Feng Shui and Handbags

Photo courtesy of Bagborroworsteal.com

 

As a woman, I know that the content's of a girl's purse can be rather shocking. However, it isn't something I gave much thought to until I happened to assess the contents of my own purses. A grave error, indeed.

I have, shall we say, quite a few purses--mostly gifts and inherited. Inherited is my least favorite method of aquiring anything be it bags, jewelry, dresses, what have you. I hate a loved one being gone and all that's left are things when all you really want is the loved one. But that's beside the point.

While kicking around my apartment one night, watching old movies and doing girly things like giving myself a pedicure and facial and whatnot, I got the sudden urge to clean out my current everyday purse. I guess I'm funny that way. One thing lead to another, and pretty soon I was raiding my closet, emptying every purse I own of its contents and spreading them out on the bed. After the first few, I became almost obssessed. How on earth did all this stuff get in here? What made me forget about it? I've been looking for that!

At the end of my search I have found the following: four hair ties, three bobby pins, a small stack of receipts, fourteen assorted lipsticks and balms, three packs of gum (one empty, one unopened), one small bottle of lotion, a menu of services from the nail salon down the road,  $2.17 in change, one pair of nude pantyhose (torn), and a straw. The receipts explain certain budget mysteries, and I'm very glad to have found more hair ties, but why do I have a straw? And when did I become such a hoarder of lippy? Fourteen certainly seems extreme for someone that doesn't usually wear much makeup. Actually, it seems extreme for practically anyone. What's even worse is that I know I'm missing one. Wait, it's in my drawer a work. Even worse! My purse clutter has mutated and infected my work drawer!

This won't do at all. I've lined up my lippys so that I have a daily reminder not to buy any more, thrown away my receipts and the pantyhose, and deposited the change in the appropriate jar. Perhaps I can keep the mess at bay for a while. Then again, my cat has just found the hair ties...and there was this new Clinique lipstick I've been eyeing...

Practical Shoes for the Rest of Us

Photo courtesy of stevemadden.com



Shoe shopping is a challenge for me. Fun and stress-relieving, sure, but a challenge. This is because I have a bad ankle. After years of athletics, I have succeeded in breaking it once, and tearing ligaments on both sides a total of three times. As a result, most high heels are out of the question. However, I am short and curvy, therefore heels are practically a must. I know I'm not the only girl to struggle with this issue, so let's talk about finding cute, affordable shoes that will not send us to the hospital.

First of all, let's face facts--we are not Gaga. This is not an option. And that's OK. Lady Gaga can't even walk in her shoes, so the rest of us cannot be expected to do it.

So let's start with the most obvious choice for us girls who probably shouldn't wear heels--flats. The trendiest options at the moment are smoking flats and slippers. The Valencia black mesh slippers from TopShop are adorable. DSW also has a huge selection, including the Tahari Celementine suede flats in an ever-popular wine color. There are so many options, depending on your style: edgy studs, soft suede, sweet florals, and classic leopard prints. The only trick here is the pair them with super skinny pants. If you decide you like the pajamas to dinner look and really want a wide-leg pant, make sure to keep the fabics slinky and effortless, but immaculately tailored.

Boot season is upon us, and this is probably the easiest category to shop. Riding boots are God's gift to women with bad ankles. You can walk for hours without feeling the uncontrollable need to jump on the nearest person's back just to get a little relief. If you fall wearing these puppies, then...well, I just can't help you. Booties are also a cute option. Steve Madden has an amazing selection of studded ankle boots that will instantly toughen up a girly dress.

When it comes to choosing high heels, the key in the heel itself is surface area. Kitten heels are not your best option. The low heel is deceptive in that it's so skinny that it does not actually give you any stability. I would advise blowing right past them and heading straight for a chunky platform. Rule of thumb: if you want to quickly check a pair of platforms without trying them on, tap the side of the display pair and see how easy it is to knock them over. Weird, but it gives you an idea of how stable you will be once you put them on. Wedges are also a good idea, but make sure the heels aren't too tapered.

If you're totally at a loss, grab a pair of $40 Michelle D heels. After my physical therapy was over, I wore a strappy black pair almost every day for three months. They are completely stable and the insoles are insanely comfortable. I called them my training heels.

Lola's Tip of the Day: Don't forget about the soles of your shoes. No texture means no grip, which means you'll likely end the day flat on your butt. Scuff the bottoms of your shoes on the pavement or with coarse sandpaper to avoid the high heel slip-n-slide.