Happy 1st Birthday Through the Sole!

Through the Sole was started in February 2010, so at its 1 year anniversary, I wanted to look back at how this blog has changed over the past year.

When Through the Sole was founded it was for a class I was taking as an undergraduate at Cornell University. When my class ended, I decide to restart the blog and make it more personal. Since then I have added pictures and videos to make the content more engaging. I have also covered events, such as the Washington, DC High-Heel Race and the Rally to Restore Sanity. I have also tried to make the posts useful and interesting, including tips on how to buy comfortable shoes.

Budget Fashionistas Celebrate! Dolce Vita Spring 2011 Collection for Target

Dolce Vita for Target Fall 2010 Boots that I bought for $9.

Target is again bringing designer fashion to the masses. After successful collaborations with designers, such as Rodarte and Zac Posen, Target now offers a collection of Dolce Vita wedges and sandals based on the brand’s spring 2011 collection. The partnership follows a widely talked about Dolce Vita for Target fall 2010 boot and flat collection. (See my short buckle boots above. For the whole collection, check out Nitrolicious)

Dolce Vita, which means “good life,” is known for stylish and flirty shoes and clothing. The Target collection recreates this vibe with styles similar to the brand’s spring 2011 offerings. The selection is limited and less fashion-forward. No platform sandals will be found in Target.

Skating Through Winter: A Guide to Ice Skates: Part 3: How to Tie Ice Skates

Tying my skates

Now that you learned how to buy ice skates its time to lace them properly to avoid injuries.

How to Tie Ice Skates:

Proper lacing of ice skates takes time at the beginning, usually 15 to 20 minutes, but with a little practice you will get much quicker.

Please note: These instructions are based on figure-type skates with laces and hooks.

To tie you ice skates sit on a bench or chair where you feet easily touch the ground. Make sure the ground has rubber mats or that you are using guards to protect you blades.

Skating Through Winter: A Guide to Ice Skates: Part 2: How to Buy Ice Skates

Hope you enjoyed my discussion of the history of ice skates and are ready for part 2

How to Buy Ice Skates:

Although not everyone is a competitive figure skater or hockey player, you need proper ice skates to prevent injuries.

Ideally to buy an ice skate you should go to a store that specializes in ice skates and has a sales representative who can fit your feet and abilities. Even beginner skates typically cost at least $150. Although many department and discount stores offer cheaper options, without an experienced sales person you are less likely to find skates that will properly fit. A cheaper option is to buy used boots and blades (USFSA, n.d.).

Skating Through Winter: A Guide to Ice Skates: Part 1: The History of Ice Skates

My Klingbeil ice skates.

Happy Belated Groundhog Day! Although, spring will be early this year, there is still winter weather to contend with. One of my favorite winter activities is ice skating, so I decide to share some information about the special shoes known as ice skates. This will be a series of posts.

Some personal background, I am a figure skater and have been skating for over ten years.

History:

Ice skates have been around for the past 5000 years (Bellis, n.d.). They were invented in Finland as a means of traveling in the cold winter months (Lovgren, 2008). The oldest pair of ice skates was found in the bottom of a Swedish lake and date back to 3000 BCE. These skates were made from the legs of animals. Holes were cut into the bones so leather straps could be used to tie them to one’s feet, see image below (Bellis). The bones were shaved flat on the bottom and skaters used ski-pole like sticks with sharp points to grab the ice (SkateNY, 2007).