Warming Up on Winter Days

Despite all this buzz about Spring and warm-weather shoes here at Söfft, we’ve still got another couple of winter weeks to go, or so Punxsutawney Phil tells us. Judging by the chill in the air this morning, I’d say he was pretty accurate. So to help the rest of the season pass quickly, I suggest you roll up your sleeves and pre-heat your ovens– baking always warms you up on a cold day!

When I’m not busy working as a graphic designer for Söfft, you can probably find me making a flour-y mess in the kitchen, trying out a new cookie recipe or mixing a rich brownie batter. I love to bake, and fortunately I have a lot of great co-workers who have a sweet tooth as big as mine (and that’s saying something). Over the holiday season, I made biscotti, which was a huge hit. It’s a perfect mid-day snack, especially with a hot cup of coffee or tea. So while it’s still chilly, get out your sugar and spices - I think everyone could weather a few more weeks of winter with some homemade biscotti on their plate, don’t you?

Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti
(from Gourmet)

1 1/3 cups (about 1/4 pound) dried cranberries
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shelled natural pistachio nuts
an egg wash made by beating together 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon water

In a bowl combine the cranberries with enough hot water to cover them and let them soak for 5 minutes. Drain the cranberries well and pat them dry with paper towels. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment blend the flour, the sugar, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt until the mixture is combined well, add the eggs and the vanilla, beating until a dough is formed, and stir in the cranberries and the pistachios.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, knead it several times, and halve it. Working on a large buttered and floured baking sheet, with floured hands form each piece of dough into a flattish log 13 inches long and 2 inches wide, arrange the logs at least 3 inches apart on the sheet, and brush them with the egg wash. Bake the logs in the middle of a preheated 325° F. oven for 30 minutes and let them cool on the baking sheet on a rack for 10 minutes. On a cutting board, cut the logs crosswise on the diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices, arrange the biscotti, cut sides down, on the baking sheet, and bake them in the 325° F. oven for 10 to 12 minutes on each side, or until they are pale golden. Transfer the biscotti to racks to cool and store them in airtight containers. Makes about 36 biscotti.

Söfft Spring 2009 Campaign

Introducing Söffts Spring 2009 Campaign! Söfft ventured to the beautiful Cabo, Mexico for our latest campaign. This was Söffts 2nd Photo Shoot in Cabo and 3rd Photo Shoot in Mexico (the first being in Cancun for the Spring 2006 Campaign). Söfft was also in Mexico for a 4th time this past January to shoot the upcoming Fall 2009 Campaign. We are still editing and retouching those photos so we won't be posting those for a little while longer, but I promise to post something soon.

We hope you enjoy the Spring Photos. We love how it came out. A special thanks to Hotel California in Todos Santos (adorable town just North of Cabo - lots of Cafes and Artists - a great surfer town). We shot one of our favorite pictures at the Bar in the Retaurant there - the Petra shoe photo. Also, thank you to the little corner taco stand for letting us take an impromptu shot of the Cally Shoe...and our young "photo assistant"...I have a feeling we may hear about him in the future as a world famous photographer. And of course, thank you to the people of Mexico! Always warm and hospitable.

Spring Sneak Peak

Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but 2008 was a fast year around here. But that's not a bad thing...I am welcoming 2009 with open arms and an open mind! Despite the economy and all the other less than positive news we hear these days, there are a good number of exciting and hopeful events on the horizon. For one, a new President and a new sense of patriot strength. Sure Obama is about to enter perhaps one of the most challenging terms in history but for some reason I believe he is capable of doing big things.

Another great thing about it being January 2009? Spring is closer than it was before! Ah yes, longer days, sunshine on your skin and SANDALS! Cute, sexy, adorable shoes to show off your perfectly pedicured toes! I know it's hard to imagine, especially if you're in the Northeast like we are (will the snow and ice ever stop??!!). But that doesn't stop retailers from pushing the winter stock OUT to make room for new Spring product.

We thought you'd enjoy a little break in the wintery weather and snow boots...check out some of Söffts Spring 2009 line. As always, Söfft delivers on-trend styles with all the comfort you desire. From sophisticated gladiator sandals (check out the Solis), glistening hardware details (like the Adara II and Fiji) to sexy pumps (Fane, Gallis and Caden).

(from top to bottom, left to right) Söfft Solis, Söfft Adara II, Söfft Fiji, Söfft Fane, Söfft Gallis, Söfft Caden)

The entire Spring 2009 Collection will be online at Sofftshoe.com by mid-February....and we will continue to "tease" you with added styles before hand - so check back!

Happy Holidays From Söfft!

We here at Söfft would like to wish our friends, customers and vendors a very Happy Holiday and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year! May 2009 be kind to you and yours.

Cheers!
Your Friends at Söfft

Team Celebration at Stout NYC

Last week, Söfft was in New York City for the FFANY Trade Show (FFANY stands for Fashion Footwear Association of NY). The show was successful and everyone seemed impressed with the collection Söfft presented for Fall 2009 (yes, we work that far ahead!).

At the end of the week, the Söfft Team celebrated the holiday season at one of our favorite local restaurants/bars – Stout. Stout was the perfect location with it's large selection of beers, awesome burgers, pizzas...and a fantastic staff. Thank you to Stout for a wonderful evening!

The highlight of the evening was the mini-burger eating contest. Yes, an eating contest took place...and it was hysterical. It was a tight contest and in the end, there were only seconds between the two contestants. Nice job Raine and Alex (Alex won)!

Söfft Holiday Party SeriesPart 3: The Office Party

For the final part of our 3-part Holiday Party Fashion Series, we discuss the all familiar Office Party. Söfft is perhaps best known as the perfect shoe for a seamless transition from work to play – which is what makes finding shoes for the annual office party,...simple!

Söffts own fashionista, Chrissy, once again walks us through her favorite styles for the Office Party with the flower-adorned Kensington and the classic Milano pump.


Thanks for watching and stay tuned for our next series about Spring Styles, due out in February!

FFANY- Fall 2009 Preview!

This past week Söfft was in the Big Apple for the Fashion Footwear Association of New York, or FFANY show. This is my favorite trade show because for the first time we are showing the Fall 2009 line! That's right, we work almost a full year ahead!

Fall 2009 is the most exciting line Söfft Shoe has seen yet! Our product team has brought the hottest trends in footwear and fashion to our new styles. Get ready for sophisticated colors, oversized details and hardware, sleek silhouettes, and luxurious, unique leathers. (I have personally already picked out which styles will be taking over my closet next year!)

As a member of the marketing team, I must say, our product team makes my job easy! The shoes are so beautiful and so comfortable, who wouldn’t want a pair of Söfft shoes on their feet, with a few extra pairs in their closet?

Now for the sad reality... We each have to wait until next Fall to get our feet into these gorgeous shoes! But wait, don’t lose hope yet! There are still some great Fall styles from Söfft in stores, and coming in with the warm weather, Spring 2009!