BJF flower slippers

If you’re able to get to Novato, the Bonjour Fleurette warehouse sale is totally worth going to.  Judi Flowers created flower slippers, and they’ve become all the rage, from Sex and the City to Oprah.

Here’s a video from In Wine Country that we did on Judi and her slippers.

Usually the slippers go for $50 and up!  But at the sale, you pay $10, unless there are Swarvoski crystals, then it’s a little more.  The luggage tags are fantastic!  I have several — some are flowers, others are plaids.  They make great gifts, and usually go for $12 but at the sale they’re $3-$6.

No doubt I’ll be following the happenings and pronouncements from WBC. I’m hoping someone will finally reveal the secret to making loads of money by blogging. That would make the conference worth attending.

I’ll post about WW&S, which takes place at Hall Winery in St. Helena on Sunday, June 27. I’m going with a group of friends; our numbers keep expanding year after year. This is year four!

Several hundred feet later, there’s another custom sandal shop, with more brightly colored leather straps, and lots and lots of crystals adorning the sandals. My friend and I were trying on sandals to see what looked best on our feet, and got yelled at by the

cobbler – he was impatient and wanted us to make a quick decision. We left in a huff, vowing never to buy from him.

We searched Positano and Capri for other sandals, but his were the best. I went back the next day, swallowed my pride, and bought a gorgeous pair of pink sandals, with major bling.

Ever since, I’ve dreamed of opening my own custom sandal business. But in the meantime, I made a discovery that lets me fulfill my sandal cravings. I was in New York City a few weeks ago, walking along 5th Avenue, and something in the front window of Henri Bendel stopped me in my tracks. There was a live cobbler making custom sandals!

Turns out Bendel partnered up with Tuccia Di Capri to offer customized sandals.

If you can’t get to the NYC Bendels, you can order your sandals online. Tuccia di Capri gives you instructions on how to measure your feet. This is now my second pair of custom sandals, and I have to tell you, there’s nothing better than the fit of a shoe made for your feet. They are so comfortable, and they don’t rub at all.

If you know of any other custom sandal makers, please do share!

I love shoes.  I don’t know many women who don’t.  I also love high heels (a three inch heel is no big deal).  But the poll finds only 8% wear heels more than 2 1/2 inches high.  Think I’ve got a few pairs around 4 -5 inches.  Yes, some women do have foot issues and they don’t wear heels.  I can’t help but wonder who these 1000 or so women are who answered the survey.  Even my mother had more than 17 pairs of shoes.

Nordstom’s shoe department is big and famous for a reason.  Just look at the popularity of an event called Wine, Women & Shoes.  The event, which raises money for charity, features a shoe fashion show and marketplace and winemakers pouring wine.  It has grown to 22 cities nationwide, with about 15,000 attendees, and has raised $5.5 million for various causes.  I’ve gone the past four years, planning to go again this May, and my group of friends attending keeps getting bigger.  Here’s a story I did about it that aired on In Wine Country.

Shoes are a great accessory.  You can keep them forever. They change an outfit and your mood.  As Paolo Nutini sings in his song New Shoes:

Hey I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything is right.

I said hey I put some new shoes on and everybody’s smiling it’s so inviting

That’s why I don’t believe that women buy only three pairs a year.  Obviously I don’t agree with the survey’s findings, but I’d like to know what you think?  And if you’ve got 17 pairs of shoes or less in your closet, tell me why.