christmas listhow unrealistic of me

In an epic display of tastelessness, buycostumes.com has some Thanksgiving shoes for your purchasing pleasure! I couldn’t decide which shoe and accompanying description was most offensive, so for a Thanksgiving treat, you get to see THREE PAIRS, plus totally gauche commentary pulled directly from their website! Yay!

"This Native look is sure to turn some heads! Frolic in the forest in style with these natively sexy shoes! The Cherokee Adult Shoes include layers of fringe."

"Stomp your feet to a great Halloween Party! Complete your Native look for Halloween with these fringed sandals! Perfect for a Pow-Wow."

"A perfect Pow-Wow look! Funky heels with a Native American twist, these shoes are the perfect way to complete your Native look!"

I know, right? This is extra-appropriate for the holiday on which we celebrate the short-lived friendship between Europeans and Native Americans, which was followed quickly by the destruction of Native American culture via land-stealing, over-hunting of indigenous animals, and, the pièce de résistance, smallpox blankets.

Um…yeah…

…Happy Thanksgiving!

Are you looking for the perfect holiday or bridal shoes?  Of course we’d all love a pair of Louboutin heels, but that could set you back several hundreds of dollars!  Luckily Marvelous Girl found a few great knockoffs out there:

Coloriffic makes a pair of glitter slingback peeptoes in silver or gold for $50-$90.  The least-expensive pair we found was at EllaParkBridal.com. 

Forever 21 makes a pair of gold glitter peeptoe pumps for only $23!

Chinese Laundry makes a hot pair of sequin peeptoe pumps in black or navy.  The least-expensive pair we found was $79 at Heels.com.

It’s not everyday you get to feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  So whatever the event, now you can click your heels three times for a fabulous evening…because you saved some straw along the way.

After listening to a report on trends and forecasting and then looking through the Forecasting books for Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 through Autumn/Winter 2010/2011, I now know that the current ‘boot trend’ is not going away any time soon! So time to invest in a few class pairs of riding boots, ankle boots and over the knee heeled boots if you want to be on trend in the few years to come! Here are a few of my favorites and where to find them…

Point de zombies, de goules et autres vampires ce mois ci. Je laisse la décadence au chat de Syracuse !

Par contre, un mois riche en boulot, et autres choses un peu plus funky

So it’s currently 1:32 am and I’m still sitting at the computer, the lack of school has turned my brain to mush, and instead of getting an early night preparing for tomorrow, I am looking up writing competitions and using my newly aquired facebook for entertainment.
How lovely it would be if I were good enough to win money for my writing, so, so good.
I’m really looking forward to the formal and after-party, I don’t know how many times I might need to say this, but I’ll definately say it again.
I’m damn excited.
I’ve found lately I’m finding it hard to tell people how I actually feel, I’m thinking it’s probably because I don’t want to, or because there’s not much to talk about. Everyone’s lives are fairly mediocre these days, and are disappointing me with their lack of entertainment. Good work, everyone.
I also miss Georgia, who for the past two. whole. bloody. weeks, has gone off to be a master chef and cook strudels and linguine and all types of fancy foods with cute chefs and nice people, bastard. Not that I’d be able to pull that off anyway, I have trouble coo
king microwavable popcorn without burning it and I have to force tegan to come over to cook me rice.
Pathetic, yeah?
I need to save up a fair amount of cash and then blow it all on expensive high-heeled shoes, like, dead-set, zero out my clearly filled-with-loads-and-loads-of-cash (not) bank account.
Don’t judge me though, I do work at Fays, not exactly a high paying job is it?
I’m thinking bed would be a good idea for soon, as my eyes are drooping and I keep typing the wrong thing, to everyone who says the blogging world has died, huzzah! You are wrong, as I shall never ditch my lovely little wordpress.

Tumblr, you can shove it.

My love for Dr martens is always growing… I own these lovely pair of ‘Diva Darcie’ boots and I love them! The are sooo comfy you can walk in them all day without your feet hurting and the cushioned sole just allows your foot to sink into shoe comfort heaven! They are pretty funky too, I wear them with all sorts including dresses and skirts.

I have the black patent as I was not too keen on the red! Check them out over at ASOS!

Dr Marten Diva Darcie Patent boot- £75

I cannot wait for this pairing to go down, Im not sure about the release dates as yet  but im pretty sure this is the Spring/Summer 2010 line for Topshop. Now my first response to seeing these heels was ‘OUCH’ woman who have found their men cheating should definitely but these and give them a good kick with these on!! At second glance im afraid to say I really like them, they are funky, fresh, crazy, quirky and different I can’t wait to see what other shoe designs she will be bringing to topshop. Im obliged to say ‘I think I need a pair in my life’ eeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!

Let me know your thoughts

Louise Goldin for Topshop S/S 2010

Images sourced from MYKROMAG!

Now I’ve always had what my parental units would call an “unnatural” affinity for shoes. But how could I resist and deny the delicious adrenaline that rushed through my veins when I first laid eyes upon such wonderfully crafted and beautifully proportionate lady oxfords?

Now I don’t usually dish out more than $50 for shoes, seeing as how I wear them out in a matter of weeks with all my running about, but for these Steve Madden babies, I just might have to make an exception. Speaking of which, this season’s new thang is the black ankle bootie with sheer black tights. And DV by Dolce Vita’s version is geometrically attractive. The heel’s design and shape will support your weight and won’t give you too much trouble. And the design’s classic silhouette, color, and material is a wise choice for someone who’s looking to buy a pair that will last for a couple of seasons. After all, $140 is a pretty steep price to pay in these tough times.

And in looking to the future, I do believe that Spring’s choice of footwear includes the ‘wedge’ and the ‘clog’. Though a long standing fan of the wedge for its reminiscent cool 70’s style, I find that the clog is just one of those things better left un-revived. (Similarly, one can connect this clog concept to the 80’s parachute pants and the 90’s belly shirts.) ModCloth’s Tiki Lounge Wedges in Pina Colada  is a perfect combination of the two designs. Wedge in heel and clog in spirit. These babies would be pretty adorable paired with that insanely cool flower patterned sheer dress, a knit boyfriend cardigan, a coupla antique gold accessories here and there, and a daisy in those perfectly tousled locks of yours. Tread lightly, darlings!

Yours truly,

Lili Darling

Details:
Pink Cami – NY&C
Gray Tank – Target
Black Sweater – Kohls
Gray Scarf – Walmart
Plaid Skirt – Marshalls
Gray Tights – IDK
Black Boots aka Wonder Womans – Chinese Laundry via DSW

Today was a very busy day for me at work. I went on a field trip. This actually proved to be trickier when I was getting dressed than I thought that it would be. First, we went to see a play. So I felt like I had to dress professionally. Second, it was raining. I then knew that I should wear boots and a skirt or dress instead of pants. I hate when my pants get wet from the rain. Third, I don’t have any light colored tights. I pulled out my black boots and gray tights and tried to think of what to wear that wouldn’t be a repeat, especially since I just wore my black boots on Friday and a different pair of gray tights this weekend. I then pulled out this skirt. I love the pattern in this skirt and am not sold on the fit of it for me. It worked, but I felt like it was big in the hips and shifted a lot.

Sorry for the late post, I am getting ready for our trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving!

Give me sparkle, give me zippers, and give me a ridiculously sky-highheel (or wedge) and my holiday spirits have sky rocketed to record breaking levels. So shall we all get in the holiday mood by viewing (and secretly asking Santa) for these equally sky-high priced heels? I already have my two front teeth, so all I want for Christmas are…a pair of these!

And world peace.

Sequined Bootie by Cesare Paciotti

Suede heel by Giuseppe Zanotti

Embellished strappy sandal, Pour La Victoire

Peep-toe pump, Giuseppe Zanotti,

peep-toe low boot with Swarovski-crystail detailing, Le Silla

images via elle.com

From the twittersphere :

Ok So my wife found my new heels today and just went ape shit! It just love the double standard that she has

So grey outside, so I NEED some more colours tonight…  so what about this: not with these gloves as I cannot type then but this beautiful latex dress of mine with these shoes- this is COLORIZING one´s (fetish fashion style) world, isn´t it .  More of this fetish fashion outfit in public in clip and pictures on light-fetish.de

Es ist so grau draussen, ich BRAUCHE etwas mehr Farbe heute Nacht…  so wie wärs mit den hier? – wenn auch nicht mit diesen Handschuhen, denn ich kann mit ihnen nicht tippen, aber auf jeden Fall mein schönes Latexkleid und diese Schuhe- das heisst doch wirklich, sich die (Fetish Fashion) Welt buntisieren, oder ? Mehr von dem Outfit in der Öffentlichkeit, als Clip und in Bildern auf light-fetish.de .

Disclaimer: The Arthritis Foundation of  Western Pennsylvania always advises that you consult your doctor and take their advice. The essay below is a personal story of one young woman, and a humorous look at how living with arthritis or other chronic illness can affect one’s life in the most seemingly simple, or silly, ways. The AFWPA does not ever endorse ignoring any doctor’s advice….and the author now has to have another orthoscopic knee surgery as a consequence….as they say, beauty DOES come with a price! – AB

“No! Not the SHOES!” – by Ashley M. Boynes

Here’s the thing: in addition to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Celiac Disease, I suffer from a third disease. This condition is called “Chronic Shoe Lust.” Shoes are my sanctuary. And here’s my frustration: I don’t want to give up my cute shoes, even when my logic — and my doctor — tells me to. While they aren’t Manolos, Louboutins, or Jimmy Choos by any means, my closet is filled with pair after pair of (more affordable!) adorable, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous-looking shoes. I love them!

Sometimes, it is so hard to be reasonable. It can be especially difficult when you are 26 years old and have a seemingly endless list of rules to follow, what not to do, what not to eat, which medications to take, which supplements are helpful, when the next doctor’s appointment is, and so forth. Add in a pinch of human emotion and a dash of impulsion – and you’re surely bound to slip up here and there.

I have rheumatoid arthritis in ALL of my joints, but my right knee is a particular mess: I have a torn meniscus floating around, both RA and osteoarthritis, cartilage damage, bone spurs and calcium deposits. I’ve lost my full range of motion – my knee doesn’t fully straighten or bend – and it is constantly swollen.  It sometimes physically locks in a 90-degree angle. I have walked with a slight limp since the sixth grade. With no other choice, I’ve gotten used to my not-so-friendly knee and the pain it causes my whole right leg – from hip to ankle.

And this cranky knee? Along with my doctor and family members, it has chastised me time and time again for wearing kitten heels, stilettos, wedges, pointy-toed pumps and other variations of cute and fashionable shoes. These shoes hate me, though. My difficult knee has teamed up with said hip and foot to cause horrendous wear-and-tear to any pair of heels that I slide on to my feet, ruining the shoe by making the heel slanted and bent inward with no hope for repair. This sad display makes me unable to walk in them any further – but yet, as I consider fashion (especially shoes) an art – I do not have the heart to throw them away! That being said, however, I cannot imagine the damage being done to my joint if that is what occurs to each pair of shoes. Hmm…

Now, I AM a logical young woman. I follow my strict gluten-free diet, I take my pills on time, I take my vitamins and rarely miss a doctor’s appointment. I try to take care of myself, and try not to take on more than I can handle.

But I refuse to give up wearing cute shoes. Cute, painful, inconvenient, fabulous shoes!

I’m not sure why this is. I do enjoy the confidence-boost that I get when a stranger compliments me on a particularly stylish pair. It makes me feel good about myself, and I consider shoe-collecting almost a hobby. I know that, given my condition, the “reasonable” and “rational” thing to do is to wear flats, sneakers, or some sort of more “accommodating” shoes. Yet, I wear platform Mary Janes, open-toed kitten pumps, sandals with little-to-no support, and 4-inch stilettos…I just can’t help myself!

I know, I know. I’m “going to kill myself walking in those things.” It’s “no wonder” I limp. “Of course my knee is killing me — look at those shoes!” -  I’ve heard it all. But when I’m traipsing back to the parking garage at the end of the work day, I don’t feel so badly – because I’m joined by countless other women limping along, teetering on the edge of sanity with their sky-high heels. In that moment, I’m not alone.

Could this be why I torture myself with the heels? Maybe a part of me thinks it is easier to hide behind the guise of “it’s just the shoes,” rather than a chronic illness with no end in sight. It’s the blame game — and blaming a physical ail on having fashionable feet is much easier than the reality of the situation. I also think it’s my pride. I want to hold on to any sense of normalcy that I can, since sometimes my life isn’t exactly that of a “normal” 26-year-old. Do I have to give up something that, as silly as it is, makes me happy?

I know that I’m being stubborn, and I’m probably hurting my knee further, but here’s how I justify it: I’ve sacrificed enough. I have given up pizza, beer, “regular” baked goods, my beloved Twizzlers, and, really, any sense of being carefree. I’ve sacrificed sports. I’ve sacrificed nights out with friends. Isn’t it OK to be stubborn just this once?

I know there are far worse things that could happen in life – after all, they’re only shoes. But shoes are something I can control. The other things that bother me about chronic illness are things that I might not be able to change, ever, even if I want to. So forgive me for wanting to hold on to my shoes. After all, I need to be well-heeled while I take the steps to kick these symptoms!

What do you think, reader? What have you sacrificed because of a health condition — trivial, or serious? Do you ever “cheat” and stray from what your doctor says, like I do with my shoes?  As always, I want to hear your comments…and I’m sure I’ll be blogging before and after the surgery that my unfortunate shoe habit has, in part, led me to have to schedule. Have a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the AFWPA, and we hope you enjoy reading our blogs as much as we like writing them! We are “thankful” to have you as readers and as supporters of our chapter as we fight to spread awareness about arthritis and to provide a community of support for anyone suffering from one of the 117 types of arthritis & related illness! Again, comments are always welcomed and encouraged.

Be Well,

-Ashley Boynes

Community Development Director

Western Pennsylvania Chapter

voted, “Best Blogger in Pittsburgh!”

PS: Are RUNNING SHOES more your style? Be sure to sign up for our December 12th Jingle Bell Run/Walk! This 5K takes place in Pittsburgh’s North Shore and should be a fun time — all for a great cause!

Yummy black gladiator satin finish sandals from Dorothy Perkins, Great for the party season and they come in two colours. The shoe features a nice sturdy heel, small platform and rouche detailing down the front of the shoe. Simple shoe that will go with plenty of different outfits. Definatly my kind of shoe, sometimes its nice to have a shoe with a clean minimal design to really set off your outfit.

Dorothy Perkins Gladiator – £30