural Rubber and Eco Latex

Several companies are using natural rubber and eco latex, harvested from a variety of latex producing plants. Just a few of the plants that can be tapped for natural and sustainable rubber include the Para Rubber tree, the rubber fig tree, spurges, lettuces and even dandelions! Obviously, some plants and trees can produce more latex than others. Para Rubber Trees, in fact, are considered the best producers because it responds to tapping by producing more latex!

Companies using Natural Rubber and Eco Latex

• El Naturalista
• Patagonia
• The North Face
• Zumfoot

Recycled Rubber

Another way shoe companies are moving to more eco-friendly and sustainable policies relating to rubber is by using recycled rubber. Recycled rubber comes primarily from recycled car tires, which are broken down into particulate matter so the steel reinforcement can be removed. Once the steel is out, the rubber is made into a powder which can then be made into other materials, like shoe soles. At this point, because of the challenges relating to rubber recycling surrounding the vulcanization process, recycled rubber is not as widely used as it might be. There are, however, several companies here at Planet Shoes touting their use of recycled rubber in their shoes!

• J-41
• Patagonia
• Rafters
• Simple Shoes
• Terrasoles
• The North Face
• Timberland

Leather within the context of the environmental movement is a complicated topic. Leather has been used for generations but there are two main arguments against leather for shoes, bags, belts and more.

1. Vegans and vegetarians in the environmental movement hate the use of animals for food or products, so leather is unacceptable right off the bat!
2. The typical leather tanning process used in today’s industrial applications is heavy on the chemicals and the industrial waste. This makes many leather goods very eco-unfriendly.

Here is where the complication comes in:

1. Vegans and Vegetarians won’t use leather, but in many cases are willing to wear shoes or carry bags made from synthetic materials. Although these products are considered “vegan” they are, in many cases, not eco-friendly.
2. Leather, although not vegan, is a natural material. When tanned in an environmentally responsible way, its durability and the fact that it isn’t synthetically produced makes it a more eco-friendly option.

So you see, you can get durable, eco-friendly leather which will last you longer and help you buy fewer shoes but that aren’t vegan, or you can cast a sharp eye to make sure you’re purchasing a vegan product that is also eco-friendly and hope that they last!

If you’re going to purchase leather goods, you should definitely know where it came from and how it’s been treated. Likewise, if you choose to purchase vegan goods, make sure they are also made with a commitment to the environment.

We’ve talked about the process of greening leather before. Various large companies are making a concerted effort to follow in the footsteps of smaller shoe makers who’ve already made the commitment to using only “green” leather.

A number of our favorite brands use eco-friendly leather in all or some of their shoes. They include:

• El Naturalista
• Groundhog
• Patagonia
• Pikolinos
• Timberland

Enjoy our eco-friendly leather shoes and stay green this season!

One of the other popular looks coming out of the Bohemian style this spring and summer is the sculptured look – where fabrics and materials are designed to fold and sit in a way that offers a luxurious an interesting visual style.

Chinese Laundry Sudoku – One of the most innovative designs that has taken this look to the next level is the Chinese Laundry Sudoku. This shoe is really different with a dramatic fabric wrap around heel and elegant ribbon detailing. This is like a fabulous shoetie for summer!

The super comfortable faux suede footbed and simplistic thong crate a comfortable, elegant and truly interesting sandal that can work with an upscale ensemble or simply act as a perfect accessory on your boho chic outfit.

El Naturalista Ambar – Along these same lines, but with a bit more structure, is the El Naturalista Ambar. Made with eco-friendly leathers, this innovative wedge has a dramatic ankle tie that keeps this funky boho pump in place. Additionally, El Naturalista uses 100% natural rubber on their outsoles which is durable, flexible and reduces impact on the ankles, knees and hips.

Lined with removable insoles, the textured leather offers a really different, earthy look while the clean lines and contrast stitching maintain the high end elegance you want in a shoe of this quality. The green is considered a new neutral and will work with all of your earth tones!

Blowfish Segment Canvas – If you’re looking for a sandal alternate, consider a sculptured ballet flat. Blowfish is a master at the architectural use of material. The Blowfish Segment Canvas has a really unique look; the fabric is slightly distressed and works beautifully with the BoHo look and the unique folded look, accented with button ornaments makes these shoes a distinctive take on the popular shape.

These flats are also neutral enough to work with a wide variety of looks, so don’t feel constrained. Blowfish shoes are also made with great materials and are designed to be durable and comfortable while giving you that fashionable edge you crave.

Nicole Thrill – Our last sculptural shoe uses less material but dramatic shapes and textures to create a fabulous and sophisticated Bohemian sandal. While our other examples use draping, folding and tying, these flip flop inspired sandals use the thickness and opulence of the t strap leather to offer a great look.

The Nicole Thrill lives up to its name in a gorgeous gold full grain leather upper and unique detailing including a metallic anchor and striking, adjustable buckle. The casual thong sandal will work with almost any outfit you can put together and you’ll be rocking several trends at once – metallic, gladiator inspired and t strap while looking exceptional and innovative.