Is Restoration Really Worth Your Time?

One of my favorite things to do is to check out vintage stores for unique treasures.  You simply never know what you might find.  Occasionally I will come across something so fantastic that it is worth every precious penny it will cost to restore the treasure to their original beauty, especially when that treasure is a divine pair of heels.

Some time back I found a pair of heels that were in dire need of major restoration but I bought them nonetheless as I was enchanted with their character and charm.  I held onto them for the longest time before finally having them restored.  They still have some tiny imperfections but I am still enchanted by them, imperfections and all.

I finally had an opportunity to enjoy my newly restored heels and wore them out and about everywhere; I couldn't have been happier with my choice in buying and having them restored instead of dismissing them upon first glance at the shop when I saw all of the work that needed to be done.  They were everything I knew they would be - simply amazing!  However, after only a few days, I began to notice that one of the heels began to wobble.  I went straight back to my shoe repairman to discuss this major dilemma.  After a long inspection of the heel he advised that the heel could be repaired but the cost would be enormous.

Should I spend the money to repair my vintage find or should I cut my losses and leave the heels for another lady to suffer the dilemma instead?  Is the restoration and cost worth the joy these shoes will bring me on the random weekends that I will have the opportunity to enjoy them now and again?  This is what I must decide and I am still undecided as to how I should proceed with my treasure.  For now, I will continue to hold onto them until I can make a sound decision either way.     

Time For a Clean-Out

Every spring women all around take a few days to do the impossible.  Clean out their closets in an effort to get rid of the old, the tired, the worn-out, and greet a new season.  Recently, I like so many other women, did just this in my own closet. It is amazing the items that we hold onto longer than we should, especially when it comes to our shoes. 

How could I have missed the fact that a pair that I thought were fabulous and couldn't live without had completely lost all interest to me?  That they no longer shined after polishing and just no longer were worth the effort in restoring?  It is simply amazing what we don't notice until finally one day we realize that the pair of shoes that we once thought of as perfect for any occasion are now boring and simply not worth your time even on a casual outing.  Keep cleaning ladies, no since in hanging onto something that is taking up precious shoe space in your closet! 

Shopping At A New Store?

So yes, I am a very loyal shopper.  Once I find a store I love, I am bitterly loyal to that store, even when service starts to slack, I find excuses to continue shopping as usual.  Other stores might try to draw me in but still I remain, unswayed by their efforts to pursue and persuade me to venture in.  This loyalty is rather perplexing considering there is no contract involved, written or verbal.  Why am I so unyielding to change, to venture out?

Imagine my surprise when a week ago another new offer was extended to me and I unbelievably decided to say yes to the offer of venturing outside my comfort shopping zone.  After very little debate on my part I am going to try another store.  Will the service be the same?  The merchandise appears to be of good quality but what does a cursory glance really tell you. Am I crazy to step out of my realm of comfort and predictability?  Maybe they will prove to be even better than my favorite store.  Or maybe this little experiment will help me determine if I should continue to remain loyal to my current store and look into pushing for a more formal loyalty program from them before any more shopping commences on my part.  So much to consider in only a few more days.      


 

Was I Shopping Here?

Ever gone into a shoe store, found the shoe you were looking for but not a sales clerk can be found for assistance?  So you wait, and wait, and wait some more for anyone to appear. Fidgeting, becoming agitated until finally you are setting the shoe down as you have had enough waiting and are leaving.  Miraculously someone appears from nowhere to assist you with your shoe search.  Where have they been all this time?  Were they watching on some hidden camera waiting until they knew you were about to leave in order to make their appearance?  Probably not but it certainly feels that way in the moment.

For the past month this has been occurring in my dating life.  We go out, have a great time, then nothing. Days and days pass and just when I have gotten to the point of giving up and assuming he has lost interest, he calls.  Does he know I have reached my limit with waiting?  Is this a test?  Or is this simply lack of understanding and very good timing on his part?  More importantly, does this deserve further research?  Being that I am enjoying my time with him, for now I will say yes and continue investigating.  We will see how all of this plays out. 

Photo Shop Anyone?

Ever flipped through a magazine and noticed a hot pump that you just thought you had to purchase?  Only problem, the photographer only gave you a small view of the shoe, from just the front. So you search online, spending hours, maybe even days before eureka, you find it!  Unfortunately, there is a tiny problem.  Your search has uncovered why the photographer only provided you with such a small preview of the shoe, it is simply awful and not worth the time you have wasted.  Yes, you were definitely duped.

After three separate dates I have come to a similar conclusion with some of my matches.  Each of these three different men provided only a head shot as their profile picture.  Funny thing, none of them looked like their picture when we met.  Was this deliberate photo editing or possibly just older pictures?  Who knows and frankly, who cares.  Regardless of the answer, I was duped into thinking I was meeting one person when in reality that person did not exist except on a very altered photo.  Do they not realize their extra pounds, shrinking hairline, advanced years will all come to the forefront when we meet in person?  Had they shown the confidence to project who they really are I might have actually been inclined to go out with one or any of them again.

Whatever happened to the self-assured man?  Why are they hiding in plain sight?  I am confident they are still out there, I just haven't flipped through enough magazines yet or tried on enough shoes to find them but I am hopeful nonetheless.    

Should I pack my credit card or gun?

Ever go into a store and wonder why the sales person continually follows you around trying to push some ridiculous shoe on you to purchase?  You came in looking for a classic, black pump and they are under pressure to get rid of last seasons worst seller, some overpriced, trendy flop, or even worse a shoe made for a grandmother. Haven't they paid attention to you and your request?  After all, you are the customer, right?  Unfortunately, they haven't been listening to you and have completely ignored your specific shopping needs.  Your shopping experience has turned into a disaster and all you want to do is flee the store without a purchase.

Lately I have noticed that all three of my dating sites have been sending me "matches" that just aren't working, at least not for me.  Many are old enough to be my father, several live out of state; none of the criteria I have specifically requested is being matched on my end, only on theirs. Seriously, what's a girl to do?  Ignoring them is a great start and which is what I typically do for the most part.  However, they aren't deterred, they just email and wink and email and wink until they finally get agitated that I have completely ignored them and give up. That is for a few weeks and then they start all over again with their attempts to get my attention.

I suppose I could be angry at the lost time and aggravation the sites have created on my end with all of the mismatches they have directed to me, but I accept that as part of the experience.  Overall, the sites do try to filter most of them out for me but many still find a way to skirt around the filters or criteria and contact me.  It is the direct contacts that I find to be the most problematic. Why would someone who likes spending all of their time fishing, hunting, and camping in the great outdoors think that I, who spends most of her time in the city, would be a "perfect match" because we just have so much in common?  Really?  I suppose you could, on a very basic level, compare hunting for a deer to hunting for a good deal on a heel.  The major difference, mine gets bagged and tagged for me once I hand them my credit card and no firearm was necessary for the hunt.   

   

Why Comfort Sucks!

The last couple of weeks was like a triathlon of dating for me.  A date almost every single day or night, which unbelievably can be rather exhausting.  Finally some time to rest and reflect on what has been going on with my life, that is until my date tonight. 

I met some great guys and some not so great.  Again, another one who refused to stand when meeting me and a couple who just didn't relate to me enough on any level for either of us to want to experience a second date. However, I have actually met a couple that I am happily interested in and would like to get to know them better. 

One is simply fabulous, almost too perfect for me in all ways.  The major drawback for me is he is "comfortable."  No one wants to buy that shoe.  It doesn't really matter that you can stand and walk in that shoe for an entire week without removing it and never feeling tired, the shoe is just simply atrocious. You can't bring yourself to walk over to the display to touch it, most less try it on for size.  It is just not foot worthy, as beauty, like life, should never be too comfortable.

Instead, I am, of course, drawn to the one on display that will definitely cause me discomfort and possibly pain, is a bit too high, maybe a tiny bit too pointy, and will definitely cause my calves and feet to scream for hours.  However, pain and discomfort aside, it fits wonderfully and I feel simply amazing when I have that beauty on my foot.   

I suppose I have known what my decision would be but it doesn't make it any less easier to tell my comfortable friend that I am not interested in him.  How does one explain that you would rather enjoy a life that is filled with occassional beauty, love, and a bit of pain and discomfort, rather than a boring life that is always just comfortable?