Cute. Comfortable. Collapsible. Packable. What more can a traveler ask for in a shoe?

It’s strange how much I adore these shoes, simply because I’ve never been a ballet flat kind of girl. It’s not that I don’t like ballet flats, it’s just I don’t normally like the way they look on me. That is until now! Seriously how cool are these paradise blue snake print flats? Basic black or brown is the color I’d normally go for, but after having just read Patti Smith’s book, Just Kids, I felt like channeling my inner rock star. I’m so glad I did! The wild print adds a little kick when I pair them with jeans.

This is where I could show you a video of how they fold in half and fit inside a little black pouch, and how that little black pouch can be tossed into a cute little tote that can fold up into a tiny ball that fits perfectly inside its own pocket. The pouch and tote come with the shoes. And how the packaging is so cute, you won’t have to have the shoes gift wrapped if you decide to send them to me someone special as a birthday present. But if you’re at all like me, all you care about is how they look and feel. So great, in fact, I’ve worn them three days in a row! They’re made of quality leather and the cushiony blue bottoms provide added  comfort and support so you can go, go, go all day long.

The only downside is they are a bit expensive.  Tieks average about $200 a pair. Honestly if they hadn’t been sent to me as a “gift” after the New York Times quoted me in an article about shoes for travelers, I probably would have never thought to buy them.  Flight attendants are frugal. Only because we have to be! This explains why some of us might get a little too excited to learn there’s a TJ Maxx located within walking distance from our layover hotel, and why we might have to give up a couple of manicures and pedicures to be able to afford them.  But if the old adage is true, you get what you pay for, you won’t have to go to TJ Maxx every two months to buy a new work shoe.