Lust List - Shoes

   Occasionally, I will take the time to browse the web for shoes that I would love to own. Sometimes it's hard to choose which ones I would splurge on. Today I checked out both Hushpuppies and Dr. Scholl's for comfort and style in one. The last pair of sandals pictured are from Mohop and they get props for uniqueness. More on them below.

   I own a pair of HP sneakers that have become my favorite casual shoe. They have white leather with silver accents and are oh so comfortable. 

I also own a pair of Dr. Scholl's thong sandals, light brown with a faux animal upper and gold buckle. They came with a gel oval in the heel area and have saved my feet countless times. What's more, I always get compliments on them. 

   

   The footwear I looked at today share some characteristics: 

1) Mostly neutral. Some would argue pewter/silver is not neutral but in my closet it is.

2) Comfortable. These brands have a reputation for it.

3) Seasonal. With the exception of the flats, the rest are warm-weather footwear. If you live where it's warm all year around, that's another story, you lucky duck :)

 

^^ These are from Dr. Scholl's, called Sure. These stand out with the stud detail on the back and the square buckle contrasting with the round toe. If I bought a pair, I would pick these.

 ^^ Also from Dr. Scholl's, called Schroll, I like the feminine buckle and the slightly richer color.

 

 ^^ These are Dr. Scholl's as well. They look like they would take some wear and tear and go with pretty much everything. In particular, the "D"-shaped buckle makes me think of my first initial :)

 ^^ From Hushpuppies, these supple-looking flat sandals have a bit of retro style. I would love to try these on to see how the shape of the straps looks with my foot. The clean lines catch my eye, as well as the thick, durable sole.

 ^^ Also from Hushpuppies, similar to the one above, shown here in a thong style. The light brown color would hide a lot of wear marks. The wide strap helps create a snug fit. My favorite flip-flops look like this so I would be very tempted to purchase these as a replacement.

 

^^ From Mohop, based in Chicago, this is the high wedge style. I love the idea of these. They feature straps along the edge of the sole that allow you to slip cloth through and over your foot. They come with extra ribbons for versatility and some instructions for tie styles. I'm the kind of person who takes the time to replace my shoe laces for a different look, so the laid-back chic look with this kind of flexibility makes me want to try them out for real.

This is my little wishlist for summer shoes, the accessory that can make it or break it for your outfit and your feet.

Until next time! 
-DB

Closet Organizer: Shoes

Hello! It's chilly out on a relaxed Sunday afternoon, and a post is due. 

I have my own bedroom in my mom and dad's house, which gives me a pretty spacious closet. Fortunately, I have plenty of room for one of my favorite things - shoes! I recently acquired four new pairs, and eliminated five from my wardrobe.

When sorting through shoes, I keep in mind their condition and how heavily they are used. One pair of sneakers had a hole forming in the toe, and as I have other sneakers, out they went. An old pair of flip flops with an unraveling decoration and flats with a missing heel are now gone. Also part of the purge: a pair of low pumps that were too loud and a drab color so that I hardly wore them.

To keep my footwear organized, I keep them in labeled shoe boxes. These are easy to stack two- and three-high on the top shelf out of the way. For someone shorter, this could be an awkward space saving solution, but one that works for me.

This is a snapshot that I hung on the inside of my closet door for visual reference. I have 33 pairs of shoes (sounds like a lot!) from formal to casual, winter/summer, and others for specific activities. There are two sets missing from the photo. I have a pair of tan men's skater shoes, small, that I use for dirty tasks; a pair of white new balances for exercise; and a pair of black non-slip shoes for work.

On my latest shoe shopping expedition I bought a pair of shiny gold-toned sneakers that I cannot wait to wear in the summer! At this Value World I also found a pair of warm weather boots and some black patent mary-janes with a 1" heel. With a half-off coupon, the total came $11. Score! Did I mention that I prayed about the shopping trip? I asked God for a couple pairs of shoes to fill the needs in my wardrobe, and He totally came through for me!

Still, thirty-three pairs of shoes is quite a lot - especially compared with some men's wardrobes, as my brothers point out! However, keeping them organized and in good condition, I try to get the most wear out of my footwear as possible, while eliminating superfluous items.

I look forward to more shoes in the future, as God provides handsomely for my needs. ;)

Until next time!

-DB