The place has been around forever and, judging by the age and expertise of its employees, this is no ordinary shoe store.

It’s like a high-end steakhouse, where the waiters might has well have farmed and butchered the meat themselves they know so much. Harry’s knows shoes.

But, I digress.

While browsing the store, I noticed a pair of the cutest sneakers I’ve ever seen, called Simple Shoes. (I should tell you that I’m pretty picky about shoes and once I choose have been known to keep them until they become unwearable. My last pair of precious sneakers became slip-ons by the end because the back would no longer hold its shape.)

Simple Shoes had me at hello. The name, genius. Their manifesto, divine. And the fit? Suffice it to say, my feet had found a happy home.

I went home to do some research. “Griz”, Simple Shoe’s PR guy Greg Nielsen, gave me lots of literature about the company’s history and ideals. He wrote:

“We started doing the eco-friendly thing in 2005 with Green Toe, a small collection of 2 shoes. We wanted to rethink the way shoes were made, and although it took a lot of hard lessons we have come a long way. Here is a video that describes our journey.”

I was jealous earlier this year when my husband, our family’s Imelda, found an eco-friendly, cool-looking pair of shoes to walk around town. Terra Plana have soles made of corn husks! How could I compete?

Well, Simple Shoes have soles made from recycled tires, among other elements that are made with the environment in mind.

Look good, feel good — it’s possible to have it all.

I’ve collected American Airline miles for a number of years now, and been a pretty happy customer. I fly probably every other month, so I linked my debit and credit cards to American through Citi AAdvantage.

Unfortunately with all of the recent changes - charging for bags, charging for food, charging for better seating, and the biggest pain, charging to use airline miles that you already spent money to earn - I’ve had enough. Apparently airlines just don’t want to make money anymore if they can screw over loyal customers. American is one thing, don’t get me started on United who won’t let you cancel a flight online. I mean, I’ll begrudgingly pay the $150 change fee but why do I have to speak to a person to do it when I booked the flight online to begin with?! Check out a friend’s tirade on Jetblue too.

I digress…today I called Citicards to change to a cash back credit card. It was easy as pie speaking with Michael from customer service. I didn’t have to change my credit card number, lose the miles I already accumulated, or pay an annual fee. Hallelujah. Michael was courteous and extremely knowledgeable about all of the cash back options that Citi offers. He even told me about a few sites where I could earn up to 6% cash back.

Do you have a story about good customer service? If so, please share them here. Or else, feel free to complain about the airlines.

Manhattan’s hot trend this summer is the traveling dessert van. The food truck already existed - you can get hot dogs, souvlaki and roasted peanuts on many corners throughout the five boroughs. What’s new are tricked-out, designer vans that travel to a different area everyday selling donuts, cupcakes and other sugary confections.

My favorite so far is Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream. The truck is minimally designed, with the list of current flavors on the outside of the truck. The first time I caught site of the truck, I had a chat with the owner who was selling scoops that day near Union Square. His mission is simple: make delicious ice cream from the best, organic (sometimes local) ingredients possible.

He also gets my vote because he serves these delicately delicious flavors with biogradable / biocompostable bowls and spoons. As I was sampling Giandujia (hazelnut and chocolate) last Sunday, I jotted down the website on my spoon.

Worldcentric makes a line of bowls, plates, cutlery, even garbage and grocery bags that are kinder to the environment to produce, gentler to discard and can even be emblazoned with business logos. They also sell Seventh Generation paper products from their site.

Admittedly, you have to spend a minimum of $25, which adds up to a lot of $2.75 packs of 50 forks. If you’re having a party or bulk ordering for family, though, it’s a decent deal.

If a dessert truck can take this tiny extra step, why can’t every company? It’s a fair question to ask given how easy and affordable Worldcentric makes it for consumers and businesses to buy these products. I admit if it meant sourcing items individually, or making eco-friendly cutlery myself, I wouldn’t do it.

But Worldcentric has done the hard part. It’s up to the rest of us to require companies to make a change and to make the change ourselves.

Anyway, when my faith is restored, I try to shout it from the rooftops. So, here goes.

Here were two such positive incidents that happened in the span of two days.

Hertz - First, I was on the phone with Hertz about a letter I received in the mail. Apparently $3 was charged to my credit card because during my last rental, I’d gone through an Ezpass lane and their built-in PlatePass card paid the toll. I called customer service because I’d purposefully carried my own Ezpass in their car so I would not pay the extra fee from Hertz. I wanted to know how to prevent the same thing from happening with my next rental, which coincidentally I was picking up that afternoon.

The gentleman I spoke to - I wish I’d gotten his name - was a pleasure. I told him my concern about it happening again and that I was calling to find out how to disable the service. Though I hadn’t asked, he immediately removed the charge from my credit card and admitted that Hertz was still working out the service. He said as long as the box that contains the Hertz Ezpass, behind the rearview mirror, was closed I could use my Ezpass without trouble.

Our conversation was pleasant and brief. On behalf of Hertz he appreciated my business, and it showed. I was a contented customer before getting on the phone, and after I became a loyal customer. That is the power of good customer service.

Crate and Barrel - My second experience was with Crate and Barrel. I was already loyal after registering with the store for my wedding nearly four years ago. I love that their packing material is recycled and recyclable.

I called their customer service because I was interested in buying a headboard. My bed is on risers (living in Manhattan, space is precious and off-season clothes are stored underneath) and I couldn’t tell from the website photos if the headboard stood on its own, separate from a bed.

When I called their main line, I was connected to a specialist in the Furniture department to answer my question. Again, I wish I’d gotten her name. I felt like I was talking to a friend, because we brainstormed possible options as if she was standing in my bedroom with me. We went over the dimensions and weight (70 lbs!) so I could measure while we were on the phone and she talked about her headboard and how she has it detached, pushed between the bed and wall so she can easily move it for cleaning.

This call was also a pleasure and brief. We spoke for 5-10 minutes, and in that time I felt appreciated, listened-to and that my question was completely justified. I can’t say enough good things about Crate and Barrel, their products and their employees.

Good customer service does exist! Anyone else have a story to share?

I went away for two weeks last year and the post office had to give me a box to carry my mail home. 75% were unwanted catalogs. Sometimes more than one from stores like Victoria’s Secret and Pottery Barn.

Enter Catalog Choice. It is a free service - you list all of the catalogs you’re getting that you don’t want and they tell the merchants to take you off their lists. Upfront the site makes clear some changes will take months. Take it from me, it is well worth the wait.

I began dilligently saving the back page of every catalog and entering its information into Catalog Choice last fall. Sometimes I went back to the site to tell them when I received a catalog I’d already requested not to get. The site requests this, it’s part of their process.

Last month, I went away for a week and picked up my mail the next Monday. I could fit the stack in my purse! I was thrilled, and even more knowing that I was saving the environment in the process. Merchants too have something to be gained. They have appreciative customers, save on costly paper processing and mail, and can develop very specific opt-out forms so you choose what catalogs you do want to receive. I like that.

Too bad Catalog Choice doesn’t have a side venture for mail from charities and credit cards. I’m searching for one!

The glowing reviews for the Flip seemed too good to be true. It’s tiny alright - nearly the same size as my 7.0 megapixel digital camera. The packaging is slick - a simple white box resembling Apple - and contains no lengthy owner’s manual explaining a laundry list of features. There must be six buttons on the whole camera. Even better, it runs on two AA batteries and two just happen to come in the box. Love it.

How does it work? Like a charm.

Luckily my niece is still stationary, so I don’t have experience chasing after my film subject. That said, I could zoom in easily to capture her every giggle and zoom out quickly to get the silly antics of her admirers. The camera holds 60 minutes of video. Once it’s reached, you flip out the USB plug and download in a matter of moments. No memory card. No cables.

If you know how to use a digital camera, the Flip is a snap. I haven’t tried yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s easy for those family members leary about electronics too. They may need help with the download/upload to a site parts.

The Flip is not meant for Martin Scorsese, but for casual users like me there’s no better choice.

When I was out for pizza with a friend the other day, I spied a Sanpellegrino Limonata on the counter. I was intrigued! One sip later and I was hooked.

This lemon fizztasticness is decadent and delicious. With 31g of sugar and 150 calories, I must warn you that it is not a diet drink. It is, however, addicting.

The can has an eye-catching ’Ciao!’ design with the characteristic Sanpellegrino classiness. The taste is lemon puckery (I hear there is an orange version that I’m excited to try) balanced with just the right amount of effervescence.

Molto bene!

Father’s Day is approaching, so consider supporting his newfound dedication to dermal health with Anthony products, “Logistics for Men” (Amazon Link).

Such smart marketing and packaging. To me, they say: “I can be a guy and care about my skin at the same time.” There is nothing feminine about these.

For those Dads currently without a skincare regime, I’d suggest starting with the Pre-Shave Oil (Amazon Link). This stuff is like magic - rub it in before you get out the razor and it makes for a cleaner, closer shave. Afterwards, skin feels moist and touchable (in a manly way of course). I also hear it helps prevent those red bumps. Something for everybody.

For the more adventurous Dad, I’d suggest the Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 (Amazon Link). Sun damage is the leading cause of aging so why not protect his handsome face. It’s easy to use, smells clean and masculine and still ensures he’s out of the bathroom in 10 minutes flat. What more could he want?

Well, I’ll tell you. I would also recommend Anthony’s Astringent (Amazon Link). Helps with breakouts, especially in the clammy summer months of the east coast. I admit that I’ve used this on occasion and it works great, while not stinging.

I should warn you what can happen. Once past the threshold and still secure in his manhood, men can really get into skincare. Several men in my life, who will remain nameless, have taken to getting regular manicures and owning a body scrub.

Though there could be worse hobbies… Happy Father’s Day!

All of the products mentioned above, and many more from the Anthony collection can be found on Amazon.com.

Since I bought the Wii almost a year ago, I’ve been hooked. The last game system I owned was, ahem, Colecovision. Some would say that it wouldn’t take much to impress me. I think of it more that I had high expectations and didn’t want to waste money on graphics - I was holding out for the next big iteration.

Wii is one smart idea after another. From the first use, anyone could see the value in adding a sensor for your feet. Great that it could come out so quickly.

What did I think? Admittedly, I’ve only used it for a sum total of one hour, but so far so good. The only technology easier to set up was my iMac. Plug it in and go. Everything is straightforward. The explanations for each exercise are also very easy to understand. Getting over the initial assessment when you’re told your weight, body mass index (BMI) and Wii age — I was eight years older than I am. Eek. — it’s clear to see how your progress will be tracked over time. You can set goals for yourself like weight loss and track how often you’ve done certain exercises and how you improve at them.

I tried every initial option under each of the four categories - Strength Training, Yoga, Balance and Aerobics - from hula hooping to lunges to tree pose to hitting soccer balls off my virtual head. Based on my moderate experience with each of these in real life, my Wii Fit experience was bang on. I favor one leg over another, have trouble with balance on some moves and am not meant for step aerobics. Ever. My favorites were the ski jump, slalom and jogging (though I dislike it in real life, so likely it was the novelty of it and will wear quickly). I definitely felt like I’d worked out by the end of the routine. Muscles sore, better posture than when I’d started.

Much like the sports CD that comes with the Wii, the CD that comes with the Wii Fit is a great first step. It whets your appetite for what’s possible. I imagine a new Legend of Zelda where you’re literally running after an enemy as you swing your sword… Goosebumps!

Ok, tomorrow rain or shine I also promise to leave the house.