Retales

JC Boot Update

2009-10-07T13:32:00.002-05:00

Those Jeffrey Campbell boots are now available for purchase at Browns.

... NOW WHAT DO I DO?!

link for reference:

Boots.

I want...

2009-10-07T13:16:00.008-05:00

I want to buy these:

here

(in the black PU, not patent--oh dear.)

Thoughts?

Too slutty? Workable? Can I tone them down easily?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. :\

I danced for five years, and was on a swim team for three. I have calves. Of course, because everything in my life has to be so difficult, natch, the circumference of my said calves are 15.75". I missed the boat by 3/4 of an inch! An inch, damnit! Therefore buying boots, though I adore them, is usually tragic. Wide calf boots are too big, and normal ones, too small.

Blargh.

Fall Campaigns

2009-09-16T22:06:00.002-05:00

So far I am in love with H&M's Fall 2009 ads. The styling is amazing, and the girl is gorgeous.

Not to mention that man's glorious beard!

Thinking of Fall...

2009-08-26T19:28:00.003-05:00

It's that time again.

For me, actually, it's been 'that time' for the last month. Autumn will be upon us shortly, and with the startling metamorphosis of green to orange and red, comes the fall fashions!

Knits, tartans and leather. All of my favourite things rolled in to one delicious season. Beyond the rack of sweaters, and kilts however, is the one thing I love most of all.

BOOTS.

Yes! BOOTS! The best part of footwear!

Again this year I'm hunting for the biggest and best pair of boots around. I have my Sam Edelmen fringed thigh-highs from last year, along with my Town Shoe over-knee riding boots, (along with 10 other pairs ranging from ankle and onward...) but I'm still on a quest for the best high-leg grazers around.

In the September issue of FASHION magazine I found them. Jeffrey Campbell thigh-highs from Browns Shoes for $298!! Sold! They're decked out in multiple straps cascading to a row of bronze studs, and a 3" heel. Practical-- yet everything I ever wanted in a boot.

I kid you not, when I couldn't find them on the Browns website, I actually contacted Browns to find out when they'd be available. A quick 20 minutes later, Patrick of Customer Service tells me I only have but a short wait of 1-2 weeks until they'll be on the site. Apparently they're already in stores, but my local B2 Bay locations don't have them. :\

I was hoping to try them on before ordering, since my calves are my curse, but I guess I'll have to suffer through trying them on at home. Surprisingly I have no difficulty with the fit of thigh-high's on my actual thighs (gasp!), it's my damn calves that ruin everything. Most boots are made with a 13"-15" calf circumference, and I need 16"! It's not impossible for me to find boots, but my stupid legs do make it harder. As if 1" makes that much of a difference! Grr.

Ahhh I want these JC boots to fit so bad!

I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Dreams

2009-08-02T12:43:00.001-05:00

Pause for long sigh.

Look-out!

2009-07-27T16:13:00.010-05:00

I am always on a constant search for the following things:

from L t R: O.P.I Red Apple Nail Varnish, Balmain Jacket, Chanel Envelope Purse w/gold hardware, Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive Pump in Black Patent, Chanel Multi-Strand Pearls, O.P.I Red Varnish

-A beautiful motorcycle jacket.
-A Chanel bag.
-Multi-strand pearls/chains
-Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive's
-The perfect red nail polish

What are you always looking for?

Humble Beginnings

2009-07-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

I've found in life, that one can either pinpoint the exact moment they came to love something, or they can't at all. There is no in between. No, "I guess it was when...". No. It is, "I know exactly" or "I have no idea!"

I was five years old.

It was August, 1994, the start of my kindergarten year. An exciting time for any kid, and a proud moment for any parent. The start of an education is the beginning to a life of responsibility, and it all starts before you hit the age of six. My Grandparents were over the moon that I was starting school, and decided to take me out to The Bay downtown (down town people!) to buy a back-to-school 'ensemble' with shoes to match.

That's right.

Shoes.

Glorious, beautiful, sole-quenching shoes! Though at this time, I had no knowledge of these contraptions beyond the slip on Power Ranger runners with light-up heels that smelled of dead spiders and mold.

Little did I know, this day would play a part in my psychological need for shoes.

The Bay in it's glory days was an immaculately decorated department store in the heart of my city. Everything from designers jackets, furs and dresses, to shoes, table ware, crystal and petty point, all lined up on pristine glass counters and shining racks. Jewelery, perfume, cosmetics-- The Bay was destination shopping at it's finest. It's too bad that it has fallen so far from it's ranks as a high class store-- but I digress.

On that muggy August afternoon, I stepped through the revolving glass doors of that store, and rode the escalator with my Mom and my Grandparents. I felt so grown up, getting to pick out my very own outfit! I remember exactly I wanted a black velvet dress with polka dot sleeves, and pink tights. The best part-- I got it!

Then we came to shoe department. I was skeptical at first. How great could a pair of sneakers be? I already had the Power Ranger monstrosities strapped to my withering toes. Did I need another pair? Silly me. Of course I did.

Of course I needed the pair I spotted on a glass shelf, almost just out of my five year-old reach. They were black patent mary-janes with gold heart buckles and a small round heel. They were everything I never knew I needed in a shoe. The florescent lights of the fourth floor made the treated leather shine, and the gold buckles sparkle. I had to have them. Had to.

My Mom had the Sales Associate take them down from the shelf, where I immediately ripped off my smelly old runners, and placed my feet in to the mary-janes of my dreams. They were awesome. I remember smiling at my reflection in the back lit mirror, posing with my shoes on my feet, and my hair crimped and piled on my head like a cabbage patch kid. Suddenly the room melted away, and all I could see was my feet in those shoes.

How I was so naive. I never could have known that behind me my Mother and Grandma were purchasing a pair of plain black lace ups at the counter to my right. Never could have seen the Sales Associate come from around the corner, and hand my Mom a bag full of misery. Fake leather, square toed shoes! The horror!

When asked to take off the shoes, I hesitated. Why should I take them off, they were going to be mine! It was then I noticed the suspicious bag my Mom was holding. 'What's in there?' I asked. 'Shoes' she replied. How could that be? My dream shoes were still attached to my feet! What was she playing at?

My Grandma kenlt down beside me, pointing to the black patent wonders, "You can have shoes like this when you're older, Charlie. Those are grown up shoes."

Confusion struck me. I was grown up! I was going to start Kindergarten in a few weeks!

"Give the nice lady the shoes, dear," my Grandma said.

Reluctently I slipped off those mary-janes, and handed them to the SA, who gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Come back in a few years, and pick out any shoes you like." she said.

With tears in my eyes, I stuck my white socked feet back in my smelly Power Ranger runners, and left The Bay with my fake leather black lace up square toed failures. But I never stopped thinking about those shoes. Every year, until I was eleven, I went with my Grandparents to The Bay, where I'd get a back-to-school outfit, and a new pair of shoes; and every year I looked for those beautiful patent shoes; and every year I left feeling disheartened when I couldn't find them.

I think, somehow, I'm still looking for those shoes. In every purchase I make, in every shoe I draw, or imagine, there is a little part of me that shouts: "there's nothing like a patent mary-jane with a heart buckle."

And there isn't.

I love shoes.

Purchases and eBay

2009-07-21T22:04:00.003-05:00

Side note:

Just won these Spring/Summer 2008 Prada heels:

Eee! They're a size 39, which definitely is not my size. They are a gift for someone! I will never tell who.

Okay it's my Mom. :)

I really wish I would have won the flower-heeled version... but alas, that ship has sailed.

Sigghhh...

Also I bought these Ann Demeulemeester knock-offs from Free People:

Mine:

Original Ann's:

Pretty good take on a designer pair, no? And for only a quarter of the price!

To buy the knock offs, go here: Free People

When is it too extreme?

2009-07-21T21:44:00.003-05:00

That's a question I've had brewing in my head for a while now. With the thought of shining Louboutins dancing above my head, I wonder: when does the price of a shoe become too much?

Recently I attended a party where the average age of the women in attendance was 40. When asked about the price of the shoes I had on, (Franco Sarto Fall pump in Patent Croc Grey) I replied honestly, as I always (try) to do. They were $114.98. (Of course I bought them on my employee discount from my store, but that's besides the point...)

When they heard that price, their eyes practically bulged straight out of their heads. One women told me I was, quote, "Damn lucky (I) don't have the responsibility of feeding a family!". Yeah, I am lucky. I'm lucky I don't have to buy Mr. Junior Pizza-for-Breakfast spider-man sneaks, nor do I have to buy Missy Coco Pigtails and Sparkles a pair of slip on's. I'm lucky I have a couple hundred bucks to spend on myself every month. Yeah.

All this over a hundred dollars?

Which of course to me, knowing the quality of the brand I purchased, and the comfort, had no problem shelling out. To this woman, and her co-herts, it was an insane price. To me: average. I understand that yes, they do have other people to worry about, whereas I just have myself, and maybe my dog on a good day, but does that really garner me the reaction I recieved? Is 100 dollars too much to spend on a pair of kitten heels?

The leaping point in my thought process brought me to designer shoes (how that always happens, I don't know. I swear. Really). The Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive's, which I've been eyeing for a year now, retail anywhere from $750-$900. To me, I know they are worth the money, I just don't have it. When I talk about this with other people, their eyes glaze over, and their chins wobble. Is 800 dollars too much to spend on a pair of patent black pumps with a red sole?

In truth, I would never, ever, spend over $400 on a pair of shoes. Some people find even that amount of money outrageous. For now, I will scoure the Bay that is E for deals on slightly used, or out of season Loubs, or any other designer shoe I crave at the moment, and that suits me fine. Maybe if I had a higher income I would have no qualms about dropping 2k on a pair of Chanel stompers.

Maybe.

Then again are shoes just a combination of leather, plastic and stiches? Are they really worth more than $100?

I don't know. You tell me.

Go.

Am I the only one...

2009-07-03T20:09:00.003-05:00

... who dislikes jazz shoes?

'Fred' Glitter Lace-Up by Christian Louboutin

I'm all for flat shoes. I love 'em. Especially after a week of heels, I love sliding my sore soles into a nice pair of gladiators, ballets, or boots. But... these jazz shoes. I don't know. I can't put my finger on why I dislike them. Could be spawned from my youth as a dancer? Must look into this stat.

To prove my allegiance to the flats of the world, I post these:

Sammy 3 Buckle Winkle Pickers by Underground England

I actually would love a pair of these. Size 9.5, thanks!

They sort of remind of the Chloe boots that have circulated must-have lists for the last two years.

WANT

2009-05-24T21:09:00.002-05:00

WANT NAIO!

Via PixieMarket

I Had a Dream

2009-05-07T11:12:00.003-05:00

I talk a lot about shoes, (clearly) but I've never really tapped into my dream shoe collection. I already own some great pairs of footwear, but the grass is always greener, right? Ignoring the boundaries of space and time and ($$$) here are my top five favorite shoes of right now.

5. The Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Boot.
I know everyone and their mothers have talked about this boot for the last year, but I mean, c'mon, it's beautiful. These are around $1,500.

4. Lanvin Satin Ankle-Strap Pumps
These retail at over $1,500. I can't control myself they're amazing. Crystal heels, satin bows, blush-pink seashell colour-- ahhhh.

3. Miu Miu Swarovski Platforms
Caught on to the pattern yet? Look at those heels! I'm a crow, I love shiny things. These are so luxe, I can't believe. They're $695. Shut up! SHUT UP.

2. Balmain Crystal Heels
I tried to order myself an imitation of these (see two posts down) but nothing can compare to these.

1. Christian Louboutin for Rodarte Dominatrix Heels
These will almost always be my number 1. I know they're so 'last year' already, but when I saw these in Harper's Bazaar a year ago, I cried until my tears became money. I wish. These don't even HAVE a price tag. For real. You have to phone Christian Louboutin yourself, and REQUEST a pair. Yeah. That's happening. I'm guessing (considering the Marie Antoinette shoe) that these are around $2,500. Oh god. If I win 649 these are the first things I'm tracking down. FIRST THING.

Oh, and here are the ones I left out of the top 5:

Chanel Silver Gun Heels. These are almost $4,000!

Gucci Devandra Boot. Ughhhh. These are almost $2,000.

Questions, With the Bonus of Answers

2009-04-30T15:40:00.002-05:00

Here are the three main questions I'm asked almost everyday. (Besides the obvious, such as, "How are you?" "Where the hell is my five bucks" and "When are you going to get a real job?")

1. "How can you walk in those?"

A: This may sound contrived, and perhaps a bit complicated, but, here goes.

Walking (also called ambulation) is the main form of animal locomotion on land, distinguished from running and crawling.^[1]^[2] When carried out in shallow waters, it is usually described as wading and when performed over a steeply rising object or an obstacle it becomes scrambling or climbing. The word walk is descended from the Old English wealcan "to roll".

Walking is generally distinguished from running in that only one foot at a time leaves contact with the ground: for humans and other bipeds running begins when both feet are off the ground with each step. (This distinction has the status of a formal requirement in competitive walking events, resulting in disqualification at the Olympic level.) For horses and other quadrupedal species, the running gaits may be numerous, and while walking keep three feet at a time on the ground.

The average human child achieves independent walking ability around 11 months old.^[3]

See the rest of the article here.

2. "How can you spend so much money on shoes? They're just shoes, for chrissake!"

Well, that may be so, but I would rather have strong, beautiful legs and feet for the rest of my life, thanks to expensive, comfortable designer heels, than spend $20 on a pair of Payless flats that will ruin my hips and heels forever.

3. "Why do you love labels so much? They only cost so much because they're designer."

That's partially true. I do understand how the world works, and that labels are put on things to give them value. This can apply to anything. Why do you buy Kleenex brand tissues instead of in-store knock-offs? Why do you spend money on an LG cell phone, when you could have an MTS flip for free? Probably because the label sells itself to you in advertising, and quality. Kleenex brand tissues have been around for over 80 years. My 12 year old brother thinks tissues are called, "Kleenexes". This is how saturated our society has become to advertising. Does anyone ever ask you to pass them a 'tissue'? Please. And if they do, it's because they've seen you're poor and have No Name brand Kleenexes.

As for shoes, designer shoes just make me feel happy. Why would I live my life doing and purchasing things I despise?

Shoe Purchases

2009-04-18T18:58:00.002-05:00

A real post with quality sentences to follow.

Here's what I bought since February:

They're beautiful but sadly too tight on my small toe. For some reason the zipper kept splitting also. Cheap Aldo impersonations of Manolo Blahniks.. Anywho, I exchanged them for these:

I did buy them a size and a half too big (41's instead of 39.5's) simply for the plain fact there are no half sizes at Aldo, and the 40's were sold out. I'll probably keep them any way. They need a good home :(

I was also bidding on a pair of Chanel spectator pumps a la eBay, but lost. They were two different sizes, but whatever, they were Chanel, okay?!

Pre-Fall and Fall 2009

2009-02-19T17:10:00.004-06:00

Just some of my favourites so far.

Can't you picture Dita Von Teese in this Oscar de la Renta number? I love it.

Badgley Mischka

The next few are all Christian Dior. My top 5 from his Pre-Fall 2009. I love this colour palette in this. The very 70's-esque green frock with the brown fur-- ahhh! (No comment on the authenticity of the fur...)

The fabric looks so luxurious! I can see Katy Perry wearing this. Ugh it's so awesome.

I <3 structural leather.

I know leopard print is so over-used... but I still love to see it. That's my confession for the day. This coat is pure elegance.

I'm posting a crap-load of coats, but this just had to be on the top 5 list. Just look at it!

Well not that I've professed my love for CD... :D

Inspiration

2009-02-12T12:21:00.004-06:00

I have a soft spot for young and innocent 60's DB. The mug shot however, is just classy.

Dreams or something

2009-02-12T11:54:00.004-06:00

I've had a really tough two years, in terms of deciding what I want for my future. I would say it's been 100% the hardest thing I've had to do. Some people just find their niche in life easily. They love kids, so they become a kindergarten teacher. They love animals so they become a Vet or work at a shelter. For a lot of people, (including myself) it's not that simple.

I love writing. So should I be a writer? I love cooking and creating in the kitchen, so naturally I should be a chef? I love the prospect (weirdly enough) of being around middle schoolers all day. I think I could handle that. So I should definitely be a teacher.

I feel like I have so many things I want to do, but only once life to try and accomplish all of it.

The one thing I love beyond all other things, is shoes. I love the way a pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. I love how a great pair of heels can make even the most self-conscious person feel extraordinary. Most of all, I love the exhilarating feeling I get when I marry a person to the perfect shoe for their needs.

I really have, truly, thought this over for almost two years. The fact that I want to open my own business is a scary prospect. There are start-up fees, and loans to deal with; not to mention stock and decorating and repairs to any building I rent out. Owning your store, or even your own company is an insane task. I would know. My family has owned a Salon for years now, and I've sadly seen the downfalls first-hand, of doing so.

So is it fear that keeps me from doing what I love? I would hate to say I never went for the big fish because I was shaking in my (Christian Louboutin for Rodarte dominatrix) shoes.

What is the worst that could happen? My store fails? It's just money. Money. AGH. It just seems to rule everything.

Inspiration pt. 2

2009-02-11T16:58:00.003-06:00

I'm feeling like rainbows today.

Inspriation

2009-01-28T16:53:00.007-06:00

Looks from Facehunter and LookBook

I want to look as effortlessly cool as these people.

Almost Famous is one of my all time favourite movies, and so great for wardrobe ideas. I've always wanted a coat like Penny Lane's.

Finally! Pictures!

2009-01-28T16:38:00.004-06:00

I already posted these on facespace, BUT, these Gucci's are srsly my life right now.

Annnddd here is a picture of those yellow shoes I mentioned earlier.

Love!

More Shoes (What Else?)

2009-01-09T18:46:00.003-06:00

So, I got a really great pair of militia-style grey booties for Christmas, but they were too small. :\

So I bought myself these (in black):

and I just won these off of Ebay (Except the sandal version):

The thigh-highs are Sam Edelman, and the platforms are Gucci.

Yes!

Gucci!

My first pair of semi-cool designer shoes!!

Gucci Boots

2008-12-18T14:02:00.000-06:00

Thigh High Set by CharlieGStar

If I ever, EVER afford these beauties one day ... this is how I'd style them. Ahhh I love these boots.

Holiday Outfit

2008-12-18T13:45:00.001-06:00

Holiday Outfit by CharlieGStar

This is basically what I'm going to live in this Holiday. With variations, of course. I'm thinking a charcoal fur collar? Faux of course.

Vintage Photos

2008-12-16T17:50:00.004-06:00

My Grandparents were so chic.

Check them out wearing beautiful clothes from the 1940's.

okay srsly I'm not trying to brag, but really, don't they look like movie stars?

Crushed and Heartbroken

2008-12-16T11:24:00.003-06:00

Yes, it's true. I almost won these beautiful, I've-lusted-over-them-since-last-year Fendi mary-janes on eBay.

{These, except in a copper metallic, not pewter}

Damn that last bid!

That lucky joker better enjoy them.

Prayer

2008-12-11T17:31:00.002-06:00

Oh mighty Shoe God, thou art so splendid in thy Heaven high. Please send me these beautiful DSQUARED2 shoes for prayer and reflection.

p.s. I just bought these in yesterday. Except mine are bright yellow. They are much more exciting in person + the heel is much higher than it looks in this picture.

Top 10 Fashion Pet Peeves

2008-12-06T17:28:00.006-06:00

Because really, do I have anything better to be doing right now?

10. Tiny tiny tiny wire framed glasses.

The people who wears these ruin their faces. Really. Please, these don't help to hide the fact that you need glasses. We can allll see them. If you want to wear something discreet, they're called contacts, okay?

9. Nude Pantyhose
Again with the discreet thing. Just shave and moisturize, okay? Or wear opaque or black. It's much classier.

8. High-Heeled Flip Flops
FLIP!SCREEECH. FLIP!SCREEEEECH. That is the deafening sounds these make as you shuffle-scrap down the sidewalk. I shudder. Flip-Flops are meant to be worn at the beach, in the backyard, or if you have a dresser pair, then to the grocery store or mall. Please, PLEASE do not think a heel makes it dressy-occasion OK. It doesn't.

7. Cropped Hoodies

Are you in a dancing troupe? Are you really proud of your rock hard abs? Great! Now put a real shirt on! : D

6. Cargo Pants/Camo Gear

If you're in the army-- I totally understand. You definitely need all that pocket space for whatever you guys carry around. If you live in L.A. -- WTF? What are you even carrying in there? All you've done to yourself successfully, is make your thighs look ginourmous. NEXT.

5. Playboy Paraphernalia
Unless you actually ARE a Playboy bunny. Then go for it. Shake what your Momma gave you, girl. Have fun being a sexual object! For the rest of you preteens sporting this logo: STOP. It's not making anyone think you're older or sexier.

4. Drug Shirts

I'm not denying I've smoked pot. I am not denying you the power to smoke your pot. Just... can we not advertise it? Can we just keep it like, a cool, insiders secret? I'm talking to you 15 year old boys with your Nirvana/Iron Maiden/Metallica obessions.

3. Belly Chains

BELLY DANCERS ONLY.

2. Furry/Puffy/Quilted/High-Heeled Blinged-Out crazy-ass 'Winter' Boots.

Yeah that means you Baby Phat-o-philes. Come live in -35 with me in Canada in those things.

1. Small Cartoon Backpacks

Die trend, Die! DIE! High School kids! Yeah! You! This isn't ironic anymore! It stopped being ironic the second HotTopic started selling them. You're not unique in your Transformers backpack or your Emily the Strange fanny pouch. Okay. Breathe. Okay. This trend will die. It will die.

I've done almost everything on this list at least once. So guess what-- I'm saving you the headache of having to do it too.

Dream Big or Go Home (Welcome to my Closet)

2008-12-04T11:24:00.019-06:00

I thought it would be cool to do a post about my life and boringness every couple of entries. Keep you hooked. You know, that old hat.

So you've probably already figured out that big old secret I've been keeping.

For those of you who've just tuned in

{I love shoes...}

I own at least 36 pairs of boots, sandals, runners, flats, heels and other unimaginable contraptions for the foot. I've tried it all: thigh-highs, 8" platforms, stilettos, flip-flops, cowboy boots and everything in between. I thought for shits and giggles I'd take you on a visual tour of my closet.

Oh yeah ... there's clothes in there too.

My shoes and other things are stored in a walk-in closet.

Yes a walk-in closet. I need all the space, trust me. The closet itself is very ugly, with it's fake wood-paneled walls, and unnecessarily terrible carpet, but it's home.

So without further ado, I give you, my closet.

{Cue pause for the finding of new batteries for the camera.}

The entrance way is, indeed, a classy beaded curtain from Spencers.

Oh god, you can see my Star Wars collection. Carry on then.

Here we have a very badly taken picture of my 12.99 Zellers children's storage closet, filled with clothes that are worth wayyy more than that. The dirty side of the closet is just an old wood thing filled with pjs, undies, tees and sweaters. Oh and apparently Christmas presents.

I love how there's clearly a drawn unicorn poster on the wall.

The other side of my closet has been taken over by shoes. There's a little bit of clothes there. Mostly shoes. HI SHOES.

The majestic hanging shoe rack makes it's beautiful debut. He's so grown up now... sigh.

Cue three pictures in a row to show my shoes above.

Hi duct-taped wall.

And here are more below.

The lace-ups are my now infamous 'boots I wear to work everyday' Rockports.

I also thought it'd be fun to talk about a few of my selected shoes.

These are a pair of Jessica Simpson Kaptiva's I just had to buy when my store got them in just a few months ago. They are seriously to die for. Comfortable, and yet super sexy. Love the gold buckles, and stretchy calf. Thanks to the designers who work for Jessica who came up with the brilliant idea that not all women have stick legs. Who doesn't enjoy a red boot? Really now. My only qualm with these is that fact the upper part of the boot is not leather. The toe and ankle area are reinforced with leather, but the uppers are synthetic. OH WELL.

These boots are my babies. I waited a whole year to get these amazing boots, and when they came, 16 year old Charmaine died a little inside. I wore these everyday, all day for two straight years. I was known for these kicks, okay. I was pink-club-footed 10th grader and I loved it. Don't worry, I don't wear them anymore except for costumes, but I could never part with these. I feel like they were there for me in such a defining point in my life. God I love these. My future babies will be born in these, and cradled and loved in these. I will warm their bottles in these boots. The PVC will heat them. Ugh, I die.

I don't have much to say about these thigh-highs. Yet. They're still new to me, I haven't quite established what they're about, and who I am when I wear them. But they are gorgeous, and they are mine, so clearly... they will rock.

I haven't worn these much, but I still adore them. They were my rebellious purchase. I had just started at my shoe job when I bought these. I wanted to piss my old manager off by coming back to work from my break with a pair of shoes bought from another store. Needless to say she was kind of peeved. Ahh... good times. The plaid insides are so cute. I am such a sucker for tartan.

Cowboy boots; oh how I wanted you so badly. Three years old and still the most beautiful pair of shoes I own. These were given to me by my crazy Grandma, and are my most expensive pair of footwear. I think they were around 400 big ones or more at full retail price. I have lived and loved and danced in these boots.

I just purchased these in October. Can't say they're the best quality, sadly. 150 smackers and these babies have already been back to Aldo for repairs. They just don't make them like they used to. The heel plug was erupting from beneath the insole, and Aldo had to give me a new pair. Sad to report that the new pair are doing exactly the same thing. I just do not have luck with Aldo Shoes. They are crap quality. But... so pretty :(

I thought since I showed you my most expensive pair, I'd show you my cheapest. 14.99 on sale. These Hush Puppies retail a regular 99.98. I am a bargain hunter for sure. I didn't get to wear them this summer, since it was an end of season sale I found them at, but they are really, really comfortable and super chic with a long maxi dress or boho kimono.

These are another one of my bargain finds. I actually forget how much I paid for them but I they are really nice. And surprisingly comfortable. The 9's were small, but the 10's a tad big, hence the sweet heel grip in the back. I wore these to my uncle's funeral, actually. I wouldn't give them up for the world. The red is so Louboutin.

My Grad shoes. What can I say about them. They're my favourite combination of colours, and pattern {red and leopard as you'll come to know}. These KILLED my feet. And I mean killed. Date raped my toes and crushed my sole. No pun intended. I will most likely never wear these again {just like my Prom dress} but I'll hang on to them for sentimental reasons. Why did my Grad have to suck so hard.

These are amazing. I wanted to avoid showing my ugly hand in the picture, but I could get the full effect of these honeys without it. They are the most badass pair of Gladiators a girl could ever own {minus the Balenciaga's Rihanna wears}. These are Aldo sandals, so the quality is ... ech, but they've been really good to me, unlike my other Aldo footwear. I wore these on the bus downtown, at my Dad's salon, {even at work once or twice... shhh} and they've stayed together. I am going to rock these hard next spring in a motorcycle jacket, liquid leggings and a Rolling Stones t-shirt.

These needed special mention. These were the first shoes I bought with the money I earned from my first paycheque from the shoe store. They are amazing tartan converse and I love them. I remember the feeling of power that came from swiping my pristine debit card in the terminal for these suckers. Love them forever.

My favourite boots I ever purchased from my store. Franco Sarto Alto boots in patent leather. Gorgeous. Beautiful. And I can last up to 4 hours standing in these things! They look great with cigarette pants and a sequined top, or opaque tights and a short black dress. I even wore them with my liquid leggings and plaid men's shirt. Just awesome. And they were only 68 bucks with my discount. The reason we sold out of these boots were because of me. I swear. I had to have sold atleast 3/4 of our stock in the first few weeks we had them last year. I convinced my Mom to buy a pair I loved them so much.

And finally, my most lived-in pair of shoes. Kelly Green kitten heels from le Chateau. These shoes are 4 years old. I had my first beer in these shoes, I told my crush I loved him in these shoes, I took care of my drunk friends in these shoes-- I even high-tailed it through a park at night in these shoes. I walked home from a party in these, I cried in these heels, I found out a life-changing secret, hell I even walked my bloody dog in these shoes. They are completely and utterly ruined, and that makes me love them even more. I will never, EVER give these away. Ever. I am actually going to paint over the scuff marks on these and wear them again. Memories last forever, okay.

Oh yeah. And also a totally inappropriate-for-this-post picture of my book shelves. Just because.

So there you have it. My closet, my shoes, and a few select memories I had in them. Shoes are not just something you wear on your feet; they are a sign of who you are and what you love. They say your eyes are the window to your soul. I say, it's your shoes.

Some kind of introduction/ The Retail Voice

2008-11-17T13:52:00.003-06:00

Hi, I'm Charmaine.

Most people call me Charmaine.

I'm still determined to get a better nickname. I mean, it's on my list of top 10 (right before 'marry Ewan McGregor' and directly after 'buy toilet paper').

I work for a semi-respectable chain of shoe stores located in Western Canada. We cater to those bold enough to request hand-to-foot contact, shoe polishing, and ass-kissing. (In other words, everything in the store is over 100 dollars).

Over the last year and a half I've developed some time-tested theories about people, the shoe business, and retail in general. God save the internet for letting me have a blog. Seriously. This could get ugly. Or really boring.

Which brings me to my first re-tale. I call it ...

The Retail Voice.

Any slave to the min-wage will tell you about the voice. Some of us have perfected it's powers to near in-human qualities. The Retail Voice can be subtle, or full out, unabashed irritating glory. For me, it's in the middle. I irritate myself, more than anyone else, when I use it.

Everyone's Voice is different. Mine, for example, is a combination of 'please buy 5 pairs of Uggs so I can claim my meager 2% commish' and 'HI HOW ARE YOU TODAY! I JUST HAD A LITRE OF PURE CAFFEINE!'. Naturally I have a very low-toned voice. My brother likens it to 'a 16 year old boy. Just after puberty-- but not quite manly yet'. My Retail Voice is about 7 octaves above the human range, and into buyer territory. It's like calling a dog with a silent whistle.

'HI! Are you finding everything okay? I like your purse!'

Is my usual opening line. Sometimes I change it up and throw in a 'how's the weather' or 'cute glasses!'. Buyers love the Voice. It's like honey. It's like, 'wow what a polite min-wage worker!'.

Little do they know. I am completely evil. I want them to buy everything in my store, AND order in a few pairs to boot. No pun intended.

In summation: Watch out for the Voice, buyers. They all use it. If you find yourself immediately attracted to a retail worker, you've probably been hit with the classic Honey Drip Compliment Bee, or even the How YOU doin'. Both great examples of how we, the min-wage retailers, divorce you from your money.