Let's get some shoes

Women seem to love shoes the way that preteens love the Biebster and his understated American Apparel hoodies.
Now don't get me wrong some of us ladies crave Balenciaga bags, or die over the latest trends in denim. Some chicas scour the racks looking for the perfect dress to go twirling in in, but most of my ovarian sisters seem content to plop down and let their feet have all the fun. I am sure this will shock you but my favorite splurge, guilty pleasure, fashion necessity, bad-day fixer, whatever you want to call it, is not Shoes. My behemoth feet, though they too crave the supple leather of beautiful Italian made loafers and love the painful pitch of a designer shoe, usually aren't privy to the experience. Mainly because I avoid shoe shopping like I avoid bird flu.
However, that leaves me with the question, why do Women love shoes?

Marilyn Monroe: OSG (original shoe goddess) once said " Give a girl the right shoe and she can conquer the world" Well I like to conquer things so I delved deeper into my search. I asked some of my fellow shoe divas (&divos) and even did some self reflection, be wary.

1. The "Do i look fat in this?" syndrome. Women (myself obvi included) love to obsess over weight, image, body type, whether the eyebrow has more arch, are my quads muscular or masculine, etc. The list goes on for miles and miles. Buy shoes in their structured beauty will always fit. It doesn't matter if you gain 20 lbs, they will still look great (unless your feet manage to bloat, which would be odd and you should probs see a Doctor). Anyways, who cares in your size 6 dress doesn't fit, your size 36 red soles still do and always will. Your shoes will fit every time of the day, month, year, etc.


2. Everyone looks better in high heels. We say this around the office a lot, or at least I do. I say it as a way to justify my 4 inch high heel clunkers that make me pushing 6'6. Girlfriends want to look leaner? Want your legs to look 8 miles long and fan-freaking-tastic? Want to look more put together? Hold your head high and throw some stilettos on. (SIDEBAR: I realize this point was about heels specifically, but lets be honest unless they are the newest Tory Burch or the chic Pedro Garcia satin ruffle flats, everyone would rather buy heels, even 5 years get this... see Suri Cruise.)


3. Shoes are Art. Some of you are definitely judging me for that statement, but I am going to stand by it. The careful construction of the pitch, the difference between the subtle sophistication of a cognac riding boot and the fierceness of a black high heeled boot. The important choice of suede, leather, patent or satin and how that effects your entire outfit, your entire day.

So the girlfriends love shoes. I am not that girlfriend. I shed the kind of tears in the shoe section at Nordstrom that most teens pour about their boyfriends. Growing up the shoes that I wanted never came in my size, they were always dumpy and grandma-like or came in a weird color. But let's be honest. A shoe in a size 10 or 11 does not look nearly as cute as the petite little 6 that is on display. But I am at least working on gaining a new perspective about shoes. And appreciating what they offer.

xo,
BLAKELEY DIANA

The time I wore my Chanel Heels

Bonjour my Bloggettes,


Working in the designer shoe buying office has some pretty big perks. Such as an occasional 12 hr day, running around like a crazy person, meeting shoe designers and the best perk of all Shoe Sample Sales.


I had heard fabulous things about the sample sales, $80 Jimmy Choo flats, Limited Edition Ostrich Feather Brian Atwood stilettos, suede Miu Miu booties and the coveted Prada boots. I was ready. I had my checkbook in hand as I scoured the racks looking for my size. Size 39 Manolo Blahnik wedges, nope. Next Brian Atwood Maniacs in tangerine Patent leather, size 37, no way. My heart was beginning to break, I knew sample sales meant sample sizes, but seriously?! I had been dreaming about suede Miu Miu booties, i had been coveting the delicious leather of Tod's signature loafers. At that moment I made a choice. I was no way, no how leaving this fabulous room empty handed, there was a pair of shoes here that would fit, even if I had to loose a toe, or five.


Finally I hit the Chanel rack. I do long for the day when I will own and rock a tweed Chanel suit, however and no offense to the late great Coco or the scary looking Karl (see left) but Chanel shoes are not my favorite. I love tweed as much as the next chica, but sometimes a sparkle tweed flat with pearls isn't quite my favorite. But then out of the corner of my eye I saw a beautiful black box, with the number 41. This was it, my struggle of jamming my feet in vain into too small shoes was over. I had an option. The shoes were simple, black, pointed toe, leather, 80 mm, and 2 small C's on each heel. They were perfect. Practical for work, classic, timeless. I could even shove my feet in them.



Two weeks later my Chanel perfect pumps are ready for their debut. It was a big day at work and I was going to meet the CEO of Louboutin, go to a product knowledge meeting at the store and go to a business dinner after work. I had a killer outfit and the professional Designer shoes to go with. Say Hello to Blakeley, the rockstar.



7:05 AM Catch my bus, in my heels ready to rule the day

7:20 AM At work, have you seen my shoes? The shoes are getting a little snug. Hopefully they stretch out soon.

8:04 AM Off to the store for Product Knowledge. Unfortunately I have developed a limp, no one will notice this right?

8:24 AM Is this really happening? I have officially lost all feeling in my toes.

8:39 AM Regained all feeling in my toes and my feet are on fire, but not in a good way. I swear the heels are being filled with pools of my blood. Why can't I sit down??

9:10 AM Product Knowledge is finally over, I have lost any composure I ever had and my feet are literally covered in two giant blisters. The day hasn't started and I have no shoes. I hobble to our assistant manager and beg her to bring me some flats.

9:18 AM Scratch Chanel heels, I am in boring Tory Burch flats. I will not be ruling any day, or running the show. Mainly because I can't walk let alone run.



A week later and my feet still haven't recovered.



Suggestions??

VIVA SHOES

Ciao Ciao World,

Here is my long awaited debut to the world of shoe blogging...Or the debut that no one was waiting for.

I know there are thousands upon thousands of fashion blogs and mine may be a tad cliché, however there is one big distinction. MY feet are a little on the robust size. At 6'1 i am proportional and in all accounts including my truckersaurus feet. However I work in the designer shoe buying office of a major retailer and my shoes ought to be hot.

So hello the pinching and the squeezing into my teeny tiny Chanel pointed toe pumps (who knew your toes could actually reach the pointy part), the blisters on my heels from my Joan and David Flannel Heels. While all I wish I was wearing were my Vera Wang Lavender Flats... je t'aime. in a major life changing way. (SEE PHOTO, these shoes are so comfy it is #bananas)

This might be an odd idea, but I have got thoughts, stories and shoes.

xo

BLAKELEY DIANA