Here I sat, dutifully typing report card comments when, suddenly, the phone rang.
(Does the phone ring any other way, really? Oh, I suppose it could ring when you are expecting someone to call– that would not be so sudden, I guess… I digress.)
It was M, calling to tell me that there was a shoe emergency unfolding, thousands of miles away in Boston. K had been desperately trying to reach me, but of course my email was turned off because I was chained to writing my report cards. I quickly leapt into the nearest phone booth and spun around really fast in order to assume my secret superhero identity logged onto my email to see what the emergent situation was.
It was this:

I could see why they needed help!
DSW has a strange way of disabling one’s ability to make rational, sane decisions at the best of times, but I could tell from the surrounding area visible in the photo that LHR and G were in the extremely dangerous BARGAIN SECTION of the store.
(I once nearly spent $600 on black lace pumps half a size too big because they were ON SALE for 40% off….)
It takes a cool head, indeed, to emerge from that part of the store with one’s credit card unscathed.
I should know; I have the scars shoes to prove it.
After getting the girls mixed up (which coat is that, LHR? Must be your new one.),
I eventually figured out who was who and sent the following advice:
Yellow booties = Nay.
Why? A few reasons. First of all, yellow patent is not a great idea– it SEEMS like one, but I know those babies would soon find their way to an upcoming episode of Big Brother For Fashion. Also, the vamp on them is so low that LHR, particularly given her narrow heel and the lack of heel grippage provided by that style, would always feel like the shoes were about to fall off. She might even walk right OUT of them on occasion. Again, I speak from experience here.
Grey open-toed booties = Hell, YES!
Why? Useful colour, interesting style, comfortable height. These are the kind of shoes that could easily dress up a very basic, casual outfit, but which will also look great with dressier stuff, adding a bit of an edge. They are also quite well-suited to G’s wardrobe and she will get good wear out of them.
Also, they cost $25!!!!
My one caveat was that, if you are unaccustomed to wearing open-toed shoes, they can be a bit irksome, in that you slide forward in them. Lots of people hate this feeling and won’t wear a peep-toe for that reason. Good insoles and heel-grip inserts can help. Or, like me, you can just decide to live with the problem because the shoes are too cute to pass up!
Right, off to trawl through 25 year-old photos in order to add to the new “From the Vault” section of this here little blog.