Monday Minutia

• Saw a post on FB that cracked me right up. It said, "If Mondays were shoes, they'd be Crocs"

• And on that note, the funniest thing I ever saw on Twitter was a tweet from a dude who said, "Whoever just left me a voice mail, could you send me a text and let me know if I should listen to it?" 

• So all the weather people here are foaming at the mouth over the fact that we need 2" more of snow to break the record for the snowiest winter ever. I'm thinking, really? Tell that to the thousands of us here dealing with ice dam damage and seasonal depression..

• I'm almost finished with the 3rd season of "Breaking Bad". Why did I never watch this show when everyone was telling me I had to? I'm now obsessed! This is the greatest thing on television! I love the whole dynamic between Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. And Aaron Paul's, " Yo, where's my money?...Bitch!" Interesting to note: "Breaking Bad" is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Highest Rated TV Series.

• The Boston Herald reported that My Tommy is thinking that after he retires from football, he may go the Hollywood way, via an acting career. I say whatever My Tommy is selling...I'm buying.

Sheer perfection...I'd pay to watch him recite the alphabet.

Fab 5 Summer Finds

1. Ramen! I just realized that my great big bowl of sodium from my college days has undergone a makeover. Ramen is in Vogue all over the country. Ramen restaurants have become a new destination for a big, healthy bowl of deliciousness. An incredible meal in a bowl, this is not your daughter's Ramen! Now I'm hungry...

2. Nothing says summer like a gorgeous pair of wedge sandals. Simple, chic and comfortable wedges elongate the leg in summer shorts and give you a sexy addition to any outfit. Jeans, shorts, skirts and maxi dresses-the options are endless. Owning even one pair of neutral wedges can take you through an entire summer of fashions! Of course I can never have just one pair..

3. Hot dogs-what is it about a hot dog fresh off the grill on a hot summer night? It just makes me happy. We all know the bad rap that hot dogs have gotten in the past, as far as fillers and ingredients, but there are lots of hot dog brands out there that are made up of good ingredients. Pearl is my favorite. I like my dog old school. Mustard only. Maybe, if I'm feeling adventurous, I'll add some diced onion. Couple that with a Corona and a lime and I can die happy. 

4. This is a new development. I've become concerned about exposing certain parts of my body to the sun without an SPF 50. In the past few years I've always armed myself with SPF 30 for my face, but after a discussion with my doctor this month, we both decided that a woman of my *ahem* age should protect the decollete (chest and neck) and the face with at least an SPF 50. Eve Lom's Daily Protection SPF 50, is my favorite weapon against damaging sun rays and the aging process.It's a 2 in 1 daily product. A powerful anti-aging moisturizer and a SPF protector. Available at The Candy Bar: BUY NOW 

5. I just finished this book and I have to tell you that I may re-read it all over again! Sophia Amoruso is the founder and creator of NastyGal.com, a fast growing multi-million dollar company. I love this girl! She happened upon her success by doing something she was passionate about. She created her FREE advertising buzz on social media that directed her shoppers to her eBay sales. Her concept was simple: BUY LOW/SELL HIGH. Or sell a bit higher. With her eye for style and photography, she built her brand by utilizing social media to create a cult following with her 90,000 devoted My Space followers. Even if you are not a retailer(like I am) this book is a quick and inspirational read for any #GIRLBOSS.

Buy-agra!

Tis the season....

So I'm watching Sunday Morning yesterday and they did this piece on buying on sale and what it does to your brain. Journalist Mark Elwood, who wrote the book, "Bargain Fever", says we are more conditioned to buying items on sale than we are at full price. Elwood noted when we are presented with a savings when making a purchase, our brains release a chemical that makes us feel good about buying and makes us come back for more. He stated that a decade ago, retailers sold between 15-20%  of their inventory at sale. Today that number is more like 40-45% and rising. 

The dopamine in my brain responded to this. Yes, I could completely relate. Not only do I love to get a bargain, but as a retailer myself, I see an increase in sales when I offer a discount at The Candy Bar. Since Black Friday, I have seen offers of 20-30% off flooding my email inbox daily. I even took advantage of these deals this morning when I shopped at Old Navy and Macy's online. I received 20 and 30% on both purchases AND free shipping! (which I couldn't take advantage of because I worried that they wouldn't be here in time for Xmas) Even during non-holiday times there are coupon sites you can use to apply discounts to your purchases online and we offer discount incentives multiple times throughout the year. It's a must to stay competitive in the retail world.

It really is BUY-agra!  And I'm not calling my physician if the sensation lasts for more than 4 hours either! 

So what does this say about brick and mortar competing with online shopping sites? The jury is still out on that one, but if Cyber Monday's sales totals this year say anything, (the largest online shopping day to date with over $2 BILLION recorded in sales) all signs point to easy access with the click of a mouse. 

It just confirms that an online presence for any retailer is as important as great products at a great value.

Tell me what you think? 

The Sole Of A Fairy Tale

There once was a man who made shoes. All of the ladies in the land loved the shoes that he designed and he was made a Prince.

The Prince's shoes were very special, and the ladies who wore them felt like a Princess. (that was after they went up a size and endured wearing them more than a few times) Because the shoes were so petite and so compact, the shoes were not comfortable at all. But the ladies didn't care. They had never seen such beauty and they had to have the shoes. The torture and pain that the Prince's shoes cost these fair ladies was but a small penance to pay for the magic that the shoes provided.

Not only were the shoes beautiful in every way, but they were branded with a red sole, the trademark of the the Prince and his Kingdom of quality. All the ladies coveted the red sole...but not all the ladies could pay the steep price for the red sole. If a lady was spotted wearing the red soled shoes, she was immediately thought to be an aristocrat.

The Prince's shoes were so sought after, that China began to knock off the red soles and sell their petty imposters in the village. But they couldn't fool the ladies that easily, for the devotees of the Prince could never mistake an imposter for a real shoe of the Prince.

One day the Prince came down to his Kingdom and provided his people with the pleasure of meeting him. He even signed a newly purchased pair of red soled shoes, and dedicated it to each lady. Even the commoners came out to meet the Prince and every woman in the land was found to be counting her shillings as so to come up close to meet the Prince and take home a piece of his Kingdom.

It was, for the ladies, their very own Cinderella moment, with their very own Prince. And every lady who left the Kingdom with their red soled shoes lived happily ever after. For that day.

A Lusty List

Things I'm currently lusting after:

The ultimate coffee table book about the man, the myth, the legend behind...the shoes.

Any and all things Iris Apfle:



Seven grand. Stop it. Just stop it.



Now seriously, and I need TWO of these. Price tag? $25,000.00. Each.



I have yet to make these babies my own:



Cooking expeirence to go with my brand new pressure cooker from Santa:


Cooking excellence:




And most important:



A WIN and we are INNNNN!!

Peace bloggers. Have a great weekend!

Shoe Porn

It's been a well documented fact over here at The Daily Dandy, that Porn is a multi-billion dollar industry. Let's face it folks, 90% of men have viewed porn and the other 10% are liars. We also know that women enjoy viewing porn from time, and some more than others. For me, I see porn as a more personal and recreational tool, quite effective when used occasionally and properly.

In keeping with yesterday's pornographic/retail theme, I present to you some of the greatest Shoe Porn I have ever seen. These dazzling and gorgeous "works of art" are the brain child of Kobi Levi, an Israeli shoe designer.

Consider it my random act of kindness for the day, ladies. Go ahead and be as loud as you want.
Your welcome.

Retail Therapy Is Underrated

I have a confession to make.

I've been on a retail BENDER lately and I feel good. It's just that I'm just not so sure my bank account agrees with me. It all started innocently enough.

A small luxury item like the $ungla$$es pictured above. Just the right amount of cache to make me look and feel good.

Then, someone complimented me on my new small luxury item and asked me where I bought them. I start thinking I am all smart for finding said item and start thinking about my next conquest. Surely that gorgeous handbag or blingy bracelet I've been eyeing couldn't set me back that much. Could it? The desire to own them washes over my entire body.

I decide to cut off that voice in my head and go for it! The adrenaline pumping through my veins produces happy endorphins and my enthusiasm is contagious. Now I'm beginning to believe I am an invincible shopper. Screw it! I'll just take it back later, I reason, and my credit card has the skid marks to prove it.

My family? My girlfriends? They all convince me that I deserve it. Yes, they whisper in my ear,"you work so hard all week long. Put all that hard work to use." That $uede jacket will be perfect for fall, but if I don't buy it now it will be gone. And I must have these $hoes to go with the new jeans and that expen$sive belt I bought, which I reasoned would be the only belt I'll ever need. YES! A new fragrance. YES! A scarf and a great top! Oh, YES, this is the good life. The bags keep mounting, and my heart is racing to keeping pace with my euphoria. Oh YES! YES! This is it! I can't carry even one more, overflowing with purchases, bag.

I'm on top of the world as I dash out to the car. I put the bags in the trunk and start home.

My breathing steadies.

I am contented and peaceful. The ride home is slow and relaxing, playing out the successful events in my head. I pull into the driveway and go into the house.

Yes. Life is good.

I still have to pay for it. But for now, it was all worth it.

The Holy Shoe Grail

This is NOT a post about the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. No, this post is about the SHOES pictured here. Just look at them! They are so stunning, so eye catching, that I really don't even see Milan Lucic in all his Stanley Cup glory. Sorry sports fans. It's just that those shoes, they are spectacular.

The Holy Grail...of shoes, that is.

The obsession started back in February when I spotted Beyonce, court side at the NBA All Star game wearing the shoes. I immediately snapped a pic and sent it to my BFF and my shoe partner in crime. We just about died. Then she sent me the picture of Lucic and his girl a few days ago.

And I can't get them out of my head.

That shoe is the Christian Louboutin Daffodil 160 in Strass, and the price is almost $7,000.00.

WHAT?

7 grand for a shoe?? Yes, 7 grand for that shoe and it is the master work of Mr. Christian Louboutin. It's heel stands at 160 mm, which converts to 6.3 inches and that's just fricken crazee. I must admit, I am so taken by this shoe that if I had money to burn, like Ms. Beyonce, who rocks them in the second photo, I would not hesitate to add them to my collection.

I might even commit a crime to own those puppies. Just sayin. The problem here is I'm not sure I could walk in them.

But I'd die trying. And with a smile on my face.

Silly Rabbit, Kicks Are For Kids

Yup, I'm over 40 and I'm still wearing them. Nothing says who I am more than the sneakers I put on my feet. You see, I wear my sneakers when I'm being a casual version of myself. When I feel like I don't care what I look like and when I feel like I do care what I look like. My kicks can tell you a lot about me.

It's like the fun version of me comes alive. On my first trip to Europe, one would think I stuffed my suitcase with fabulous European fashions, and I did, but I ended up bringing home 3 pairs of sneakers along with all that fashion. The Europeans do it right when it comes to sneakers. Somehow a handsome, well dressed European guy almost always tops off his outfit with the proper sneaker to make him look effortlessly fashionable.

I have sneakers in all shapes and colors. Bright green, leopard print, neon pink and yellow in high tops and low tops, nothing is too daring or crazy if it tickles my fancy. Let's not forget about the "utilitarian" sneakers that one must have. The sneakers that protect the foot and aid the wearer in a daily workout. These are my least favorite sneakers, but a must, and I painstakingly choose my design. Have you ever designed your own pair of sneakers online? I have yet to try this, but my kids have and it's a brilliant marketing tool. They tell me these are the Holy Grail of kicks to come by.

What kind of sneaker are you and what do they say about your personality?

Because they're not just for kids, but for the kid who lives inside you.

Step Away From The Credit Card And Nobody Gets Hurt...

Issues...
I have issues and I can't seem to stop.

Impulsive...
It's not impulsive. I need all these things.

Help...
I need help because I'm spiraling out of control.

Not really, because what I really need are those really cute dark Diesel skinny jeans I bought with my new thigh-high chocolate brown suede Michael Kors boots and a white Vince t-shirt. I'll pair that with my new crocodile skin shoulder bag and the sexy, beige, short leather jacket from Vince that I bought to go with everything.

What?

Listen, Fall is a buying season and I am just doing my part to help out our economy. So what I happen to find myself with the weekend off and I spent the entire two days shopping like it was a test and I was the class over achiever. Shame on My Guy for leaving me alone with the mall. Fall is a transition season, and most people find themselves in need of some fashion essentials to get them through to the winter. Six pairs of shoes this weekend. And YES, I needed them all.

My problem is that I have to have it all. It's not about needing them, it's about WANTING them. Yes, I'm getting that, and that, and that, and yes, of course, that. Oh yeah, and throw that in too! Why not. Since I lost some weight, it all looks good. Such a curse, I know, but I can't choose. It's a good thing Frick was busy all weekend or she would have been right there next to me and on my dime. My partner in crime and yes, the apple does not fall far from the tree. But how can I say no when it all looks soo cuuuuute on her???

I am very decisive too. Not one to waver, I either want it or not. And when I want it I don't turn back. I have to have it, and I'll figure out the logistics of the purchase later.

You know, I work all week and it's a good thing too, because I could not be let loose on a daily basis. Not me. Wrong girl. I am a sucker for beautiful things. Come to think of it, I work in a boutique that sells beautiful things. All. Day. Long. And I do pretty well at that boutique. On a daily basis.

Well, maybe not everyday.

Most days.

A lot of days.

I got issues.

Shoe-lanthrophy

See those gorgeous little puppies above? Those "practically perfect in every way", pair of wonderful shoes just made me a "shoe-lanthropist". How awe-inspiring is that? I don't think I have ever felt as good about spending some money. Because with every purchase of Toms shoes, the company will donate a new pair of shoes to a child in need with their groundbreaking One for One program. The company was founded on that basic principle.

So let me get this straight, because I bought a pair of fabulous shoes for myself, a child in another country will benefit by receiving a much needed pair of shoes? Because of me? Really?

It took me a moment to let this sink in. I needed to know more.
A quick trip to Toms.com gave me all the answers I needed.

From Toms.com:

"In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff
later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by Toms caring customers".

Further reading reveals that because these children did not have shoes, the spread of disease which is transmitted through the soil, was rampant and that some of these children could not attend school because they did not have shoes.

"Since our beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over *600,000 pairs of shoes to children in need through the purchases of caring customers.
*As of April 2010"

Wow, what a mission! Not only are the shoes adorable, chic, and comfortable, but they make you feel completely guilt-free for spending the money, and how can you beat that? I'm telling you, check out the shoes. Seriously, you will love them. And how could you not feel great about buying more than one style? My whole family has them,(except the guys, but Father's Day is right around the corner).

If Toms is making the world a better place, does that make me a better person for buying them?
Maybe yes, maybe no.

To get the definitive answer, you'd probably have to ask the child who was on the receiving end of my One for One swap.

Gwennie, Your Challenge Has Opened A Pandora's Box Of Emotions

One of my favorite Blogger buddies Gwen, over at Everything I Like Causes Cancer has reached a blogging milestone. She hit the 600 mark. That's right, 600 posts and still going strong! Way to go Gwen, and a hearty Daily Dandy Congrats for keeping us laughing. Gwen is seriously the best! She is not only completely HILARIOUS, but sweet, smart, generous and caring. The blog world would be so much more of a LOL wonderful place, if there were more Gwens in the bloggersphere, but make no mistake, there is only one Gwen. Go check her out and tell her I sent you. (and if I ever get my butt to St. Louis Gwen, I am so looking you up for a round of drinks)

In honor of her 600th post Gwen asked us to join her in celebrating with her by finding a piece of clothing/footwear/accessory that you can't get rid of.

As she put it:

I suspect everyone has at least one piece of clothing like my pajama top: that pair of shoes you can't seem to throw in the trash despite them being broken down and soleless; that ratty-ass three-quarter-sleeve tee-shirt from the 1986 AC/DC Fly on The Wall tour that is covered in paint stains the same color as your second bathroom; that pair of jeans you finally had to make into cut-off shorts and now you can't get rid of the shorts even though your ass hangs out the bottom like a $2 hooker.

So I want you to do me a favor. Tonight when you get home from work, or today while the kiddos are napping, go find your clothing/footwear/accessory equivalent of my pajama top and take a picture of the revered item. Post the picture on your own blog tomorrow and tell us the story behind it. You don't have to link back to this post because I don't get fussy about stuff like that but please do come back and leave a comment so we can find and enjoy your stories.

I am more than happy to oblige. BUT, little did I know that the item I chose would cause a cacophony of emotions from deep inside me.

You see those raggedy-ass clogs in the picture above? Yeah, they are what's got me into a lather. See, I bought them about three or four years ago at a DSW Shoe Warehouse (read:discount). They are Michael Kors $89.00 cloggy things but I loved them to death....literally. Look at the heel of the shoe on the right, you will see that it has snapped, almost off, just barely hanging by a thread. The thing is, this is not the first time the heel on these suckers have snapped, while I was wearing them. Noooo, this would be the second time, only the first time it was the other shoe's heel that gave out. I contemplated throwing them into the trash then, but decided to research the cost of gluing the wooden heel back on because I became quite attached to the little clogs.

I loved them because they have a great wooden heel (that apparently wasn't strong), and in their prime I wore them to work with dress pants or jeans, as they crossed over into both the casual and office dress genres quite nicely. Not to mention that they are slip ons!! Yahoo for slip ons, I tell you. Easy and looked great. I was in Clog heaven. I always felt great pairing them up with my sexy jeans, they elongated the legs nicely and made be feel sassy.

Now, the good Lord above knows that I own over 6,372 pairs of shoes. Each one unique, some breathtakingly expensive, some not. The initial $89.00 investment on these shoes will be nearly doubled after I have them repaired for the second time, as the first repair cost $45 at my shoe guru's shop. But I can't let them go...After I broke the second shoe, I put them in a bag and threw them in the trash......Then I went back out the garbage can and retrieved them. Yes. I. Did. And I retrieved them again today from my car, so that I could photograph them for you. They've been in there for about a month now, the intention is to get them to the shoe guru, but I keep wrestling with the justification in my mind.

WTF is it with these shoes???? I have bought shoes twenty times more expensive, in less than three seconds, that have never let me down and performed to perfection on command. So what is it about these, inferior, cheaply made, soooo way past the season, clogs that has me in an emotional tailspin?

Christ, I need a shoe psychologist.

I'm Doing Flips For My Flops

It's that wonderful time of year when the shivers of winter are but a mere memory and the warmth of the season casts it's alluring spell on us all. And from this day forward, rain or shine, I will be wearing my flip flops, exclusively. Flip flops make me happy and nothing is more freeing than the prospect of existing in a climate where flip flops are a pre-requisite. No summer footwear is more adored or coveted than the versatile flip flop but, as with any thing that is truly pleasurable, they come with a bit of controversy.

The nay sayers (experts) warn that wearing these innocent little rubber soles with a thong can be dangerous. They are said to offer "no support" and can put a significant strain on the lower back, the achilles tendon, and result in shin splints and/or twisted ankles. I have even heard horror stories about the perils of descending a flight of stairs while wearing flip flops. Experts warn that flip flops are best worn on sandy beaches and for short stints only.

I say, NO WAY! Let's look at the flip side of these flops. (see what I did there?)A one time personal trainer, Marcia Kilgore, designed a flip flop that is said to help women and men to tone and trim the legs just by wearing them while running every day errands. The result; The FitFlop. Medical research has proven that wearing FitFlops can actually eliminate the strain and stress on the lower back by realigning the force of the body while while walking and testimonials repeatedly show that FitFlop wearers have seen a reduction in foot and back pain, some by as much as 50 percent.

Sign me up! They retail, starting at $50-$60, and come in many styles and colors for both men and women. I will admit to seeing them on people whilst out and about and can report that FitFlop wearers are FitFlop lovers. Not the most fashion forward looking shoe, but it does have an athletic appeal and I'm thinking I will take the plunge into the world of floppy fitness!

For today, the temps will be nearing 90 degrees (what happened to Spring?) and rest assured, my feet will be well "flipped" out with the newest addition to my flip flop family.

Can you blame me? What's a little back pain between friends?