Confessions of a Shoe Rut

I have sinned.  It has been exactly 32 years since my last confession, but I will give it a try here and now and see if getting it off my chest helps. So, here it is:

I have abandoned my shoes.

Not only are my feet slightly bigger (gulp) thanks to a combination of marathon training (and marathon running) and back-to-back pregnancies, but I am also injured.  This has left me in a shoe rut so deep, I fear I will never see the sun.  I can’t wear full flats because I need arch support and I can’t wear heels because I need to heal my feet not make them worse.

What’s a shoe lover to do?

My doctor has recently suggested orthopedic shoes and sent a website for my perusal.  As I browsed, I cried.  Has it really come to this?  Has motherhood and running taken me from knee-high platform boots to this:

There has got to be another way.  Why have orthopedic shoes not progressed past granny-chic?

I will not buy these shoes.  So maybe I will not be wearing spiky heels any time soon, but I am not ready to throw in the proverbial fashion towel just yet.  There is a pair of shoes out there for me somewhere.  They have a nice heel, plenty of arch support and look good with my skinny, ripped jeans.

And when I find you, I will buy you in 15 colors.

Tess Tuesday: If I Could Have a Superpower

I was late to Sunday brunch, and it was completely as a result of my not having the sole super power I’d really love to possess: the ability to know where my lost things have gone.  Sure, I’d like to be invisible, or fly, or time travel, or fly invisibly while I time travel, but none of those super powers would help me find the mate to my Paul Mayer ‘Bingo’ Flat. To be fair, every complete shoe wardrobe needs a lot of things, but the thing it needs most is a black patent ballet flat. They work with dressy and casual. They match everything.  They’re elegant, feminine, and comfortable. They’re essential.

But now I’ve found myself in a jam, because what do you do when you’ve lost the mate to your most versatile shoe? Cry, throw a bunch of your clothes on the floor, and arrive late to brunch in an outfit you only sort of like and a foul mood, forcing your friends to order you a Bloody Mary with desperate urgency? Yes. But then what? Girls, the only thing I can think to do is buy another pair. And now you see why I really do NEED that super power.

I know I’m not the only one: Which super power can you not live without and why?  Remember comment of the week wins $50 (comment here).

And here are some patent ballet flats in case you too have lost the mate to your most cherished pair. If you have, I would now like to take to time to extend my deepest condolences. This too shall pass—when you buy a new pair, like these:

The Paul Mayer Bingo flat.

The Delman Mona.

The Dolce Vita Flora.And now, I ask that you partake in a collective moment of silence for all of the lost shoes we’ve ever mourned.

Burju’s 2 Way: The Full Throttle Walk and Roll Report

Ugg, sorry for the delay. Finally, here is the Full Throttle Walk and Roll Report on Burju’s 2 Way with a 3 inch heel that I promised you last Friday.

Favorite things about them: 1. Mmmm…thank you Burju for designing a dance shoe with cushioning for the metatarsals. 2. Salsa is chock full of spins and these suede soles let me twirl effortlessly while adding just enough traction to keep me from slipping. 3. These kicks have got a hearty heel (You get to select from 6 different heights.) that helped stabilize my supporting leg during weight shifts. 4. 2 Ways are available in yellow and orange which happen to be Monkeyhouse’s favorite colors for costumes. (Does anyone sense an idea brewing for a new piece?)

Activities to avoid: 1. If you want these beauties to last, skip strolling down sidewalks and traipsing through puddles. Their supple underbelly can not withstand abrasive surfaces especially if they are soaking wet. 2. Steer clear of toe crunching partners as these strappy pumps offer no protection for your tender tootsies. MetaMovemenents‘ classes at Club Caribe encourage students to swap partners and some of the guys in our salsa verde circle made me wish that I had worn steel toes instead.

Warning: 1. The lovely leather insoles invited my feet to slide forward and spill out the front of the shoe. You might want to invest in a pair of adhesive half soles to keep you contained. 2. These patent leather pumps do not stretch much. Break them in at home before you hit the dance hall if you want to avoid blisters.

Overall impression: My Burjus were a blast and boosted my confidence in class. If you are searching for an affordable alternative to a gym membership, latin dance will surely give your waist a workout while toning your thighs. Ballroom is a sport that even the Stiletto Warrior could embrace. Oh, and readers, this is a great way to get to meet some guys who can move. Keep in mind if you do meet a man who wants to glide you down the aisle, Burju’s Bridal Collection has got your back.

Bustin’ a Move in Strappy Yellow Burjus

Uff, my Burju ballroom adventure got off on the wrong foot. On Wednesday I got gussied up in my strappy yellow heels and headed over to Sagra in Davis Square for Salsa Boston’s drop in, beginning level Salsa class. After a silly parking snafu, I strolled down Highland Street baring my toes to the early autumn breezes only to find that the event had been cancelled. I grumbled to my chilled tootsies and I slunk back to my car.

My Yellow Burju Heels Wistfully Wishing to Go For a Spin

 

Oh, I muttered and moaned when I returned home but, darling readers, your Fitness Footwear Guru refused to back out of her end of the Burju bargain. After all, Wendy promised you in her interview last week that I would have a review of this spicy new line of wedding and dance shoes. So I was delighted when my husband graciously agreed to go with me to MetaMovements’ lesson at Club Caribe the following night.

We were surprised and relieved by the laid back vibe as we entered the hotel lounge overlooking Memorial Drive. After a fleeting fit of shyness, we gathered on the parquet floor with the other beginners. In my head, I affectionately labeled our gaggle of gringos the salsa verde circle as we rotated through a variety of partners. Given my week, it seemed poetically appropriate when our instructor informed us that the Basic Step in Salsa for ladies involves going back-2-3 then front-6-7. Be sure to check back on Monday for another Full Throttle Walk and Roll Report on how my citrusy sandals (Hmm…that seem to be a theme this month.) fared once my loving tomatillo and I took a turn on the dance floor.

We Are Our Parents’ Children

We met up for dimsum a couple of weekends ago for my sister’s birthday. It was a casual affair so I stepped out in my Cole Haan Remy Ballet Flats in red ($98.75 at Zappos.com). They’re my favorite walking shoes (next to my Target ballet flats). 

Whe my sister arrived, she was in her Cole Haan Air Billie Lace-Up Sneakers ($148.95 at Zappos.com). It’s as if we called each other and planned to wear fab and comfortable footwear. You know what they say–great minds think alike.

Then, my dad walked in wearing his Lacoste Cabestan Boat Shoes (pictured; $119.95 at Zappos.com). My mom was also in a pair of cute flats with white flower embellishments (I don’t recall the brand). No surprise here–our parents are quite the fabulous pair. They know how to put outfits together, spend free weekends at malls and designer stores, and know what’s hot and not in fashion. No wonder my sister and I are the way we are. We are our parents’ children.

Hello, Lover.

Alas comfortable sexy is in the building.
I have been away for a New York Minute and boy have I got a hot shoe-story. Living in NY can be the most exciting and painful thing ever, especially when it comes to shoes. The thought of the changing seasons, the different trends, and of course the endless shopping options. However, as I have learned over the last couple of months of cohabiting with New Yorker’s, you better be tough. Try walking 7 blocks just to the subway in a 3 1/2 inch. Yeah, don’t think so.
Now this story is not a somber one, all the contrary. Just in time for the changing of the leaves came along my thigh high lover. Constructed of caramel suede and best of all flat and deliciously comfortable. This hot number was my latest purchase from Zara on their summer clearance. As if the story could not get better, they really are a beauty. Hello Lover!

Thigh-High Lover.

Fashion’s Night Out in DC: Have heels replaced hemlines as economic indicators?

Roaring 20’s economics guru (and perhaps closet fashionista) George Taylor coined the “Hemline Theory” which claimed that the stock market moved up and down in accordance with women’s hemlines. The Hemline Theory did have some logic behind it. In the earlier part of the century, silk stocking were considered a luxury item. When times were prosperous women could afford this little luxury, and so they wanted to show them off by wearing short skirts. However, in an age where maxis and minis both are on trend, I think perhaps we should look to heels as a new economic indicator.

Consider ballet flats, which have been quite popular the last few years. They’re the lowest possible heel, and where has the Dow been hanging out? While short skirts showed off fancy stockings, heel height (or lack thereof) is a practicality issue. If one is saving some money and walking in lieu of hailing a taxicab, 5-inch platforms probably aren’t your best bet. Many have even dubbed these uber stilettos “Limo Heels” implying that one must be able to afford luxury transport as 7-inches hardly makes for a good walking shoe.

Last night as I headed to Neiman’s for Fashion’s Night Out festitivies–stimulating the economy is

Is that a DOUBLE platform?! Photo: NM

our patriotic duty after all–I felt like I didn’t quite measure up. I was wearing one of my fave vintage Pucci dresses, so my ensemble wasn’t the problem. Perhaps my Bert-esque  brows? I immediately headed straight to the PR at Partners stand that did complimentary hair and eyebrows at the event to fix that problem, but I still felt like I fell SHORT. Then it dawned on me: my 3-inch heels just didn’t measure up! I headed to the shoe department to sip some champagne and collect my thoughts–seriously, what is more relaxing than lounging in the Neiman Marcus shoe section sipping some champers? As I sat surrounded by my good buddies Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, and Valentino I noticed that when it comes to footwear this fall everything is looking up Up UP– Boots are over-the-knee, while any stiletto worth its weight in Harry Winston will put you over the moon. Judging by the looks of things, if my heel height theory holds, Fashion’s Night Out has definitley kicked off the start of a very fun and prosperous shopping season.

A Stiletto Tale with a Citrus Twist

Hmm… who knew that a  British bookmaker/choreographer, a Business Volunteer for the Arts (BVA) from the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston , and some dried fruit skins would inspire an adventure that dovetails so well with with Wendy Toth’s recent post on pole dancing? Admit it… you are just a teensy bit curious to hear yet another tale from the ever widening intersection of shoes and art. 

Rosella Fuimi’s dance studio in Palazzo Caravajal-Simoncelli, Orvieto, Italy

Well, to explain I will have to return to when I snagged my fabulous Ferrari boots in Rome. Immediately afterwards, I headed off to a castle in Orvieto to study with Simone Forti. In between sessions of this workshop, I met Janine Harrington, an intriguing choreographer who hails from London. She and I bonded over many “meals” of nutella slathered on toast and have since kept in touch.

Recently, Janine’s creative impulses have prompted her to explore bookmaking. When she popped across the pond for a visit this summer, I thought she might fancy a trip to the Fuller Craft Museum . This hidden treasure in Boston’s southern suburbs is nestled into a picturesque nook overlooking a pond and is surrounded by an ever growing sculpture garden.  Susan Hammond introduced me to it when she became Monkeyhouse’s BVA a few years back. Without her, I might never have ventured down to enjoy their impeccable exhibits.

Marina Dempster's Ebullient, a found shoe festooned with beeswax, pine resin, glass seed beads, and feathers

Imagine my surprise when Janine and I found  The Perfect Fit exhibit at the Fuller Craft Museum. With over 120 objects created by artists in America, Canada, and Israel, it challenges and examines the childhood memories, politics, and fetishes associated with all sorts of  shoes.  While most of the fanciful footwear is non-functional, e.g. racks of ceramic stilettos sprouting vegatables, a curious chorus of bronzed baby booties, and a pair of wing tips with vampirish lips, I encourage you to hoof it down to this museum in Brockton, MA (formerly known as “The Shoe Capital of the World”) before January 3, 2010.

Jan Hopkin's stiletto sculpture, Tolerance, crafted out of dried fruit skins

Even if you are not an avid fan of contemporary craft, Shoetube readers will revel in Wendy Tarlow Kaplan’s curatorial vision (don’t miss her gallery talk on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at 1 p.m). For example, after her pole dancing lessons, Wendy Toth would really appreciate Jan Hopkins‘ platforms fashioned from grapefruit and cantaloupe peels. Proclaiming “Judge her when you’ve walked in her shoes”, this sculpture references a bitter controversy surrounding a divorced mom who turned to exotic dancing to support her family.

Ok, this tale has rambled on long enough, but you can read more about my adventure here.

New Shoe or No?

We Bostonians love our marathon more than just about any other sporting event next to baseball (go Sox).

So, invariably, living in Boston, you meet at least one person everday who is “training for a marathon.”  In fact, you are meeting one right now.  After seven years of regular, consistent running and sub-8-minute miles, I am finally at the tail end of the training program for my first real marathon.

For the past two months, I have embarked on the humbling, grueling task of training my mind, body and yes, feet, to travel 26.2 miles in enough time to qualify for the 2010 Boston Marathon.  In my age group, this means running it in 3 hours and 40 minutes.  Suffice it to say: not easy on the body.

So far, I have bought one new pair of Asics since I started, but my question: should I buy another?  For those of you who have run one: is it a bad idea to buy a new pair this far in?  I am on my last two long runs.  Next week is 19 and the one after is 20.  Should I be breaking in a new pair?

We runners tend to be loyal to our shoes and I have worn the same model of Asics for years now, but is it time for a new pair?

Veteran marathoners, I plead: hook a sister up with some advice.  I will keep you all posted.

Slipping Into My First Ferrari

You may remember that in a recent post, I alluded to something sublime…

Well, given the country’s shape, I should have known what I was getting into when I boarded the plane for Rome. Even though I had left my Italian to English dictionary lying on the bed in Boston, I managed to fulfill my desire in a rather fashionable alley. Of course, it never would have happened without a few insider’s tips from Sylvie, the owner of Maria-Rosa Guesthouse. Thanks to her expert advice, my embarrassing quest finally reached its climax.

Naturally, I was anxious as I awkwardly gesticulated to the distinguished man working the door. He nodded and smiled without uttering a word. He knew exactly what wooed me from the window. Yum. Now why didn’t this bit of eye candy have a cameo in Pirates of the Carribean? I was shocked as my foot slid in and then I sucked my breath in as my calf  followed. Talk about a lucky day!
Oh wait, you knew I was talking about boots, right? Mama Mia! Merciful Flying Spaghetti Monster, where is your mind?

Trust me, my excitement was warranted. After over a year of searching, there was only one pair of these handmade swashbuckling kicks by Laura Ferrari left and they laced up my legs perfectly. Did I mention that they were on sale for 60% off? And, I can assure you that getting lost on cobblestone streets has never been so comfortably chic.