Of shoes, and bugs.

[eregyrn]

Sometimes, eBay is a savior. And sometimes, not.

I have these black shoes. I love them. I wear them ALL the time. They're slip-on loafer style, but they're sleek, and they have chunky soles that were fashionable when I bought them 5 years ago, and might still be fashionable, or at least I can still get away with them. And the height of the soles is good because I favor slightly long pants, so it's good to have a little lift. Right? Okay, but the problem is that these shoes (which I think I got at DSW) are wearing out, because as I said, I wear them ALL the time. And I'm sad. Because the reason I wear them all the time is that they are the perfect combination of fashion-y and crazily comfortable.

So I got this idea. I would check for the brand on sale online... but it's a brand called Lower East Side, and... hah hah, good luck finding shoes amongst all the other hits you get for that in a Google search. So then I thought I'd check on eBay.... Score! I found a pair of chunky-soled black loafer-style shoes in the right size from that company, with detailing that I really liked, for like $8. Woo!

Unfortunately... I get them. And I find that the photo of them somewhat concealed that they have a much higher heel than I thought. Like, an inch higher than the Favorite Shoes I'm trying to find a substitute for. And... they really aren't that comfortable. Not like the Favorite Shoes. Which is a bummer, because I *do* like the detailing a lot. *sigh* Back to the drawing board.

And? Can I just say?

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/7289053/c/42440.html

I will never, ever, EVER understand what about these shoes is worth $450. Not unless those soles are, like, hollow, and filled with cocaine, or something. Or it turns out that the suede is made from the skins of rare songbirds. I mean, jeez. (No, I don't like this pair anyway. I just came across them while browsing this site. There are a few pairs from this same designer that I liked enough that if I could I might try them on, but those are still in the $320 range. I just picked these as an example, as they were the most expensive and the least attractive.)

Finally...

Apparently my small emergency backup cat, Morgan, likes to eat bugs. But she cannot be bothered to make the kill herself. This is the cat who snorked up the smushed thousand-legger that I reported on a while ago. Well, this morning, there was a very logy housefly jumping around the kitchen floor, and Morgan was right THERE, following it. But not doing anything. So I stepped on it. (In slippers!) And in the time it took me to go get a tissue and come back to pick it up and flush it... Morgan had eaten it. Lazy, lazy cat. Also, disgusting.

Comments

[barkley.livejournal.com]

I had the same problem this year! I solved it (after months of searching for the right show) by finding comfy boots! Boots that just didn't look comfy, but really are. I am coming to the end of boot season though, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do in that slight time inbetween boot season and summer shoe season. Maybe that's all in my head.

[eregyrn.livejournal.com]

My problem is -- I should have made this clearer -- that what I demand out of a shoe is that loafer-like slip-on feature. I can't go the boot route, because I can't just kick boots on and off. (Indeed, the day I discovered that Frye was making a mule version of their harness boots, there were choirs and harps and hosannas, and I bought two pairs, black and brown.) To be ideal, I gotta be able to slip the shoes on and off, preferably without the use of a shoe horn.

I didn't say I wasn't picky.

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

Lazy, lazy cat. Also, disgusting.****

My sentiments exactly!

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

I've never understood the appeal of horribly overpriced shoes, either, but I refuse to even try them on because I know that I'll discover that they make me 3" taller and look 20 pounds skinnier and maybe a smidge more like Marilyn Monroe -- and then what will I do?

You realize that serial killers start out with animal cruelty, yes? By stepping in and ending Morgan's fascinating experiment in Musca domestica response to wing maiming, you may have thwarted a dark future of kitty corpses painted blue and posed in disturbing manners by your back door. Unless, instead, you have made yourself a target.

[eregyrn.livejournal.com]

The sad thing is, she wasn't even batting at it. She wasn't trying to play with it or dismember it. And I've watched her with bugs before; it doesn't seem like it will ever occur to her. She just follows its progress *avidly*. Only after I have killed it, does it become delicious.

[keiko-kirin.livejournal.com]

Yes *sigh* I know all too well the frustration of needing to replace Beloved Shoes. My brown Footprints loafers with slightly raised heel aren't made anymore, and mine look like they've been through an exciting world tour (which they haven't). My heart goes out to you!

However... Have you checked the Footprints brand selection at Birkenstock.com? They do make slip-on loafer-type shoes with a bit of a lift. And don't cost $450, though they're not cheap. (And if you find a style you like, you can always check eBay for cheaper ones...)

[eregyrn.livejournal.com]

Cool! Thanks for this -- I hadn't thought of Birkenstock, as I didn't know about this Footprints line of theirs. I've had a little trouble finding them on some websites, but I've definitely managed to find some on eBay, and am primed to keep an eye out for them now.