myCATS

Enjoying the Balmy Days of Late Summer...

2010-08-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

This gentleman knows how to wear his espadrilles--regular shoes are too hot for this weather, anyways.
For a nighttime look, he can simply throw on a casual blazer to stay warm in the summer breeze.

Men's Espadrilles Are Having a Moment - NY Fashion

2010-08-03T18:11:00.001-07:00

NY Fashion

Espadrilles — laceless, rope-soled fabric shoes — are "dominating the men’s category in Europe ... prompting many to predict the trend will reach even further come spring ’11,"says (warns?) WWD. Now, Spain's Maians and France'sRivieras are bringing espadrille collections to this week'sCompass trade show in New York. The style originated in Spain......

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/08/espadrilles.html

Come check out our great & modern selection for men from Barcelona, Spain - www.mycatshoes.com

Step Up 3D Actress Wearing Red Tamariu myCATS espadrilles

2010-08-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

myCATS go to Hollywood! From the movie premier of Step Up 3D we found myCATS were also being represented!

Shown here is the Red Tamariu model. One of our best sellers and women every can't stop talking how comfortable is this espadrille wedge shoe.

And as always, Pair of shoe plants pair of trees.

www.mycatshoes.com

A Tree Grows in Haiti

2010-07-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

Read how planting trees can help rebuild Haiti. myCATS has planted thousands of trees with the help our of customers who wear our eco-friendly espadrilles & alpargatas for men & women. Learn more at www.mycatshoes.com.

“Almost all of the country’s problems—natural disasters, food shortages, poverty—can be traced back to rampant deforestation,” says Ethan Budiansky, the Caribbean-programs officer at Trees for the Future, a nonprofit group that is planting thousands of trees in the mountains around Gonaïves. “So if we want to fix the country, we have to start there.” While there are no panaceas in Haiti, successful reforestation might come close. By absorbing water and holding soil in place, trees can minimize the impact of natural disasters and repair nutrient-poor agricultural lands. An aggressive reforestation campaign would also bring much-needed jobs to the region and, if done correctly, could solve the energy conundrum that led Haitians to cull their forests in the first place. “Planting trees is not just some quaint side project,” says U.N. Development Group chair Helen Clark. “It’s the key to rebuilding the country.”

Million Trees for Michael

2010-07-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

Great effort to get more trees planted! And as always, we plant a pair of trees for every purchase from mycatshoes.com of our eco-friendly espadrilles and alpargatas. Learn more about our efforts at: http://mycatshoes.com/join_us.php

http://www.amilliontreesformichael.com/

Dress down with casual look of men's alpargatas & espadrilles

2010-07-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Men espadrilles worn with a suit? Yes!

We at mycatshoes.com are constantly looking for fresh ways to mix and match men's espadrilles. With this photo of matching dark espadrilles with a trim fitting suit you can't go wrong. Elegant and proper, yet casual at the same time.

Perfect combination of comfort & style.

Give us a look at myCATS and come see what everyone is talking about with these shoes and learn more about how having low environmental impact shoes is good for our world and how you can plant a pair of trees.

mycatshoes.com

pair of shoes plants pair of trees

Summer footwear trend: Espadrilles/Alpargatas

2010-06-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

Summer Footwear Trend: Espadrilles

From the FashionBeans blog you can read about these great shoes called alpargatas/espadrilles. And on our website www.mycatshoes.com you can find a variety of styles for any occasion:

Begur model - works great by day, but also for night out on the town with touch of style from the leather strap across the top

Sitges model - the ultimate feel good anywhere shoe

Barcelona model - Sturdy canvas wants to be played in.

www.mycatshoes.com

Espadrilles for men & women - The origin

2010-06-29T22:25:00.001-07:00

The espadrille is a traditional flat shoe designed with a canvas or cloth upper and soles made of rope, rubber or crepe. Shoemakers in the Pyrenees region, between Spain and France, first created the espadrille. By tradition, the espadrille had flat soles made of jute or esparto grass, a plant that produces fine, tough strands.

A Shoe from Spain

The alpargatero was a medieval shoemaker specializing in making the espardenya shoe in the Pyrenees region of northern Spain. They wove the basic material for the shoe sole from tough esparto grass. The alpargatero singed the esparto strands over a hot fire and then braided them to create the shoe. They coated the bottom of the shoe with pitch. A seamstress completed the job of stitching the uppers, made from woven flax, to the sole. Soldiers from Aragon and Catalaonia wore the tough footwear while on campaign.

The Durable Espardenya

The espardenya was inexpensive to make and very durable. The flexible rope soles allowed the shoe to conform to the shape of the foot, which made them extremely comfortable. Men as well as women wore espardenyas, which were ideal for work and travel over rough countryside and on mountain trails. They were suited for the warm summer months, but provided little warmth during the rest of the year.

Come check out our selection at - www.mycatshoes.com

How cute is this!

2010-06-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Amazing, sweet lady enjoying our flat espadrilles. These flat espadrilles are eco-friendly, use a natural anti-bacterial so your feet won't stink and the jute sole keeps your feet dry!

Available in many colors.

See www.mycatshoes.com for more information.

2010-06-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

Men Sitges shoes shown by SPURR at NY Fashion week now come in Beige, Navy Blue, Blue/White Stripes, Red, and Solid & Striped mixed.

http://bit.ly/99Ssfu

Penelope Cruz Espadrilles from the movie Volver

2010-06-21T23:08:00.000-07:00

Looking for the espadrilles worn by Penelope Cruz in Volver? We got them and rumor has it that they are the most comfortable shoes ever!

http://www.mycatshoes.com/50-Tamariu.htm

2010-06-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

myCATS on vacation to New Orleans. Customer sent us this picture.

Summer is here!

2010-06-21T22:57:00.001-07:00

Sunshine is out, Summer is here, and we've got your feet covered with wide selection of wedge or flat espadrille shoes for men & women.

Each shoe is eco-friendly and we plant a pair of trees with every purchase.

You Shop, We Plant Trees

A person in the US emits 20 tons of carbon per year
One tree absorbs 1 ton of carbon over 40 years
20 trees will offset carbon emissions for one whole year

Win-Win with great, comfortable shoes and plant some trees to offset your carbon emissions!

Be bold in red

2010-06-21T22:46:00.000-07:00

Happy customer sent us this photo. Using the red Sitges espadrille shoe. Great shoe for summer time comfort! Many colors to choose from...

Check us out in UCSD's Alumni Magazine!

2010-02-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

UC San Diego

Gearing up for Spring: Men's Espadrilles

2010-02-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Make sure to check out our selection of men espadrilles & alpargatas.

www.mycatshoes.com

Spring's almost here--time to shed those boots and sneakers in exchange for something a bit lighter and more versatile. Enter: espadrilles.

Whether you're going for the fresh, crisp look,

Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist

or casual and nonchalant image,

Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist

espadrilles are the shoes of spring--easy to slip on and off and match any outfit or outing: from an al fresco lunch to a nighttime outing.

Get yours now in time for the season!

Deforestation places Haiti at risk of more landslides

2010-01-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

Haiti is plagued by widespread deforestation because its poverty-stricken population cuts down trees for fuel. According to the National Geographic, as a result "the destruction of Haiti's natural forests is almost total, making the Caribbean country one of the most deforested in the world."

The canopies of trees serve as buffers to fend off wind and rain, while the roots help keep the soil from shifting--without this vital protection, the country is at risk of even more landslides. Its rapidly depleting forests along with the recent impact of the earthquake heighten this risk.

To read more about the importance of trees and tree planting in a country such as Haiti, check out this link.

Let's all keep the people of Haiti in our prayers...

REDD or Dead?

2009-12-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark (December 7-18), representatives recognized the vital importance and role of trees in the climate crisis. Their efforts culminated in the UN-Redd (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries) Program, a plan that focuses on providing countries with incentives to not cut down their trees. Learn more about it here:

5 Ways to Go Green this Holiday Season

2009-12-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

Though the holidays are fast approaching, there's still some time to think about how you can make your season as "green" as possible. Look at this period a bit more creatively and recognize the impact that some of your actions during this season may have on the environment--make it a New Year's resolution to be more green this year and get inspired with these tips!

5. Organic Potluck
The holiday season should not be limited to presents and shopping for presents--take some time to host a potluck meal for your close friends and family members using only organic food. Part of the fun will be checking out your local grocers and farmers' markets to pick out fun, fresh ingredients for the meal. Organic food is not only better for you, but it's also better for the environment because it promotes a better, sustainable use of soil and more humane treatment of animals. Think about it. Click here to find organically grown food in your area.

4. Go Paperless
The U.S. Postal Service will deliver 20 billion cards, letters, and packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve this year. Nearly 300,000 trees will need to be harvested to produce all the holiday cards sold during this time. Instead of a traditional Christmas postcard, why not send your family picture via email? Better yet, send an interactive video message to let someone know you're thinking about them during the holidays. You can even "elf yourself"--whatever floats your boat. All these options save paper and time!

3. Edible Gifts
You know how your neighbor always gushes about your brownies or those oatmeal raisins you shared with her the other day? Make her holidays sweeter by gifting those baked goods and helping the environment. Find some ideas for edible gifts in a jar: here.

2. For the Philanthropist
There's always that one person in our lives who is forever championing a cause--whether it be orphans in Zimbabwe or polar bears in Antarctica. Donate to a foundation or charity in their name--all recipients involved will appreciate the gesture. Trees for the Future helps the environment by planting trees around the world--"Planting trees protects the environment and helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations."

1. Purchase a sustainable gift
The fashionista or the eco-friendly shopper (or both) in your life will appreciate your consideration when you purchase a gift that gives back to the environment. Featured in New York Fashion Week, myCATs are a breath of fresh air from your usual shoe or sneaker. With both men's and women's designs, they are made of 100% biodegradable soles and assembled without the use of toxic chemicals that may be harmful to our environment. They are made in a variety of designs, colors and styles for every person on your list. With each purchase of a pair of myCATS shoes, 10 trees will be planted in the buyer's name. Guess you can check the philanthropist off your list too.

Check out other styles here!

2009-10-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Okay so my adorable shoes arrived Sat. I love them. I tried them on and thought OMG, these are high I am not sure if I can where them all day, so I brought a pair of spares to be safe; so far so good I am still wearing them. :) They are surprisingly wearable, you were right. I lunched with my friend and she LOVED them so I am sending her the web page.

Thanks for the lead on these adorable shoes,

I am going to get another pair soon,

the black flats are something I can’t live without.

Thanks again,
Tine - Costa Mesa, CA

myCATS at NY Fashion Week Sept 2009

2009-10-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

myCATS, an eco-friendly shoe company, appeared on the NY Fashion runway when chosen for the Spring 2010 men’s collection by clothing designer Simon Spurr. With a high quality product and an important cause, myCATS shoes made their debut on the runway bringing visibility to their eco-conscious cause. myCATS shoes are hand-made from natural materials with a sole made from jute, a fibrous plant with natural anti-bacterial properties. With every shoe purchase, myCATS plants 10 trees contributing to the global efforts of renewing our planet’s natural resources. Trees not only clean the air we breathe, but also create self-sustained communities by providing shelter, medicine, food, and improving overall rural livelihood. myCATS gives their customers the power to help our planet and people around our world.

Your world. Your shoes.

Testimonial

2009-09-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

I love these shoes! Besides being environmentally friendly, which is a huge plus for me, they are extremely comfortable and so cute! I own close to 100 pairs of shoes and these I wear more than any of my others. Great cause and Great design.

Jessica - Los Angeles, CA

myCATS go to Catalina

2009-08-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

I took myCATS to Catalina Island off the Southern CA coast and enjoyed the whole day with no blisters and no pain! I get the sweatiest feet and can count on at least a couple blisters after a whole day of walking around, but I was so happy when I got home and the only thing that hurt was my sunburn!

Wear them up or down?

2009-08-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hello again, lots of people been asking about how to wear the men's shoe as they've seen photos of the back folded down and worn as a sandal or with the back part up and worn as a shoe.

The answer is both!

I usually walk around with the back part of the shoe up (right foot), but when I'm sitting down relaxing I go ahead and fold it down (left foot). This is great for taking the edge off a long day and still maintaining the comfort of a shoe.

Tree planting in India

2009-07-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Was in Tiruvannamalai, India visiting one of our project sites for the tree planting. Amazing work being done to protect & improve the livelihoods of the local communities there. From planting trees to improve the farm land so they can produce more crops to being able to produce honey and then sell the honey for additional income. Each step in the process helps improve the lives of the people in these villages. Here are a few pictures.

2009-07-27T18:31:00.001-07:00

Welcome to mycatshoes.com! People have asked about the name of our eco-friendly shoes we call myCATS. The shoes are originally from a region called Catalonia which is a part of Spain. CAT is what is used to abbreviate Catalonia so we like to call our shoes myCATS, or my Catalan shoes.

All of our shoes are hand made in Spain and with all eco-friendly materials. This is why in keeping with the eco-friendly way of doing business, we want to honor each customer purchase with a certificate that for every purchase we will plant 10 trees to help our environment by offsetting carbon emissions and providing livelihood for forest dependent people living in third world countries.

We work with a non-profit called Tress for the Future who has a global network to enable the tree planting where it's most needed.

Thanks for visiting mycatshoes.com and enjoy the shoes!