The mother of all shoes

WHAT: Clarks Privo shoes
WHERE: The Bay; Winners
HOW MUCH: $59.99 - $100

Since moving from the sprawling suburbs to my downtown apartment three months ago, I have prided myself on becoming the quintessential urbanite. Instead of fretting over drag-racing teenagers as I stroll down tree-lined streets, I now neatly sidestep screaming schizophrenics on my way to the corner store. Of course, the challenges of urban life do require me to be fleet of foot. Which is why I have traded in my stilletos for the cushioned glory that is Clarks.

I have always equated Clarks with yawn-worthy practicality. Growing up, my mother had a pair of dependable, faded Clarks sandals that she used for gardening every summer. She raved about their comfort, but after my Birkenstocks debacle of 1993, I had decided to stay far, far away from any item of clothing whose principle benefit was comfort. But upon seeing Clarks' new line of casual shoes, called Privo, I was instantly in love. The little knobby-things on the insoles massage my feet with every step, and the streamlined styles make them cool enough for the most urban hipster.

You can find them at the Bay for around $100, but if you are lucky enough to find them at the end of the season or happen upon a pair at Winners, you can get them for $60. Happy hunting!

For the woman who has everything - somewhere to put it.

WHAT: Latico Leather Bags
WHERE: Winners
HOW MUCH: $100 - $200

Few things in life beat the the beautiful simplicity and practical functionality of a well made leather bag. Having studied my mother's shopping habits closely since I was a wee one, I have always appreciated the beauty of the perfect bag. But while she goes for vintage clutches, I have developed an obsession for the capacious yet fashionable leather purse. Sure, a modest little pocketbook always looks charming, but give me the bag that will hold my notebook and lipgloss and the apple I was supposed to have at lunch yesterday and still look gorgeous doing it.

The line of leather bags from Latico has everything I dream of in a bag - useful organizational pockets, madcap colours, stylish flair and of course, good strong leather that will stand up to anything. Their laptop bags are particularly useful - I have one in apple green that I never fail to get complimented on (pictured here) and a more casual one in poppy orange.

Unfortunately, they only sell wholesale - but if you go hunting at Winners, you can often find one out of its natural habitat.

Cinderella's folly

If the shoe fits...buy one in ever colour.