Shoes (and fashion), how I have missed thee

I've been slacking big time on how I've been dressing for the last several months. I think a lot of it has to do with being depressed at work and not caring much about how I look while I'm there. When I go out on the weekends somewhere nice, I dress up, but that's not very often. It's unfortunate, because I have a lot of shoes. And when I say I have a lot, I mean I have A LOT. There are many pairs I haven't even worn yet, which is a crime in itself. I just show up at work in flip flops or blah-looking sandals, and that's about all I can manage most days.

So I decided to start wearing all my pretty shoes again. And yes, I've started small. Yesterday I paraded around in some pink plaid-looking canvas Mary Janes. Today I strolled in with these lovely brown corduroy polka dot flats, complete with little bows (note the washed out frumpy jeans). I don't know that I'm up to the high heel stage this week, but I'm trying to muster up the will to change how I look. I can't let work get to me and let my fashion suffer (which it seriously has). I used to wear cute skirts and dresses all the time, and I always had cool accessories or purses to accentuate my outfits. I was well-known for my shoe collection, and the women at work always oohed and ahhed over my latest pair.

Well, now I want to emerge from my corporate takeover–induced funk and dress it up a bit. I'm deeply inspired by Georgia in that department. As you can see from her blog, she is a very stylish person, and definitely is not afraid to do her own thing, like wearing this cool hat.



But most of all, even on her "frumpiest" days—or so she says; I never see her look anything but polished—she is always sleek and colorful and simply radiates fashion. Jenny, too, always looks wonderful and pretty and very professional. So what's my excuse? They are going through the same thing I am at work, yet they rise above our shared misery and still look sublime. Although, in my defense, I always make sure to carry around my beautiful apple green patent leather crocodile bag, shown below.



It is my trademark bag, and I go everywhere with it. I always get compliments on it, and even on my worst-dressed days, it adds a dash of flair to my outfit. I absolutely adore the thing. (Thanks for such an awesome Christmas gift by the way, Matt—sorry you had to endure the stares at DSW while you selected the handbag among the throngs of shoe-obsessed women.) But even with my spiffy purse accompanying me daily, I am still in the marginal territory of being fashionable.

So, in honor of Georgia and Jenny, and of course my own self image and self esteem, I am ready and willing to go back to the way I was. I was a person who tried to look good and didn't care what others think, and who didn't slink in everyday in rumpled clothes and poor footwear. Well, she's back, and not allowing the frumpster Chris to show her face anymore. Nay, I shall hold my head high, wear my prettiest dress, and confidently stroll through that front door at work, looking my best, shoes shined and gleaming!

That is, as soon as I manage to put an outfit together for tomorrow....

(Photo of my shoes and bag taken with my iPhone; picture of Georgia in hat courtesy of Georgia)