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?

My First Haiku

I am lucky to be part of a really cool team at work called the Innovations Team. Inspired by one of my friends from the Academy, this team gets together monthly to use both sides of our brains as we try to identify challenges and solutions within our organization.  We rotate bringing creative exercises, check-in questions to get to know one another better and meaty substantive agenda items.  Yesterday's creative exercise totally inspired me!  Write a Haiku (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables) inspired by customer service.  So, without further ado, my first Haiku:

A Shopper's Dream:
I MUST have those shoes!
Do you have them in my size?
Yes, at a discount!

Feel free to snap as if you are at a poetry jam as I nod my head in appreciation.

What will you do that is new and creative today?

A Perfect Pair

When I got engaged, the first thing I did (not surprising) was pick out shoes for the big day.  I found them in a magazine and got one of only 2 pairs left in the country!  White satin, 3 inch heeled Stuart Weitzman that laced up the back and had swarovski crystal embellishments.  They were even more special because my Grammie bought them for me.  I wore them around the house with white socks to break them in for the big day.

But upon arrival at the reception, I took them off to put on my second wedding shoes of the day (blue Stuart Weitzman flip flops with shoe charms) to find that my dream shoes had ruined my pedicure.  More specifically, they melted the nail polish right off.  In fact, my perfect pair of shoes didn't actually fit me.  Yet I wore them anyway.

Today would have been my seventh wedding anniversary.  But it isn't.  Because, quite frankly, the shoes weren't the only thing that didn't fit.  Divorce is a horrible thing.  As my friends who have gone through it told me, "You can never quite prepare for the way it will make you feel.  When you least expect it, it will creep up and your emotions will be a surprise."  Don't get me wrong, I know divorce was my only option.  One person cannot a marriage make.  And hindsight being 20-20, I knew walking down the aisle that this might not go as planned. But I did it anyway.  Because sometimes, we simply want what we want regardless of red flags or unintended consequences.

But the pain of a failed marriage is still real and it hurts.  Not everyday.  In fact, it has gotten easier day by day.  But I can't help remembering what it felt like to wear that dress and put on those shoes my loving Grammie bought for me.  Because I thought if I can just ignore the pain, and put a smile on my face, everything would be OK.  That turned out not to be the case.  You can't ignore the pain forever.

So now, I only buy shoes that fit.  And I got rid of all of the ones that didn't during my intervention and subsequent yard sale.  Because ignoring something doesn't mean it isn't happening.  And you can never find your perfect pair if you are stuck in the wrong shoes.  And being sad today doesn't mean I'm not still happy - it just means I'm reflecting on the past and that helps me appreciate the present so much more.  Because I've been blessed with a second chance. Not everyone can say that.  And I am grateful.

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 Had Me at Carlos Santana

I'm sure you will agree that one of the most romantic scenes from a movie was from Jerry Maguire. When Dorothy Boyd told Jerry Maguire, "you had me at hello", your heart melted. Not to mention when Jerry said, "you complete me." Sigh, that is why we go to the movies!

And I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a moment like this two weeks ago. I work from home or am on the road so don't get to the office very much. But when I do, I figure why not wear a pair of killer heels. What's the point of all that beauty being confined to my closet, right? So as I walked into the kitchen one morning wearing these sexy ankle wrapped, cork heeled, multi-colored stilettos I just about fell over when my boyfriend said, "You look beautiful.  Are those your Carlos Santanas?"

I'm sorry... what?!? This is a race car driving, incredible at golfing, hard working, manly man.  He doesn't read In Style or fantasy shop on jimmychoo.com. How in the world did he know that? So I asked...

"You told me about them when you bought them.  Don't you remember I was on the phone?  Honey, I don't forget anything you tell me."

Seriously? Now I knew he was amazing before this moment but it just reinforced my admiration. And as I drove to work, with a smile on my face, I couldn't help but remember Dorothy and Jerry. Romantic moments don't only happen in the movies!