To Come...

True Prespective

Thank you Lily!

Melt Away Pain...

So a while back I reached out to a few of my favorite blogs to get a little advice. 

 The question: "With my love affair of all shoes heeled, I find foot pain to be a constant hindrance, so I ask, how do you deal with this issue (if it affects you, that is) and is that a factor in your purchase?"

From Nika at Irie Chic

"Thanks so much for reading IrieChic, I really appreciate it :). Yes, comfort is something I definitely consider when purchasing shoes, not comfortable, no purchase. Lately I've been wearing flats mostly or I bring a pair of bendable flats in my bag when I wear heels, just in case I want to change ;) If you get foot pain, I would suggest wearing shoes that are comfortable for you. There are so many cute flats/kitten heels or try wedges I find them to be much more comfortable than thinner heels. I use to wear heels for hours at one point, but I don't do that anymore, if I know I'll be walking around for awhile I change into flat shoes. HTH"

From Lori at hisherschicago

"Thank you for following our blog! Thats a great research question, I actually had surgery on my foot to remove a bunion about 2 years ago. They are hereditary but my love for high heels inflamed mine to the point where I was extremely self-conscious about my foots appearance and frequent pain. Despite this, I struggled with letting go of heels and continued to wear them partially everyday. My foot surgery kept me out of heels for a little over 4 months which was hard, but taught me a lesson. I realized that I can continue to wear my heels but it was best to do so in moderation. I tend to wear flats while at work and when I know I will do a lot of walking. I also always have an extra pair of flats with me when I do wear heels because I refuse to wear shoes that are uncomfortable. I also made minor changes that went a long way, like wearing shoe insoles and adding muslin strips to the inside of my shoes. I always make sure that my shoes are comfortable first, and if I do wear a pair that is uncomfortable, I only do so when I plan little walking."

From Irene at I'm Fashionstoned

"The painfactor of heels depends on the occassion if I have to dance I would wear more comfy heels (still 5inch though=P) and for a dinner I would wear some killer heels. My little secret is that I use some pads to soften the pain! Nowadays I only buy a pair if it's comfortable because my closet has to much pairs of killer heels!"

From Farrah at degaine

"Thanks you for your e-mail and interest in my blog. The answer to your question is, usually heels will hurt a lot the first few times you wear them, they will butcher your feet but that is what it takes to wear them in and after just a wear or two they stop hurting. Some heels however are stubborn and continue to hurt in painful places, so I purchase products from Dr.Scholls and others alike to stop where it hurts. My favorite products are the following:

http://www.drscholls.ca/for_her/english/inserts/high_heel_insoles/
http://www.drscholls.ca/for_her/english/inserts/ball_of_foot_cushion/
and best of all http://www.drscholls.ca/for_her/english/shoe_rubbing/rubrelief_strips/
The last one is a roll of padding, it's really small so you can carry it with you in your purse and if your feet are hurting or rubbing you can pad it up.  I hope this helps."

These lovely ladies have given great advice to aid the shoe lover in all of us!

This Is A Cool Idea, Could You Do It?

Inspiration

I'm in need of a little inspiration...any ideas?

Enough Is Enough

Alright so being unemployed is taking its toll.  I am lost without a job.  Not only for a lack of security in the workplace but I can't go shopping and of course I see tons of things I want!  I know things should not be what I desire, there are more important things such as working with a purpose and financial security, but I miss the stuff and other perks of having a job!  I miss having an agenda or to-do list that involves more than just "find a job"!  Also, I want to move.  I want to go to a city unknown to me.  I'm thinking Chicago, New York, DC, Atlanta, etc.  Something new!!!

Anti-Rape Condom

Do you think this will help?

When Love Calls

Music has alway been a crucial part of my life.  It is my go to for whatever emotion I am feeling.  I think we all have that one song or artist that changes you preception of life, love, and happiness.  I remember the first time I heard “Love Calls” by Kem from his debut album Kemistry. I immediately fell in love with it. I'd recently graduated from High School and moved to Dallas to begin my education in Culinary Arts. These events in themselves were monumental, but when I heard that song I realized that I was no longer the person I once was.

Before leaving Arkansas my only source of musical entertainment came in the form of MTV, BET, and Power 92.3fm, if they didn’t play it I didn’t hear it. I grow up listening to hip-hop and R&B, some soul and blues from my parents and other relatives influence, but I never really took a liking to it. When I heard this song, it all changed.

“Love Calls” is more than an R&B song; it has soul, heart, and depth to it. Listening to it made me realize that I was no longer a child trying to fit in with my friends, I was an independent thinker that can describe and identify what I like about the song. His voice soft and soulful, the lyrics identifiable, the melody soothing, this to me encompassed mature adulthood. It was my gateway musical drug. I soon began searching down the R&B/Soul aisle of the music stores soon discovering Al Green, Anita Baker, Sade, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and that was invigorating but not enough. Next came the Jazz aisle where Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James reside. That is what I needed. I needed the soul, the audio poetry and art. These artists opened my eyes to realize that defining myself was a lot harder than I anticipated.

I was no longer one thing or another. I no longer liked on genre or another, I do have my preferences but I can appreciate it all. I now feel that everyone can find at least one song or artist from each genre of music. I can honestly say that I have out grown a lot of things, for instance, the need or desire to attend a concert in an arena setting with hundreds of people leaves a bad taste in my mouth. There are very few “artist” that I would actually pay to see (Kem, John Legend, and Maze feat. Frankie Beverly) and if I do pay to see them it has to be in an intimate setting, a small club or lounge.

I hear younger people talking or listening to certain music and it pains me to hear what has now become acceptable to the ear. “Hip Hop is Dead” by Nas and “I Used to Love H.E.R” by Common are true testaments to the current culture. It’s lost its way and I believe that the John Legends and Kems of the world are the anchors needed for my musical sanity.

Kem has helped me to identify and embrace this new uncharted territory I call adulthood. I feel invigorated yet calm and serene, mature yet youthful, my outlook on life and my future are full of rich tones and colors, I am adult.

Once Upon A Time...

Why can't real life be like the movies.  You know, in the beginning everything is bright and shiny, filled with possibilities.  Then, the life changing moment that sets the tone for the remainder of the film, the obstacles that get in the way of dreams. But all of a sudden, the "ah ha" moment when everything suddenly clears up. All the answers you've struggled with for the last 35 to 45 minutes (depending on the length of the film) come to a glorious conclusion with a look or something someone says to you.  In an instant your life is "happily ever after".   Those moments when you get the job and the guy.  I guess the purpose of those movies is to remind us that it is possible, maybe not wrapped in a pretty bow like on screen but possible non the less.  Perseverance and defining what you truly want out of life are the true essentials to gaining that happy ending.

This Is So What I Need...