PSSA: The Most Comfortable Flats

I have a terrible time buying shoes since I have wide feet. And let's not talk about how much $ that has been thrown down the drain in search of good flats! You would think flats would be easy! (Verses heels, at least.) I usually think oh, maybe I can break these in, or maybe these soften with a few more wears. NO! No more. I have learned that unless they are 100% comfortable in the store --- I will not buy them. Cause for all the money I've spent on flats hoping they would work out, I probably could buy some ridiculous designer lots-of-hundred-$$$ shoes!

All of my current flats were either uncomfortable/pinchy or just ugly. Mostly uncomfortable. So I went on a hunt to find some! Especially since my job requires some occasions of looking presentable. :) In the winter, I can wear boots, but in the summer, that would be silly! (I think I also need some need boots... there's a knick in my current pair. Sad!)

Anyway --- I went to DSW and went up and down all the aisles. I stumbled upon these Me Too Nini flats! In WIDE! YAHOO!!! A 7.5 fit perfectly! (I'm normally a 7.5.) No pinch on first try! I was looking for black flats since they go with everything, but there was only one pair in the store and it was kinda beat up, one foot was bigger than the other, and there were some weird stuff stuck to the bottom. Gross. BUT THEY WERE SO COMFY. What to do. I quickly checked online on my phone and they didn't have any black wides left! Nooooo. But they did have one pair at two other locations in the City. I was slightly concerned that those other pairs would also be tried-in, worn, and yucky.

So I ended up just buying a bronze pair online! :) (Which arrived new!  Yay.)  I still would like a black pair but bronze is kinda cool and not boring right? (I'm trying to break out of black and boring.)

me too nini flat in bronze

 

Since it's so hard for me to find comfy shoes, I'm thinking of buying another pair in a different color. (They actually just sold out of bronze!)  I don't think I want the pewter pair, so I'm contemplating the navy pair. It looks pretty dark online, which I actually don't want cause I don't want to have an almost-black pair of flats that I can't quite wear with black dress pants. It would be a frivolous pair and not fulfill the black flats "need." But maaaybe they aren't that dark in person?  What to do?

me too nini flat in navy

 

What do you think? Should I nab the navy pair since it's so hard for me to buy shoes?  Do you have trouble buying shoes?  Or is it easy breezy for you?  What are you favorite brands of flats?

                                      

spring fashion

Spring is definitely here!  Or maybe pleasant, non-humid summer!  :)  It was 72 degrees yesterday, it'll be 77 tomorrow and 82 on Thursday!!!  This sure has been a crazy weather year!  Piddly snow twice this winter and gorgeous weather in March!  WHAT is going on?!

I don't have much any fashion sense but these lovely spring things have caught my eye and I shall impose them on you now.  :)

Tazo Tea Tumbler

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I seem to really like them double wall things!  :)  But isn't the mesh-spout-part-you-drink-from such a pretty pattern?  I think the flowers and green are a perfect spring design!

Tropical Floral Skirt from Loft

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I probably wouldn't look good in it but I love love love this skirt.  Tonight at least.  :)  I  may have to give it a try next time I'm in the store anyway.  :]

Polished Denim Blazer

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So classy.  :)  I like that it's got a different, modern-y cut to it.

Cinched Neck Twill jacket from Loft 

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Can't decide which color I like better.  :)  The neutral would go with everything.  The orange is more exciting (and my favorite color!)  Though I think the jacket I wore today looked... just like this one.  haha.  Except in blue!  :)

Zoya polish in Bevin 

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This minty seafoam greenness.... I don't know if I could pull off on my nails.  Feet maybe.  I have yet to be so adventurous as to deviate from pinks/reds and cream/golds... but I like this color.  :)

Now that I've acquired way too many sweaters... it is no longer winter!  >_<  I don't need anything and I don't know if I'll get anything mentioned above, but I think I could use some more blousy things for work.  And maybe a spring jacket... with long sleeves.  I seem to have a few pieces with three-quarter sleeves.  o_O

Have yet to recap my training/conference trip to LA and short family trip up to San Francisco a couple weeks back!  I accidently picked up a lovely Tommy Hilfiger blazer there for a steal.  An absolute steal.  :D  AND!  It's wonderfully machine washable.  WHOOHOO.  :)

                              

etsy

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Etsy (an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies, according to Wiki) is a dangerous place.

But I might've just gotten a good portion of my Christmas shopping done.  With custom gifts.  So HOLLA!  :D

I also had a wonderful date day with the husband at the New England Aquarium today!  :D

Giant Christmas tree at Faneuil Hall!  :D

       

game girl

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So ridiculous.  HAHAHAHA.

I hope it's a costume.  Do you think it's a costume?  :oP

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Comes in black too.  Game boy girl slim?

Tim said it'd be cool if the screen was an LCD you could play a game on!  But... I think gaming marketing would change (as in go downhill for classiness and uphill for sales) if they had chicks wearing this where guys could play a game on the screen!!  o_O

                                            

PSSA: Sanuk yoga mat flip flops

Unlike most ladies in the universe, I don't enjoy shoe shopping very much. I like shoes but shopping for them is a huge pain since I have wide feet and only a narrow selection of shoes fit my feet (haha, get it?) :oP Even for running shoes, I really only find Nike and New Balance comfortable. Imagine the difficulties of finding a comfy pair of flats or heels! Maybe it's my feet or just my shoe-discomfort-tolerence level... but I've never owned a comfortable pair of flip flops (that I could withstand walking long distances with). Until now.

A couple weeks ago, Amanda of Kevin [&] Amanda posted about her five favorite summer things.  Number one was Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops.

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I was intrigued. Flip flops with a footbed made from yoga mats. I had contemplated getting some Rainbows since people seem to swear by them and wear them like comfy shoes. But shelling out ~$45 for a pair of flip flops (considering I did not consider myself even remotely a flip flop person) seemed like a lot.

After a quick search online showed these Sanuk flip flops to be about ~$23 ($20-25 depending on color, retails $30) and reading some reviews, I decided to give them a try since I cannot walk with Old Navy ones for more than like 8 minutes (they hurt!) and a more sturdy pair from Target, the footbed was rather not soft.

I found them cheapest on Amazon (esp if you have Prime's free 2-day shipping) and ordered a pair of Sanuk Women's Yoga Mat Flip Flop in brown.  Brown because it was 1) a trial run with a shoe I was ordering online (this has resulted in uncomfortable purchases before), 2) brown was slightly cheaper than the black pair and the top of the straps looked dark enough to be wardrobe compatible.

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I LOVE THEM.  They don't hurt my feet for the mile walk to the train station!  (Though I've recently developed a small blistering feeling -- it's not one though -- under my right foot on my return walk home, but that's probably just me and not a problem with the flip flop.  Especially since it's only on the right foot.)  After two days of owning them, I sent my mom a pair and she loves them too!  They will probably be everyone's birthday/Christmas present this year.  :oP  They have a men's version which they call Beer Cozy. haha.  I'm sure it's the same material but more manly sounding.  :oP

A note on the size.  They don't come in half sizes.  I'm normally a 7.5 so I decided to order a size 8, since that's what I've been doing for other flip flop purchases and I would've hated for my toes to hang out or touch the ground when walking!  The size 8's are fine and dandy but sometimes there is some excess flip-flop at the top (too long).  (By sometimes I mean if my foot isn't pushed all the way in the "thong" part.)  Next time I might try a size 7.

Sanuk also has other "models" in their yoga mat line.  The strap on the one I've been talking about, the "classic," is kind of thick.  Probably more comfortable but maybe not as delicately pretty for "going out in a pretty dress" (or something).  You can check out all their other kinds of yoga mat flip flops here.  The brand as a whole also makes other non-flip-flop material sandals and "sidewalk surfers" which look like cloth loafers?  Shoelace-less cloth Keds?  I don't know, you can check it out yourself.  :]

Have you tried Sanuk yoga mat flip flops?  Are you going to now?  :D  If you do, let me know how you like them!


Disclaimer: Sanuk has no idea who I am and I just wanted to preach some magical flip flop goodness!  Especially for anyone like me who have yet (until now) to find a pair of comfy flip flops.
                                          

Riley boots

When I got my black no-traction-not-friends-with-snow/ice fashion boots, I wanted to get this brown pair that was more casual but they were slightly scuffed up and I didn't want to ask for another pair.  Remember?

 

Canyon River Blues Women's Riley

Anyway, Sears had this boot sale online right before we left for Oregon, and I ordered it, for $20!!  They came while we were gone but our landlords brought them in from the cold.  The packing slip said $13 + $7 shipping, but whatever, the total was $20!  They are SUPER comfy, I think they're cute, and I really like that there's a side zipper.  :oP  I'm even okay with the fuzzy part.  They are still pretty much fashion boots and don't have super traction, though much better than the black pair.  They are also a suede-ish material and I don't know how well they will do with... water.  But when the sidewalks are dry, I will wear them!

 

And guess what?  They're called "Riley"!  Just like our favorite nephew (and ring bearer).  :]

                        

PSSA: Boots!

Whoo hoo!  I can load images now.  (Thanks for the tip Penga!  But I didn't care enough, went shopping instead and now it fixed itself.  haha.)

So.  Sears is not the first place I think of when I think of buying boots.  But they have boots!  For $30!  Granted they are not Grade A fancy pants boots, but if you're looking for fashion boots that won't necessarily touch snow or really need to keep you warm (ahem, Californians) and you're on a budget, give Sears a try!  I tried Target and even looked at Macys but they either had funny looks, sold out of my size, or were just too expensive.

Sear is currently have a boot sale and it seems like most of them were $30 for mid-calf boots and $25 for booties.

I got these:

Canyon River Blues Women's Taylor - Smooth Slouch Boot in Black

They also have this style, also called "Taylor" in suede.  I actually liked the style a lot better.  However even though they seem to be the "same boot" with different material, the smooth "leather"-esque one was more comfortable.  Here's the suede one in grey:

Canyon River Blues Women's Taylor in Grey Suede

The guy who helped me get shoes from the back was really nice, friendly and helpful.  The first pair of the smooth Taylor's he gave me had this "mark" on it (looked like a pencil mark) so like a good Chinese person, I asked if they had another pair in the back.  He kindly brought me another mark-free pair.

Canyon River Blues Women's Dylan

I really liked these.  A lot.  They were suede and had some buckle strap things going on.  My favorite part actually the print lined inside!  But I think they ran a little long for my feet.  Like if it not squishy in the front, I could feel the heel lifting when I walked.  So I had to pass.  {sadface}

Then I found this pair!  Even though I normally would say I don't do "furrry," they looked really comfortable.

Canyon River Blues Women's Riley

So I tried them on and they were SUPER comfortable!  However, they were scuffed all over!  They were super busy so I felt bad asking him to bring me another pair just because of some scuffs.  Like one pair yes.  A second pair, I can think of some names to call myself.  :-P  If they weren't so busy I would've definitely done it but eh.  This pair, especially since it's brown and I don't seem to own too many things that go with brown anymore, would be the "casual," shove my feet into when going out pair.  It was also $30 and seemed more "cold-weather" capable.  The scuffs did make me think about how they might last since they would get even more scuffed up in the real world!  Like if they were getting that scuffed up being tried on in the store, would they survive the outdoors?!  But they were comfy.  *sigh*  Perhaps I will get it the next time I go.  I also contemplated getting Costco-"Uggs" instead (which are also $30 and would be better quality) but my husband think those are ugly and I'm not a huge fan of the look.   Heard they're comfy though.

But finally some boots!  Though they seem more on the "formal" end and casual ones would be more useful on the daily basis.  :]

Old Navy Perfect Khakis

Then I used this Old Navy 30% off coupon and got some grey khakis for $14!  :-D  I didn't actually want them in this light grey [aka earl grey] but it was the only pair on the entire shelf in my size in short!  :(  I think the bootcut khakis are $30 and the flares are $20 but I asked and they just gave me the khakis for $20, then plus the 30%!  Sweet deal.  :]

                    

shopping extravaganza

It was kind of a big win on the shopping front this weekend!

This past Thursday, after work I decided to pop into DSW (no luck there) and TJ Maxx downtown.  At TJ, I was looking for shoes but swung by the other sections and found this Talbot Cabled pima cotton v-neck sweater for $13!  (Annnd it makes it an even better deal that I actually found it on the website for $26.50.  :oP)

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There is/was Gap/Old Navy/BR Give & Get Program 30% off anything this weekend, so on Friday I went to CambridgeSide Galleria and hit up Gap, Old Navy, H&M and some other random stores.  Can you believe there are no Gap's or Old Navy's downtown?!  Otherwise I would've gone on Thursday!  At H&M, I found this scarf.  For $3!  The plus was that Abby & Justine had gifted me with a coat for my birthday ---- which didn't fit, so I hauled it from SF to Boston, returned it, and thanks to high San Francisco tax, I got the coat and a couple extra dollars.  :oP  So with the couple extra dollars put towards ths scarf, I only had to pay 76 cents.  :D

Gap was terribly disappointing.  Nothing good on sale.  Nothing really good not on sale.  They were trying to move some 80s-esque, baggy merch.  No thanks.

I never used to shop Old Navy much but I feel like I have a lot more this year.  I think it's because 1) Gap has been disappointing and not cheap, 2) Old Navy has gotten better style, and has stopped printing their name/logo on everything.  I used to also not like Old Navy as much cause I didn't fit their stuff!  Their sizes were too big but I've since learned to pick and choose.  Sometimes their smalls are really small and sometimes they're too big!  Hardly consistent but that's what fitting rooms are for.  :]

I got three things.  All for $15 after the 30% off.

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I found this ruffle-trim henley (for $7 after 30% off) which I thought was okay.  I need more long sleeves shirts (ahhhh winter!!) and it had some texture/design to it (that you can't really see on this black) so it wasn't just a plain long-sleeve tee.

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Imagine this shirt... with my self-edited white stripes but in TAN.  For my other half, for $6.

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For our nephew!  For $2.  :]  Gotta make sure he has some orange gear, yeah?  :]

I've been looking looking looking for some new flats and boots.  No success on the boots yet but I took advantage of DSW's 30% off coupon code (DSWSAVE expires 11.14.10) and their free shipping over $35 (SHIPR, requires free DSW membership) and got these Naturalizer Calva's for $34.99!  (I know I know.  Naturalizer, I'm such an old lady.  But hey, I gotta walk a mile to and from the train station!)

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Yesterday, we went to Costco, Famous Footwear, and Old Navy (which were all in a plaza).  I found this purple shirt for $3.50 (after 30% off) and picked up a stocking stuffer item for the mother-in-law.

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Randomly found this Matty M ladies tunic for $7.  SEVEN DOLLARS at Costco.  :]  Mine is a black/white/red combo and it doesn't come with the belt.  Sweet deal and it cinches at the waist (elastic) so it's not one of those babydoll pregger tops.  (Though I'm sure you could wear it if you're preggers too.)  It's kind of long... like it looks like a short dress?  So I suppose you could wear tights/leggings under and call it good.

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I don't usually shop this much and considering the clothing purchases ranged between $2 and maxed out at $13, I think I did okay! 

So what did you do this weekend?
     

too cold for flats?

I'm pretty sure it's too cold to be wearing flats on this coast... but these caught my eye!  I definitely could use some "office" shoes though... and while I iron out my boots issue.

Hot Kiss Black Women's Corina from Famous Footwear

They're nothing spectacular but I thought that little piece of plaid fabric at the front with the bow was extra cute!  I definitely need another pair of black flats, and I wouldn't mind these!  (Looks wise... don't know fit wise.)

Flake Ballet from Payless

These just look... comfy.  :-P  Though I'm not sure how well the fur lining will hold up to sweaty feet!  I assume it's meant for going sockless?  And Payless shoes always seem to look cuter online than they do in person.  :o\

Flats are so much easier to deal with than boots.  {sigh}

           

Amazon FTW!

 

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Amazon is great.  :]

So a certain item that I wanted to get Tim for Christmas hit a one-day sale, so I snatched it up!  Since I have Amazon Prime, I usually get it in two days.  Perhaps since it was part of the one-day sale, it shipped out a little later, but was scheduled to arrive two days after it shipped.  I checked the tracking and it was suppose to be delivered by a company called Lasership.  I've only experienced Amazon deliveries from UPS, Fed Ex, and  USPS, but I was like okay, new company, fine.

So the package was suppose to arrive yesterday.  I got home from volunteering around 5pm, didn't see a package, so I went to check the tracking.  It said "Delivered -- front door."  I ran back outside and looked all around the front door, porch, bushes, etc.  Nothing.  I texted our landlords (who live upstairs) who were out most of the day I'm pretty sure and they didn't receive anything.  When Tim came home, I made him look for it on our back porch.  Nothing.

I freaked the poop out since Amazon has NEVER (I think.  If they have, I'm a very forgiving and possibly forgetful individual) failed me on two-day shipping since I've experienced the joys of Amazon Prime AND... the tracking said it was DELIVERED.  So I called Lasership who told me they'll tell their supervisor and sent me an email acknowledging they've received my request.  Dandy.

The Amazon website said to check with neighbors to see if they've received a package for you or to wait another day or two, but since two-day delivery has never failed me and it said delivered, I was pretty sure my package was STOLEN since there is actually a lot of traffic on our street.  (Foot and car traffic, though I didn't think anyone was going to STOP their car to steal a small package on someone's front porch.)  I was also worried that Amazon might think I was trying to swindle them, even though I wasn't and that I've given them hundreds, possibly thousands of my dollars and that I really do like them and mean them absolutely no harm and that my package was indeed lost/stolen!

So later in the evening, I emailed Amazon about my poor lost package and this morning when I woke up, I received an email saying they're sending another one right away on one-day shipping at no extra charge.  Can we say best costumer service EVAR?  Yes, my love for Amazon grows.  No questions, no telling me to wait, and just the thing to relieve my worries.

I'm good.

30 minutes ago, the doorbell rang and the USPS man dropped off an Amazon package for our landlords.  And... I find the Lasership package in my mailbox.  (Which was not there last night.)  STUPID LASERSHIP.  You're a big fat FAIL.  The fabulous Amazon customer service said I could refuse the orginal if it came or use their online return center to return it.

Oops.  I guess I should've waited.  One more Half a day.  But.  I will take a small bit of responsiblity for my overreactedness (based on resonable circumstance!) but also claim it wasn't entirely my fault that Lasership tracked it as delivered but didn't actually deliver it, and failed on two-day shipping.  I wouldn't have been as worried if they had tracked it as anything other than delivered (redeliver tomorrow, customer not home, "I took it home to keep it safe") and I'm PRETTY sure they could've put it in our mailbox, even if there was mail in it.

So in conclusion, Amazon is a winner, Lasership is not.  (Is it terrible I keep accidently typing Losership?)