New Shoe Happiness, or A Story Of My Feet

I am coming to the end of an ongoing saga with my feet. For years they’ve swollen (along with my ankles) at the least amount of provocation: either it’s too cold, it’s too hot, it decided to rain or snow, it was a full moon, whatever.

And I couldn’t figure out why.

I went to see a podiatrist who recommended a series of injections. Because me and regular anesthesia don’t get along (ahem, it doesn’t work on me), I had to endure every single prick of the needle.

And it didn’t work.

Another year and change went by with me having to wrap my ankle or elevate it on my lunch break before I decided I wasn’t cured, like my previous podiatrist said I was. He also suggested weight loss would help, as did others around me. I even thought it would help, for a time.

Here’s the problem with that: it’s pretty damned difficult to work out when it hurts to STAND, let alone walk on a treadmill or do something as strenuous as CrossFit. I did yoga for years, but the pain and tingling even made doing something as simple as Tree Pose hurt.

So, this past December I found another doctor who looked at my ankles, took an x-ray, and discovered in about 10 minutes what my previous doctor hadn’t in months of treatment:

It wasn’t my joints. It’s my ligaments. Mostly that they’re weakened from life, and previous activities I did when I was younger.

Never once said a word about weight loss. Apparently, this is a common ailment that happens over time. Funny how that works.

After an MRI to rule out a torn ligament, I now have a brand new set of orthotics and an order to wear sneakers at work.

Now, I can’t always wear the sneakers depending on what has to be done that day, but I make it a point to wear them as often as possible. And for the first time in years, I actually went home after a long workday without swollen, achy feet and ankles. The orthotics realign my feet for me.

All this back story goes to how over the years, flats have been my life. Now, don’t get me wrong–I love flats. But all of the heels I’ve known and loved over the years I ended up giving away because my feet hurt too bad to wear them for even the tiniest time. I’ve missed them. Some outfits just aren’t the same without a bold heel to balance it out.

Now that I have some resolution, I’m hoping that with time and me getting back to yoga to further strengthen my feet, I can wear some pretty shoes for my birthday month (I celebrate the whole month. I turn 30, so I’m partying for 30 days. ^_^)

These will hopefully be part of the rotation:

These lovely spiked numbers are from JustFab.

I’m feeling better, and hopefully, I can regain a part of me lost to the pain. But don’t worry, I won’t go overboard. Just enough to pose and be fierce. 🙂

Love, Glossybox

Hey loves! I’m back to regularly scheduled program his week, and I have an amazing Glossybox review for you today!

Now, if you wondering what happened to last month’s haul, I actually received a duplicate of the exact same box I’d gotten a few months ago. Down to the highlighter.

I wasn’t ready. I was also disappointed.

But this month, Glossybox redeemed themselves. I mean, look at how cute the box itself is:

For the record, I keep these boxes and reuse them for nail polish and jewelry. So here’s what I got:

Teadora Nourishing Exfoliating Bar in Rainforest at Dawn:
The card insert says that it’s an exfoliating soap packed with Amazonian super fruits that promise to firm and hydrate skin. I like how it smells, citrusy and woodsy without feeling like I’m rolling in grass.

Rituals Cosmetics Foaming Shower Gel Sensation in Yogi Flow:
The big thing about this shower gel is that it looks and functions like a can of shaving cream, but it’s a shower gel. So instead of putting it on a pouf, put a bit on your skin and foam it up, then rinse. It smells wonderful. The main scent is rose, and while I’m not a huge fan of rose, it’s subtle enough to not overwhelm.

Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner:
This is another take on the ever popular cowash products I’m seeing more and more in stores. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, cowashing is when one uses a conditioner in place of a traditional shampoo to wash up. It is more gentle on natural, curly hair than foaming washes. I personally don’t do them because I have a flaky scalp and product build up like whoa, but I could see using this on a quick wash day. It smells like a delicious fruit bowl.

Royal Apothic Tinties Lip Butter in Pink:
This is the cutest little tin of lip butter ever. See:

Bonus: it’s full of argan and grape seed oils plus shea butter. Good for nourishing lips with a touch of color.

Julep Color Treat in Heartleigh:
It’s been some time since I shared a Julep shade with y’all, and this one is super cute. Chunky white glitter, micro silver glitter, and red heart glitter collide into a really cute topper polish. Because of the chunkiness of the glitter, I wouldn’t do this by itself because it will not be even. Here’s some closer shots of the polish and a quick one coat swatch:

I was about to cancel my subscription, but ok Glossybox, you pulled it off!

Nail Adventures: Kisses All Over

I feel like it’s been FOREVER since I did a Nail Adventure post! Woo!

\o/

By the time y’all get a look at this, I will be at work. And of course, for Valentine’s Day, I have to do something cute for the day (since I actually have the official day off!)

I need simple for this, because my schedule is on a level of ridiculously hectic. And there are some new Sally Hansen nail polish strips I needed to get.

Ok, I didn’t need them. But do you know how long it’s been since I’ve bought nail polish? A month, at least!

Withdrawal is real, y’all.

So, I found the absolute perfect set of polish strips, and got to it. Here’s the results:

See what I mean? I HAD to have these! So, these polish strips are called Giving Lip, and my accent nail is OPI’s Big Apple Red. You could use just about any color as the accent nail, since the lipstick kisses are in pink, purple, and red. I found a purple and red glitter polish that would have gone perfectly, had I come across it first.

Did I mention this took me about 10 minutes to do? Cause it did. This is perfect for that last minute date/plans for drinks…

Gotta love quick beauty!

Stepping Out In Style

Ok, so you got all of your fancy underthings, right? Let’s talk about finding some pretty things to wear over them, shall we?

Now, if your Valentine’s Day has you doing, ahem, indoor activities, this post may not be for you. But for those of you looking to do brunch or dinner, keep reading for some pretty ideas!

Let’s get to it!

Are you going someplace fancy? I have the perfect dresses for you, and neither one of them are red! I know, red is traditional for VDay, but why not step out the box with another color? Like navy:

From ASOS.

I can’t lie: I love this dress for it’s complex simplicity. There’s all these pretty sparkly stones on there, so you don’t need a necklace. If you do earrings, you can either pick a simple silver or gold hoop or get studs to match the stones on the dress. Add a cute shoe and you’re done! Fancy dressing doesn’t get easier than this.

For the more daring:

From Monif C.

There is something about the swirl of colors in this dress that just makes me happy. With all of the cold, snowy weather we’ve had in these parts (with more to come,) I’m in the need of something that reminds me of springtime. This does it, and your curves are flawless. Win!

Maybe you’re doing brunch with friends, with your love, or by yourself. What’s the easiest thing in the world to dress up or down? Jeans! I’m a huge fan of these:

From Old Navy.

A word on fit: get your size. I tend to size up to make sure my bum fits, and didn’t need to here. I need a belt to keep them in place (I prefer a looser feel), but if you want it properly form fitting: get your size. They’re super comfy, too.

So: basic jean. Check. Now, you need a top. Well, depending on how dressy you want to be, you’ve got options!

Dressy date? Try this:

From Ashley Stewart.

I love this because flowy, but see how the accessories take it over the top? A cute bootie would pull this whole look right together.

Friend date? How about this top:

From Lane Bryant.

This is an adorable, going out to the movies then dinner with the crew sweatshirt. Just fancy enough to go out in, but not too overdone.

Solo date? I adore this one:

From Feminine Funk.

You can take yourself out to brunch and museum hop in this (maybe you’ll strike up a convo with someone with that phrase on there!) Or, you could sit on your sofa and enjoy your Netflix queue (and I’d ditch the jeans in favor of underpants in that case, but that’s just me.) Nothing like something comfy and cheeky in your rotation!

Hope you were able to get some cute outfit ideas from this! Also, keep in mind there’s nothing wrong with taking yourself out on a date in a fancy dress and heels. You have great style, show it off!

Pretty Flirty Sexy Things

One of my favorite things in the world is to shop for new underthings and lingerie. I love the feel and the sexiness.

Aww, yeah. 😀

I really never need a reason to pick up something new, but I love it when Valentine’s rolls around because there is just so much extra to find.

Now, it’s way too cold in my neck of the woods for most of what I’m about to show you, but that won’t stop me from ordering at least a couple of things, nor should it stop you!

Let’s get to it!

Both pieces are from Hips and Curves.

A shirt+panty combo is one of the most classic pairings in nighttime wear. It doesn’t take much to up that sexiness quotient by having the panties lacy and the shirt a button down. You can throw in a pretty bra like in the picture, or go without to up the allure.

Set is from Lane Bryant (have to purchase separately.)

I am a sucker for a bra+panty combo, especially when it coordinates like this. If you happen to be into doing cute dress up moments for your significant other, toss this on with a pair of black pumps and shake it all over the room (and them!) Solo? I’d be grabbing my Nikon and tripod and having a photo shoot. Yes, seriously. I love how I look in underwear.

From Torrid. It’s selling out fast!

Robes may be my second favorite thing in the world. I’d pair this one with the Lane Bryant set above and sit on my sofa and drink coffee. Great way to make yourself feel extra fancy in the morning and extra sexy at night.

From Torrid. Also selling fast!

So, most people look at this and think special occasion. I look at this and think tonight’s pajamas. Now, true confession: most of the time I don’t sleep in anything because I’m always hot. But it’s pretty cold up here in NY, so as to not turn into a Popsicle, I have to put on something, right? This works. Oh, and how cute is the flower lace detail?

From Hips and Curves. So seductive!

I saved my favorite look for last. Satin shorts, corset, lacy bra, thigh highs? Now, I’d do this outfit for a partner, or if I were going to a pajama party (layered with the robe I mentioned earlier.) Lingerie isn’t normally meant to be shown off, but I’d be wanting to show this to any and everybody, it’s so fierce! This also warrants solo Nikon photo shoots. Cause, I mean, look at it.

And there you have it! Some of my favorite flirty things for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Keep in mind it’s never a bad idea to treat yourself to something beautiful; you deserve to look and feel wonderful every day!

Valentine’s Week…

Anyone else already over the red, pink, white, flowers, cards, and bears?

Not just me?

Awesome! 😀

But seriously, this week brings Valentine’s Day, the one day that for some paired folk will dictate if they get to remain in that pair.

That seems like a lot of responsibility for one day, no?

And what of the single folk?

I’m an expert at what to do when you’re single and Valentine’s Day is approaching: celebrate it. Yes, seriously.

No, I’m not on some Single Awareness Day type of thing (although Half-Price Candy Day is TOTALLY a thing.) Hear me out.

If Valentine’s Day is about love, does that mean the love has to solely be for someone else? Why can’t it be for just ourselves too? It’s like an extra birthday! A day that’s just about you. If you’re in a position where celebrating yourself is a wonderful, self care idea, I say do so.

Not for nothing, every year I happen to be single, I celebrate myself on Valentine’s Day. When coupled, I celebrate my partner and myself (extra gifts!) I buy myself delicious candy and pretty underwear and banging outfits and take my damn self out on a date, doing all things that make me happy.

It’s been a rough road to valuing my own time and company. Particularly with holidays like this, so focused on romantic love, it is easy to remember that we have to put ourselves first.

So, this week, I’ll be doing some look books for pretty outfits and the lovely things to put underneath, as well as a makeup and nail look for you. Keep in mind–these posts won’t just be for the coupled, they’ll be for those who just enjoy pretty clothes, lingerie, nails, and makeup. And will take themselves out to brunch or meet up with their best friends. Or for people like me, who will likely stay home and watch Netflix and make popcorn in fancy, lacy underthings, hiding from the weather.

Because winter just won’t go away now.

Sigh.

Come on this journey with me. Pretty, lacy underpants post tomorrow!