7 ways to make sure your feet survive BlogHer (or any other big event). Especially if you insist upon wearing sassy shoes

You are all on your way to BlogHer, if you are not already here. My own BlogHer began last night, sitting around a table with some of the women who inspire me, support me, and make me laugh, think, and tear up the most. These are my friends. Seeing them was like finding my way back to the circle with my tribe.

One of them, the illustrious and lovely CityMama, challenged me to do a post of shoe recommendations for BlogHer. That was weeks ago. It has yet to be written. But I will tell you that I was shocked to see that the Crocs sandals she swore up and down to me really were cute but that I skeptically had to see in person actually (God love you, honey) really were cute. They are red and strappy and very sassy. She also swears they are comfortable, but only two days tromping through a giant hotel and around the city to an endless string of parties will reveal that (usually counted in number of gummy blister bandages).

Since your shoes are already on your feet, packed tight in your bag or lost at O'Hare somewhere, I will offer you these  7 tips for gracefully sashaying through the BlogHer weekend. Remember, kittens, hangovers subside but callouses are forever.

Do break in your shoes. I know you don't want to hear this and I know you will probably ignore me. But do know that even one night of clomping around your hotel room can help break in your shoes. Even more importantly, it is enough time to develop some red flags streaked across your toes and heels that will tell you exactly where to strategically place Band-Aids when you put them on to actually leave the room.

Don't worry if someone stops by for a libation or some pre-conf goss. If they've been to BlogHer before it won't even faze them why you are wearing clicky shoes with your yoga pants and last year's swag t-shirt.

Do fill your toiletry bag with Band-Aids and blister bandages. And not the generic kind that are way cheaper. Trust me. You will regret it. Instead, opt for the good kind. Band-Aids that are plastic-y (not the fibery ones or clear ones) that match no one's skin color stay put the best. When you are choosing blister gear, get the bandages that are gummy and protect existing boo-boos as well as prevent rubbing. You feet's pain and misery is well worth the eight or ten bucks you throw down for them, trust me.

Do buy a package of cushy inserts to take with you. I wear heels a lot, so I have a stock of these at the ready in my shoe organizer. If you don't pick up a package of three when you are buying Band-Aids. I recommend the pre-shaped ones you don't have to cut (recognizable as the cheap kinds, once again) that have adhesive tape to easily fit (and stay) in your shoes. If you do not use them, do stash them in your bag. If the balls of your feet start burning or your shoes unexpectedly start slipping off your heels mid-day, you will thank the goddesses of all things shoe whoreish that you have inserts handy.

Do carry a pair of flip-flops in your bag. I will not do the sensible thing and wear flats or tennies, so I will be sure I have relief in the form of flip-flops with me at all times.

Do wear wedges if you must wear heels. Wedges have a wider area to distribute the stress placed on the foot from being cranked up in high heels (as opposed to two tiny pressure points of the center of the heel and the ball of the foot). I find that I can wear wedges comfortably for hours beyond the adorable jobbies that look fabulous but are not meant for standing more than ten minutes. I bought a cute pair of satin and cork wedge sandals that I am hoping look and work just as fine with my jeans as with my party dresses.

Don't have any shame about skipping out on a session or meet-up to go up to your room and soak your feet in the tub. Fill the tub with just enough warm water,and bubbles or gel soap, and relax for ten or fifteen while you and your tootsies take a much-needed break. Consider it self-care from the very bottom up. Don't fret about what you are missing since you will re-emerge refreshed, re-energized and ready to stomp it out.

Comments

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Great content and it's so helpful for me. But it's so weird that your blog is in a mess through my explorer. Is that my explorer problem? But it's pretty normal when exploring other blogs.

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These are helpful tips you have here. Not all people really know what to do with their feet.