If you want to keep your suede looking solid, the bare minimum youll need is a suede brush and spray-on suede protector. Depending on the damage, you might also need a suede eraser, shoetree, nailbrush, sponge, and cornstarch (we'll get to those in a bit).

The best way to protect a suede shoe is not to wear them until youve applied a water and stain protector. This will protect the material and make the cleaning process quite a bit easier. Be sure to reapply the protector each time you clean it as well.

To remove dirt and scuff marks, apply a suede brush repeatedly in the same direction. This will lift the nap and remove any dirt. If scuff marks remain, brush repeatedly back and forth until theyre gone. If that doesnt get it out, scrape a knife across the area to raise the nap. If it still wont budge, bust out your special suede eraser (a pencil eraser or piece of crepe rubber will work) and rub it over the stubborn marks.

Mud stains: Once the mud has dried and hardened, use a nailbrush to get out the remaining dirt particles, being sure to keep your brush strokes moving in the same direction.

Water stains: It sounds paradoxical, but youll need to lightly coat the entire outside of the shoe with water. Dab a sponge or dry cloth across the exterior, soaking up excess water and ensuring an even wetness everywhere. Put your shoetree inor ball up paper and fill your shoes with itand let them dry overnight. This will help your shoe retain its shape. Avoid filling with newspaper, though, unless you like the idea of ink soaking into your shoes. Once the shoes dry, lightly brush them using your beloved suede brush.

Oil stains: If the water stain doesnt seem to go anywhere, chances are its actually an oil stain. First, try attacking it with a suede brush, vigorously brushing back and forth. If it doesnt respond, bust out the nailbrush and repeat. If it still isnt going anywhere, dont despairtry sprinkling cornstarch over the stain. Let it sit overnight, then brush away the starch and mist with an iron. If its still not vanishing, wed like to offer our condolences: Its probably there to stay.

Removing stains from suede is no small task. Here's a how-to guide for keeping your prized suede shoes clean. 

You can do anything, but stay off my blue suede shoes, crooned Elvis in that famous ode to his footwear. And the King had good reason: Suede is hard to maintain. If your favorite suede kicks are in need of repair, use this handy how-to guide to bring them back to life. 

Now you can have your cake (or pie) and eat it too. This sharable and sweet spin on pizza by A Beautiful Mess looks just as good as our usual pepperoni and cheese. Its tasty blend of sugar cookie crust, assorted fruit, and coconut make it one of the prettiest desserts weve ever seen.

If you were first in line to catch The Fault in Our Stars, then you'll want to reserve tix to Paper Towns, author John Green's latest novel-turned-movie about teenage love, hitting theaters this Friday. Haven't read the book yet? Check out our giveaway for the chance to relive all your favorite moments on the page.

As if National Emoji Day wasn't enough to feed your smiley face obsession, this week we learned there's a movie in the works staring all your favorite emoji characters (like Sassy Information Lady). Until we have more details, we recommend reading this satirical secret diary of the Dancing Girl emoji. It's okay to snort laughwe definitely did.

If shoe addiction is wrong, after finding Shoes of Preya site that allows you to customize your very own pairwe don't want to be right. Twelve shoe shapes and customizable options down to the strap will have you buildingand rebuildingheels, clogs, and loafers for hours.

Because everyone's working for Saturday and Sunday.

Since we know how crazy-busy Monday through Friday can be, wed like to take a little pressure off the stressful question of how to spend this weekend. Here are a few particularly entertaining things we think youd like to partake in:

If you're not familiar, New York City's closest cousin to California's In-N-Out, it's time to study up. The restaurant recently debuted in the New York Stock Exchange, and its stock more than tripled in less than a week. We'll keep our fingers crossed that a delicious cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate shake are coming to your hometown soon. (Grub Street)

Girl Emoji meets Princess Emoji on her first day at a new school, what happens next? A battle for Sunglasses Emoji and a war that ends in Dancing Twins Emoji fighting each other. Read it to believe it. (The Hairpin)

Is athletic-influenced leisurewear the next big thing in fashion? The creators of Lululemon think so, as evidenced by their newest venture, Kit and Ace. The line combines the sportiness of workout clothes with the bougieness of flowy, cashmere knits. It's basically the pricey version of wearing your running tights with your favorite sweater home from the gym. Are you in? (The New Yorker)

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Let us ease your Monday woes with the best gossip, videos, and beauty news for the week of February 2. 

Its Monday, and youre not quite ready to start the work week. Thats why were bringing you the Birchbox Short List, a spirited guide to the best celeb gossip, videos, beauty news, and more. Think of it as your second cup of Joewe promise well leave you feeling ready to conquer the day (and week) ahead. Here, our picks for the week of February 2.

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How to Clean Suede Shoes

The Birchbox Weekender

Birchbox Short List