Model of the Month

 - How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! Isaiah 52:7

Big and Elegant is a specialty shoe boutique in the Tampa Bay area. They are your source for stylish women's wide and extended size shoes. They carry casual shoes, dress shoes, comfort shoes, pumps, sandals and more.

But what is so amazing about this store? Its owner and founder Amy Tricoche. A woman who moved to Tampa Florida about 7 years ago as a single mom and had a hard time getting adjusted. She knew that God was in control of her life and regardless of Crohn's disease, she continued to live her life to the fullest and to witness to others in any way shape or form. Now 7 years later 90 pounds lighter, and her sight restored she has a wonderful husband who is the owner of First Class Car Connexions, a transportation provider. Together they have birth both businesses and trusting God every step of the way.

As I walk into the store I feel such a peace and tranquility. The décor is simply elegant, there are no chairs to sit in but very comfortable booth like seats, or you may pull any one of the stylish ottomans to sit upon. I'm greeted by this woman who has an amazing smile and is simply full of life; she welcomes me and says that she's at my service.

Amy (Your Shoe Lady) wears a size 10W, and out of her frustration, she realized that there were very few choices for fashionable and comfortable shoes in her size at a reasonable price. Though she loved her grandma, she didn't want to wear her shoes. So Amy opened Big an Elegant with a belief that we don't need to sacrifice fashion and elegance for comfort. Now, she has a closet full of comfortable and fashionable shoes and believes that the reason for her store is… shoes with a purpose!

The purpose to speak life into every woman that comes in her store. She has partnered with Dress for Success, Model4Jesus and Soles4Souls in efforts of wanting to give back to those that are in need and to that effect she will be having a shoe drive during the month of March.

During the shoe drive, BIG AND ELEGANT will be offering a 20% discount on selected brands to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive will begin on March 2nd and will end on March 31, 2009. BIG AND ELEGANT is located at 6752 MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, in TAMPA, FL (Off of Hillsborough & Lagoon St behind the Dunkin Donuts).

"It is a privilege and an honor to give back in these trying times in some way shape or form," said Amy Tricoche of BIG AND ELEGANT. "One of our goals as a retail establishment and on a personal level is using what we have to bless others. Teaming up with Soles4Souls is one way of achieving this goal and allowing our customers to be a part of it," said AMY TRICOCHE.

For more information on how you can get involved with this shoe drive and take advantage of the discount toward a new pair of shoes, contact AMY TRICOCHE at (813) 884-1900. You can also visit their website at http://www.bigandelegant.com/.

If you are looking for wide or extended size women's shoes, you can experience a store that specializes in you. They are an exclusive woman's shoe boutique for those women who leave a larger footprint. You'll fall in love with their variety of styles. They have shoes for every occasion from evening wear to casual wear, from high heels to sandals all in the latest styles from your favorite brands including Bellini, J. Renee, Bella Vita, Easy Street, Amanda and more.