Shoes make a man, but not a woman?

Am I obsessed over shoes? I’m not in Imelda Marcos’ league but I do own a total of 45 pairs. If I was compiling a list of famous/infamous shoes in history, my top five would include: Nikita Kruschchev, the former Soviet Union President who in 1960 took off his shoe and pounded it on his desk in protest, this was at the UN so it was a big deal back then, Cinderella, who was obviously in desperate need of some Dr. Schools inserts, Richard Reed, who alone is to blame for all of us going barefoot in airports across the world and Blake Mycoskie, the CEO of Tom’s Shoes. (BTW I am the proud owner of two pairs of Tom’s shoes – the red canvas and black sequin.)

And now, the honor for the most famous shoes in history…the award goes to…Dorothy and her Ruby Red Slippers. Granted 5 or 6 pairs of Ruby Red Slippers were created for the movie so they aren’t one of a kind, but in auction, a pair of her shoes sold for $666,000.

Which brings me to my favorite shoes, which incidentally did not cost over a half million, but less than $75.00. Like Dorothy’s slippers mine are sequined, and although they are blue instead of red they are magical, that I am certain of! And, like the Wardrobe Department of MGM, I had this great fear that I would wear my original pair out, so in my closet is a second pair that guarantees I will always be able to find my way home.

Every time I wear my Steve Madden Sapphire Blue Slippers I feel like singing Over The Rainbow.  Do you have a favorite pair of shoes?

Thank You

My mother was the antithesis of the 1950’s domestic goddess housewife. She hated housework, cooking and being a stay at home mom. She didn’t iron, couldn’t sew on a button and never once did she ever bake a cake. However, she taught me the importance of reading and encouraged me to pursue my dreams and for that, I will always be grateful.

The dichotomy of my mother’s personality is that although she was more a geek than a lady, she did have three “ladylike” rules that my sisters and I were required to follow.  

1. Always carry a clean handkerchief.
2. Find at least one nice thing to say about everyone, even if you dislike them.
3. Write a thank you note for all gifts you receive, no matter how insignificant.

I am proud to say that in my purse is a clean white lace handkerchief, I complimented a co-worker this morning on her toffee colored boots and I plan on writing thank you notes this evening. But first, I need to make them.

For my birthday Cassandra gave me a really huge stack of beautiful hand made papers. Only one was whimsical, pink cupcakes, and it’s perfect for the notes I will be making.

I can lie about my weight, but not about my age.

There are certain birthdays that are truly memorable. Although I don’t recall everything about the day, I will never forget my very special Sweet 16th Birthday. On the way to the party, over the car radio, I was serenaded by the song Sixteen Candles by the Crests. It was purely coincidental, but at that moment, I felt as if it was being played just for me. It was a wonderful way to start my most favorite birthday party.

Another birthday that was significant was my 30th. Not for what I did, but for what it signified. I grew up in the 60s and the saying, “Never trust anyone over the age of 30!” was my mantra. I literally wore it on a button for years and now here I was…30. Over the years the saying has been attributed to Bob Dylan, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and the Beatles. But whover said it first doesn't matter, what mattered to me at the time was that I was 30, and too old to be trusted. I was an adult.

I soared on my 50th, as I flew with my darling daughter to London. When the stewardess found out it was my birthday she served us champagne and then led the plane in singing Happy Birthday. The best part of the whole trip was that she took me up to the cockpit and I actually got to see what it was like to pilot a 747. Neither would ever happen again...being 50 or getting to visit the cockpit.

Now to the present, and it’s not one that is giftwrapped. Here I am…gulp…65 years old. The day was spent with the two people I love most in the whole world – my daughter Cassandra and my husband Tony. To commemorate the significance of the day, I created a little book that contains 65 of my favorite memories. In no particular order or importance, each page holds a tiny piece of my life that has helped to shape the person I am today. By writing down these memories I was able to relive some of the moments that I hold dearly to my heart.

BTW my 50th Birtday is in the book, but not my 16th or my 30th. Guess I'll be making another book in the future.

Dream maker, you heart breaker

The other day at work I was on the hunt for a plain paper bag and one of my co-workers kindly offered me a Tiffany blue paper bag. As she handed it to me I heard music in the background – Moon River – and visions of the last scene of the film (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) where Holly Golightly and George Peppard (could never remember his name but it was Paul Varjak) kiss as the rain drenches them in romance everlasting.

Switch from the movie theatre to a comic book store. You know when you suddenly become a comic character and above your head a light bulb appears? Had it. Rushing home tonight to make a Breakfast at Tiffany’s tag. Why? Haven’t the foggiest what I’ll do with it but it is calling to me and I answered it instead of allowing it to go to voicemail.