Mermaids in an Octopus’s Garden in the Shade

I’d like to be, under the sea in an octopus’ garden in the shade.

He’d let us in, knows where we’ve been, in his octopus’s garden, in the shade.

Sadly, I don’t know when and where I acquired these booties.I do know they were on sale. Yeah me. But I refer to them as my mermaid shoes, because of the blue- green iridescent quality. And that seems like a nicer name than fish scales.

In all honesty however, I think of the Beatles song “Octopus’s Garden” when I wear them, but that seems long and not name efficient.  I love that melodic fun little song, one of just two songs Rinko wrote, I think. But some of you Beatle maniacs out there will correct me I’m wrong.   George Harrison who assisted  Rinko with the song, commented: “‘Octopus’s Garden’ is Ringo’s song. It’s only the second song Ringo has ever written, mind you, and it’s lovely.” He added that the song gets very deep into your consciousness “…because it’s so peaceful.

So happy Sunday kittens, may we all meet in an octopus’s garden in the shade!

Laura

 

 

Laura, Do You Have a Favorite Pair?

Since I have what would be considered an extensive shoe collection, I am asked often if I have a favorite pair. I have about a dozen very special pairs, but one pair is always on the top of my list. Alexander McQueen!

These are booties I was never supposed to own. I saw them first at South Coast Plaza, and if you know anything about South Coast Plaza, deep in the OC, nothing there is cheap.

I honestly kept thinking about them, because to this day they are still one of the most spectacular pair of shoes I have ever seen. Blue suede, white leather and red patent – what’s not to love? So on a whim I went to the haute couture section of Zappos  (this is before Amazon owned them) and low and behold there they were these amazing Alexander McQueen boots for half the price.  Now they were still ridiculously expensive, but now half as ridiculous, oh the temptation. Zappos used to let you purchase shoes and then you had one year to return them, yes one year, as long as they were unworn, of course. So I pulled out my visa and charged them like a good consumer. I planned to return them after I tried them on. The problem was I loved them; they were and are still spectacular 12 years later. I kept meaning to return them, but never did.  Then several years later Alexander McQueen, sadly like many geniuses took his life. He was only 40 years old. My crazy expensive shoes are really now museum worthy. I have only worn them a few times; I never wanted them to look worn.  I never travel with them; I have a rule never travel with things you can’t replace. Soon I will put them in a curio case and display them like art.

If you are unfamiliar with Alexander McQueen

He was a British fashion designer and couturier. He worked as the chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001 then founded his own namesake lapel after that, Alexander McQueen. His achievements in fashion earned him four British Designer of the year awards in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003, as well as the CFDA’s International Designer of the Year award in 2003.

Alexander McQueen was so inventive and creative his genius was made into a special exhibit one year after his death at the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York. I was lucky enough to visit this spectacular homage to his genius. Here’s a link if you would like to see or know more about Alexander McQueen. http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/about/

RIP Alexander McQueen I still love these boots. Thank you.

Laura

 

Foot Fetishes: More ‘Normal’ Than You Think.

Okay foot fetish freaks, you know who you are.  I’m about to make you feel a whole lot better concerning your ‘foot interests’. Foot fetishism is the most popular and most documented fetish worldwide. However, some clarification, according to the scientific definition of a fetish, an inanimate object must be the object of desire. Since the foot is part of the body, technically, it’s not really a fetish. It is really foot partialism. However if the foot is in a shoe– then the lines start to blur between the two. Really it Po-tay-to verses Po-tah-to.

Next up, there is a neurobiological basis for this particular fetish. Tactile aka touch sensation in your somatosensory cortex aka your brain as it so happens feet and genitals are right next to each other. Meaning for some people there is neural crosstalk between the two areas aka a crossover in transmission between feet and your sexy parts. So according to your brain, feet can turn you on. Other fetishes… you are on your own to explain, sorry no science to help you.

Of course since foot fetishes are the most popular there are other theories as well trying to explain this phenomenon about feet. Sigmund Freud of course had plenty of theories as to why feet, mostly involving some aspect of penis-symbol/surrogate because everything it seems with Freud is about the penis or your mother.

Another theory hypothesized that foot fetishism increases as a response to epidemics of  STD’s. Foot play is considered a safe sex alternative. I’m not convinced about either of these ideas, I’ll stick with neurobiology.

Just so you know both men and women have foot fetishes, but it’s more prevalent with men than women. Are here is a list of some famous foot fetish peeps, Thomas Hardy, Elvis Presley, Andy Warhol, and Quentin Tarantino. Now granted these are electric’s but you foot fetish types should feel a little bit more cozy knowing you might actually be ‘normal’ in a sense. Education with entertainment is my favorite combo.

Laura 

16 Signs You Love Shoes Way Too Much

A dear friend of mine sent me this list suggesting I might be guilty of shoe fanaticism. I admit I have maybe 12 of the 16, but to my defense I really don’t think it’s all that nutty to love shoes. Everyone likes shoes– or at least like shoes. Try walking in the snow or on hot asphalt and tell me you are not grateful for shoes. Heels add height and they do nice things for your backside, so how can that be bad? Let’s see how you fair on the following list.

1. You talk about shoes. A lot.

Define a lot? If I grab a great deal on the road, I might tell my close pals. If someone asks- I respond. But I don’t walk around telling random people about my shoes. Except in this blog, but you came to the site. (ok I might have used some mind power to lure you here.)

2. The first thing you notice about someone is his or her footwear.

It’s not the first thing, but I will notice. You can tell a lot about a man from his shoes (and watch). And the same is true of women. It’s training that was bred into me. I blame my Aunt Dorothy, who loved beautiful shoes.

3. When someone insults your shoes, you defend them like they’re your children.

So silly, some people aren’t into beautiful shoes and have no fashion savvy. I’m not here to judge them. Live and let be.

4. You know better than to wear light colored/clear shoes in the rain.

I don’t think this falls under shoe obsession as much as common sense. Flip- flips in the snow are never a wise choice.

5. You’ve got a pair for any weather.

Again, common sense, see above.

6. You construct your outfit around your shoes.

Doesn’t everyone? Kidding. But I have done this. Actually I’m more likely to get dressed and then wear what ever shoes I feel like even if they maybe don’t match in a traditional sense.  Sparkles are a neutral color- yes?

7. You have at least 10 Instagram photos of your shoes.

Yeah finally one I’m not guilty of doing. I use Instagram to post pictures of the silly and ridiculous, my shoes would never be subject to this.

8. You dedicate time to cleaning your shoes.

I don’t do this, but my local cobbler knows me by name and he always displays my shoes for others to enjoy until I pick them up.

9. You know what your shoes are made of.

Well of course I do and so should you. Different materials wear differently, last longer, and are more comfortable. Not knowing these things makes you a bad consumer. Shame on you.

10. And you absolutely know how to take care of them.

Again, I do but I have a super cobbler who takes very good care of my beauties.

11. You don’t throw away silica packs.

Like most of you, I throw them away, but this blog has made me rethink that practice. They absorb moisture and prevent mold. So maybe I’ll let some of them hang out with my shoes.

12. You own several shoe trees.

I don’t own any, but I’m not against the idea.

13. You have a shoe closet. And you keep the original boxes they came in

In my dreams I do, but currently I have a shoe bookcase.  I would love to keep the original boxes, but sometimes that is not practical.

14. You go for quality over quantity

Well truth be told, I go for both. I love a deal. But I also know well-made shoes, while often more expensive they last longer and are way more comfortable than cheap shoes. Your feet know the difference. You are standing on them all day, treat them nice.

15. Sometimes you’ll sacrifice comfort for cool.

I sacrifice for beauty. Fashionable is not always comfortable. Every woman knows this.

16. You know what styles look good on you — and you don’t force what doesn’t.

I like to think I do, but I might have missed the mark once or twice.  High-heeled sneakers looked ridiculous on me.

How’d did you score?

Laura

Gigawatts, Plutonium and Marty McFly’s

I like to think I’m up on the happenings in the shoe world; it is a hobby/sport/obsession of mine. As all of you who read this blog know. But somehow I missed the big news on “The Marty McFly” shoe. A shoe based the ‘kicks’ worn by Marty in “Back to the Future II”.

Nike released the shoe line this year, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the original “Back to the Future” film. I have no idea how this could of slipped by me. Granted my shoe forte is not in the athletic agenda, I admit that freely. But an event this big about shoes and charity, I feel ashamed.

Anyhow, if this event slipped your radar as well, the McFly was auctioned off on EBay starting last September for 10 days with 150 pairs being sold a day. All the proceeds went to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a charity which focus is on eradicating Parkinson’s disease.

Nike states they wanted to translate the excitement people have for the ‘greatest shoe never made’ and for the Back to the Future movies into positive action. Kudos on them.

The Air Mag (its official name) is the first rechargeable footwear from Nike, designed as an identical replica to the originals seen in the Back to the Future II movie.

So how much is all this goodness? I read online some pairs went for over $10 grand. I can now see some pairs online being sold for $100. (I would be suspicious, this screams knock off). Safely assume over $1000.

I love that these ‘nice kicks’ made big bucks for a charity working to rid the world of this horrible disease. Lets hope the foundation reaches their goal quickly! I also love how pricey they are, I’m feeling better about my Louboutin fasination, they seem very reasonably priced in comparison.

Laura

 

The Sex is in the Heel! And other things I loved about Kinky Boots

I had the very good fortune of being on the receiving end of a deeply discounted ticket to the Broadway show Kinky Boots this last week. I was actually hoping to see Helen Mirren in the play at the theater next door, because she is amazing. However, because she is amazing the price of a ticket was way out of line with my budget. Randomly walking on 45th Street, a lady in line to enter the performance of Kinky Boots was quietly announcing that she had an extra ticket and would sell cheaply. I turned and looked at her, she told me half price and it’s in the Orchestra– done.  It was my lucky day after all.

I loved the show! Yes with a title like Kinky Boots, I was predestined to love it, but no I really loved it. And yes there was fabulous footwear featured. This musical made me proud of my ‘drag queens would be envious of my shoes’ collection. And the show inspired me to wear some of my more outrageous shoes, more often. Why not wear thigh high boots to go grocery shopping?!?  It might make it more fun.

This show was based on a touching true story and I love that. It had great performances with flashy drag queens and who doesn’t love that? The songs are beautiful and written by Cyndi Lauper and really who doesn’t love Cyndi Lauper? And she won a Tony for her score in 2013. She was the first female solo songwriter to win a Tony. Go Cyndi!  The show has a beautiful message, besides ‘the sex in the heel’, which was one of my favorite numbers. I have written before about the power of the stiletto, this was just a musical reaffirmation, and was fantastic.  The whole show is deeply touching and is about not just tolerance, but learning acceptance. ‘You change the world when you change your mind.’  Intolerance and hated are keeping us from changing the world into a better place – a place I think we all want to live. All of this in 6 inch heels! I suddenly feel the need to wear some marvelous shoes.

Laura

Never Wear White Before Easter

Or is Memorial Day? And is it white in general or just white shoes?

Of course I’ve known the ‘white rule’ my whole life. As a child the new Easter dress, pretty hat and white gloves were part of the excitement of Easter, along with chocolate bunnies and egg dying.

Where did it the ‘white rule originate? And why?

I checked the ultimate source, etiquette expert, Miss Manners,

“White shoes may be worn only after Memorial Day and before Labor Day. “

“Otherwise, you will develop warts on your toes. “ (Honest, she really wrote that.)

But this doesn’t explain why, except to avoid warts. Good thing Miss Manners was not an MD.

From my online investigations there seems to be some controversy as to which is correct white before Easter or Memorial Day, but the white wearing cut off is always Labor Day.  Also some claim it only applies to white shoes, not white clothing. Confusion!

Also this ‘rule’ seems more deeply rigid in the South than other parts of the country.  Online I read very passionate explanations for the ‘white rule’ from Southerners:

“Only hicks wear white shoes before Easter”

“Why is there a white shoe rule?  Because my Mother, both Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers, Aunts, Great Aunts, 17 Cousins and 47 neighbors told me so. It just is!”

Or my favorite:

“Here’s the deal, if you aren’t a baby, bride, or retro nurse with a big blue cape, put the white shoes away during fall and winter seasons. The world needs rules. We need order. We need to know what to do. It’s peaceful that way. No rational explanation, it’s just the way it is. Period.”

So there you go. Clear now?

Ah no.

I hate to play devil’s advocate, but wonder if you are in a place the does not celebrate Easter? Most of the world is not Christian, (no hate) just stating facts. And apparently Miami, Florida is not part of the Deep South? I have been there in the winter and have observed plenty of white attire and shoes. Are they all hicks? Heathens might be closer. Miami is its own world.

So now that I have you curious about why the ‘white rule’ even if you never cared before, the best I can deduce is there are several reasons for the ‘rule’.

First, class distinction. Rich people wore white. White clothing meant you were wealthy enough to be on vacation after summer. Not a lot of lower income workers playing tennis or golf, activities known to sport a lot of white in their preferred attire.

Second, wearing light/white summer clothes in the fall when the weather is cooler is just not sensible. This seems logical but did we really need a ‘rule’ for us to understand that a white cotton dress is not a good selection on a cold rainy day? Ok maybe some of us need to be told. Can you hear you mom telling you to bring a jacket?

Third, and this really makes the most sense to me — Because fashion editors said so, the people who control fashion trends resided in New York. The forces behind Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, etc. The Big Apple’s climate is more or less the same every year; a hot summer, rainy fall, freezing winter and a refreshing spring to start the cycle back over again. Since all the fashion editors lived in New York, they produced magazine layouts to reflect what they dressed in without the rest of the country’s climates in mind. This meant light whites in the summer vanished from the glossy pages once the rain of autumn settled in. And this usually happens around Labor Day. It was a way to get shoppers to buy and consume—yes it’s all about money.

So are we clear now?!?

Happy Easter

Laura

 

 

 

 

 

Just ‘Cause you Can—Doesn’t Mean you Should

Unless you are doing an Avant Guade school project, you are a couture designer making a statement or a contestant on Project Runway some things should just be left as ideas, not actually viable products for consumption.  I know this gets into a whole debate over function verse fashion, and art is highly subjective. And I’m fan of repurposing resources, but sometimes the effort doesn’t seem worth the outcome.  For example a meat dress, yes it happened, but really why.

Because I love shoes, and this is well known by many, I get sent all types of shoes pictures and factoids, which I love. This week I informed about shoes made to simulate the look of meteorites. Now this sounds really cool, but honestly they are so ugly the novelty was not worth the effort involved to create them. Pockmarked pumice pumps (I like alliterations) judge for your self, I included a photo. And this is a flattering picture.

I have heard of shoes made from discarded furniture- good on them for the recycling aspect, interesting yes, pretty no.

There is a Taiwanese hair stylist who uses the cut hair from her salon to make shoes; they are not ugly surprisingly, but still odd. Not my cup of tea.

I have seen shoes made of old circuit boards, Legos and aluminum cars, creative yes, but still not pretty.

But the winner of ‘yes you can, but why’—drum roll please– pumps made from elephant dung. Yes, you read that correctly, elephant dung.

My shoe fanaticism has not evolved to the point where I will ever think this is a good idea. Pretty, comfortable and/ or functional, these are the qualities I want from my shoes, weird, ugly and gross, I’ll pass. Possibly I lack the sophistication to appreciate high art, I will learn to live with my shortcomings.

Laura

 

It’s All Rock & Rock

Live music, live comedy, actually any live performance is sooo much better than passively sitting on the couch and watching.

Quick example, watching a concert of the Rolling Stones and being at a Stones concert two very different experiences. When you go and see a live show of any kind you are part of it, even as audience you added to the event. There is an energy that can only be perceived when sharing the actual event. Trust me on this as a comedian I can tell you the audience can make a huge difference on the fun level of the show. Just because you are not on stage doesn’t mean you didn’t add to the experience.

There is also an intangible quality to (almost) all live shows. There is energy and an experience we collectively shared that cannot be repeated and was uniquely special for just us in attendance. I think this is why I love performances of any kind. The connection to the performance can touch us; make us collectively feel alive and human, something than doesn’t transfer to the two-dimensional plane of TV.

From a practical standpoint, seeing a concert can be a challenge especially for women. We paid for seats, but will be actually sitting? How far will we have to walk to get to the ‘seats’? Realistically will we be sitting at all? U2, Rolling Stones, Judas Priest, STP, Prince, Lady Gaga, Steel Panther, ACDC, Billy Idol, White Stripes, Van Halen and yes-even Tom Jones, I never sat down once for the entire concert.

This can be a challenge, you need shoes that are rocker cool, and you can walk in and stand in for a long time and my personal preference as tall as possible. The height is not required but a huge bonus if you want to be able to see over the crowd to see the rock stars strut their stuff. These boots are so cool and they fit all my concert going requirements. Tonight I’ll be at 2Cellos, and I suspect again there will be no sitting.

Laura

 

It’s All Greek to Me

This English idiom means that something is not understandable.  And  the expression can be applied to countless things and situations. Some would say it applies to trying to figure out women or men, advanced math, (maths for my British friends) science. Ikea instructions, tax forms, the update notifications on iTunes –you get the idea.

I love that this expression is old, really old and is still a current metaphor.  It has been used my many authors, even by Shakespeare in the play Julius Caesar (1599). I doubt “no homo” will still be around 400+ years from now. But I could be wrong.

“Its all Greek to me” is a metaphor. As it turns out the word metaphor comes from the Greek word metapherin (meaning “transfer”)

These booties are covered with the meander motif aka Greek key that took its name from the river Meander, a river with many twists, mentioned by Homer in Iliad. It was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity or the eternal flow of things.

The Greek key symbolizes the bonds of friendship, of love and devotion.  These shoes remind me of my best friend growing up who is Greek. Her parents were immigrants to America. Basically my childhood was a version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. And I don’t have to tell you the papa from My Big Fat Greek Wedding would be proud, knowing all things come from Greece.

Laura