Flips Are Always A Flop

I recently was invited out for a weekend dinner date.  We had reservations at a very nice wine restaurant so I dressed appropriately with a gorgeous Maxi dress and a delicious pair of strapy black heels. Imagine my surprise and complete disappointment when upon arriving, my date was wearing jeans, an un-tucked shirt and FLIP-FLOPS. 

Now don't misinterpret my utter distaste, shock, and judgement over this blatant fashion faux pas.  I am not opposed to casual dress or flip-flops.  However, flip-flops are never an appropriate form of footwear for a man when venturing out on a Friday night date, unless you live on the beach.  I, as you might suspect, do not live at the beach, so this was absolutely unacceptable.  Needless to say, this was our first and last date.  No one wants to stare at hairy, un-kept toes while trying to enjoy a nice meal and conversation.  Sorry guys. 

Did you just really try to touch My Stuff?

Who doesn't just adore going out and about, seeing the sights, meeting new people, or even shopping? Ever encountered that "one" person while on one of these excursions?  You know the one.  They want to chat incessantly about the view you are trying to take in, they talk too closely and get way too touchy at your first introduction at a party or a date, or they hover and continuously get in your way when they see you are just trying to grab a shoe. No matter the encounter, whether random, business, or personal encounters, they typically make you completely irrational and nuts.  What could ever make someone assume that it is ever okay to impede upon another persons personal space? 

Can you imagine my surprise, while out trying to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with friends a random stranger believed that it was appropriate to impede upon my personal space.  More specifically, they felt that it was okay to touch my personal belongings without my approval and further attempted to try on said belongings. Seriously, what has happened to manners and respect? Here is hoping that this encounter was as random as it was disgusting.

  "What the heck?! These are mine b!tch!  Back away from the goods if you know what is good for you!"

Impractical or practical, what do you prefer?

I must admit I absolutely love heels.  Sometimes, I am just drawn to them, no matter the practicality.  About two months ago I found a pair that I just could not pass up at one of my favorite places to shop; they were on sale which was a huge plus.  They were simply gorgeous, pink, and over five inches tall before the extra height of the platform. 

Now, typically I factor in the height of a heel before I make a purchase, especially if my intent is to wear my heels at work as I run around the city quite a bit, including tons of stairs in the parking garage.  Apparently I didn't factor this in as I got carried away and drawn into the beauty of the heel and purchased upon sight.  However, they were completely impractical for walking around the city.  When I wore them the following week to work, I almost fell down three times, on the stairs and when my heel hit holes when crossing the streets.  Again, completely impractical. 

Does practicality always have to be a deciding factor though, in my choices?  Can't impracticality be equally as important?  Sometimes we need a little impracticality to make our lives a little off balanced and a little less boring.  So, although I won't wear these heels to work anymore, it doesn't mean I have to toss them out completely.  I just have to remember when I do wear them that I can't walk ninety miles an hour crossing streets or running down stairs; that I just have take my steps more carefully. 

Seasons change and so should your shoes

Everyone has heard the old cliche, no white after labor day and never before Easter.  But in recent years, who hasn't broken this rule?  The temptation to break out what hasn't been worn for a long period of time gets the best of all of us at some point.  Maybe it is a fabulous pair of slingbacks found in the fall on clearance just waiting to make their appearance in the spring. Or maybe it is your favorite pair of knee-length boots that you are patiently watching the weather for the first blustery day in the fall in order to bring them out again. 

We all go through this same desire to enjoy a fantastic favorite in our closet once a new season begins to make its approach.  Sometimes in our excitement to bring out that pair of slingbacks we realize only after our feet have turned blue that we may have been fooled by the weatherman that day and that spring may not quite be upon as initially predicted.  Or that the fall day that started out so chilly ended up sweltering, as did your feet stuck in your boots.  Sometimes our desire overwhelms us so much so that we throw caution aside in order to enjoy a moment of fulfillment.  Whereas we should wait it out a bit more in order to determine that what we have been waiting on has in fact arrived.      

Take-out Anyone?

Lately more and more online sites offer you the opportunity to try something out without the normal attachments of a typical purchase.  You are essentially given the freedom of take-out without any sort of commitment.  Normally, with certain merchandise, I would definitely take advantage.  Who wouldn't love to run around at a fancy event with a $2000 YSL clutch that you merely "borrowed" for the occasion?  However, call me ridiculous, old-fashioned, or any other cliche, but I just can't bring myself to do the same with my heels. I can see the pull for enjoying a heel in the same sense as the borrowed bag but I find that I get a bit more attached to my heels than I do with other items.  True, I may decide after I purchase the heel that I only want it for just the night, weekend, or maybe just every now and again.  By making the heel mine first, I have the control to make just that decision.  With take-out I am on a time schedule as to when I must return the merchandise or a hefty fee may be imposed on my delay.  Fines, time-constraints, contracts, it is all just a bit too much for essentially a night of take-out.  Buy it first ladies, then dump them off at the curb when you get tired of them.  Its faster and less of a headache.   

When Did Shopping Suck?

I can't ever recall a time not being absolutely in the mood for shopping and trying on new shoes, never. However, recently a very unusual phenomenon occurred.  While slowly perusing the many beautiful new heels on display I had a less than enthusiastic desire to try on or even to purchase any of the new arrivals.  I gradually went through the motions of admiring a few here and there and even tried on a couple but again my desire was just not present.

What could this mean to my future shopping excursions?  Have I lost the lust for shopping for heels?  I just don't know what to make of this bizarre behavior on my part.  I seriously can't imagine not enjoying heels for the rest of my life so this must just be a fluke illness that I need to overcome quickly.  Does anyone know what the cure could possibly be for such an illness?  Until cured, I continue to window shop hoping the urge to shop and enjoy will return but for now that is all that is happening.  Bland window browsing of what I apparently don't want or desire.  

 

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.