New Shoe Love

I saw them today, for the first time.
And since that moment, it's been hard to stop thinking about them.
I'm speaking (of course) of the new TOMS spring line.

Let me back up for a second and start from the beginning.

For the uninitiated, TOMS Shoes is a company whose ultimate goal is providing footwear to children in the developing world. Since being founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS has used the "One for One" concept as their business model- for each pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a second pair is made and given away to a child who needs them. A few years ago, Hubby and I had a chance to see Blake speak and watch a documentary of his work. It was very moving, and we found ourselves really impressed by his intelligence and his desire to serve the world around him. Not long after (well, it felt like a long time because I did a LOT of online window-shopping and some real-life window-shopping first; I've mentioned how great Hubby and I are at the research stage of a project), we each got our first pair of TOMS:

women's light blue linen bridgeport classics

men's navy bimini stitchouts

They're cute, right? Well, we love 'em!

They're also extremely comfortable, and VERY versatile. My pair look equally great with jeans as they do with skirts/dresses. They're safe enough to wear to work, but lighter weight than socks and sneakers. In the spring or fall, I can wear them with tights for additional warmth. I really love them! I love them so much...

...I want another pair. In a different color.

And that brings us back to the spring collection I just spotted today, that started my TOMS yearning anew! Here are my current faves:

Women's vegan lilac passport classics

Women's vegan black passport classics

But then again, I might try to hold off buying another pair until I see what they're coming out with for summer. Last summer for the first time, they offered these delightful wedges in a rainbow of colors and adorable stripes:

See those orange stripey ones at the bottom? I had never considered buying orange shoes before I saw those last year.  I would have called them "my little creamsicles" and loved them forever. (sob)

Shoe regret. It pains me so!

But I digress.

I'm seriously considering investing in another pair sometime this year. Now, as a card-carrying thrifty gal, I must tell you that TOMS are not cheap- they range anywhere from $44 (for the most basic pair) up to $69 for the wedges. While many people are used to paying that price for shoes, I am not. But, I think of it as buying 2 pairs of shoes for that price and giving one pair away, which is essentially what you're doing when you purchase TOMS. And even I am okay with spending $20-$30 a pair on shoes, especially for such a great cause. :)

I'll keep you posted as to what I ultimately wind up getting! Would you consider buying TOMS? Which pair(s) do you like the best? The website is full of different designs and colors; for instance, they have sequined TOMS that girls wear to the prom! Cute and comfy- I would totally have done that. :)

(PS- I realize in hindsight that this reads as one big giant commercial for TOMS. These are just my opinions, and they haven't given me any compensation for sharing them with you. But if you're reading, Blake, I love your shoes and your company! Please hire me to be your spokesperson/shoe tester!)