Lost Sole

Christian Louboutin.

Petal Shoe.

In Black.

I look at the Neiman Marcus website and can't believe it.

THEY
HAVE
THE
SHOE!

Ok, deep breaths

This Christian Louboutin shoe is beyond words...but I'll try to explain.

Picture this:

It's a black strappy sandal with an ankle strap. On the front of the shoe, going up the front of the foot are round Petals made from black silky fabric so they'll flutter when you walk. And since it's a Louboutin, it has the famous Red Sole.

I have two events to wear the shoes to. One is a Fashion event at the Museum of Fine Arts. The other is the rehearsal dinner for my friend's wedding. These will be perfect!

I put in my order online and print out my receipt.

Joy!

The next day I check my email. It's not good.

An email from Neiman's tells me my shoes aren't available because they're on back oder.

But how can this be? They weren't when I ordered them the night before!

I call customer service. It's true. Back ordered. No date on their arrival.

WHAT IS GOING ON?!

These shoes JUST came out. They're part of the Spring/Summer collection!

But I was not deterred by this blip in my quest for the Petal Shoe. Oh no. If anything, this made me want them even more!

I carry on...

Bergdorfgoodman.com....not available. Ok....

Saks Fifth Avenue....not available on their website.

Call the store. The Sales Associate (Maria) hears the desperation in my voice. When I tell her I need them for a fashion event she rushes into action and starts calling other Saks stores.

Ok, she only calls two. Because only two stores have my size!!!

Stress!!!

She calls LA and Beverly Hills. LA does not have them. Beverly Hills has my size...but some woman already pre-ordered them. The nerve!

I take a deep breath.

Maria tells me if they get them in she'll call.

I have one last hope.

Barneys.

I normally don't shop their website. So when I log on I am AMAZED at the shoe selection. Why have I not shopped with them before?

I search.

And there they are...

In black. Size 6.

But I can't order them from the website I have to call the store. Great. It's 1 in the morning. It was a looong night.

I call right when I get up and talk to Donald in women's shoes. My new best friend. He has the shoe and is overnighting it to me!

I think about walking into the Museum of Fine Arts to attend the Fashion Event wearing my black cocktail dress, carrying my Chanel clutch. And on my feet? My fabulous new shoes!!! With the famous Red Soles. The Petals fluttering as I strut....I mean...walk....

The next day I practically run over the Fed Ex guy when he delivers them. Poor guy. Clearly he thinks I'm crazy.

But wait...


When I open the box, I'm not as excited as I was when I got my new Manolos. I'm sure that will change when I put.....them.....on....

WHAT?

When I put them on.

Put. Them. On.

I look down at my feet.

At the beautiful shoe.

They. Don't. Fit.

I look at the bottom of the shoes....that beautiful red sole...and I feel like a
Lost Sole...

I package them back up and make the call.

To Donald at Barneys.

He wants me to try a half size up. But I'm just not feeling it. The excitement is over.

Maybe I'm just a Manolo girl at heart.

And Barneys does carry Manolos....

A Woman's Right to Shoes

I heard the UPS truck rumble up my icy driveway.
Like one of Pavlov's dogs hearing the bell chime, I immediately sat up.

I waited.

As I listened to the UPS guy get out of his truck all I could think was "what is TAKING YOU SO LONG!!?"
I crept down the stairs when I heard the back door close.

AT LAST!

Taking a deep breath I slowly made my way through the kitchen to the screen porch.
There it was.
The delivery I'd been waiting for.

BLISS!!!

I opened the door and gazed down at the box from Neiman Marcus (also known as my second home)
I picked it up as a rush of excitement tore through my body.
Then I tore into the delivery box

Another deep breath....
Then heaven...

A bright white box with the most magical words written in black text.

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Carefully I took the top off, setting it down on the table.

I peeled back the tissue paper.

I slipped the shoes out and thought "Do I frame them or put them on my feet?"
When I lifted up the Black Satin d'Orsay stilettos with the ruched front and the oval jewel encrusted on the toe, I knew.

I stepped into them and felt like Cinderella (well, minus the stage coach, the horses, the lavish dress and oh...Prince Charming....)
I took a spin around the kitchen practically floating........

How is it possible that shoes can make you feel so wonderful?

Well, these shoes are not only an accessory to a bridesmaid's dress I'll wear in a February wedding, they're a symbol.

They're featured in my favorite episode of "Sex and the City":
"A Woman's Right to Shoes".

In it I am reminded that while I celebrate my coupled friends' happiness..... as a single woman, I need something special too. It's not always easy being single these days. But I'm happy.

And with a FIERCE pair of Manolos to lift me up....it makes it a little easier.

And a lot more Fabulous.