heidikins.com

May I preface this post by saying that this is not my closet. Firstly, there aren’t nearly enough shoes. I counted only about 120 pairs in this closet, and I am really much closer to 170 pairs. Secondly, I keep all my shoes in boxes, so they don’t get dusty or have sun shining on them. Thirdly, do you see those handful of shoe boxes at the top? In my closet, they would have photos of their contents stuck to the front. However, I am uber-jealous of the shelf space dedicated to fancy footwear. Yes, I do have a “room” for my shoes. It’s really a dormer in the loft of my apartment, but the shoes are stacked 5 boxes high and go all around the perimeter of the space. (I also keep bags and winter sweaters up there, it isn’t entirely dedicated to shoes) But I don’t have the shiny white shelves and artfully arranged set-up; this looks more like a chic boutique (minus the dirty Chucks on the bottom row) than a closet.

I have a new quest: over the next few weeks I will be a) documenting my shoes (i.e. taking measurements, making lists and snapping photos for posterity) and b) re-arranging them into a more aesthetically pleasing formation. When my shoe-closet transformation is complete, I’ll post my pics/field notes for you to study. Yes, this is a very scientific precedure; this is not one of those willy-nilly half-baked projects you tried to do in your 5th grade chemistry lab. There will be no pimply lab partner, no inexplicable goo, no explosions, and no mistakes. I will be very detailed and meticulous. I’ll have official paperwork and carefully tick off the appropriate boxes while peering at each specimen with magnified lab-glasses and a critical eye honed by years of experience. I may even wear a white lab coat and every-so-0ften I’ll tap my forehead with my pencil, trying to decide whether this specimen should be be checked into the “dressy” box or the “special occassion only” box. I’m kind of excited just thinking about it! I may discover shoes that I’ve nearly forgotten, carefully wrapped in tissue paper and tucked away in their box, partly hidden behind a stack of strappy sandals. If you notice that I haven’t posted for a few days, please send a search party to my loft; I will most likely be happily surrounded by boxes of shoes and completely oblivious to the fact that 4 days have passed.

I have a new love! Or rather, an extension of a previous love, shoe shopping. I was wandering around the internet yesterday and came across a website that looked fantastic, but I decided that I needed to check back to fully appreciate all it has to offer. Well, this morning I did just that (tactic to avoid actual work) and fell madly, deeply in love, again, with the fantastic selection of footwear!! Piperlime is similar to zappos.com, but the site is much more condusive to my online shopping style. And, they have free shipping and a generous return policy. What can I say? I’m in love. I am also a woman obsessed, but that is much more subjective. And there aren’t as many “granola” shoes… and they have an entire searching section for Mary Jane’s, which are my favorite style of shoe. (I love ankle straps because when I take off sprinting in 4″ heels they stay on my feet! Yes, I can sprint in 4″ heels, and yes, I do on a fairly regular basis!) At any rate, I am a new Piperlime.com convert, and I believe the two of us will have a long and wonderful relationship. Have I mentioned that I love shoes? Is it obvious yet?

Guess what came in the mail yesterday?!? I’ll tell you what: shoes, fabulous shoes!! Yes, I may have ordered a couple of new pairs… no, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Yes, I know none of these were on my list…yes, I already have over 160 pairs of shoes…yes, I realize I may have an addiction…yes, I have an entire room for my shoes (a small room!)…no, I don’t see anything wrong with it. There are millions of vices in the world – and frankly, collecting footwear is not even ON the “dangerous” list, and is only somewhere in the middle of the “quirky” list; so try and keep any accusatory comments to a minimum, ok? I already have outfits for all of the above shoes, which is saying something (usually I find the shoes, purchase, and then find and purchase the outfit to go with them). The Vans, Converse & Ballet Flats are all jeans-and-tshirt appropriate, so there’s nothing to worry about there. And the lime green heels? Well, I’m thinking they are perfect for Easter Sunday with a navy blue dress, white cardigan and a green multi-strand beaded necklace. Aren’t I trendy? I also have a small, lime green baugette that will go perfectly with the outfit! Yes, I plan out my outfits in advance, and for fun…no, I don’t see anything wrong with it! See something you like? Red Vans, Yellow Converse, Lime Green Linen Heels, Lavender Prima Crocs. (Free, overnight shipping until April 30)

PREVIOUS SHOE POSTS: A Little Obsessed with Shoes, Shoes for Thought, Red Shoe Kind of Day, Croc or Not.

So, a couple of years ago when Crocs first started appearing on granola-girls, medical employees and generally “au natural” type individuals, I swore up and down they were the ugliest shoe I’d ever seen. Well, fast-forward a couple of years, and now I own a pair of pink maryjanes…and then I found these ballerina flats and immediately fell in love, or lust, or something. I typically don’t go for flat shoes, and I never wear synthetic shoes – but these are SO CUTE! I am loving the lavender pair and this celery green pair… and just so you know, zappos.com has free, overnight shipping on every order…. in case you were interested. (Yes, that link works for these shoes) Cheers to the croc craze!

Many of you know, I collect shoes. There is something so wonderful about finding the perfect pair of shoes and adding it to a growing collection. That being said, I have a particular affinity to red shoes. I love them! Red shoes are like a caffiene pick-me-up, no matter what is going on I feel better in red shoes. I probably have 10 pairs of red heels – all different, all amazing.

Once upon a time I would buy a new pair of shoes every time I had a bad day, and during this “upon a time” I had a lot of REALLY bad days. Consequently, my once generous shoe collection became quite extensive. And while the bad days are considerably farther apart now – I still sit in my shoe closet (yes, I have a shoe closet – more like a shoe room really) and absorb the endorphins that are constantly emanating from boxes of new shoes. Red shoes somehow store the best endorphins; something about seeing a bright, cheerful color everytime you look down just does wonders for a bad day. Today’s choice of footwear: red shoes!

The straight and narrow must be walked with amazing shoes,
or not at all.

~Andrea Jolene

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I know most people do not buy shoes to match their vehicles… but when you have a yellow bug and a slight addiction to footwear, what’s a girl to do? My car turns 1-year-old in about 2 weeks and I think these shoes would be the perfect birthday present! Please, no comments from the peanut gallery. Yes, I may have ordered these and no, I’m not telling you how many pairs of shoes I have in my closet!

I saw these today and immediately fell in love with them. I’m not sure what it is about red shoes, but they always make me happy! I may have a bit of a shopping problem… but it is cheaper than cocaine, or sports cars. And less damaging! (Although I’m sure an orthopedic would argue with me on that point). For more fantastic footwear options please visit http://www.stevemadden.com/.