Tried & Tested : If the shoe fits...

Earlier this year I took our daughter for a podiatry appointment. She was wearing my her favourite pair of Converse. Yellow high tops with a daisy print on the toe.
So the podiatrist asks me what type of running shoe she wears.
Ummm, she's three and a half at the time, not exactly running marathons so I tell him her "play shoes" are Converse and sandals.
Then he asks me what kind of sandals she wears and I have to admit that I've succumb to the Mary Jane Crocs. He says he doesn't "hate" Converse but they shouldn't be worn all the time. Crocs make him cross though.
So the appointment ends with him telling me her feet are developing just fine but she really should be in a good quality running shoe at her age.
This sits with me for a while in the "I just can't face ugly joggers" file. I don't even like my own running shoes. I was guilted in to them after the shoe fitter told me my high arches wouldn't be supported in any other shoe than the one with the fluoro orange stripes up the side. Yeah thanks.
Then I received a sign from the "keeping DoCS away from my front door Gods" in the form of a package from Saucony. As I pulled the little pink and grey numbers (above) from their packaging I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. They looked alright.
Our daughter was most excited. They had pink on them! She slipped straight into those little numbers and they have been a very consistent fixture on her tootsies ever since.
She finds them easy as pie to put on and take off herself (gotta say this is a big plus for me too) and really comfortable, she's calling them her "pillow shoes".
The fit is really spot on but the thing I like best about them is their Jedi mind trick powers. Previously a walk to even the mailbox has been taxing on the stamina of our little girl. But now that she has her "pillow shoes" she's up and down the driveway like a cheetah. And the school run to drop off her big bro has become exactly that. Whereas I used to make the two block trek fending off cries of "carry me" now it's all "you can't catch me Mama!".
And because I have the Mama-version she's got us both on a fitness kick. She's teaching me to jog. Showing me how you have to tuck your elbows in and lift your knees high. No idea where she got those tips...

I am trés impressed with the grown-up Saucony shoe. I have never tried this brand before and you know what, they are honestly the most comfortable running shoe I've ever worn. Our daughter is right, there's definitely a "pillow" effect going on. Yet they are surprisingly light for such a cushioned ride. I've always received a welcome blister from new running shoes and thought it was par for the course but I didn't get even a hint of one with these. And of course I much prefer the pink and grey to my fluoro orange numbers (to the Vinnies bin with you losers).
I'm impressed with the price too. I've paid upward of $200 for a much lesser shoe. The women's Progrid Jazz retails for around $150 and the children's Baby Triumph is $50. For stockists call 03 8878 3000.

Wake up and smell the... pomegranate

What do you look for in hair washing products?
Ideally I'd love something that had me stepping out of the shower with Angelina Jolie red-carpet hair. Failing that simple request I do expect my shampoo and conditioner to:
:: smell good (the bi-carb and vinegar is working for the kids but when I tried it I just came off smelling like a soggy salt and vinegar chip)
:: have an ingredients list that doesn't take an hour and a dictionary to read
:: does not contain sulphates or parabens
:: have wash and go-ability (ie. give my fine, limp hair a bit of oomph and shine without having to blowdry and add product)
:: oh yeah and make my hair feel clean (I'm always amazed at how many hair products leave a greasy residue)
It's been rather difficult to tick all the boxes but I think I've landed THE ONE.
It's called Organix Revitalizing Pomegranate Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner and we're getting along like a house on fire.
The wash and go-ability has exceeded my expectations. Usually when I don't blowdry I'm forced to pull my mop into a ponytail mid-morning but this little concoction is seeing me through with a respectable down-do until bedtime.
The organic pomegranate and green tea extracts impress me but there are still a few big words (guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride anyone?) and fragrance so it's not 100 per cent organic/natural. Props for the packaging though. The bottles are made from recycled materials, there's no petrochemicals and the labels use environmental inks.
I'm also pretty impressed with the price. You'll find them in Priceline for $15. And there's lots more flavours too. I think I'll give the cucumber yoghurt one a run next.
And I cannot finish without mentioning the smell. I don't usually like sweet, fruity scents but this one is winning me over. It's so good. It reminds me of something but I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe a cocktail I had last time I was in Thailand.