April 11 - red patent!

What:  size 7.5 red patent peep toe platform slingbacks
From:  AK Anne Klein (Lord&Taylor)
Purchased:  summer '07
Cost:  $40

Can't believe I didn't find way to wear these this past summer, but high heel red patent platform slingbacks aren't exactly my lifestyle right now, you know?  Oh, I do love these shoes, though.  These are the ones that started me on my AK Anne Klein kick, and later that same year I bought a pair of very similar but slightly different brick red patent slingback peep toes.  I grabbed these off the clearance racks and tried them on almost as a lark, and was surprised at how well they fit.  Love at first try on. 

But look!  City living is hard on heels.  One wrong step into a grate or coming off a curb and you get a little heel tear.  Sob!  This one isn't that terrible, but it certainly takes  away a little from the shoe.  I have never tried, so I wonder if that can be repaired, or if there is a way to prevent it from happening.  Oh well.  I need to learn to happily wear my shoes out and about in the city, and then gracefully let them go when it is time.  It's not time for these, yet, though!

Shoe-maggeddon has caused me to covet some new shoes, though, and I have my eye on several pairs of AK Anne Kleins for this summer, but with a much lower heel.  We'll see if I can score some good prices!  

Bottom line:  Keeper! 

April 5 - super frustrating pumps

What:  size 7.5 loafer-style red and taupe suede pumps with bow
From: Franco Sarto (purchased online from SmartBargains.com 
Purchased:  '04-'06
Cost:  $30

Oh, these shoes annoy me.  Why in the world did I think 7.5s were a good idea purchased online without trying them on?  You guessed it - too tight.  I stalked these and the black suede ones and got both in 7.5.  And I don't know why I didn't try to return them.  The ever-present hope that the next time I put them on they'll actually fit?  I'm also a sucker for red/brown combos. 

I marched around with these today and they are tight.  Are they too tight?  I got rid of the black ones (which were really, really tight).  I have this unreasonable hope that suede shoes can be stretched.  Bah.  I can't admit the error of this purchase, too.  They are cute. 

Bottom line:  keeper - will take them to be stretched next fall and we'll see if there's any hope

March 25 - red mary janes

What:  size 8.5 dark red suede mary janes with brown strap
From:  Franco Sarto (6pm.com)
Purchased:  May 20, 2010
Cost:  $40

I think with these I've finally covered all 22 of the shoes I bought in 2010.  Whew.  I cyber-stalked these all last winter/spring and finally got them.  I thought I had paid slightly less than $35, but my bank records say $40, so that included shipping.  I really liked them, but just never had occasion to wear.  I like the red-brown combination, though typically I wear red/black. 

There was a sweater I liked a lot at Lands End and with a gift card from Christmas I was even able to buy that sweater this winter to match - cardigan over white dress shirt, jeans and these shoes. Perfect.  Thanks goodness for this current cold spell, huh?  (well, not really, but it does give me the opportunity to actually get this outfit/shoes worn this year (see many previous discussions of work from home pajamas), otherwise these shoes would just sit in their stack for yet another spring/summer!).   

I was at a DSW last summer and saw these in brown suede on the clearance racks, and I tell you if I had not just learned my contract position was not going to be renewed I would own those, too.  Both the purple Franco Sarto and these came a wide range of colors, and I had a hard time deciding which colors to get in which style.  I would have loved these in brown, and for the purple ones, I loved all the options - red, brown, and, grey but went with the cute purple.  Tough decisions! 

Bottom line:  Keeper!

March 20 - but they are soooo cool!

What:  size 8 reddish platform croc embossed pumps
From:  Talbots (outlet)
Purchased:  March 19, 2011
Cost:  $26.50

Ok, see, these are actually why I traveled to the Clearance Center.  I first tried these shoes on last September,  as they were putting new fall merchandise out.  I loved them - love the color, just in between red and plum, love the exaggerated platform, LOVE.  My dad hmmphed at them, but I loved them.  I tracked them throughout the sale periods, and tried them on again when they made it to the clearance center at $85.  I watched the 25% off, and knew they had plenty and I could wait til the really good markdown - 60% off, plus that extra 10% off.  I had to have them.  Completely impractical.  But I like that they're red, but not really red - I wear a lot of plum, so I think I can make these work.  I was going to wear them out on the 20th, but Rich was sick and so I was on kid duty all day and they didn't get worn.  But I have plans for them. 

They had them in grey, too, and I almost decided on the grey as more practical, but come on these aren't remotely practical no matter the color, and I just really wanted the red. 

Pair #5 for the year.  Uh, and since I am doing one shoe in one shoe out, I'm counting these red ones against them.  Yes, I know it doesn't really count if I'm discarding a pair I had already decided to discard, but that's just the way it is.  Write you own shoe blog. 

Bottom line:  keeper! 

March 4 - maybe these are the best

What:  size 8 leopard print and suede pumps with velvet trim/bow
From:  Coach (bloomingdales)
Purchased:  Fall '05
Cost:  $115

So, I wrote my polka dot/spotted shoes were the best, but I think these might be the best.  It's a toss up.  The polka dot ones are more whimsical, with the hot pink/red suede accent.  These are more classic, if you will, with the leopard print and red suede, and slgihtly higher heel, though not too high.  These are also more comfortable, which means they might get the nod.  But for some reason, when I started this shoe challenge, I thought I only had two pairs of Coach shoes - I totally forgot about these.  So, hmm, not sure what that means about my love of them. 

These were in all the Coach ads in the early fall of 2005.  I ripped that ad out of several magazines - I could probably find it (I have files of interesting things I rip out of magazines - clothes, jewelry, recipes, book reviews, gardening tips, craft projects, places to go, see, do, thoughtful articles, etc - really, bizarrely, it's the one of the few things I actually keep semi-organized).  I coveted those shoes.  So when I had my little shoe frenzy at Bloomingdales, and found these on the sale rack (despite the pre-season hype!) I had to have them.  I wore them to two subsequent office parties, with fishnets, black pencil skirt, and red sweater with faux fur trim.  I've only worn them maybe 2-3 times besides that (per wear cost - oh the horror!).  Maybe it's the red - I used to wear a ton of red but don't really anymore.  So I knew I had to wear them for my monthly mom's night out dinner with friends (though i was not satisfied with my outfit).  They really are good shoes, I need to wear them more often.  I do love them, but I need more ideas of how to wear them. 

But it does make me think about some of my more blah shoes.  It is true I have some really stylin' shoes.  But really, not that many truly standout trendy shoes, and the ones I do have tend to be sandals.  But like everyone else, I need shoes for walking the dog or going for a walk or hitting the playground.  Hmm.  I am really curious to see the whole collections laid out - I think that will be very eye opening.  April 8 is the date!  Take off work and come by! 

Bottom line:  oh is there any doubt these are keepers? 

February 27 - red loafers

What: size 8 red leather tassel loafers with heel
From: Ann Taylor (outlet)
Purchased: '02-03
Cost: $30

I bought these at an Ann Taylor outlet store in Gilroy, CA! Business trip to Monterey, oh I miss those. The business trips, and the old AT outlets. Ann Taylor outlets used to carry old product from Ann Taylor (and LOFT) stores, but now they've been branded Ann Taylor Factory Stores and they carry products made specifically for the outlet store. Hate that! Where do they sell all their left over merchandise now? I used to get some good bargains, but alas no more.

Anyway, these were always a hair too tight, so I'm going to actually get rid of them. And look what I've done:
The shoe rack in Elizabeth's room is done! Totally cleaned off! Wohoo!

But look what else I've done:
The discard pile right by the door in our bedroom. Making me crazy. I've got to get this stuff donated.

You know why it's (relatively) easy to get rid of these? Because I still have these. I don't even need TSM to see the overlap here.

Bottom line: discard!

December 1 - cold and rainy needs bright red shoes

What: shiny red size 8 rain shoes
From: chillmark
Purchased: Hmmm. Can't remember. A while ago. Late 90s?
Cost: no idea. I do know I wouldn't have spent more than $20, so we'll go with that, though I bet it was cheaper

December 1 was a gray, rainy, pretty crappy day, so I pulled these out. I actually thought they no longer fit (so why do I keep shoes for years and years that don't fit and i never wear? Who knows?) but they turned out to be kinda comfy. I think my orthotics don't fit in them, so I stopped wearing them, but just for a short rainy jaunt they were perfectly fine to wear. Good to know, I'll keep them and maybe they'll get a ltitle bit of wear.

Bottom line: keeper

November 4 - bordeaux suede

What: Size 8 quilted suede and patent mary janes with 2 inch heel, in a rich purple-y red color
From: Franco Sarto (Lord & Taylor)
Purchased: January 2009
Cost: $25

I love these shoes. The fourth of the 5 shoes I bought in late December '08 - early January '09, when I was unemployed with a 2 month old. These might be my favorite from that time, and they've certainly gotten the most wear. They actually caused me to go on a Franco Sarto buying spree - I stalked a few shoes online for quite a while and bought two pairs of suede mary janes in 2010, both pairs as yet still unworn. These are a perfect heel height, totally comfortable, perfect with dress pants or jeans. (I have the pants pulled up a bit to try and show the shoes in the photo above) Love. I could have gotten these in black or navy blue back in January '09, and I kind of wish I had. These are looking a little worn, but they've got quite a bit of life in them yet!

Bottom line: keeper

October 27 - ruby patent peeps

What: Size 7.5 dark red patent peep toe slingbacks with 3.5 inch heel and slight platform
From: AK Anne Klein (Lord and Taylor)
Purchased: 2007
Cost: $40

Love these shoes. But they are too high for any sort of regular wear. I actually wore them on the 26th - on Rich's birthday, he worked downtown and finished up early. I drove downtown to meet him and have a drink, and then we went home, got the kids, and Metro-ed back downtown to go out to dinner. I wore these for the driving part of getting downtown, scored great parking, and just knew there was no way I could walk from home to the metro with a stroller and two kids, then walk to the restaurant and then do it all in reverse. Kids are not conducive to a high heeled lifestyle. And let's face it, I'm also out of practice - I'm just not as comfortable in higher heels as I once was. Still, these are great shoes, comfortable and stylish.

Bottom line: keeper

October 23 - red loafers

What: Size 7.5 red-tan hush puppies
From: Hush Puppies (hechts)
Purchased: 1996 or 97
Cost: $32

Another from the old shoe files. These have been hanging in Elizabeth's room since 2003 without being worn once. You know that adage if you haven't worn something in a year, throw it out? I pretty much bust that wide open.

I used to wear these a fair amount, but...I don't know. Just sort of outgrew them? (In terms of maturing my wardrobe, I mean.) They are also a wee bit pinch-y. But I got a ton of compliments on Saturday, and one very preppy woman even asked if they were Hush Puppies. I think after all these years they've moved into vintage territory, so I can't get rid of them!

Bottom line: keeper, though they will probably never get much wear. I'll move them into archival storage and bust them out on special occasions.

October 10 - red heels

What: size 8 square toe 2/5 inch brick red heels
From: Nine West (Hechts, I think)
Purchased: mid 90s
Cost: $25

OK, at this point I want to catch up by date, so I skipped a few days. I was going to do discards, but just want to catch up. Also, it was warm, and I'm pretty much out of sandals, though not entirely. So I have no real excuse, just not inspired by what remains of warm weather shoes and ready to pull out the fall shoes.

I've had these forever, but haven't worn them much in the past 5-8 years. I used to wear a lot of dark red, but not so much anymore. Not sure why. So I grabbed these and they're still comfy, but I wore them with black pants and a pink-ish paisley cardigan, and felt they didn't go well together.


Bottom line: keeper, but they won't get much wear unless my wardrobe picks up more of this brick red color

October 2 - garnet loafers go goodbye

What: size 7.5 garnet suede loafers
From: Hush Puppies (Hechts, I think)
Purchased: late 90s
Cost: $35, give or take

Saturday was the FSU/UVA football game at UVA, and wouldn't these have been great with my garnet and gold sweatshirt and jeans? But alas, these were really too small back in the day (I'd only worn them a handful of times because they hurt) and it's time to admit they are simply too small and they need to go. I couldn't even get them on my feet for a pic.

So I wore my awesome bronze platforms instead. They are awesome football game shoes as they give me some height, and they are comfy, and they look like they would be too awesome for football and walking but since they are comfy they work great.

I am seriously thinking about offering some of these shoes on ebay. These are a little out of date/chunky, but still nice.

Bottom line: outta here, one way or another

September 9 - red loafers

What: size 8.5 Narrow red with patent trim square toe slingback loafer, 2 inch heel
From: Talbots (outlet)
Purchased: late 90s/early 00s
Cost: ?? Maybe $25?

Two things, I have had these shoes forever and man I take crappy photos with my iphone at times. But if I took better pics, with camera/tripod action, I'd never upload them, so we shall soldier on.

And the third thing - I have not worn these shoes in forever. I go through phases with shoes, where I wear them all the time, then put them in the back of the closet, or acquire new favorites, and essentially I feel I am building an archeological time capsule of shoe styles over the past 20 years. I have no idea, though, why I haven't worn these in the work from home lifestyle. Perfect height, not too dressy but not too casual, either.

I used to wear these all the time in 2003 with a very cute black and white flowered shirtdress with red piping at the sleeves and collar. Love that dress, loved that outfit. Dress is still hanging in the closet in Elizabeth's room, but too small by 2 sizes. Should be motivation for me to lose weight, but yet I am slacking.

For shoes that are about 10 years old, they are in decent shape and not really too out of date. The heel is a little chunky, but not too badly. These have to go back into rotation.

Bottom line: keeper

July 31 - another mistake - and some good buys

What: platform espadrilles with wrap ties
From: Nina (Hechts or Lord and Taylor)
Purchased: '03
Cost: $40? Guessing

I have always, always wanted a pair of wrap around the leg sandals like this. So I got these. I don't remember how much they cost, but I think because of this deep desire, they cost more than I should have paid. (or, alternately, they were so cheap I couldn't pass them up - can't decide, so going with too much as I don't want to artificially keep my average cost down from reality).

Here's the thing about these - that tie is a stiff, rough, twill-like material. And, it's the only thing keeping the shoe on your foot. I wore these once, to work, actually (hmm, probably inappropriate!), and wore sores on my legs where the ties rubbed!

I was in Talbots this weekend and they have a pair of ribbon espadrilles:
Marked down today to $22! Look how the ribbon hooks onto the back, heel strap. These ribbons are decorative, not functional. Comes in a ton of colors, and a snap up the bargain price. (But these are not the ones I bought, though I did try them on).

Speaking of bargains, Talbots marked down all their stuff today (Monday) - and I went shopping Sunday. Garrr. Two more bargains to point out - I would love a pair of red espadrilles, because I don't have that color, but not sure - well I know - I don't need them (only $22 right now!):

And another bargain for today - I love these, but they are only online and so I have no idea on fit, but I think they look fab (though that side angle is hard to see what the decorative thing really looks like, it might be fugly, might be cool) - only $27:
Aren't those a great replacement for the gold sandals? Hmm, if I had not bought two pairs of shoes yesterday, the DAY BEFORE another markdown, these sandals would be making their way to me right now. Which is ridiculous as I HAVE ENOUGH SHOES. You know what? I think shoe blogging is making me think about shoes more than I actually normally do, which is leading to more purchases. I'm up to 14 this year alone.

Anyway, back to the ones I actually own. OK, in addition to wearing actual open sores, they are also now too small. So to the discard pile they go.

Bottom line: bye bye

July wrap up coming soon!

July 29 - old slip ons

What: size 8 slips ons
From: AK Anne Klein (Lord and Taylor)
Purchased: ~'99
Cost: $40

I wrote about this before, when talking about slip on sneaks. These are my first pair of AK Anne Klein, and I loved them. Looooooved them. Wore them out - so much so that the inserts - the cushioning - just felt deflated. So I bought another pair, slightly different but same brand, in pink, and wore those out, and only used these red ones for painting, gardening, and work around the house. When I was going through my closet the other day, I pulled these out, and you know what? They're not as remotely worn out as the pink ones have become. But I can't find the pink ones, so tried these for the afternoon. Still love them. Really, really wish AK Anne Klein still made them.

I really need to get rid of one of the two pairs - will evaluate once I discover where the pink ones are hiding. Or, I need to get a new pair of athletic pull ons, and ditch both of 'em.

My pictures are getting worse and worse!

I cannot remember at all what I was doing last Thursday and why I picked these. I still have some good shoes for summer left, btu have been feeling uninspired lately.

Bottom line: keeper, for now

July 17 - never worn, but out the door

What: size 7.5, 2.5 inch red heels
From: Talbots (outlet)
Purchase: late 90s
Cost: ~$24

I've never worn these shoes. They still have the tag on, with a clearance price written in red ink of $24. But they were probably at least 25% off, possibly 50%, or even 75%. But we'll call it $24, since I can't remember. I was on a real red shoe kick for a while, but these never quite fit right, and I never quite had the right outfit for them, and now they are really too pinchy on the sides. It's too bad, they are cute.

Bottom line: these are up for grabs - let me know if you are interested, otherwise they will journey to goodwill in the next couple of weeks

July 14 - another offer

What: red linen half inch heeled mules, size 7.5
From: Talbots (Outlet)
Purchased: ? early ‘00s
Cost: ~$20

Another pair up for grabs. All these 7.5s were just a hair tight back in the day, but now just do not fit. I wore these a small handful of times. I went through a real mule phase for a while there, but I think I’m over it now, or maybe mules just aren’t as in style. In any case, leave a comment if you’d like to try them on, otherwise they are going bye bye.

Bottom line: give away!

July 4 - red

What: size 7.5 AA-width red tumbled leather mules
From: Talbots (outlet)
Purchased: could not even guess beyond late 90s
Cost: not sure, but outlet purchase means they were around $20

As discussed, my feet have grown. Sigh. Kind of depressing, except I think this might actually help me cull some shoes. When I did a quick look through my shoes, I ran across several that were size 7.5 and just did not fit. Stay tuned, as they are going to be offered online before being donated. Anyway, I've long had a thing for red shoes, but my look through showed me several of the now too small shoes were red ones. And most of my red ones are heels or pumps or heeled loafers. I could actually use a couple of pairs of red sandals now that I'm thinking about it - filed away for future reference when I am checking out the clearance racks.

Anyway, on the 4th I picked these up and checked the size, 7.5. And sighed, thinking they would be too small. And the width - I have discovered at the Talbots Outlet that their shoe sizes are all over the place. I have at least two pairs of narrow shoes from the outlet, and my feet are wide. WIDE. Seriously wide. And yet, these still fit fine. Go figure.

Bottom line: keeper

June 24 - more extravangace

What: Size 8, lilac/pink and red cross strap wooden heels with studs sandals
From: Coach (Lord and Taylor)
Purchased: summer '04
Cost: ~$85

My only other pair of designer shoes, a total extravagance. Like the other pair of Coach shoes, also purchased at first markdown from L&T. I usually scoff at first markdown, but I saw these shoes and loved them. My friend Therese once asked me about keeping older things, and made the point of items going out of style. Which is a very valid point, but I don't operate at the edge of trendiness. I work in the classics, the basics. I don't snap things up pre-season, I buy them end of season (which is usually actually mid-season! Why summer sales start in July is crazy to me from a seller's perspective, but as a buyer I love it) and wear them the next year. I do have some shoes that were once wildly popular but now extremely dated (platforms!), but really, most of what I've worn so far this month is fairly timeless. Every once in a while though I get caught up. I saw these and for whatever reason fell in love. I've always thought they were way awesome-er than anyone else ever has - I've never gotten the compliments on them I think they deserve. But I love them. Haven't worn them for a while, so busted them out yeterday. The suede straps were stiff, but quickly loosened up and they were as comfortable as I remembered. Sure, perhaps dated, and they also need to be reheeled, but I still love them. And I have a summer skirt in those exact colors!

Bottom line: Keeper. But tell me, do you think they are dated?

June 23 - new (sorta) - and some updates

What: size 8.5 white/pink flip flops
From: Talbots (outlet)
Purchased: ~1998
Cost: $6.50

So 23 days in and I struggle a bit with really casual shoes. We headed out to the baseball park on a 95 degree day and I needed something super easy and cool to wear. I rejected some shoes with heels and was a bit stymied, but then remembered these. I bought them a long time ago at the Talbots Outlet store, on a visit with my friend Kristen. They were marked $26 dollars, but 75% off. I only remembered they were super cheap (in my memory they were $8) - I've never worn them and the price tag was still on! They were a little big, and then I had my orthotic/back issue, so they've been living in a box for the past 12 years or so. I had been thinking about trying to sell them on Craig's List, but they were a great choice. I probably should have sold them, but the challenge had to be met!
--
UPDATES

- Pink sneakers: Here's the thing. People who keep things and people who get rid of things can never really understand each other. I simply cannot get rid of a perfectly good pair of shoes. It makes me slightly anxious (but what if I need them?) to think about discarding perfectly fine anything. And so, if I know you are a non-cluttered person and you say get rid of them with no analysis why, I am sorry to say I pretty much discount your opinion as you'd say that about any pair! I need reasons to get rid of them. TSM hit it - the heel overhang really is an issue. So, um, I will keep thinking about it. Though seriously? That pic from '07? I distinctly recall being dissatisfied with those shoes that day.

- strap sandals: I forgot to put a bottom line. Keeping. I wore them yesterday in the morning to walk to Target. Straps definitely tight in extreme heat, but sandals are cute. And all together now: Not that uncomfortable!

- overall: 23 days, 22 pairs of shoes, 1 definitely donated, 1 needs to be re-heeled, 1 undecided, 0 purchases, though 1 in consideration. And no worries about running out of options.