The Second Half

The occasion of one's birth at the half century mark can be traumatic. However, after all the very real and traumatic incidents of 2013, I decided that my birthday will be more than just proverbially happy this year. I decided to buy myself something substantial. Something I always wanted but never owned. Something I would use (which put the diamond tiara out of the running).

Sterling

I'd always felt Towle's Grand Duchess was my pattern. When I married, my Godmother gave us a Grand Duchess tea set. It's absolutely gorgeous. I went in search of the flatware to match and it was even more gorgeous! But it was also terribly expensive. So sterling was put on the back burner for "someday."

Towle's Grand Duchess Tea Set

Towle's Grand Duchess Sterling Flatware

Grand Duchess is still extraordinarily expensive. And anyone reading this blog knows I never pay retail. For anything. Ever. So the search was on for gently used Grand Duchess place settings. And they were still too expensive. Almost ready to give up, I decided to look at other patterns at a slightly lower price point. I really didn't want to settle for something lightweight or less ornate. Fortunately, I found King Richard, also by Towle. 

So I guess "someday" is now. Here's to the second half century.

Towle's King Richard Sterling Flatware

Proper Shoes

My husband's grandmother used to say, "If your feet are dressed, you are dressed." Wise woman, Grandma.

Lately I've been on a shoe buying spree. It doesn't happen often but a new job demands it. Black was pretty much already taken care of as well as navy and buff/taupe/neutral/tan. What I'm really missing is dark brown and dijon yellow.  So, out come all the rules about shoes for the office.

• Closed toe
• Leather upper
• Leather sole (if possible)
• Rounded toe (flat toe shoes can lead to ingrown nails)
• Higher vamp (better for your feet and doesn't show toe cleavage)
• Reasonable heel height.
• Comfortable

Granted, these are my rules, but they have never let me down. The first six are all geared toward the last one. Work days can mean being in a pair of heels for up to 14 hours so I'm willing to spend a little more on them in order to protect my feet and maintain my energy level.

My favorite brands for work include Anne Klein, Circa Joan & David, Ralph Lauren (the Zabrina pump is fantastic), Ivanka Trump, and Steve Madden. Donald J. Pliner shoes are worth a mention here. Although they are usually better suited to out-of-office wear due to their casual style, they are consistently the most comfortable shoes I own.

Shoes I steer clear of: Bandolino (these actually damage my feet), crocs (just too ugly for words), and sandals (not office appropriate).

Other considerations:

• Cole Haan tends to run narrow so I don't buy them unless I am in the store and have tried them on.
• Nine West is a win most, lose a few, gamble. I stick to their leather shoes that meet the above criteria.
• Comfort brands are great but often look clunky.

So what did I buy so far? A few pics are worth a few thousand words.