Twice a year, after working a full day, I meet a friend to drive 70 miles to our favorite shopping mall. The purpose of our trip is to spend time together. We talk, we laugh, we cry as we forge another thread in the bond that ties us together. The side benefit of our twice annual gabfest is shopping until we drop. Since we are both frugal, we do more looking than purchasing.
Shopping with a friend is a joy. We offer our opinions as we model for each other and the salespeople often voice their opinions as well. I am surprised how brutally honest salespeople can be. “That’s not your color.” “I think you can do better.” And even, “That makes you look like a square.” I thought they wanted to encourage a sale?
Last night, during our fall trip, we spent the majority of time in the shoe warehouse. I love shoes. At 5 feet 7 inches I have always shied away from heels. Now, in my 50s, I have decided it is time to explore a higher dimension and wear those ‘sexy’ heels. I love the way heels make my feet look small and petite. I have always had serviceable shoes but now I find myself leaning toward shoes that make my feet look young.
Getting into the spirit, my friend posed for pictures as she hunted for shoes that she really, really needed.
Here is a picture of the shoes she wore to the store.
Here is a picture of the boots she fell in love with.
Here is a picture of the boots she purchased.
My friend is not in her 50s and comfort trumps the cute factor for her still. She is very, very wise.
Today I wore my heels to work. I loved them. By 2:30 my feet were in despair and I almost had to go home sick. As I hobbled around the office I kept reminding myself that my feet looked really great. It was small satisfaction.
Prairie Wisdom 
Oh, give me the plaid please. I am going out first thing tomorrow morning!
They are the cutest! I tried to talk her into them, but she is wiser than I am.
I am the “friend” in the post. What she didn’t tell you that as I was walking with my plaid heels on, I had my tongue sticking out like a little kid riding her bike for the first time. I had to concentrate so hard just to walk and not let my ankles roll. Loved the look, but knew that they wouldn’t work.
You’re right, I didn’t mention it because I didn’t think the ‘tongue sticking out’ image would convey how smart you really were for buying good looking comfortable boots ;)
I can wear any shoes. The highest heels? No problem. Spikes? No problem. Standing or walking in them? Problem. But as long as I just sit down, they’re great. Your problem was that you tried to walk in them.
That is so funny! I never got the memo on not actually walking in the shoes all day. Thanks for the tip.
Ouch!!! I have feet that look like scuba flippers. Heels do not improve them. And when my feet hurt, everybody around me is in pain.
I hear you, my coworkers heard and eventually felt my pain too.
This was a great post. I laughed out loud at your description of the pain. I once bought the sexiest heels with matching clutch. When I finally wore them out at a gala one night I found it was easy. I just sat all night long BUT with my chair turned toward the dance floor……I crossed my sexy legs and showed off those gorgeous heels all night. People DID notice too. Well the women anyway. They loved them. Finally I had to go to the loo (bathroom) so I mMaged to hobble rather gracefully there but on the way back I was clutching the wall (like a first time skater) and finally someone had to fetch my husband to assist me. Lol. Vanity!,,,, tsk tsp
Love the husbands. They are so helpful and supportive, literally.
I’ll wear fun shoes on a Monday after my feet have been in tennies all weekend, and then look for a reason to wear tennies at work Tuesday-Friday. Hilarious post!
You are very young and also very wise!