Day 99--I'm blaming it all on her!

Isn't it a great picture! There's something about black and white pictures that brings a feeling  of nostalgia and romance. This the 1943 wedding photo of my Grandparents Cliffford and Fern Conrad. I can't think about my love of shoes without thinking about my Grandma Fern. She's the reason I love them so much. It's not just about fashion or looking nice. To me it's a feeling of love and of home. Let me tell you about my grandmother. First of all she was just a little itty bitty thing. You can tell in the picture! Between the high heels and the big hair I can almost tell she is even standing on her tippy toes to even seem taller! She grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania in a strict Amish/Mennonite community. They didn't wear make up, wear jewelry, wear pants or even wear heals (gasp!). This was the kind of community where they still used hook and eyes instead of buttons. So I think when her family moved to Oregon and joined the more mainstream Mennonite church here her eyes must have burst open to all that was out there. To me she was always dressed like a lady. She always had jewelry on. She loved hats. She loved bright colors and she loved high heels. As a kid, the only time I remember her wearing flats was when she was working in the garden and then she would wear Keds. My fondest memory of my grandma Fern is of playing in her closet and trying on all her shoes. Lucky enough for a big footed girl like me, she had tiny feet! So as a 6-7 year old girl I could wear all of her high heeled shoes. And what kind of shoes did she like? Peep toes... Wedges....The kind of shoes I still gravitate to to this day. Funny huh? So there is a method to my madness. It has been passed down. I would like to think that she would have loved this blog. She would have laughed along with it. She probably would have liked some of the shoes. And I would wish that she would see some of herself in me. At least I hope there is...

Today's Shoe:

Day 99---Are you freaking kidding me?? I have been waiting 99 days to say that!! And I'm here...in my Amanda Smith patent leather stiletto heels. It's been a loooong road and I'm mixed with a bit of relief and sadness that it's over. Glad that I can go to my closet tomorrow and pick whatever shoes I want to wear or go barefoot all day if I feel like it! Truth be told I have new shoes I've been dying to wear!


Due some miscalculation I do have some shoes left over and I don't want them to feel left out and I really don't want to blog about Old Navy flip flops and Nike's anymore....So here are Shoezilla's rejects:

I had a few people ask me what my closet looks like and I thought that I had posted pics. I try to color group everything. It just makes it easier to find things. I keep all my boots in my closet. Here you go:

And all my shoes in my room:

Thanks again for making these 99 Days so fun. I really didn't know what to expect with all of this since I had not really thought it through and had never done anything like it before. I was was worried that I would get some mean remarks that I'm crazy and such....I really did have fun. That's really what this was about. I will have another blog going in a few days or so. Thanks again and remember, get those sexy shoes out and wear them!!

Day 98---I THINK I can...I THINK I can!

Day 98---Black leather wedges by Aldo. Very great shoes after a long journey...One more day..DUN...DUN..DUN....!!! I haven't quite figured out how to go out with a bang yet. hmmmm...


My awesome Mother In Law came across something at Office Depot that she had to pick up for me...I know...Office Depot?? But look, they're cute hot pink high heel paper clips!!

Day 97--It's not always ALL about me!

Day 97---Black leather mules with Pink trim by Kenneth Cole Reaction. They have a sweet bow on the front that I thought would be appropriate for Valentine's Day. 2 more days!! I'm so glad...I'm ready to wear all the shoes I've bought in the last 3 months that I've been saving!! WOOHOOOOO!!


As you have probably heard already, today is Valentine's Day. The day to celebrate love and to show the one's nearest and dearest to our hearts how much we love them. So in the spirit of love and appreciation I chose to give John a gift that shows my true love...shoes!

Now, to be fair this was not his only present. I think he would be a little weirded out if I just gave him shoes for a present (the same way I would be irritated if he gave me a blender for my Birthday). He also got some sort of Zune player thingy that I don't really understand. Anyways, I see it as a win win. He has shoes to wear and I don't have to be the only one with new shoes all the time!

Day 96--It's the final countdown!!!

Day 96---Black croc texture cork wedges by Mossimo. I've had these shoes for years but honestly don't wear them very often. They tend to not be very kind to my toes...I bought something to see if it will help cure the problem. We'll see!

Day 95

Day 95---I got these in until it started raining 2 hours ago :) Silver (flowers) metallic leather sandals by Nine West. I've had them for so many years, but I love them so much!!

Day 94--Every girl has to have a wild side!

Day 94---These are a toughy to describe! Animal print satin strappy heels by Joey. A bit wild...but I'm going out tonight with the girls so I think a bit wild is appropriate!


I'm getting down to the very last few of the original 99 shoes. I have a couple of heels, couple of tennies and a pair of sandals. I have some extras left over from both miss count and because I've bought some new shoes (just a few..wink, wink) in the last 94 days. But I've kept true to the original 99. I'm trying to think of some ideas of what to do after this little adventure is over. I might    have some ideas up my sleeve...


I wrote yesterday about the excitement over the opening of the new H & M store in Washington Square. No big deal right? I had to laugh out loud (literally LOL) when I was checking out People.com this morning and stumbled across this....

First Lady Michelle Obama Rocks $35 H&M Dress

Peter Kramer/NBC

Michelle Obama is often lauded for her approachable fashion sense that mixes high-end designers with recognizable mall favorites like J.Crew. And earlier this week, the First Lady made an appearance on NBC’s Today Show outfitted in a $34.95 dress from none other than H&M! Never shying away from bold colors, Mrs. Obama gave her navy-and-white print a personal touch by adding an orange obi-style belt and pairing it with bright yellow pumps. And while she has an affinity for arm-baring styles, her stylist took a different approach with this ruffle-front dress, customizing it by adding sleeves. The original sleeveless version, which also comes in melon pink, is part of the affordable retailer’s current collection in stores now. – Hana Choi

Day 93--I'm not the only crazy one...

Day 93---Red Slingback rope wedges by Jessica Simpson. These along with the beautiful sun make me ache for Summer!!


Some may have heard that the clothing store H & M has come to Oregon. Is that really news you may ask? Well, if you like well made fashion at reasonable prices the answer is YES! The new store just opened today at Washington Square and people lined up for their noon Grand Opening celebration. Wow...sleeping bags and pillows? Maybe my 100 pair shoe collection isn't so crazy after all!