Cat in Heels

Outside and Breaking In

2012-01-29T22:22:00.000-06:00

I once had a sales associate at at shoe store tell me that I would ruin the sole of my shoes if I wore them outside.

On the list of dumb shit I've heard in my life, this ranks up there.

Aside from the obvious fact that a main purpose of any kind of footwear is to protect your feet from the elements, I was unaware that there are shoes that have soles not meant for outside.

Sure, there's a billion different materials, accouterments, designs, styles and materials that can make shoes a little more difficult to wear in various outside weather, but to not be able to wear them on concrete seems a little insane.

One of the first ways I break in a new pair of heels is to take them on a stroll around the neighborhood, wear them on my commute to work, or walk the dog around the block in them. It helps the shoe conform to your foot, gives you an idea of where the problem points will be (if any) and tears up the bottom a little so when you are inevitably inside on carpet you don't feel like your feet may slide out from under you at any moment.

So much better after a walk uphill.

I had this issue last week with a new Pair of Nine West shoes I ordered. Black and gray snakeskin Mary Janes. The perfect heels to go with just about anything. The problem was they arrived while I was on a business trip and I wore them when I got back on a rainy day, which means I changed into them at the office.

Too bad I didn't take my own advice.

Suddenly slipping on the floor, trying not to spill a full cup of coffee, wondering how long I have to wait until I can take the long elevator ride back downstairs and scuff my shoes around the cobblestone outside te building.

Then my day exploded and the answer was "never." Instead I spent the afternoon trying not to fall on my ass, improperly breaking in a pair of very stiff shoes. By the end of the day my feet were screaming.

A couple days later I decided to wear them again, this time paired with a aqua blue skirt and black sweater. I wore them out of the house, on the bus, and walked up the hill with them on. By the time I got to the office they were perfect. The bottoms weren't slippery, they were broken in, weren't pulling, and were paired with an even better outfit than the first time I wore them.

See, heels are always better after a good stroll on the concrete and a little breaking in. And with a good outfit.

Dinner with Cat and Stressful Shoes

2012-01-25T20:19:00.000-06:00

Apparently going out to dinner with me is stressful.

This week I was scheduled to have dinner with a friend. The night before our dinner my friend posted that she was stressing out about which shoes she was supposed to wear to dinner with me.

Really, am I that judgmental?

These are "big girl shoes."

I assured my friend, via Twitter and text messages throughout the day that she could wear whatever shoes she wanted. We hadn't gotten together for months, and if she wanted to wear one gym shoe and one slipper, I still be happy to see her. I would also probably make fun of her, but that's because it would be funny looking.

After work we met up, and true to her word, she was wearing her "big girl shoes."

Normally a statuesque blond, she now towered over six feet tall, making any added height I had totally inconsequential. At my best I can get to 5'8", which is her height in flats.

The "big girl" shoes she was so proud of? A nude patent with a round toe, smartly paired with a iridescent brown pant.

The funny thing being that we were sitting in a restaurant, and I'm pretty sure no one saw our shoes. Plus when she stands up you notice how tall she is, and not necessarily her shoes.

Then again, with me standing next to her, no one notices my shoes either since I just look like a small child standing next to her. Which is really a shame because they were super cute.

I also want to note that I cropped out the Crocks-covered foot of whatever poor, unfortunate, stylistically void individual happened to be walking by at the moment.

And yes, I guess I really am that judgmental.

Living With One Pair of Heels

2012-01-23T21:24:00.000-06:00

Traveling for work as much as I do (which is still a lot less than some people) I have gotten pretty good at packing light. This usually means only bringing one pair of heels (gasp!), plus my gym shoes.

The trip I just got back from was to Miami for three nights, witch turned into four thanks to a snowstorm in Chicago, and the only heels I brought were vanilla patent pumps. They matched the gray pinstripe pants, beige and tan pants, and the black dress with the beige cardigan.

They even go with jeans

What they didn't really go with were the sweaters I bought at Zara on total impulse my first day there, or the shirt from Banana Republic with the giant bow over one shoulder.

By the time I left Miami, I had bought enough clothes to stay in the city another 7 days without repeating an outfit, but the fact that I had been wearing the same heels for days was killing me.

Seriously, I don't know how people only own two or three pairs of shoes.

Only a couple of days and I was going nuts. Sure, I also had my gym shoes but you know I wasn't going to wear those out. And I certainly couldn't wear them while at business functions.

I thought about going out and buying new heels, but there really wasn't time. Maybe next time I should try not to limit myself so much and I should bring another pair of heels.

Black pumps can always go a long way too.

Starry-eyed Shopping

2012-01-18T17:02:00.003-06:00

Last week I went for snow boots on my lunch. Because I haven't done that 1,000 times before and not found a damn thing.

This time I was particularly determined to find boots. I had scouted ahead, found them online, priced them, and all that good stuff. I decided this trip would be to Aldo, and if all else failed, I'd go to Nordstrom after work.
So I walked through the cold and snow of Michigan Avenue and realized that Aldo was much further than I thought it was, and by the time I arrived my shoes were a mess, my pants were wet and I was again cursing winter and determined to find snow boots.

I love these more than snow boots

I went in focused. I found what I was looking for, asked to see it, and then while I was waiting I start perusing the sale racks.
This is such an amazing time of year for sales.

By the time they arrived with the boots for me to try on, I had an armload of heels to try on.
I don't even need to explain that the boots didn't fit right and I passed on them. Instead I ended up looking at a million pairs of heels.
Seriously, they have a great sale going on right now....

Of course within 20 minutes I've decided I hate all their boots, non of them are going to work, and instead I need a pair of black pumps with silver stars on them.

Biggest snow boot fail in history.
But these are the first pumps with stars on them that I have. That should totally count for something.

Canceling Silver

2012-01-09T20:15:00.000-06:00

A couple days ago I got a shipping confirmation on a pair of sandals I ordered.

Yeah! New shoes. They were silver sandals with a wooden heel from Qupid. Very last season, but I figured they were on super sale and I needed something to replace my silver sandals, which probably should have been disposed of last summer.

Then yesterday I got another email:

These are not my new silver sandals.

I'm contacting you with regards to your recent order number XXXX.

Unfortunately the Saydie Silver shoes you purchased were out of stock when our warehouse tried to ship them to you and we will not be restocking them. Unfortunately this means that we are not going to be able to fulfill this part of your order.

I have cancelled this part of your order and requested a refund be issued to your card. Please allow 5-7 business days for this to clear.

Our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Kindest regards,

Bridget

Thanks Bridget. So if you're canceling my order, what the hell am I being sent? I received the shipping confirmation for something arriving at my house on Wednesday via UPS. Is this some sort of cruel joke? And how is it possible that I was able to order the shoes, be charged for the shoes, get shipped something (not shoes?) and now you tell me they're out of stock.

I can't decide if I'm more annoyed that I don't know what the hell I'm being sent, or if it's because I have to keep looking for silver sandals.

Maybe I can manage to get one more summer out of the ones I already own.

Shoe Blasphemy

2012-01-08T14:33:00.000-06:00

I am about to commit shoe-lover blasphemy. I have an opinion that goes against everything you've been told by bloggers all over.

I don't care for ShoeMint.

I'll give you a moment to clutch your pearls and call me some horrible names before proceeding with my argument.

Wedge booties I've been wearing for months.

First, let me say that I don't own any ShoeMint shoes, and I know nothing of their construction. They're probably great. I generally like Steve Madden and I have plenty of his heels.

In all honesty I had great hopes for ShoeMint. Steve Madden is great. Shoe clubs are cute, and I kind of love the idea of a celebrity collaboration. I let all my readers know, bought into the hype, and waited with bated breath for the big launch.

At which point I then made a face and went, "That's it?"

Almost everything was freakishly close to stuff I already own. A pair of teetering Mary Jane stilettos, lace up wedge booties I didn't like, and wedge booties that are like every other wedge bootie out this season. So I waited, hoping they would release something more exciting, which they didn't. By the time I finally decided to begrudgingly order the Pauline wedge booties in Wine (because I already own a pair of black wedge ankle boots), they were sold out of my size. Then January's showroom was released and I again made a face at my underwhelming and very beige showroom full of stuff I can find anywhere.

Steve Madden, you can totally do better.

Suede and patent sky-high heels

Maybe this is Rachel Bilson's fault. I admit to never seeing anything she's been in (except for possibly that episode of Buffy) and knowing little to nothing about her, but I'm not generally overwhelmed or impressed by anything I see her in. Did I miss the moment in time "style icons" look like they shop exclusively at Gap unless they're on the red carpet?

StyleMint collaborated with the Olsen Twins for a line. I don't generally care for their style, but they are known for their clothes, and I respect them for their fashion choices. Homeless chic is totally a look because of them.

BeautyMint teamed up with Jessica Simpson for skincare, and she does have good skin (and already has a successful line of shoes), so again, this makes sense. So when they rolled around to shoes did they just grab a name out of a hat? Look for some cute young actress who has feet?

I can think of a billion collaborations that would have been way more exciting, and all those people have feet too.

How about Steve Madden with Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj or even the Olsen Twins again? Hell, I'll have a couple phone calls and emails with Steve and we can knock out some great heels that don't look like something I bought at Aldo three years ago. I promise.

Giving Winter the Boot

2012-01-03T13:24:00.000-06:00

I totally lied about getting winter boots today.

I'd wear them, but not in snow.

Well, I didn't lie. I just didn't get around to it. And once I looked at the weather forecast in Chicago for the next 10 days and saw that today is the coldest day we're having for a little while, I decided I can hold off on spending obscene amounts of money on hideous things for just a little bit longer.

Maybe in the meantime I can find something cute. Which is really my problem. I struggle to find something cute that also serves any kind of function at all other than to adorn your feet with fabulousness.

@GlamB0t asked me on Twitter what are cute boots that are warm and can withstand snow and rain. After thinking and thinking (and struggling with this myself), I have come to the conclusion that the answer is they don't exist.

Sure, there's the Hunter heeled rain boot, which isn't awful, and you can add a liner to it for the instant snow boot, but that heel will send you right on your ass when there's an inch of ice on the ground that has been covered in snow.

Now we're on to something flat (already not that cute). There's real Hunters with the furry inserts, which many people swear by, but I can't get over the "I'm six-years-old" look of galoshes. Let's be serious, there's nothing glam about rubber boots.

Make it stop!

Moving on through the list of warm and flat, there's always Moon Boots, which I totally thought were a joke until I saw them in Nordstrom. Nope, they're real, uglier than when we were a kid, and look like they were designed by someone who loved Rainbow Brite and LSD (at the same time).

We're just wiping UGGs off the list right now since they're expensive, hideous and not even waterproof. And I don't care if they're comfy and warm. So are my slippers, but you'll never see me wearing those in public.

At least there's fur.

Back to function, Sorel also makes a snow boot that looks pretty functional, is waterproof, comes in a variety of prints and colors, and some have faux fur (which is always a plus). But there's that word...functional. I shudder at the thought.

So here I am in another Chicago winter (which can be a total bitch) without snow boots. I have a coat, hat, gloves, 4,000 scarves (thanks Mom), and they're all cute. Which is exactly why they don't get paired with boots made of plastic, plaid and doll parts, and my hunt for boots continues into another year.

Hopefully I can manage to put it all off for another few months, ride out the winter again, and not manage to lose any toes. Besides, the weather's already warming up this week.

Basic Silver

2011-12-28T14:32:00.000-06:00

I decided this winter I needed silver shoes. That makes sense, right? I didn't have any, I just bought this great gray-silver silk button down, and the whole look would be perfect for the holidays.

It's also freakishly easy to find metallic heels around the holidays.

But I procrastinated. I saw shoes I liked, and put it off. Then they were out of stock on my size. I saw other shoes that were great, but open toe, and I wanted a closed toe. Others were amazing but out of my price range. Too sparkly, not sparkly enough, too dark, too shiny. I want something that looks like I have mirrors on my feet, now I want something subtle that I can wear to work.

My totally basic silver pumps

On and on this stupid mind game went until I saw a pair on massive sale, bit the bullet and ordered some classic silver pumps with a closed toe, platform, and 5 inch heel.

Unfortunatly I also waited so long that they didn't get to me in time for Christmas.

So yesterday I walked in and my husband pointed to a box. "You got shoes."

"Yeah, they're my boring silver heels and I don't want them anymore because it's after Christmas and they're too dull."

I should have bought these instead.

He raised and eyebrow and I opened the box. I slipped them on and did a lap around the dining room. Then the dog licked one for good luck.

I could tell by the look on his face he didn't know what the problem was (my husband, not the dog).

They're just not as exciting as I wanted my silver shoes to be, I explained. They're pumps. Basic, classic pumps.

Sure, basic can be good, but I don't do basic well. I don't have basic anything. Or maybe I do, but I don't wear it a lot. Or I make it all stupid and complicated and un-basic.

I'm also probably one of the only people on the planet who would consider a pair of metallic silver pumps to be a basic, let alone somewhat boring. But silver on a car is basic and boring, so why can't I also consider it to be dull on my shoes?

The one good thing about getting a basic piece is that it now means I get to find another pair of something silver to obsess over. This one obviously more ostentatious and less basic.

Sparkle Beyond the Holidays

2011-12-22T11:47:00.000-06:00

It’s the holidays. To most people that means an additional 10 pounds and the excuse to dress like that crazy aunt from your childhood who always wore too much perfume and was never at a holiday party without head to toe sparkles and velvet on.

Right now, I am telling you that is no longer going to fly (and I'm pretty sure I'm becoming that crazy aunt).

These Louboutin's are not just for Christmas

Now it's time to embrace the crazy, sparkly side of yourself. Right now, raise your right hand and swear to me that you are not going to buy some dress or shoes make of sequins and glitter just for Christmas and New Year’s, only to then abandon it in all it's glittery glory to collect dust somewhere in the recesses of your closet, right next to the collection of clothes that you can't return because you can't figure out where they came from.

If you have the balls to wear glitter, sequins, and otherwise channel the Times Square ball at the holidays, you have to do it all year round. If you can’t then hang up your sequins and put your sweater-dress and pearls back on.

I have a lot of shiny stuff. Skirts, tops, sweaters, a headband I never wore, scarves, a pair of gloves I managed to lose, coats and, of course, shoes. The difference is my glitter and sparkle is a year-round thing. The likelihood that you will find one or more body parts adorned in something metallic is equally good on any of the 365 days of the year. Sequins are just as likely to show up on Easter as it is on Christmas for me. Remember, bunnies like sparkles as much as Baby Jesus (hint: neither one gives a shit).

Today, I am wearing a gold and black tweed skirt at the office. Not because it’s the holidays, but because I really like this skirt. I can't even remember where I got it, but it's awesome. It will also be making post-holiday appearances, hopefully with a new pair of black heels with a gold platform (Fergie Footwear sent me a link to a great pair on my Facebook page).

So embrace your inner magpie and don’t waste money on a sequin dress just for New Years Eve, or gold shoes that are only for Christmas. Bust out the glittery dress again for your cousin’s wedding this spring and switch up the accessories. Wear the gold shoes with a black suit, and give your office something to talk about other than the crappy bonuses everyone got this year.

The holidays are a time of year, not a fashion excuse. Either embrace the sparkle in your personality or let it shimmer out, because it’s just not fair to keep sequins and metallic hidden in the closet.

Comfy in Heels?

2011-12-20T16:02:00.002-06:00

I love being told about comfy shoes.

Believe it or not this happens to me a lot; as in a couple times a week. It's usually led up to with someone saying, "Oh my god. I love those shoes but I could never walk in those. How do you walk in those? Don't your feet hurt? My feet hurt just looking at your feet in those shoes."

Well, sorry that your feet are so damn sensitive that they hurt just looking at my shoes, but seriously, grow a pair. They're my shoes, not yours. I didn't walk up to you and ask how you could possibly show your face in public while wearing Crocs, and those are way more offensive than the highest heel I own.

I wear these because they match my pants.

After I explain that yes, my feet feel pain, and yes, I am insane enough to choose the way I look over comfort, and yes, I realize that may not always be the case but I am not ready to give into something "comfy" I get a look like I'm insane and obviously don't know what I'm talking about or what I'm doing to my feet.

Let's just clear all that up right now. I totally know what I'm doing to my feet. Lucky for me I was given small feet and small toes, so they squish up well into shoes.

I also used to dance (like in a company, not on a pole). If you think heels are rough on feet you should see the torture some of my instructors would subject us to. At the end of the day my feet aren't bleeding when I pull off my heels, which means they're not that badly beat up. I can't say the same for ballet shoes. As for bunions, I've just been lucky so far. Some girls are.

I also love my heels. I have visions of me prancing across the street in slow-motion like Sarah Jessica Parker in the Sex and the City intros. Walking that clacking power-walk of stilettos through the halls of my office, signifying my arrival. Hiking me up an extra few inches so that the world can't tell I'm actually pretty short....

Does this mean I don't own any "comfy" shoes at all? Maybe, maybe not. I know I've let it slip that I own a pair of Dr. Martens, and I'll also let you know that I have slippers, but they never ever leave the house. I'm just not that kind of girl.

So next time you want to wear heels out, do it. Screw comfy. And if your feet hurt, stop to get a drink. Booze totally helps wash the pain away.

Surgery Shoes

2011-12-18T19:08:00.001-06:00

Dental work is never fun. Well, maybe it's fun for some people, but not for me. So I can't say I got real dressed up this last Friday when I had to be at the periodontist for gum surgery when I normally would be going to work.

So there I am, shaking and terrified. Fumbling with my iPod, which is some kind of crappy attempt to not hear the work going on inside my own mouth, and suddenly the dental assistant scoots her chair in front of me and looks me straight in the eyes.

Let's talk about your shoes.

"I love those shoes."

Ummm...thanks? It's 9:00 am, and I'm almost in tears waiting for you and your masochist doctor to put me into more pain than my mouth has ever been in, I look like crap, am not wearing makeup, and you want to talk about my shoes.

That would happen to me.

Forty-five minutes later I walked out of the office, feeling my jaw steadily swelling, and fearing the pain that would smack me in the face the second my Novocaine wore off. My husband stood up when he saw me walk into the waiting room and gave me a tentative smile.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

"The assistant liked my shoes," I said and started towards the car.

I'm pretty sure he was talking about the procedure, but I couldn't comment yet because I couldn't feel anything. My final feelings on that came an hour later as I was holding ice on my swollen jaw and crying for painkillers.

At least I have cute shoes. Even in pain and tears, I have cute shoes. That has to be worth something.

Neon Dreams

2011-12-13T13:32:00.000-06:00

I was never this cool.

Neon really tears me apart.

It brings mental images of braces, tall fried-out bangs, Aqua Net and my awkward phase. Neon is my reminder of that time in life they make crappy tween shows about, except I was WAY less glamorous.

At the same time, neon is Jem, The Misfits (Jem's rival not the real punk band) and Barbie and the Rockers, Cyndi Lauper and everything that was (and probably still is) so much cooler than me.

So far I have avoided the neon revival, fearing that the second I place a piece on my body the gap in my teeth will magically appear, my bathroom will fill with Paul Mitchell and Aqua Net products, my hair will no longer be awesome, and my tits will get smaller.

They come in multiple colors

The other side of me wants to embrace it and add the neon pieces to my wardrobe, and live out some kind of Barbie and the Rockers fantasy where I look great in everything no matter how asinine it may be, all my friends are equally as cool, and yellow doesn't make me look like I have jaundice.

In my searches for neon that will make me look neither sick or pre-teen again, I ran across these great neon heels from Fergie Footwear. They're basic, simple, and neon. They can punch up any outfit, and yet can remain understated.

As understated as neon is capable of being anyway.

They also come in multiple colors, which means just like Jem and Barbie dolls, I can collect them all. I think I'll stop short of teasing my hair this time, but I can't make any promises about drag-queen makeup.

The Business of Traveling Shoes

2011-12-06T13:27:00.001-06:00

In case you haven't been following my tweets over the last week, I've been traveling. A lot. As in less than 72 hours at home this weekend before I went back to the office and then to the airport. Now I'm in a hotel in San Francisco and my husband and dog are forgetting who I am.

Just high enough to keep my hem from dragging.

And before you start thinking this is all glamorous, let me tell you, it's not. I do not get to see the city I am in. I don't have time to shop, or visit (assuming I know anyone in the city which is rare). My days start before the sun comes up and end after it goes down. None of which makes any difference because I rarely get to see a window and actually bear witness to the fact that the sun came out.

Hell, it may not have come out at all. Makes little to no difference to me.
All the traveling causes shoe issues. What does one wear when you're going to be tearing around airports and standing for hours at a time? Something professional and comfortable but cute. It also needs to match everything I packed (so we're going all black).

I travel with only one carry-on and a luggage size purse that holds all my stuff, a book, laptop, my pencil case full of lipstick, and chargers for various things (laptop, iPhone, camera).
What my two week travel bonanza has taught me is that apparently Nine West is my go-to travel shoe. Last week it was the two-strap Mary Jane. This week it's the stack heel loafer (far less interesting, but this trip involves more walking).
I originally bought the loafer a few jobs ago when I was in event planning and would spend weeks running around giant hotels, and seven days in stilettos were not something that was an option month after month. The problem I had (and still have) is that I don't love them. They're nice, but they're just too logical and sensible looking with their no platform and chunky, moderate heel.

Does work travel and cute shoes go hand in hand? I'm not the type that wears gym shoes to the airport (though I do travel with them so I can workout) and I'm generally in business clothes, which don't have the most comfortable shoes.

Does such a thing as cute and comfortable, while still being walkable as I traipse through (a limited part of) strange cities even exist? My new mission is to find it, because I'm pretty sure I'm over these loafers.

Wedging Into Fashion

2011-11-27T09:26:00.001-06:00

Sarah Nicole Prickett has said that wedges are the most feminist of all heels.

Probably. They're easy to walk in (generally) and give good height and lift, without the ball-bearing pain of stillettos. You always have a full foot on the ground, and they're generally too thick to slip into sidewalk cracks and sewer grates, so you're less likely to stumble into a face first meeting with the concrete.

Who's about to look like Frankenstein?

They're also a tricky design that can go very, very wrong very easily, and not all shoe manufactureers have been successful at pulling off this increasingly popular, and feminist heel.

Currently a popular way to give boots a little lift, I have seen as many people wear this well, as I have seen women channeling the old Frankenstein monster in both styling and walk.

You can always spot a crappy wedge boot when it looks like the wearer's feet have been encased in blocks. No shape or texture to the wedge, and no change in material between the shoe and the wedge create a block look that's not good on anyone.

They're not known for their footwear.

It's even worse when monotone, block wedge boots are paired with skinny jeans. It creates an imbalance that makes girls look like some kind of jacked up Playmobile person.

Let's not forget about the walk either. Wedges can be really freaking tall. When I can hit six feet tall and not teeter on the edge of falling into oblivion at the first crack in the sidewalk, those are some sturdy shoes. You can walk or run in wedges (although this is not recommended), but if you're going to do either one, for the love of all things holy, please walk like a regular person.

Nina Ricci does wedges right.

Heel to toe. Repeat on the other side. One foot in front of the other. Please don't walk like you are actually wearing cement blocks on your feet. It's called walking, not marching, and you look like an ass marching around unless you're in full military gear, at which point you're not wearing wedges. And if you are, we need to have a different discussion about footwear and what's appropriate.

So be careful with your wedges, don't buy shitty block-looking boots, and remember how to walk like a human who's still alive. And remember some of them are still razor thin and can send you tumbling from your stilted tower.

Happens to me more than I like to admit.

Black Friday and No Shoes

2011-11-25T18:18:00.001-06:00

This year's Black Friday shopping adventure really wasn't that exciting.

It was exciting because there were great deals, and I got to spend the day with my sister, niece and mom, but there weren't any crazed shoppers pushing people out of the way, pulling hair and hitting one another with display heels in an effort to get the last size medium dress.

Same boots, different day

Instead we shopped our way through the mall grabbing great deals, and finding some really nice stuff for Christmas gifts. My two-year-old niece waved at Santa (the highlight of her day), danced to music in every store, and pointed out all the shoes she thought were "So cute."

For being two, she has great taste in shoes.

Surprisingly, I didn't buy any shoes today. Or maybe that's not surprising because I was actually Christmas shopping, and for once not focusing on myself. At least not the whole time.

I also learned that my Kensie boots look awesome, but are not the best mall marathon shoes. Hours and hours of walking in those left my feet hurting. Though I was pretty on-trend with my red jeans and black top. Even if my red jeans are like five years old.

Like I said, I'm always ahead of the curve.

I also resisted getting my third furry vest, although I think I'm regretting it at this point. But I guess there's always after Christmas.

Glitter Celebrations

2011-11-20T22:11:00.001-06:00

One year ago, on November 20, 2010 I got married and I wore these amazing shoes that I was convinced I would wear again. It's how I justified the expense mere days before the wedding.

It turns out glitter heels aren't my most versatile shoes, and they're not really work appropriate, so they haven't been worn in the last 12 months.

Sparkles at least once a year.

Finally tonight I pulled them out again and wore them to our anniversary dinner.

I paired them with a red and purple skirt and purple top, and braved the November wind with bare legs and a leopard faux fur coat, and the hubby and I went out to dinner at the original Morton's Steakhouse for an amazing anniversary dinner.

Once home we ate a piece of the now-defrosted cake top (for luck), drank a bottle of ice wine, hung out with the dog, and watched the American Music Awards, and realized that in one year our life hasn't changed much.

Twelve months ago to the day were were partying our butts off with our family and friends, and now it's a good dinner and back to real life.

At least I still have the sparkle and the shoes. Even if I can't wear them all the time.

The Higher the Poorer?

2011-11-19T23:26:00.001-06:00

According to some economists, fashion can predict the rise and fall of the economy. There's the skirt theory that when skirts are shorter, the economy is doing better. Supposedly this is something that's been proven over time.

I never thought this made any damn sense, because you'd think that the worse the economy the shorter the skirt, because short skirts use less fabric, and would therefore be cheaper.

Love these heels, but 6" doesn't work for the office.

Now just to make this extra brain-busting, IBM Global Business Services did some kind of study and decided that heels height is also an economic indicator.

The higher the heel the worse the economy.

So apparently when the economy is down we all hide our towering heels under maxi dresses, but when we're flush we bust out the mini skirts and flats.

I'm going out on a limb here and say that economists aren't always the most fashionable people, and it's probably a male dominated industry. I say this because usually people don't wear flats with minis. Or at least I don't. It makes me look all Hobbity and fat. And I don't wear flats.

As far as heels getting higher as the economy goes in the shitter, it's got some precedence behind it. Heels were popular in the 1930s, 1970s and again recently. But I remember wearing heels in the '90s when we were all rolling around in easy credit and low unemployment. And the recent heel heights have gotten so high, there's no where to go but down.

Having recently reached 6" and 7" with platforms, heights once reserved only for strippers, if they got any higher women would need help walking.

I think fashion reflects the economy before the economy reflects fashion. And some things just don't make any damn sense. Like wearing mini skirts and flats, or maxi dresses. I will never understand those, no matter what kind of economy we have.

Very British imports

2011-11-16T16:18:00.001-06:00

Every year I wait until the last minute to go Christmas shopping. I’m one of those people who doesn’t even think about it until Black Friday, then spends hundreds of dollars over the next few weeks, praying that I have money left over for the light bill.

Buying myself little gifts in there probably doesn’t help.

And I don’t even need to explain the amazingness that is online shopping. What isn’t done the weekend before Christmas is done on lunch hours from my desk.

This year there’s yet another option added to the long list of online retailers, but this one is different. Mostly because it’s a well established British brand, and their stuff is very cool.

Very.com is launching in the U.S. and brings a bit of British style to our computers, and eventually our closets. A part of the Shop Direct Group, the UK's largest online retaileer, they have everything from clothes to shoes and accessories for men and women, and prices to fit any budget.

Firetrap Fire Form- As good as bought.

The first place I went to was the shoes, and some of them are absolutely fabulous. The guys shoes are great too, and the brands include popular British brands like Love Labels and Goodsouls, as well as brands like G-Star RAW.

If shoes aren’t your thing (then I wonder why you read this) there’s lingerie, accessories, maternity clothes, plus sizes, sports wear (never thought that would be on my blog), and a bunch of other stuff to buy there as well.

But seriously, let’s talk about the shoes and how much I love these Firetrap Fire Form Platform heels and how they’re all Beetlejuice, and I need them right now?

If you want in on this British import, Cat in Heels readers are being offered 20% off Very.com from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, and all you have to do is put your email into the signup box below.

And please note, they did contact me and ask me to spread the word and are sponsoring this post, but I'd never offer my readers something I didn't think was truly cool.

Waiting for Glitter

2011-11-12T17:26:00.001-06:00

Almost one year ago to the day I bought a pair of pinkish-red glitter heels from Bakers to wear on what is probably one of the most important (and definitely the most expensive) days of my life.

My wedding.

Thanks for not having these
a year ago Bebe.

As soon as the bridesmaids were in hot pink, and I got my now-husband's OK to go all Punk Barbie-on-Acid with the dresses and colors, I knew I had to have hot pink shoes, and glitter was (of course) ideal. It was also (of course) nowhere to be found (unless I bought Louboutins, which I couldn't afford).

I had settled on a pair of hot pink satin ruffled heels, and then found the glitter ones, fell in love, bought them, got married, and moved on with my life.

My wedding shoes,
which were perfect in their own way

Now, one week shy of my 1st wedding anniversary and I swear that pink glitter shoes are practically attacking me. Probably out of spite.

Pink glitter boots, wedges, heels...you name it and some asshole somewhere has created the shoe I spent months looking for and never found (except for the aforementioned Louboutin.

Now I can't decide if I should run out and buy all the pink glitter shoes I can find as some sort of compensation, or if I should swear them off and never wear pink glitter since it wasn't there for me on my special day.

This is exactly why I should just design my own shoes. Because whatever I want is apparently all the rage six months to a year later.

Who wants to know today's obsessions? If you can find them (or make them) you'll totally be in style next Fall.

Uphill in the Rain

2011-11-08T22:03:00.001-06:00

I walk uphill to work in heels. This morning it was also pouring rain, which managed to find its way into my shoes and my purse, so I started the day with wet feet, a wet wallet and a crappy disposition.

In Chicago we consider this a hill.

As I sat at my desk, seriously considering rain boots for the millionth time, I got an email from Piperlime. 20% off all day because it's their birthday or some shit.

Excited (as excited as you can be about rain boots), I decided to bite the bullet and join the Hunter cult. I looked at a million pairs of boots, and finally decided on short (my man-calves are too big for the knee high), plain black. Leopard print wooly inserts to come later.

But it turns out the coupon code wasn't good on Hunter boots. Probably because they're hideous and expensive, but apparently practical so people spend ass-tons of cash on them.

My sister/cult member told me to get over it and pointed out that they're good in rain and snow and we live in Chicago, and we have four seasons so we need to be ready for anything (sometimes all in the same week). They'll last forever, Scotland will fix them if they ever crack or tear, and how many pairs of boots have you gone through in the past few years? Blah, blah, blah, practicality.

So much more fun than rain boots.

Actually I've never owned snow boots or rain boots since moving downtown years ago and simply consider it a miracle that I haven't lost a toe to the cold. She called me ridiculous and probably gave up. I then sent her a link to the neon pink leopard boots I'd rather buy with a couple hundred dollars.

Going home my feet were wet again. But at least this time it was downhill.

Madonna's Truth or Dare

2011-11-06T14:59:00.000-06:00

Madonna in Dior

Celebrities are generally looked to as being trend setters or shining examples of what not to wear. Few have managed to land on both of these lists (sometimes simultaneously) than Madonna.

Her empire reaches far and wide, and she's now joining the long list of celebs who are calling themselves shoe designers. Madonna already has the successful Material Girl collection, but she's branching into adults accessories, fragrance, lingerie and shoes with Truth or Dare, which will again be available at Macy's.

I will shamelessly admit I have already mentally committed to getting this collection, and I'm not sure they've even started designing yet.

Performing in Louboutin.

Some have said that this jump makes no sense, but I beg to differ. Madonna's shoes and accessories have been making lists and magazines for years. The Chanel gun-heel shoes are only one such example. And as for lingerie, we all remember the famous Gaultier cone bras from the Blonde Ambition tour. (And if you don't, please Google it and don't point out my age is showing).

I can't wait to see what kind of stuff she comes up with for Truth or Dare, and I have no doubt it will be amazing. If Perez Hilton can design a charity shoe for Kim Kardashian's shoe club, and Stuart Weitzman can tap Scarlett Johansson and Olivia Palermo to design shoes, there's no reason Madonna can't take it to the next level (like she does everything) and design and sell shoes under her own label.

Previews of the shoes aren't available yet, but we can only hope something starts to leak out soon. I can only imagine what kind of amazingness Madonna will grace us with in this endeavor. She's even said she will be the face of Truth or Dare (saving us from another Taylor Momsen). But if she does want someone to help model shoes for her, or street test a few pair, I'm available.

Horror in Heels

2011-10-31T16:29:00.003-05:00

When I was in college I went to a haunted house. I also went to one in high school and one when I was in third grade. The whole experience was generally terrifying, and despite my love of horror movies and all things Halloween, I vowed to never go again.

This year my husband tricked me into going in the name of family fun, and promised that if I survived we could go see the original Nightmare on Elm Street (Johnny Depp in a half shirt), which was showing at a recently restored theater in the city.

To my absolute horror I found out we weren’t going to some small little haunted house either. It was Dream Reapers, A big, scary haunted house with Yelp reviews and more actors than animatronics. The kind where people chase you through the parking lot because they think it’s funny to hear you scream and watch you run. The kind I had successfully spent years avoiding.

Where's Freddy when you need him?

When we got to the haunted house we stood in line, and I looked down at my shoes. I had very appropriately decided to wear my Nightmare heels from Iron Fist (hoping to find a rogue Freddy for the perfect photo op), and was suddenly standing in line in the cold, then standing in line inside. Then jumping out of the way when a not actually fake werewolf moved, pushing me towards a panic attack and the sudden realization I had to pee.

Now there was a big line with monsters jumping around in it, strobe lights, almost no actual light, people pushing, small, frightened children, and I came to the realization that if a heart attack didn’t kill me, then I’d probably trip on my heels in the dark and be eaten by whatever horrors were behind the carefully guarded door (or trampled by small, frightened children).

Did I mention there were over 20 rooms of my nightmare to get through without panicking, passing out, being killed or tripping? And in the event someone started chasing me, I planned on just throwing up my arms and letting them axe me. Why ruin a pair of good shoes and die in terror?

As I steered my husband through each room, with a firm grip on his coat I almost fell and died about 400 time. Between ramps, stuff on the floor, people jumping at you from all sides, strobe lights, a room that moved, an elevator that moved, more jumping, and one guy who asked if he could cut off my legs and keep them (probably for my shoes), it’s a miracle I made it out alive.

Then at the theater no one was dressed like Freddy Krueger, so I didn’t even get my perfect photo op.

Maybe I’ll have to go back to the haunted house next year and take pictures of my shoes with all the monsters and demons. I’ve survived once, so I can probably get through again.

High Maintenance in Heels

2011-10-24T22:27:00.000-05:00

Generally I am not a magazine person. I used to be, but that's when I was in high school and the Internet was all slow and dial up, and it took 20 minutes to load a page.

Somehow I ended up on a mailing list for a couple magazines though. One about destination weddings (which I didn't have), one fitness magazine (I us it as a coaster for my vodka) and one fashion magazine.

Believe it or not, I actually read the fitness and the fashion magazine, as if I'll somehow get prettier and have better abs through osmosis. Of course, then I run into an article that reminds me why I don't read fashion magazines.

An article on the secret messages your outfit is sending men, sent me into a tizzy this weekend. Mostly because I don't give a shit what message my outfit sends (I dress for me, not some dude) and the advice therein was beyond stupid.

Among the brilliant tidbits:

Logos on your clothes mean you shop a lot (I always thought it meant you're totally uninspired)
Shapeless clothes mean you think you're fat (Ummmm...this is so dumb I don't know what to say)
Skimpy clothes mean you'll wear hot pants to a funeral (this relationship is moving fast)

And my favorite: High heels means you're high maintenance.

I would like to take a moment right now to tell the male writer of this idiotic article to fuck off.

Don't analyze my heels, just admire them.

I disagree with every point he makes, from logos to frump and the bullshit about the funeral in between. But especially about the shoes.

High heels do not mean you're high maintenance. They mean you're wearing high heels. Maybe you're short or they match the outfit. Maybe they're new. Maybe you had a business meeting or simply look like a stupid little hobbit in flats.

Maybe it's so douche bags like this guy don't talk to you.

Can high maintenance women wear high heels? Of course, but they can also wear gym shoes, ballet flats and Crocs (although I actually find this last option to be least likely). I've been wearing heels for years, and I don't consider myself to be high maintenance at all. I'm snobby, aggressive, swear too much, work too much, drink too much, talk too loud, and a variety of other independent and unladylike things, and if there's any maintaining that needs to be done I can do it my damn self.

European shoe successes and failures

2011-10-23T21:43:00.000-05:00

I wanted new shoes for a wedding I had to attend. New shoes to go with a new dress.

I had the perfect shoe in mind to go with my scarlet, one shoulder cocktail dress. Black, closed toe, t-strap, moderate heel. And apparently not something that's been in style since the 1950s.

My husband also needed shoes, so we went out and started hitting store after store around the city looking for my t-straps and his new dress shoes. He was being all picky about the dress shoes though, and basic black just wasn't what he wanted.

His new shoes and my old ones.

Almost at the end of our search and resigning ourselves to wearing shoes we already owned, I coaxed my hubby into one more place. Figaro European Shoes, tucked just off the main road with sky high heels in the front window.

He rolled his eyes as he walked in, and then those eyes went wide. More than half the store was men's shoes, and they were unique. Super unique and ostentatious, loud as hell and totally his style. As he ran around collecting shoes, waving various dress shoes at me ("These have horses on them!") I wandered through the store and realized they didn't have my t-straps, turned around and my husband was sitting, surrounded by shoes talking to the shop owner.

Twenty minutes later we walked out of the store and my husband was toting bags with two new pairs of shoes in them. I had nothing. He had patent leather and pony hair, and I had nothing. He had blood red and white stitching and I was wearing old shoes.

When I started whining on the way home about how he got two new pairs of shoes and I got nothing he turned to me and said, "Your shoes are nice and no one has seen them. Mine were cruddy looking and I need nice shoes since my wife is the shoe queen, I can't be seen with cruddy shoes."

You win this round hubs. But next time we go shopping, it's all about me and finding those t-straps.

The pain of beautiful shoes

2011-10-12T21:50:00.000-05:00

Today an article about model's feet hit the Internet and made people all over want to gag.

What happens when models are in runway shows day after day, tromping around in heels, acting as human coat hangers for the newest fashions? Their feet look damaged, and probably hurt like hell.

My initial reaction was that it was awful, but once I thought about it a little, I decided it's really not that bad. Especially once you take all the various factors into account.

For one, models don't always get to wear shoes that fit. Sometimes they jam their feet into shoes that are too small, and sometimes they have to strap on shoes that are too big. In both cases they then have to walk like there's no problem.

Lucky for them those runways are usually pretty short.

Photo courtesy of Fashionista.com

So really, what are the big problems that heels cause when you spend Fashion Week walking runways?

Runaway pinkie toes in strappy sandals, blisters, scratches, bruises. I honestly don't see what the big deal is.

I spend my days in heels, and probably walk around in them just as much as models (if not more). Sure, my shoes fit because I buy them, but I'm not on a smooth runway either.

Instead my 5'4" non-model frame and doll size feet glide around the city, skipping over sidewalk cracks, teetering through construction zones, jumping over those damn orange nubby things at crosswalks, and running all over the office, and I've managed to not have all kinds of crazy bruising and scratches. Maybe I'm just more resilient than the models are. Probably because I eat.

Whatever. Beauty is pain. By the end of the series of Fashion Week in Paris, the runway models are showing off not only clothes, but the pain that goes along with looking so good.

Right now I hope they're all getting foot rubs and eating cheese burgers.