Unexpected Shoes

I haven't bought shoes for a long while - in my books. But in the past 2 weeks, I have unexpectedly received not 1, but 2 new pairs!

First, a friend unexpectedly gave me a pair of silver Gianni Bini sandals that didn't fit her right. Think woven 3/4-inch strap up the middle of my foot and then a woven strap around the top of my foot. Look great with jeans and I am very excited to have them. (I can't find a picture of them online.)

Then, I was shopping a few weeks ago and felt I needed a pair of Sperry's Top-siders. I tried on a really cute pair at 3 different stores. But, I never actually bought them. They weren't really a need, and I knew we should spend the money on something else.

Then I unexpectedly received a gift card to the mall the next day. I promptly went over and ordered my new shoes and they came in the mail yesterday. I am very excited about them and now feel very much the need for a sailboat.

This is the first pair of shoes that I have paid full-price for in ages. I don't foresee any other cute shoes in the near future, besides cheapy flips or flats. Have you bought any cute shoes lately?

What he said about my boots...

I love showing Hubs all that I got from my shopping trip. So, as I went through my birthday items, I was excitedly showing him all the fun buys. He was mildly enthusiastic about them. And then, I got to these boots:

I was very excited about them; and I asked what Hubs thought.

"Now those, I don't like at all," he said.

I was just a little put out, but it didn't really damper my mood.

Then he said, "You need to circumcise those things."

And then, we all were speechless. I didn't explain that they were cuffs. I didn't try to reason with him about their cuteness. There was nothing to say after that comment.

And now, I will forever think of these as my "uncircumcised boots."

Elastic, and some other styles

Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn. That means that it should be cool outside and we should start wearing long sleeves, or at least jeans and jackets. Not in Kansas, though. We are still roasting at a warm 90 degrees.

SHOES
That doesn't mean I don't have the urge to shop for fall clothes. No, I have been in quite the shopping mood for about a week now. Only to be a little nervous at the new style of shoes. Here are a few examples of what I am talking about:

Lots of suede

Lots of ankle booties

Lots of laces

And, lots of cuffs

I actually really like this last shoe - I mean really like, especially in black.

My first impression is that most of the shoes is that they are just plain ugly. But, I am sure - like with most other styles - once I see other, more daring and trend-setting people wear them, I will begin thinking they are cute. But I can almost guarantee I will not wear laced high-heels. Laces are for comfortable shoes.

COLORS

As usual, I am a few seasons behind when it comes to style. I was hoping for some bold, bright colors to wear this fall. But, when I went to Banana Republic last week, I saw lots of muted and faded colors and neutrals. Lots of heather-gray type colors. Which, I guess are pretty, but not appealing to me. My entire closet is full of gray - every shade. I wanted to step out and do something different.

So much for my bold colors wardrobe idea.

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One of my favorite finds so far has been a $10 skirt from Target. It's not really anything I would go for - pencil skirt, cuts off above the knees (I have ugly, awkward knees), and has an elastic waistband.

I put it on this morning and while I finished getting ready I noticed how comfortable the waistband was. A few hours later, I was sitting with some friends and it again entered my mind, "wow, this is one very comfortable skirt."

There is no digging into your skin when you sit down. It sits very comfortably around any excess skin layers you may have. Besides my sweatpants, this is one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing I have.

Here's to trying new styles this year - it looks like I don't have much of a choice!

Completely impractical

These shoes are $80. Rarely do I pay full-price for a pair of shoes, and when I do, it is for a pair that I will be wearing frequently. These are not the type of shoes I would pay full price for.

I would however, pay for them when they are 70% off! Hands down, Dillards is my favorite store for shoes. Really, I don't buy anything else there, except shoes! What I love the most, is when they have that fabulous sale where they put out everything and mark them 70% off.

I loved these shoes when I saw them. Because they are impractical. They are 4-inches high, which is really high for me and usually means we have reached the uncomfortable level. But wearing them for a few hours, is fun. They make a boring outfit fun. They make a casual outfit dressy.

Besides a couple of $3 pairs of flip-flops, these are the only shoes I have gotten all summer and I love them. Fun. Exciting. And, they make me feel tall.

I have been a little unsure about the new styles of shoes, though... Is anyone else there with me?

Things

THIS is my free pound of bold coffee. Please tell me you participated in the bold-a-week deal at Starbucks! If not, you sure missed out. It was worth it for me, since I am at Starbucks at least once a week anyways. So, why not earn a free pound of coffee? My choice was this organic shade grown Mexican coffee. Can't wait to try it!

THIS is the fabric of the dress that Hubs bought for me. He left me was gone for 5 whole days and he brought me home a very cute dress and sweater. I know. He's awesome!

THIS is Pups, who is feeling much better. This is what he does when he thinks I have been neglecting him, he is bored, and he wants someone to play with him.

THESE are my new running shoes that I bought on sale at the same time that I bought...

THESE. My $110 shoes for which I only paid $10. Not only a fabulous deal, but also a super cute pair of shoes.

Worth the wait

I'm in shock. It has been over 8 months since I have bought a pair of shoes. Not even one pair of flip flops. What has Kansas done to me!!!!

But this weekend I saw the cutest patent-leather, sunshine-yellow flats. They were gorgeous. They called my name. They were on sale (70% off). But they were a half-size too big. Not to worry, they had a pair in navy and red in my size.

I didn't buy them.

Two days later, I was back in the big city and I stopped to see them again. I tried them on, walked around. Thought about it. Thought about it some more.

I didn't buy them.

This morning, I had an itch to see them again. So, I got online and looked them up. They had gone on sale even more - an extra 30% off - making them 80% off of the original price! So, I went to our local, small Dillards and they had one pair in a size 6 and they are bright red. I bought them for $14. Hey, that is even cheaper than Target shoes!

Aren't they gorgeous? They were totally worth waiting 5 days for the better price.

Now I am just debating over whether I should go back and buy the brown flats that were also on sale, not as cheap. Or maybe, I should order a couple of pairs online...

I have awakened the shoe monster within!

The skinny jeans story, and other items

Since Hubs and I started an intense workout regime 9 weeks ago, I have noticed some changes in how my clothes fit. For that reason, and because it is my birthday month, and because I haven't shopped since April, and because it is time to wear fall clothes, and because my Hubs is awesome, I went on a shopping excursion this weekend.

First, I found a shopping buddy - something I never really had in Lincoln. She could be a professional shopper and now would be my second favorite person to shop with (Ruth, you know you will always be first).

Two years ago, I tried on a pair of skinny jeans and showed Richard. We both were unanimous that they were hideous. Ever since, I have stayed away, content to watch those people who don't store their body fat in their hips and thighs wear these jeans. Personally, I really didn't think they were that cute anyway.

But in two years, when the style doesn't disappear, they grow on you. So, I tried on another pair and my shopping buddy confirmed that they look good on me. I got a great deal on them (40% off) and I brought them home.

Now I am debating whether I should keep them or not. I don't have boots to go with them; so I would be wearing them with flats. But, they truly are a comfortable pair of jeans that fits.

I also bought a denim pencil skirt. Five months ago, I would not be caught dead in a pencil skirt - the thigh/hip dilema again. Although I am short, I have these prominent hips, you see and felt more comfortable in a-line skirts. This denim skirt, however, could possibly be my favorite article of clothing.

Even some of the tops that I bought are stretching my usual boundaries, but I am excited. After 10 years of shopping for clothes, I am finally finding what fits my body and I think stores are finally starting to make clothes with the short, no-torso people in mind.

PS - I didn't buy any shoes!

Which first? and then your advice.

In general, when putting together an outfit for an occasion, do you:

A. Search for the shoes & accessories, then find the outfit.

B. Search for the outfit, then find the shoes and accessories?


I found the dress. That's done. It's pretty plain, though, so I need some fantastic accessories to jazz it up.

I also found the jewelry. I just need the shoes and am having no luck. Plus, I only have 8 days to find them. I have exhausted the local stores and have frantically searched the Internet, only to find one pair that is completely out of my price range.

I found a really cute pair of shoes in town that would go with the dress. But, I would have to completely change the jewelry (which I love). This is my back-up plan.

So, should I just give up on finding the perfect colored shoes to go with my jewelry and settle on the shoes I have already found so that I can remain sane? Or, should I keep looking and stressing for the perfect shoes until the very last minute and then, if I don't find them, run around and try to find jewelry to go with the back up shoes?

Maybe I'll just wear a potato sack to graduation.

How many is too many?

How many shoes should you bring on a 4 day trip?

Two...?
Three...?
Four...?
Six...?


Seven. I knew you'd agree with me.

*The pair that I was wearing is not pictured. Nor is the pair I bought while shopping because my feet hurt so badly.

Why I like shoes.

I prefer shoes to any other article of clothing. Yes, I consider shoes clothing. This was confirmed in my mind today when I received pants that I order online.

To make a long story short, I tried on a pair of great pants at the mall in KC. They were giant, but still very cute. Since the store doesn't carry their smaller sizes in the length that my short legs need, I went home and ordered 2 pairs in 2 separate sizes in 2 separate colors. They both came, I tried them on and liked the color of the pair that, of course, didn't fit. Back to the online store to order the size and color I wanted, while sending back both pair of pants. The new pants came today and still don't fit. So, now I will have to go back to the actual store, return these, buy a size that fits up top and have them hemmed. Sigh.

Unfortunately, this is the story of my life and leads to why I like shoes:

1. My size is usually the display shoe. Instead of waiting for the sales lady (who has been stalking me since I walked in the store) to bring me the size I need, I can just try them on as I please.

2. Shoes don't remind me that I have hips and thighs.

3. I am always a size 6. I don't have to worry about finding "shorts" or "petites." I don't have to get them hemmed. I don't have to take 4 different pair into the dressing room to see which one fits.

4. They do not disappoint. After trying them on, I don't have to put them back because NOT ONE pair actually fit. Instead I usually put them back because they are too expensive.

5. Shoes look good no matter how bloated I feel. And when those bloated days do come...my feet don't hang over the edge of shoes.

6. Shoes are the only thing for which I really ever get compliments.

7. They can be fun or practical; serious or flashy. They can set the style of your entire outfit.

8. They fit. Other clothes depend on the day, the month, the store, the brand, the fabric, the wash, the color, the size, the hem, the inseam, the waist, the hips, the etc.; and then when you wash them at home...who knows what will happen.

For those of you who can actually buy clothes off the rack, you cannot truly understand why I like shoes. I will continue to to get excited about the only thing that truly fits - shoes.

New shoes x2

I have been in withdrawal. Not one pair of new shoes since August 4th = a lifetime for a shoe lover like me.

So, when Hubs told me I should go buy a pair of new black heels because mine are officially unwearable, I wasted no time. Much to my excitement, Dillards was having sales galore. Warning signals went off in my head: Danger! Danger! You are here for black heels - stay away from the sale. But, there were more shoes on sale than there were regularly priced! I had to check it out.

The clearance rack is where I found these beauties:

Super cute, comfortable, bright red flats! They look so cute with jeans and I just could not pass them up. I mean, we are moving to Kansas. I need some ruby red Dorothy slippers!

Then I moved on to the real purpose of my trip. There weren't any black shoes in my size on the sale rack, but I ended up with these fantastic black heels:

This picture doesn't do them justice, but they are super cute, relatively comfortable, and definitely practical.

Two pairs of shoes in one day! What could be better?

New Shoes & More

It has crossed my mind that most of my blogging friends write about much more substantial, worthwhile things in life (ie - their children, their house building progress) besides their new shoes. Oh well.

Richard heard on the radio that a local mall was giving out a $15 gas card if you spent a certain amount of money at any of their stores this weekend. Richard and I both were overdue on new running shoes and Richard also needed some stuff for his bike, so we decided this would be a great time to take a little shopping trip. Once we got to the shoe store, our decision was confirmed because Scheel's was having a sale on shoes - $15 off any pair!

I must insert a little aside here - I have only had one pair of running shoes so far (Asic's Kayanos) and they lasted me 3 years. Therefore, the shoe shopping experience for Richard versus me is quite different. I have no idea what I am looking for in a running shoe - comfort? support? So, I would pick a shoe that I liked, show it to my hubby, and he would give the yea or nay.

So, I pick out 3 pairs of shoes and ask a saleslady to bring me a size 6. She returns with nothing. So I pick out 3 more pairs of shoes and she returns with the kayanos (same shoes I have been running in). I try them on and they are great shoes really. So comfy and I already know that they are good shoes for me since I have enjoyed the pair I have already. The down-side is that the Kayanos are pricey. I ask for 2 more pairs of shoes, just to compare, and she returns with none. Richard finally asks, "Do you have ANY in a size 6?" She encourages me to keep picking out some and she will keep checking. So, I grab 5 pairs of shoes - not caring about the style, fit, or brand anymore - just hoping that there will be some in the back room! While she is gone, I start picking out some more, knowing she will come back with nothing, but to my surprise, she comes back with 4 pairs. I try them on and narrow it down to 3 pairs - Asics Kayano, Asics Nimbus, and Brooks Defyance (like you care, right?).

Here they are - my new pair of running shoes. The Brooks Defyance. The Asics were great, but more bulky than the Brooks. Plus, the Brooks were less pricey which is a plus for sure.

I have been told that you should put 400 miles on your running shoes before buying a new pair. Hence the reason I had my last pair for 3 years! I've starting a spreadsheet and I am going to record how long it takes me to get to 400 miles...any guesses? I haven't updated you on my running progress, but I have continued to run since the Havelock race is over. I will admit that vacation and the extreme heat has put a damper on the progress, but I am not going to let myself quit. Honestly, I have come to enjoy the activity.

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Richard and I took a bike ride on Saturday morning. That is a great way start the day. It wasn't unbearably hot and I just love the morning-time. We also went to the pool and played Bingo with our flock. Richard and I didn't win, but it was fun.

My grandparents were in town and we had coffee with them. They gave us great encouragement from the Word in making decisions for our future. Verses that I am sure God wanted us to remember as we seek His will for our life.

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At my Bible study on Saturday morning we continued discussing Elohim, which is the word used for God during the creation account, and other places throughout the Bible. I don't think it was coincidence that I was studying this name while we were in Hawaii. God revealed Himself to me in how great and awesome He is through His creative creation. Look up these verses and you will see what I mean:

Isaiah 40: 12, 15, 22, 26-31

Yet a God this big - who weighs the mountains, pulls the heavens back like curtains, and lifts up the islands - He desires a personal relationship with you and me.

New Shoes

Last night, I got these:

Richard also got a pair, but his aren't fuchsia.

I'm not gonna lie, I did not want to get these shoes. Over and over in our reading on Hawai'i we found this sentence: We recommend that you get a pair of reef shoes to wear in the water because there are sharp stones, coral, and even little animals.

So, we decided to go check it out. I was looking at the array of shoes before me and thinking, "Why spend money on these shoes that I will NEVER wear again?" Nonetheless, I tried the only size 6 1/2 on the table. They were an ookey brown color, but they fit. So, I asked him to bring me any style he had in a 6 1/2. Sometimes it is good to have small feet because you don't get many options to choose from! He brought a black, blue, ookey brown/red, and fuchsia. I tried on the fuchsia and I was sold. They were so comfy and, I have to say, they look pretty cute on my little feet! They will be perfect for hiking and playing in the water in Hawaii. And, I know I will wear them when we get back to Nebraska, too!

We are almost ready. Just a few more errands to run, a little more cleaning at the apartment, packing and we are set to go. I really, really can't believe it...in 48 hours we will begin traveling to O'ahu!

Shoe

Do you have a pair of shoes that you absolutely love? They are comfy, cute, and can make your day? I cannot believe I am posting about a shoe, but I am extremely frustrated with myself. At the end of this you will be saying, it's just a shoe, and I know that. But, this particular pair wasn't one of those cheap pairs that you buy and expect them to break or get tired of in a few months. These shoes I bought before I was married and I have not had to purchase a new pair for 2 years because they have been so great.

My side of the closet is not exactly the most organized place in our apartment. So, a few weeks ago, I go really fed up with my shoe rack and decided that some of the shoes that haven't been worn in the past year (aka, those so dusty I could not tell what color they were) could be tossed. Yesterday morning, I was very excited because my toes were painted and ready for my favorite pair of black sandals. Yes, it was going to be a good day. When I got to my closet, however, I could only find one of those great sandals. I searched all day, trying to find that missing shoe, but it is gone. I am afraid I must have accidently tossed it with some of old shoes. This is one of those things about myself that can frustrate me to no end - I go through these spells of losing things. So, today I am trying to search for new black sandals, but not just any black sandals. I am hoping to find the same exact sandals that I bought 2 years ago - so far, no luck.

I think that is enough about my shoes (I just realized this is my second post about shoes-sad). In other good news this week, our friends that live 2 floors down in our apartment complex are moving to 2 doors down from us and Saturday is the David Phelps Concert!

Professionals Day

Today was the day that Richard presented his research. After months of tedious work and stress, it was over in a few short hours and a 5 minute presentation. I think he did an amazing job - the poster turned out great and his presentation sounded really good (and intelligent). Let's see if I can remember the title: Osseous Changes in the Temporomandibular Joints of Patients using Bisphosphonates. Or, in simple form: Bone changes in the jaw of women on Boniva. Here is a picture of my hubby next to his poster. What a stud.



We had lunch afterwards. We are both exausted and about to fall asleep in our food. This afternoon is the awards ceremony and then it is all over. Finals in a week and then my baby is a Senior!!

Also, I debuted my new shoes and purse for the event. I took a pic of the shoes. They are patten-leather flats and the most comfortable things ever! Hmmm, is it bad that I have 2 pictures of the shoes and only 1 of my husband?

Well, no posts over the weekend because we don't have internet at home. I'll catch you up on Monday. Highlight of the weekend - THE OVEN for dinner tomorrow night!