Monday Shoe Porn: Confessions of a girl and her shoes

AllyG: Delightful guest post! Today we’ll be hearing from Jo, who will be continuing the Monday shoe porn tradition. Bonus points to Jo for including her feet in the shots. Dude, did you get a pedi for this exercise? Loves it! L-A is working feverishly prepping for a craft show. Did you know that L-A was crafty? She totes is. So, point being, she may not be around as much this week. That means more lame posts from moi and actual well-thought-out posts from our guest bloggers. On to Jo!

Jo: Hooray! Let’s hear it for shoe porn Mondays! I am totally going to go ahead and take credit for that term, by the way. I was so in love with Eden’s first post … then L-A’s … then Ally’s. Sigh. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! Someone’s entire shoe collection, right there in front of me! It’s a little bit like looking inside someone’s soul, non?

Well, time for me to bare all to the masses. NO, stop that. I am only going to show you my shoes, silly. The entire process was functional (cleaning up!), therapeutic, inspiring AND revealing. A big shout out to la step-daughter for the excellent photography. You call it making a poor child take pictures of all my shoes, I call it “multi-media art project.” But like Eden, I realize that many of my precious babies are in need of some serious TLC. I have also discovered the following: a) I need to vacuum my floors b) I need more shoe storage (hello shoe book shelf!) c)  I should apparently buys stocks in John David Shoes and d) we all have very photogenic flooring! My feet look awkward in flats, but whatevs …

I am clocking in at a modest 41 pairs. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that seems pretty reasonable? Let’s dive in, shall we?

Here are what I like to call the “Showstoppers” :

Nina New York (John David Shoes)

Michael Kors (John David Shoes)

Madden Girl (DSW)

Total strangers have stopped me on the street to tell me how much they love these shoes. I kid you not.

(AllyG: When I see these shoes I stop breathing. Literally. I’m friends with Jo mostly because she owns these shoes. It’s like being hot by association!)

Not Rated (RIP Fanatic Footwear … Halifax misses you!)

Tahari (TJ Maxx)

The most recent addition to the collection, not even worn yet! Someone invite me to a fancy party STAT!

Nine West (Kick Ass Shoes)

Aaahhh. Mybeloved Westies. The award-winners in my closet, they go with everything. My FAVOURITES, my stand-bys. Hot, hot, hot and look impossible to walk in, but I could carry Ally around all day – AND BabyG – wearing these babies. While tap dancing. I kid you not. Please note the subtle platform under the toe – this is one of my new shoe shopping rules – platform toe is rule #1.

Kenneth Cole Reaction (Winners)

Oldies, but goodies.

Merona (Target)

Naughty Monkey (Winners)

(AllyG: Oh my eff those shoes could be my new boyfriend. I would cuddle and hold them so very close while listening to Kenny G)

John Fluevog (Kick Ass Shoes)

I’ll allow you a moment to catch your breath … Moving on! “Practical Shoes.” And by practical, I mean easy to match, not easy to walk in.   They are nice, but blend in with their surroundings.

Aerosoles (John David Shoes)

Franco Sarto (Winners)

Aldo

Arturo Chiang (John David Shoes)

These are actually very easy to walk in. Note adorable croc motif. Perfect black shoe contender.

BCBG Max Azria (BCBG)

These are borderline showstoppers, but given their beige nature and ability to go with everything, here they lie. They are also ridiculously comfortable.

Jessica Simpson (John David Shoes)

Great style, great price, BUT …  every time I wear these, I want to CUT MY OWN FEET OFF. They are gorgeous, but I had to (almost) stop wearing them. Tear…

So when I want to cut my own feet off, what’s a girl to wear? Why “Flats,” of course! Being a commuter girl, I ALWAYS carry a cute pair of flats or flip flops (yes!) in my gigantic bag wherever I go, so when I’m dashing off to a meeting or walking home from the bus, I can actually walk, and not look I am being tortured with every painfully awkward step.

Blowfish (Little Burgundy)

Joe Fresh (Superstore)

Nothing like slipping an adorable pair of flats in with the groceries!

Joe Fresh (Superstore)

Joe Fresh (Superstore)

Nine West (gift from a friend…thanks Tiny T!)

But it’s winter now, so let’s look at some “Boots … and Booties! And since I am currently loving my grey tights, I will model them with everything!:

Moda Spana (John David Shoes)

(AllyG: I am in tears. I am laughing so hard. Ok, in part because I am on glass two of the beaujolais, but mostly because you took the time to PUT ON TIGHTS for this shot. I love you so, so much, Jo)

Arturo Chiang (John David Shoes)

(AllyG: Wait…did you change your tights? TOO MUCH. I LOVE THIS!)

Biviel (Fanatic Footwear)

Aldo

Joe Fresh (Superstore)

Michael Kors (John David Shoes)

I know … SHUT UP!

Nine West (Kick Ass Shoes)

I am a bit over the extreme pointy toe, but these are still a specimen to behold. I have had to replace the lifts five million times. Annoying.

Rockport (Winsbys)

To help me run around doing errands while cute, I have a small collection of what I like to call “Saturday Shoes”…

Privo (Soft Mocs)

I have … several … pairs of flip flops, which I love. I shall represent the entire lot of them with my faves by Gravis.

Clarks (Winsbys)

Converse (random shop on Queen St. West in Toronto)

Converse (so old, I can’t remember where they come from)

Next, “Shoes with a Purpose!”

Nike + (The Running Room)

I run, so these are my running shoes!

Dakota (Mark’s Work Warehouse)

I need safety shoes for work sometimes. Naturally, I chose these steel-toed mary-janes.

Joe Fresh (Superstore)

I live in Halifax, love to garden and in particular, love gardening in the rain!

Merrell (Winners)

For backcountry camping trips and hikes.

Doc Martens (unknown)

I love these and will NEVER get rid of them. Mock me.

Capezio (e-bay)

Yes, tap shoes! I don’t wear these much anymore, but I used to be a dancer. Not to worry, they are only worn while tap dancing.

And I will close with the mother of all shoes, the crown jewel in many a collection, “les Wedding Shoes”:

Arturo Chiang (John David Shoes)

which I have worn on more than one occasion (can you say excellent party shoes??), but really, they were best on that day nearly three years ago:

Now that’s a perfect ending to this shoe fairytale…

Favourites? Any in need of chucking? Do tell…

L-A: I’d maim for at least half of your shoes. Not the booties though, but you already know how I feel about booties in general. More importantly, what size are your feet? I need to know before I try to break into your house and steal a couple of pairs. (kidding) (maybe I’m kidding). (Also, don’t forget that if you add pics of your shoes to our flickr group, you’ll get to see your shoes on the blog. Your shoes will be (almost) famous! All you have to do is request membership, I approve it and then you add pics with abandon)