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???

Shoe Karma

I know, I know.  I haven't written in way too long.  To be honest, the creative juices just haven't been flowing.  I'm really not sure what to attribute that to but I'm going to try and be more faithful to my blog.  And what better way than to talk about shoe karma?!

Now, I wrote about this topic earlier in the year when I talked about what superhero power I would have. As it turns out, TOMS also wants the same superpower but is actually doing something about it.  And now, in small part, so have I.  It all started in Savannah, when I saw the multi glitter TOMS in a storefront window.  My girlfriend and I were there for some quality girl time (shopping, spaing, drinking, eating) and we went in to try them on.  I was immediately in love and had to purchase.  She also got an awesome pair of wedge booties.  We walked out feeling good - we had purchased fabulous footwear AND helped a child somewhere in the world get a pair of shoes.  We are superheroes!

When my mom saw them, she immediately remarked that she wanted a pair too. (strangely, enough, Amy's Mom said the same about hers!)  So when Mom came out of the hospital after major surgery, I presented her with her very own pair of black glitter TOMS.  We all need a little sparkle in our lives!

But this is where the story gets even better.  Because I helped Amy move and decorate her new place, she bought me a present.  Yep, you guessed it, none other than the awesome flannel shearling lined TOMS I put on my shoe bucket list a few months ago!

So, let's recap.  I bought TOMS for me and for Mom.  Amy bought TOMS for herself and for me.  That means 4 pairs of shoes have been given to children in need.  I believe my shoe karma has been reversed!  You get what you give to this universe after all.  And I say, shoes for everyone!

(And for those who don't believe, let's not forget my mojo shoes that were returned to me last year thanks to my Bestie and a little thing called shoe karma.)

My (most recent) Bucket List

You may remember my bucket list boots I shared a while back.  I still haven't gotten the Jimmy Choo real deal but did indulge in a similar pair made by Charles David.  So I've been thinking about all the footwear I've yet to own and these are at the top:

1. Flannel, Shearling lined Toms (because they are good for my feet while doing good for another)
2. Tory Burch flip flops (no one should summer without them)
3. Patent leather Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes in either cranberry or nude (classic)
4. Authentic Red Cowboy Boots (I had a pair back in the day and am coveting them again)
5. Tap Shoes (I've owned them before but want them again - even if I don't take lessons I can dance around my house)
6. Something blue (because someday I want to walk down an aisle again)
7. Gucci driving loafers (classic and necessary)
8. Itty Bitty Golf Shoes (in case I am ever blessed enough to have a child of my own)
9. ANY PAIR of Christian Louboutin (there is no need to explain)
10. Those yet to be designed...

I'm not sure when I'll begin to tackle this list but it feels good to put it out there. What's on your bucket list?

Save a Horse...

When I was in High School, I was OBSESSED with cowboy boots. Ever since the movie Footloose when Ariel's bad boy boyfriend said, "does your daddy know you wear red boots?" And she responded, "my Daddy hates these boots."

Fast forward to college in the early nineties and my life was made when people actually wore plaid JCrew shirts and cowboy boots at BC. I immediately headed to Nordstrom and bought my red cowgirl boots (OK, they weren't authentic but I couldn't get to Texas!)

I haven't seen a pair in years but recently started thinking of them again. I've mentioned my bucket list to you before, and visiting Austin is on it. Not only do I want to go for the music, but to find an authentic pair of red cowgirl boots. And PETA can't object to me buying authentic boots, can they? It's not like I wear a size 15 and they would have to skin a bunch of iguanas to make them... I mean a size 8 is like what, one snake?

And yes, every time I start thinking about those boots I can't help but hum Big & Rich Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy. After all, that's what Ariel was doing before she put those boots back on :)

Unconditional Love

As I'm cleaning the kitchen from last night's fajita fiesta, I walk into the family room to find that Sophie has just thrown up. On my Ugg boots. Yep, my relatively new (2 months), charcoal gray, short Uggs. And what did I do? I asked Soph if she was OK. I pet her little head and calmly walked into the kitchen to remove the mess from my boot.

I've always thought how blessed I am because our pups have never thought of my shoes as chew toys. But now I understand the horror finding half-eaten shoes must evoke from shoe-obsessed moms like me. And it is the unconditional love for our furry beings that keep us from screaming, yelling or harming them in any other way. How can I be mad at that little face?

Maybe I'll soon be ready for motherhood after all...

Oh Christmas Shoes, Oh Christmas Shoes!!! (part 2)

I can't believe I forgot to update you on my Christmas shoes. Well, I initially thought the leopard print, platform Michael Kors peep-toed pumps implied a little more pole dancer than I typically like to showcase, so I returned them. (Even Paul agreed when I tried them on that it looked like my toes were doing the Olympic ski jump!).

Behold my gorgeous burgundy Charles by Charles David Prissy platform sandals. Now if you can just explain why they are called Prissy!

This Just In!!!

I stopped by Nordstrom on Friday evening to (finally) exchange the Christmas shoes Paul bought me. My grey Cardy Uggs are being shipped to me so that just left a replacement for the leopard print Michael Kors (see Christmas Shoes blog post for more details). I stopped and picked up a pair of purple Charles David and then my eyes fell on these (picture left). It was instant chemistry. As I tried them on, all of the sales people crowded around me as they had just hit the floor that day and I was the first to try them on! Not only was it love at first sight, but love at first fit. Can't you just see them paired with a cute summer dress or skirt? Not to mention a perfect pedicure and tan. When will Spring be here???