GO WITHOUT SHOES FOR ONE DAY

I LOVE Tom's Shoes. I like their message, I like their effort, I love the simplicity of the one-for-one concept {we donate a pair of shoes for every pair you buy}. If I could I'd mandate that everyone buy one pair just for the simple fact that it would mean so many little feet would have something to wear.
They have a challenge coming up. April 16, leave your shoes by the door; go without. It's just a way to remind us of how important, how imperative, it is to have a pair of shoes to wear from here to there. Especially if your here to there is miles and miles and it's the only way you get food and water.
This challenge brings up a lot of old memories for me. Nothing as spectacular or philanthropic. When I was 20 I got a tattoo on my foot. I was told it wouldn't be guaranteed if I wore shoes {all the rubbing could cause the colors to bleed or fade quickly} for about a month. No shoes for a month? Well, I could have worn flip flops but it was January so it didn't make much more sense than going barefoot.
So I went barefoot. On campus at Utah State University the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" policy wasn't enforced. I tell people you could wear a gold lame bikini to school there and no one would say a thing. After a few weeks with no shoes my feet became very tough. They braved cold weather, different surfaces, things being dropped on them. By the time a month had passed and I could wear shoes again, I just didn't feel like it. Minus a few occasions, I figure I spent about a year shoeless, toe rings and all.
But that was my choice. And I didn't have to walk miles in volcanic soil just to take a sip of water. Come April 16, I'm going shoeless. I may have to warn people at work so I don't get called into HR for some dress code violation. If you are in a position to go shoeless on April 16, join me.

FOR REAL PAYLESS?

These are actually cute! I love the vibrant blue. They would match nothing but "go" with so much! And no, they aren't leather, but that is so eco chic these days!

TOMS: ONE TO ONE

My friend Julie {thanks Jules!} tipped me off on Toms Shoes. You've probably heard of them and know what they are doing. I remember looking into them a few years ago when their selection was much smaller. I'm glad Julie reminded me of their tremendous and generous idea.
When I was in Africa about six years ago I saw so many small little feet wearing men's size 10 flip flops. It was good they had shoes at all but they sure didn't fit properly. They would run like champs and play football {soccer} with them but I don't know quite how they managed it.
Luckily Toms is generously donating one pair to a child in need for every pair you buy. Read their story here. I wish I was doing something this meaningful!
Would love to know if you end up buying a pair.

MY DOPPLEGANGER

I have two distinct personalities. One likes to wear pretty, feminine things; read classic literature; eat at nice restaurants; sleep plenty; and get pedicures. The other likes rock and roll, concerts, going days without makeup, energy drinks, and spending time outside. Guess which one wants these shoes for Christmas?



















They are sold out at converse.com but you can find them at kiqzoo.com. If you want them, they are called Jack Purcell Black Sabbath {rock on!}

CAN I PULL IT OFF?

Nate and I went to dinner a few nights ago with Ryan, one of my friends from work. As we sat in the loft of Porcupine Grille, I noticed a pretty blond girl walk up the stairs wearing skinny dark wash jeans, a t-shirt, and some moccasin boots similar to these I found at Urban Outfitters.
Could I pull this look off? It seemed so simple, funky, and comfortable. I have yet to find skinny jeans made for girls with thighs. Not just thighs, but thighs that hiked Kilimanjaro without batting a lash. Those kind of thighs. If anyone knows of skinny jeans made for Kilimanjaro thighs, please let me in on the secret.

FRYE BOOTS ARE SIZZLIN' HOT!

It's boot weather. Put away your pretty little heels made of temperamental suede and fabric and pull on a pair of boots that will take you through autumn rain, and winter snow. I like boots that give me the option to tuck in my pants for practical form and function {and some style, too}.

Some favorites from Frye {from both Frye and Urban Outfitters}

JCREW *SIGH*

I'm basically in love with everything on the J.crew slide show right now. You wouldn't know it for the flip flops and hoodie I wore to work today; in my dreams I'd dress like this all the time. Except for the days I hike around in the mountains.

*How cute is the Praha video?

HIP HIP HOORAY FOR HP LOVECRAFT

Hayley Parker is a 22 year old from Utah who hand designs/embellishes canvas shoes like these simple vans, turning them into masterpieces the likes of which Madonna pays up to $500 pounds for. Love to see talent like this take off! See a small selection online here. Wow, I sure wasted my time when I was 22; I wouldn't have even been able to sell my car for $500 pounds back then.

LEATHER TOPPERS

I like cute little feminine shoes; I also love some rockin' cool high tops. These are at Urban Outfitters.

TWO PRETTY

I love these Dolce Vita flat ankle strap peep-toes {yellow}, but if I could get ANYTHING I wanted, I'd get these Bahira t-straps by Tracy Reese. {red and white}. Double sigh!

BLACK WEDGE

Pretty and basic from Nine West

GLADIATORS

I'm loving these Gladiator sandals by Matt Bernson.

WHAT SEPARATES ME FROM HILARY DUFF

Well, I guess there's a lot. But these snakeskin Jimmy Choo wegdes are a good place to start.

MY FEET + FRANCO SARTO

Of all the shoes in all the land, my feet are most comfortable in those of Mr. Franco Sarto. There's always such talk around blue suede shoes and for once, I understand why. Pretty, eh?






















Get them online at Piperlime.

GRAY T-STRAPS

Old Navy has these cute T-Strap flats in gray suede. I think I'm going to head over there after work and see if they have them in a store near me. For $20? Nice!

**Update: I tried these shoes on and they made me look like I had the biggest ankles ever. What a shame.

GOOD WINTER FOOTWEAR

I've been at a loss for what to wear this winter. My feet are always cold and I ruin everything by walking through the mounds of snow that lay piled around the streets and sidewalks. Not snow proof and easily ruined, I'd love to give these a walk-about.
Blue T-Straps from Top Shop. Everything else from Anthropologie.

BLACK FRIDAY PURCHASE

Just one. I didn't get up at the crack of dawn or plan out any stealth moves to get something on the cheap. I decided long ago I just don't like the frantic, often times violent, energy captured in those early morning crowds. People are rude. And greedy. And, well, it just doesn't have anything to do with the feelings I endorse for the holidays. So around Noon I ventured to DSW with Emma and Becky and I got these shoes 50% off. Mine are pink with brown and purple ruffles and they are completely comfortable. Thank you Kenneth Cole, for making fabulous Tribeca shoes that go on sale at DSW and wait in my perfect size until I approach, without throwing an elbow, to try them on.

LIFE CHANGING DECISION

I just made a big decision. One I'm hoping I can stick to for a while. I know it will change things for me. And I know it might make some things less comfortable...but the decision has been made and I'm not going back. For now.
For the next month I am going to try and avoid wearing anything but flats to work. You heard me right. No heels. I go up and down several flights of marble stairs every day, multiple times. And I'm slowed down, encumbered, by the heels. Yes, they look great. But the safety and speed limitations have made up my mind for me. Please support me in this life changing decision.

image from deenfanbo's photostream

THESE WOULD MAKE ME DANCE!

Aren't these shoes fabulous? Amber had a photo of them on her blog and when I found out they were from Anthropologie I was heartbroken. I knew they'd be a zillion dollars. Only $118 is better. But it's still a lot more then I choose to spend on shoes. Unless I'm doing something special in them. Like getting buried or honored at a gala.

SHOES THAT TELL A STORY

These shoes are the ones I'd wear on a night in Paris. Here's the scene. It's been raining but the night has cleared up leaving the stone streets glistening. I'm wearing a knee-length black trench and these shoes, and I'm on my way to meet Nate for dinner at a pretty cafe on Rue Cler. The cold and misty air smells of seafood and bread and turns my cheeks pink.

For one reason or another, we live in Paris. He still travels a lot and we haven't seen each other in nearly a week.

The scene is simple. I'm running diagonal across Rue Cler from the boulangerie to Cafe du Marche {ala Carrie Bradshaw in heels} where Nate is waiting at a small table on the front patio. He looks up from the menu and smiles, then stands to kiss me as I approach. Just then, off in the distance, Edith Piaf begins to sing something about love in French. Scene.