The Best Around (Unless Leopard Becomes Available)

My new shoe loves, the ASICS Women's Gel-Neo33 Running Shoe arrived last night.  I am very impressed with the lightning-fast shipping since I just ordered them Tuesday night.

See, matchy matchy, no makeup,
sleepy face.

Visually they are everything I wanted them to be.  They are so beautiful to me that I did something I never do.  I planned my workout outfit in advance to coordinate with my shoes.  Usually I wear whatever is on top of the pile to work out.

I've been jogging with my mom, and she was sick this morning.  Some days I would have used that as an excuse to skip the gym, but today I was on a mission to try out these shoes.

My first impression of the ASICS in action is great.  I'm very happy with the stability, cushioning, and sole flexibility.   I managed to look up from my feet long enough that I didn't run into any walls.

I'll jog in these for a few weeks and, if I'm still happy, I'll probably order another pair.  Finding this pair was such a hassle that it would be nice to know I am set for a while.

Stephen mentioned last night that he was surprised I didn't get leopard print running shoes.  Attention all shoe companies: please make leopard print running shoes.  I will buy a lifetime supply.

My Running Sole Mates

I've been jogging regularly again since June, and my running shoes have about run out.  I've been dreading shopping for running shoes because running is not something that comes easily to me.  I have started to enjoy it.  I have started to love it.  But the specter of injury hangs over me and I want to do everything I can to continue to be able to jog and have fun doing it.

I had a wish list for my ideal pair:

1. Available in size 11.5.  It is even harder for me to find running shoes that regular ones because I need a half size larger.  
2. Cushioned.  I am somewhat massive, and it's not fair to my joints if I pound the pavement in shoes that don't give them any relief.
3. Stability.  I over-pronate, especially with my right foot.  It throws off the alignment of my ankles and makes my knees hurt if my shoes don't give me enough support.
4. Colorful.  Dammit, I want colorful shoes.  
5. Women's.  I have been forced to buy men's running shoes too many times because women's ones didn't come in my size.  Now I live in the age of internet.  Never again.
6. On sale.  You've read this blog before, right?

After making an endless pilgrimage to what seemed like every shoe store in the greater metro area, I still had not found what I was looking for, then I remembered bullet number five above and hit the web.  Within a few minutes I located these beauties on Amazon.

Image Credit: Amazon
These are some sharp shoes.

Image Credit: Amazon
This is what it will look like
if I'm about to run you over.

Image Credit: Amazon
This is what it will look like
if I have just run you over.

ASICS calls them the Gel-Neo33 Running Shoe.  I am pleased to call them mine.  

They come with a 60 day satisfaction guarantee, so I wasn't quite as apprehensive about buying running shoes on the internet.  

I have jogged in ASICS for the past few years, and (because I'm a dork) I love that the name is derived from the Latin phrase "anima sana in corpore sano" meaning a sound mind in a sound body.  That's what I'm going for.

The shipping policies page says most orders arrive in three to five business days.  My toes can hardly wait.

Summer Shoe Challenge

Shoetopia.  This map is no longer
accurate since boots migrate north
and sandals come south for
the summer.

Way back in December I decided to do a little exploration in the mysterious land called Shoetopia.  I enjoyed the trip so much that I've decided to repeat the experience for July with my summer shoes.


The rules will be largely the same as my December Shoe Challenge.  Every working day this month I will wear and photograph different footwear.  I may photograph weekend and holiday shoes for bonus points.  I'm an overachiever like that.  


This takes a little more planning since I won't be able to wear my default shoes, but I'm excited to delve into my closet and find new favorites!  


You can check the Summer Shoe Challenge page to view the pairs as I wear them.  


(The photo on the right is easily the most over-used photo on this blog.)

Shoe Quickie: Dangerous Curves

Bumper Curved Heel Strappy Wedge 
Image Credit: ZooShoo

I have been thinking a lot about getting the most bang for me sartorial buck, but these shoes are almost weird/amazing enough to be worth $49.  Almost.  

Avenue Q x 2 Plus Shoes

I saw Avenue Q on Friday and Saturday nights.  Friday night was a girls' night and Saturday night was with Stephen.

Friday Night:

Me and Mom.

Dress, CitiKnits, thrifted; wedges, Mossimo, Target; necklace and earrings, handmade by me.

Shortest dress ever.

Apparently my mom and I have a similar sense of style, at least in shoes.  I got these Bjorndal Ally Clogs from Rack Room Shoes for my mom for her birthday after she admired them at Christmas time.  There is definitely a similar feel to those clogs and the Mossimo Black® Payton Wedges from Target.  As an extra bonus, the gigantic wedges somehow manage to make my feet look small.  I'm not too hung up on the size of my feet, but sometimes my size 11s can look kind of enormous.

Image Credit: Rack Room Shoes
Mom's.

Image Credit: Target
Mine.

 

Saturday Night:

 

Dress, Miss Tina, Walmart; shoes, Merona, Target; pendant watch, gifted (thanks Pop!); earrings, handmade by me; cuff bracelet, Claire's

It's a Shoe In

Ok, so I know the expression is actually "shoo-in," but this is a post about shoes.  Actually, it's a post about a sweater with a shoe print.

 

I'm a bit of a shoe fiend, in case you didn't know.  My shoe closet (shoetopia) is a embarrassing monument to conspicuous consumption.  When I saw this sweater at Goodwill (another from my excursion with Chenille), I knew it was meant to be mine.  It is a silk and cotton blend, so it has a decadent softness.

 

Sweater, City Silk, thrifted; skirt, George, Walmart; shoes, 5th Avenue, Rack Room Shoes; belt, thrifted; necklace, thrifted.

Close-up of sweater and necklace.

 I took my photos outside at lunch today.  Noon sun is really not the ideal photographic lighting, but wow is it a beautiful day.

Today is Thursday, and Thursdays are for Thrifters!

December Shoe Challenge Analysis

Shoetopia: home of my shoes.

The December Shoe Challenge was fun but frustrating at times too.  There were quite a few times that I didn't get to wear the shoes I thought would go best with my outfit because I had already worn them this month.  The experience did open my eyes a bit more to just how underutilized my shoes are.

Heel

• Flats: 24
• Heels:6
• Wedges: 2

Type

• Boots: 9
• Shoes: 22

Color

• Black: 8
• Brown: 5
• Red: 6
• Green: 2
• Purple: 3
• Animal: 1
• Tan: 2
• Pink: 1
• Grey: 2
• Metallic: 1
• Blue: 1

Favorites
My favorites fall into two categories: style and comfort.

I love these boots and they
also win for comfort.

Also comfy and cute.

Less comfortable, by I love
them anyway.

Warm and comfy.

Red hot.

Purple and sassy.

Analysis

Even with the challenge pushing me, I still gravitated towards shoes that are easy to wear.  I wore shoes more than boots and flats more than heels.  Look for January to have a lot more boots.  I want to get as much wear as possible in before the weather warms up.

I am very much looking forward to my next challenge.  Challenges encourage me to look at my wardrobe in new ways, and my January challenges will also help me pull back on spending and ramp up the creativity.  

Sparkle Shoes

 

Here is my version of the lovely bejeweled shoes from Honestly WTF.  My mom and I made them Thursday night.  Mine might not have enough rhinestones, but I can always add more.  I was running out of patience with the stones and glue.  I can hardly wait to wear them!

Sparkles+Shoes= Must-Try DIYs

Image Credit: Honestly WTF

The crafty ladies at Honestly WTF have done it again!  First they made the to-die-for lion door knocker belt that I had to replicate, and now they have combined two of my other favorite things: shoes and sparkly bits.

It just so happens that I have to go to JoAnn Fabrics on my way home from work.

Now I'll need to find two pairs of shoes to sacrifice to the craft gods.  One for the lion shoes of my dreams, one pair for jewel shoe glory.

Image Credit: Honestly WTF

Image Credit: Honestly WTF

I think I'll also need to try the hex nut bracelet.  It looks incredibly easy.  I'll have Stephen pick up some little hex nuts next time he goes to the hardware store.
I'm imagining my version as a multi-wrap with hex nuts, beads, and plain braided sections.

Image Credit: Honestly WTF

And then there is the gorgeous chainmail necklace.

Someone stop me from looking at this website any more.

My crafty dance card should be filled for quite some time.  

Stephen may want to have me committed.

December Challenging

I have a lot of shoes.  Almost certainly more than you have.  Probably more than anyone else you know.  My shoe closet (henceforth known as Shoetopia) is an abyss of conspicuous consumption a magical and wonderful place where dreams come true.  Unfortunately some of my shoes don't get the love and attention that they deserve.

Shoetopia

 This is the inspiration for the Great December Shoe Challenge of 2011.  Every working day this month I will wear and photograph different footwear.  I may photograph weekend and holiday shoes for bonus points.  I'm an overachiever like that.

By the end of the month I will undoubtedly find some new favorites.

Yay, shoes!

I'm Not Lion... Yet

Maybe it is inspiration from House Lannister in the Song of Ice and Fire series, but I have been loving lion-themed apparel lately. 

Photo credit: Honestly WTF

I am going to make a lion belt like this one from Honestly WTF.  I ordered enough lion door knockers to make lion door knocker shoes too.  Stay tuned for lion belt fun.

Photo credit: The Last Goddess

Speaking of lion shoes, I desperately want to try my hand at crafting a pair similar to these Christian Louboutin lion paw shoes. I don't have an extra $5,000 sitting around to buy the real thing.  (They probably don't come in size 11 anyway.)  I need to "paw" through my closet to see if I have any pumps I could sacrifice to the experiment.

Who wouldn't want their feet to look like lions' paws?


ETA: The lion knocker drawer pulls shipped today! (12-7)  I will soon be able to make the lion door knocker belt of my dreams.