How To: Protect Your Shoes (Rubber Soles)

Awhile back, Candid Cool suggested that I get my "investment" (aka shoes) rubber-soled. I wasn't sure what that meant and my post to ask for tips didn't yield many results. I got a suggestion for a place where I could ship my babies, but I wanted to take them somewhere local. After some more research, here's what I found:

Getting your shoes rubber-soled will help them last longer and in some cases, look nicer (from the bottom, of course). When a shoe peddler rubber-soles your shoes, they'll apply a thin layer of sole material to the bottom of your shoe to prevent the original shoe part from getting scuffed or wearing down. I hear getting your shoes rubber-soled is good for all shoes with pretty bottoms or bottoms made of leather, but it's really up to you. Anywho, once you're ready to have your shoes soled (and you know 100% sure that you won't return them), ask the shop where you bought your shoes if they have an in-house shoe peddler or repairman. If they don't, ask where they tell their customers to take their shoes for repair. I got my shoes at Neiman Marcus and they told me to take mine to the place at Belk's. Wherever your shop is directing their customers to will, most likely (and hopefully), be used to taking care of the type of shoes you bought. Ask the repair person if they can rubber-sole your shoes. If they seem too confused, then this may not be the place for you, but a place that handles lots of Neiman's shoes should know what they're doing. Ask to see the soles they'll be putting on and also be sure to ask if they can shave down the sides so they don't show too much. Unless you ask them to, the soles should only cover the part of the shoe that touches the ground (not the arch). Here's what they should look like when they're done:


Shoes can be expensive so be sure to take care of your investment!

How-To: Make a Bubble Skirt Work-Appropriate

I got this bubble skirt on a super-sale when a local boutique was closing...about 2 years ago. I remember thinking that the whole bubble skirt idea would never last so I was glad that I was getting my trendy tidbit about 75% off, but who knew it would still be around? Last week, I decided to try to wear my bubble skirt to work:

I think what makes this outfit ok for work is
1. the skirt is black - no flashy patterns or uber-bright colors
2. the skirt is length-appropriate and hits just at my knee
3. simple, classic pieces finish the outfit - black, round-toe pumps and a 3/4 length, simple off-white sweater
4. simple accessories - I have gold, hoopy earrings on...although you can't see them in the photo. Now that I'm thinking about it, though, I really should have worn my Wilson Leather black/gold snakeskin-style bangle...oh well.

Sweater: Nordstrom
Camisole: The Limited
Bubble Skirt: Notice
Shoes: Kenneth Cole
Quilted Purse: Chanel

How To: Break In New Shoes

It's like "Welcome Home Loubies - Part Two." That's riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...

Thanks to Neiman Marcus' fab sale, I was able to bring home my second pair of Christian Louboutins. These dainty, canvas-covered heels were a steal at right around 50% off!

I've been walking around my house with these on, trying to break them in from the comfort of my home, rather than out and about. "How does one break in heels?" you ask.

How to Break in Your New Heels:
There are lots of methods, but my fave is wearing thin socks with my heels whilst hanging around the house. Of course, if you're just sitting on your couch all day, this isn't very helpful, but even just making quick trips from one room to another can gently start to break in your heels. Wearing thin socks helps to gently stretch out the shoes to fit your feet perfectly. Be sure to wear thin socks if you do this...you don't want to stretch them out too much!

If you're not sure if your shoes are broken in enough to wear a full day, I'd bring an extra pair, just in case your heels become to excruciating to bear. This happened to me last week, and thank goodness I had a spare on me!

I've also heard it takes three full eight-hour work days in your new shoes to fully break them in, but I'd rather give it a go from home first - at least to start the process, ya know?

Does anyone else have any good tips on how to break in new heels?

SA How To: Tie a Sash

Shopaholic sweetie, CTPrep, asks, "I always have a hard time tying sashes, how did you tie yours?"

Well, CTPrep, I figured the best way to explain this would be with a video, so I've uploaded my first-ever video to YouTube, embedded in this post. This is my first, so it's not exactly the most professionally-filmed video ever, but I figured it would be better than a step by step written explanation, right? (I did add some written notes below the video to go along with the video, but you can probably just watch to see what I do)

Also, I'm not sure if there is an official "How To Tie a Sash" on the web somewhere (or otherwise) - this is just how I happen to tie mine. If anyone has a better method or additional tips, feel free to leave a comment.


Here are some notes to go along with the video:
*Basically, I start by putting the side of the sash (back/front-wise) I want to be seen facing out and position the ends so that they cross where I want the sash knot to sit
*Then, I tie the sash so that the ends are even in length and the knot hits at my hip. Try to keep the side of the sash you want to be seen visible (in the video, the floral side is still showing)
*You can stop here, but I recommend tying the sash again as it can fall off easily if you only single-knot it
*If you tie another knot, try to keep the side you want showing as you tie and flatten the ends towards your body so they don't stick out (away from your body) too much
*Also, check that the sash didn't get twisted up a bit around the wider section - in other words, sometimes the back-side can start to flip up, so you just have to turn the edges back under

Enjoy!