summertime

Shoes

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Shoes. I’ve been in love with shoes since I’m 17 years old. I learned early on what a great looking pair of shoes could do to any outfit. They can elevate a simple dress or common jeans and tee. A crappy looking pair can take down the most expensive, elegant clothing one can possibly own. I’m constantly checking out people’s shoes. The style, whether they “go” with certain clothing and let’s not forget the fit. Tis the season for sandals and flip flops and it never ceases to amaze me how many women will walk around wearing open toe shoes/sandals/heels that are obviously a size too small. I’m taking toes and foot hanging over the side. Toes touching the ground. It’s especially disturbing in Manhattan I mean New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world…

Years ago I wouldn’t go to work unless I was wearing heels. I used to work in an auto parts store and I loved dressing for work. It wasn’t strange to be a woman working there, my boss felt men/customers  behaved better if there was a woman present. That there would be less cursing and off color remarks. I guess he was right I never felt disrespected when I worked there. Although my co-workers and I shared many politically incorrect jokes and remarks to each other. We wouldn’t get away with it today.

I even wore heels when I worked at the allergist’s office giving allergy shots. I was known for my shoes and I loved it. I wasn’t on my feet for the whole time I would be up and down sitting so wearing heels was doable.

Today going to work I’ll only wear flats. I see plenty of women going to work in Manhattan wearing heels and I admire them.  I don’t see myself running for the boat or subway in heels. The need for comfort has taken over… When I see my almost 18 year old daughter going out and wearing heels I admire her so much. I love her style. She reminds me of me at that age when you never felt the pain of the high heels. You chose beauty over comfort.

I do have some heels left in my vast shoe collection, they just don’t see the light of day that often. Maybe that will change; maybe not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime and the thrift

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It’s still summer time here, the kids don’t go back to school until September 9th. I know that’s late for many parts of the country but here it’s the norm. I’ve been enjoying this lazy pace. Samantha refused to go to camp so she’s been staying up late and then sleeping late in the mornings. Daniella is only 14 and desperate to find a job but not many people will hire her at this age so she’s been home all summer as well. Soon we’ll leave for vacation and I can’t wait. To carry on this lazy pace in a different place with good friends that is near a beach sounds like a great plan.

I still go into work 2 days a week and even that has been enjoyable to have a break from staying home with the kids. Yesterday I was finished early and it stopped raining so I went thrift shopping down East 23rd st between 1st and 2nd avenues. I really enjoyed myself, I didn’t buy much just 2 tops but it was enough to satisfy my thrift craving. 3 out of the 4 thrift stores were over priced, in my cheap opinion anyway. One was a Goodwill and I wasn’t impressed. The second was a thrift store to benefit an animal rescue group and they had this little yippy barking dog there. Not pleasant and very expensive so I left without buying anything. The third was a Salvation army and that’s where I bought the two shirts, one tank and one silk sleeveless blouse, $5.98 for both. Just my speed. There were also Jimmy Choos shoes but were too small (a 6 and 1/2 for anyone who’s interested)  so I left them. They also had a gorgeous leather handbag that looked new but I’m not in the market for anymore handbags right now.  The last store I went  to benefits an AIDS foundation I believe and they are known to be pricey but I went in anyway just to look. I was there anyway. This particular store loves to put their most expensive finds behind glass cabinets and tease you (I feel teased that is) because you can’t buy those things that day.  I think they hold an auction for said expensive finds but that doesn’t interest me. Finding treasures at the thrift is more my speed. Anyway I left with nothing from there.

Samantha is now up and eating breakfast chatting up a storm to me while I write this. Time to start the day…