Umi Children's Shoes Review And GIVEAWAY! 3/15

Here in North-Eastern Ohio, we're still experiencing the wrath of Old Man Winter. Okay, well, for people who have lived here for many years, this winter hasn't been too bad. Since we just moved here from Virginia, where snow is not a common occurrence, we feel like we're in a Winter Wonderland!

But regardless of what the temperatures read, spring time is rapidly approaching. To me, this means a lot of different things. I will get to plant a vegetable garden in my very own yard and hope I don't accidentally kill all of my crops, we will set up the kids' play equipment for some outdoor play, and I will finally be able to relax on my deck after a long day. It also means that it's time to start thinking about spring wardrobes and shoes for the family.

The kids already have a ton of clothing for spring and summer, but shoes were a completely different story. Their sneakers have been either outgrown or have gotten worn out. And let's face it: I cannot take them to the park in May wearing snow boots.

That's why I was so excited to get the opportunity to review the new spring line-up from Umi Children's Shoes. I have always loved this company, but this is my first time formally reviewing them. I have always loved the quality of their shoes, as well as the fun, kid-friendly styles.

Haven't heard of Umi Children's Shoes? Let me tell you all about them. Prepare to fall in love!

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About Umi Children's Shoes :

Umi hand crafts children's shoes that walk through the meltdowns and major milestones with style. Umi selects only the best patterns plus the highest quality leathers and materials to keep them a step above everyone else. Umi obsesses about fit to ensure that every shoe with the umi name gives that little love some room to grow.

Umi  is also dedicated to helping the environment. At Umi, they understand the importance of picking up after yourself—after all, this is the only world we've got. Every shoe they make uses child-safe materials, like non-toxic drum-dyed leathers and other environmentally friendly materials, and goes through a series of strict quality and safety tests. Always protected in recycled packaging, Umi's a brand that believes going green isn't just a trend, it's our responsibility.

When you're a kid, every moment counts. So Umi makes their shoes for much more than walking. All along the way, from design to manufacturing, they focus on all the little details—like patterns and footbeds—that'll make sure your Umis deliver the quality, comfort and style they've always promised. The folks at Umi are just real people who love making kids' shoes that'll last through all the wear and tear of growing up.

Our Review of the Spring Line :

The awesome folks at Umi Children's Shoes generously sent us 2 pairs of shoes to review. Sophie received the adorable, feminine Naomii in Pink Multi.

When we opened the box, the first thing that caught my eye was the vibrant color of the shoes. They're a bright, bubble-gum pink and are totally Sophie's style. They are also adorned with white leather that features fun cut-outs, making these shoes truly unique.

The quality of the leather is quite good. It's soft, yet strong, and can definitely withstand the use (and abuse) of an active child. The stitching is very well-done and uniform, and there were no crooked or loose threads to be found.

The Naomii features and easy yet durable elastic band that goes over the foot to keep the shoe in place. This is great because when Sophie runs around, her shoes will not come flying off. (Nice touch, Umi!)

Unlike most girls' flats, the Naomii features a thick, grippy rubber sole as well as arch support for developing feet. So while these shoes are adorable enough for special occasions, they are also suitable for climbing at the playground or running through the grass. Pretty versatile, if you ask me!

Xander received the Zander in Navy Multi. Yes, I couldn't resist, since the name of the shoes match my son's name in pronunciation!

These shoes are adorable, too, in a manly kind of way. These are definitely made with rough and tumble boys in mind! I love the pairing of the rich navy and deep black with the yellow accents. Again, the quality of craftsmanship was superior, and there were no loose or crooked threads to be found on these sneakers.

The Zander is made from top quality leather and mesh, and are definitely extremely durable. So trekking through mud puddles when April showers hit won't be a match for these shoes!

The soles on the Zander are very thick and have a good amount of tread on them. The sole is thicker on the Zander than on the Naomii, as it should be...After all, these are sneakers and the Naomii's are flats.

Sophie and Xander were more than eager to try on their new Umi shoes and head outside. Yes, it's very cold here in Ohio, so the kids are a bit bundled up in these photos.

Sophie was thrilled to find that she could put on her shoes all by herself! They fit her pretty well with socks, but there is definitely some room to grow. I am sure these will still fit her when summer and possibly even fall come around.

Xander just turned 2, so of course he wasn't able to get his shoes on all by himself. His shoes fit him perfectly as well, with a little added room to grow.

Here are some more pictures of my little snow-babies showing off their brand new kicks from Umi Children's Shoes!

Sitting like a little man rocking his Harley jacket and his Zanders!

Look, Mommy! They're PINK!

Sophie just kept staring at her feet!

Overall, we love our Umi shoes! These shoes are very well made, and definitely make a fashion statement. I love the colors and whimsical designs offered by Umi, and I plan to purchase more shoes from their spring line to add to our collection. (After all, little girls can never have too many shoes!)

I am delighted by the durability of these shoes, and am confident that they won't fall apart after a few weeks of wear like cheap, Walmart shoes tend to do. The folks at Umi really pay attention to detail, and they make shoes with active, rambunctious children in mind. Like mine.

Connect With Umi Children's Shoes:

You can check out the awesomeness that is Umi Children's Shoes on their website.

While you're there, be sure to check out their Deal of the Month and sign up for their Birthday Club to receive a special gift around the time your child's birthday approaches!

You can also follow them on Facebook, on twitter, and on Pinterest to stay on top of their latest products and promotions. (And they have some GREAT ones!)

Enter to Win a $60 Umi Gift Certificate!

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive a $60 Umi Gift Certificate so they can try some of these awesome shoes for themselves! How cool is that?!

Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM March 15 2013. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway