I like shoes. Not in an obsessive, hoarding way (that’s purses, so keep ‘em straight). I just appreciate a good, pretty, comfortable pair of shoes. So much that I usually wear them until they are falling apart and I end up wishing I had bought two.
FACT: My favorite pair of tennis shoes (that I still own and wear regularly) was purchased when I was in 10th grade. Yes, that means they are 10 years old.
Even though I love shoes, I often make bad shoe choices. Like my bad food choices. I pick out things that look good and I end up paying for it a few hours later.
About a month ago, I spent a day shopping with my mom. I don’t even remember the shoes I wore that day, but I do know one thing — they hurt. My feet were screaming by the time we made it to our 4th stop, which just happened to be TJ Maxx. After I had wandered through every aisle of their housewares section, answered phone calls from my mom (who was in the dressing room), and become bored beyond all reason (I hate shopping in stores unless I am looking for something specific — but YES, I am a woman), I found myself in the shoes. And before I knew what happened, I had a shoebox in my hand a new sandal on my foot.
And it was glorious.
It felt like a massage and walking on air all at once.
And the best part? FIFTEEN DOLLARS.
Sold!
The only thing is, I don’t know what my shoe is. I mean, I don’t know its name. It’s a Columbia sandal, but I’m pretty sure they don’t make it anymore and there’s not one in their current line that’s exactly like it.
It looks like a cross between the Gretta™ II and the Kambi™. The body of Gretta II (without the icky flowers) with the little between the toe strap of the Kambi.
So I don’t know what I’m wearing, but I love it. It’s all that I wear now. With shorts, with jeans, with skirts, and you can just almost get away with dressing it up…but it’s tricky. And I will wear it until all the support is gone for my one foot that still has an arch. (Long story. I’ll share sometime. Suffice to say I have got a whacked out right foot with a fallen arch, that is also 1 inch longer than my left.)
Columbia doesn’t know me. I mean nothing to them. And that kinda hurts, but I’m okay. Alls I know is that they make warm jackets that have kept me safe and cozy whenever I left mine at home over a spring break trip to New Mexico and ended up snowed in under 3 feet of snow. So, yes, Columbia, I kinda owe you my life.
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Oklahoma girl through-and-through. Writer, aspiring domestic goddess and totalitarian dictator. Taking on the world one carb-induced coma at a time. Founder of GodlyGals, a ministry for women established in 2002. Co-host of Picture Shows & Petticoats. 
*shhhh*—-I kinda like the flowered ones!
My feet completely missed opened toed, airy shoes while hiking. And I love the look of beautiful heels but my feet do not so I try not to torture them but once a year.
sort of like these? http://www.flickr.com/photos/duryees/4630128443/in/set-72157623991686763/
yes, I have a huge toe freckle.
@Rose – No, not really. Pretty much exactly the Gretta with just the between the toe strap of the Kambi. The strap that goes over the top of the foot is much wider than the one on your shoe.
And I have a couple of tiny toe freckles. Including one on the BOTTOM of my foot. It’s so weird. Didn’t even know you could have one there. I used to always think it was a speck of dirt.
I hope shoes too… probably in an obsessive kind of way… lol!
No amount of shoes is enough for me… and my wardrobe is never big enough…
It is a disease, I think.
I am a new follower from the Lady Bloggers Society and I would love a follow back!!
http://www.mommykatie.com/
I love shoes too – though I find myself buying more for my 5 year old than for myself! My new fav place to buy them is Nordstrom Rack. They are also a great place for purses. I got a $500.00 purse for $110.00 ahhh. LOL
Great post – I found you on LBS Tea Party.
Hi Elizabeth!
I just started reading your blog. Columbia is great, we get sandals there for my dad. They are quite comfy.
On a side note, do drop by my blog and say hello
By the way, I found you on the LBS tea party
Hi, Thanks for joining my Blog. I love shoes too. Back in my single days I know I had at least 25 pairs of shoes. Now that I’m married with kids, it is a smaller number but still probably more than I need. ( I have to admit, i like a little flowers too) or any design .
New follower from Lady Blogger Tea Party . I love your post about shoes. I am really a year round flip-flop girl myself, but I still love shoes as much as the next Gal. Feel free to follow back if you like!