paring down: a meaningful ritual

image found here

I have come to accept that I will likely always be in the process of paring down. It is a way of life for me. I dislike clutter, but I don't equate a 'lived in' state with clutter. Although it would not be evident upon visiting my home, I prefer tables, counters & desk surfaces to be spare. All of that stuff that interferes with function clutters my head, clouds my thinking and drives me nuts.

Periodically, I push for the nightly 5-minute sweep to make sure we all (the kids and I really) put our things where they belong and, thus, help keep our systems working. I seriously fall down in enforcing these sweeps.

My girls share a small room. They have sufficient storage for their clothing - the items they actually use - but they cram their drawers full to that point where simply opening or closing a drawer is difficult. Forget about finding a specific article of clothing. This is what they know. It's what they've always done. Empty space seems disquieting to them. My fault... I know.

The kids are home for mid-winter break this week. I snuck away mid-day to work on my own closet & drawers and add to the donation bag. I have avoided dealing with shoes for too long. I have a special fondness for footwear. I came up with one pair for donation and 4 to list on Ebay. Three pairs of these shoes and boots are particularly difficult to part with. I often tell the kids that if they have toys and clothing they are not using, someone else might put these items to good use. Or, they can take those in nice condition to our favorite consignment shop for trade in.

For me, paring down feels like a shedding of weight, a greater sense of freedom. I think the rest of my family experiences this as well but to a much lesser degree. Ultimately, this process of repeatedly evaluating which things we need is probably a fairly healthful exercise. Many of us strive to be more mindful of what matters and live our lives with intention. My recommendation: unload as often as you like.

These are one of my hard-to-part-with pairs of shoes. They're twenty year old saddle shoes that haven't been worn for the past fifteen. I put them in the shop instead of on Ebay as they fall into the category of vintage shoes, boots & objects I list on occasion just for fun. And they would pair nicely with a ruffle skirt!

bye bye booties

Alas, I have accepted that my gorgeous Gidigio's are too large. Farewell my lovelies.

image found here

Gidigio boots: classic footwear

photo via here

Let it be known that I love shoes and boots. They are no longer anywhere near as high priority as they were in my younger days. Still, I have mentioned my affinity for Fluevogs more than once here. Fluevogs have remained my favorite for more than 20 years. I bought my most recent pair as a happy-birthday-to-me when I reached 41 just two years back.... wore that pair today and still love them just as much.

Birthday week has come around again. I bought myself a print of a Whistler etching courtesy of my in-laws and last night my parents treated me to a fabulous short, tweedy 40's style jacket while attending the spectacular Bonsoir Liliane! at Teatro ZinZanni (a 50th Anniversary surprise for Mom & Dad with some unexpected special garments in the gift shop). Then, today, I found the glorious boots.

I had been seeking Gidigio Athos boots but never expected I would end up with a pair. Aside from being fairly scarce, they are beyond my price range - upper 200's for this style. Recently, I attempted to try them on at a local shoe shop. Pretty much just to taste the fantasy. Turns out they only had one pair in a half size larger than I wear, and they were not able to locate them in the store room.

Today, I stopped back while picking up a stocking stuffer around the corner. This time, they were able to find the sole remaining pair. As expected they are about 1/2 size too large. I loved them immediately but was glad they were a tad large as there was no way I would purchase them. It would be easier to part with them this way. Here's were the birthday good fortune comes in. Every year at this time, the shoe shop has a 50% off sale on close-out items. As this was the last pair, my beautiful Athos were 50% off. I hesitated only about a minute and went for it. They feel great even if I little large. Somehow the style works just fine a bit big given the 1.5" heel (as high as I go). They remind me of a pair of well-loved oxfords I completely wore out in my 20's. The Athos is definitely a class style that I'll be able to wear forever.

the only photos I could find quickly. they certainly don't do this pair justice.

Now I'm sending out some good juju in hopes of finding a pair of John Fluevog Radio BBC or RCI boots at half off.

Fluevog pictures via Footloose Shoes.

shoe love - Chie Mihara

There was a time long, long ago when I was a bit of a shoe hound. I still harbor a great appreciation for a well-made, high comfort, artful shoe. If I had to identify what was probably my signature style back in the day, it would be something like this.

Image from Pedshoes.com

I kind of miss those days. Although these babies fit the bill in terms of comfort and practicality, they are nowhere in the budget. Now, it seems, I select a pair of boy style cuffed jeans and wear them for a week straight - maybe two. Add a tank or button up oxford and a girlish cardigan and you have my dress-up uniform. Typically I have about 30 seconds to get dressed so it's all about convenience. I do consider putting more effort into it, but apparently I'm just not ready to recommit. Still, these Chie Mihara's would suit my uniform perfectly!

Perhaps soon I'll share a shot of the Fluevog burgundy bondgirl boots I won recently on Ebay. Sooo comfy and Fluevogs keep me young.

shoe love

On Mondays I always look forward to seeing what Mrs. French has covered in her weekly "I heart Monday" post. Her blog, Bliss, is fabulous. It's always chock full of beautiful images. Yesterday, I found these snazzy ocean blue Chie Mihara heels.

Although I've proclaimed my love for great shoes numerous times over the years, my fondness hasn't been so evident in my own footwear of late. Well... at least in terms of variety. I tend to stick with clogs & Keens. It's all about practicality and speed in getting those babies on my feet. While I still thoroughly enjoy shoes, new shoes are an indulgence that rarely feels high priority any longer. I feel a bit inspired by Mrs. French, however, to highlight some of my favorites.

Turning 40 didn't feel differently from any other birthday. Oddly, 41 was a bit of a pest. In an effort to recapture some of the shoe joy of my youth and "celebrate" my maturity, I turned to John Fleuvog. It had been about 13 years since my last purchase. My daughters were NOT pleased with my choice, but I was thrilled then and am equally satisfied still. It was difficult to narrow down the options, but the pragmatist in me won out. I went with the astonishingly light-weight Angel Henk. You just can't imagine how these feel until you try them.

via fluevog.com

I suppose Fleuvogs are my all-time favorite shoes. The nostalgia factor may play a significant role, but the quality and comfort is tough to beat.

I would love to add these to the family:

Of my very few dressy options, my favorites are Lisa Nading sling-backs.

via shoe_nole's flickr

I would love a pair of Cydwoq low heals. I have a few pairs of Cydwoqs. Each of which I view as art. Two of those pairs I was able to purchase for about 25% of the original price because I am good at arriving early and standing in line. Cydwoqs are handmade to mold to the foot unlike any others I have encountered. I wear my Wins the most:

via pedshoes.com

All fancy-pants shoes aside, I am will be forever smitten with good ole' Converse Jack Purcells. And no one can tell me they don't go brilliantly with a sundress.

via zappos.com