August comings and goings

What came in - 4

• Franco Sarto Venezia flats
• Keds x Kate Spade purple leopard print sneakers
• Marc by Marc Jacobs black Balle Logodisc flats
• Townshoes black loafers (made in Italy)

What went out - 11

• 5 pairs of designer jeans/shorts - was able to find a new home for them with my friend. I am so happy I was able to pass them to someone I know who will give them a good home. I know, I'm super attached when it's something I love - I need to know it's going to be taken good care of. 
• 1 pair of really old wide leg, 3/4 pants from the GAP - they were really popular 10 years ago; the really comfy and soft kind with the wide elastic waist band that folds over, remember? I can't remember the name for them now...
• my every day Cole Haan Wedge shoes - getting worn out and I found replacement every day flats with the MbMj flats
• 1 pair of red American Eagle wedge sandals - let go because they don't go with too many items in my wardrobe, and I can't think of any new outfits for them
• 2 pairs of Aldo shoes that I have not worn in years, and can't think of any outfits to pair them with
• my Cole Haan leopard flats - they're just too worn out now =( and replaced my trend wardrobe staple with a new trend: black loafers

Budget status: With another month left of the third quarter, I am currently over budget per quarter, but still under budget for the year. I'd love to come out of the year under budget and have more than one month of no-purchase months.Who knows, this may be the end to my shopping for the year.. maybe....

Time to replace: my trend wardrobe staple, leopard flats with loafers

My leopard print flats were originally purchased in 2012 as an item of trend. I wasn't keen on animal prints at the time but somehow these shoes captured my eye and I decided to give them a try. The first time I wore them, I fell in love and reserved them only for indoor wear at my office. After a year, I began to wear them every where and they soon became an integral part of my wardrobe. 

Cole Haan leopard flats

Now, in 2015, they are looking sad; the heels are worn down and the sole is beginning to part from the shoe and I'm sure it is only a matter of time before there will be an actual hole in it. The calf-hair has rubbed off on a few areas, but over all, it still looks great from far away. Yes, I have still been wearing them - I can't help myself, I just love them too much not to, and I need them in my life. I've been looking for the next perfect pair to replace them and so far, have had no luck. 

On Saturday,  while on the search for a new pair, I magically found some pretty amazing shoes at the Shoe Company - Town Shoes Tapered Loafers, made in Italy, for $80, originally selling for $160 (online they are on sale for $111.98). 

Town Shoes Tapered Loafer, made in Italy

I tried them on and they felt like butter; I loved them immediately but felt bad because I just purchased some black flats, 5 days ago. Considering I found them for $80 and they are very different from other shoes I own, I decided to take them home to see how they would fit in my wardrobe, and return them if it didn't work. I replaced all my outfits that had my leopard flats with these shoes, and they looked amazing; some looked even better than with the leopard! 

Conclusion - They stay. But, they stay on the condition that they are now my new trend wardrobe staple - one-in one-out rule! 

And I am banned from buying any shoes this year, and next year!

My dear leopard flats - you have been absolutely amazing and have opened my eyes and wardrobe to a whole new world. I will never forget you. You showed me how animal prints can give an outfit some oomph without being overwhelming, and can help complete an outfit - I am ever so grateful. You'e also shown me that it's worth the wait to find the perfect pair, so for the time being, I am substituting you with something entirely different until I can find the perfect pair that has brought me so much joy, as you have.

For my next pair, I'd ideally like more of a pointed toe, and it would be great if it could also have gold hardware.

Time to replace: my every day flats

Every year or so I purchase a pair of flats that are my go-to shoes - I wear them every day to commute to and from work, turn to them when I cannot think of any other shoes to wear, and wear them through all 4 seasons. They get worn about 85% of the year. Depending on the quality of them, they usually last me a good 1-2 years before they start to wear down to the point where the heel and sole split apart; because I like them to last as long as they can, I don't mind spending a little more on them, and I normally buy them in black, or a subtle metallic finish. 

The last pair I purchased was in April 2014 and they were Cole Haan silver wedges with Nike cushion technology. These are great as they are a darker silver and gave me a little height with the wedge, but still giving me a lot of comfort. They began to show wear in the sole a couple of months ago, and I've been getting away with them even though there are scuff marks because of the color, so I have been on the look out for a new pair of flats. 

Cole Haan silver wedges

I didn't expect to find something so soon, but on Monday, I happened to stumble across a pair of black Marc by Marc Jacobs Balle logodisc flats - not only are they super comfy (my first pair of MbMj shoes), but they are a neutral color, have an almond toe, and I bought them for less than $62. YES, THAT'S RIGHT. 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Balle logodisc flats

They originally retail for $220. I came across these by complete chance - I finished a meeting early and decided to check out the local Hudson's Bay since they are having one of their sales; sale items were an additional 25% off. These shoe were not placed in the sale/clearance section but they were on sale for $110. I had 2 questions for the sales associate - (1) did they have these in a 6.5 since these are 6 (they fit, but I wanted to compare the two because I'm normally a 6.5, smallest) and (2) is there an additional 25% off. The SA I asked thought there was an additional 50% off while the SA standing next to her told her to double check the additional discount as they are MbMj shoes; the first SA went to the back to check for sizes and came out and told me that these are the only pair they had since it was a return from another store, and that she would still honour the additional 50% off. I wasn't sure how she decided that it was an extra 50% off, but I think it was the fastest I ever paid for anything!

Now, since I've found replacements for my every day flats, I can exercise the one-in one-out rule and let the Cole Haan wedges go. 

"When one door closes, another door opens... "

"... but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell

He's right. 

It took me a long time to let go of my Cole Haans (and to be honest, ever since they have been sitting in the donations bag, I have had to hold myself back from putting them back into my collection) but this weekend, I was able to justify bringing a new pair of shoes into my collection (one-in, one-out rule!) and have found new love and a new summer wardrobe staple.

Behold - my new Franco Sarto Venezia flats!!! 

 

I bought these on Saturday on a way to a party because the sandals I was wearing at the time were really cutting into me (the fate of that one will have to be decided at a later time) and I happen to be at the mall picking up some last minute things and thought I would just check to see if they have something more comfortable for a low price. I found these beauties for a great price - $39.99 and couldn't past them up. They are so comfortable and a great shade of gray (maybe taupe?) to be a definite wardrobe staple for me. I couldn't ask for more. 

This is my first venture into Franco Sarto shoes (I've heard great things before) and definitely would want to look into this as a go-to brand (I'm very brand loyal, if you haven't noticed already).