confidence, wear it like makeup :)

Happy Fall Everyone! Truly one of the best times of the year! Pumpkin spiced lattes, leggings, scarves and sweaters. ☺ In today's post, we will cover fall style tips, current shoes in my closet (+ tips on purchasing / maintaining your shoes), and some of the latest adventures in my IDEO! ☆

Let's start with fashion. Now that the weather is getting a little cooler, it's a perfect time to find yourself some leggings! (black is my go to color!) Two of my favorite places to look are TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack - you can find some great deals there!

Things to look for in leggings: breathability of the fabric (look for moisture wicking materials / avoid 100% cotton), texture (don't go crazy here because you don't want the fabric to disrupt the fit of the IDEO), and fit (don't buy too loose or the fabric will bunch at the ankle and you won't want that!). For these reasons, I tend to look in the sports section of the store - lots of options there!

A few of my other favorite places to shop are Ann Taylor Loft, Lululemon (when there is a sale!) and Gap Fit. All great places for comfortable fitting & flattering styles for the IDEO bodied woman!

Key piece of advice: If you opt for skinny jeans / leggings, look for a flowy or long shirt / sweater up top. I think tennis shoes and boots looks great with skinny jeans and by adding a less fitted shirt up top, it will accentuate those great legs you have! :)

Next: Current shoes in my closet.

Right now, I have three pairs of Brooks Glycerin's and one pair of Ahnu Montara Boots (which I absolutely LOVE). Brooks just came out with the Glycerin 13 and the updates are great! I was a Brooks wearer long before I was injured and I'm so glad they still fit me with the IDEO! (I have probably worn every version since I first started wearing them in high school!) The 13 has a strong outer fabric - not mesh like other running shoes - which really helps with longevity for the force the IDEO applies to the shoe!

When you are looking for tennis shoes, follow these three rules:

1). Feel the fabric of the shoe with your hand and make sure it has strength. If you buy a shoe that is completely mesh, your IDEO will break through the fabric in no time and you'll wonder what happened. You want a shoe that has reinforcement built into the fabric, so it's important to observe the construct of the shoe when you are out looking.

2.) If the IDEO looks like it's going to poke through the sides of the shoe when you try it on, that is not a good fit. The IDEO will definitely push up against the sides of shoe, but you don't want it looking like it's about to bust through when you first put them on. If you keep this tip in mind, this will help to ensure your shoes last longer. For this reason, look for shoes with a wide toe box (my favs: New Balance, Brooks).

3.) Look at the men's shoes. Men's shoes are naturally wider than women's so this helps my IDEO feel better in my shoe. If you're finding that the IDEO fits too tight in women's shoes, try on men's. In the picture above you'll see a red/black shoe and a blue/silver shoe - these are the actual Brooks Glycerin's I have in my closet! The great thing about men's shoes is that their color schemes aren't as wild/bright as women's so they go great with outfits :) To give you an idea of sizing of Glycerin's, I wear a men's 8 on my good foot and a men's 10 on my IDEO foot. (If I remember correctly, I think I used to wear a 9.5 in women's Glycerin's pre-injury). I can't say enough good things about Brooks. They aren't cheap, but man do they feel good! It's like having the Lexus version of a shoe. Once you put them on, you never go back. I can't wear anything else now haha. If you have small feet and are struggling to find a small enough men's size to fit your non-IDEO foot, try on women's for non-IDEO foot and a men's version for your IDEO foot. The colors may be a little different, but see how it feels! You never know - it might feel really awesome! :)

As for the Ahnu Montara boots - I ♥ these boots. They are amazing. These are the only non-tennis shoes that I have found to fit my IDEO and I feel so cute in them. (& they are women's - yay!). I purchased these @ REI and my life has never been the same! These boots are so comfortable.... I'm saving up money to try out some of their other versions! If you get a chance, definitely check out Ahnu brand online -- I love them so much! (Note: I did have to buy two different sizes to fit (non-IDEO is women's 9 and IDEO size is women's 11. It's just the nature of the beast!).

Last piece of advice on shoes: I find that if you rotate your shoes (as in you don't wear the same ones every day & don't wear the same pair to work that you workout in) you can make your shoes last A LOT longer! I know it's expensive to purchase multiple pairs up front, but trust me, it will save you $$ in the long run because you won't be out buying shoes every 3 months. I also like to glue a thin piece of leather on the inside sole of my shoe (think where the sweet spot is when you land in the IDEO). If you run a lot, this helps to reinforce the sole which is where I tend to break through the shoe after an extended period of time. Not sure it's necessary for you to glue in leather at the bottom if you are not out running like a wild banshee like me haha, but if you are finding places where your shoe rips or breaks through, try duct taping (duct tape comes in a lot of fun colors now) or gluing leather in the shoe to reinforce it from the beginning. It's the small things :)

Oh and one last thing, Brooks has a cool SHOE FINDER tool on their site to help you decide which version of their shoe will fit you best. Check it out - it's pretty handy! I have a neutral foot so Glycerin works for me, but if you pronate / supinate - they have versions for that too!

Next: IDEO adventures :)

I've been in Austin a little over a month now and it's been GREAT! Such a cool city with a great fitness community. I've been riding my bike, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, running through downtown & doing a little day hiking! I started Crossfit a little over a week ago and I love it. It's something I've been wanting to try for awhile now so I'm finally taking the plunge! After the half-marathon, I've been trying to decide 'what's next?" and I think Crossfit is that for me! I'm excited to really focus on my core and strength training. (#jaredwouldbeproud). I also joined an intramural dodgeball team - games start next week so more to come on that! I've been drafted as a free agent so we'll see what team I get on haha. #IDEOtakesonDODGEBALL

Kayaking through Austin :)

Lastly, can I just say "What a small world?" I was at a dog event yesterday and as I was walking through the booths, a man came up to me and asked if I could come talk to his wife because he thought we had the same device. I of course immediately thought he was confused (as I never see anyone in Texas with the IDEO) but I decided to go anyway :) I couldn't believe it when I realized she really did have an IDEO! We immediately hugged and I'm pretty sure my first words were, "Wait, do you know Ryan?" I'm so happy I met Lisa! Such a cool day. Very special! #IDEObuddies #heyyoulooklikeme

IDEOnista Lisa

I hope everyone has a great week! Go out there and BE BOLD. BE BRAVE. BE YOU.

And remember, as Ralph Lauren says: "Fashion is something that comes from within you."  ♥

IDEOnista Spotlight: Liz

Today's post is about a very special IDEOnista named Liz. Though young in years, she is wise at heart and it was a privilege to interview her. ♥ I am so happy to share with you a little more about this amazing girl as well as share her insight and advice. We all know high school can be a hard time, especially when you have something that makes you feel different, but Liz has come to see that being confident in who you are and recognizing your uniqueness is what makes you, YOU. Read on to learn more about this awesome girl!

 
Time in IDEO? Almost 4 months (even though it feels much longer!)

Number of IDEOs: 2; One for each leg

Clothing style: Comfortable - shorts, leggings, and my favorite of all, workout pants!

IDEOnista Style: I like to make my outfits work based on how they feel. If the IDEO feels better under my pants or over, it just depends. I try not to base my outfit on the IDEO devices because it shouldn't matter if I'm wearing them or not. I'm still the same person with or without them on - I don't need to hide anything from anyone. (That's the spirit!)

Favorite Shoe Brand: I haven't tried too many pairs of shoes with the IDEO. With how I was born and all of the surgeries I've had, my feet are naturally very wide by themselves. The extra width on the IDEO makes finding shoes a bit more difficult, but not impossible. My favorite pair of shoes would have to be my Men's Nike Air Monarch's. They are extremely comfortable and black matches just about everything. (Once you go black, you never go back. I love my black shoes too!) :)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: The best advice I could give to anyone looking into this or who has the device is not to let other people's opinions bother you. When I first got my IDEOs in Gig Harbor, I was confident as can be, but once I got home I was nervous because no one else was like me. No one had even heard of the devices, so it made me feel very insecure until I realized that the quality of life is much more important than anyone's opinion of you. (SO TRUE.)

What makes you feel confident in the IDEO: The support pages on Facebook help a lot because you see people going through the same life changing experiences as you are and it's amazing to see everyone's unique journey with their IDEO. In addition to the Facebook pages, I think one of the things that gives me the most confidence is the fact that I can do things I couldn't do before -- and I can do certain things better than I ever could before I received the IDEOs.

Proudest Moment in IDEO so far: My best memory in the IDEO so far would be just running itself. I used to not be able to run without pain and now with the IDEO & help of Ryan & Jared, I can run without pain. Of course with running there is still a lot that I need to do in order to run longer distances, but it's just an amazing feeling to be able to run at a speed I have never been able to reach before without any pain. (That's so amazing!)

Special Goals for 2015: I hope to continue to train my body to get stronger throughout the year and carry that into the new year. I also hope that I can help anyone who is unsure about getting the IDEO device or anyone who has them and is feeling stuck or insecure. I just want everyone to be able to experience this amazing feeling. ♥

IDEO Life Changes: The IDEO has changed my life in many ways. It has given me opportunities I never thought I would have. I am able to go to amusement parks without renting a wheelchair or needing to sit down constantly. It's made my life so much more enjoyable. I can never thank Ryan enough. (IDEO + Ryan = life changing)

Favorite Quote: "Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagined yourself to be." - Alan Watts

What Liz wants you to know: Clubfoot has caused me to become very depressed (along with the ups and downs of high school) and embarrassed to be myself. As the years have passed and the IDEO has come into my life, I've realized that the past is something to progress from. Everyday you wakeup is a new chance to do better and be better.

What an amazing attitude. As Liz reminds us, "Everyday you wakeup is a new chance to do better and be better." I have no doubt Liz will continue to achieve great things and inspire many people along the way! She is proof that believing in yourself and having confidence in who you are as a person is the first step in moving forward to become the person you were always meant to be.  Thanks Liz, you rock!

#IDEOnista #beYOU #beAMAZING

IDEOnista Spotlight: Lucy

Hi Everyone! Today, I have a very special post about an amazing IDEOnista friend of mine named Lucy. Not only will she wow you with her insightful perspective, positive attitude, and gracious spirit, but her words will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift is a transformation within.

How long have you had the IDEO? 10 months

How do you pair the IDEO with your outfits? I tend to wear skirts more now, with black leggings and socks in the winter, without leggings in the summer (I've found Australian Rules Football (AFL) socks work best - but not sure if they're sold outside Australia!). (Not sure either, but I'm going to have to check these out!) If I'm wearing pants, I skip the long socks and put a compression sleeve on over the knee clasp at the top. I wear the IDEOs on the outside of my skinny jeans and on the inside of baggy ones. It all depends, but there is always a way to make it work! (yes!!) When I perform in an orchestra, I wear a full-length gown and you would never know I had a pair of IDEOs underneath, except that I walk and stand so much better. (how cool is that?!) Because I have two IDEOs, I've often had people comment on my "cool boots", before explaining that they're not just a fashion statement, which just goes to show how seamlessly they can fit into an outfit. (LOVE THIS.)

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: I wear my ASICS when I am exercising. At work, I've found Ecco shoes are best, but success can vary a lot from shoe to shoe, so I'm still trying new brands whenever I can. (I definitely want to try Ecco, too!)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: In my experience, things feel different than they look and it's the way things feel that is really the transformative part. I wondered before I got the IDEOs whether it might be difficult to wear them in terms of looks, but it hasn't even crossed my mind. Not being in pain is so transformative that it isn't even a decision. The way you feel is so much more important in life and as Beth shows on this blog - there is always a way to work the IDEO into any outfit! (That's right, there is always a way!)

What makes you feel confident in the IDEO? I feel stronger when I walk now. I stand upright and don't limp. I'm building strength in my legs that I've never had before in my life. This newfound strength has had a positive effect on my confidence in a way that I never anticipated. There is really interesting research into embodied cognition in the field of Psychology - the effect our body has on our mind - that I bet could offer some insight as to why changing your body's experience, with a set of IDEOs, also changes your mind. (Such a great insight...)

What is your proudest moment in the IDEO so far? Not sure whether it's managing to get them to look hip with a pair of jeans for the first time (haha YES!), finally beginning to walk up stairs fluently or doing my first real squat (the last two have really fed off each other - my muscles were so weak before I got the IDEOs!). A couple weeks ago, I participated in a 14km fun run  (for those who don't know (aka me), this is 8.7 miles!). This was the BEST. I wasn't entirely ready to run the whole 14km, I ran some, walked some, but most of all, I wasn't in pain. I could do it! (that's HUGE!)

City2Surf 14km - I DID IT!

Any special goals for 2015? My main goal this year was to make it to the end of the 14km City2Surf fun run in Sydney. I achieved this goal and although it's a huge achievement, it's just the beginning... :) (so proud! you go girl!)

How has the IDEO changed your life? It's the day-to-day stuff I notice the most. I genuinely couldn't wait to do my first fun run last week, but that's all icing. It's the everyday walking and standing and living not in pain that's really extraordinary. Like being able to perform music standing up without half of my attention being on pain and balancing. The IDEOs definitely add elegance to the way I walk, too. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted. And while as with anything, there is hard work and challenges along the way, most days have a lightness that wasn't there before. (this makes my heart happy!)

Favorite Quote: "Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl

What is the one thing you wish people knew about you? I practice mindfulness most days. I think this coupled with a set of IDEOs has really put me in a position where I am able to live each day, unlike ever before. (CARPE DIEM!)

Lucy's final words: Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. Without the wonderful support, encouragement, and patience of people in my life and the amazing team in Gig Harbor, none of this would have been possible. (Amen sister. Amen.)

Thank you, Lucy for reminding us that receiving the IDEO is more than being given a device; it's a journey. A journey of body, mind and spirit and a realization of what it means to live life to the fullest.

#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

IDEOnista Spotlight: Dominique

Today's post is about a special IDEOnista friend of mine named Dominique.

Dominique wears two IDEOs (one for each leg) and let me tell you... she rocks it! She is an amazing woman and I know her words will inspire you. (She certainly inspires me!)

Dominique

"You are never fully dressed without a smile."

How long have you had the IDEO?: Two weeks :)

What is your clothing style?: Mostly preppy with statement jewelry

Favorite outfit to wear with the IDEO: Dresses! (Love it. Show off those legs, girl!)

Advice for people who are thinking about getting the IDEO: It can't hurt to look into it! The process started with reaching out to Ryan to see if I would be a good candidate. I learned that Ryan really only says you are a good candidate if he thinks there will be a huge impact on your life, so that is a great sign if he says yes! That process is easy, and worth the initial effort even if you are not sure.

Advice for other IDEOnista's: The device can be daunting at first. I know it isn't feminine, but I love how hardcore it looks. Rocking that with your feminine self is such an awesome combination. It defies stereotypes, and I am all about that! (LOVE THIS) I have worn AFOs my whole life. Of course people would stare. They think you can't see them staring, but you can. The IDEO has completely changed HOW people stare. Instead of looking at me like I'm sick and feeling sorry for me, they look with curiosity and assume I have some awesome story for why I have these carbon fiber devices. People have been much more likely to ask me about it, and engage in conversation over just assuming I am sick. It may sound strange, but I noticed that right away. It's a huge blessing to not feel like people are constantly pitying me!

Dominique's #happyIDEOs

How do you dress up the IDEO?: Dresses and wedges :)

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: Payless Dexflex Comfort Wedges. I've never worn any type of heel! Since Ryan placed a wedge in my sneakers, this allows me to just wear the shoes without a wedge since they are the perfect height! I now own all three colors they sell :D Plus they are relatively inexpensive, which is great because I am sure I will be replacing them often. http://www.payless.com/womens-spectator-daylight-wedge/76007.html?dwvar_76007_color=white_black#start=2
(SO CUTE. Some of you may be able to make this work! I think it will just depend on your unique situation and how the IDEO is designed for your injury.)

What is your proudest moment in the IDEO so far?: Throwing away my AFOs at the Hanger Clinic. I still am not as mobile as I would like with the IDEO (it has only been two weeks), but throwing away my AFOs was an outward way of expressing my dedication to getting the most out of my IDEO. I can't go back!

Any special goals for 2015?: I would love to walk without a limp by September! Then I will focus on more high impact exercising. (You go girl!)

Favorite Quote: Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile.

What's one thing you wish people knew about you? I believe with my whole heart that God did not make my legs as a mistake. The IDEO is not something to "fix" me, but enable me to experience more out of life. I also believe that the IDEO was placed in my life for a reason. I can't wait to see where this path leads me! (What an amazing attitude!)

Dominique's Wisdom: My mantra is PMA. It's something my dad would always say. It stands for "Positive Mental Attitude". That keeps me going on the tough days.

IDEOnista Fabulous!

Wow! Now you see why this girl inspires me so much! I love Dominique's style, but more than that I love her attitude. To me, she fully embodies what an IDEOnista is: a woman who wears the IDEO with strength and confidence, knowing there is beauty in all that she has overcome. 

If you are someone who wears an IDEO on both legs, this girl is proof for you that you can make fashion work! So take heart my friends and embrace your feminine + hardcore image and step forward knowing that you are beautiful!

Thank you, Dominique. You are an inspiration to us all!

 

say hello to summer :)

Hi everyone! I'm happy to say the rain has left Dallas and the sun has finally returned! ☺

With warm weather and sunny skies ahead, I'm excited to post a few summer outfits in hopes that I can inspire you to break out your lighter wear clothes. As you'll see below, a maxi skirt is a great way to feel classy and dressed up while also camouflaging the IDEO. I'd recommend looking for length that covers your feet so that you can't see your tennis shoes. (This red maxi skirt happens to be a hand-me down from my mom so it's a little hard to add length to it at this point... but you get the idea!)

So earlier this week a friend asked me what advice I would give to other IDEO wearers who want to feel cute and fashionable in their clothes.

For me there are really three rules that I follow:

1. No white tennis shoes
2. No white socks
3. No bulky shoes

If you stick to these three rules, you will be headed in the right direction ☺It's not to say white tennis shoes or white socks are bad, but if you are trying to get dressed up, white tends to look very orthopedic and athletic. So if you are feeling in a rut, try for a darker colored shoe / sock and see if that doesn't help you to feel more classy and sassy! Bulky shoes can make you feel clunky... so when you are looking for shoes, try to ask yourself if you feel clunky in them and if the answer is yes, put them back. I followed this rule when looking for hiking boots and even though I had to try on a lot of shoes, I was glad I didn't settle! I think almost any outfit will look great with the IDEO but I really believe that once you find the right shoe, you will feel like a million bucks. You don't need to go out and buy new clothes... it's all about the shoes and socks people :)

 

 

Workout update: Next Sunday is the Wounded Warrior 10K race and I'm very excited! I've been keeping up with my training and am feeling strong. For me, it's really important that I keep my hip flexor and glute muscles strong so that I don't start overcompensating on one side so I've tried to keep this a focus of my training and it's really helped.  

As always, if you feel inclined, please send pics of your IDEOnista outfits so that we can share with others! Wishing everyone a fantastic week and remember, it's all about feeling confident. My tips are the just icing on the awesome person you already are! ☺#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

 

dream big. sparkle more. shine bright.

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'd like to share a cute hiking boot option, a few outfit ideas and a little inspiration :)

Pictured below are the Women's Ahnu Montara Hiking Boot from REI. Regular price: $160 (on sale for $110)

IDEO side size: Women's 11
non-IDEO side size: Women's 9

Pros: fits true to size, comfortable, is not a men's shoe (yay!), stylish, light-weight, fairly wide toe box, non-bulky/boxy, breathable, waterproof, & easy to get the IDEO inside (use a shoe-horn).

Cons: REI doesn't let you split sizes so I had to purchase the pair in both 9 and in 11 to make it work. Oh well, I think these will last a long time so I consider this a good purchase!

http://www.rei.com/…/…/ahnu-montara-boot-hiking-boots-womens

 

Here is another picture of how the Ahnu boots look on as well as a Spring dress photo in my grey NB MT1210's.  Note: Though super cute, the black boots did not look good with the dress, so I think I will save the boots for jean outfits :)

Lastly, a little inspiration. Never forget that with God all things are possible. Never lose your faith or your spirit. ♥

 

 

 

I hope everyone has a Happy Memorial Day weekend!  #dreambig #sparklemore #shinebright

IDEOnista Spotlight: Iana

Today, I would like to share with you a post about a wonderful woman I have come to know in the IDEO community by the name of Iana. She is an amazing lady that I hope to meet in person one day! Read her IDEO advice, clothing style, and inspiration below.

Name: Iana

When did you get your IDEO?: June 2014

What is your clothing style: I work with horses, so my clothing style is breeches, long sleeved shirts (sun protection), dirt, shavings, horse hair and boots / hiking shoes :) ... and when I am not with horses, I wear skirts and dresses. I like being a girly girl when not in breeches.

What have you found to be the outfit you feel best in the IDEO?: Favorite outfit would probably be a maxi dress or skirt, something flowy, gypsy and fun!

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: I found a boot called NuTec, for men. They are known as "packers". I also recently tried a pair of Ariat paddock boots and they also fit well. I must buy two pairs since my feet are pretty small in general. I have an unusual angle to my ankle and Ryan Blanck had to fit my IDEO to it... I have to walk in heels.... yup... heels... wedges are the best so in boots I have to put in an insert. I have also found a couple of sandals at The Walking Store that are wide enough to fit the IDEO. I have even found a couple transvestite shoe stores that offer high heels in men's sizes... (I didn't think about that Iana!)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: Don't make limits. Just go out there and try it on... whatever it is... life is fully of daily miracles, we just have to see them and be thankful.

What has been your proudest moment in the IDEO so far?: Gosh, it's hard to say which is my proudest moment... I think everyday, every moment is just amazing. Just knowing I can walk and not have pain is a miracle all the time.

What are your goals for 2015?: Now that I can move more, my goal is to lose 70lbs and to become super fit again.

What's your favorite quote?: My dad used to say, "Give time to time."

 

 

In Iana's words: "Be happy, be thankful and keep going forward." ☺



Fashion, Shoes & Fitness | What more could a girl ask for?

Happy Saturday everyone! Today I thought I'd share a photo summary of my past week and give you a little inspiration covering all the bases: fashion, shoes and fitness :)

Skirt Fashion: Below are two pictures of how I pair skirts with my IDEO during the winter. The key is finding a way to make the IDEO a seamless part of your outfits. I've found the easiest way to do this with your skirts (during the cold months) is by wearing tights. By doing this, the IDEO becomes magically less noticeable at first glance and your look feels more streamlined. Top it off with dark colored tennis shoes and a dark colored compression sock (whatever goes best with your tights) and you are set to go! NOTE: I've had to cut some of my tights because it was too compressing to wear tights + compression sock over... so keep that in mind. You can always cut the tights on your IDEO side leg if you need to (its a little tricky but doable!). It's all about finding what feels & works best for you :)

 

Shoes: I was so excited to get my new Brooks Glycerin's this week!  I can run like the wind in Brooks and they are super cushy. (To give you an indication of how they fit: I wear a men's 8 on the L and a men's 10 on the R with my IDEO.) I'm planning to supplement this pair with my other Brooks Glycerin's and rotate them out with all the running & activity I am doing. This greyish color is great and I know it will go with a lot of outfits too :) New shoes = happy Beth.☺

Brooks Glycerin ♥

Fitness: Last week I signed up with a local running store for a Spring Training Program. So excited! After reaching such a huge goal with Project Athena last November, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do in 2015... but I finally decided for year 2 in the IDEO to improve my running form and distance. So this spring I am training and working on pace/form from Jan - late April on 5-10K level races and then assuming my body holds up for me (I have a tendency to push it too hard sometimes.. hehe) I plan to train for and run in the Race for a Soldier half-marathon in September in Gig Harbor. I have also started adding in more formalized weight training and yoga... working on flexibility and muscle strength needed to keep good form while running and also to avoid injuries (ain't nobody got time for that!). I have a lot of work ahead of me this year but I think by taking a systematic approach to my training and building my base / form / pace from the ground up, I will be in good all around shape to train for a half-marathon. So more to come on this... But if I can do the half-marathon - that will be the first half-marathon in my IDEO! (definitely on my IDEO bucket list!)


 

#iloverunning

 

Sometimes all it takes is believing that YOU CAN. Believe that YOU CAN look cute in your IDEO, believe that YOU CAN get back to living life to the fullest again, and believe that YOU CAN do anything you set your mind to. It all starts with believing in yourself. Make it a great week! #achieveyourdreams #beYOU #beFABULOUS #IDEOnista

IDEOnista Spotlight: Lisa

Today, I want to highlight my IDEO friend, Lisa. Though we've never actually met in person, I've followed Lisa on Facebook and I can tell you she is an amazing person with a great sense of style! Hear what advice Lisa has to offer for all you IDEOnista's out there :)

Name: Lisa

How long have you had the IDEO? 3 months

What is your clothing style? I like to mix and match prints and patterns and love wearing layers and comfortable dresses

Favorite outfit to wear with the IDEO: Leggings with my black and white polka dot dress and lace crop top

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: Sneakers: New Balance | Boots: Helly Hansen | Work Shoes: Cobb Hill (a sister brand of new balance)

Advice for other IDEOnistas: Keep an open mind and sense of humor when shopping for shoes and clothes. You can't know if a shoe will work or not unless you try it on and possibly get stuck in it (yes, that has happened and it was hilarious)... it took two employees to tug a boot off me :)

How do you dress up the IDEO? I found a great pair of booties by Cobb Hill that I wear anytime sneakers aren't appropriate. I'll also be having a wedding in over a year and have already started scheming ways to make the IDEO fancy for the big day! (i.e rhinestone covered sneakers, flowers, and lace on the IDEO, etc.)

Favorite Quote: "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe

Cobb Hill - SO CUTE.

Helly Hansen boots!

Go Lisa go!

Lisa getting her IDEO casted - you're awesome!

Thank you, Lisa! Keep it up girl. Love your style. We look forward to seeing how you bedazzle your IDEO for your wedding next year! :)

If anyone else would like to share their story or advice, please message me and I would love to spotlight you!

#IDEOnista

Where to Buy Shoes.

A note up front. There are two types of IDEO's - the standard one and the "church brace version". For those of you who don't know what the church version is - as I understand it, it's basically a low profile IDEO, with one strut instead of two. People use the low profile for dress occasions, work, etc. because it's smaller - but you cannot run on it.  Having the low profile vs. the standard IDEO likely depends on your injury and a multitude of other factors but I wanted to point it out up front because what I will be discussing on my blog is for those who do not have the low profile church version.  Because of where I am with my injury, I only have the standard IDEO, so my choice of shoes remain in the hiking / tennis shoe section (& maybe other types of shoes as I discover more options!) Also, my injury is extremely sensitive to pressure changes so I have to be careful with the shoes that I pick-- it has to fit just right... it's a tedious process :)

Below is a list of stores that may offer a discount to accommodate different sized shoes:

Nordstrom has the following policy:
If you have two different sized feet and are ordering online, you will order two pairs of shoes (one in each size, but they must be at least 1.5 sizes different). You will be charged for one pair and will be asked to send back the shoes that you do not need for credit. If you have the need for only one shoe, a whole pair will be sent to you, and you will be asked to return the unneeded shoe. You will be charged accordingly for only one shoe.
The phone number to call for this program is (888) 282-6060. 
Note: If you order in the store, they follow the same discount and will let you get one pair in different sizes, without extra cost. 

LL Bean has the following policy:
LLBean allows people to order "split sizes"- the size difference can be anything from ½ size difference, and any width difference, to a women's size in one shoe and a men's size in another shoe. They charge 1.5 times the price of one shoe (for example, if one pair is $60, you will be charged $90). LL Bean ships the two odd sizes to you with no need to return the odd shoes. Both shoes in different sizes must be in stock when the order is placed, because they need to compare the shoes to make sure the colors match before they ship the "split size"pair. Please ask to speak with the Product Support Team when you place the order by calling (800) 441-5713 (Surprisingly enough, it LL Bean sells the NB 1210’s and Brooks!)

South Sound Running: Tacoma, WA – Let the associate know you wear the IDEO and they will sell you different sized shoes at no extra cost. :) These people are really nice and will ship the shoes out of state. (I live in Texas and I've had them ship me shoes before!)

Brown's Catalog will discount 20% off each pair and send you the two different sizes that you need.

Run On Retailer: My experience is that as long as you purchase Brooks, they will sell you one pair at full price and the second pair at half price.Your local Run On may have other discounts - explain your situation. It's worth asking!

Fleet Feet Bend, Oregon: For a $30 fee, Brooks will let Fleet Feet order mismatched shoes for people with different sized feet in length or width. Phone: (541) 389-1601 Note: I haven't tried this store yet, but it's another option and I'm all about options! http://www.fleetfeetbend.com/gear/medical-products

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recently, for the first time, I was able to find a pair of shoes that fit my IDEO and non-IDEO foot in the same size! (Wow!)

Salomon XA Comp 7W Trail Running shoes - Purchased from REI for $110. Salomon's are known for their wide toe box - super comfortable and durable too. I'd definitely recommend giving them a try!

A friend mentioned to me about using Zappos to purchase shoes online. They offer good discounts and free shipping so this might be a good way to purchase shoes once you find the ones you like. 

Another person on the IDEO facebook group shared this discount for Keen footwear - go there, make an account and request a code:  www.keenfootwear.com/pro

Still yet another option -- check with your local New Balance store for any discounts. Each one is locally owned so you never know unless you ask!
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shoes currently in my closet:

New Balance MT 1210 (men's)

New Balance MT 1210 (men's)

Brooks Glycerin (men's)

Salomon XA Comp 7W (women's)

Those are my options for now! Does anyone else have any places they would recommend? 

#runhappy