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IdealHeel Shoe Heel Protectors $19.95 / Pair. Available in Fuchsia, Camel and Black. Free Shipping and 10% OFF on orders of 2 or more. Buy them at IdealHeel.com

There are surely a lot of gimmicky accessories flooding the market today. I myself fell prey for these quick-fix, make-everything-easier products that never live up to what they are ought to be. But amidst the non-sense, pretty much useless products, something comes along that is smart, fashionable and useful.

I'm talking about IdealHeel, a one-of-a-kind protective, yet fashionable, high heel shoe accessory safeguards women's heels from costly damage caused by daily wear and tear, allowing women to commute with confidence. This fabulous invention is created by Fiumicino Inc. spearheaded by it's President Michelle Patterson and VP John Patterson is perhaps the latest shoe accessory available in the market today that is worth investing in.

I had the opportunity to speak with Michelle and told her that IdealHeel is what shoe lovers out there really need. I have girlfriends that would take a bullet for their Louboutins and Manolos. When I told them about IdealHeel, they all said, 'Imagine the money I will save from repairs!'

Idealheel gets The Smart Stylist's stamp of approval and recommendation of must-have accessory! Ladies, don't leave home wearing your chic shoes without them! Practice safe steps!

Let us get to know more about the fabulous, creative mind behind IdealHeel, Michelle Patterson!

What inspired you to create such a fabulous and 'smart' shoe accessory?

Before IdealHeel, it seemed that every time I wore a pair of heels, I would return home, take them off and notice gouges, scuffs and tears on the heel. This drove me nuts, not to mention the cost of repairing the damage was financially exhausting.

The lightning bolt of inspiration occurred when I damaged a brand new pair beyond repair after a run-in with a cobblestone street. I remember the moment exactly, I was walking across a cobblestone road and felt my heel rip as it wedged between the stones. I walked right out of the shoe right then and there. I decided that it was time to do something about it.

What was the biggest obstacle to your success thus far? How did you overcome it?

Our biggest obstacle still exists, and we are working on overcoming it every day. IdealHeel is a new product and a new concept that requires a cultural change among women. Women wear high heels and expect them to be damaged by harmful walking surfaces. To convince women that this costly damage can be prevented is much like convincing your great aunt Sally to recycle.

Statistically, it is a challenge and though damage can be prevented, it is still difficult to convince women to take high heel precautions and wear IdealHeel every time they commute over cobblestone, street grates, grass, wood decks and cracked sidewalks. However, we strongly believe that once women experience IdealHeel and all of its preventative powers, the trend will catch on and women all over will have improved their high heel wearing experience and saved a ton in shoe repairs!

Is there a shoe designer that you truly admire? A person or persons that are not necessarily your inspiration or influence, but whose creations touch or speak to your core?

There are two shoe designers that I absolutely love-both for very different reasons. I love Giuseppe Zanotti. I yearn for his new line every season. In fact, I cut out pictures of his designs in my magazines, hang them on my wall like a school girl and dream about them at night.

The other shoe designer that I love is Cole Haan (via Gordon Thompson's creative direction).Cole Haan shoes are classic in my opinion. They are quality shoes made at affordable prices, plus the introduction of Dress Air (the collaboration with Nike) was absolutely brilliant! I wear these at events like market and trade shows when I am on my feet all day showing off IdealHeel. Cole Haan is known for making comfortable boots for women with Nike Air technology

What were you doing before 'practicing safe steps'?

Before IdealHeel, I was ruining every nice pair of heels I owned while working as the director of marketing and entertainment for a creative firm that specialized in producing entertainment for the stage and television.

Three words that best describe IdealHeel?

Smart, Protective and Discreet.

Where do you see IdealHeel in a year from now?

On the set of the second Sex and the City movie and on the heels of every woman who wears high heel shoes.

*I would like to thank Michelle Patterson for obliging to an interview and to get a glimpse of her world! And John Patterson for the fabulous images!