Thursday 8 April 2010

The Ties That Bind

The Small One and I have a bit of a thing about shoes. It's a wish fulfillment thing, really, because (and maybe you've heard me talking about this before) most shoes simply don't fit.My feet are a size 2 (4.5 in the U.S. I think). The Small One caught me up when she turned 11 and we are wishing, pushing, urging her feet on even just a little further so that she reaches an adult size 3. Shoe Nirvana. Oh! the possibilities! I don't need high heels much these days. I spend most of my time in kids sneakers and flat boots with extra socks; but a girl can dream. And sometimes get lucky..


The Small One recently spotted her hearts desire: shiny, patent Mary Janes. They were in the teenage department, so a size 2 was theoretically achievable. But they were out of stock. Now, I've lived with this for years and sometimes enough is enough. I took a deep breath and said Today, dearest daughter, we are going to say I can instead of I can't. I let her buy the size 3. They are too big, to be sure; but she's getting to be old enough to learn how the world works. Not everything is always what it seems. If you can't make it, as they say, then fake it. Buy the next size up and buckle 'em on as tight as they will go. I've done it before and I'm sure that I'll do it again. She doesn't really have a need for high Mary Janes any more than I do. But we had fun buying them and we talked about saying yes I can when you've set your heart on something. And I hope that's a good thing.

She said her shoes were killer; so that's what I called my page. And when I looked at it and saw that it kind of had a Bonnie and Clyde feel, I thought yes, I'll stick with that and here it is:


29 comments:

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

What a nice way to start my morning blog reads. :o) This made me smile. Love the story, the shoes, and the layout. (I recognize Cosmo Cricket's "Material Girl" line because I own some myself.)

My daughter has a quote by Gwen Stefani on her board that reads, "Sometimes you have to sacrifice your performance for a cute pair of shoes."

Have a great day, Sian! :o)

Lizzie said...

Lovely scrap page,Sian! Just love it!
I sympathise about shoes. I am a size 5 - 5 1/2. However, my feet are extremely narrow. Shoe shopping has always been a nightmare for me. Since J. was born, it's been a little easier, as the front part of my feet widened a little bit, to a "C" fitting, but the heels are still a "AA" and it can be so hard to find shoes to fit! I too need straps or laces to hold my shoes on! Slingbacks - forget it! Clogs - you jest! Slippers - hmm.. least said... I have managed to find sandals that fit, by buying size 4's, but other shoes can be soo tricky.
There are a variety of nice insoles and heel-supports available to buy now, which can make my shoes wearable (even comfortable!!). I have some lovely flat boots - a present from my niece - which fit just great now, since I found some heel support insoles - http://www.scholl.com/en-GB/Scholl-Busy-Feet-Spring-Action-Inserts/10009182/ProductDetail.raction
These are called "Busy Feet" and they're so comfortable.
Maybe The Small One may find Scholl products helpful, since she is adopting a "Yes I can" attitude to buying shoes!

Sandra said...

I smile when I see your blog in my reading list, I just know my day is going to lifted LOL. And trust me I understand the whole shoe passion - and I have to say, I'm luckier, with size 4 shoes, but even sometimes that can be hard to come by. Now as for those shoes ...oohhh the bliss of them, how gorgeous, so your layout has done them a great justice. Just loving it, as always. Yup, that paper line is a just to to gorgeous for words :)

humel said...

I have the opposite problem, as my feet are size 9... But I can totally empathise! So pleased she got some gorgeous shoes, and you got a gorgeous layout out of the deal too x

debs14 said...

The things us women do for a nice pair of shoes! I suddenly feel 'large' with my (English) size 4s now! When my daughter was little her favourite book was a Topsy and Tim one about buying new shoes where Topsy wants shiny pointy toed ones and her mum wants sensible lace ups for her. We still laugh about it when she brings home 6" high heels "not at all suitable for school"!

Rhona said...

What a lovely layout, it really came together beautifully. Glad your daughter got her shoes and hopefully her feet will grow a little bit more so they fit well eventually.

Julie Kirk said...

Gorgeous page Sian - love the colours. I agree with the Small One her shoes are indeed killer! I was a size 1 when I reached secondary school - it wasn't great! Now I have the luxury of being a regular, easy to please, size 3 or 4. I wish the same for your small one's small feet! x

sharyncarlson said...

Wonderful story. I have to say again, I just love how you write. Such a lovely page, too!

Maria Ontiveros said...

Fabulous layout - such a nice combination of patterns & colors. And, as always, "killer" writing! I'm not a shoe person, but both my kids are. Surprisingly, DS has always longed for newest best shoes, especially for sports. Even his coaches and friends have started to tease him a bit about it.
As for DD, I remember when she was small and just learning to talk, I was trying to put a pair of sensible baby shoes on her. She kept saying, "no.. no shoes." Then she went into my closet and pulled out a pair of red heels, handed them to me, smiled broadly and said, "SHOOOOOES."
Rinda

Alana said...

Ohh Sian, a girl of my own heart. I thought I had problems with shoes fitting, being a 4 and a half. I can usually only buy clarks which are lovely but so expensive that I sometimes get a 5 from new look etc and stuff them with inersoles and heel grips. Cool shoes btw and red patient double cool! Layout...triple cool!

Clair said...

What a range of shoe problems we all have! I used to have Size 6 feet, but when I reached my early twenties they suddenly started to shrink (!) Initially they went down to a Size 3 but have settled at a Size 4. Totally odd - the doctor was completely baffled :)

scrappyjacky said...

A lovely story as always,Sian...and glad to hear TSO got her shoes.I think we all must have some sort of shoe problem....my feet are too wide for most shoes....so I mainly end up with Wranglers.
My DD2 has always loved high heels....as a toddler she tripped around in any she could find....and called them 'd d darlings' [your guess is as good as mine!!]....now at almost 6 foot tall....she still loves them...but can't wear them because she'd tower over everyone.

Anna said...

My small one has tiny feet too. They've been a size 2 for the last 6 years!
Fabulous layout :)

Tinkertaylor said...

Sian I've really enjoyed reading your post today along with all the comments and I've come to the conclusion that a girl and her shoes cannot be parted. Love your Lo and I hope the small one enjoys her shoes

Cheri said...

What a sweet story Sian! Kudos to you and the Small one for overcoming. Seems shoes is a universal issue. All three of my daughters jumped to a size 10 (US) by high school which is honestly hard to find. I was an 8 at their age and gained a shoe size with each pregnancy. If they follow suit (I hope not) they'll have to special order all their shoes (or buy mens).

Susanne said...

Darling layout and cute shoes. Thanks for sharing.

Denise said...

Gorgeous layout, great colours, I really like the lady embellishment and the shoes look divine! The things we ladies do,but I agree it has to be done :-0

Ann said...

Loved your story today Sian, it made me smile, and that layout is gorgeous. The shoes are mighty fine too!
My youngest daughter loves shoes and has a pair of heeled trainers in a black and white check. They are always a talking point as they are so different to the norm. She calls them her Monday Shoes as she always wore them on Mondays to college! I think they probably deserve a layout too ;)

Amanda said...

As a fellow small footed one I totally understand :) I'm a size 3 if shoes are properly sized/labelled and not disguised as a 36 LOL but I do own more than one pair of size 2s. I have a lovely pair of Boden black suede wedges that I have tried to convince myself are ok with heelgrips, I couldn't bring myself to send them back.

It's a beautiful LO and I hope the small one enjoys her new shoes. Killer indeed!

catrin said...

tell my neice i want those shoes- NOW!!!

Gillian said...

Fabulous LO and what gorgeous shoes! And what a lucky girl Small One is for having a mum who teaches her that sometimes you just need to say "Yes".

Anonymous said...

Those are definitely killer shoes. I'm also a "shoe person" and luckily, wear a very normal size. Recently, however, I've had to replace many pairs and move up 1/2 a size. I found out that as you age, your arches fall, and your feet get longer. Who would have guessed? Your layout is also a "killer." Love everything about it. I love your style, although I can never seem to get it to work for me.

Unknown said...

They certainly are! What an awesome layout! We are from the other side of the issue. My daughter is 11 and her feet are already bigger than my and my are not small at all.

Cate Brickell said...

seems shoes touched lots of hearts today! and they are one beautiful pair of shoes (and a great layout and story to share, too) like mel, I have big feet, and a permanent injury on one foot makes anything other than mock crocs or things(flip flops) almost impossible to wear!

Micayla said...

Oh bless you and the small one. I would die if I could not find shoes....I am a size 7 so have no problem.
The layout is gorgeous, really fitting excuse the pun. Love the shoes too, they are so pretty!

Kerry said...

I have completely the opposite problem - mine are 8.5 so I nearly always have to go for a 9 which is tricky to come by cheaply.

I love those mary janes on your layout which is also fab.

Becky said...

Lovely story and a lovely layout too :) Hope the Small One gets to wear her shoes soon!

The Scrappy Tree said...

My goodness! I am loving your new LO :) but I have size 8 feet, so I can't find shoes to fit either! Good luck with that :)

Jennifer Grace said...

I just have to say wow, do I want those shoes. I have no idea where I'd wear them but boy do I want them!

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