Shoe Search, v3.0

EUREKA!

I found them. And whoa nelly am I in LOVE. I want more. (and Moore - but that's different).

I won't keep you in suspense any longer.

Taaaa-daaaaa!

These are Alegria Paloma Black Patent


I want them in this Sangria color

There are tons of fun colors too: check them out on their website.

So here's the review:
Good support
roomy shoe - good with thick socks
no heel rub
no break-in time
nice arch support
cushy insole

Dillards is now carry a few select styles/colors of the Alegria shoes, and so is Nordstrom's.

The Paloma style runs around $109, the clogs are slightly less. They also have cute sandals (can't wait for next summer!). Not cheap, but sooooo comfy.

Whew. Now the question is, will this particular pair last until next May? I kinda doubt it - I want to wear it all over town, and NOW. Ah well, that means I must buy another pair. And Christmas is coming up too.

It's raining in Texas this morning - a cold front is moving through. Tomorrow's high is 78, and a low of 58! YAY Fall! it's about time!!!!!

Enjoy your new day people!

Shoe Watch 2010

 know you've been anxiously awaiting the shoe report.

Settle in with your coffee and OJ, and here we go!

I've been on a search for the ultimate non-sneaker comfy walking shoes for quite some time.

Shoes have been purchased, worn, and discarded. Brands from Privo to these Land's End's terrain ballet shoes. (The Privo's continue to rub my heels into raw blisters, and the Land's End shoes are $20 for a reason - zilcho support!)

Yes, I could wear my reliable, favorite tennis shoes. (right now Asics are my choice). Except, as I mentioned before, I don't want to stand out like a sore - well foot - while trekking through the streets of Rome & Florence.

And so the quest continues.

A friend had recommended the Keen brand, and I began to research the styles available. I really wanted a clog style, to avoid the dreaded heel rub. And I've already mentioned my obsession with Mary Jane shoes. So I was optimistic that I'd found the holy grail when I purchased these from Zappos.com

I LIKE:

Petaluma Clog by
Keen

Yes, they come with a hefty price tag. I am not afraid to pay for comfort and durability - and good shoes.

When they arrived, I gleefully tore into the box, like a kid at Christmas.

It's a shoe addiction people. I can't resist!

The verdict:
When I put them on, I felt like I had mugged Minnie Mouse and taken her shoes.

(Minnie pic courtesy of http://www.alldisneycharacters.com/)

Yeah. Wide like that.

Except in a black suede-ish material. 

I decided to forgo the bow and polka dot dress, and wore them with my usual jeans. I gamely tried them out for our weekly grocery shopping trip - for some reason my back has been hurting after this fun outing.

Up and down the aisles we went. Lifting, twisting, and turning.

I just love the grocery store.
It's a love-hate relationship really.

Anyway - the verdict is, I don't care if I'm a cheap imitation of Minnie Mouse. The Keen clogs have won their way into the finalists for Euro-trekking.

I'll give them a pre-Europe test in NYC.

The quest continues for finalist #2...

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

This may come as a complete shock to you.

Brace yourself.

I'm addicted to shoes.

There! I've said it!

Whew, what a relief to have it out in the open.

It was such a burden.

Well not really. They just take up a ton of space in my closet.

And in the floor of my bedroom.

Hey now, I said I had a problem, right?

Anyway...because shoes make me happy, today's post is dedicated to the shoes I am currently coveting.

Contestant #1: Alegria Milano Mini-Rocker in Red Patent Leather.

Who can resist? Red. patent. leather. *dreamy sigh*

Contestant #2. Unlisted Natural Wonder in plum

*completely irrational sigh*

Why irrational?

a) I don't can't wear heels. For more than 10 minutes anyway.

b) the strap would slice off my plump cankles and make my legs look even more stubby than they are.

c) plum? is a plum shoe really rational?

(it's ok, I don't mind coveting from afar)

Contestant #3: Naot Footwear Trendy

And this is the part where I reveal yet another confession.

I have an obsession with Mary Jane shoes.

SHOES people!

(not the mary-wanna thing)

If I were to count the Mary Jane shoes in my closet I'm sure it'd be a substantial portion of my collection.

I won't count them though.

I don't really want to know.

I'm not sure how and why the Mary Jane shoe obsession began.

I just know that when I see a Mary Jane style, my head snaps around and my hands reach out to carress it.

Contestant #4: ML Leddy's Custom Handmade Boots

Now, I don't have a picture of the pair I really, really want. I've coveted these boots for like, 6 years now.

Here's a fab pic of ML Leddy's shop courtesty of Hamilton Shirt Company's site:

Imagine the colors, the stitching, the cut outs. And the leather.

Breathe it in...

Only, it's another irrational thing.

I don't wear cowboy (cowgirl!) boots anymore.

Shacking up with a city boy who hates country music and is allergic to all livestock really cuts out the opportunities to put on my best boots and pocket-less jeans to go boot scootin' or rodeo-in'.

Okok. onto our next contestant!

#5. Now these babies will take your breath away.

Ready?

Are you sure?

ok...

I kid! I kid!

(my crocs are red.)

(and Mary Janes.)

he he he

ho ho ho

I'm still laughing.

Prankster that I am.

The real contestant #5: Bass Oxfords

I just *love* the classic black and white oxford. These would be fun to wear with my dress slacks.

So why am I shoe shopping?

I'm looking for comfortable walking shoes for my trip to Europe next year.

Yes, I'm planning ahead.

And no - none of these are really good candidates for that purpose.

Well, maybe the 1st one but I'd really like a closed toe shoe to protect my tootsies.

And the 2nd one isn't too bad, though I'd probably opt for a flat vs. a pump. 

You see, I can't wear the same shoes 2 days in a row, or my feet will ache.

I need shoes with some serious comfort factor to them, and support.

And I don't want to wear sneakers that scream "AMERICAN TOURIST RIGHT HERE".

I figure the fact that I'm full figured, and say "y'all" frequently will give that away immediately.

No need to have my shoes do the talking, right?

Looks like I need to do some more shoe shopping.

Anyone want to go?

Mom? Kasie?

Enjoy your new day!

Cute Finds

I have a slight addiction to jewelry. Not that I wear a ton of it - I don't. I tend to wear the same basic pieces every day...but that doesn't stop me from buying it! Oh no...I'm a pro!

Here's an adorable owl necklace I found for my mom:

At $10.90, it's a great buy! (ok, even if you wear it 3 times before the chain turns green..)

Here's the other necklace I bought for myself:

Yes, another bargain at $10.90!

Windsor is one of those teeny-bopper type stores, that I wouldn't venture into normally. BUT..I saw these necklaces in the window and made an exception. I'm glad I did!

Check out more of their cool jewelry:

http://www.windsorstore.com/

What fun jewelry finds have you made lately??

Enjoy your new day!