Steve63130

Hey, can I join the Debbi Fan Club, too? Love the shoes, Deb! They are indeed cute and you look great in them! lol Happy Valentines Day! Steve

I went to my first Nordstrom Rack a couple of months ago. I had heard a lot about them, but I had never been in one. My wife and I were driving to a place but had time on our hands, and I saw the store and said to her, "Let's go inside." We did and I was very impressed with the large selection of larger sizes (11-13), but after a half hour of shopping, trying shoes and boots on, and not finding anything captivating, we left, empty-footed. Steve

Happyinheels, I'd have to add Aerosoles, Naturalizer and Nine West stores to your list. I love their styles, too, and I'm always well treated there. Steve

Debbi, I agree! Red shoes with black hose is an amazing combination. I'm sure you'll get compliments! Bluejay, I agree with Shafted. The boots look great and the royal blue top looks great, but the jacket you wore left a band of blue around your midriff that didn't do anything for you. A longer coat would have been better. Steve

Shafted, I'd not heard that line. Very good. I'll try it next time! JeffB, Thanks for the chuckle. I got it instantly and laughed! Very clever. Bluejay, Don't lose any sleep over it. I don't think there's anything to it! Steve

Too bad we can't get a doctors precrip for heels.

Have you asked Dr. Shoe?

Steve

The first time is the hardest. You really have to believe you're an actor. Relax and do it. Although it's the first time for you, you're not the first guy to shop for women's shoes, and if you get asked if the shoes are for you, don't lie. Tell the truth. They've seen and heard all the excuses, and if you're bold enough to tell them the shoes are for you, you'll probably impress them and they'll strive to give you good service. If they don't, leave immediately. Remember, YOU are the customer. YOU stay in charge. It's YOUR money you're spending, and YOU should get what you want. If it isn't right and doesn't feel perfect, don't buy it. There is a concept called the "wow factor." If you try on shoes in a store and you don't say "wow!" then the shoes aren't for you. Shoes that don't fit well in the store usually don't get better, at least without a lot of stretching or alternations. If you try on a pair and the "wow factor" is high, grab them and don't let go. They're meant for you! So shop around and don't necessarily buy the first shoes you see. Compare them, look around, check out others. Even if you end up buying nothing your first time out, if you learn from the experience and are a more enlightened and smarter customer next time, it will have been well worth it. Do your best and let us know how it turns out! Steve

So to help celebrate the Chinese New Year I went out to eat and got this message in my fortune cookie: "Simplicity and clarity should be your theme in dress. Lucky # 02, 17, 18, 29, 33, 44 Learn Chinese: To Speak, Shuo" So whaddaya think? What is simplicity and clarity? How does it relate to heels? And is there some sort of pun embedded in the Chinese word? Please help me out. My tongue is stuck in my cheek. BTW, it was an excellent dinner! Steve

Just consider your "application fee" a donation to the charity! That's all it is. It covers expenses of hosting the event, sure, but most of it goes to the charity as almost all of the labor is volunteer. Go for it. I'm glad I did it once, but that was enough for me. The best part was meeting other people from here, like Weird1 and his wife and Spikesmike. Wetwillie was there, too, but I didn't know who he was at the time, and found out later. I really enjoyed the moment one of the women volunteers asked me if the shoes I had selected to wear for the event were satisfactory and she just about fell over when I said, "Yes, they're my own shoes and I brought them from home." Lol. Steve

Well spoken, Happyinheels! Nikki, good work. I have found that women often make a fuss when I wear something they like. My favorite fans are the team of gals at the local salon my wife and I frequent. They often go ga-ga over my heels, and it's a great feeling to be the center of attention in a positive way like that. Steve

I participated in a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes even a couple of years ago. Yes there were lots of guys in heels, and yes it raised a lot of money, so it was for a good cause. But I have absolutely no desire to do it ever again. We were basically in a parade with a large crowd of onlookers gawking, cheering, laughing, and carrying on. It wasn't the kind of environment I like, so I wasn't comfortable with the concept of being on display that way. But I know others here love doing it year after year. To each his own. Steve

Debbi, You have great taste. I love those shoes and you wear them very well. Bluejay is right! Thanks for posting. Enjoy your day! Steve

Safe travels! Steve

Hi, Reece, Everyone here has given you great advice. Be a good actor, practice your lines, maintain good posture, and don't let your voice falter. Confidence is the name of the game, and if you act confidently (even though you're shaking in your high heel boots), you own the scene. Sales people are there to help you, so don't hesitate to get them involved if you need help. They need your money and should do what they can to serve you. But it's YOUR money, so spend it wisely. Only buy items you're sure of. Any doubt, walk away (and say thanks). I was a college kid when I first bought heels. I went to a K-mart and bought a pair of hh sandals I liked. I put it in my cart with other stuff and paid for it at check-out, just like I was a customer (well?). And they treated me just like I was a customer, too! Amazing! It gets easier every time after that, and today I really look forward to shoe shopping in stores. Steve

Our attendance at this event is in doubt at this point, unfortunately. We have a conflict. Steve

I agree. Steve

Heels2u,

Google is your friend. From Wikipedia:

"Jute is name of the plant or fiber that is use to make burlap, Hessian or gunny clothes. Jute is one of the most affordable natural fibres and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses of vegetable fibres. Jute fibres are composed primarily of the plant materials cellulose (major component of plant fibre) and lignin (major components of wood fibre). It is thus a ligno-cellulosic fibre that is partially a textile fibre and partially wood. It falls into the bast fibre category (fibre collected from bast or skin of the plant) along with kenaf, industrial hemp, flax (linen), ramie, etc. The industrial term for jute fibre is raw jute. The fibres are off-white to brown, and 1–4 metres (3–12 feet) long."

Steve

...I mean what it your wife decided that from now on, she wasn't going to wear a bra and was going to let them all hang out for all to see....

That gives a whole new meaning to "Just hanging out!"

Steve

Shafted, I thought I was the only member here that doesn't own or watch TV! Welcome to our exclusive club! Bluejay, Those black short boots are perfect for streetheeling. You can wear them anywhere! Steve

Kittyinboots, Having met you and your wife at a heel meet in Canton a couple of years ago, I am sorry that she hasn't got more comfortable with your heeling over time. But I think your approach is a sensible one. Keep pushing the envelope where you can, but make sure she is in her comfort zone, too, and be sure your attention is on her, not on your boots. Let her know you want both, but verify that she knows your priorities. Good luck! Steve

Shafted, good article and great photos. Hope you get to keep your hours. Tell your boss we here at HHPlace said you deserve a raise! Steve

Awesome adventure, Bluejay. Thanks for sharing! You're fearless! Steve

Great news, HHL86! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you're off to a good start on the right foot (and the left!). Steve

Sounds like fun. Watch her body language and don't go overboard. Keep it fun and keep the focus of your attention on HER, not the shoes. If she enjoys the experience you may get another date. Keep us posted, and good luck! Steve

Rartist, Let us know if you get a chance to sit down with her and talk about your interest in her closet. Steve