Shoes shoes shoes everywhere -- Not one I am allowed to buy

I am crazy about shoes. Something about shoes, trying them on, buying them is like therapy to me. In spite of the Arien, I manage to indulge in this expensive hobby from time to time. You can read about the difficulties I face in getting the Arien to agree to my therapy, here.

Today when I was browsing the Internet, I noticed an article that listed specifically the different types of shoes that a woman must own or have in her closet. I was hooked. The thought running in my head was "I have an excuse to buy more shoes - Yeah!!! " Considering I have not stepped out much or purchased new shoes in almost two years - you will understand why I am so excited. I also knew that the Arien will not kick up a fuss because of the same reason. This time I was determined to research my collection before uttering a word to the Arien. That way I will catch him unawares and he will have no other option but to go with the flow.. I am so EVIL (evil laugh).

A few hours later, the Arien was busy fitting the car seat in the car and had taken Kuku with him, I realized that identifying the category my footwear belonged to was a bit confusing for me. For the folks who are unaware, your footwear is usually one of the following:

a) Pumps - These shoes cover your feet on all sides. Nude pumps are very popular with celebrities but I think black pumps are the ones that go with any outfit. Usually, pumps have medium to high heels. A variant of this are the peep toes. The pumps which have a cut out near the toes so your toes can peep out are the peep toes.

b) Ballet Flats - If your footwear covers your entire feet but has no heels, the footwear is known as ballerinas or ballet flats. It is basically a pump with no heels :) These shoes are comfortable and are easy to slip on. I also like the fact that they prevent your feet from tanning.

c) Juttis - This is part of Indian ethnic footwear. Actually, it is a ballet shoe (pump with no heels) of various vibrant colors or made of faux leather and can be worn with traditional outfits. I purchased one from a local vendor in one of the side streets of comm street. Painful Fact: You may suffer from shoe bite when you purchase from local vendors :(

d) Sandals - This is a good weather footwear. They usually have straps and are very casual. Its great for showing off pedicured feet, for a visit to the beach, generally summer footwear so your toes can breathe. Sandals have a number of variants - some have a single strap with buckles, some are slingbacks, some have metallic look, animal print etc. Its a huge list :)

e) Mules - This is the footwear that does not cover the back of your foot. It usually has a fair amount of heel.

f) Sneakers or Gym shoes - This footwear is usually worn to the Gym, some women also wear it with Jeans.

g) Espadrilles - This footwear is like a slip-on and has no heel to talk about. It very comfy and comes in a variety of colors and is a favorite of folks who are really particular about their feet or have corns in their feet or other sole issues. 

And then the most important aspect - the heels: Well, there are only a few:

a) Stilettos - The pencil heels that make your feet look longer and create an impression. Crazily uncomfortable but you look great. Most folks have at least one pair which they may not wear often or at all.

b) Wedges - You love heels and the pencil heel is too painful, an attractive option is the wedge. It is triangular in shape and extends from the heel to the toe. It can look like an inverted cake slice too :) I love wedges.

c) Kitten Heels - These heels are only about 2 inches but have a sleek look that goes well with both formal and casual wear.

d) Platform Heels - This type of footwear has a thick sole in the front part of the foot, giving additional support and is usually teamed with a wedge or stiletto or chunky heels.

Now, if you look at the categories of footwear and the heel categories, you realize that there so many options. Trying to figure out what I have is driving me crazy but I better have some answers ready as I do not have all day. For instance, I have an ankle strap sandal with medium heels. Does that mean I cannot buy a sandal of medium heel?? Ayyyyyo!! I have two strappy sandals with wedges. Oh no!!  Foiled - yet again :(

I started taking pictures of the various pairs of footwear I own and I may either add it to this post or create a separate picture post of my footwear.. soon. For now, this is bye! (It has been a looong post).

Wordless Wednesdays -- My new Footwear -- Comfort Won Over Style

Of Injuries, Pain, and finally Relief

Have you ever had agonizing pain in your foot everytime you stood up after sitting for a while? Have you ignored it for over two months telling everyone that you are in the middle of a release? Have you limped all the way to the dias at Weddings, smiled at everyone like you are Colgate's brand ambassador and then hissed "Where the F are all the bloody chairs??" to ur near and dear ones who are accompanying you to the wedding? After a painful walk in your stylish shoes at the latest mall - have you sat in the car, hugging your feet so they do not pain so muchh... Well, well - you have lived the past two months of my life :(

When I finally decided to visit a doctor to check on the misbehaving right foot - this was jes after my book was approved for the release - I find that the foot behaves perfectly normal at the clinic. I had been worried 'bout this and the Arien rushed up and turned the foot in a diagonal manner and I let out one of those blood curdling screams which I had on reserve. The doctor managed to look nonchalant and asked the Arien why he had to twist it tht way and smiled while we both stared. He said smthng tht sounded like "metatarsal" and asked me to get an X-Ray jes to rule out any fractures. So, we got the X-ray. Well, the bones were fine - perfectly normal.

I was now more worried than ever. When we returned to the clinic - we were sent to a shop to purchase a "metatarsal silicon cushion". It looked ughhy! I cud not believe I had to wear smthng like tht. I was actually embarrassed to carry it in my hand :( When we met the doctor, he gave me more information on my bad right foot. He said tht either by wearing shoes with heels or shoes that have a tapering end, I had caused the toe bones (digits) to press the viens - resulting in the pain. So, essentially, in college parlance, my bones were ragging my veins and by wearing the scary silicon cushion, I was introducing a warden who would not let the bones rag the viens.

He also showed me how to wear my ugghy cushion. The relief was immense and immediate. The Arien had noticed the change in my expression, the moment I stood up. Usually, when I get up after being in a seated position, I have a pinched expression and then I hobble for 5 minutes before I can actually walk normally. When I stood up, the warden jumped in and provided support for the veins. The bones dared not rag the veins in the presence of the warden. I was so surprised, I actually said "I can walk - n its not paining". The doctor made me walk around the room and told me to wear the cushion for 15 days at least. He also prescribed some anti-inflammatory tablets, asked me to soak my foot in hot water, perform sm stretching exercises for the foot - in water, and asked me to see him after 15 days. I was still repeating "No pain" when we were asked to leave.

When we were driving back, I was dreaming 'bout new footwear when the Arien, in his typical sarci-cum-astute manner, said "Do you know that we jes spent 1000 + bucks on your right foot? Why is ur right foot troubling you - oh yes!! Ur shoes. " All my plans for buying new footwear quickly vanished.

For the folks who are interested to know more 'bout this particular ailment, it is known as Morton's Neuroma.

Can I have 1 more?

Everytime I look at a shoe store - the Arien makes me feel like Oliver Twist. His reaction is akin to Mr. Bumble's shocked exclamation "Oliver has asked for more". I, of course, feel that I have very few pairs of shoes in the first place.

Last weekend we went shopping for Christmas. I wanted to get myself two pairs for day-to-day use especially as my pair of sandals had suddenly turned squeaky... Yupp - it squeaks as I walk and is a total embarrassement to me :( Well, if I was hoping that Christmas was going to make the Arien change his mind - then I don't know the Arien at all - and so I am Oliver Twist yet again. Grrrr...

I am totally cheesed off at his reaction and decide that I need a major distraction or I was going to be cranky :P and so I pick up "Lord of Chaos" of the Wheel of Time series. I am back to my sweet and calm self after an hour of reading. I venture out of the room to see what the Arien is upto and what do I see: All the pairs of shoes that I have ever owned are placed in a neat line. As I stare at the long line - I am dumbstruck. I did not know I had so many pairs. In fact, I do not remember when and where I purchased one pair. I see the two pairs I had purchased for my wedding - one looks fab - the other looks dirty and is in need of repair. One cute pair looks enticing and I am soon wearing it, excitedly, like a child.

As I look around for the Arien - I find him at the computer watching me. I smile sheepishly. The Arien has to of course, rub it in. He wants me to wear all the shoes one by one while he takes a snap of all the shoes that I have in my possession. That way, when I say I want to buy one more - after seeing this collection - I may decide not to.

I am not too happy with this idea but I decide to go ahead with it - with one small change. I plan to wear the salwar suit that the shoe goes best with while taking the snap. The Arien is fine with the change.

What he does not know is I have quite a few salwar suits that won't have matching shoes or sandals. I can go shoe-shopping once again b'cos of his snaps. (Evil Grin :D)