Into the time machine

Perhaps there comes a time in all our lives when we reflect back on the past. I just didn't expect to be doing it at my age, because I'm not that old just yet - or am I?

That is the danger of social media, especially when you get connected with people from your past - people who are much younger than you. You see things that take your mind back to the distance past. 

My friend's kid sister recently received the most gorgeous boots from her boyfriend and that took me back to my old Doc Martens days. Man I loved those shoes. I wore them with everything: jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses...

I even wore them to school, which was not allowed. I was supposed to wear those really ugly black Mary Janes with short white school socks. In order to save myself from the fashion police, I would tell the teachers that I had a foot problem and had to wear my Docs. Somehow I got away with it.

However, this has made me want to buy myself a pair similar to my old Doc Martens, hence I have been checking out some shoes online. 

Here are some of my top choices.

Shoecology

Just a quick post for my fellow shoenistas to let you know that you are not alone. While you may be misunderstood by those who don't understand your deep need for shoes - I understand. In fact, I have come up with the perfect explanation for you to use.

Next time you come home with another pair (or three or five) of shoes and your guy starts complaining, you should tell him that buying shoes is important. It is therapy.

He may not be convinced right away, but don't worry about that. This trick is fail-proof! If he doesn't buy into the "therapy" theory, there is a back-up plan.

My husband sometimes says that I always shop, but I still always complain that I have nothing to wear. Well, I suppose I have failed at shopping for shoes. I have been shopping for 20 years and still have not found the right pair of shoes!

And that, my darling, is why I need to shop for shoes a lot more. It is therapy!

Shoetastic Crafts

Since it is the month of love, I decided to let my creative juices flow and come up with some ideas with which to spruce up the celebrations. In addition to Valentine's day, we will also be celebrating hubby's and my anniversary and my birthday this month. Seeing all the delicious and creative recipes got me started on a new creative tangent.

So it happened that I found some cute ideas on Pinterest. All the great craft ideas not only inspired me for the month but for school projects, ornaments around the house and much more.

 Do you know what these are? They are shoe-licious cupcakes! They are so cute that I am thinking of trying them out tomorrow and then making them for each celebration as well. I adore cupcakes and shoes equally and this is the perfect combination. You are right - they are probably too pretty to eat...  HAHAHA!! Who am I kidding? Saying no to cupcakes? Not likely!

A friend will always appreciate a pretty handmade greeting card and what better than a shoe card? Use some beads, ribbons and pretty paper and you will be BFFs - forever. It is also a great idea for market day at your child's school.

Kids bored? Give them a bucket of Lego and tell them to make you some shoes. I don't suggest you wear them. We all know what happens when you trip over a loose Lego - it usually happens in the middle of the night...

Preschool girls usually just love dressing up in Mom's shoes. However, if you help her make her own shoes, she can design them in any way she wants to.

Have you ever done shoe crafts? What is the coolest craft you have seen or created?

How I redecorated my... er - FOOT!

Yesterday I decided to redecorate my house. It was a big story...

The large table and old queen sized bed had to be moved down into storage, which involved two steep flights of chairs. Hubby was traveling and I had to ask the gardener to help me, which he did a great job of. However, I had to help him.

In all the excitement, Blondie didn't think to put on some sneakers or something more supportive than bare feet. Right at the top of the first flight of stairs with the first and heaviest item, I "sripped" - that's when you slip and trip over your own feet at the same time. I somehow bounced down two of three stairs on my knees, scraping off some skin in the process. My poor toes bent over the wrong way and I broke the toe that was broken (in another spot) 10 years ago. It is also the same toe that I cut open to the bone two years ago. Can anyone say CLUMSY?

So by now you'd think that I had learned my lesson and that is to wear shoes - even at home.

Well, ladies, I am proud to announce that my black-and-blue, beach ball sized tootsies are now toasty and warm in a comfy pair of slippers. I hope nothing urgent pops up that requires me to go out of the house as I can't go in shoes (nothing is going to fit for a while) and I am not going barefoot.

My advice to you:

Wear shoes at home while you are cleaning up or simply walking around. Wet floors, slippery stairs and even rugs are all hazardous to your health.

My Slippery Suggestions - click on the links to find out where you can buy them.

These are nice for injured toes in warm climates -

Lovely Orthaheel Slippers (Just click on the link for some of the cool features of the Acorn slippers)




If you live on the beach like me, you could probably get away with going to the mall in these...



For luxury comfort and warmth, you can't go wrong with this beautiful slipper from Arden.



How do you keep stylish when you have injured toes?

What's up, Baby Shoes?

Although I have not been active on the blog during the holidays, shoes have not been out of my mind for long periods at a time. Mostly, I spent my time as an observer, which has been most fascinating.  I also bought a few pairs of sandals and even some slippers during the season. 

While Ocean Dreamer glammed it up in sparkly heels this Christmas, holidaymakers to our little town walked around the malls barefoot. I am a bit of a germophobe, so I only did it once. On New Year's Eve, 10 minutes to closing time, my hubby decided to go buy more ice-cream. I had no time to put on shoes and when we got to the mall, it was very quiet, so I decided to get out and go look for some chocolate.  It was liberating!!!

Apart from that I spent a lot of time telling my daughter to "PUT ON YOUR SHOES!!!". Really, I know that we live on the beach, but there's a time and a place when shoes are necessary. I learned that the hard way just 3 days ago, when I walked to the beach and back barefoot. My feet are still hurting from burning on the hot tar road and the sizzling beach sand.

Most excitingly, my BFF had a little baby boy! He is so adorable that one can become broody from spending 5 minutes with him. Those tiny little hands... and precious little feet! Of course, the stores are full of the cutest little baby shoes.

Just look at these:

Don't you just want one too?

Keeping up with the Clauses

I have good and bad news for our readers today.

The bad news is that according to the World Meteorological Organization, the ice in the North Pole is melting at a rapid rate. This news was revealed at a climate change conference which is being held right here in our sunny province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Some of the famous faces in attendance include Angelina Jolie and Leonardo di Caprio.

According to the UK's Met Office in Hadley Center, the polar ice may melt away completely during the northern summers in a mere 50 years from now.

This is problematic for our dear friends, the Clauses. But the good news is that we'll be seeing a lot more of them, as they will have to move their operation further south.

That is why they turned to ITSDF for some practical advice on suitable shoes to wear on the warmer side and we were happy to oblige.

Mrs. Claus is very much looking forward to flashing a bit more skin and since she always aims to please, we thought this beautiful pair of nubuck pleasers would suit her perfectly. Also, the heels are not too high, so she should get used to it pretty quickly after years of wearing those heavy snow-boots.



                                                                 She also loved this pair.


At first Mr. Claus was against change. He loves his boots and he's
not so big into change, but when he saw this beautiful pair of shoes, he grabbed them right away and he adores them.

I must say, it makes him look about 40 years younger...

  He also decided to get a few new bags to put the gifts in.
     The elves also had to be kitted out with some new footwear too and we thought these are ideal. They are fashionable (something those guys needed - if you know what I mean ;-) )









What do you think about our selections? Anything we missed?

House Party Shoes!

So I'm having a huge house party this Saturday night... I do this twice a year, it's my chance to catch up with family and friends and see everyone. OK, and let's be honest it's also my chance to let loose and overindulge a bit! And by a bit - I mean to excess... but enough said about that...

Every time I have one of these parties, I start the night off in a pair of amazing shoes that I love - usually my newest acquisition like these which I adore -



But after about three or four Milky Way Martinis and a couple of hours of visiting, I can't walk in them, let alone stand in them - so I don't look so sophisticated any more.  Instead I end up barefoot or in my fuzzy slippers!

This party I'm thinking of trying to wear some cool shoes with lower heels: comments and input appreciated!

I could try these Chinese Laundry flats:



Or these from Chinese Laundry:


But I'm not sure either feel dressy enough for me.

These are cute - but I'm not sold on the color:



I like these J. Renee - cuz they still have a heel...


This pair of J. Renee looks kinda vintage to me... so maybe I could build an outfit around them...



Bottom line - I dunno what I'll be wearing on Saturday - for shoes or an outfit - but I'll definitely be having fun. Any suggestions or ideas appreciated!