Happy Holidays Yall.

Just in the crib enjoying a much needed day off of work. I am constantly reminded of how much of a blessing it is to have a job to go to from people I know. These are folk who've had either their unemployment run out with no job prospects or just plain out dont have the connections to find a job in this market.  But dam if this job isnt an ass kicker! One day soon I will be getting paid well for doing something I love.

In the mean time since I have time off from work, I have the time to shoe stalk, blog about it.  Going to see Django! in a couple, so let's make this quick.  Today's topic is vegan shoes again. So if vegan means no living beings were hurt during the production of a product.....My feet have been supporting 'vegan' shoes all my life.  Eventhough, I think to be truly vegan is almost impossible.  For example, because I'm not the most vigilant pescatarian, I had some jalapeno mac n cheese that was out of this world....I especially liked the smoky flavor. But anybody who knows me, KNOWS I don't eat swine, pork, pig, hog, bacon.  Well this one slipped by me because I wasnt there during the production of said mac n cheese. And it was in an environment where it would have been rude to ask the ingredients since it was all I could eat on the menu anyway besides the rolls. My point is that there is no way to prove that no living beings weren't hurt during the production of a pair of shoes if you weren't a part of production or there when they were made.

After a quick google, Ive found ladies out there who are extreme shoe fans  as I am but who are also dedicated vegans who have THROWN AWAY good leather, snake skin, nubuck, patent, suede shoes because of their Veganism.  I am inspired by their dedication to their beliefs but DEFINITELY not encouraged. My momma taught me to not THROW AWAY good leather shoes.  Now I wouldn't be against giving away(if needed) a good pair of shoes, but you wouldn't catch me putting them in the trash...and I guess giving away something leather would defeat the whole purpose of veganism though.  Anywho, here are some great shoes that have absolutely nothing to do with leather....but still great quality:

 

Kiss & Tell Aurora-04
Great quality shoe for the price.  Looks just as good in person. I got the brown up top.

Kiss & Tell Caitlyn-09

 Kiss & Tell Kaylin-02

Kiss & Tell Ava-02

Kiss & Tell Kaylin-01

Oh. p.s., next post is going to be about the Frankenstein shoe phenomenon.

Leave it to me......

I am a true believer of off-season shoe shopping. Not only are you able to experience shoes that you wouldn't have in-season, you get to know a shoe for what it REALLY is. For example, Cri de Couer is an indie-ish shoe line that I had admired from afar. I did wanna see what the $$$ fuss was about. After going through their shoes, they seemed to be right up my alley. They offered shoe art with a vegan approach. I'm not consciously trying to make my feet go vegan, but it couldn't hurt...I guess. I definitely don't have a desire to go vegan but if there are quality vegan shoes that come in cute/artsy fartsy styles, I need to know and experience them. Besides, I love "indie" shoe lines.  A vegan shoe should not only mean a meatless shoe, it should also mean a stylish piece of art that makes your stomach get butterflies because of the quality and fit.  Vegan could be synonymous with stylish, classic, pieces of art that are good for the earth. That's what I thought when I kept seeing Cri de Couer around the internets......so I bought a pair. DUH, off season of course! I had been admiring the below from afar for a while:

Simply, I wasnt happy with the quality of 'Lorena'. I've had some good "vegan" shoes before that don't necessarily tout the name "vegan"....but all the same no animals were needed to make the shoe.  In fact Volatile (Very Volatile) makes some WELL made synthetic fabric shoes. The fabric used to make 'Lorena' were was very thin and didnt resemble genuine suede as it was intended. They do make some funky/stylish shoes though. Here are some more:

Cri De Coeur Shag Mid-Calf Boot

 Cri De Coeur Possess

 

Cri de Coeur Ophelia Buckle Goliath Sandal

Cri de Coeur  Hannah Snap Bootie

When You Dont See Something You Love.......

GO to the sale section.  I bet you thought that sentence was going to end in a deep revelation that was a  soliloquied commentary about love. Naw, not this week, this month, this year, this decade or just not right now. I'm hating on love unless it involves loving on some shoes. Been engaging in shoe therapy lately. But also I have been keeping my commitment to the 1 year rule.  If 12 months go by and I havent worn them......THEY'RE OUTTA here, no more square footage! But the only thing is the shoes that I've been replacing the "outta there" shoes with are shoes that I absolutely have no place to wear. But they are pieces of art like Gaugin. But anywho, in celebration of deep shoe sale season, here it go!:

 

 
Jessica Simpson Pattina





 Vince Camuto Pamir



Michael Antonio Tora

How YOU doin?

No really, How the heck are ya?   Its been a long time...haven't really written much in a long time. I've been seriously slacking on my shoe stalking hustle.  I have s l o w l y but surely been rediscovering another passion of mine.....Photography!  Well, I finally dove in and got a camera.  Well, guess what folx, I'm not eighteen anymore and most people don't use film anymore...and Kodak is OUTTA there. While I don't have as much free time now, I'm discovering that I still love it.  And considering my new camera runs nothing like my oldie but goodie camera, I'm having a ball.  No more late nights developing film.  No more negatives.....no more FILM.    No more hoping and praying that your shots came out as desired or even at all.  Its definitely a new challenge and big change for me. I'm usually resistant to change...us Tauruses dont like it. But we'll change if absolutely necessary.

But anywho. On to some good ole fashioned shoe stalkin':


 Nine West Panto Flat

 
Michael AntonioTora


Dollhouse Pitone Flat


Lauren Ralph Lauren Leola