Lifestyle

Elevate Your Style

Published

5 years ago

February 28, 2021

No matter the age, style, or season, most ladies can agree that shoes are always vital for completing their look. Whether it be a tighter budget or wanting to have functional footwear, women are also investing more wisely. Different shoes call for different occasions, so things like outfits, events, and even the amount of predicted standing time are worth considering your options when selecting the perfect footwear.

Wedge To The Rescue

All women adore heels, but not all women can handle heels easily. Those who have foot, back or other health issues that can’t go near slim heels can easily reap the equal benefits from a wedge. Switch up your look with some flair and style to boost your craving. Wedges are raised, chunky-style shoes that stand tall at the front and are even more elevated at the back. Wedges offer height and are more comfortable to walk in than skinny heels.

Breaking Down Their Popularity

On many high-heeled shoes, the heel of the shoe is under the heel of the foot. With wedges, the heel runs under the entire foot to the middle or front. The design helps reduce foot and ankle problems, as well as encourage better posture. Height ranges vary depending on the type of wedge you’re going for, whether sandals, heels, or boots, and the style from a slight raise to several inches. Depending on the occasion, you can select anywhere from one inch to five inches in height.

Make wedge heels your go-to’s for events that call for comfort. If you plan to be standing for a long time at a concert or party, these are an excellent choice for showing off your radiant style without killing your feet. When you keep in mind that balance is vital, wedges are super versatile and work with nearly any outfit imaginable.

Best of all, the heels cover the entire bottom of the shoe for total ease of movement even after a cocktail or two. If you’re looking for a shoe that is leg-lengthening and stabilizing, you can’t go wrong with wedge sandals. Whether enjoying an outdoor function or wanting something that can be worn for longer days, wedge sandals provide the comfort you’ll need. With thousands of options from open-toe, peep toe, espadrilles to closed-toed, you can dress for each season with confidence. You can wear wedge heels for pretty much every occasion, from office wear to a wedding, there’s a wedge out there for you.

Always On Trend

Did you know wedges have been around since the 1930s? Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo created the wedge heel in 1936. Wedges grew in popularity during World War II because of the lack of leather and rubber available in the United States. The fashion of the time called for height. In the 1970s, wedges were popular as designs became more colorful and loud. Even the 1990s had their version of the wedge in a sneaker. The bottom line, the wedge never goes out of style.

Wedge sandals have always been a popular choice, even among Hollywood and A-list consumers. Elle confirms this, noting, “Thanks to Castañer and people like Kate Middleton and Pandora Sykes, the wedge heel is definitely back on top.” The options are endless, including everything from a classic neutral, to a wild animal print that makes a statement. Wedge sandals can make life easier. Since they are very versatile and team well with all kinds of outfits, they are a must footwear staple which all women should own. You can shop from a colossal variety of wedge sandals, ranging in colors, designs, and price ranges.

Like fashion blogger Candie Anderson, most women are enormous fans because “Wedge sandals have long been a staple for women of all ages. As someone who is petite, I love that they’re not only trendy, but they add a bit of height. They’re classy, chic, and fun.” They’ll look great with shorts, skirts, skinny jeans, cropped jeans, flares, dresses, and that’s just the beginning. You can wear wedges to a casual event, a backyard barbecue, an evening out with friends, brunch, or a summer wedding. They will dress up any look. Wedge boots are another great option for winter climates.

Wedge footwear has so many positives, including adding height, being more comfortable to walk in, complementing any outfit, being fashionable, helping you look thinner, and always classy. Take comfort in knowing you’re making a wise purchase that will provide arch support, but in a way that makes a statement. Walk proudly and elegantly, from week to weekend wear, with wedges. It will be your little secret that you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Lifestyle

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

3 days ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.