80% of women will cripple themselves for those sexy Louboutin’s. Even if they don’t fit. Here’s why.

Come on ladies, I’ve done, you’ve done it, we’ve all done it. We’ve shoved our feet into shoes that are just too small for us (be it in length or in width), walked around the boutique like Bambi on ice (in severe agony) and still gone home with the shoes anyway.

Why do we do that? Why do we risk crippling ourselves for a pair of too-small shoes? Is this one of life's great mysteries... maybe.

Our intentions are mostly good. But listen, the road to hell is built on good intentions. Is that saying true? Maybe.

Here’s why I think we squeeze our feet into cute shoes knowing good and well we’re going to pay the price later.

1. When we buy the shoes, we genuinely believe they will stretch to fit our feet. And when I say genuinely believe, what I mean is we seriously hope they will stretch. Because damn it we are going to buy them anyway... sorry toes!

2. We just have to have them. Now. Our fashion sense won't let us leave them behind. We have been reading the trend reports for months and constructing our entire mental wardrobes around them. If we don't get this pair of insane beautiful (and too small) platforms home with us, the whole wardrobe is ruined, and no-one wants all that effort to go to waste, right?

 

What you just read was when our intentions are good. But sometimes, they’re not so good. Sometimes they are down. Right. Bad.

1. Sometimes we think no one will notice. We convince ourselves  that no one will notice us walking like a zombie from The Walking Dead or someone who just had an extensive rectal exam.  We reason with ourselves. “This shoe is fabulous, so I’m fabulous.” Even if they’re a full size too small. But that reasoning could be because of the illusions caused by the epic amount of blood loss in our mangled feet.

2. We can't handle the truth. They are just too small. We don't care what the dumb foot measuring machine says, we can get into those stunning size sevens and that’s that. And even though we wear a 7 1/2 we’ll never, ever give up. Especially on these amazingly sexy Louboutin’s.

So ladies, I’ve done it. You’ve done it. We’ve all don it.

And now it’s time for a dose of truth... If the shoe doesn’t fit, you must acquit.

Oh what a terrible ending.

Joy

Are your shoes sick?

In today’s world of colloquialisms, sick could mean nice, pretty, sexy, perfect, classy and boat load of other positive things. But for this rant, we mean are your shoes sick? Are they dying? Are they run over? Do they need a polish? Is the heel broken? Is the leather peeling? Has the strap snapped? Is the sole hanging on for dear life but staring directly into the bright light at the end of the tunnel? 

You know you can resuscitate just about any shoe ailment with the proper care, right? Of course, I’m not telling you to become a shoe mechanic, but a few tips to save one of the most satisfying things a woman owns is worth reading, don’t you think?  TLC’s How Stuff Works gave us some helpful tips on “saving the life” of our shoes.

Check out what they had to say:

From TLC:

Take a look in your closet, and inventory your shoe collection. Quite an investment, isn't it? When you factor in designer shoes, work shoes and sport shoes, your feet may receive more attention than any other part of your body. Keeping your shoes in shape is one way to protect your investment and your feet.

Instead of the occasional overhaul and frenzy of last- minute polishing, good shoe management involves regular maintenance and consistent care.

Where to Put Them When They're Not on Your Feet

• If you get your shoes wet, let them dry slowly in an area where there's good air flow. Never put your shoes on a furnace register or heater to dry. This will shrink the leather, loosen the bonding material and put them at risk for cracking, peeling and discoloration.

• Keep shoes out of sunlight and away from heat sources when you're not wearing them.

• Keep shoes separate. If your shoes are a mad jumble at the bottom of the closet or under the bed, they probably rub against one another, causing scratches and scuffs. Protect your investment by keeping shoes in a shoe cubby or in individual boxes where they'll be protected.

• Provide shoe trees for your best shoes. These wooden shoe mannequins help your shoes resume their original shape after a leather- stretching workout. As shoes cool and dry, they contract, and having a nice solid form inserted in the interior of each shoe after a hard day's work will keep them looking and feeling good longer.

R & R and TLC

• We at TLC believe in the other kind of TLC -- tender, loving, care. 

• Give your shoes some TLC when you put them on and take them off. Use a shoehorn. The stiff back, or collar, of a shoe hugs the ankle and provides support and a snug fit. It isn't supposed to bend or flex. If you're cramming your feet into your shoes without the help of a shoe horn, the constant flexing will break down the stiff material at the collar and can do irreparable damage to your shoes in no time. 

• Shoes spend their time hugging your feet, which can get sweaty and smelly. Avoid wearing a pair of shoes two days running or more. A little R & R will allow them to dry out, dissipate lingering odor and regain their shape. 

• Clean and polish your shoes regularly. The cleaning materials and methods will vary depending on the type of shoe, but regular maintenance to remove marks and repair the ravages of friction and moisture will extend the life of your shoes and keep them feeling supple and comfortable. 

• If your shoes see a lot of action in wet weather, consider waterproofing them. It'll protect the finish and cut down on shoe maintenance and polishing.

Think Quality

• There’s one important shoe tip we haven't mentioned yet: Quality shoes typically last longer and fit better than cheap shoes. When you're looking for longevity and resistance to wear, pay more. Don't stop there, though. Insist on a great fit, too. Expect to try on a number of shoes before you discover a pair that works for you. 

• A superior shoe will give your foot support and look great doing it. You may not be able to afford a closet full of quality shoes, but if you stick to a few classic styles and treat them well, your core collection will look great for years.

This article first appeared here: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/style/how-to-make-shoes-last.htm

Why Drivers are Good

Drivers.

They are cute.

They make you feel good.

You can give your heels a break from all that accelerating and breaking through.

But most important, you can eliminate the ugly heel scuff on the back of your shoes. You know that dark circle on the right heel of women that drive in their shoes? Don’t you hate that?

You thought I was talking about a chauffeur didn’t you?

Save your heels and buy a really cute pair of women’s drivers.