Happy Birthday to me!

Turning 41 isn’t exactly my idea of a fantastic birthday. I don’t like to think of myself as 41. I don’t feel 41. I don’t really think I look 41. But I’ve come to accept it. Kind of.

Anyway…. I decided to buy myself some Pumas. Big surprise, right? I had found these Pearls on Amazon.com a long time ago. I saw them and wanted them. I love the color, the design on in the insole, and thought they were unique. It wasn’t too long ago though that Puma had announced their Puma Factory. I really want to design my own and order those so I was debating on which direction I should take. Some Puma friends said make my own. Others said to order the Pearls. I finally, obviously, decided on the Pearls. I’ll make my own Pumas soon. Now I just need to find the right shirt/clothes to wear with this mint green color.

written by PumaLover \\ tags: fashion, Forever Fresh, Puma Clyde, Puma Pearl, puma shoes, Shoes, Sneakerhead, Sneakers

A few years ago I made a two week trip to Spain. It was pretty awesome.  I went to so many different cities it would be ridiculous to list them all. I was able to see where Real Madrid played (I still kick myself for not trying to get inside – I think we just walked by but I should have tried). I ate great food – a ton of different kinds of ham and cheese which made me fat. I saw really old stuff. I also shopped. I really didn’t buy any clothes because quite honestly the sizes were weird and I felt fat in that country.

I had been worried about shoes. They always warn Americans, “Don’t just wear sneakers in Europe – it is a dead give away that you’re American and you’ll look ridiculous.”  Well I didn’t want to look ridiculous but I wasn’t going to leave them at home either. Naturally I took my Pumas (a pair to be featured later) along with some incredible Börn sandals. As I walked around Madrid I noticed one thing – Pumas were the sneaker of choice. All that talk that Europeans don’t wear sneakers went out the door. I felt free to wear mine. Now I did stick out because apparently they don’t wear shorts. I wore my shorts and just dealt with the stares.

One day we were down near the beach and went into this big store full of beach wear, clothes, and sneakers. So many sneakers. I had been looking for some red and white Pumas for awhile but hadn’t seen any I liked. Plus, it seemed that most of the time they didn’t make them for women. I went upstairs and it was like a beam of light came out of the sky and landed on the pair featured here. I loved them. Although I’m not fluent in Spanish (especially in Spain) I am pretty good where shopping is concerned. The sales woman brought me my size and they fit perfectly. I believe they were about $80 in Euros but I knew that no one in the States would have a similar pair.

 I keep these fairly clean and they still look good 4 years later. They are comfortable and people always comment on them. I like that they are unique and stand out!

written by PumaLover \\ tags: fashion, Puma Life, puma shoes, Puma sneakers, Shoes, Sneakerhead, Sneakers, Spain

I have moments when I buy Pumas because I love how they look.  I think we all do that – we see a shoe and it speaks to us. Or we decide we need a shoe in navy because, well, we don’t have one in that color. I often browse shoes with that in mind. Then there are those times when you just need a comfortable shoe. Granted, it helps a whole lot if that shoe also looks good.

One day I was wandering DSW as I often do. I walk around the store dreaming of all the shoes I’d like to own but can never afford to buy. I try on the outrageous heels. I try on the flats that just are boring to me. And sometimes I make it to the back where the sneakers are kept. I don’t go back there that often because it isn’t like they are going to have Clydes or suedes. They focus mostly on athletic shoes.  However, I walked back there just to see what Pumas they might have and I saw these brown Pumas. First, I didn’t have any dark brown Pumas. I figured that’s a good color to have. Second, I liked the fuschia accents on the shoes. I love pink so that’s cool. Third, I turned them over and saw that the soles were smooth. I actually thought that perhaps they might work for dancing because of the soles. So I tried them on. Wow. Total comfort.

I walked around a bit in the shoes and went back and forth on if I should buy them. They were fairly cheap so price wasn’t the issue. I don’t buy just to buy. Money is precious – I don’t want to part with it just on a whim. I took off the shoes and left the store.   Needless to say I was back the next day buying the shoes. I couldn’t pass up the comfort. As it turned out, they aren’t ready for the dance floor. The sole is the type of rubber that grips. I can’t spin in the shoes so until I wear them around a bit and smooth out the sole, I can’t dance in them.  I would say they are the most comfortable Pumas I have ever owned.  I don’t wear them too much because I want them to stay comfortable. Kudos Puma for a very fine shoe!!

written by PumaLover \\ tags: fashion, puma shoes, Puma sneakers, puma suede, Sneakerhead, Sneakers

Ah these shoes… I love them. They match everything and are comfortable. I believe I found these like two years ago at the Outlets for $20. Yup. Just $20. The black and white appealed to me because I always love having a pair of sneakers that match everything and anything. These are Puma “Basket”.  I recently cleaned them up (Mr. Clean Eraser) and my mom thought they were brand new! That’s why it is always important to keep the sneakers clean and fresh! It isn’t always possible but with these type of Pumas they clean up really well.

These are women shoes. So good job Puma! Keep giving us women some great designs that can equal what you produce for the boys.

written by Puma Lover \\ tags: fashion, Puma, Puma Basket, Puma sneakers, Shoes, sneakerfreaker, Sneakerhead, sneakerpedia

Dance is very important to me. I’ve been a salsa dancer for almost 14 years – I teach and have performed. As a woman, I’ve always been forced to dance in heels. It isn’t fun. Sure, they look good but when I dance casually, I have dancing sneakers that I use (maybe I’ll do a post on them although they aren’t Pumas). I also watch a lot of dance shoes on tv (the good ones). I’m watching America’s Best Dance Crew right now and I love seeing their choices in sneakers. There is always a mix of Nike’s, Converse, and Pumas. For many years I danced in a pair of white, cloth, velcro-close Pumas. I wore them so much that they no longer look ‘white’ and the velcro doesn’t always close. They are by far my favorite shoes for dancing.

At one point Puma had shoes that were marketed as ‘aerobic’ or ‘dance’ shoes. I was going to purchase them but then I couldn’t find them. I am not sure if they weren’t successful or just a prototype that they didn’t continue selling. I think it would be a fantastic market for them with the popularity of Zumba these days. For movement on wooden floors though the bottoms need to be non-gripping. That’s why Converse work really well for dancing as their bottoms are smooth. They aren’t slippery but they don’t tend to grip the floor either so you can still turn and spin. Many Pumas work well for this – just depends on the style.

The photo posted was taken at a Cuban dance convention – Pumas were the shoes of choice for many performers.

written by Puma Lover \\ tags: dance sneakers, fashion, puma dance, Puma sneakers, Shoes, Sneakerhead

Sure, I love Puma shoes. I find them the most comfortable & stylish shoes out there. However, I also have Puma other stuff too. I walk into the Outlet stores often to see what I can pick up for a good deal. So hoodies, sweatshirts, yoga pants, socks, and even bikinis are all items I own. One of the reasons I love Puma is that I always know what will fit. All the pants I have are the same size. I don’t have to worry about trying them on because they are consistent with their sizing. The same goes for the shoes. A size 6 1/2 is always a size 6 1/2. Unlike other brands that vary from one style to another I never have to worry.

Yesterday I wore my pink Crete Mid shoes with my “All you need is [soccer]” sweatshirt. They were both purchased from the Puma outlet store (not at the same time of course). Also, I don’t really wear my pants rolled up – they are rolled up to show off the shoes for the photo. I’d feel like a dork walking around like that. I see some chicks like that but it isn’t really my thing.

It’ll probably come across that pink is my favorite color. I have been trying lately, though, to purchase shoes in other colors but they are really the ones I like best. They tend to match more of my clothes too.

written by Puma Lover \\ tags: fashion, futbol, pink shoes, puma shoes, puma soccer, sneakerfreaker, Sneakerhead, Sneakers

I snapped this photo the other day at Chuck E Cheese. It isn’t as in focus as I would have liked but I was trying to be sly. I figure that couples that wear Pumas together – stay together.

written by Puma Lover \\ tags: fashion, kicks, Pumas, Shoes, sneakerfreaker, Sneakerhead, Sneakers