Thrifty Thursday: Cheap Shoes

It's been a while since I talked about shoes. Let's remedy that.

You know the part in "Thrift Shop" where he talks about the sneakerheads? That's what these make me think of. If I wasn't allergic to sneakers, I might have bought them. But I feel like a crazy person in sneaks.

I love these adorable kitten keels. They fit like a dream, and since they're Naturalizer, you know they're comfy. I was all set to buy them until I caught a peek in the mirror - yikes. Pasty white legs + white shoes = terror on the homefront.

Way too big for me, but adorable. They're ribbons! I think this design is DIYable - with some steady hands and strong glue, at least.

Now these are a triumph of fashion design. I was so close to making the purchase, but my heart just wasn't in it. I left them on the rack for someone who really loves shoes - someone who will treat these babies right. Only Get it If You Love It in action.

Lastly, there's these ladies:

Technically, they shouldn't be in this post (I found them on a clearance rack at the mall), but green-and-purple-glitter heels really seemed to go with this batch. Heels this high should be illegal on shoes under a size 6 - I have absolutely no idea how someone walks in these without snapping her neck. My center of gravity was so disturbed that I could barely take them off. I had to go through vertigo rehabilitation, just like my idol.

Fashionable Friday: What I Wore in Nashville

I have a pair of favorite brown boots that I have worn near to death. I've had them resoled twice, and the heels very badly need another repair. I refuse to let them die; they're just so great. I knew we were going to walk a lot, so I bought a pair of Dr. Scholl's inserts for them. They are phenomenal. I want to have these in all my shoes from now until forever. Don't skimp and buy the flimsy gel kind - they'll only break your heart.

Thrifty Thursday: Katy K's Ranch Dressing

The first thing I saw when I stepped into Katy K's Ranch Dressing was a big ol' black dog. I didn't notice what breed it was (I was trying not to have a panic attack), but my Very Excellent Boyfriend fell over himself trying to pet the puppy. I'm afraid of big dogs, so I hustled into the hallway, but Very Excellent assures me he was a sweetie, and doesn't like to eat curly-haired bloggers.

While the boys got to know each other, I moved from room to room looking at clothes - both vintage and new. I saw dresses by Stop Staring! and Bettie Page, two of my favorite ModCloth brands.

Speaking of Bettie Page, I just do not understand what all the fuss is about. Seriously.

Thrifty Thursday: The Scene of the Find

A few days ago, I found myself in Dacula with a few hours to kill. Naturally, I decided to return to the scene of The Find. Was it just a one-off? Did I stumble into this store the only time they had a decent selection? Is it unusual for a customer to walk away with 6 perfect dresses?

Nope. This Goodwill is magical.

First of all, it was absolutely packed. Like, Dekalb Farmers Market on a Saturday packed. I was there at 3 PM on a weekday, and so was half the population of Dacula. There were lots of middle-aged women (of course), but they weren't the only ones there; a group of predictable teenagers haunted the mens' tees (one of them already sporting a "KEEP CALM AND SMOKE WEED" shirt). Strangely, I saw more than one teen girl walking around with her mom, happily picking-out T-shirts and jeans - this, in full view of the delinquents. Is this new? Were regular teenagers this comfortable in a thrift shop in the days before Macklemore? Obviously, I was - but I was looking for Asian-inspired dresses and 70s tunics, not cotton shirts.

The selection was wonderful - just like last time. I staggered into a dressing room under about 15 garments. Luckily, it was roughly the size of my apartment in New York.

Ten feet deep, kiddos!

I spent a lovely half-hour dancing to Top 40 hits while I played dress-up. Guys, I had room to kick my legs, Footloose-style (and I did). There were formals, suits, and even a jumper - but you'll read more about that stuff later. 

The best part, by far, were the shoes. I generally wish that my feet were about two sizes larger, and that was especially true the other day. Look at these!

Amazing, right? If they hadn't been $11, I might have bought them and hosted a giveaway. But I'm not made of money. Sorry, y'all. 

I was immediately drawn to these tan lovelies, but even from five feet away I could see that they would be too big for me. 

Here's how I determine if a pair of shoes will fit me: if they seem impossibly small, they might still be a bit too large. Generally, in secondhand shops, I'm lucky if I come across a single pair that will work. Sadly, these wouldn't have.

How about these?

Some gent will look mighty dapper in them. Careful, though - they're sharp. 

Best of all, I found a pair of tap shoes - for an adult!

Aren't they perfect? Also, they are brand new - completely unused. 

Lastly, I found a couple belts. 

Reversible belts. 

I can't wait to wear these as a set all summer. 

Thrifty Thursday: Shoehorned In

Hi Blogland!

A woman of her word, Galen is not blogging the rest of the week. She has quit the rest of February, and is lost in a delightful time warp where Hugh Jackman still hosts the Oscars and her hand doesn't look like the end of The Departed. While she's away, as her loyal Roomie and Mama Mandi, I have offered to fill her big (And yet, IRL, incredibly small) shoes and blog for a day or two.

Today is Thrifty Thursday, and so I thought I would talk a bit about a second hand taboo: Shoes.  I won't go bowling because I'm scared of wearing someone's old sweaty shoes, but that fear goes away when I see a great pair of heels at a thrift shop. I can't explain this other than the fact that I have an unquenchable thirst for shoes, but live on the meager salary of an actor. Behold, a stunning pair of red patent leather pumps that I acquired while on an educational tour in South Georgia at the Thomasville Goodwill.

If you click your heels three times in these you end up in Carrie Bradshaw's closet.

They have a slight marble effect to them, and are gorgeous with an LBD and pearls.

As much as I love a great pair of used footwear, I'm not the marathon deal hunter that Galen is. I'd rather sing along to Mackelmore while sitting on my couch, surfing the internet pantsless. And so, I have found another great way to get second hand shoes in Ebay. I've gotten into some epic bidding wars over a great pair of used designer heels. Here are two of my favorite Ebay shoe success stories.

The first is a pair of faux lace up boots that I bought to be a costume piece, but they ended up having too high a heel for the show, so I kept them for personal use.

NSFW

They have both a zipper and stretchy material around the boot, so they have the benefit of a lace up without the time and effort it takes to put them on.

I Love the 70s: Volume Shoe (Don't hate me)

I bought these as show shoes as well, and they worked perfect for the role. (Not to mention the fact that they look like a Donna Summers song in shoe form) Alas, they are not real vintage, but who cares? I am obsessed with the colorful straps and the floral print on the heel and insole.

The final thing I want to share today is not a pair of shoes that I thrifted, but a pair that you, lovely reader, might find in your friendly neighborhood second hand store soon.

And lately, I've been wondering. Who will be there to take my place? 

I bought these shoes new (On sale at Marshalls) a few months ago, to match a previously unmatchable dress that I've had for years. I wore the ensemble to an opening night gala.

Boyfriend, boyfriend, I have a boyfriend

I was really pleased with how the outfit looked, but the shoes are really too small for me. They are a small size 7, and I have the same shoe size as the incomparable Dolly Parton- "I wear a size 6, but a 7 feels so good I buy an 8". I suffered through them for a night, but when my plans to cut off part of my foot a la the ugly stepsisters in an effort to wear them again was deemed "extreme", I had to come up with another plan for them. The next time I make a donation to the Salvation Army, these suede beauties will leave my closet forever. If one of you finds them someday, know that they come from Roomie with Love.