Amen! Christian Louboutin!

November 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment

I would hate for someone to look at my shoes and say “Oh my god! They look so comfortable”

Christian Louboutin

Amen! Christian Louboutin!

Might as well call me fat, old and/or tired looking.  Its not that I am against comfortable, actually quite a fan of comfort in all forms — but as a shoe fanatic—I never want this to be the first thought when someone looks at my shoes. Beautiful, sexy, adorable, fabulous, killer, pretty, shiny, colorful, etc.… all good. It’s like describing a girl with “she has a nice personality” yikes!  Kiss of death.

I know its complete vanity, which I’m sure is a sin, not a big 10-commandment type of sin, but a small infraction.

But if comfortable is the adjective selected above all others- take me out and shoot me.

Beautiful shoes are like art for your feet. And sometimes you must suffer for your art. If pretty shoes are not your thing, no judgment from me.  Crocs for you and Louboutins for me and we can both walk in peace. Namaste

Laura

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Most Common Questions

November 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

“Don’t your feet hurt?”

“How do you walk in those?”

I get asked one or both of these questions almost every time I step out in my “big girl shoes”.

The quick answer to these questions in order is “yes” and  “with practice”.

I can however offer some advice for those wishing to go big.

  1. In general. High-end designer shoes are way more comfortable than cheap shoes.  Why? Because these companies crafted the product and their specialty is making shoes, not just mass production plastic ripe offs from China. It’s like sitting in a leather recliner verse a metal folding chair. Yes, they are both chairs, but that is about all.  Invest in some Salvatore Ferragamo, Giuseppe Zanotti, Lavin, Sergio Rossi, Fendi, Miu Miu or Lamb brand shoes or many others as well. Your feet will feel the difference. I know they are expensive, trust me I know. But a well-made pair of shoes will last for decades. A payless special not only hurt, they fall apart in mere months.
  2. Some shoes are just more comfortable, just like some pairs of paints etc.… It depends a lot on your foot shape and the shoe brand. Feet are different on everyone. They are like trees, all tress yet none look the same. My suggestions on comfort: Open toe is always more comfortable. No cramming toes into a point. Nice sturdy straps at toes and at the ankle help provide support.  These straps also help reduce what I call “balance work” while walking. A high heel with one tiny strap across the toes can be super sexy, but requires balance training to walk in.
  3. As far as walking in sky- scraper shoes. It does take practice and balance. All your weight is shifted forward and up on your toes. If you want to practice, just walk on you toes only a few minutes everyday- you will get the hang of it.
  4. Start small and work you way up. Think of it as training wheels. First a two-inch thick chunky heel, they a three-inch sensible pump, then maybe a four-inch wedge…. You get the idea. The bigger the base of support i.e. wedge is way easier that a tiny stiletto heel. And then add in height for the difficulty factor. I didn’t really mean to make this sound like a math problem.  When you can run in five-inch stilettoes, you have mastered the high heel.

 

I included a picture of a favorite comfortable pair. They reflect many of things I mentioned: High-end brand, open toe, sturdy toe and ankle straps. And they are really cute. I can wear this pair for many hours and they feel better than a pair of payless sneakers I purchased in desperation one day in NYC.

Now go and strut your stuff!

Laura

 

 

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A Long Time Friend

November 16, 2014 By Leave a Comment

I love shoes, no secret there. And I know love is a strong word for an inanimate object, I get it. People say they love pizza or donuts and I think we all understand that they really enjoy these foods, however not planning a life long relationship with a jelly donut.

With that said, shoes (at least for me) deserve more space in the love spectrum than a pizza. Why? Because I have several pairs of shoes that have out lasted relationships, sadly some of which I thought were going to be life long friendships.  A special pair of shoes can remind you of a wonderful place and time, just like a song. I have several pairs of shoes I procured while staying in Scotland. Every time I wear them I am reminded of fun times and the lovely people I know across the pond.

Some shoes are like an old friend, always there, always ready when you need them. And I still have one very special pair of stylized white cowboy boots.  This might be the oldest pair in my collection. I wore them (gasp a few decades ago) to every dance club in Hollywood/Los Angeles. I’m surprised I didn’t wear out the soles! There were my dancing shoes!  We shared many many crazy fun times.  Just looking at them I hear the Kinks “Coming Dancing… and I am transported back the 321 Club, Coconut Teasers, The Palladium, The Troubadour, Seven Seas, The Roxy, The Viper Room, Dillon’s, Whiskey A Go Go etc.… all fun places I went with these boots.

I can’t part with them, honestly we grew up together. And the good part is these boots don’t judge and will never share any of my foolish (I was young) secrets.

Laura

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Marry my Shoes?

November 9, 2014 By 1 Comment

It’s not a secret to anyone who knows me or has ever seen me on stage, I love pretty shoes.  (I always wear fancy shoes on stage. If you don’t like what I’m saying you can always just look at the shoes.) Because of my shoe love people will send me shoe sayings and photos. (“Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world.” Marilyn Monroe. Is one of my favorites.)  I enjoy these shoes musings of course. I received this gem about a week ago.

A wedding cake but instead of a bride and groom there is a golden slipper.

First I thought how pretty and I love cake. Then I was disturbed.  Is this suggesting I should marry a shoe? I do love shoes, but I hope when I say this it is understood this is not the same as the complex and wonderful emotion of love for a person. But then I thought about it again (Did I mention I have insomnia?) I have several pairs of shoes that have out lasted many relationships. I have shoes that have been with me through some of my most crazy fun times and through some challenging times as well. And there they were offering support, their soles firmly connecting me to the ground, all without judgment.

My shoes have been there for me in richer and in poorer, in sickness and in health, the good times and the bad.  And truly for many pairs it is only when they died did we part. I’m a many time shoe widow.

Marry my shoes? Well no. But I won’t dismiss their impotence either. We have been through so much, but I will enjoy the cake.

Laura

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Its Not Always Pretty.

November 2, 2014 By 4 Comments

I get asked a lot; how many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you really wear all of them? How can you walk in those? Are you constantly giving/ throwing away shoes?

I never mind questions about my shoes. I love shoes. Shoes are fun and no matter how much Halloween candy, holiday cookies, or chocolate Easter eggs you have eaten, they always fit! I have pictures of some of my favorites stored on my phone like cherished friends.

How many pairs do I own? I honestly don’t know. Probably a number I should be embarrassed about, but this does not embarrass me. Actually I am proud of every pair. Each pair was lovingly chosen. And yes I wear every pair I have ever purchased. Some more than others of course. It’s hard to pull off thigh high black sequined boots on a daily basis.

Walking in heels just takes practice. At first you look like a newly born baby giraffe but in time, you’ll get the hang of it. Well most do. My advice start small 2-3 inches and work you way up to 5+ inches. I can always tell actresses in movies and red carpet events who don’t wear heels often, they look like the above mentioned baby giraffes. I could run (Not far mind you) in heels if needed.

As far as discarding my lovelies, I keep most of my shoes until the end of their life. Some shoes live longer than others. Cloth shoes wear out faster than leather etc.… I have rock star status with the cobbler in my neighborhood. I keep him busy re- pairing and cleaning up my darlings. I had a pair of boots resoled 4 times before I finally let them lay to rest.

Mostly the shoes give out on me before I give up on them. Case and point this pair of black wedges. They were several years, but they were great for walking. I was visiting my dear friend the fabulous Nita Apple in downtown LA. (If you want any project improved by 1000% hire her for a consult! http://makingitsmall.com) We had walked to brunch about a mile from her home. It was a lovely sunny Sunday and then in the middle of the crosswalk of 6th and Flower the center of the wedge just fell out, it literally disintegrated. Now I was walking like the above mentioned baby giraffe.  The middle of wedge just called it quits. I was trying to hobble back to her home on this dilapidated shoe when the back of the shoe also gave up the ghost. Now walking was truly hilarious. Nita and I laughed so hard at the ever-disappearing shoe. It was funny and the champagne from brunch I’m sure spirited our giggles. I made it back to my car eventually and of course I had some other shoes in my car- I always do. (Scout motto be prepared)  So this pair decided life was over before I was done with them. RIP Black Wedges, thank you for the laughs!

Laura

 

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