A Reverse Cinderella Story

Every end of May there is a pilgrimage to Vegas for my dear friend Patricia’s birthday. It is our homage to ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ weekend. Always fun, but nothing like ‘Hangover’. Well maybe a tiny bit some years…. But what happens in Vegas….

This last May I lost my left shoe some where on Las Vegas Blvd. How…How you might ask does someone lose one shoe? Well the simple answer is “ I don’t know”. It apparently happens a lot based on the number of single shoes I see on the side of the highway.

I thought of putting a picture of my solitary shoe on a milk carton, but its departure only seems important to me.

This pair of shoes were stylish and an important part of my shoe family.  The loss stings a bit more because the acquisition of this pair was a challenge, not a simple walk in and buy situation. I hunted this pair down.  Shoe junkies know, the hunt is sometimes fierce.

So if you happen to see a one legged drag queen hopping down Tropicana Blvd in a 5-inch wedge with natural leather filigree, stop the she male and ask questions! Offer a reward! What ever it takes!

The big dilemma is what to do with the one shoe I have left?

I ran across this photo from a recent runway show… so here is the new solution to all the unpaired shoes of the world.

Laura

 

Golden Slippers

I have had the smashing good fortune of cruising around Greece for the last two weeks.

Technically I’m working, but it has been so wonderful, I feel guilty saying its work.

I have learned a bit about Greek mythology these last few weeks, visiting many famous and not so famous ruins. Hermes and his gold winged sandals delivered messages to the gods.

Olympia, Greece is the birthplace of the Olympics. It was originally designed to bring peace to the country.

Visiting the ancient and modern Olympic arenas, it reminded me of the 1996 Olympics when Michael Johnson made history by becoming the only Olympian to capture a gold metal in both the 200 and 400 meters in the same games, while sporting his famous golden track shoes. Hermes would be proud.

How can I not admire a world-class athlete who also knows the power of swanky shoes!

I will never be a messenger to the gods or accomplished the incredible feat of winning two gold metals. But I did have to fight off two drag queens to score these golden beauties at a going out of business sale in San Francisco. Not as impressive Hermes duties or Michael Johnson’s metals, but I felt like a winner of my own gold that day.

In honor of all the winners in the world with grand or personal victories, I’m wearing gold on my last night in Greece.

Laura

Shoe Fashionista vs. Broken Toe

Shoe Fashionista vs. Broken Toe

If you have been following my shoe blog, you know that my visit to shoe heaven did not leave me unchanged. It seems the price of admission was a broken toe. Yes I broke my big toe in shoe heaven, ironically funny.

The Great Toe as it listed in medical books, and if you wanna get even more specific it was distal head of my 1st metatarsal.  Yes, I really have a medical degree.  And here’s a tidbit of medical knowledge; 85% of your weight is transferred through the big toe when you walk.

What does all this mean?

It means the beautiful high high heeled pointy toe pumps, “the don’t let your doctor/ physical therapist (aka me) see these babies on your feet” are currently not an option.

Trust me I tried.

Believe you me I am a horrible patient! All the rules of healing I tell my patients, I somehow think don’t apply to me. I won’t bother telling you my ankle sprain story. Just KNOW that it takes 12 plus weeks to heal a grade 4-ankle sprain. This applies to everyone! Even LeBron James.

So what is a shoe fanatic fashionista like myself to do? I can’t go on stage in an orthopedic boot? Please have you seen them?  They are hideous. Plus after one week they smell.  And worse they make everyone walk a bit like Frankenstein. For stage I got the most bling bling supportive sneakers I could find. They sort of have arch support.

I hope to rockin’ the heels in a week or two, even though I know it takes at least 6 – 8 weeks to heal a fracture. But don’t think I won’t try to speed up the healing process!

Laura

Bling Bling

Shoe Heaven

Shoe Heaven

I have never thought about an exalted place so perfect for shoes it could only be called heaven. But thank you Harrods, the full filler of retail fantasies, for creating such a place.

And it was heaven. (If you love shoes) And based on the amount of worshippers ascending the stairs through the Egyptian pyramid, I am not alone in my obsession of beautiful shoes.

I suspect getting into heaven is not easy, nor is finding the 5th floor of Harrods. The regular lifts as they call them don’t go there. You must circle about until you find your way up the
inside of a pyramid. How cool is that?!?

The three hours, yes three hours! I spent in heaven, was better than Disneyland. (For me) Thousands of shoes, displayed like works of art. (Because they are)  This shoe heaven was part museum, part department store and part casino. Everywhere as far as you could see, shoes in cases, on tables, credenzas and fancy wall mounts, beautiful lighting and mirrors oh so many mirrors. It was like being in a casino-a labyrinth floor path, no signs for the way out and constant bling to attract you in another direction.

I actually ran into a mirror and a glass wall on my heavenly visit. That is how well they confused my senses. Worse yet, broke a toe while in heaven. Possibly that is the sacrifice to the gods of shoe heaven. So instead of all the spectacular shoes on display in shoe heaven, I had to descend down to earth and find some sneakers while my fractured toe heals.  Apparently I wasn’t ready for heaven yet. So until then I will be hoofing it on the streets of earth.

Laura 

Pink Satin Happiness

Shoe shopping is the best form of retail therapy ever!

No stress! Sometimes even indulgent, like visiting the spa.

If you are in a fancy boutique- sit down- they don and doff your selections for you- lovely.

If it’s a fancy fancy pants establishment they bring you tea, sparkling water or champagne. Yes please!

It’s never embarrassing to ask for a bigger size. Not like with jeans, dresses, and lord help me bikinis. Not that I have even tried to wear a bikini since I was 13 years old.

Shoes never make you look fat. I can’t think of one pair of shoes that adds pounds. Even clown shoes with their huge proportions seem to have a slimming effect.

Shoes don’t judge.

Shoes don’t make you feel sad, inadequate or lonely.

Pretty shoes are pure joy.

Put on a beautiful pair of shoes right now- Walk around- your mood will improve- I promise.

Finding a beautiful pair of shoes on sale is like discovering its happy hour when you step into a lounge to relax. A bona fide it’s not your birthday- birthday surprise.

Earlier this year I was in NYC; I was feeling blue. I made the pilgrimage to my favorite DSW in the country… and there they were… pink satin happiness waiting for me—on sale- in my size. It’s the little joys in life we must cherish

Pretty- Sexy- Happy!

Some shoes are pretty

Some shoes are sexy

And some shoes just make you happy.

But rarely can one pair be all three.

I procured these beauties in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival 2 years ago.

And I have loved them dearly ever since. I ogled them everyday for nearly a month walking to and fro past the shop window, before I convinced myself I should at least try them on. (secretly hoping I would hate them.) Bad idea! It was love- instantly.

To be honest, I could go years without ever ‘needing’ a new pair of shoes.

But they were even prettier on, then in the window.  Polka dots are synonymous with fun.

I blame my fabulous friend Nita for re-introducing me to the magic of polka dots. They are simple, clean yet so joyful and quietly elegant. Much like the daisy of the flower world.  Eternally a bright happy flower.

What I didn’t realize initially was their sexy aptitude.

This, like many great finds was a hidden bonus, discovered in the wearing.

So three cheers for pretty, sexy, happy!

CFM Meets DPT

 

A little over 4 years ago I became Dr Laura. No really I did. Apparently the good people at Boston University just hand those degrees out to anyone. I’m kidding of course. It was difficult, hard beyond words. I lost hair, gained weight, got ache, an ulcer and enjoyed a daily full fledge panic attack on top of serious levels of sleep deprivation. Ah the joys of stress. At graduation I had a bit of a dilemma… what shoes to wear with my cap and gown or if you want to get all fancy, regalia.  In my head I pictured black gowns, but no Boston’s colors are red with black. I’m all about trend setting but the purple boots I was gonna rock with the black cap and gown now seemed garish. So I went shopping. I found the perfect CFM shoes to match my prestigious new title of Dr Laura.

I guarantee no one else had these shoes on… ah higher education!

Laura

 

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN’

Has a person or life ever let you down?

Of course, it happens to everyone.

And it sucks! It sucks big time!

Especially if it was a loved one who blew it.

That’s the worst!

They say time heals all wounds, but sometimes time is too slow!

In the interim…

A little bit of ego building never hurt.

I think Nancy Sinatra had the right idea!

But on some big girl boots and do some walkin’!

Soon that person, loser boss or evil thing will just be a dot in the distance.

And you will have walked away with your head up, wiser and happier with some kick ass boots to take you there!

And probably a new distraction to occupy your time.

Are you ready boots?

Start walkin’!

Laura

Not your ordinary Black Boots!

Not your ordinary black boots!

My enthusiasm for fabulous shoes sometimes causes me fall in love with a pair that might be- dare I say-  a bit too much.

I know, I know, I can’t believe I said such a thing.

Honestly, I might have 15  pairs of just black boots, but none like this!

Are these stunning?

Are these hooker shoes?

Must I own these?

Yes!  on all accounts!

Dilemma…

Where do you wear thigh high stiletto heeled boots?

The grocery store?

Probably not.

Nor would I recommend your company holiday Christmas party, unless you work for a really groovy hip company. Trust me on this one.

For me there was only one place worthy of such shoes- VEGAS BABY!

I love the manic energy of sin city. You can wear or not wear anything there!

Me? I wore them the Steel Panther Concert- perfect!

Viva Las Vegas! Rock and Roll 4ever!

Laura

Dorothy knows! Red shoes are powerful!

Go ahead; ask Dorothy, she’ll tell you. Red shoes are powerful!

This pair is one of my favorites.

Only fitting, they were a souvenir from my trip to the Big Apple.

Red shoes command attention. This pair walk in with a “F… yeah!” attitude, as you would expect, being from New York.

I was walking down 5th Avenue, spotted them in the window and KNEW that they must be mine.

Embarrassing part is explaining to TSA dude who felt the need to manhandle my belongings why I had 11 pairs of shoes in my carry-on luggage. I don’t check my shoes; too valuable to take a chance.

Plus rumor has it that the Wicked Witch of the West has been circling the skies with those scary flying monkeys.

Laura