February 19 - new boots

What: size 8W black suede wedge tall boots
From: Naturalizer (online)
Purchased: November 28, 2010
Cost: $80

My 22nd and final purchase of 2010! Love these. In the early fall, my friend Elaine sent me an e-mail asking about some boots on the Naturalizer site, and I spied these. I cyber-stalked them for a bit - all my tall black boots are in bad shape. Also, I doubt my friend Therese remembers this, but the first time I met her (we worked at sister organizations) she was wearing a pair of black wedge boots, and I've wanted a pair ever since. I was intrigued by these because they came in a wide shaft option. I have a confession to make. My right calf has always been larger than my left calf, but since having Elizabeth, the disparity has become even more pronounced. My right calf is now a full inch wider than my left. Which means, over the next few postings, I'm about to show you a whole series of fabulous boots that don't fit me. It is infuriating. I don't know if getting into shape will help or not, but I'm not willing to give up on my boot collection.

So, anyway, I needed new tall black boots. When at my inlaws for Thanksgiving, I was able to visit an actual Naturalizer store (not an outlet), and I found these in 7.5 W, in the regular width shaft. With a 20% off coupon, they were $80. And they mostly fit. Tight, but zippable. But tight enough that I felt I should check out the extended shaft opening. They were offering free shipping, and it hit me that since there are no stores in DC, there would be no tax. So I ordered 8W extended shaft from the website (they didn't have any 7.5s). And then I dithered for a couple of weeks, which is why they weren't worn in 2010. Ultimately, I kept the extended shaft - theoretically, I could possibly even wear them with jeans tucked in. In theory. These are great, though, it's nice to have them, and I've definitely enjoyed rocking the short skirt, tights, tall boots look.

Bottom line: keeper!

July 21 - green from Ebay

What: size 8, 3.5 inch green/gold patent wedges with woven heel
From: AK Anne Klein (EBAY!)
Purchased: I thought '03 or '04, but it turns out to be '07-'08
Cost: $45

So, these have now shaken my confidence in my memory. I was sure I had seen these shoes in '03 or '04, when I bought the pink and black matching pairs at Lord & Taylor. I was sure of it. In my memory, I had bought those two shoes a couple of weeks apart, had tried on these in white both trips, but when I went back for the white shoes, they were gone. So I typed the shoe name into google and lo and behold, found someone selling a never before worn pair on EBay in my size. But I just decided to confirm by checking my paypal account, which I almost never use, and I saw they were purchased in spring 2008. So, my memory of when I got them is faulty, but where I got them is still accurate. How weird.

Anyway, I definitely saw these first at Lord and Taylor, and tried them on in white, liked them but bought something else I can't remember (this is going to bug me til I figure it out). Kept thinking about them, though, and went back, but they were gone. I did have an AK Anne Klein phase in '07-'08. Hmm. Anyway, I did google them and did find them in green, which as we know I have have a weird compulsion to buy. But- this part I do remember clearly. At L&T, I could have grabbed them for about $35. On ebay, they were being sold for something like $50, plus $10 shipping. Which was too high, especially considering I had missed my chance at dirt cheap. So I watched them. For 6 months or so - from the August spotting til March. And by the stat counter, I was the only person watching them. First he dropped shipping to $8, then the cost to $45, then shipping to $5, then the shoes themselves to $40, so I finally grabbed them at $45 total. My one and only purchase from ebay.

I do love these shoes. But they really are too high. I saw my friend Amy G yesterday and we were talking shoes and she complained about the trend to 4 inch heels. I thought I was the only one! I cannot wear 4 inch heels. No one really can wear - and move around effectively - in 4 inch heels. 3.5 is my max, and even then I am toddling a bit. I had a fair amount of walking to do, and manged it fine, but walked to lunch with a male colleague and he had to slow his pace for me to keep up. 2.5 is the ideal heel height for me. It's a great height. Still stylish, but perfectly maangeable. I can run in 2.5 inch heels (not fast, but still a run without fear of breaking my ankle). I've been looking around at other shoe blogs and most specialize in the extreme heel designer arena. (heck, Oprah famously wears Louboutins on camera, but she walks to the studio in slippers and only puts on the heels once she is seated!) I definitely am perfectly happy in my niche of wearable shoes.

Bottom line: keeper. Love these.

June 30 - wedge

What: Size 8 wedge light brown 2.5 inch heel sandals
From: Naturalizer (outlet)
Purchased: August '07
Cost: $18

Short and sweet after yesterday's long post. Bought these with PJ on our summer vacation - Ryan and PJ came to our rental in OC, and OJ and I took off, leaving Rich and Ryan with the 4 girls while we went to the outlets in Rehoboth. We hit the sweet spot of summer sales - super markdowns, and still a lot left. PJ scored outfits for their girls for years out (buying bigger sizes). E can still wear a lot of the little clothes I got her that day. This was my only purchase for myself, I am pretty sure. We stuck to the kids shops.

These shoes are just not that comfortable for a lot of walking. Wedges are supposed to be comfortable. In thinking about yesterday's shoes, one of the problems is my (high) arch doesn't fit into the shoes curve at all, which in turn puts more pressure on my toes, which press against the webbed leather. Also - this is part of my brown problem - see my pants are dark brown, and these are lighter brown. I never know what to wear them with. But they are cute, so they'll stay.

Bottom line: keeper

June 22 - more black sandals

What: size 8, low heeled, wedge strap sandals
From: Talbots (outlet)
Purchased: Sometime in 09, I think
Cost: $30? Maybe a little less, maybe a little more. I hope I didn't pay more than $24 for them, but I might have gone higher.

I'm pretty sure I got these last year, snapped off the discount rack at the Talbots outlet (sorry, the Talbots clearance center as it's now known). They are ok - the strap is a little tight. I haven't worn them much. A good case of the black sandal quest resulting in shoes that are ok, but not quite right. They are interesting enough with the straps and the wedge. But I really prefer slip ons for summer shoes, and these require some effort to get on (yes, having ot actually sit down and then use my hands to put on my shoes is too much effort!). Last summer was so mild they were fine, but just walking this morning in extreme heat meant they really grew slightly uncomfortable over time. I took them off - I do need to run out later so hope they will cram back on my feet!

Edited to add Bottom line: keeper. These are interesting shoes, so despite the tightness, they'll stay