Friday Fergie Finds

Oh, sweet alliteration…how do I love thee…

So I was getting ready for work and watching one of my loves this morning…E!News…and they were showing off Fergie’s shoe line.  Holy Sweet Baby Jesus, does she has some great stuff coming out.  I am in love with the lacing up the back of the heels and her wedge boots.

Take a look at these:

Imagine the possibilities…these are her Women’s Bionic Too shoes…beautiful and different enough to stand out.

Also her wedge Fairbanks boots…even if I am not kewl enough to wear them, I can still lust, right?

You can find her shoes at different stores but if you shop her official site – http://www.fergieshoes.com/ – and ‘like’ her on FB, you can get 15% off everything…not too shabby-chic I’d say.

Thankful Thursday

Since giving thanks is not just for a Thursday in November.

“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”

Today I give thanks for a few random things:

1.  Shoe tip replacement…have you ever loved a pair of shoes, stepped between the cracks of a sidewalk and lost the tip which leaves you walking on a nail.  Super uncomfortable plus you click-clack even louder than ever…and watch for slippage on smooth surfaces-asking for trouble.  You can find these tip replacements online or your local shoe cobbler.  They come in different sizes, but the stiletto types are the easiest to find and replace.  All you need are replacement tips, a pair of pliers to pull the current screw out and a hammer/mallet to shove the new tip on, carefully, of course.  Easy, cheesy.  Try Amazon-they have packs of them for cheap…good investment, and makes you feel good about your handiness.

2.  Penguins in sweaters.  Nuff said.

3.  The leaves changing (not FALLING THOUGH, not thankful for that) and providing that beautiful autumn feel.

4.  Scarf season that gives you the ability for warmth, style and a pop of color.  Plus you can play off your shoes to give yourself that extra oompf.

Hope you have your own gratitudes as nothing is without thanks.

New Addition to the Family

Friday night was low-key for Lord DB and I…went out for pizza, tried not to fight this other family, got some free pizza cause our order was wrong and went to look at small kitchen tables.  We went to a couple of stores then Lord DB makes another turn and there is one of my Mecca’s:  DSW!  It was like taking a kid to a candy store, or a teenage boy to a dirty magazine shop.  He went to the mens side, I to the womens.  I was in search of brown pumps to replace my well-worn ones.  After a handful of try ons, I went back to check on him and he found a couple of pairs of browns himself.  He tried some on, strutted his stuff, and picked out a winner.  “Pick me out a winner, Bobby.”  That he did-very nice stuff.

He then inquires, “Did you find anything?”  Um, not here, silly boy, only about a dozen pairs.  It came down to a beautiful pair of Madden Girl deep red heels as I would naughty librarian shoes with the sex strap and all vs. a pair of Katie & Kelly Candy grey pumps also with the sex strap.  I know, I know – neither were brown but these were better.

The greys prevailed…we had input from an old friend we ran into and I was convinced.  Made our purchases, got my free, previously mentioned Rumer Tote, and went on our merry shoe way.

Of course I couldn’t wait long to wear these new treats…wore them to Church on Sunday with a black skirt and light grey sweater.  Amazingly comfortable while standing for about two hours…couldn’t believe it!  I may have found a new brand to lust over if all of their shoes are made like this!

Thank you, DSW, for this fabulous find!

And for those who may be asking what the sex strap is, it means they will stay on in all instances…ahem.

 

Thankful Thursday

Since it’s not just a Thursday in November (or October, eh?) to give thanks on!

Gratitude :

The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

1. Neosporin with pain relief-sure it helps facial blemishes while moisturizing and cuts as demonstrated on the commercials but the way it works for blisters is amazing. Slap on a little neosporin and a small bandaid…life is good.  No pain and its healing.
2. Fall weather that gives you a chance to wear all your light weight sweaters which then lends way to wearing beautiful boots with jeans.  All in all perfect weather, thank you, Cleveland for today, unless you start raining then I am taking my gratitude back.**
3. Purchases at DSW in store or online that give you free stuff all while earning points: Free Rumer black tote for members with a $39.95 purchase which would then qualify you for free shipping.  Must be a member but most are, right?
4. Good friends from years past that still make you feel warm and fuzzy inside with the ability to pick up right where we left off…with the added bonus of being shoe & puppy lovers, too, i.e. My Cuban Chick!
5. Weekends away that make you appreciate how comfortable your bed truly is!
6. Marshalls (much like Ross and TJ Maxx) has an amazing shoe collection with pretty good prices-check there now for boots!
7. Dailypuppy.com that gives you pics like this:

**I wrote this before it started raining…I take that back, Cleveland, your weather is dreary today.  Might as well move back to Seattle!

Tuesday’s Tippy Toes

Time to spread the news about a product that is a lifesaver, or rather, a foot saver.

Dr. Scholls Foot Softening Balm is ah-mazing.  It’s perfect for those in between pedicure times and, of course, cheaper than some little person scrapping the soles of your feet while in a fit of giggling cause you are overly ticklish…I mean, seriously embarrassing but amusing to all around except for me as I am squirming, laughing and crying at the same time but I digress.

This foot cream is awesome and comes without the medicinal smell that some have.  The container I have has lasted awhile as I you don’t need much since its pretty thick lotion.  I have used it for years for sandpaper heels from wearing flip-floppers to dry, cracked heels from the winter. Sometimes I put it on then put on socks to lock in the moisture and in the morning, lo and behold soft heels.

I have found this product also works great on my cuticles and hangnails along with dry knees and elbows…equal opportunity, right?

Mission: Heels is Complete

Heels should turn into heals after Saturday night’s wedding reception.  The walk from the parking garage to the venue was ok…made it and stayed upright.  Stood mingling for about a hour…made it.  The bride’s mother even walked by and said, “I can’t believe you are still standing in those shoes.”  Damn, now I have to keep them on…by this point the toe box is getting a little beyond tight, no blisters just squeezing.  Ok, yes, its time to eat let’s sit down and I prop my feet up to get the blood back to my toes-wouldn’t want to have to amputate now would we?  Probably wouldn’t be able to wear peep toes after that.

Dinner finishes with the most delicious ribs, I know, not fancy but definitely hit the spot.  Dancing starts…I made it through the Macarena (ick), the Electric Slide where Lord DB shines, and the Dougie plus a slow dance to Sweet November Rain…who knew?  Ok, I give up-they have to come off.

Lo and behold, most of my nail polish is ripped off and my toes are a little purple.  Was it worth it you may ask, and yes, I believe so, I got many a compliment and I loved them.

The best part of the evening is when Lord DB asks, “Did you see that girl’s shoes?”  “Oh, those high, nude heels that look like Jessica Simpson’s…sure did…they are too big and she keeps walking right out of them.”  (She ended up dancing in place.  Just stood and moved her body, never her feet which was quite amusing.)  “Damn, now you got me looking at these girls shoes.”  He is hooked, I think.

Just Paws

Pause for a moment and try not to smile…I mean, c’mon, if this doesn’t inspire a smile I don’t know what will.  Cute shoes and an even cuter puppy.  The perfect relationship…well, until his little teeth tear the straps off that is!

A Stand-Off

As mentioned earlier, I attend Church a lot being that I am of the Orthodox Christian persuasion for over 6 years now.  Its deep-rooted in tradition which I love and embrace.  We do go to Church more than the average bear but I find solace and comfort in being a part of these services with our fellow Orthodoxi.  Pascha is the most important feast in the Eastern Orthodox calendar, better known as Easter.  It is preceded by Lent and ends with a week of celebration that starts at late at night on the day of Pascha.  Some may call Lent God’s Boot Camp, ok, so I call it that, but whatever…what I am trying to say is we spend a lot of time there during the ‘season’.

Pascha is a dressy occassion…bring out your Sunday best.  The first Pascha we celebrated in Ottawa was true to form with the lady-folk in dresses and the men dressed very dapper.  I, of course, have heels on (see below).  Did I forget to mention that the Pascha service last no less than 3 hours (maybe longer)?  Generally you stand, but of course its understandable that you can sit if need be.  Communion comes around and I am having an internal debate about whether to sit or not…one girl came up to me and said, “My family is so impressed you are still standing in those heels!  We are seeing how long you can last.”  Oh, reallllllllly……thanks as now you have created a competition!  I finished up the service standing and marched proudly out, which I am sure was very Christian-like.

The following Pascha – I have a point to prove with my heel prowess.  The taller the heel, the more painful they look, the better the competition.  Impressed they were…got the whole family on board.  Wouldn’t be surprised if they were taking bets!  Oh, and I won!  Duh…of course despite the blood, sweat, blisters and tears.

Now since we have moved back to the States, I continue the competition even if it’s all in my mind…ok, so maybe Golden Flash Lavelle can be a witness to the last two years.

 

An Unfortunate Snap

Back to my investigator days…

I had to go out and interview everyone from employers to social contacts to school contacts to random neighbors.  Neighborhood visits always made for an interesting time whether its finding that one old lady in the neighborhood who watches everyone and everything to the weirdo neighbors who tell you about themselves and not the subject of your interview plus you never know whose door you are knocking on.  It was always fun to find that person who you take by surprise and answers the door in a towel, or the person you have just woken up.  These provided great humor for yourself and everyone you told.

One sunny day I was completing some neighborhood visits and I happened upon the neighbor who knew everything and for once, it was not a little blue haired old lady but rather a middle-aged day trader who worked from home.  This was in Puyallup, WA, and all I wanted to do finish up and head home before I hit any Friday traffic heading North.  When I interviewed neighbors, I generally stood on the doorstep for safety reasons, but I was always wiggling in my shoes for some reason, some would say like fidgety feet.  This day I was of course wiggling away asking my questions, and snap…the ankle strap on my shoes just breaks.  What the hell…I kinda teeter a bit to left but maintain balance and act like nothing happened.  I am pretty sure the guy doesn’t notice, but now I am thinking how the hell am I going to walk in these shoes, where the hell am I going to find some new shoes to finish up my day, dammit.  The interview ends and I saying my thanks and giving my card, and the guy asks if I need some help with my shoe.  Oh, so you did notice, hmmm, I suppose I could use some help.   He runs back into his house, and comes out with a stapler…a Swingline, in fact, and takes my shoe, staples the strap back onto the shoe and a miracle occurred.  Its fixed…whatta guy, like MacGyver.

I am indebted to that guy and not only that, he learned me a lesson, when in doubt staple.  If you look carefully at some of my shoes, you will see staples in them.  What a life saver!