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!

Day 92--Admit it, You're going to miss me when I'm gone!

Day 92---Black satin ankle strap heels by Nina. These are not "all day shoes". These are "going out shoes". So it goes without saying that I have not been wearing them all day. I need to find a reason to go out so I get to wear them... Little black dress and you're set!


“If a woman rebels against high-heeled shoes, she should take care to do it in a very smart hat”-George Bernard Shaw

Day 91--These Boots are made for Day 91!

Day 91---I feel like I'm in the home stretch!! 8 more days. I can do this!! Black suede wedge boots by Enzo Angiolini. Super comfortable and easy to wear. I have an obsession with boots (among other things obviously). Could be worse!


One of my favorite actresses is Charlize Theron. She is an amazing actress along with being beautiful and stylish. I came across the quote from her that was funny and self-depreciating:



"If they ever do my life story, whoever plays me needs lots of hair color and high heels."
Charlize Theron

Day 90-- I'm thankful for flats today!!

Day 90---Happy to be wearing flats today!! T-strap patent leather sandals. I don't know who they're by. It's rubbed off. My ankles are thanking me today!!


"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!"
— Marilyn Monroe 

Day 89-- You didn't really think I would have Superbowl shoes, did you?

Day 89---Black leather pumps with white piping by BCBG. You didn't think I would have 
Superbowl shoes did you??....


"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."
— Marilyn Monroe

Day 88--Put up your dukes!

Day 88---Satin leopard print sling back heels by Alfani. They scream "sass" and, No I did not wear them to the basketball game. That would have screamed "inappropriate". I will be wearing them to the fights tonight though!

Day 87--TGIF!!

Day 87---Black patent leather peep-toe pumps with suede heel by Adrienne Vittadini. 12 Days left....SWEET!!

Day 86--We're going back to the Eighty's Ladies!!

Day 86---White and Copper leather sling back wedges by
Kenzie. Love these 80's throwbacks!! My friend Rebecca is going to have a stroke
that I'm wearing white shoes before Easter (a sin of proper etiquette), but I
had to fit them in some time!!

I'm having some computer malfunctions tonight. This hopefully will work themselves out by tomorrow.

Day 85--I don't know if I deserve a medal or a straight jacket for doing this...

Day 85---I think I may need therapy when this is over...and when I say therapy, I mean retail therapy!...jk...Brown leather wedge sandals by Steve Madden. These are stinken high shoes! I feel as tall as John when I have these babies on. On the plus side I think I can tell a difference in my calves since I've been wearing heels so much. What a great workout! LOL!!

Day 84--Getting caught up!!

Day 84---Rounded toe Taupe(clayish, puttyish) patent leather pumps by Boutique Nordstrom. They have a 30's-40's vintage vibe to them, that I adore. I've found through this little adventure that patent leather shoes are hard to photograph...who would have known!

I don't think I can explain how much I really love these shoes. They capture everything I love about fashion. They are definitely a throwback to the 30's-40's when women were expected to dress like women. Before fishnets stockings got a bad name and a woman dare not go out of the house without her best hat and gloves. I can wear these with jeans, black leggings or my favorite pencil skirt. Love them!

Day 83---OMG...I'm behind!!

Day 83---Let's see if I can describe these...hmmm...bronze and gold leather with croc texture wedge by N.Y.L.A. A bit trendy...I love them enough to wear a size too small!

Day 82---And the beat goes on....

Day 82---Black, White and Aqua Nike LunarTrainers. Not that I'm comfort conscious, but these are maybe the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn! Like I said yesterday, I think my camera is dying. I hope it has 17 days left in it. I hope I have 17 days left in ME!!

Day 81--Blow your nose on this!

Day 81---Black leather strappy heels by Bandolino. Loving that I can wear sandals today and it's actually SUNNY!!

I went shopping with my girlfriend Vanessa yesterday and found something fun at the "undergarment" store that was fun and out of the ordinary. A cute package of tissue that I am going to have a hard time actually blowing my nose into! I didn't get want I went in there for, but a got a fabulous pack of hankies.  FYI...I think my camera is going out!! I guess 81 days of constant use is taking it's toll...blah!!!