Shoes

I'm in a fashion mood.

Why? 

Because.

I don't want to talk about anything depressing today... at least not yet.

So let's talk about shoes.

Part of my mother-in-law's fire evacuation plan includes loading all of her shoes in a laundry basket and putting them in her car.  Seriously.  It's the one collection she values and could never replace.

My favorite shoes are still my classic black Dansko professionals but they really need to be replaced.  Go ahead and click the shoe picture to see what is on the Dansko site....  make a suggestion for my replacement...... I got them at Sole Sister's....



I also have red mary janes (Dansko Diana) but I'll tell you a secret... they aren't my most comfortable shoes.  Dansko makes other red mj's that are cuter but I didn't pay much for these at 6pm.com


I also love Born.  I have two pairs of Born.  The boots (purchased on zulily.com) are fantastic and comfy.  I wish I had purchased the 9.5 instead of the 10.  The heels are Ofelia Bay Vintage t-strap... super comfy and, at sierratradingpost.com  ...  they were a bargain with a good coupon.

 

Cowboy boots.  Turns out this short heel and square toe is the current style.  I still want a pair of turquoise ones (if you follow me on pinterest you will see the obsession) but these are pretty awesome.  And, of course, I got a bargain at zulily....



Of course I have a pair of chucks... but I've evolved from my classic black hi-tops.  I now have pale pink low-tops.  My girls think I am a really cool mom when I wear them.

And I got a pair of Tom's for my birthday.  Love.  Yes, they are floral.  Sole Sister's. This is one pair of shoes I would strongly recommend you try on in person.  There is a lot of difference in fit between the different fabrics etc.  I went for fun, funky & most comfortable.  There isn't much arch and they fit more like slippers.  With my narrow feet and high arches I don't think I could walk 100 miles in them but they are surprisingly comfy for the long haul and as close to ballet flats as I may ever get. 

These are my summer shoes from last year.  So comfy.  That strap has velcro on it....  so you can snug them on if you need to move fast.  They replaced my beloved leather Keen slides that they don't MAKE any more.....  J-41 Sonoma Mules....  Paid $25 at Sierra....

I really want a pair of Chaco Zongo sandals but haven't made the move yet.  The best price I've seen is about $32 for these. 

And I love flip-flops but my arches are so high they usually cause me pain.

That pretty much covers my shoe selection.  There might be a few pairs lurking in the bottom of a tub in the garage.  And I have some runners, muck boots, heavy-duty hikers & a pair of old Solomon water shoes that I wear for painting that I didn't mention. 

What are you wearing?  What are you shopping for and why?  What is your dream shoe? 

Sunglasses

I love sunglasses.  From back in the day when I was a wearing hard contact lenses in the dirt fields wearing something like these babies:




And then I got into high school and became a snob wearing these:



And I even had a pair of fake ray-bans I got in Tiajuana.

As a grown up I'm all about Smith Sunglasses.  I like the ones with changeable lenses.  Yes, they are pricey but Hot can usually get them pro-form or we get them from Sierra Trading Post.  Honestly... I have two pairs and I've had them forever.

But my sunglasses have started giving me a headache when I wear them on top of my head.  WTF?  So I take them off and I'm afraid I will leave them somewhere. 

Part of my mama style desire has always been to have some really great aviator sunglasses (and a really great pair of cowboy boots).  So a few weeks ago the girls and I went shopping at Ross.  We got two pairs for $15.  How awesome are we?

One pair is pink and the other is turquoise. 

So which are you?  All about the quality or cheap sunglasses all the way?  Or some sort of hybrid? 

Purse Fashion

I'm in search of a new purse.  Always.  To post about purses.... first I need to post pictures of my current purses. Up first.  A cute little number I picked up this weekend at Ross for $25.  I'm returning it.  It is cute and buttery soft but that clasp comes out the second you grab it by the handle. 

 

Next up.  My 31 purse.  From Elle's collection.  I like the squareness but the pattern is a little much for "official" work stuff.  Still a fun purse.

My redneck purse.  I don't use this one much but it is still fun.

My official work purse.  Big enough to put files in it if needed.  It didn't photograph well but it is classic black leather 9 West.  

 Who doesn't love Haiku?  I love my Haiku wallet.  I don't adore this purse... it doesn't sit quite right and it is a little heavy and I don't like the buckle clasp.  But it is cute.

And what am I putting IN my purse?  My haiku wallet, my organizer, my pink mesh bag of goodies & the striped bag of current stuff (ipod, lip gloss etc.)

I also like Kavu purses and Fossil.

So what is your current purse obsession?  What are you hauling around and what would be your perfect purse?

It is thinking about snowing so I'm thinking about winter gear.

Someone made fun of my "good" coat today.

It's a greyish-black men's pea coat.

Vintage Old Navy circa approximately 2003.  I paid almost $20 for it.

And I've worn it every winter since.

It is, I can now admit, looking a little sad.  Classic, but sad.

So I've begun the coat shopping process.

You need to understand something about me.  I buy for the long haul.

My ski coat is a North Face "4-seasons" shell.  Classic red and black.  Purchased in 1993.  Yes.  True story.  So glad I didn't get that trendy eggplant one.

My rain coat is a Patagonia shell.  Purchased at the outlet in 2000.

I have a heavier "barn coat" by Carhartt.  A gift from my husband in approximately 2002.

And then my brother gave me my "free with purchase" fake-Carhartt heavy winter coat (with his business logo) for Christmas last year.  I wear it all the time.  I wore it every day to the legislature last session.  Got me some style points.

So I'm leaning towards something Luxe Wool... maybe the swing coat or the car coat.  Or the Polar Thin Jacket.

Maybe next year I will replace my snowboots.... vintage LL Bean duck boots (one top is chewed off from puppies) from 1986.  Yes.  1986.

Spa Day Mama Style

In my past life I was a big-time “self spa” person.  Nothing better than a magazine, glass of wine and a bubble bath or a homemade facial.  Hedonist might be another word for it. 

I haven’t had a bubble bath in years.  (Seriously, who want to climb into a tiny tub and then be swarmed by a herd of filthy toddlers?  It isn’t fun no matter how big the bottle of wine or how lovely the scent of the candles.)  And self-care… well…. Some of that soak and scrub stuff is pretty involved… if I got out an avocado and plastic wrap right now my kids would scream, “Mexican Night,” turn on flamenco music and get out a giant bag of dorritos. 

So, dear reader, for you I have written the multi-tasking mama guide to self-care Sunday.

Step 1:  Make a giant pot of coffee, feed the kids something easy for breakfast and sweep the bathroom floor.  (Trust me, the swept floor will make sense in a minute.)  Put some leave-in conditioner in your hair.  Turn on some music.

Step 2:  Give the dog a bath.  (See why you want a swept floor?  Less mud.)  Go ahead and use your towel (or better yet… your husband’s…) to dry the dog.  While you are there, swipe the tub walls with a Mr. Clean Eraser and clean as much dog hair out of the drain as possible.

Step 3:  Throw all towels in the washer.  Extra rinse.

Step 4:  Give the bathroom a quick once-over.  Swish the toilet and wipe it down.  (Sorry… I know it will kill the environment but I like disinfectant wipes for this.)  Wipe the counter.  Do a half-hearted mop job if you want.   Light a candle.

Step 5:  Get more coffee.  Do some long-overdue self-care.  Tweeze, wax, get out a fresh blade for your razor.  Brush.  Floss.  Bonus points if you use up some old product….. facial scrub etc.

Step 6:  Put the towels in the dryer.  Break up a fight between kids.  Assign some chores.

Step 7:  Get in the shower.  If it looks to be “one of those days” go ahead and turn up the hot water heater first.  (What?  Ours is turned down so it doesn’t scald someone small…. Which often translates into optimistically reminding myself, “An ice-cold hair rinse seals the hair cuticle and makes hair shiny.”)  Use the clarisonic.  Heck…. If you are feeling crazy use the body brush.  In a perfect world you would start with a lovely homemade sugar scrub but really… you already wiped down the tub with that sexy Mr. Clean…. So why waste that effort?  Wash your hair….. I like to put some tea tree oil in with my shampoo to clarify and then wash it again.  Put a little conditioner in the ends and run a comb through it.  Shave.  Really shave.  Every section of your legs.  (Am I the only one who is so pressed that sometimes I break up shaving???  Lower legs today.  Upper legs tomorrow.  Cookie only if we are going to the pool.)  Use that foot buffer thing on your feet.  Go ahead… use up all the hot water.  When the kids come in to pester you send them to the dryer to get you a warm and fluffy towel.  Put your hair up to dry and put on some lovely body oil and wander around the bathroom for a bit while it dries.  I still love Neutrogena Sesame Oil…. Does that date me??  I also like Body Butter.  Put some of the good moisturizer on your face.  Wrap up in your (20+ year old grey fleece from the Gap) robe.  Sit on the couch and slather (I love that word.  Slather.) on some foot cream.  Put on socks.  Get dressed in something comfy but athletic. 

Step 8:  Now you are ready to face the rest of your day.  (Seriously… at this point…. Sweet is comatose in front of the tv, Bugsy is in hysterics because she pottied on the bean bag chair, Tuff is crying because Sweet scared her, someone has colored on the ottoman and the dog has soaked the couch with wet dog smell.)

Step 9:  Get more coffee.

I can't seem to stop shopping

Anyone have an opinion on Josef Siebel shoes?  I'm still searching for the perfect sandals....

Also... can I get an opinion on these boots?  I need something fantastic and comfy in a size 10.

Hot went to bed early tonight so for the last 90 minutes I've been surfing for panties for Elle, boots for me, a hat for Sweet, socks/sandals/slippers for Tuff & anything on clearance at Land's End.  I want heavenly fleece, cashmere and anything made of modal.  This skirt is cute and very much my style.  I also want to know if blissful knits are as lovely in person as they are in the pictures.... because I'm always up for a nice drapey cardigan.

Gads... maybe I should relabel this post "My Wish List" and email it out as my Christmas list.... anybody listening??