I love shoes – but who doesn’t, really? When choosing a pair for myself, I always go for style over function because a gorgeous pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. However, when it comes to choosing footwear for my children, I have slightly different priorities. Function really does matter because the growth and development of their tiny little feet depend on the flexibility, comfort and stability of the shoes they wear during those early stages of walking.  And if those shoes can also be stylish – well then that’s just a bonus!

One of Massimo’s first pairs of shoes (and my favorite) was by pediped®. They were soft yet sturdy and had a thick velcro strap for just the support he needed when taking his first steps. Over all the other pairs of shoes he had (and there were lots), these were by far my go-to pair for pretty much every occasion. And in neutral grey and blue, they matched everything he ever wore.

Now as the day draws closer to when my little girl will take her first steps, I’m so excited that her first pair of walking shoes will also be by pediped®.  When the brand approached me to review a few pairs of their children’s shoes, I couldn’t have been more excited because I know and trust the quality of their product, and couldn’t wait to get my cuties into them again. pediped® shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development, making them an exceptional choice for baby’s first pair.

Massimo received the Jake style from the Flex Collection and the first thing that drew me in was of course how stylish they were. Grey is my favorite neutral colour and a great alternative to the boring brown you usually see on boys. With an attractive lace-up look, the shoes actually secure with a Velcro strap that keeps them on and in place no matter what. They have a thick rubber sole that provides flexible comfort for all types of activity (even from a very active toddler). Usually very picky about the things he doesn’t like, we put these shoes on without a hitch and hit the ground running. He never complained one bit about how they felt or fit and has been wearing them for a solid week now non-stop. One thing I love about the Flex design is that they come with an additional cushy insole that allows your child to wear them longer, ultimately extending the life of the shoe (and stretching your dollar farther..wink wink).

Gemma has a few more months of growth before her Kathy shoe will fit her, but she’s already getting comfortable with them by feeling, tasting, and taking a little nibble. This style comes from the Originals collection which is designed to mimic barefoot walking, allowing little feet to grip the floor as if they were walking in barefeet. The leather is soft, breathable and most importantly slip-resistant to catch any little mishaps that are guaranteed to come with baby’s first steps.

pediped® has 3 footwear lines designed to meet your child’s needs at any particular walking stage. They have a gorgeous selection of new styles and designs for Spring/Summer 2016 that you are definitely going to want to check out on their website www.pediped.com

And now for the exciting part! I’m pleased to have partnered with pediped® to giveaway a pair of shoes from their Originals collection (size newborn to 24 months). The winner will be able to specify the gender and size they would like.

Here’s how to enter:
1. Follow @pedipedfootwear and @themintedmama on Instagram
2. Tag a friend in my Instagram post who would also love to win a pair of shoes
3. For a bonus entry, comment here and tell me how much you love shoes :)
Contest closes Monday, March 7, 2016 at midnight and the winner will be announced Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Open to Canadian and US residents.

* Thank you pediped® for collaborating on this post