These Shoes Weren’t Made for Walkin’ (aka the seven signs I should have said no)

These Shoes Weren’t Made for Walkin’ (aka the seven signs I should have said no)
Shannon Anicas
6/25/08

My adventure today was to do errands for my boss. Simple enough. She said to park at the High Street garage and that one place was caddy corner to it and the other was just about a block down the street.

Being that Downtown Akron is not that big I thought nothing about the fact I was wearing brand new beige strappy sandals with my brown and beige cotton dress and its matching beige crop jacket. I figured it would be minor walking, I need the exercise and it gives me an excuse to leave the office since I had a very present head ache.

I park the car in the garage that she mentioned. I have used this garage before to go to our enormous library, but that parking was in the well lit and elevator friendly area. Where I had to park was dark and scary. This should have been sign numero uno that I was about to have an adventure. Next, in order to make it up to street level I had to walk up three flights of stairs that stunk worse then my cat box. Sign 2.

I get to the street level and look around for the bank that she wanted me to visit first. Not too far ½ a block maybe. Once I head in that direction I notice they are tearing out the sidewalks and I have to wobble through gravel in my strappy sandals in order to cross the street. Sign 3.

Before I walked in the bank I took a quick look around for the next bank I was to make the deposits in. I looked every where and no xxx bank in sight. I figured I could ask the teller inside where it was. Sign 4.

I made the transaction and proceeded to ask the teller where the bank was located. She pointed down the street, past the giant library, and the parking deck and the bus station. Oh boy, sign number 5.

As I re-cross the street through the gravel, I notice the sign for the bank ahead. I is really far from my vantage point, but I walk on. Past the loitering teens smoking who knows what, past the large RTA bus station and its large crowd of pick pockets and average citizens waiting to go some place else and 2 city blocks (3 times as large as the country blocks I am used to) and 5 urine soaked vagrants later, I am at the other bank. I did my deed and headed back. Sign 6.

This time I thought I would be smart and walk through the library to the garage so that I would a) run in to less urine smells, and 2) be in the air-conditioning. I made my way through the library and to the garage the way I normally do when visiting the library. When I get into the garage it doesn’t look anything like where I parked. I assumed that I should have gone down a floor, which I did. I pushed my keyfob so that I could find my car by sound. Nothing. I started walking to the opposite end of the garage and still pushing the button. At the middle of said garage, while still pushing the button I hear my car alarm go off. Success! Or so I think.

I walk all the way over to the other end and no car. I push the button again and nothing. ??? WTF??? I walk back about half way and try the alarm again. *BEEP BEEP BEEP* ok so where is my car. I walk down another urine soaked stair well to the next level down and nothing, no car. WTFHCWRUC? (I’ll explain later)!!!???!?!?! So I walk all the way up past the lst floor I was on and there is my car. Sign 7.

So seven signs, sweaty pits and two feet in pain later I am on my way back to work. Head ache intact.

I should have just said no.

How do you flash your fashion in an unfashionably bleak town?

Ok so maybe that isn’t entirely fair, but I am finding that the downtown in which I work is more blah then ahh! I know this city is dull looking because of the years of rubber companies polluting up the place, but do the people have to be so gray too?

As many have know lately I have been working hard on revealing my inner diva on the outside with chic fashion and a twist on what I already had. I scour fashion mags and websites to see how I can make my closet sing like a runway show. And I have had quiet a bit of luck with pulling out things from places here and there and pulling together fierce outfits. I even have these great full length coats (pea coat style) and scarves, hats and shades that truly give it a total "working it" look. From head to toe I am glamorous.
So why the stares?

Is it because I dare where color? That I am not in a black or grey suit? Or do you just not get "it"?

When I occasionally dressed nice like this when I lived in New Orleans, they got it. So is it because it isn’t a big city? I mean it is a decent sized city. Or is it that fashion, trends, name brands and being glamorous isn’t "in" here?

I look around me as people walk down the streets and I don’t see fashion plates, heck I don’t even see fashion bags, shoes or even outerwear.

I think the closest store that might be able to help is about 20 minutes away in a very chic town. I know this isn’t Manhattan, but geez don’t look at me like I am wearing one of Carries crazy (but cute in their own way) ensembles. I am just not gray anymore.

And why should I be?

A shopping we will go…

Ok after work today I headed out in search of brown boots. Why? Because I only have black boots and how fair is it to my brown outfits not to have their very own boots?

Well I was originally going to head to Target since they generally have a decent footwear selection for an affordable price. Instead, my dear friend Aviva suggested I give Macy's a try because they were having sales and she had some fierce red boots on today. So since they were in the same neighborhood I headed in that direction.

I walked into Macy's and the aroma of the leather from the purses and shoes was rather intoxicating. Mind you I haven't spent a lot of money on shoes or purses in a long time so the smell was like chocolate for my nose.

After much trying alas there were no brown boots in my size and budget so I headed to the mall itself in hopes of finding the boots of my dreams. I stopped into JC Penny's and they had a great boot for a great price but alas not my size or even close. I gather my purse and trek onward.

I was heading in the direction of Payless (a great last resort because they have decently cheap shoes that will generally last a season or two before needing replaced) when I noticed they opened a Charlotte Russe Store. I was ready to do cartwheels! I hadn't seen one of these since living in New Orleans! It was one of my (and Krista's) favorite stores. They always are having ridiculous sales and have the best accessories for next to nothing. I walked in and the angel at the counter greets me, "Welcome! Our boots are on sale for $14.99." I was in heaven.

Sure enough they had THE boot, and in my size! Not only that but they had this amazing sale on shoes and sitting there staring me in the face where the most beautiful brown patent Mary Jane pumps I had ever seen. I summoned the wonderful clerk who found me the amazing boots and begged her bring this to me in every color in my size. Unfortunately there were only two colors in my size, black and brown, and they were both mine! They were regularly $22.99 and on sale for 30% off! If that wasn't awesome enough the black pair was the last in stock so I got it for 50% off!!!

That is right I got boots, black paten Mary Jane's and brown paten Mary Jane's all for a whopping $42.57! Can you believe it!!! I almost paid just that for boots at Macy's! And I like these better!!

So my proud self headed home so I could share the good news on how awesome a store Charlotte Russe can be, but wait maybe I should keep this secret to myself.

Giving props to my fashion source: www.nikkimaria.blogspot.com

I began my love of fashion in the 9th grade when I would rip the collors out of my t-shirts so they would sag like Madonna's and add as many jelly braclets to my arms as I could.

From there it progressed on to looking like Amanda Woodward with smart skirts and outfits that screamed power and beauty were a good thing.

When I was introduced to Sex and the City I was once again drooling over fashion. Unsure of how to translate the beauty I saw on the show and began to discover in the pages of fashion magazines I expereimented with things here and there. I ebayed my closet full of all sorts of pretty things with matching purses and shoes. But I lacked the confidence and the know-how to pull a decent outfit together. That is until I "accidentally" became friends with a true godess of fashion Nikki. ( Nikki's Blog

She showed me that I should find my own "style" my trying things. But the most important lesson of all is that she taught me how to "work it." Whether running to the store or struting into work taking the time to look stunning was so worth it.

For those that know me, know that I am not a make up wearer and I rearly do anything with my hair that involves any sort of time. (Sleep is like air for me) But I am fashioning a routine that take no time at all!

For Christmas I got contacts so it gives me a blank slate to paint on (so to speak.) I go bold (but not too bold) on the eyes and they jump out atcha. All the rest just falls into place.

Also, I have a layered bob that allows me the freedom to do many styles depending on my mood or time. Last night (with the help of my motherinlaw) I curled my hair in plastic rollers and slept in it. When I woke up and took them out I had a head full of loose ringlets. Wa-la! My hair was done. 10 minutes for make-up, had my outfit layed out (jewlery, purse and shoes included) the night before. I chose a red button down slightly taylored shirt with a black belt and black knee lenght pencil skirt. I had black tights and my black mary jane 3 inch pumps. Added my silver (Christmas present) watch, thin silver bangle bracelts, silver butterfly necklace, silver earrings and I am out the door. Oh I almost for got my purse (a splurge from living in New Orleans) a Prada medium clutch. (I will post a pick of me and the out fit tonight).

Now, I would have never resolved to discover my inner diva if it weren't for the orignal fashion diva Nikki. She is a editor, writer, blogger, fashionista and so much more. She inspires beauty in all no matter the size, shape or budget. She is the real deal. She is listed in my "top" friends as Editing Diva. Go check her and her blog out. It is totally worth the time!!

So I am going back to work where I feel confident (and am getting buku complements) and inspired.

Ciao!

"I couldn’t help but wonder..."

I am not sure why, but I have been on this vintage clothing kick lately. Well, I guess you can't call it vintage if you already wore it once upon a life time ago, or can you?

I have been hitting the most awesome thrift stores lately and having a ball trying on outfits (or making fun of them). Yesterday, I had awesome luck at Goodwill on some fabulous suits and vintage tops. One of which I wore yesterday. It was bright and loud and pheasant style. Super comfy. I wore it with some Capri's and dress shoes. I stopped before in the ladies room on the way to the class I am teaching and it dawned on me why this new kick…I have been channeling my inner Carrie.

I have been watching the tons of "sneak peek" footage and pics from the filming of Sex and the City Movie and I realized how much I miss my gals. Crazy outfits and all. Guys have there car shows while I have my Sex and the City. Much like the men getting ideas on how to fix up their latest hot rod, I get ideas on how to fix up or even wake up my wardrobe.

So, in this crazy thing we call life sometimes ya gotta dig deep and play a part that is fun and different from your normal personal. It keeps you and others on their toes, as well as helps keep ruts at bay. So dust off your stilettos ladies…its time to dance!