Mom's Day Out

Since my Mom's spinal reconstruction surgery last year and my hectic travel schedule, we haven't had much time for our mother/daughter days out lately. But last weekend, we got our chance.  Lunch with Todd, Homegoods, DSW, movies, Wegman's, wine and a sleepover.

When I told Mom about my shoe blogging dilemma and Todd's response, she said "let's go to DSW. I have a coupon!"

So off we went, and I was thrilled when I found exactly what I was looking for as I had been reading my newest copy of In Style just that morning.  Ballet flats with an ankle strap are one of THE shoes of the season - perfect for cropped jeans and maxi-skirts. And you can imagine our delight when we saw them marked 40% off.  So Mom walked to the register, purchased my shoes and said "now tell Todd you have something to blog about".

Moms.  They rock.

Hooker Heels

Last weekend I went to see Spank a play that spoofs 50 Shades of Grey.  If you haven't seen it but have read the books, get tickets.  It is hilarious!  Since it was a GNO, I decided to up my usual weekend game and donned my BCBG black patent peep toe stiletto Mary Jane's.

Upon arriving at my girlfriend Edie's house, her husband exclaimed "Melissa, nice hooker heels!"  Now I realize he was giving me a huge compliment but his statement certainly gave me pause.  Are they really inappropriate?  After all, I wear these to the office!  And what about the other stilettos in my closet?

(OK, so the last ones are pretty bad.  They are going because I almost maimed myself walking through Georgetown in them.)

But the others, are they appropriate for daytime at a meeting or am I completely off?  Mind you, I'll keep wearing them because I love them but I am curious about your opinions...

Pretty in Pink

I am not a sneaker wearer by nature.  I mean, I wear them for working out, but I'm not a fan of jeans with your workout sneakers.  Now a pair of cute Pumas, that's a different story.  But last weekend I had to concede that my feet needed some TLC.

I was preparing Easter dinner for my family and didn't anticipate I'd be standing in my kitchen for 6 hours.  My feet and back were ACHING and the next morning, as we were dressing to take all the food to Mom's house, I had no choice.  Yep, I donned jeans and my new hot pink Asics.

I love Asics.  They are my go-to workout shoe.  They are so comfy and I can always find them on clearance at DSW.  So when my niece and I saw these two weeks ago, I had to get them.  Especially since I had a merchandise credit so they would be free!  And I have to admit, I'm still not a fan of jeans with workout sneakers but these beauties certainly did brighten up the kitchen!

And from now on, I won't judge people who are sporting this look.  Maybe they spent 6 hours the night before cooking too!

It's a Sign

I don't have any hobbies. Well, unless you count shopping, napping and drinking wine (which I know my gal pal Luanne totally counts!). Oh, and I watch TV and read.  But I don't have hobbies. Like my guy - he golfs, he drag races, he works on cars. I mean, I've scrap booked a few times but that can hardly be called a hobby since I need a cocktail just to get through a session (Every year I make T a homemade Christmas gift. Who knew this was the gift that keeps on giving?!).

So we've been talking about a hobby we can do together and I came up with hiking. Now I have no idea whether or not I will like hiding - especially since I don't like heat or bugs - but I said I'd be willing to give it a try.  We haven't yet but I've got a girls' trip next weekend that may involve hiking if the weather cooperates.

I have a credit at DSW so popped in to see what was available.  And I found this (kinda cute but very comfy) pair of J-41 Trail Blazer sneakers.  On clearance.  And with my rewards certificates they only cost $2.06.  Yep, you read that correctly.

So it's a sign right?  God and/or Mother Nature is telling me I should try hiking.  And if I hate it, I'm only out 2 bucks.  But with these awesome shoes I'll love it, right?  I mean, how can I not?  Especially with a bunch of hysterical girlfriends who believe our reward should be wine, vodka and the like?

Now what hobby do you have?  I've ruled out stamp collecting but am always looking for something new!

All That Glitters...

I'm not sure when my fascination with sparkles started.  I don't remember being particularly drawn to bling as a child even though I did love my dance recital costumes (someday, maybe, I'll share pics).  And as a grown-up, of course I notice diamonds on other women's hands - always have and probably always will.  But sparkly shoes, that seems to be a new thing of mine.  And upon conducting my recent shoe inventory (yes, I know, I'm a nerd), I discovered these shiny things in my closet:

My latest addition, glitter TOMs!

Every Gal Needs Princess-Caliber Ballet Flats.

The Sequins May be Small, But they are There.  

(All the more special because of how they came into my life...)

They're Sparkly AND They're Sneakers.  What More can I say???

Now what has become glaringly obvious to me and now you, I assume is:  WHERE ARE THE SPARKLY STILETTOS???  This is an oversight of epic proportions and must be rectified immediately.  Santa, are you listening?  Might there be some new high-heeled beauties beneath the tree?  My friend Kate Spade can help!

Or the elves at D Squared have an idea:

Haven't I been good all year???

Flying Solo

Recently, I had a first. I flew to Portland, OR (new state for me) and back in less than 48 hours to facilitate a board retreat. And no, that's not the first I mean. I went on this excursion with only the shoes on my feet. Yep, no shoes in my suitcase. That's Thursday, Friday AND Saturday spent in the same footwear.

Why, you are probably asking yourself, would I do this? Well, quite frankly, I discovered the perfect shoe for facilitating AND airline travel. Yep, these black Pumas are comfortable and look great whether wearing yoga pants on a plane or business casual at a meeting. And after 3 days, I still love them and want to put them on my feet. I can't believe it! I may finally have a "go to" shoe. Should I buy them in every color and two of each just in case they wear thin?

"I Expect More From You"

Recently I went to my office (I am remote so go in as needed) and a colleague commented on my choice of footwear - "I expect more from you." I was shocked! My patent leather pointy toe kitten heel Calvin Klein's are classic. Shouldn't every shoe guru own a pair such as these? They are perfect with a skirt or a suit. Are my normal choices so "out there" that she didn't anticipate seeing me in a classic? Or is this more of a reflection on her fashion naivete? What do you think?

Where's Mojo?

I know. It has been too long. And I only have one explanation as to why I haven't blogged in two months. I lost my mojo.

Now the good news is I found it. The bad news is it took 2 months. To illustrate how lost it truly was, I ordered these amazing 4 1/2" suede peep toed Mary Jane black and blue BCBG beauties before I lost my mojo. Once it was gone, I felt I didn't NEED them anymore. So I returned them.

Perhaps Santa will bring them back?

P.S. Santa didn't bring them back, but my Bestie and her family did!!! I opened them today and I was in shock. Thank you, thank you, to the best friends in the world!

Off to a Good Start

I was ready for 2010 to come to an end. Truth be told, it was the most bittersweet year of my life. A lot of changes and I'm not sure what comes next. But I do know that I am making a good home for me, Stella & Sophie. It is scary, for sure, but isn't change always scary?

So it seems fitting that on the last day of 2010, we got blinds. Yep, we have been living in this house for 14 months with temporary blinds. Pathetic but very telling about the road we'd been traveling. So now we have beautiful blinds (on the first floor at least) and every night I close them and every morning I open them. Who knew I would ever be so excited about blinds?

But lest you think I've completely lost my mind, on the first day of 2011 I bought these beauties. No, they aren't the Bucket List Boots. I mean do you seriously think I could splurge on those right now? I'm the proud owner of blinds, remember? Anyway, they are still "delicious" as one facebook friend called them - black, suede, over the knee platforms with 5 inch heels. (And if you want to know where I'll wear these, let me tell you. Out with the girls, to the grocery store, to a dinner party - shoot, I'll wear them while operating my Kitchen Aid mixer! Who knows... I'll wear them everywhere!)

And I get to spend the second day of 2011 with my bestie and her family. And I know there are a bunch of special moments in store for me today. I don't know about you, but I think 2011 is off to a great start. Happy New Year!

Summer Days

Today is the first day of summer, and what better way to celebrate than by breaking out some fabulous navy and white striped strappy sandals? I must admit that I have not been my usual chipper self lately but it is impossible to be in a bad mood wearing these! Actually, I heard one of the phrases I like the most many times today... "I love your shoes!"

I think we should all celebrate the first day of summer by sporting our sassiest footwear! And by buying another pair for the second day of summer.

Why are Golf Shoes so Ugly?

So I don't golf. I own clubs. I own a hat. Until recently, I owned a pair of shoes. But I don't golf. It frustrates the heck out of me and the only 2 people who could ever keep me calm on a golf course were my brother and my father. For some reason, their patience and reassurance always put me at ease.

My dad is a good golfer. Steady, consistent, loves the sport. I think he is probably happiest on the golf course. So once a year, I dust off the clubs and play with my dad. I moan, groan and complain but secretly I love every second of it. It's awesome father/daughter time.

To be honest, I dream of golfing regularly. The stupid sport just intimidates me so much. I have no upper body strength (circuit training will soon fix that!) and feel like for every time my dad swings a club, I swing twice.

So you can imagine what a huge leap it is for me to agree to pay in a tournament with colleagues. I texted my dad and asked him what I had to do to be ready in 3 weeks. His response? "Visit the driving range twice, play 9 holes with me and practice drinking beer." I've got 1 of those 3 tasks covered!

So today I went to buy new golf shoes because I lost one of mine in the move. I was really upset - I loved those shoes and, in case you don't know, golf shoes are hideous. Why can't Giuseppe Zanotti or Christian Laboutin design them? Michael Kors or BCBG? I'd even settle for Steve Madden! Unfortunately they don't, so I am stuck. Plain, white, pink-trimmed Footjoy in a size 8 for me. They are comfy but I am convinced they make my feet look humongous. I don't know that for sure because there weren't any mirrors to look at when trying them on. Dick's Sporting Goods should take a lesson from DSW!

Tomorrow I'm going to the driving range and to play 9 with my dad... in my ugly shoes. Wish me luck!

"How do you Walk in Those?!"

I often get asked this question. I normally laugh and say "one foot in front of the other"! I get that the majority of people I work with don't wear 3.5 - 5 inch heels on a regular basis. But is it really that much of a mystery that a grown woman can walk in heels? Does this mean I'll get further in life because I have such a "special gift"? How does anyone walk in anything? Isn't it the same no matter what footwear you are sporting? OK, I know, I should probably be flattered by the question but for some reason this week it is really bugging me. Am I overreacting? Probably. Sometimes I just can't deal.

I do love these Calvin Klein, suede, platform sandals though. I feel powerful in them: I am woman, watch me walk!

Snow Days

Thursday night, as responsible grown-ups were stocking up on toilet paper, eggs and milk due to the pending blizzard; I was addressing a bigger crisis. No snow boots! Can you believe a woman obsessed with footwear does not own water-resistant boots? I own boots that "claimed" to be snow boots but have never seemed to truly live up to that name. So I headed to Mecca, I mean DSW. As I walked up the boot aisle, it was as if a spotlight appeared from above to show me the greatest gift to snowy weather. Uggs makes rubber boots with that amazing sheepskin lining? I held my breath as I looked for my size. Women were multiplying like bunnies all around me as they reached for this coveted snow boot. Not only did they fit (as if that truly matters) but they are a beautiful pearl white (not represented well in this picture) that perfectly matches my favorite coat. I wore them yesterday to walk the dogs and felt fabulous. Then it started to snow. They have been sitting by the front door ever since. What, you don't think I'd actually leave the house in blizzard conditions, do you? Luckily I bought Paul snow boots that look lovely with his matching shovel :)