These kids shoes ROCK my world!

Allow me to drift off topic to tell you about one of my very favorite obsessions... shoes.

My shoe "fetish" started when I was very young. At a tender age, my mom passed on her shoe obsession and now I see myself doing the same for my own daughter.

Shortly after Zoë was born, I began to read about the importance of soft-soled shoes in the development of children's feet. But I didn't need convincing because the ones I bought were way cuter than the hard-as-a-rock-soled ones my mother kept trying to buy for her. I'm a fan of going barefoot, but when wearing shoes is a must, I can be extremely picky.

Anyway, here I am, 2 years into inoculating my daughter into the same shoe frenzy I've been happy to be a part of for many years.

Zoë's butter colored Cayman's seem to get smaller everyday and because I love how soft and flexible they are and so easy for her to put on by herself, I knew we'd be getting more when the time came. And after a frustrating trip to my local mall's Crocs kiosk, Dillard's, and Journey's Kids, none of which had the size or the color shoes I wanted, I hurried home, Shopzilla'd "crocs" and found some at Surf and Dirt for the base Crocs price and free shipping with a minimum order of $50. Yeah, so I had to buy two pair plus some Jibbitz to get my free shipping but it was so worth it.

My number 1 all-time favorite I-am-so-sad-when-she-outgrows-them shoes are by See Kai Run. These are by far the hippest, most flexible shoe with fans far and wide (there are whole threads about them on TBW). Sadly, we have said good bye to Eleanor, the juiciest orange Mary Janes you ever saw (discontinued, I'm keeping ours for Z's future little sis), London, a sweet little sole great for boys or girls and for those trips to the park when you want a closed shoe, and Deja, the little purple sandal with lots of attitude. We're still wearing Ava and are waiting on Stella, pictured up top. You can pick up the latest fall styles or soon to be snuffed older styles at Dandelion Baby for the best deal I've found to date. Enter coupon code SKR for free shipping until 8.25.07. Hurry though because some styles are on back order for weeks. (8/15 ETA: A little birdie told me that Dandelion Baby just received a huge new shipment of SKRs!! But still hurry, you don't want your little one to go without these kicks for too long!)

If you're one who prefers to do your shopping in real life and you live in the Houston area, stop by these locations to see the cuteness in person. Please remember to say you heard about them at Punkin Pockets!

Fairy Tales & Fables Boutique
2656 South Loop West, Suite 320
Houston, TX 77054
832.659.5629

Little Patooties
2608 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098
713.520.8686

Petite Maison
5709 Woodway Dr, Ste G
Houston, TX 77057
713.781.7373

Purple Mango
2410 Rice Blvd
Houston, TX 77005
713.529.9188

Tulips & Tutus
238 W 19th St
Houston, TX 77008
713.861.0301