Get out of jail free cards...?

I decided for my New Years resolution that I would give up buying new shoes for 6 months. Now, this came on the heels of the Barney's sale where I went a little wild, but, still, I'm going to give it a go. I can't stop thinking of the Sex in the City episode where Carrie realizes she has spent what would have been a down payment for an apartment on shoes. "I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!"

Not that I'm as shoe crazy as Carrie (well, maybe), but I could curtail my collecting a bit. Everywhere you turn in my apartment there are shoeboxes hiding!

One of my friends sagely commented, "Six months seems like a long time, what about the Spring collections!" (HIS resolution was to give up smoking. Overachiever).

Well, maybe I can give myself 2 "Get Out of Jail Free cards". . . hmm . . . What would be my picks? Obviously, a pair of Proenza Schoulers. If you haven't noticed, I love the design duo, and their shoes always amaze.

Oh, and Jil Sander's metal heels and platforms! I've been on the search for navy heels . . .

Maybe Christopher Kane's screw-like heels? How great would these look with a classic black cocktail dress?

And Lanvin's classic nude and cream pumps. They would go perfect with a brown shirt dress that I have . . .

And Gianfranco Ferré! What are you doing to me?! You know I'm a sucker for architectural heels!

This is going to be harder than I thought . . .

(Community Chest card parody © Littlehouse of Style, Runway shoes from Style.com)

We shall walk in velvet shoes

I do a lot of my shopping based on having a hunch. If I find a pair of shoes that are beautiful, well-made, and reasonably priced, I usually pick them up, even if I don't recognize the brand. You don't need to see a price-tag or a label to tell the difference between a $100 bottle of wine and Franzia.

When I get home, I Google my new purchase. What's the designer's background? What year and season is the piece from? Did I get a good deal? Even when I do know the brand, I like to find out a little more.

In need of some retail therapy on Thursday, I headed down to Century 21 on my lunch break. I found these cute Jil Sander pumps for $99.99 (orig $520). I've never had velvet shoes before and hit the internet to find out how to care for them (no water!)

A few entries down on my search, I came across this:

Velvet Shoes

Elinor Wylie (1885-1928)

Let us walk in the white snow

In a soundless space;

With footsteps quiet and slow,

At a tranquil pace,

Under veils of white lace.

I shall go shod in silk,

And you in wool,

White as white cow's milk,

More beautiful

Than the breast of a gull.

We shall walk through the still town

In a windless peace;

We shall step upon white down,

Upon silver fleece,

Upon softer than these.

We shall walk in velvet shoes:

Wherever we go

Silence will fall like dews

On white silence below.

We shall walk in the snow.

Although a poem about velvet shoes was not the purpose of my Google search, I'm so glad I came across it. Now, whenever I put these shoes on, I'll think of the luxurious experience of stepping into a fresh snowscape.

(Velvet shoes photos: © Littlehouse of Style)