Shoe’s Always Fit #2

 

So here are these weeks finds!

1. Alexander Birman – $495.00 (Find here)
2. Christian Louboutin – $595.00 (Find here)
3. Valentino – $885.00 (Find here)
4. Aldo’s – $70.00 (Find here)
5. Guess – $90.00 (Find here)
6. Paris Hilton – $63.00 On Sale Originally $89.00 (Find here)

While I will one day buy a pair of the Louboutin pumps, I can say that the Carrie’s from Guess are my go to. I have several different colors of this style and they are the most comfortable pumps to spend a day in. When I worked in retail and banking these are the only shoes I wore for a 12 hour day on my feet. I’ve gone through at least 3 pairs of black Carries and I always buy more. They are perfect!

The Paris Hilton imitations of the Valentino, I bought completely randomly not even realizing that they were a copy of the designer until after they were delivered. When they first came out about a two years ago, I bought the Paris Hilton black patient leather pumps. They aren’t the most comfortable thing in the world, and I wouldn’t suggest wearing them for a day on your feet, but they look amazing and are perfect for a cocktail party.

As far as purchasing cost, it would cost $1975.00 to purchase the designer shoes, and only $223.00 to get the “lesser designers.” So for 11% of the designer cost you can have 3 pairs of very similar and equally gorgeous shoes!

Hope you all are having a great Tuesday! I’ve got a small treat for you in an hour or so, so check back!  

A month of goals

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”   -- Jimmy Dean

Every birthday, I make a list of resolutions and usually never follow through on getting them done. This years list has 22 items that I am pretty set on getting done, even though a few of them need to be modified and extended into the next year.

1. Fit into my jeans!

2. Get healthy and stay healthy

3. Get a gym membership and go at least 3 times a week (I got a membership to the 24 Hour Fitness right down the street, and have been good about going regularly thus far, but I am not crossing off the goal of going 3 times a week, because it should be continuous.)

4. Apply to grad school – this is one that needs to be modified, since we are back on the initial plan to move to Texas, this will have to wait until I am graduated as well as until we know where we will be living.

5. Find a job in my field

6. Keep up with daily posts on the blog (I’ve been pretty good about this, and hope to keep it up)

7. Dive the Keys in Florida

8. Read a book a week – modifying to Read at least 2 books a month

9. Do Kendi's 30 for 30 for at least one month every season! – This will start in May!!

10. Start a graduate program – this one is dependent on #4… applying would be first!

11. Buy a house – we will not be buying a house this year, since we don’t know where we will be living

12. Pay off all bad debt!!!!

13. Become a better Photographer

14. Vacation to the Bahamas

15. Send my parents on a vacation

16. Keep my nails painted for the whole year, and avoid acrylics (I’ve been really good about this too, I let the polish chip a bit before replacing but my nails have been painted every day since my birthday!)

17. Paint more

18. Spend more time with Grandpa

19. Learn how to sew

20. Keep a journal

21. Get at least one ski trip in (Feb 25-27 Keystone, CO)

22. Sort photos and finish scrapbooks!!!

In order to get things done, I am stealing Meghan’s idea of mini-goals. I really like the idea of setting small stepping stones towards bigger goals.

I’d like to have 5 to 10 mini-goals a month that I can try and accomplish, so here is my list of goals for the Month of April!

1. Get 8 hours of solid sleep every night – sleeping and resting is so crucial to a productive and happy day, I know when I don’t get enough sleep I am the biggest grump in the world. Hence sleeping enough will be my number one goal this month!

 

2. Exercise daily, with at least 3 days at the gym, C25K and Body Pump – exercise gives you endorphins (feel good hormones) which result in a better mood, better sleep, more productivity and overall happiness! Plus getting a better body while you’re at it is a plus, with Summer right around the corner and tropical vacations in the making!

I want this body back! In 2008, I was at my healthiest form!

3. Write more, not just blog wise but in general – I love writing and am pretty set on making some extra money out of it, even if I don’t make anything the writing process in itself is a favorite hobby of mine and I would like to really expend on it, and develop my skills.

4. Plan meals and cook at home (at least 3 in a week) – I love cooking, and I recently rediscovered how much fun I have while cooking. Cooking is a great way to relax and de-stress for me, so I plan on doing more of it.

5. Cut out soda and junk food – no fast food, and keep going out to eat to once a week or less. – Eating fast food makes me feel gross, literally. My face feels greasy, my body starts feeling tired and unhealthy and its just bad in general. Hence, this month will be a complete cut of fast food!

6. Read at least 2 books – I love reading. It’s a whole different world. I feel that I don’t read enough, so this year, I am going to try and read more!

7. Organize my closet – even though I just got rid of a ton of clothing, I still feel that there is more to go. This could be due to the tiny closet I’ve had to fit everything into, or the fact that now that I live in a pair of jeans and a hoodie I’ve lost my connection with my clothing, and in order to re-spark it I need to go through my belongings!

 

This is only a section of what my closet use to look like. I had two very large walk-in closets, plus a smaller walk in one. Now its only a tiny sliding door, non-walk in

It will be a big step for me to get these things done and I am looking forward to accomplishing them!

Hope y’all are having an awesome Thursday! It’s almost the weekend, and time for my Mister to get home!

My Wedding Shoes … I feel cheated by DSW !!!

 

These shoes are one of my most praised pair of shoes. I bought them for our wedding, as my something blue! Since I had a short dress, and being a shoe freak, I had to have statement shoes that really spoke to me.

When I saw these, about two years ago, I knew I had to have them! So I spent weeks trying to find a pair in my size, and they were probably the hardest pair of shoes to track down. I finally found them in California, two days before our wedding and had them overnighted. Aside from the stupid expensive overnight fee, I paid $192.97 plus tax for them.

NOWWWW… a year and a half after the wedding, DSW decides to carry Martinez Valero for less then half the price of what the shoes originally cost! They have my beautiful wedding shoes for $79,95!!! WHYY did they not have them when I was bending over backwards to get my hands on a pair?! I would have paid three times what they are selling them for if I could have just walked into my local DSW and picked them up off the shelf!!! 

So, to make myself feel better, I went back and looked at all my wedding photos to see how worth the search for these shoes was. And they are worth every penny I’ve paid for them. I’m kind of tempted to get them in the white as well now, maybe even the black … since you know… they are less then half of what I’ve paid for them. BUT I still think the blue is the most beautiful and an eye catcher for sure!

Spring is in the Air – Day 5

 

Once again, I’m sorry this is a little late. I was at the hospital longer then planned, and had a nice chat with my grandfather about random topics that we always seem to talk about. As an update, he is doing great and should be moving from the ICU to a regular room with a discharge date of Monday or Tuesday.

 

Today is the last day for the Spring is in the Air Blog Challenge with Amber and Meghan.

Today’s Question is:

What recipe or food do you look forward to most during the Spring time?

I am addicted to eating, and eating all kinds of food. When Spring and Summer come around I start craving fresh and light food.

For example: TACOS!!!

 

When I’m in the mood I make my tacos super fancy with home made pico de gallo!!!

 

My recipe for pico de gallo is pretty easy, but I don’t have exact measurements. I kind of eyeball everything and toss it up, taste it and if it’s missing a flavor or needs more of one I just add it. One of these days I’ll actually write down the recipe and give exact measures. However, everyone including the husband LOVES my salsa!

Here is what you need:

2 to 3 Roma Tomatoes (gutted and diced)

1 to 2 Jalapenos (diced)

2 to 3 cloves of garlic (crushed)

1/4 to 1/2 of a red onion (diced)

handful of cilantro (chopped)

1 to 2 lemons

salt

pepper

Here is what you need to do:

After chopping and dicing everything up, combine the tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, onion and cilantro in a bowl. Then squeeze in one lemon, careful not to drop the seeds in there! Add about a teaspoon or two of salt and pepper. Mix well and taste.

I usually like the jalapeno flavor to be there but not overpower everything else. You also have to be careful with the lemon, sometimes one is just right, sometimes you need one and a half and so on. So really its up to your little taste-buds to decide what to do. If you like it spice add the second jalapeno, or more salt or not salt at all. This is a recipe that I just pulled together one day when I was in a desperate need of pico de gallo but didn’t want the store bought one. It turned out great, and now I just tweak it depending on what I feel like having.

PS… my mom also adds this pico de gallo to her avocado mix to make a spicy guacamole!!!

ENJOY!!!     

 

Spring is in the Air – Day 4

 

I’d like to apologize that my post is so much later in the day. I meant to get it done this last night, but had a crazy long night that started out with work, involved some Body Pump and ended with some more work. By the time I got home all I wanted to do was wash the stink off of me and get to bed.

Then this morning I woke up and headed to the hospital for my grandfather’s surgery, which went fantastic and he is already recovering. His doctor is amazed how well he is doing for having half of his left lung removed.

So today I’m once again linking up with Amber and Meghan for the Spring is in the Air Challenge!

 

Today’s Question is:

What are some recommendations for products you’ll be using this Spring as you’re headed outdoors more?

There is only a handful of products that I can think right now, one of which is Fredrick Fekkai’s Beach Waves

This may be my most favorite hair product, even above dry shampoo (which I have a love affair with). The first time I used the Fekkai Beach Waves was when I was working at ULTA and we got the very first shipment of Fekkai products.

My hair has a nasty tendency of being either an overly curly mess or super straight (after straightening) and I’ve always had a hard time trying to get my hair to be wavy. So when I found this product I was ecstatic. It’s main ingredient is sea salt which gives enough of a firmness to the hair to stay wavy without being crunchy. Plus it smells fantastic and makes me happy!

 

The Big Skinny body scrub from Philosophy is my best friend. If you want sexy, smooth and fantastically soft legs, arms and body in general you NEED this! HaHa.. I feel like I’m back in retail trying to sell makeup to rich bitchy women!! But really, this scrub works wonders, and smells like chocolate! It is fantastic, especially if you use self tanners!

 

Fair warning… I am a little obsessed with the Philosophy skincare line. The Microdelivery Peel is aH-mazing!! Keeps the skin healthy and beautiful and oHH so clean!

AND FINALLY…

Clinique’s Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40 is a must have. It’s super lightweight, and goes on completely sheer. You can put it over your moisturizer and double it as a makeup primer! I’ve learned my lesson of going out in the sun without sunscreen, and must say… NEVER again!

 

Disclaimer: I am not paid to market any of these products, and everything on this blog is my own personal opinion unless otherwise stated. All the products, clothing items and food are things that I use on a daily bases. The opinions on the page are my own. I am not a licensed dermatologist so take everything I say with a grain of salt. Every skin is different and can react differently to products. If you have specific questions contact your doctor before use.  

Spring is in the Air–Day 2

 

Once again, I’m linking up with Amber and Meghan for the Spring is in the Air Challenge!

 

Today’s Question is:

What’s your favorite Spring outfit (or two)?

I must say this relates right back to yesterday’s post! I love dresses, and am currently really hung up on dresses that are knee length and have that never-aging classy look. Many of the new dresses at White House Black Market have caught my eye!

 

I am also loving the maxi look. I’ve always adored dresses and skirts that had a full skirt, which reached to the floor. There is something very sensual about having a full length skirt on, that covers up the legs, and only lets the shoes peek through.

 

There is just something so laid back about the above looks that draws me to them. I am really looking forward to expending my dress and skirt collection this spring!

Shoe’s always fit

“Shoes like these should not be locked in a closet! They should be living a life of scandal, and passion and getting screwed in an alleyway by a billionaire while his frigid wife waits in the limo thinking that he just went back into the bar to get his cellphone.”  -- In Her Shoes

I almost forgot what it felt like to wear heels, and how sexy they make me feel. These past few months, as I lead a life of a college student constantly in a pair of Payless moccasins my favorite and beloved heels sit in the closet almost forgotten!!!

Today, I wore a pair of my favorite heels with a pair of jeans, and re-discovered the wonder of wearing heels, and why I love shoes so much! Here are the top 5 reasons why I love heels:


1. Heels make legs look aHHH-mazing. High heels have a tendency of showing of legs. Even if you have short legs a pair of sky-high heels can elongate them and make them look very sensual.


2. Feeling sexy!! Wearing heels, even with a pair of raggedy jeans, can make anyone feel sexy. I am not saying wear the above $4000 Christian Louboutins with your $20 Target jeans… that would be a little strange, but wearing a pair of wedges or heels with jeans that come over the shoe, gives every girl that extra spark in their step. It’s like wearing the lacy underwear, you don’t wear it for the world to know, but because it makes you feel sexy and confident (eventually I’ll write a post on this).


3. Confidence. Heels have been associated with powerful and influential women. You don’t see Mrs. Obama or Sarah Palin wearing slip-ons or moccasins when appearing in public. Heels have a whole new level of status associated with them, hence they are a confidence booster! I am a strong believer that a pair of shoes can make or break a deal!


4. They make you stand out. Any time you throw on a pair of heels, people feel that you are a bit more dressed up. Like I said, even with a pair of jeans heels can make the outfit much more dressy! People, yes even here the west, notice when someone is well dressed. Heels make you stand out! People notice and you will always get complements!


5. They always fit!! This is my favorite reason to by shoes, especially beautiful heels. No matter what, they will always fit. When the movie In Her Shoes came out, my mother watched in awe as my excuses appeared on the screen! My shoes make me happy! When I’m having a bad day, I can always go play with my shoes, and they always make me smile.

In short, I love shoes. They are fantastic, and I’ve vowed to wear more of my 100+ pairs of shoes! Maybe I’ll do a challenge where I wear a different pair for 30 days!!

Q. What is your favorite pair of shoes? What's your shoe philosophy?