Wednesday 2 December 2009

Trivial Pursuit

I'm trying to be really organised for the festive season. I really am. I'm not one of those people who goes totally over the top and has the house bedecked on December 1st, hand makes all the gifts, stencils the wrapping paper etc. But fer cryin' out loud, everything I try to do is thwarted. (Throws back of hand to forehead in totally over the top fashion.)

Takes shoes for example. We're going to a nice dinner and party this weekend. I haven't bought anything new as I have two great dresses which rarely see the light of day. However, I can't for the life of me figure out what I wore on my feet with them. Given that I have clothes and shoes from before I had kids (almost 17 years ago), I would be very surprised if I'd thrown them out, but I'm buggered if I can find the partner shoes.

"What I need" I thought "is an elegant pair of black, suede evening pumps/court shoes." And that was that - jinxed. Isn't it always the way that when you have the time and/or the inclination to meander round the shops, (once a decade) you don't need anything. The minute something urgent appears on the horizon there's nothing remotely approaching what you need.

Against my better judgement I've been scouring Chicago looking for said plain shoes. (Confession time, my idea of scouring is about two shops per day.) Apparently the sales assistants have all gone deaf, since the shoes they point to (no one actually sits you down and brings you sizes these days) are either open-toed, not quite black, far far too high, have frilly bits down the front, or look like something a prostitute/gladiator might wear. I did actually find the perfect pair - and they come in red, grey and brown. Apparently "there's not a lot of black suede at the moment". Once again, I'm out of fashion. I like to call it ahead of the trend.

I had planned a last ditch pursuit of the Holy Grail today, with discount coupons at the ready. Then the little one got up with hacking cough and full on snot fountain. I slipped him cold medicine in the hopes of getting him safely into the classroom without being busted by his peers but the poor thing didn't even look too good. (And of course the Ball & Chain is out of town, although I could hardly ask him to stay off work so that I could buy shoes, could I?.)

So I'm now blogging and he's lying on the sofa watching his fourth hour of TV.

Perhaps I'll just look at the online inventory of plain, black suede shoes, then call up the shop to see if they have my size. If they stay open till about midnight I may even get there to try them on.

PS. This isn't the only thing over which I've been thwarted, in case you thought I was a bit of a fashion drama queen. Oh no, there's a list.

20 comments:

  1. Drama Queen? If this is it, you have a LOT to learn. Come over to my house any time for lessons.

    PS - to show my credentials brother, grandmother etc all actors. I learnt from the best. You had no hope in my house growing up, no drama antics then obviously no drama at all so everyone ignored you. I think my boys have the genes, they are masters already. Sigh.

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  2. I hate buying party shoes. I love the idea, but, rather like you, when it comes down to it I always have a picture in my head of what I want, and no-one ever seems to have it. I inevitably end up with something that leaves my feet in shreds, and I never wear them again....

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  3. You need www.endless.com (part of Amazon, so use same login) Trust me just go look, if you never have before. Free shipping overnight both ways, we use them endlessly!

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  4. how about these http://www.endless.com/VANELi-Desiree-Womens-Pump/dp/B002ASAPSW/ref=sr_1_8_vp/?cAsin=B002ASAOP6&fromPage=search&qid=1259790953957&sr=1-8&asins=B001U88GSO,B00263JD4I,B0027A8YCW,B001T0HPIA,B001LZHTXO,B002DPVCUC,B002HJ3HL6,B002ASAOP6,B001UV46NK,B001O39H7O,B0012LURGS,B002I61YG8,B002I61XSM,B002AJ8X44,B001KS62TY,B002DMKFG2,B002HJ3XMY,B0012M17N4,B002J9G7JS,B001SN7K8S,B002DPV6UI,B0012LVFBO,B0012M4U7O,B0021S57R0,B001D9JYDQ,B00263JMZS,B002AJ8EUM,B002A7WMZ2,B002AJ7JHQ,B001G0NT7O,B002FGUSJU,B001CJC696,B002DMK4U4,B000V20HQE,B000WG6EOS,B001UV4D60,B002AJ7P20,B000E4517E,B001IPFJ4S,B002AJ8PEM&asinTitle=VANELi Desiree Pump&contextTitle=Search%20Results&page=1&prepickColor=1&priceHigh=9970&colors=519114011&size=40&dept=242321011&node=242321011&nodes=242323011&sort=shoesbrowserel2&heelheights=519509011|519510011

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  5. or cuter http://www.endless.com/Ros-Hommerson-Womens-Rita-Pump/dp/B002FL3J9G/ref=sr_1_6/?cAsin=B002FL3GY4&fromPage=search&qid=1259791204844&sr=1-6&asins=B002I61YU4,B002DMKFEE,B002ITEJTY,B0021YVCFK,B002AQRSCU,B002FL3GY4,B002HJT4GS,B001IWO1M2,B002I62C1Y,B002EVQ12E&asinTitle=Ros Hommerson Rita Pump&contextTitle=Search%20Results&page=5&priceHigh=9970&colors=519114011&size=40&page=5&dept=242321011&node=242321011&nodes=242323011&sort=shoesbrowserel2&showDesigner=0&heelheights=519509011|519510011

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  6. try bodenusa...they have 'the classics'

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  7. Thanks guys. Sarah - it looks like you're one of those Chinese spammers!
    I actually found some as I dragged the sick child out with me for half an hour. They're very high with a hidden platform. Glam, but not very pratical.

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  8. You are lucky to be able to wear high heels. I did a lot of damage to my feet in the '60s when I used to dance the night away. Wish I hadn't now!
    I should be writing out Christmas cards but blogging won. Oh well!

    Nuts in May

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  9. I know exactly what you mean about the failure to find something specific when you know exactly what you want. the best time to find things for yourself is when you are shopping for presents for other people.

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  10. Good luck with the shoes! And I hope your son feels better soon.

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  11. Shoes are a nightmare for me, I hate shoe shopping. I can usually figure out some clothes to wear but then I always get stuck on shoes. And then I have to change my outfit to match my shoes. Much *sighing* and disgruntled mumbling from my closet causes exasperation in hubby, etc. I should really just focus on shoes this January and get over it.

    Glad you found some!

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  12. If you find them, can you let me know? I need a pair just like that...

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  13. Every year before hubby's holiday party for work, I decide I need something new to wear and that I will buy whatever I like, not settle for something on sale. And then, ready to spend, I can find NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING. Or, I find many things that are not in my size. The latter phenomenon happens often at DSW. I search the aisles and aisles of women's shoes to find the one pair that meets my needs (why are they all SO HIGH?), only to find that there are no nines left and usually not even an eight to try to squeeze into.

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  14. Actually it was DSW where I found them. They weren't the first choice because they didn't have my size (8.5) but the ones I got will do.
    BTW UK readers - we're a good two numbers above you on the shoe sizes, in case you're thinking that I have enormous feet. I take a 6.5 in the UK and 8.5 here.

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  15. I love shoes. I would have loved to view Imelda Marcos' collection...because I don't know if I said, but I love shoes. I love heels and flats, boots and pumps...mules and slides...oh, I love shoes...I was going somewhere with this, but my train got derailed...possibly at Thom McAnns or Foster Brothers...
    Sandi

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  16. I had EXACTLY the same thing looking for a navy cardigan. I mean I ask you - a navy cardigan! It's not like I wanted something outlandish and extraordinary - I thought, but apparently navy isn't very 2009. Serves me right for trying to wear a dress I must have bought in ooh, 2005... Glad you found some. I, on the other hand, ended up with cream.

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  17. Ah, shoes - if you look for a specific thing, it's like asking the shopping gods to thwart you.

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  18. It sounds like you figured out a solution, but if you need one in the future, I'm an avid fan of www.zappos.com. It is tricky buying shoes you don't try on, but they almost always have free shipping (and free return shipping) and if I find a pair of shoes I like (even if they are 4 years old) I'm somehow able to find the exact replacements there. It's like magic.

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  19. The B&C doesn't go shoe shopping with you? Her Indoors thinks one of my wedding vows invloved the promise to stand by and make appropriate noises while she points at endless pairs of shoes. I'll look the codicill up and send it to you.

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  20. There's an award for you over at mine, come get it!

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