Tag Archives: minimalism

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Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop!: Shoes

It’s time again for Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop! I had a chuckle when I saw this month’s prompt; I talk a lot about my clothes, but I don’t think I’ve ever talked about my shoes. I haven’t been too strict about how many I have. As a minimalist, I thought I was going to have to out myself as having “too many” shoes.

But I was surprised to see that I have seven pairs of shoes. And I’ve been strategic about what I own and why.

 

I used to a big shopper (I still struggle with this!). Anyway, I used to buy shoes all the time. They were cheap! And cute!

About a year ago, when I first became interested in minimalism, I started thinking about what kind of shoes I wanted to own. I wanted good quality shoes that would last a long time, that would be comfortable, and that would be cute as heck. I decided to only buy one pair of shoes per season.  Instead of buying 3 -4 pairs of $15 shoes, I could buy one pair of $60 shoes that would be higher quality and last longer.

 

I have been doing that ever since, and I love my shoes now. I have been done a great job of buying good quality, classic (yet fun!) shoes that I enjoy wearing. Plus since they are quality shoes, I have been able to take them to the cobbler to get them repaired when they need it. They are lasting a long time. I am getting my money’s worth out of these guys!

 

I have owned those polka dot galoshes forever. They are so cute! I bought those nude shoes in the middle for Spring 2011. The pink butterfly wedges were for Summer 2011. For the fall, I bought those brown boots on the right. They were pretty pricey, but I wear them ALL. THE. TIME. My cost per wear has got to be pennies by now. The red heels (second from the right) were for Winter 2011/2012. I did buy two pairs of shoes for this spring – the brown pair of booties (second from the left) and the black pair with bows. But again, they are classic shoes that I wear all the time. I love them all!

Most of these shoes are Clarks or Naturalizer brand, so they are über comfortable. Excluding the galoshes, they are all heels, but they are only 1″ – 2″. They are comfortable, and I can wear them all day at work or dance in them all night long. Trust me – I’ve done it!

I am planning on buying one more pair of shoes for this summer. They will be a cute pair of bright colored flats – maybe pink or green. I’m taking my time to shop around, but I will be sure to share them on here when I find the perfect pair.

Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop!

Whew! There – I have out’d my shoe collection. What do you think? Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you can wear all the time?

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Links I Love 3/28/2011

1) What’s worth living for? Yea, inspiring.

2) As someone who doesn’t live in a city (and constantly bemoans the lack of reasonable public transit), I think it’s funny that other people think that Minimalists need to live in the country. I suppose the moral of the story is: Grow where you are planted.

3) Here’s a website that I enjoy every week.

Oh, Monday. You always arrive too soon.

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Minimalist Packing – Ireland Review

*** I am postponing this week’s Show & Tell until Friday.  It’s worth the wait! ***

There it is – about 80% of my travel wardrobe.  I pretty much stuck to the packing list that I had posted before, so I won’t bore you with that.  But I did want to make a couple of observations/comments.

1)  I sort of freaked out when I was packing and decided to bring three pairs of jeans instead of two.  I was thinking that if we weren’t able to launder our clothes on the trip, only two pairs wouldn’t be enough.  Well, I completely over-thought the situation.  Two pairs would have been just fine.  I only wore the third pair once, and then decided that I don’t even like them and plan on donating them post haste. 

2) Taking Miss Roman Apartment’s advice, I did bring a second pair of shoes.  That was great advice.  Definitely worth the space in the carry on, especially when the first pair of shoes gave me blisters.  I was able to switch shoes without too many foot problems.

3)  I did buy a pair of tights (on sale!) while I was there, thinking that they would go well with my dress if we were going out some night.  I didn’t end up wearing them in Ireland, but I have worn them since I have been home.  I am still trying to decide if that was a smart purchase or not.  I feel sort of ambiguous about it.  Sort of a souvenir, I guess. 

That’s the official wrap-up from the Ireland trip.  I hope to continue this research on future trips, to see if I can get my possessions down to an 17″ or 18″ carry on.  That would be ideal.

Any other tips to consider when packing?  I would love to hear! 

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Links I Love – No links edition 1-10-2011

I have not been spending as much time online, especially on the weekends.  I have been working on some knitting and quilting projects.  Which is great! Except that I don’t have any links for you today.  :(

However I found this quotation the other day, re-printed in Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez (2010 edition), that I love and thought that I would share here:

People don’t need enormous cars; they need respect.  They don’t need closets full of clothes; they need to feel attractive, and they need excitement and variety and beauty.  People don’t need electronic equipment; they need something worthwhile to do with their lives.  People need identity, community, challenge, acknowledgement, love and joy.  To try to fill these needs with material things is to set up an unquenchable appetite for false solutions to real and never-satisfied problems.  The resulting psychological emptiness is one of the major forces behind the desire for material growth.

-Donella Meadows, Beyond the Limits

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What to Pack: Ireland-bound

That’s right: February 11 -20, I will be frolicking with the sprites and leprechauns.  I am so excited!

In general when I travel, I only take a carry-on and my purse.  I want to whittle that down quite a bit, so that eventually I can use a 17″ carry-on.  But I am taking it step by step, trying new things on each trip, and constantly re-evaluating my travel necessities.

Right now, I am working toward packing a minimal amount of clothes.  Inspired by Rick Steves, Francine Jay, and Karol Gadja, I am already planning my packing list for our trip.  Having done a basic amount of research on weather conditions while we will be there in February, I anticipate a damp, chilly, and possibly rainy vacation.  Initially I was thinking about bring some cute dresses, tights, and cute flats for walking.  Hmmm….  That probably wouldn’t go well with chilly damp weather.

After consulting a few people who have been there, I have decided to amp up my rain wardrobe.  I will definitely bring two pairs of jeans, which will be warmer than tights.  I may bring long underwear (long johns?  what do normal people call them?) for underneath as an added bonus layer.  I was also able to score a rain parka on eBay for a good price.  It hasn’t arrived yet, so I’m nervous that it will fit weird.  But the price was right, and I took the risk.  The last “essential” rain item as a decent pair of shoes that would keep the water out.  My cute flats and open-toed heels weren’t making the cut.  My boots don’t go with my jeans.  So what’s a girl to do?  I had some store credit at L.L. Bean, and I picked up these waterproof walking shoes.  I plan to wear these items every day on our trip.

I don’t mean for this to read like a Haul Video, but I am feel like I am being realistic about the weather and conditions for our trip, trying to find products that will meet my needs and last a long time, and looking for items that I will use long after this trip is done.

The only thing left to figure out is shirts/tops/sweaters.  I am feeling ambitious and may try to knit this sweet little shrug before we leave.  Maybe in green?

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Links I Love 1-3-2011 Happy New Year Edition!

1)  I am in love with Minimalist Cooking.  Why?  Less dishes & less time in the kitchen.  :)  I have been cooking from this cookbook for the past week or so, and it has changed my life.  You’re welcome.

2)  I am going on a trip soon to Ireland (which I am sure I will post about before and after!), and I am getting pretty jazzed about minimalist packing.  I usually only travel with a carry on, but I would still like to minimize the amount of Stuff I bring.  I look forward to planning a functional, minimalist wardrobe that will help me survive Ireland in February.

3)  I have been knitting this sweet Milo sweater for my niece for her birthday in a couple of weeks.  Adorable.  And super easy.  I am already planning on making 2-3 more.  The yoke was a bit tricky to figure out, but after that, it’s smooth sailing.  I hope to have one completed for Show & Tell on Thursday.

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Links I Love – Solstice Edition 12/21/2010

1) Michelle Obama in Vintage!

Our First Lady is so classy.  *Sigh

2)  Five Easy-to-Make Deluxe Gifts for Under $15, a guest post by Max Wong on Wise Bread

Wow!  I’m going to keep this in mind for gifts throughout the year.  I love the idea of giving orchids, succulents, and miniature rose bushes as presents.  And I am not even good with house plants!  But this article makes them seem so easy and achievable.  Also: re-purposing cashmere sweaters into hats & mittens?  Brilliant!

3) Free Simple Baking eBook by Jules Clancy of Stonesoup

I love Jules’ recipes.  They are spot on.  And her simple recipes (most with 5 ingredients or less) are delicious and easy.  Also since I’m usually only cooking for me and the Man, it’s great to see cooking and baking recipes for two people.  Yea for minimal leftovers! 

Anyway, I was thrilled to see this holiday baking ebook.  I have made the clafoutis recipe.  Amazing.  And I was drooling on myself reading the ice cream section.  And the cheesecake recipe.  Amazing.  I am planning to make the Little Bailey’s Cheesecake for a holiday dinner party I am having on Sunday.  Easy.  And amazing.

Happy Solstice!  Did you see the eclipse last night?  Me neither.  I was sleeping.  Anyway, we will have more daylight for a while.  Hooray!

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My idea of a good time on a Sunday

Yesterday afternoon, when the temperature was about 34*F, I ran 8 miles.  I really try not to be one of those crazy runners, but let me tell you, that was one of the best things I had done all week.

Why running is fun and awesome:

1)  I feel amazing after a good workout.  Like take-on-the-world, superhero, nothing-can-stop-me amazing.

2) Running is the simplest form of exercise.  All you need are a pair of shoes, socks, and weather appropriate clothes.  Compared to cycling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, etc., it’s so easy.

3)  The world is a beautiful place, and I appreciate it so much more when I’m on my own two feet.  Iced over brooks, crunchy leaves, ducks in the pond, sparrows darting through the trees.  Gorgeous.

4)  It’s fun to see other people (and dogs!) out and about.

5)  I am training for a half-marathon in February, and I need to stay on top of my training program.

What did you guys to this weekend to re-charge and re-create?

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Because of the holiday this week, I’m going to abridge my normal schedule.  I will post today, put up Links I Love tomorrow, post on Wednesday, and Show & Tell on Thursday.  I will post again on Monday, December 27. 

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Likes I Love 12/13/2010

1)  The Case Against Buying Christmas Presents by Leo Babauta

Someday, I am going to be an amazing blogger like Leo.  I wish I would have written this.  He writes about how advertising, shopping, and buying take away from what’s great about Christmas, which is spending time with family and giving. 

Also seasonally appropriate:

Three Steps to a Simplified Holiday by Robyn Devine of Minimalist Knitter, guest posting on Be More With Less. 

I love her advice.  Focusing on what is actually joyful and fulfilling for you will, I think, naturally lead you to follow these three steps.  At least for me, that seems to be the case. 

2)  The Downside of our Safety Obsession by Dave Feucht at Portlandize

How much should cyclists have to do to protect their own safety, and how much of the safety dilemma could be improved through better road planning and drivers paying attention/being better trained?  A fascinating discussion of the limits of personal responsibility for cyclists. 

And relatedly, bicycle fatality facts for 2009.  (Hint: Less people died riding bicycles than did from driving cars)

3)  We can learn so much from previous generations, especially in terms of simplicity and frugality.  Here are two awesome links about what these two women learned from their grandparents:

Dyno-Mom

Rowdy Kittens