Not happy with the shoes I bought from the no-names-mentioned mainstream retail shoe chain that is supposedly selling comfort first. Darn me for going against my philosophy to avoid cheap shoes (Why spend the money down the road at an orthopedist?) and focus on ones with craftsmanship designed for urban life and all the walking that comes with it. And, of course, they must be pretty.

Which brings me to designer Anyi Lu, who is all about comfort and beauty. My fantastic pair, from Air Studios in Hoboken, called Athena: