Shoe Genes

Nope. That's not a mistake. I said "Shoe Genes"...not shoe jeans. Although, that could be a really good shoe blog. I don't own a pair of denim shoes....but I never say never to shoes.

(find them here)

Oh la la...

(find them here)

But wait, what happens if you wear denim shoes with a Canadian Tuxedo?? 

              Canadian Tuxedo Definition: "An outfit consisting of a denim jacket and demin jeans. To spice                up the outfit a button down demin shirt may be worn."

The Man Repeller has it down...check here out here.

Oh, and that awesome Britney/Justin Canadian Tuxedo duo...

Ok, back to the topic. Are some people blessed with good shoe genes, or can they be learned?

I turn to Nature.com. 

How do genes and the environment come together to shape animal behavior? 

"Both play important roles. Genes capture the evolutionary responses of prior populations to selection on behavior. Environmental flexibility gives animals the opportunity to adjust to changes during their own lifetime."

Nature, you nailed it! So in shoe terms, this means it's a combination of your genes and your shopping AND shoe environment you were raised in. In my case, it was a combo of all three. I mean, look at this:

I also remember learning early on about sales, budgets for fall and spring clothes, and trends. I recall one Sunday sitting inside the rounder in the Macy's juniors department. I may have been the only 4th grader to have a pair of silver tennis shoes bought at Pic 'N Save for 99 cents. Sure, they fell apart the day I wore them to school, but they were on trend.

If you are reading this blog, you may be a combo of environmental (external influence) or natural shoe jeans...I mean genes. Either way, shoe skills can be learned at any stage of your life. 

Oh, I didn't mention this earlier, but there is a third category...the shopping loathers. I know a couple of them, and I still find it in my shoe heart to love them. It is hard for me to imagine, but British studies don't lie:

"Why Do A Third Of Women Hate Shopping?"

No matter what category you fall into, the next 3 blogs will help strategize pre shoe shopping, guide through the shopping process, and for those who dare to adventure...we do ebay. Yep folks, we go online ebay shopping.

So...if you are ready, I will take you on one of the most amazing shoe adventures of your life.

Come live life...in the World of Cha Cha Shoes...

The Thrill of the Hunt

You know that feeling....the feeling where you find that special shoe in the sale section?

Your heart races and you move quickly to the sale rack. You look right, then left. Is that woman in the purple top headed your way? You quickly look down to assess her shoe size...it could be close to yours. So, you head over to the rack and position your body in a way that she would have to invade your personal space to get to the 4 by 4 cross section of shoes. Yes, you are monopolizing the rack space, but you don't know IF there are any shoes you like, and you definitely don't want your size taken.

Please don't end up like these women during a shoe sale: 

"60%-off shoe sale leads to melee at Saks Fifth Avenue: witnesses

'Pushing and shoving' among ladies who lunch when deadline to get cheap clogs nears; salesfloor cleared; 'it was crazy' said one guard"

You quickly scan the section of shoes...yes, no, yes, yes, maybe (dammit, grab them just in case) and you flag down the sales person. At no point in the hunt do you even consider if you need these shoes - because you are in a sale induced state of mind (SISM).

You shake your head. You try and rethink why you ever entered the store. Oh yes, black pumps, black pumps. I need a pair of work black pumps.

The sales person walks towards you while juggling 6 boxes of shoes. The first box is opened.

(find them here)

Ahhhhhhhh....these are beautiful animal print booties. And, Alexander McQueen. I mean, this is the same designer that Princess Kate wore to her wedding. Several other non-essential shoes arrive, and you slowly try on these exotic pairs one by one. As they lay out in front of you, you are feeling good. I mean, these are not the black shoes you came in for, but they are ALL on Saaaaalllllleeeeee...sale...sale. It sounds good rolling off your tongue.


This is what you should buy:

Yet this is what is in your hands:

(find them here)

And then it hits you. You shake yourself from the sale induced state of mind, and realize what must be done. You have to walk...now. 

But, what about these...they would be perfect for Spring. Walking around DC when the cherry blossoms in effect.

(find them here)

Right brain, left brain...who to believe?

This subject is complicated, so I am am breaking it down into three parts:

1 - Strategy Sale Shopping - how to shop during sales. Creating your strategy before walking in the door or turning on the ipad.
2 - Making the Purchase - once you are in, how to have strategic purchases
3 - Online Outlets - how to manage vintage/gently used shoe shopping online. Ebay or other sites.

So, stay tuned. I want you to know that while I did put down most of those non-strategic shoes, I may have ended up with one pair...

Keep shoe shopping...in the World of Cha Cha Shoes...

Slipping Into Fall...

Oh, Fall. You snuck up on me again this year. 

I was enjoying the warm long days of summer, fresh fruit, cutoff denim shorts and any excuse to eat outside. But, you are now upon us...leaves are changing, pumpkins are out and the candy has abruptly appeared at every isle in the candy store. 

Don't get me wrong, I love fall...the leaves changing (ok, I live in San Diego so this doesn't really happen), the cool crisp air and smell of cider. And, one of my favorite things to do is put on my warmest slippers, grab a warm tea or red wine and sit on the couch and snuggle up to a book, a tv show or the fall fashion 10 pound magazines.

So, what are the best new slippers for this? Read ahead to find out.

These shoes (see them here) were photographed this week at Paris Fashion Week and were my inspiration for today's blog.

Koolaburra knee highs will keep you warm all winter long (find them here).

If you like to be fancy at home, slip on these feather and leopard flats (find them here).

Patricia Green is one of my favorite slipper designers. You can't go wrong with pale pink and wool (find them here).

What the fox say?? (find them here)

No seriously, what the fox say??

These are classic Minnetonka booties at a great price (find them here).

These fun knee high knitted boots from Target (find them here)

And, to top it off with a fun pair, try these out. 

Definitely a pair that will get ALL the dogs attention.

(find them here)

(find them here)

So, go forth and slip into fall...

In the World of...Cha Cha Shoes

Investing in Shoes - Part II

Investing in shoes can be quite stressful. What to buy, how much to spend and then the big question..."Will I wear these shoes enough to justify an investment?"

Some cultures don't wear shoes at all. In the Ancient Olympic Games, athletes participated barefoot (oh, and naked).

In a previous blog (read it here) I go through the Shoe Investment Calculator (SIC). Today's blog will take you through an analysis of the investment potential of shoes. Yesterday, I was faced with the exact predicament the SIC was created for.

Take these beautiful Prada loafers:

"Size 38.5 Prada Wing tipped tassel loafers," (find them here) I ask sweetly. I then proceeded to sink into the oh too comfortable couch at Neiman Marcus with the perfect lighting showing all angles of my foot. The shoes were slipped on so softly, and I saunter around the sales floor. I am conveniently handed a cold bottle of water as several sales people oohh and ahhh. Yes, I should get these.

Oh, one small detail, "the price please," I ask. The sales person quietly responds, "$690." And all of the sudden I am snapped back into reality. I think through the SIC.

I come up with a score of 10. I think back to my range:

Ugh...a hold. Damn.

The sales person looks at me longingly...."they look so great on you. There are so places you could wear thooo..."

"No," I say. I must leave these for another women with a higher SIC. I must go.

So, what about those other shoes from the previous blog? Again, there are some factors that are based upon individual preference. But, how did the shoes score?

I compared a the zoo shoes, a pair of Nasty Gal brand tennis shoes, a splurge vs steal blue suede high heel and a pair of Isabel Marant booties. Here is what I found:

Zoo Shoes: BUY
Sneakers: WALK
Payless Blue: HOLD
Manolo Blue: BUY
Isabel Marant: BUY

So go forth, buy shoes (SIC approved)...and continue living in the World of Cha Cha Shoes...