Happy in Flip Flops

Last week, I was walking down the street in Chicago when a friend and colleague commented, "You haven't blogged much this year, Messy, have you?"  I thought about it and replied, "well, I seem to blog the most when there is stuff going on in my life - reflection, drama, etc. - so I guess I haven't blogged much because I'm..."  And he replied "happy?"

As I looked down at my flip flops, I couldn't help but think of a friend's wedding we attended a few weeks ago in San Diego.  The yacht wouldn't allow shoes so we were all given a pair of Old Navy white flip flops when we boarded.  Now this of course caused a fashion challenge for me because I normally dress from the feet up, but as I stood on that yacht with the love of my life, I didn't even notice I was wearing flip flops that looked like everyone else's (even his size 14s!).  I just felt... well, happy.

So I don't blog as much as I used to and I don't buy shoes like I used to and I'm happy.  Coincidence, perhaps?  So it is time for this reflective blogged to focus not on the past and the drama that has filled my life but on what makes me happy.  And you know I will be sharing it with you!

You Think You Know Me, But...

Just because I am obsessed with fine footwear, does not mean I'm obsessed with fancy. I mean, it is easy for people to think that expensive shoes equals snobbery or highfalutin attitudes (and I didn't even know how to spell highfalutin until now!) but that's not all there is to me.

Beneath the stilettos, highlights and makeup is a pretty simple girl. I love my comfy clothes. I love a night out with pepperoni pizza, onion rings and cake. As a matter of fact, more than a night out, I like a night in with those same ingredients. Plus somebody to laugh with while stuffing my face.

I am not a champion of many things but am definitely #1 at il dolce far niente - Italian for the Sweetness of Doing Nothing. (If you don't know that phrase, run, do not walk to see or read Eat Pray Love immediately!) I love to lay like broccoli under a tree on a spring day or chill like squash beneath the moon on a starry night.

And the perfect footwear for all of these simple things? Flip flops, of course. And yes, it is OK if they have glitter on them! Is there anything wrong with making the simple things sparkle after all?