Sunday, June 22, 2008

And Then I Clicked My Heels Three Times...

Last week, I fell in love with a pair of shoes.

Now, I am most emphatically not a shoe person. I mean, I wear shoes all the time; but I don't care what they are, so long as they are comfortable. I have a pair of white flats, basic black pumps, sneakers for the exercising I never seem to get around to anymore; also, LLBean winter boots, and a pair or two of sandals (including some Birkenstock knock-offs, because I am holding out hope that Birkenstocks with socks come back in fashion again someday). I have never once in my life lusted after a pair of footwear, never sighed over an expensive, strappy little number with 3-inch heels, never understood other women's closets overflowing with impulse buys from Zappo's.


Which makes it all the more puzzling why I should have suddenly morphed into the sort of woman who lingers in the shoe aisles of Target and ogles footwear. But see to the right? Aren't they just so cute? Look at the colors! And the fetching wedge heel! And in my hard-to-find 5 and 1/2 size, to boot! (pun most definitely intended) At first I only let myself try them on. Then I put them primly back on their shelf, saying, "No, it wouldn't make sense. I don't need them." Every few days, though, I would go back and visit them, admire their candy colors. Caress their cool canvas. Admire their happy combination of form and function. Let's face it, I was smitten. But, truth to tell, it was all taking an emotional toll: the sneaking around, the hurried trysts, the yearning....

Reader, I bought them. Me, the woman who has never purchased - nay, even desired - a pair of shoes that she didn't absolutely need. I walked out of the store with them, feeling guilty yet unrepentant. They were mine, all mine! And they have fulfilled their promise. Every time I slip my old, tired feet into their caress, I feel years younger; each time I catch a glimpse of their cheerful colors, my mood brightens.

A mid-life crisis, maybe? A breaking of the bonds of middle-aged caution and frugality? Or maybe this purchase signals a hankering for a simpler, more innocent time, like that of my 4th birthday, when my grandparents gave me a pair of multi-colored striped Keds that I loved with all the fervor of a preschooler. All I know is that a new aesthetic sense seems to have been awakened in me, and I can better understand why Susie's entire little body quivers like an excited puppy's when I bring her into Payless Shoes. The colors! The styles! The possibilities!

It's a rebirth, I tell you. And all from a pair of shoes. I get it now. I really get it.

41 comments:

  1. Yikes . . . you have been unleashed. Watch out world, move over Nancy Sinatra with your boots, Suburbancorrespondent (with her cute, plaid shoes) is coming!

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  2. I still don't get it. I REMEMBER it, from junior high and high school, but it's been so long. I had a pair of purple Keds in high school that I just loved, though. They simply made my whole self happy. Now Keds just hurt my feet. Sigh.

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  3. Oh, I get it, too! Plus the necessity of a follow-up trip to the clothing section for outfits to match. They are really cute shoes; congratulations!

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  4. Welcome to the dark side. Or the candy colored side. I TOTALLY get it.

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  5. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    You wear 5.5? I hate you!!! Every time there are cute shoes on clearance they're always size 5.5-6.5. I wear a 7.5-8 and they only make the most boring shoes in my size, and they're never on sale or clearance. Also they seem to think that everyone in this size has wide feet.

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  6. I love them! Target?!?! Off I go.

    Birkenstocks and socks are out of fashion?!?! Uh-oh. :(

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  7. I cannot top "welcome to the candy colored side." Not even going to try.

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  8. Oh shoes... How I love them, passionately and without reservation, that's how.
    Welcome to my world.

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  9. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    Those are cute!!!!! I picked up a pair the other day at Sears when I was getting my youngest son sandals there. I hemmed and hawed for a while and then decided...just buy them already. And I did and I love them.

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  10. I'm not going to let Mr. G. read this post. He thinks Birkenstocks and socks are still in style-which explains why he wears them every day of his life. Sadly, I'm not kidding.

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  11. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    Oh yes welcome to the shoe side of the world! haha It is much better over here we even have cookies!

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  12. welcome to the world of shoes. :) good luck explaining it to your husband! i do it this way -- i feel about shoes (and clothes) the way you feel about camera equipment and computer parts...i don't need it, but i love it, i want it, i want one in every color. he gets it a lot better now.

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  13. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    They are adorable!

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  14. Hey, this is way better than a convertable sports car or a hot 20-something cabana boy! Congrats on having a very sensable mid-life crisis! You've set a fine example.

    By the by,those are adorable shoes! I might need some myself!

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  15. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    Now isn't this a great way to have a midlife crisis? So much more affordable than the zippy little sports car (with no room for a car seat) you'd have needed if you were a man.

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  16. Those are SO cute!!! I love them. Wonder if they have them in a 6....a 5 1/2 makes my toes curl under. But I could wear them if I had to.

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  17. very cute shoes. As one who also has small feet, I understand your pain.

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  18. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    you're a 5 1/2er???? me too! that actually helps to buy less shoes ;-) sort of.

    congrats on the buy! you feel happy and content and that's what counts. you deserve to pamper yourself!

    as for the birkenstock and socks...come to germany, they are in style over here all year round *unfortunately*

    franzi

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  19. I think I bought 2 pairs of shoes in the last week. I'm glad you bought those shoes. You deserve them.

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  20. Molly totally stole my line...yeah it's so fun to be into shoes. welcome to the world of Crazy Shoes! Really. My daughter (15) loves to go and corrupt me. The latest? A pair of 5" heeled patent leather sling backs with a black and white patterned bow that are the cutest thing ever. Had to match my outfit to them today. Makes me happy I have to dress up for work. And never, oh never, will I ever wear boring black shoes again...enjoy!!!

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  21. If shoes get you through a little crisis - who are you to argue? Embrace it, go with it, purchase away! :)

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  22. Shoes...I have a similar opinion as you and have never bought a pair for comfort. I'm so jealous of you. I will now live through you....:-)

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  23. A little too cute for me but YOU can pull it off - those kinda shoes just look ridiculous on size 9 feet LOL. Now you just need them in black, blue, red, green........

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  24. As a self confessed shoe maven, I do not understand your point of view. However, I do wear a 5 1/2, so if you ever need a pair of shoes, I have quite a few to choose from. 8^)

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  25. Welcome to the dark side. :-)

    Cute shoes! I've been meaning to look for some with a wedge heel like that. It's a good thing I hate to shop, or I would have more shoes.

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  26. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    I share your lack of enthusiasm for footwear, but I did go gaga over a pair of green sneakers which to this day give my spirits a bit of a boost every time I wear them. So wear your funky new shoes, Suburban! Yay for you and your happy feet;)

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  27. AnonymousJune 23, 2008

    Ok, Imelda, this is where it all starts. They seem innocuous, but look out ;)

    Seriously, I, too, have come to a love of shoes late in life. (not that you're late in life...I mean post-teenage years. Don't cry) For years, I wore flats and comfy Birks (shudder!), now I only wear at least a little heel, and I love shoes, even though I don't own very many pairs.

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  28. Your old you sounds like me when it comes to shoes. The new you sounds much more fun, though! Love the colours :)

    Heidi

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  29. Sorry. I still don't get it.

    Do I have to surrender my chick card now?

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  30. I am so proud of you!! I am glad you bought them, they are so cute and cheerful. You could never have a bad day while wearing them.

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  31. Those shoes are adoreable! First shoes and who knows, maybe next it will be socks! There is no end in sight to this madness!

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  32. Good for you! The colors do remind me of little girl shoes that are dreamy.

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  33. AnonymousJune 24, 2008

    HURRAH! Good Girl!

    Shoes are a girls best friend - however bad the hair is, however tubby we might feel, shoes ALWAYS look great....and they always fit!!!

    My current favourites are my glittery 'roman' sandels from LK Bennett.
    x

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  34. Cute, really. and in a 5-1/2 that is a modern miracle. I, too, wear a 5-1/2 (and have a large rack if you remember from one of your previous posts) I know how hard 5-1/2 are to find.

    KEEP BELIEVING

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  35. My hubby accuses me of not being a real girl because of my lack of interest in shoes, and purses.

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  36. Still not a shoe maven...Art Supplies, yes! Shoes, not so much.
    I'm still an Aerosoles fan. Don't like high heels...hubby is only 2" taller, so 2" or more is not a good choice...Those cute little wedges look adorable, though...on small feet.
    You think 5.5 is bad, my MIL and Step-Mom both wear a 4.0! Try finding anything that looks like it was made for an adult in that size!
    Blessings, E

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  37. It starts with canvas shoes from Target and next thing you know, you'll be going to Manolo Blahnik.

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  38. I happened upon a doll-icious number in Rack Room and on the clearance rack no less....in Brown Satiny material and that unleash a diva in me. I rarely indulge in shoes either, especially since it's equally difficult to clad my size 10 feet without certain styles looking like clown shoes on my boats with legs.

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  39. AnonymousJuly 03, 2008

    Birkis and socks are worn here in northern California all the time--it's expected, even. Move here!

    Meantime, I'm a non-shoe-buyer too, with 6.5 EEs to reinforce the non-shoe-buying, but just discovered Zappos: after several tries, they had one and only one pair of shoes that fit and felt good. And it happens to be my favorite of the ones I saw. I bought two pairs. Look out world!

    And to read here that I have a twin out there in the world... Wish mine could have been as fun and colorful as yours, though.

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  40. Welcome, little one, young one, into the fold of the shoe mongers. 1st rule: Do not apply the "Do I need these?" question to shoes. Irrelevant. Unless you're talking "need" like "craving chocolate" need; then that is acceptable. Better yet, switch to the ever relevant, "J'adore."

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