The Island Shoe Girl's Blog

Where shoes meet sand…

The Flap about Flip Flops June 13, 2010

Filed under: Love Me, Love My Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 7:24 am
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These Kate & Kelly heels sure seem like the perfect summer shoe. Photo by Jean Thornton

Vindication is finally mine! After years of being told mainly by flip flops wearing folks that my high heels would destroy my feet, knees, hips and back, at long last there is evidence that shows flip flops are actually more destructive than my lovely high heels. Research from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette presented at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting and supported by the director of the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York has now provided me the facts needed to defend my shoes. I have suffered greatly for my love of shoes, physically and emotionally. But today I stand in my heels before those who pledge allegiance to flip flops and say, “Not today, not tomorrow, not ever again will you claim foot comfort and safety to me!”

For many of us, the first signs of summer are not the flowers blooming in spring or May showers replacing winter snow flurries; instead, it is the arrival of flip flops in many stores across the country. Yes, from shoe stores to department store and even drugstores and grocery stores, these little bits of plastic foot fashions pop up. And while their bright colors and generally very low…dare I say “cheap” prices make them all the more tempting, there is a dirty little secret about these summer toe huggers: they are dangerous for your body; maybe even more so than a pair of heels.

Shock and dismay may well appear faster than a July thunderstorm, but I am not busting your flip flop strap just for shear joy. Consider this a health advisory of sorts. The reality is that flip flops are not good for your summer wardrobe for many reasons. The soft and comfy feeling provided by their spongy soles offers no arch support, creating a situation where your foot rolls inward which leads to pains in your heels, arches, balls of feet, and, of course, all of those 10 little toes!

It doesn’t stop there! Your poor leg muscles are being worked overtime. Without the support of a sturdy strap (most flip flops have only a thin V-shaped strap), there is little keeping the slab of plastic on your foot; thus you end up gripping with your toes which causes the tendons and muscles in your feet to do all the work and often leads to tendonitis. This is especially true if you are accustomed to wearing shoes with a heel because your calf muscles are often overstretched while wearing flat shoes. Honestly, if my legs are going to hurt from shoes, why not make them hurt from super-cute Kate Spade heels!

And flip flops will make your feet ugly in more ways than one. First, exposing your foot to air dries out your skin, causing them to become callused which could cause cracking and bleeding…not cute and very painful! Beyond the skin blemishes, excessive prolonged wear can lead to hammertoes, stress fractures, and bunions—any of which can lead to surgery, scars, and ugly orthopedic boots in place of Christian Louboutain knee-high boots.

The pains and aches don’t stop at your ankles! Kiss your confident stride goodbye; flip flops make you change your pace, causing you to take shorter steps which leads to pain in the lower back and hips. The flip flop can also cause a literal ‘flop’ since the material they are usually made of can become very slippery when wet and does not provide good traction. All of these factors cannot help but leave even the most skeptical shoe observer concerned about the safety and practicality of a flip flop.

So what is the flat shoe fan to do this summer? The key is to avoid cheap shoes—always a good rule of thumb… or toe. You get what you pay for which may be shin splints and sprained ankles if you only spend $3.99 for your footwear. Choose wider straps and deeper, firmer sole support for your heels and arches. And limit your time in flip flops, especially when walking great distances.

If both flip flops and stilettos cause damage, then this Island Shoe Girl is resigned to wearing only heels—I might as well enjoy some added heights. I know there are many out there who are not as committed to tall shoes as I am, but there is a very classic slightly heeled solution. The ‘kitten heel’ is a friend to the summer frolicker. Made popular by the lovely Audrey Hepburn, it offers a low heel generally 1- 2 inches high, creating an elegant shape while also keeping you somewhat grounded. The kitten heel makes a wonderful complement to a sundress and is even included in “Shoe Godfather” Manolo Blanhik’s line.

At last summer is here! Skies are blue, pools are open, and feet want to bask in the warmth of the sun too. So hit the beach, fire up the barbeque, and catch some fire flies. Just remember: at the end of that leisurely summer stroll in your flip flops, your toes, heels, ankles, knees and back will most likely be in a need of a little leisure time too.

 

A Moment of Shoe Zen April 18, 2010

Filed under: Its All About the Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 9:34 am
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These Nine West heels are perfect for finding a Zen moment by the beach or by your shoe closet. Photo by Jean Thornton

Great moments of ‘Shoe Zen’ are often found in unique places and come from unlikely sources. Just last week I was struggling to keep my head above the growing mounds of shoe boxes in my bedroom, and then I discovered my new favorite weapon in the battle of shoe closet space management: The Storage Dynamic Rolling Shoe Bin—or as I like to call it, a little rolling shoe closet. This fabulous, yet compact, addition to my shoe world has changed for the better not only how I view my shoes, but also how I view the world.

Let my stilettos take a few steps back. I am currently coming dangerously close to having more pairs of shoes than square footage in my little condo. In Key West what we gain in beautiful beaches and palm trees we lose in closet space. This leads us to often find unique ways to store and pack our lives into our homes, and while I dream to one day have a home with a whole room dedicated to shoe display, for now I have to make do with what I have.

I have tried multiple methods of shoe storage that maximizes space while still showcasing the beauty of my shoes. My shoe closet has quickly become filled, and despite my efforts to snuggle and tuck shoes into every possible bit of shelf space, I find my shoe closet runneth over again and again. Even with the conversion of a built-in glass cabinet into a designer shoe ‘show window’, the shoe dilemma has continued.

Yes, I have tried the under-the-bed shoe storage offered on television. While these do offer shoe viewing through a clear panel on top, the soft sides and less than sturdy dividers can cause some difficulties. There are also the “shoe trees” that hang in the middle of the closet, yet I find something a little disturbing about this and question what might happen should the weight be too great… snapped stilettos every where! And an over-the-door rack is unacceptable as the shoes would be slammed into the door every time it is open and closed.

So….. with my options limited by my shoe values and closet space, I had resorted to stacking my shoes in their boxes along my bedroom wall. This situation was quickly becoming a concern when the pile grew to the point that my AC unit was covered. With April heating up, a shoe meltdown and, more importantly, an Island Shoe Girl meltdown was only days away.

And then one day I found my answer and my salvation! In the back of our local Ross department store I was introduced to the Storage Dynamic Company and their ‘Rolling Shoe Bin’ that instantly solved 18 problems for me with a lovely canvas hanging shelf system that allows me to see my shoes while also keeping my heels compact and protected. The sturdy wood frame also lets me rest assured at that my heels won’t get scuffed or pushed around. My Prince Charming has arrived—at least for my shoe storage!

With minimal assembly required and not even a chipped nail, I was on my way to a new way of shoe storage. And while the Island Shoe Girl isn’t one to recommend any one form of shoe salvation, I am happy to preach to the choir on this one. Sadly, I have been searching for a second bin and come up short… can you imagine in the world of Google being unable to find another?

I have not let my moment of shoe Zen be short lived, or the experience be limited to my closet. The Rolling Shoe Bin has brought me an inner peace inside both my shoe closet and my mind. With my shoes now properly stored I have not only opened up the space in front of my AC unit preparing for sweet cool air in the humid months ahead, but it also got me thinking about opening up my mind to other things. And while there are many parts of my life that are crowded and cramped, if salvation can come on four rolling wheels maybe I can find it in others places as well. For now I am enjoying my moment of shoe Zen while it lasts… and with a Marc Jacobs sale starting soon, that won’t be for long.

 

The Modern Day Wonder Women January 31, 2010

Filed under: Common Sense in Unsensible Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 9:43 am
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Here I come to save the day with the my Steve Madden Vippers. Photo by Jean Thornton.

The recent introduction of a Blackberry into my life has made me contemplate how Wonder Woman would have survived in our world of constant connections.  What began as a way to get the internet without an expensive connection and to better manage my work day and email inbox without being tied to my desk has suddenly turned into a struggle between woman and technology.  The constant calls, emails, and text messaging has made me feel like some days the requests for help never end and I am pathetic excuse for a super hero in stilettos. 

What is a girl to do but buy some new shoes and try to not to scream, especially if she has no clue which button actually plays the voice mail but gets five different beeps and buzzes to tell her she has a voicemail.  As I think about the two year commitment I have made to this new piece of technology and an upgraded coverage plan through my cell phone provider, I cannot help but acquire a whole new level of respect for Wonder Woman and her shiny red boots.  Sure I have a lot of great boots and many, many amazing shoes, but Wonder Woman had something more—maybe just time management and the ability to change clothing in the span of a thunderclap.

I consider myself a person who operates well under stress, but I could use a few pointers and perhaps a little ‘swing’ from the Lasso of Truth.  Wonder Woman, like all of us at the root of it, was just a woman—a human being.  Just like any another shoe girl (or shoe guy) she put her boots on one at a time and most likely her indestructible bracelets too. (Do you think those come in platinum also?)  So how did the unassuming Diane Prince transform into Wonder Woman and save the day time and time again while I struggle just to get the dog walked some nights?

Yes, Wonder Woman did have an invisible plane that was always on stand-by without the requirements of airport security.  And she had that super-fabulous pair of running shoes known as the “Sandals of Hermes”.  (And if those are anything like a Hermès bag, I want on the supply list even if they are for running!)  I am only on a small island and I have a hard time zooming from one end to the other in my 1997 Honda Accord to get to the next meeting on time.  No doubt I could use a little assistance from a superbly accessorized Super Hero to solve the problems in my small portion of the world. 

As I try to multi-task my way through another 24 hours trying to simultaneously update my Facebook status, return a multitude of calls, and iron my blouse, I cannot help but think that maybe Wonder Woman would feel as overwhelmed as I do if she had to operate these tiny buttons too.  Let’s remember that Wonder Woman lived in a time of phone booths and party lines as opposed to Instant Messaging and Skype Video connections.  While it is true Wonder Woman was fighting Nazis, she never had to manage three email accounts and download her shoe blog!

When it comes right down to it Wonder Woman was just another single girl trying to save a little part of the world each day in great boots—and maybe even find a little time for a date and glass of wine too.  And while she might have been a super hero raised by Amazon women, in the end she was a woman with a lot to do and some fabulous shoes, which really makes her just like me and many others.  I may not have the Lasso of Truth to hold others accountable, and my favorite bracelet is a simple silver bangle that probably cannot block bullets and laser beams, but that doesn’t mean I still cannot answer the call for help or save the day if only for just a few minutes or in a small place. 

My own private, invisible jet may be preferable to slipping off my heels for airport security…but then again who’s to say those aren’t Super Power Stilettos?  A girl can dream right?

 

I Can Drive in Platforms January 3, 2010

Filed under: Common Sense in Unsensible Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 9:03 am
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It takes patience and great shoes, like these Michael Kors' platforms to navigate life. Photo by Jean Thornton.

On a Sunday afternoon I catch myself giving a self-imposed evaluation of what have I learned lately.  The results are frightening.  As an adult my self-education is more disappointing than my Spanish grades were in high school.  There are many familiar old areas of failure: my checkbook shows that my math skills have remained stalled as there is a general disagreement between the bank’s definition of “balanced” and my own.  When it comes to decimal points, it is best to let someone else move those annoying little dots. 

My knowledge of sports has actually become worse during recent years.  It could be that the island I live on is generally not interested in sporting events.  On a college football Saturday I watch “fans” of the competing teams take cigarette breaks during the game outside the local sports bar, dressed in jerseys, knee high stripped socks, and hats done in jarring team colors.  I have never understood how fans with horribly tacky fashion make a player compete better. 

As to the skills pressed upon me in Home Economics, such as maintaining a cleaning “schedule” I can move my housekeeping skills into the “needs improvement” column of my adult report card.  In the realm of cooking, being a student of Ohio cuisine enables me to make a meal based around a Crockpot and cream of mushroom soup in my sleep or a cheesecake that would make Jenny Craig cry.  But beyond that my skills are limited.  Give me a filet of fish and I would not have clue what to do with it.  It’s like that old saying, “Give a shoe girl a fish; she’ll give you a dirty look.  Teach a shoe girl to fish; she’ll break your pole.”

Despite my many inadequacies, I can list a few things where I excel.  I can multitask—wrangling my Jack Russell’s leash with one hand while talking on the cell phone during a walk.  I cannot pair wines to multi-course meals, but I can make witty banter over cosmos with a stranger just as easily as I can with a close friend.   I can not remember the name of my insurance company, but I can tell you the last ten pairs of heels I bought.  Bring your shoe troubles to me and I can show you how a silver stiletto can be the splash your outfit needs! 

 And I can drive in platforms!  Laugh if you want at this talent, but strap a block of wood to your feet and see how quickly you jump the curb or worse yet, the bumper of another car.  I am a master of the road in platforms; I know when to apply less to the gas or more to the brakes.  I can adjust the slant of my foot without awkwardness or discomfort.  While some complain about moving their seat the slightest bit, it is just part of driving with the multitude of shoes that find their way onto my feet.  

When you think about it, driving in platforms is a lot like life—sometimes you have to adjust the amount of pressure applied to a situation.  Sometimes you have to give yourself a little more room for the sake of safety.  You always have to wear your safety belt and be prepared for a sudden stop or to pull over and park yourself when you need a rest.  If you can parallel park in platforms, you can handle just about any maneuver that life gives you.  

Maybe knowing how to drive in platforms is the key knowing how to handle the many obstacles that present themselves in adult life.  While maneuvering the many types of relationship roadblocks may not be something taught in high school courses, it could be said driving in platforms has taught me how to manage my love affair with shoes and the reality of life.  Sometimes to survive the road trip of love you have to pull over and take a break or take your foot of the acceleration, after enjoying the view from slow drives are half the fun—how can you window shop if you are speeding by.  And while being able to drive in platforms may not save me from all the heart ache or blisters, it certainly has made me appreciate the passengers I travel with. 

 There are many things I am still trying to learn.   One day my bank and I will actually agree on my checking balance; some day I will learn how to cook something other than spaghetti, I will not go as far as saying I will support a sporting team with bad fashion choices.   But I don’t fear learning new things; if I can learn to drive in platforms then maybe I shouldn’t give up on mastering long division just yet.

 

All Good Shoes Go to Heaven November 29, 2009

Filed under: Its All About the Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 10:13 am
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These heavenly LAMB shoes are guardian angels of the toes. Photo by Jean Thornton

I have a hard time letting go of shoes.  When I was little, I once made my Mom retrieve a pair of shoes I had outgrown and she had passed onto a neighbor’s little girl.  In all fairness, I had worn those shoes in my fashion show debut—they had historical relevance!  Even a grown shoe girl with more than 120 pairs of heels wears out a set every now and the then, not to mention the occasional shoe catastrophe that leads to broken heels or straps.  This leads to the inevitable death of a shoe and the difficult task of mourning and moving on. 

As I glance over my shoes closet, I can see pairs that are losing their luster.  Bows that once held stiff and proud now droop a little.  And paten-leather shows its age with creases and wrinkles from the stress and strain that comes with being worn out.  Sadly, there are no anti-wrinkle creams for stilettos and boots; trust me I have tried every Este Lauder lotion that guarantees overnight results.  The truth of the mater is that no shoe stays new forever; all soles get scuffed and newer shoes come along every season. 

Some shoes stay longer than others; some shoes have a more important a role in our lives leading to a more painful loss.  I find myself avoiding the reality of a shoe death from time to time.  Just the removal from the closet to under-the-bed storage makes me emotional.  I feel like I am telling my shoes I don’t love them as much or that they have been replaced.  I have been told by mothers of human children that you don’t have favorites; I think as a ‘shoe mother’ I understand this.  Yes, some shoes may be more expensive or elicit more compliments, but in the end every shoe has a piece of my soul.  But just like children, sometimes a shoe has to leave the nest… or shoe closet at some point.

I would never promote the idea of a shoe death panel, as that would sound just as silly as one in a national health care plan.  But from time to time I have to weigh the pros, cons, and quality of shoe life left in my more worn-down heels.  Walking around in shoes past their prime can cause more than just damage to a fashion image—it can cause physical damage.  A worn-out stiletto literally caused my downfall and broken toe, and I can assure you retiring my orthopedic boot was not a difficult call at the end of it all! 

So how do we know when a shoe has given us all the height and support it has to offer?  It may show when we strut, but sometimes it’s a feeling too.  No fashion magazine can truly sway me to give up a trendy shoe that I have lived with and loved.  Yet, popular opinion encourages us to plan for the end of our time and the end of our loved one’s time.  If only shoes came with a directive for how they would like to be laid to rest.  How handy would those new Michael Kors’ stilettos be if they could indicate they are okay  with being resoled or having a heel reattached but they do not want any replacement leather straps?

Reviving shoes past their prime and extraordinary measures aside, there comes a time when we must all say good-bye to a good sole.   Even with a Living Will it is never easy, and despite my efforts I have yet to find a funeral home that will hold a tasteful farewell to these fallen heroes of the toes. Leaving the task of burial to me alone, it is not a job I enjoy and I drag it out as long as possible.  If the shoes are on a closet shelf I first move them to the floor; I think of it like end of life care.  Then I put them outside the closet in my ever-evolving pile of things to leave the house.  Finally, I work up the nerve to do the dirty deed and take the final step of slipping them into the trash bag.  Often I have to fight the urge to rip open the bag and dig out my beloved shoes from the mix of broken egg shells and old tea bags.  I have to tell myself that those shoes are going to better place, at least figuratively because in reality they are just going to the county dump. 

It’s true no new shoe can replace a good heel completely, just as no brown strappy sandal can be easily replaced with the next—not after everything that shoe has given you.  And yes, there will be moments when you look back and say “if only that shoe were here, my outfit would be perfect!”  While a new pump can fill the void in our shoe closet, in our hearts the pain of losing a familiar pair that has helped us stand strong may linger.  Over time our mind focuses on only the best moments to remember and we choose to cherish the good times, forgetting any blisters.

 

If God Was a Shoe Designer October 18, 2009

Filed under: Common Sense in Unsensible Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 9:50 am
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And on the eighth day God created shoes… and it was fabulous! Just like these Marc by Marc Jacobs wonders. Photo by Jean Thornton

And on the eighth day God created shoes… and it was fabulous! Just like these Marc by Marc Jacobs wonders. Photo by Jean Thornton

Nowhere in scriptures does it say on what day God created shoes or shoe closets, but I cannot help but think of them as creations with the stamp of a higher power.  While some may look at the beaches, the mountains, the rolling fields and the many other natural wonders of the world, I look at the stilettos displayed in a storefront window and see little pointed miracles.  It leaves me wondering: If God was a shoe designer how might the world be different?

For my own personal gain, I would hope God might eliminate some pinches and pains for my feet.  I believe that if God was a shoe designer, there would never be blisters on my little toes.  Ankles would never be rubbed and callused.  The best shoes, while usually the most uncomfortable, would now be like walking in the clouds or strolling the streets of heaven. 

The freedom of having an infallible shoe designer would at last allow me to live in a world where loving shoes was accepted without bias or question.  To challenge my choice of footwear would be to the same as questioning my religious beliefs.  No longer would shoe girls be subjected to the judgment of others who believe that shoes are frivolous things or confines of society.  The taller the heel, the closer a shoe girl would be to God.                                               

While coveting your neighbor’s wife is still off limits, coveting her shoes might become the exception to the ‘coveting goods’ commandment.  A girl with a couple hundred pairs of heels would not be thought of as greedy but as celebrating examples of God’s good work.  Every brightly colored and bejeweled shoe would be a mini-cathedral.  The Corporal Works of Mercy would also include giving shoes to the unshod feet of the world.  Pencil-thin stilettos that seemed impossible to walk in without breaking an ankle would now be seen as a sign of devotion and a divine belief in God’s work. 

With God as the master designer of both our lives and our shoes there would be no reason to worry about getting caught in the rain while wearing satin pumps; surely the water would part before stainable shoes like the Red Sea before Moses.   Mother Teresa would be named a saint for her ability to teach the orphans of Calcutta how to walk in heels.  Manolo Blanhik would meet with the Pope to help shape the future of the Catholic Church and next winter’s line of booties.  Cardinals would not only wear red caps but also Christian Louboutin’s with matching red souls.  A platform heel would peek from under every nun’s habit. 

 Like the people God created, no two shoes would be alike… well maybe I should say no two pairs of shoes would be alike.   Every shoe would be created uniquely but equally with beautiful soles, just like the souls God gives each and every person.  All shoes would have a purpose and the chance to make the world different with its imprint.  While some shoes may be made to help us complete our daily outfits, other shoes would find glorious moments where they are meant to shine.

However!  Just like the world God has created for us, it would be up to us walking in those shoes to determine how they were treated.  Judging from the way we tend to treat people who are a bit different from us, I have a little concern.  Would we be blind enough to judge one shoe as better than another because it had a bow or a few rhinestones compared to those made of simple straps?  Could our tendency to place more worth on some of God’s creations lead to some shoes being tossed aside?  Would we test shoes still in production to eliminate those we have deemed to be flawed?

 After all, many souls are ignored, even when they reach out for help and love; perhaps some of God’s shoe soles would also be neglected for whatever reasons.  As much as I would like to believe that God’s shoes would be seen as a unifying force, I wonder if some shoes would get a higher value than others or be seen as more solid demonstrations of belief.  Even if God created shoes with fish in the heels, would they be viewed as less valuable than hand-stitched boots because they are different?  What if some pairs of shoes got rights that other pairs did not—like the right to share a shoe box—while others were discriminated against because of their partner choice?

 If God was a shoe designer my world may be a lot easier to explain; for surely my love of shoes would be simpler to explain.  I have to think that a little Divine intervention might occur when I saw a new pair that was a little too expensive for this mortal’s budget.  Yes, maybe my favorite black BCBG satin pumps wouldn’t pinch anymore if God had designed them.  But I am afraid that our world would not embrace all the shoe designs we were given, since we do not do a great job embracing all the people designs we’ve been given. 

Until the day I can convince the world of God’s great shoe design in each of us, all I can do for now is to keep my heart open to as many human designs and shoe designs as I can.

 

To Love a Shoe Girl September 27, 2009

Filed under: Love Me, Love My Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 11:00 am
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How can you not love a shoe girl in these Issac Mizarahi heels? Photo by Jean Thornton

How can you not love a shoe girl in these Issac Mizarahi heels? Photo by Jean Thornton

It can be nearly impossible to love a shoe girl in any form—be it a romantic love, a friendship love, or even a family love.  We are complicated creatures who have let our dreams run wild and had the good fortune (as well as the curse) of having those dreams come true.  We know that ankles can be adorned with rhinestones and bows.  We believe that toes should be wrapped in ribbons of satin and silk.  And we can be taken to new heights on delicate pedestals with pointed silver caps. 

Shoe girls believe in magic.  We think that mystery is a part of every day life and want to be just as mystifying as what the next shoe box holds.  The entire world becomes a shoe store to us; every where we look another example of imagination at work in ways we never thought could come to life.  Amazing feats of engineering that would baffle the architects of the greatest buildings of our time are standard expectations for a shoe girl. 

A shoe girl never stops searching for the next great shoe.  We fall silent in awe as we discover a new configuration of sole, arch, and heels that make us wonder just what next season’s pumps and platforms may bring.  The moment our minds seem satisfied with the shoe that fits, we are dreaming of the next, knowing it must be better since this one is more wonderful than the last.   We believe, like children believe in shooting stars and birthday wishes, that the next great shoe will come just as all the ones before it.

Our hearts are as big as our shoe closets and, just when we think it is full, we find a little more room.  Shoe girls remember their first pair of shoes just like they recall their second, the thirty-fifth, and the one hundred and seventeenth.  Like a faded corsage from a prom date, we keep the memories of what those shoes meant to us long after the event.  Whether the shoes were making us Cinderella, super heroes, or intelligent young minds accepting diplomas—each pair is a part of our own complicated history.

We are never satisfied with just being practical and often find that one pair is never enough… of course sometimes six pairs are not enough either!  It is easy to see us as self-centered or consumed with the joy of unwrapping a new pair of boots in early autumn.  But just the same we celebrate that every moment has a shoe and every shoe should have its moment.  Those new boots are destined for strolling through newly fallen leaves.  Strappy sandals are for summer weddings and dancing with good friends.  Sometimes a pair that celebrates the smallest accomplishment will lead to bigger moments in the future.

There are many things that could be criticized about a shoe girl, but there is usually much more that can be admired.  She may not always have the shoe or the answer for every situation; however, no one will try harder to find either one.  We are girls on a journey in stacked heels and spike stilettos; we are not always sure where our shoes are taking us, but we are blazing ahead at full tilt. 

Yes, a shoe girl can be hard to love.  But if you get the chance to love a shoe girl, she will probably love you just as passionately as she loves her shoes.  She will make sure you are protected from the elements and dangers of the world.  A shoe girl will believe in you whole-heartedly even when it seems your goals are impossible.  While others may think you have peaked, a good shoe girl will gently ask what’s next.  She will think of all the perfect moments you share and remember the imperfect ones with rose-colored glasses.

As frustrating and infuriating as a shoe girl may be to love, she is like that new pair of amazing heels that you just have to have even if she pinches a little and costs a lot.  All shoe girls know that pairs are a good thing and no single shoe can walk smoothly alone.  As much as we may try to do it all on our own, we understand the need for a match.  With that in mind we cautiously open our shoe closets and invite others along for the ride.  As difficult as we shoe girls are to love, it is even more impossible not to love us.

 

Hitting the Edit Button June 14, 2009

Filed under: Common Sense in Unsensible Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 11:56 am
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It not easy keeping my thoughts to myself, but these Kate Spade heels are the perfect statement on the beach or at the bar. Photo by Jean Thornton.

It not easy keeping my thoughts to myself, but these Kate Spade heels are the perfect statement on the beach or at the bar. Photo by Jean Thornton.

Just the other day I was locking up my bike at a favorite water front bar.  The bike rack happens to be placed in the sand, and thinking ahead, I had smartly worn a pair of fabulous platform sandals with a five-inch heel.  My toes alone were a good inch off the ground.  As I blissfully skipped to the walkway, a woman passing by with NO SHOES ON cheerfully said, “Great shoes but not good for sand.”  I smiled and walked past her.  I should be applauded because I did not say, “What the hell do you know about shoes, you’re not wearing any, bimbo!” 

Hey, let she with the better shoes cast the first stone at my mental commentary and me.  I am completely serious when I say that it took a great deal of willpower for me to keep my mouth shut with a smile on it instead of stomping on one of her unprotected toes as method of proving why my platforms were not only stunning but also safe and practical as opposed to her bare feet. 

I will be the first to admit that I am not the greatest at thinking before speaking.  Often times I find it best to just immediately interject an apology after saying anything.  Most of my friends know this and understand that my instant and often brutal words are not meant to be hurtful or taken seriously.  It is the rest of the world that has not had a chance to fall in love with my wit and wisdom to such a degree that overlooking my sarcasm is a fair trade off.

Coco Chanel has long been a fashion icon for women everywhere, but she was also known for her witty and dignified ability to advise, be it with a quick and cutting tongue or an elegantly-crafted statement, she provided every female with the advice essential for being a true lady.  Coco’s editing rule still rings true in my ears when I am getting ready for any day whether at the office or out socializing: look in the mirror and remove one accessory.  While some may suggest I edit a few inches off those heels, I insist on holding my ground in stilettos.  Sadly, my mouth may need more editing and a bit of Coco’s grace and restraint. 

I would like to say that my new ability to stop myself before publicly critiquing a complete stranger’s fashion was stopping the mental red carpet show in my mind but it is not.  Already today, I witnessed a woman (out in public) wearing army fatigues (and trust me she was not in the armed forces) in a dark color motif that matched her solid black t-shirt—points for coordinating solids and prints.  Unfortunately she had finished this look with brown hiking boots.  Okay, here is where I am glad I can edit my mouth because first does it really matter to someone wearing fatigues that they are mixing brown and black?  And second, if you are going for the full look, really rock it out with a pair of combat boots.  Hey, you already apparently think that we are mere moments away from all out warfare, why not at least face this battle in corresponding shoes?

Ah, yes, I do not completely have the self-editing tactic down tight, but I am really close to shutting my damn mouth.  Unfortunately, it is not just my desire to spread shoe wisdom to the masses that must remain locked in my mouth.  It is also my thoughts on so many other things that should not leave these lips.  When dealing with tourists I often catch myself having to hold it in.   A lot of tourists that visit our fair island are really great, fun people who are creative and unique individuals.  Unfortunately, I do not get to meet those tourists often; instead I get the ones who find honking the horn on their rented scooter a novelty without compare.  You have never read the headline “Key West Woman Runs Over Tourist- Five Times,” so clearly I am keeping it together. 

 Trust me, world, if you think what comes out my mouth is bad, you can’t even imagine what I keep under the lock and key of my sick little mind.  Six years of studying mental health was probably much cheaper than the lifetime of therapy I would need otherwise to control myself.  Once more I turn to the words of Coco who reminds us “elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.  It exists in the person who wears it with a level of maturity, class and self-editing which are fashion trends that do not fade with the season.”

Do not get me wrong!  In no way am I saying I am perfect or have mastered the art of editing completely—either in fashion or in speaking.  Trust me; this is an on going lesson of life.  Perfection is not something I can expect in others or myself.  Keeping myself from distributing unsolicited fashion advice is a goal I can hold myself to.  Lest we forget another piece of Coco’s wisdom, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”   Surely there is nothing classier than being polite and considerate of others’ feelings or at least working towards this aspiration, which may take time. But hey, I already have fabulous under control.

 

It’s Okay to Shoe April 19, 2009

Filed under: Its All About the Shoes — theislandshoegirl @ 3:20 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Sure you could wear out your faded Flip-Flops, but why not strut these fabulous Steve Maddens!?! It's Okay to Shoe!

Sure you could wear out your faded Flip-Flops, but why not strut these fabulous Steve Maddens!?! It's Okay to Shoe! Photo by Jean Thornton

For generations and generations, women have had to keep their love of shoes at the bottom of a closet. All around the world women have been shamed into believing that a love of shoes is something to hide, like a tattoo from a college spring break that bares the name of a long lost frat boy who held your beer bong. Women were forced to believe that other things should come before shoes—boring things like savings accounts and utility bills. They were led to believe that stilettos did not belong in board room or the grocery store, taught that in the fast pace of today’s world they could not keep up in a four-inch stacked heel.

But a change has begun to sweep across the nation, a revolution has begun to take shape, and that shape is a fabulous open-toe pump. It is time for the women of the world to reunite and stand strong together in our great strappy satin sandals. Shoe girls of the world: shed your shame and your boring brown loafers, free your shoes from the bottom of your closet and lift them up with the proper shelving system both you and they deserve. It’s okay to shoe, it’s your God given right.

Be not afraid to declare yourself in love with shoes in all their glory and fabulousness. Shout from the rooftops that you have more shoes than you could possibly need… and still want more! After all, if you were supposed to only have 10 pairs of shoes there wouldn’t be so many in the shoe store. Do not fight the urge to wear shoes that are completely inappropriate for the weather: strut those open toes through the snow and slip on those knee-high boots despite the heat wave. Make your new Chanel platforms your screen saver and update your Facebook status to “in love with those new Marc Jacob Patent Leather Star Pumps”! Worry not what others think because you are not the first; I go before you as your guide into shoe-ing.

You see, I, too, was once afraid to admit how many shoes I had. I, too, once thought that shoes went on the bottom of a closet and was naïve enough to believe it was okay for a shoe closet and clothing closet to mix. After years of denying my feet the pleasure of being adorned with golden buckles and studs, I discovered my inner shoe girl and let her out. It was like all of the sudden I discovered that, no matter how bad the world might seem, having pretty shoes makes all of your worries go away. Like little guardian angels for your feet, shoes take away all your problems.

Look at it like this: you know that guy who loves a sports team or any sports team from a certain city. Examine how he spends his time—watching anything about that team, listening to sports experts talk about that team, researching that team online, and calling his friends to talk about the team. He wears the team’s jerseys, t-shirts, hats and perhaps even jewelry. He reads countless articles about his team and the coaching styles; most likely he has a fantasy version of his team that he spends more time planning for than he does picking his 401k investments. He celebrates when his team wins and pouts when his team loses. He is obsessed; he is dedicated—he is called a fan.

A woman who worships shoes to the same extent is patronized for her dedication to the new winter line of Manolo Blahniks. Why does her shoe closet rank higher than his fan room on the scale of crazy? Yet, you would never see a shoe girl standing outside a Jimmy Choo sample sale wearing a brightly colored Afro wig holding a sign that says “Choo Rules!” And if a shoe girl lingers for twenty minutes in front a store window with the latest Prada T-Straps, suddenly she has a problem.

The only way to fight back is to stand up in those fabulous hand-stitched leather insoles and say that you refuse to take it anymore. Refuse to let those Stuart Weitzman’s shine only at a wedding; take those bad boys to work and show your boss what you’re really worth. Strut those Michael Kors down the grocery aisle if you can’t strut them down the runway. Be the shoe girl that deep down inside you have always been. Slip on those bejeweled heels and say, “I am a shoe girl!”

Will being a shoe girl always be easy? No, of course not! Will there be blisters? Yes. Will there be leg cramps? Yes. Will there be times when you can only take very careful small steps? Of course. But will there be moments when a whole room falls silent in recognition of your beautiful clicks as you enter in your latest shoe victory? Oh, yes and those will be the moments that you visualize anytime your eyes lock on a pair of YSL booties. When you slip those sensational shoes on, you will instantly see that moment accompanied by the flash of paparazzi capturing your public debut in these latest additions to your shoe art collection. As you catch your first breath, use it to say…

“It’s okay to shoe.”

 

 
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