I'm in Love
Friday, October 3, 2014 at 06:18PM 
Yes, I'm in love and I have been for a very long time...I know, I'm not the only one but I've got it bad...I wonder if there is a support group for my love addiction...I might have to check that out. Notice, the lovely lady above...well, while I was in France she helped feed my addition. Do you see any tell tale signs of why this might be...ah Sherry and Beverly, if you don't notice, than you do not share my passion. O.K. check out her "sneakers", stunning in person...colorful and unique..I loved them..I stand before you today and say it out loud..."I'm a shoeaholic...There, It's Out In the Open. That girl is Raphael, our tour guide while in France..I was totally in shoe envy of her and she knew it. I think I counted 9 different pair of shoes on her during our tour. So she set me on a path to having a pair of shoes from France...they are like no other..She did have one criteria for me though, and very sound advice...Comfort. She is on her feet all day long and so they must be comfortable...but comfortable comes at a cost...so let's go do some French shoe shopping and also some Friday Finds.
Before we start though, I need to tell you that I spent the last week cleaning out my closet...I try to purge twice a year...after the cleaning I counted, just for you folks. I have 83 pair of winter shoes..that does not include boots of any kind, nor sneakers..it is now up to 84 because I bought another pair today...I know, I know...
My first find for this Friday is my new/old ladder...I've been looking for one of these for a long time and finally found it at my antique shop in Maine, with all it's worn wood and splinters...just perfect, for today's project. Yes there are shoes on this ladder but I'm starting with the bag...The Colors of Provence, my favorite place in France. It is handmade, and has a lovely zipper and leather straps...I found it at a lovely little shop in Provence and I use it. Before (I got older), I would have saved it because it was special. Not anymore. Everyday is special now.
O.K. this is the one that started it all..I was after Raphael all the time to tell me when we could go shoe shopping, like she had nothing else or no one else on her mind...but one day, when we came to Lyon, she called me aside and told me this is where I would find my shoes..expensive she said, but comfortable. So with street directions and the name of the store, Campers, Jim and I were off and running. Well Jim wasn't actually running but being the kind of guy he is, he kept up with me...and we found campers..Oh my, be still my heart...comfort, comfort, comfort...and this is the pair that won...I did love another pair but then I made the mistake of asking Jim which of the two he liked and he picked the ones above..saying they matched my bag and they were so very French..so off I went with my very comfy, very expensive French shoes...and I did love them..I wore them to dinner and I could walk in them all day. Do you see the little heel on them and the straps...oola-la. I felt like a French dancer.
Now confession number 2, I have really bad feet. I have corns, hammer toes (surgery done) and bunions, so comfortable and pretty don't usually go together for me, especially in a heel. I'm a girly, girl though, well when I'm not a tom boy, (I did have 3 brothers..no sisters) so sometimes I did suffer for the pretty...but not anymore..those Camper shoes were delicious to my feet..like they were full of whipped cream cushions. One day at physical therapy I had them on and the therapist commented on how pretty they were and I told her my story...Miracle happens and she tells me about a Campers store right in Boston..my heart started beating so fast...I thought I needed more meds...and I called my daughter in a panic...She promised to bring me there..it felt like Christmas in the middle of July...and off we went one hot summer day with the pavement steaming and the sun buring...thirst biting at my throat...and then this.
I fell like a ton of bricks...grey with a black elastic band...how cute...to young for me, to flat but I heard this little voice saying...Mom, Mom, those are so cute on you..how do they feel..and I knew that I would take these babies home..and I got a pair for Jenna also...they are my go to shoes now..like wearing slippers all day long. Now here's the really good part...SO MUCH CHEAPER IN THE STATES...who knew. I told Jim that night that I should have waited...his answer, but then you wouldn't have a pair of shoes from France...he's such a smart man. So the love affair goes on....
While I was falling in love with my French shoes, I was also falling in love with French anything, which translates into French books...this small stack give you an idea...one missing from here, which I read, and loved, was The Paris Wife...if you haven't read it , treat yourself...it was wonderful...I think I lent it out and it hasn't come back yet...don't ask to borrow my shoes though...automatic NO...
So one more pair to talk about here...another sweet T-Strap with a heel...and this my friend was the one I really wanted while in Lyon...but did not get... I was over the moon when I saw this in Boston..not only in the color that I love but ON SALE...yes...out of stock...what the hell are you talking about...that's the one I wanted and I love it the most...Oh, you found it at another store...whew, it's meant to be mine then.
There she is, just like the Red Rider Air Rifle in the Christmas Story...I had waited and wanted and now she is mine..a navy blue, soft leather T-strap with a heel that I can wear on my broken feet all day long..and that lining... the color, so French and sexy..I added the rose for an extra special effect.. I call it Shoe Karma...I didn't get them in France but they found their way to me across the pond..I thank the Universe for my Physical Therapy...how else would I have know...
So there you have it...my shoe story and a bit more..I did have one more pair for you but I forgot the photo was on my I-phone...I'll post it separately but when you see it, you know that it is from France...on my very last morning, as we got in the taxi, to head to the airport, she had one more pair that took my breath away...and I had to have them also..Mephisto..sandals...I have worn them all summer long...and will buy them (not the same ones) again..I ordered them on line...
So here's my theory about my Love of Shoes...when I was little..we didn't have much but one thing my Mother insisted upon with all 4 of us kids...and her Grandkids was, good leather shoes. We each had two pair of shoes a year...one for play and one for best...both leather..cheap shoes didn't last and they were not good for your feet..I agree with the first..but I have bad feet...but I look back at what it must have cost my Mom in those days...to get us those good shoes...and some how I feel like she smiles down on me for making this choice but then I know she's frowning also because I have so many pairs...ah well...Mom, I'm addicted...
And as for my lovely French tour Guide...I'm hoping to do more shoe shopping with her in the future...either in the states or back in France...who knows...Karma is everywhere...
"Elegance and comfort are not incompatible, and whoever maintains the contrary simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about "- Salvatore Ferragamo
"I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes; I had one thousand and sixty "- Imelda Marcos
"Shoes are like friends, they can support you, or take you down."
Reader Comments (8)
Im a shoe addict also.. Let join a group to add more shoes.. I loved each photo. Just beautiful. wow in your processing..Behind again but catching up.
Lovely way to keep on going. Enjoyed my visit here so very much.xo
Loved this Cheryl. I have feet problems too. Hard to find anything wide enough, with good arch support and then be cute and comfortable, very hard to find. Your shoes are lovely. I am happy with a few pair, but I do understand the shoe addiction.
Finally!! At last!! Oh my gosh!! Are these e v e r cute!! That little heel and strap - YES! I haven't worn kind of shoe with a cute heel in years. Bummed up feet just don't go with cute. I'm all over these Cheryl! Will be shopping on line if there are none in my city, but there just may be a store. Love that ladder too, and that bag! Just "get me out of town"!! I sure loved reading your shoe story, and I'm really glad you bought some IN France. That will always be a special story for you and Jim. But I'm sure happy you shared with us about "Camper". Oh Happy Day!!!! xx :)
Gorgeous shoes! I only ever wore leather shoes as a child - always made by Clarkes - a pair of sandals in the summer and sturdier ones at the beginning of the new school year!
Hi Cheryl!
I loved reading your story about shoe addiction and your hunt for good quality shoes while you were in France... I'm french and I smiled when I read your hunt for french shoes and how you describe the pairs you bought and those your guide is wearing... so funny!.... I'm no shoe-addict but I must say that the shoes you bought in France are cute and smart... I love the way you arranged them on your ladder with other items you brought from France... you bought best quality ones... sure... for us, french people, these shoes (campers and méphisto) are expensive, too... I'm glad for you that you can now find these shoe brands, less expensive, in your city... have a nice sunday!
Oh my gosh.....absolutely love this post Cheryl.
Hurray for women who love what they love with passion and without shame. Your shoes are beautiful and functional, and I love the way you styled them for your photographs. Such a fun read!
I absolutely enjoyed reading your love affair with shoes. I am the same way, but I don't think I have as many pairs as you do. ...and bags, too! I love that bag you have with the colors of Provence, so pretty!!
(Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment.)