Monday, Monday

I've been busy mowing the lawn and running errands today, but my consolation prize was to take oodles of flower pictures afterward, which I am uploading to my computer as I write this. The highlights will appear on vivid and the rest on Flickr.



In the meantime, here's a pic of the shoes I wore on Mother's Day, since I haven't posted shoe pix in a while.

A bit of glamour for $5.74 (plus tax)

From Target...can you believe it? (Please excuse my hideous fading pedicure.)

Pretty shoes!

God help me, I couldn't resist. I know, I know, totally impractical, and really only wearable with a fabulous dress to some fancy to-do, right? But they have given me the biggest and most long-lasting smile I've had in a long time, which is saying a lot right now. I adore them, but it'll be agony waiting to wear them til nicer weather comes along!

BTW, now that I'm officially home for the entire month of March, I'll be back to blogging again. I've let it slide a bit with all the drama and stress at work, but I should have a little free time between job searching stints on my hands to post some stuff here and there. So I'm sending a sincere thanks to all my readers for sticking with me, and just being there during this tough time. Thanks.

I got my fix with some cheap (but pretty) shoes

Reverie has been lacking the usual fashion reports that I'm so fond of, and I suppose that's because I've had a moratorium on buying ANYTHING that's not essential (yes, even shoes must fall under that category). But I was able to visit DSW this weekend without breaking the bank and buying 10 pairs of shoes. They were having a clearance sale going on, and let me tell you, there were TONS of shoes on sale! It was hard to narrow it down, but I gritted my teeth and selected only a few pairs. I had intended to only buy ONE pair, but with the deal I got, I figured I could swing one extra pair. But I think this will be it for a while again.

Anyhow, I got these cute little brown satin heels (with a velvet bow!) for less than $12. Yes, $12! Original price $39.89 (per the sticker on the box, not the web site). They're absolutely adorable when worn. I wouldn't have bought them at full price, or even half off. But 70% off? Sure!



And I got these beauties for less than $18. Original price $59.94.



I have a thing about green shoes. I have very few pairs, and it just makes me want to buy more green shoes so that the color is equally represented in my closet. Yes, I know, weird, but I have my shoes arranged by color. Anyhow, if you go out and look for nice green shoes, you'll realize they're hard to find. You'll have an easier time finding blue, or yellow, or purple shoes for some reason. So when I find a pretty pair of green shoes, I usually snap on them. And look! These have shiny buckles on them! And they have peep toes! And they're suede! And super comfy! I can't wait for nicer, warmer, drier weather to come so I can wear my pretty shoes again!

Okay, excitement over. Back to reality, which is all about snow and ice and cold and salt and mud right now :(

Oh DSW, how I miss thee

Dearest, beloved, desirable DSW,

Please stop taunting me with your enticing emails, intoxicating commercials, and captivating fliers! You know I cannot peruse your aisles at the moment, due to my impending layoff and subsequent residency in a cardboard box. So why do you seduce me so? Your sweet siren song of leather and buckles and suede and canvas will only lead me into temptation, a fate that is bittersweet, full of both instant gratification and worrisome depreciation of funds. The click of your heels, the rustle of your fabric, the zzzling! of your zippers...such sweet music to my ears!

But alas, I must hold my chin up high, avert my lustful gaze, and turn my back on you. Please don't take it personally. I really do adore your wares, and mean no harm in my sudden aloofness. It is best for us both if we take some time to see other people, don't you agree? I will always hold dear the fabulous times we had, all the laughs and dancing and strutting to and fro. These cherished memories will fill my dreams at night, and in the morning a lingering mist of a fading yet still vivid fantasy shall swirl about in my mind, making me drunk from the frivolity of it all.

For now, however, we must remain apart, as if we ceased to be. So long, DSW, until we meet again...


Yours quite faithfully,

A Lover of All Things Shoes

For Georgia

Georgia's not feeling well and has stayed home from work, so I hope she feels better soon! In the meantime, I'm going to pretend she's here by...

...having a nice cup of tea with cream...

...showing her my blingtastic sweater...

...and of course my sparkly shoes!

Our lovely conversations will have to wait til you're back. I miss ya, buddy! Get well soon.

(Late) outfit round up

Just thought I'd share my look this week. Sometimes I can't wait to talk fashion and show people what I'm into, and other times I'd rather just schlepp to work in a potato sack (they look comfy but itchy). Since I was sick last week and didn't do too much fun outfit stuff, I thought I'd be more fun and colorful this week. So here goes...

Monday's look:

Plaid wool mini from Goodwill (sorry about my booty shot), brown belt from Target, cream turtleneck from Kohl's, green tights from Target, new brown Chilis boots from Marshall's, gold earrings from Target

Tuesday's look:

Black sweater dress from Target, black shrug from Old Navy, blue tights from Kohl's, Steve Madden black patent leather mary janes from Piperlime, blue and white glass necklace from Shoozles (Etsy), white earrings from Target

Today's look:

Gray argyle sweater from JCPenney, Levi's 515s from JCPenney, argyle flats from American Eagle for Payless, white earrings from Target

I'mot sure that you can see the entire ensembles in these pix, but there you have it. As you can see, I have been busy and unable to offer quality posts this week. I'm going to be cooking up a storm tonight but I plan to blog, blog away while the stuff cooks.

What have you been wearing lately? I'd love to see pix, or hear all about it. I'm always inspired by what other people do, too. Especially people like Georgia, who is one of the most stylish people I know. She "owns" her outfits, as she advised me to do, and I really admire that in her. I am a wimp and will concede to people's comments and insults, and I tend to throw creativity and color out the window sometimes in favor of blending in. But not Georgia! She is truly a unique and interesting person.

Anyhow, hope you're having a great day, and are going to spend some quality time with friends and family tomorrow eating some good food!

Winter white delight

I just snagged these CL by Chinese Laundry boots from DSW's online shop yesterday. They were having a promotion for rewards members where you can get an extra 500 bonus points for any online purchase. Plus, Premier members (like me) get free overnight shipping. Bonus! So of course I couldn't resist. And although it may seem as if I am constantly buying shoes (well, I am), I almost always get them at a discount, or on clearance, or whatever. So it's all good.

I'm experiencing a bit of a setback health-wise today, so I'm really under the weather and grumpy. The lymph nodes are screaming quite loudly. But hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things in the next few days. Yeah, I keep saying that, don't I? Fingers crossed!

Be sure to check out my post about winter white at ShoeLove!

(P.S. I haven't forgotten to post about Goodwill, I just have to take the photos, for which I've had zero energy to do so far...)

Booties and boots and pumps, oh my!

First of all, a very warm and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have left your get well wishes for me. I'm very touched, and I must say I have missed visiting and conversing with you all. I am feeling slightly better, and I have some down time, so I thought I'd write a post. I'm trying to get back to my regular schedule of daily blogging (including reading other people's blogs), but I'm still not quite 100% (or even 70%), but I'm better. I do really miss working out and being active, but I must take it easy to get over this stupid cold. But anyway, thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Anyhow, I had really wanted to share my spoils with you from this weekend, but couldn't due to illness. So I'll start with the footwear. Yes, shoes! Are you surprised? Then you don't know me very well, ha ha.

Back to the shoes...First, my niece Isabelle and I headed to Target on Friday night to get some groceries and such. When we were almost done with the food shopping, she asked me if I was not going to walk through the shoe aisle. I laughed and said, "Seriously, Iz, do you think I would not look at all the beautiful shoes while I'm here? Ha!" Once in the shoe department, we had fun trying on various shoes and doing little shoe parades for each other in the aisles. Then I rounded the corner and saw these funky Sigerson Morrison for Target booties on the clearance rack, the last pair in my size, and just begging for me to try them on.



So I did, and it was instant love. And they were marked down quite a bit, so I figured I'd take them home with me, introduce them to the others, you know...make them part of my collection.

Then I had a salon appointment at Ulta in Naperville on Saturday (for a long overdue haircut), which was conveniently located next to DSW. So of course I had to stop by. Isabelle was again in tow, and she marveled at all the beautiful shoes on display as we roamed the aisles. I was on a mission, and I could focus on nothing else.

I was on the prowl for the perfect high shaft boot, which, alas, I did not find. Not that there wen't tons of kickin' boots to choose from. Oh, no no no. The problem was I couldn't fit my chunky calves into the shafts of 99% of the boots. This doesn't just seem to be my problem, however. I've heard from numerous women—even small, petite, skinny women—how they have difficulty fitting into most boots, and they tend to be on the snug side (if they're able to zip them up at all). This was my problem, and it was very discouraging. And while I'm trying to shake off those 20 pounds, which will help (I've already lost a few), I will never be one of those women whose boots are gaping and slouching all the time.

So I had run the gamut of boots and nothing was fitting right. I had just about called it a day when I remembered to check out the clearance shoes, which I normally do first. I scanned the shelves and wasn't finding too much. Then I reached the end of the last aisle and looked down, and lo and behold, there was a pair of CL by Laundry black boots!



I couldn't believe it. The papers were still stuffed inside them, so I wasn't quite sure why they were on clearance. I looked them over and they seemed okay, but I figured they wouldn't fit. But I couldn't resist trying. So I tugged them on, pulled up the zipper, and...they fit. They fit! Yes, they were rather snug, but again, I'm getting in shape and losing weight, so that should get better in the next several weeks and months (still in time to wear during winter/early spring). Isabelle happily approved of my selection, and I practically hugged them to me like a baby, in case someone tried to snatch my treasure away from me.

That was such a find, I was glowing for the rest of the afternoon. I also snagged this wallet.



Which was a welcome relief, since mine has been falling apart for the last year or so now. The only problem is it wants to pop open all the time (too many cards, not enough cash). But I figure I can stick some slim magnets inside the metal bars so that there is extra holding power when the wallet closes. That'll be my project this weekend.

Then Izzy and I were off to the mall to search for that ever-elusive black A-line skirt. We went from store to store but didn't have much luck finding anything. So after an hour or so of fruitless searching, I spied a Payless store right outside the JCPenney store entrance, and we bee lined right for the size 8 aisle. And of course the first thing my eyes landed on were these lovely orange wool Lela Rose for Payless D'Orsay pumps, complete with bows.



I have seen them every time I go to Payless, but never bought them, thinking they don't match with too much and that I can't justify buying them. But has that ever stopped me? Of course not. And they actually do go with quite a few colors: brown, tan, cream, white, even black (although that starts to look very Halloween-ish to me). And they were finally on sale, so I couldn't pass them up.

After that purchase, we decided to call it a day. Aunt Chris had spent enough money on herself, and we were tired. So we headed home to look at fashion blogs and eat ice cream (well, Izzy did, anyhow). After a soothing cup of chamomile tea, we called it a night.

Next up: My spoils from a jaunt at Goodwill!

The Shoe Library

Last night, Isabelle stopped by to check out a pair of shoes from the Shoe Library.



"Shoe Library?" you ask. Yes! Of course. Why shouldn't I share my love of shoes with others who happen to have the same shoe size as me?



Luckily Isabelle DOES wear the same size, so she loves to come over and select just the right shoes for this outfit or that. Today she had a problem. What to wear with a light gray tee with white and dark gray script on it? Hmmm...



These Michelle K. sweater shoes were Choice #1. Definitely doable. The silvery threads picked up the silver in the script on the tee shirt. Lovely!



Adora didn't seem to care too much which pair Isabelle chose, but instead passed out on a pair of flip flops.



Dollie just wanted to play, and spent her time chasing catnip mice and pawing at strings and ribbons hanging in my closet. Dollie has become the self-appointed closet monitor lately.



Spanky did stop by to consult with Isabelle about her selection (and also to stare down Dollie, who could care less). I suggested to everyone that the cute slate gray pair of Lela Rose shoes with the bows should be Choice #2. Why not try those on? The dark gray color picked up the dark gray script on the tee shirt too, and they were delicate and girly like the shirt's writing.



Hmmm...choices, choices!



In the end, Isabelle chose the Lela Rose pair. Good choice, I say! All the animals approved, and a sigh of relief was breathed by all. Now Isabelle could confidently stroll into class looking put together and stylish to boot! Crisis solved once again.



(The Shoe Library hours are M-F, 5 p.m.–9 p.m. and Sat-Sun, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Be sure to stop by to check out the latest additions to the ever-growing collection. Please, only one pair per person per visit. Any damage incurred to borrowed shoes will be assessed for repair costs. A late fee will be applied if shoes are not returned after four days of use. Lots of love and attention must be showered upon ANY checked out shoes in order to keep them shiny and looking like new. Please, those wearing sizes 7.5-8.5 may only check out shoes, but those wearing other sizes are welcome to look and take photos.)

Sweet turquoise for a dreary Friday

These were my shoe of choice yesterday. Not a great shoe for fitness walking, as I found out during our afternoon break, but what high heel is? Anyhow, they were delightful the rest of the day, I can assure you. Lately I am finding myself wearing heels on Casual Fridays. Why? Perhaps to put a smile on my face, to make me feel more put together (which I haven't felt lately), and of course to wear pretty shoes!

If you like these, why not get a pair for yourself? They're on clearance right now at Target (although apparently only in the stores and not online, judging from these prices). Get 'em before they're gone, because they are already one of my favorite of mary janes, and I'm sure they'll be yours, too. Oh, and I have them in sunny yellow, too.

A splash of red among leaves of gold

These were Monday's shoes of choice—red quilted ballerina flats from Sam & Libby. Very comfy, and they blended quite well with my leafy surroundings.

(See the artsy "Lolo effect" version on vivid.)

Fun floral Cons for a somewhat blah Saturday

I'll admit it. Converse hurt my feet. They rub the outer toes of my feet, and my heels take a bruising, too, no matter how thick my socks are. Does anyone else have this problem? Maybe my feet are just too oddly shaped for these beloved American classics. But does this stop me from wearing and buying them? Nooooo!

Witness the above photo. Here I am shod in a pair of cute brown and floral Converse on Saturday (got 'em last year on clearance at Famous Footwear). One would think I was having a grand ol' time frolicking about in these adorable shoes, but alas, I was not. I had trouble maintaining my smile throughout the day as they rubbed and rubbed my irritated feet. It didn't help that my jeans were fitting way too snugly, and so my legs were aching from just sitting in them (uh, all the more reason for this). Yet the Cons stayed on, and I showered them with adoring looks and smiles throughout the day.

I always have this problem with my pairs of Cons, but I can't seem to stop wearing them nor buying them, for that matter. I'm up to three pairs, which also includes a black pair with pink cherries and white flowers, and a yellow eyelet-like pair from Target. And I keep seeing more pairs that I'd like to get. I wish I could figure out why they don't agree with my feet. After all, they are canvas shoes that are the definition of laid-back style, yet at times they hurt more than some of my highest and pointiest stilettos. And I certainly was able to forget the discomfort when Georgia and I ran off to the Community Thrift Store in East Dundee...

Anyhow, I suppose all that discomfort won't stop me from buying them. Maybe I just have to wear them a whole bunch of times to break them in? I'm willing to make that sacrifice for these fun and colorful shoes, that's for sure.

Swirls of pink and green and white for Friday

These are my Diesel shoes that I bought last year on eBay. I have a gray pair that I got at DSW that I love. Then I happened to see these online, but they were almost out of stock at most stores. So I found them on eBay for a fraction of the cost, brand new, in the box. I think the official color is called Watermelon. They are a perfect Friday shoe for someone who was dragging physically and sleep deprived and crabby (yes, that was me today). Now that I'm home I'm wide awake and happier, but I think I'm on the verge of crashing here soon. I gotta get up early for work, and besides, the Dog Whisperer is on tv and he's calling my name...Shh! Shh! No, wait, that's his sound for bad dogs...

Gotta work tomorrow, but I hope to post pix of the resale shop excursion I'm going on after work with Georgia (and possibly Jen), and some pix from my new Olympus. So many pix to take, so little time...

Have a great weekend if I don't talk to you before Monday!

Photo of the Week: "It's Time"

I was at the doctor yesterday and found out that not only is my blood pressure really high, but I've gained a total of 20 pounds over the last four years. Not good, not good at all. That actually has scared me into changing my ways, especially having high blood pressure, which I don't normally have.

So I'm reuniting with these old friends of mine, my New Balance 805 running shoes. Well-loved and well-worn, they have carried me through many a run, whether outside in the forest preserve or in my basement on our old treadmill. They helped me get in shape for my wedding this summer, and now they're ready to help me do it again. They've been patiently waiting for me to wear them again, and now I'm back. Yay!

It's time to get back on the treadmill, sidewalks, paths, and get back into shape. Time to get healthy and watch what I eat, take care of myself, and rediscover my formerly healthy body. I miss it so much, too. I miss feeling healthy and good every day, I miss feeling energetic, I miss being shapely and fitting in all my clothes, and I miss the good feeling I get from taking care of myself. I just miss feeling at the top of my game and feeling good about my body, and I've let things get to this point, so it's my fault. So I'm going to be the one to make it right and make the change. And that change starts with these shoes. My first run is scheduled for Sunday morning, but I'll definitely be doing some walking before then.

And in the spirit of being healthier, I'm going to take a breather tonight (Thursday) and hit the hay early. I've been up since 3:10 a.m. because I had to drive to Pete to work early, and I'm tired and achy and just plain run down. So I'm going to abstain from blogging tonight (including reading all my favorite blogs, boo hoo!) and get some rest.

I'll see you all tomorrow!

Feelin' frisky in leopard print?

Hardly. I wore them today cuz they're comfy and cute, and that's about it. I wasn't feeling super wonderful today, but I sure did enjoy looking at my feet from time to time. Got these at Target last summer but they're long gone now. Just a furry memory.

Sweater shoes and a last hurrah for a chilly Tuesday

Here I am standing in my sweater shoes next to some little late bloomers in my parents' backyard. These dandelions seem to be nature's last summery hurrah before the frosts come. But I'm ready for the cold with my snugly footwear from Michelle K.

Sleek Guess mini-lettos for Monday

Yesterday I wore these shiny Guess mini-lettos from DSW. Mini-lettos, you ask? Of course! They give the sleek and powerful impression that normal stilettos do, yet the heel is petite and delicate. This interesting mix gives allows the shoes to give a strong yet comfortable feel (and look) on the foot. I like 'em, and so does Georgia—she owns a pair too! I got them on clearance last year, so they're long gone and I have no links to give, but I figured I'd share anyhow.

Adorable flats in charcoal knit with buttons

I decided to continue my love affair with Sam & Libby when I bought these flats last weekend at DSW. They are super cozy and have adorable button detailing. I have yet to meet a pair of Sam & Libby flats that don't fit or strike my fancy.

Chilly weather wear

Today I paired these...



With one of these...



...but in argyle...



It's freezing here this morning! So out come the sweaters, even for my feet. Brrr!