Red, white and....shoes?

Hello everyone! I hope you had a lovely 4th of July full of bbq, family fun and fireworks. We had all those, but we only heard the fireworks, we didn't actually see them. Oh, well, we've seen them plenty of times. We had a 4th/birthday get together in the basement of our building. TOM (The Other Man) has a b-day coming up in a few days, but has to have surgery before then and wanted to celebrate before he's on pain killers. We had a bunch of people over and loads of food. The kids splashed around in a blow up pool outside and all was well. You know, the usual stuff. We all know about that, let's talk about something else: 4th of July fashion. Sure, sure, you can buy an Old Navy T-shirt with a flag on it (and there were many yesterday) and that's great, or you could just wear something red, white or blue, but what about the shoes? What about the shoes?!?! I know, I know, shoes? Really? Yes, really! You've seen the name of my blog, right?
I was out the other day trying to find closed toed water shoes for Indy to wear at camp next week and happened to come across a pair of shoes that made my heart skip a beat and I knew I had found the perfect footwear for the 4th. Want to see?  Of course you do!

Seriously, how bloody adorable are those?  Could you die from the patrioticness?  Want to know what's funny?  I bought them in a German store!  They also had them in blue and white stripes with red trim, but these made my heart go pitter-patter.  Want to know what else?  They were on SALE!  12 Euros!  That's about $16!  Wheeeeeeeeee!  Of course I can wear them other than on the 4th, but they are just too perfect NOT to wear then.

You can't really see, but my toes got a patriotic makeover too with very cherry nail polish.  See how much I love the USA?  I even paint my nails and buy patriot shoes.  Yes, that's why I bought them.  Exactly.

If you must go flat.

I'm sure by now you know by now that I like my heels. A lot. A lot, a lot. I will admit though that there are times when it's a must to wear shoes with no heel. Gasp! Shock! Shudder! I know. Sigh.

If you're going to the gym or exercising, it's obvious you need flats shoes. Sure, sure, Mariah Carey shows off her work out moves on Oprah in stilletos (I'm calling BS on that BTW), but for the average person, gym shoes are the way to go when getting your workout on. Gym shoes should, however, only be worn when working out. Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't wear them out or as your every day shoes. I hate how America has become a land of gyms shoe wearers. Ack!

If you're going on a trip where you will be walking a lot, obviously flat walking shoes are the way to go. NOT your gym shoes,but flat walking shoes. Europeans have super cute sneakers and walking shoes. I bought a few pair to take with me when we leave tomorrow on our fabulous 11 night Mediterranean cruise! I didn't tell you? It's true!!!! We fly to Barcelona tomorrow morning (we have to leave at 3:30am to get to the airport, which kind of sucks) and on Saturday we board the Disney Magic. Did you know Disney cruised Europe? Neither did we until a few months ago. We're terribly excited. We'll be leaving from Barcelona and going to Malta, Tunisia, Corsica, Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome), La Spezia (Pisa), and Villafrancha (Monaco and Nice) and back to Barcelona. We're all so excited. Have a look at our ship:

Doesn't that sound fab?  Look for many awesome posts to come, including a few from Pocket Indy.

So, back to the shoes.  When you're traveling and touring, you want your shoes to be comfy, but not ugly.  Please, no Crocs.  I don't care what you say, they have no place in this world, especially when you're touring foreign countries.  They will mock you for being a tacky American.  I have a few cute walking shoes, but needed some new ones for the trip (of course).  I went to my local Deichmann's and found these:

Aren't they cute?  They're sporty and comfy and small and sleek, not huge and chunky like gym shoes.  Perfect for exploring ruins or traipsing down cobblestone streets.

If you wear white sneakers, believe me, everyone will know you're American.  Everyone.  Only Americans wear plain white sneakers.  Europeans do have white shoes, but they are not like the plain white KEDS so popular in America.  If you buy white shoes over here, they will be decorated with jazzy little designs.  The ones above aren't typical sneakers, but they give you an idea of what white casual shoes look like.  It's kind of hard to tell in this photo, but they have sparkly silver detailing in the swirls.  And they were only Euro 19,95 (about $25).  If you are going to wear white shoes on a trip though, wear them a few days before you go so they don't scream I'm new!

These were just too cute to pass up.   I probably won't be wearing them off the ship, but for the 3 days we're at sea, they'll be perfect for going to and from the pool, lounges and shows.  Here's a close up view of the details:

Nice, eh?  They called to me in the store.  AND they were Eruo 16,40 (about $20).  Can you stand it?  So adorable.  Oh, here's another important tip, especially for keeping your feet from hurting.  See these little stick on pads?  I know, adorable!  While no one will get to see their adorableness, you'll know they're there and your feet will thank you for it.

Of course you all know I'd rather be wearing something like these, but even I am smart enough to know that they're just not practical for touring.  Sigh.  Aren't they pretty though?

So, there you have it.  I'm hoping to do some blogging on the boat, look for posts from fab locales.  Until then, wear pretty shoes!

Dear So and So 6: Return of the Jedi and the Shoe Show!

Oh, double duty post today! I've got Dear So and So AND the shoe show going on today! My 2 favorite things rolled into one day: griping and shoes. Woohoo! Let's start with DS&S, shall we?



Dear Creativity/Inspiration,
I appreciate that you visit me, I really, really do. I realize that you don't work on any particular schedule and come whenever you feel like it, but could you please just do me on, itty, bitty, teensy, weensy favor? If it is at all possible, could you please, oh please, make your visits a little earlier in the day? Getting the urge to make invitations/empty toilet roll torches/braided whips/etc for Indy's b-day party at 11pm is so not cool. You know I can't go to bed while you're rattling around in my brain. Would it really be so bad to strike around, oh say, 1pm? I'd really appreciate it because right now, you're kind of keeping me up late. Can you manage that? KTHNXBYE!
Tired,
MIHH



Dear George Lucas,
You might get it from the title of this post that I am something of a Star Wars fan. Return of the Jedi came out when I was 10. It was my favorite movie forever. I so loved Han Solo. It could have something to do with my pre-pubescent crush on Harrison Ford, I don't know, but I loved that movie. In fact, I loved ALL of the original Star Wars movies. Yes, the special effects are terrible by today's standards, but for their time, they were freaking amazing. I was (and still am) so disappointed with the "prequels." You wrapped Star Wars around trade tariffs? WTF? Even with all the high tech special effects, they just weren't good. TRADE TARIFFS?
I understand you have a Star Wars TV series in the works. If it's anything like that travesty that was "The Clone Wars" I would appreciate it if you would just stop right now. Don't you have enough money? Must you continue to poop all over my childhood memories? The characters I loved are now all wrapped up in these horrible animated versions that have nothing of the originals in them. Please, for the sake of all those wonderful memories, just let Star Wars go. Let it live on in cinematic history,but leave it alone.
Disgusted,
MIHH





Dear House,
Look, we've got to come to some sort of agreement here. I've put things away, I've wiped things down and I washed things. Why are you still a mess? Can't you help me out here? This is just getting crazy. I'm thinking of moving because you won't get your act together. Then what? You'll get someone in here who doesn'tmake you look pretty, that's what? Is that what you want? Is it? Get your shiznit together!
Disgusted,
MIHH



Dear Idiots Parents of children that you can't handle but are totally "desperate" to have another one,
First off, you need a shorter moniker. Secondly, I am sick to death of you. Why, oh why, do you want another child when you avoid the one you have at all costs because s/he is a holy terror? You gripe and moan about how much work s/he is and how tired you are and how you’re just burned out at the end of the day. Do you think it will be easier if you add another one to the mix? I’m pretty sure it won’t. Yes, babies are cute and adorable, but they grow up and turn into what you already have. Please, do us all a favor and do not inflict another child you “can’t handle” onto the world.
Mother of 1,
MIHH

Now, onto the shoe show!!!!! You know I’ve been waiting for this right? It was really, really,really hard to figure out which shoes to show you. This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg, but I went for a spring/summer feel. Did you know that I have 62 pairs of and boots? Shhhh. Don’t tell M. Did you also know it’s really hard to take good photos of your own feet? It’s true. Try it. I took photos in my shoes because, shoes must be on a foot to be truly appreciated. Ah, enough of this chit chat, let’s look at some shoes!
The first 2 pair I wear quite a lot. The heels are just gorgeous on the first pair, and who doesn’t need a cute pair of red wedges? Nobody!

The first pair have about a 2 inch heel to them. Cute huh? The second pair are Anne Klein that retailed for $90,but TJMaxx had them for $45, but I scored them on clearance for $15! Bargain! And just look at that toe cleavage! Proper shoes with a bit of sex to them!


These are some of my all time favorite shoes. Both pair! Aren’t they to die for? They are fuzzy, which is hard to tell in the photos, but trust me. They also have gorgeous candy apple red bottoms. And really good toe cleavage.


These two are my “go to” shoes. If I’m running out the door and need some shoes, I’ll go with one of these. The first pair are the ones I wear most. I have a brown pair almost identical, but without the buckles.


When I’m feeling very Sex and the City, I can wear the first pair, and when I’m felling 1940’s Pearl Harbor, I can wear the second pair.

I love the first pair here. Very comfy and the second pair,well,every girls needs a good pair of sneakers. :) I have 4 other pairs of high/heel or wedge sneakers too, but these are my favorties. Look at that color! BTW, my shoes do actually fit me. They look big because of the way I was leaning over and putting pressure on the balls of my feet so I could get the pics.

Oh, I’ve had this pair for years! Aren’t they adorable? They’re so cute, I had to take 2 pics.

Indy picked out the first pair here when he was about 3 and a half. He liked the bugs on them. I bought the second pair at the same time, because you need a little bling sometimes and what's more bling-y than gold lame heels studded with faux stones? I feel like JLo (minus the bootay) when I wear them.


Aren’t they all lovely? I’d love to show you all of my shoes, but I’m afraid it would use up all of bloggers bandwidth.
Have a lovely weekend and thanks for stopping by. Do you have a favorite pair from the photos? Let me know in the comments!

'A' mazing

Over at Clever Girl Goes Blog (if you've never been there, you should. She's a hoot) she did a post where she was assigned a letter (L) and had to make a list of 10 things she liked that started with that letter. She asked if anyone else wanted to play and I said sure (hey, I've got little to blog about, remember?) and I got the letter 'A' not the letter I would have liked (E would have been better-Edward!, but it's my letter, so here we go.

1. Amazon.com. I don't know where I would be without amazon. There are days when I think I single handedly keep them afloat. You can get almost anything from amazon and it comes in a box with a little happy smiley swoopy thing.

2. Art. What's not to like? Well, okay, plenty because there are some weird artists out there who do freaky stuff. But mostly I like art. I've been to the Louvre, the Orsay, the Art Institute of Chicago and countless other not so big named museums and galleries. I love to look at portraits and imagine who those people were. What their lives were like. Stuff like that. Caillebotte's Rainy Day in Paris is one of my all time favorite paintings. I have a copy of it hanging in my bedroom. It's lovely isn't it?

I also really like sculptures. The Winged Victory of Samothrace is one of my favorite sculptures. I don't know why but I could just stare at it all day. It amazes me how artists could take a piece of marble and make it into something so beautiful and detailed. I think it's the details that get me.


3. ABBA Oh, that's right, I said it. Come on, they made a song and worked in Napoleon and Waterloo. That's freaking genius, that is. And you KNOW you know the lyrics to their other songs. Here are a few, tell me you don't sing these in your head from just the title: Dancing Queen, Mama Mia, Take a Chance on Me, S.O.S, Fernando. All awesome songs. ANd they did it while rockin' these looks:



4. America! 'Nuff said.

5. All-In-One Printers. Man, whoever invented these should be given some sort of techy award. Fax/copier/printer/scanner in one machine? Are you kidding? Only one wire! Huzzah! I adore mine.

6. Apple ipod! So I can listen to Abba! I think this is probably the absolute best piece of portable technology ever. I could live without my cell, but my ipod? No way. It also plugs into a special little port in Ulrika von Nordland so I can have good music while I drive. Plus, it comes in pink.



7. Apples! One a day keeps the doctor away! Pink Lady and Honey Crunch are my favorites. Also, an apple was on the original Twilight cover!




8. Anderson Cooper. If any man could make a woman want to watch MORE news, it's AC. Delicious, wealthy (his mother is Gloria Vanderbilt) and smart. What more could a girl ask for (other than Edward Cullen, of course)?


AC is thinking: Who is the Edward Cullen I keep hearing about? Is he better looking than me? Let's get him on the show and then we'll see who the ladies like more. Look at me brood. He doesn't stand a chance.


9. Ahi Tuna. This is my favorite fish in the world. Indy loves it too. If you've never had it, you're missing out. It's brilliant grilled with a slightly pink center. Eat it by itself or slice it up and put it on a salad. You'll never look at tuna the same again.


10. Alexander McQueen shoes. Mmmmmm....how could you not love these?








BTW, these boots are on sale! They are a mere $987. Down from $1608. That's a bargain!


So, there's my 10 'A' things. If you want to play, just let me know and I'll shoot you a letter.

Shoes: Fall/Winter sampling

As a commenter reminded me, I have been terribly remiss in posting about my shoes. How dare I? Did I not look at the title of my own blog? Crazy me. So, without further ado, here are some (just a few) of my fall shoes.

These are my absolute favorite boots in the world. You can see that I wear them a lot. They are looking rough. I've had the heels retipped 3 times and they need it again. They also need to be cleaned and polished. They are by Via Spiga and are super comfy. They were originally $370. TJMaxx had them at $250. I wanted them. I loved them. I coveted them. I went to check up on them every week to make sure they were still there (and try them on). Of course they were. Nobody in the podunk town the Army sent us to was going to spend $250 on a pair of boots, no matter how fab they were. I waited. They were marked down. I waited more. Marked down again. Finally, the day after T-giving 2 years ago, they were at $90 and I had a 50% off one item coupon. I rushed to TJMaxx, snapped them up, and they came home with me for $45! Woooooohoooooo!



These are a recent addition to my collection. M hates them, but I adore them. I get compliments on them all the time. Shows what M knows! They are Timberlands.


These I got at TJMaxx for $29! I know!!!! They are Marc Echo (IIRC-I'm too lazy to go check the label).


These little beauties are Anne Klein. Macy's had them for $175. TJMaxx had them for $40. Haha!


These aren't really fall/winter shoes, though I have been known to wear them to a holiday party. This is absolutely my favorite pair of shoes in the world. I also have a leopard print version that is my second favorite pair in the world. These shoes make me feel like a very hip version of Cinderella. Though if I left one behind, I'd totally go back for it. I snapped this a while back. I had worn the shoes and took them off in the living room. When I went to put them away, I realized that real life had intruded on my fantasy.


I have many pairs of ankle and calf height boots, but they are in my closet, which is currently barricaded by a huge stack of boxes. Oh, that's right! Our stuff came. I'm not prepared to write about it just yet though. There's drama, trauma and a few tears. Maybe a bad word or two, but I'll try to keep that out. Stay tuned!