Fashionista friends, welcome to Ageless Style 08.2024. Today’s clever prompt comes to us from Marsha at Marsha in the Middle who suggested we write on a fashion-related splurge. However, I am Nira Roberts’s daughter so the word splurge is not really in my vocabulary, unless we are talking a Dairy Queen Blizzard. This prompt was a bit of a puzzle for me.
Ageless Style 08.2024
I shared our ‘love story’ in last week’s Where Bloggers Live post about the best advice I’ve ever gotten. If you missed it, please find it, here. Early into our dating relationship, PC and I went walking around the nicest mall in El Paso, at the time. We parked outside of Dillard’s and entered the mall through that beautiful store where everything was beyond the means of a single mom-public school librarian. Paul already knew of my love of shoes. But they had to be inexpensive shoes. At that time, Payless Shoes was my favorite place to shop. Remember the cute shoes with a designer feel that Christian Siriano designed for Payless? I was all over those!!
Anyway, that date night, Paul invited me to pick out a pair of shoes at Dillard’s that I would never buy for myself. A splurge, if you will. I was flabbergasted and reluctant to even consider his kind offer. But with some coaxing – didn’t take a WHOLE LOT – I began looking at the feminine strappy sandals they had on display for the upcoming summer season. It wasn’t long before I was trying on several pairs and asking for Paul’s advice about which ones looked best. My first choice was a pair of lemon-lime green sandals with ankle straps and almost stiletto heels. The finishing touch was a sparkly bit of bling attached at the vamp of each shoe.
Aside
*In taking pictures for this post, I did a close up of the shoes so I could read the brand or label. Surprised to see these sandals are Bakers. I shopped Bakers as a teen!! Then couldn’t afford Bakers for most of my adult life, even though they are certainly not terribly extravagant by any means!!*
Disclaimer
I have a very painful right foot. If I remember correctly, it began shortly after I contracted Lyme Disease, which I have written about, here. Shortly before we learned PC had cancer, I was scheduled for foot surgery but when we found out he was sick and needed surgery, I cancelled mine. My feet are certainly not pretty by any means!! And I rarely get pedicures because it seems nail polish just draws attention to them!! Although, I do have a kind of nice arch. Thank you, ballet. Just didn’t want you to think I thought I was some kind of foot model-wanna be.
They were so fancy. So sexy. Unlike anything I had ever bought or worn from Payless!! Paul told the sales person we would take them and like that, they were mine. Magical!!
Splurge Sandals
I had a above-the-knee length dress I wore these sandals with originally. It was very close fitting until it wasn’t. Ha!! It has been gone for years. Then I wore the shoes on the rare occasion that I also wore this maxi dress. Love the shoes and the dress but just don’t have very many opportunities to get so dolled up. It’s probably just me, but maxi dresses feel fancy to me. Probably wrongly comparing them to formals just because they are both long.
Anyway, back in the early spring when I was looking for something to wear to my brother’s wedding, I bought this green and white dress. Before I found out the wedding colors were pastel blue and pink. Ha!! I liked it… I mean, it’s green, what’s not to like??
And it just so happened that my strappy splurge sandals went very nicely with my green and white dress. So, I had to keep it.
Celebrating 16 Years in Style
On 07.11.2024, PC and I celebrated 16 years of marriage – new record for me – (been together – off and on – for 21 years, read more, here). I selected my green and white dress and splurge Bakers sandals for our date night. PC chose the restaurant – Red Lobster, one of his all-time faves.
I felt fancy when I slipped on my sandals and stood before the mirror. Not the same girl I was back in 2003 or 2004. But then again, I wasn’t really a girl even then.
We had a wonderful dinner. Good conversation.
A familiar waiter who obliged us with photos.
And seafood!! Even splurged for dessert. And PC fed me the first bite. Que romantic.
It was a perfect evening. I posed on the little bench outside Red Lobster but never know where I should be looking…never know where the camera is on PC’s phone. Always do much better on the other side of the camera.
On our way home, we stopped at the Transmountain Overlook. This is the road I take when I say I am going ‘over the mountain’ to sub, to take the girls to school, to church, to writing class, to Target, to the outlet mall!! This is the site of our first kiss. 
All those years ago.
Thankful for my Prince Charming, these magical shoes, and our years together. Almost feel like Cinderella. Pinch me!! Or don’t. I don’t want to wake up.
Your Turn
Do you often splurge on special pieces? Jewelry? A bag? Maybe a pair of magical Bakers sandals? When I bought my straw bag at our best local thrift shop in the spring, I was sorely tempted to splurge and get a lovely Michael Kors bag instead. The MK bag was around $50. The bag I eventually purchased was less than $10. I am such a cheapskate. Or maybe just my mother’s daughter. Could be that I have just had to work pretty darn hard for every $50 bill I have ever earned. And Michael Kors just doesn’t mean that much to me. Please check out both bags here. See what you think.
Because I had 2 posts go live today, I am a little late getting this one out. I really dislike having 2 posts go live in the same day and then I am silent – as Lauren likes to say CRICKETS – for a week after!! Hope you will join me in checking out the splurges of my Ageless Style friends.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
Join us by linking up your post below.
P.S.
So far, so good on surviving PC’s retirement!! Of course, this is only the second week. He did mention he was bored yesterday. Ah oh. I can truly say I am never bored. Hopefully, we will continue to figure this thing out and it will be wonderful for both of us.
Enjoy a peaceful weekend. Do something for you. Thank you for popping in to say hi.
Hugs and kisses,
They aren’t just shoes. They are memories!
And I always say that shoes are Great because you can gain 5 lb and they still fit!
Xoox
Jodie
Those shoes are fabulous and I just LOVE the story behind them. I used to be so incredibly frugal growing up and even when we were first married but through the years my husband has convinced me to splurge more on items for myself but it has been a slow and reluctant learning process.
Thank you so much. Yes, if you are raised in a frugal family, you can go one of 2 ways as an adult. Follow suit and be frugal yourself or go NUTS. Ha!! I have gone both ways at times. Have been conservative about shoes and clothes for myself all my life but less so for my daughters. I just thought they were so beautiful (proud mom) that they deserved pretty things. But I loved me some layaway!! Paul can go both ways, too. One time he called me from a car dealer because he wanted me to talk him out of buying a new car on impulse. Ha!!
What a lovely story! Fabulous shoes too 😊
Thank you!! I loved that he wanted to spoil me a little.
This is the Sweetest story ever. I love that you choose something that means do much to you and has such a history. It’s so much more than fashion, it’s a memory, it’s a road and journey you have walked as a woman but also as part of a couple, and I love everything about it.
bosbodaciousblog@blogspot.ca
You are the sweetest thing. Thank you for warming my heart with your words. I am finding blogging easier these days because I am not trying to be a fashionista – HA!! I think I am more of a storyteller. And I throw a pair of sandals or a white dress into the story here or there so that I can play with you Ageless Style gals. Thank you for making me feel so good.
Love that you still have these! They are pretty and so perfect with this dress! And they have a story!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you!! I think they will be mine forever. I probably need to hide them deep in the closet though. Four-year Cami is all about heels, the higher and skinnier the better!!
Such a beautiful love story. Your gorgeous shoes are so much more than a fashion splurge. A gift from true love❣️
Thank you so much. I don’t think I can ever part with those precious shoes.
Ohh, those are cute and sexy sandals! I love the color and style on you, esp with that dress! Ohh, a seafood date is the BEST. I love scallops! What a fun day for you two!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I have to chuckle that our group did a “splurge” challenge when it seems we all are “frugal Fashionistas”. But I guess that’s why it was a good challenge…because it really challenge us! How sweet of your husband to buy you those shoes.
I remember Baker’s growing up! Love this sandals and you lovely dress. Thank for sharing your lovely story!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I love everything about this post, Leslie. First of all, congratulations to you and Paul on your anniversary. Those shoes and the dress are lovely. What a lovely gesture from Paul on that date so long ago. I am really impressed that you still have, and can wear, those shoes. I remember shopping Payless for shoes for myself and my children as they were growing up. I also remember Bakers. Thanks for bringing up those fond memories!
Wasn’t Payless wonderful? Probably not the best quality shoes but they allowed me to have several pairs of shoes in different styles where, for years, I had worn one or two pairs day in and day out.
Thank you for your kind congratulations. PC has been truly that…a Prince Charming. And now with my hobbled foot, he has been even more precious.
I love, love, love this post, my gorgeous friend. The photo of you in your green dress beside your pool…magazine worthy! Your PC is a good man, and I’m so glad you found each other!
It is funny how we consider some things a splurge and not others. For example, I often splurge on footwear because my Frankenfoot means I need comfort as well as support. I love those strappy sandals, but no way could I walk in them. My foot just doesn’t bend like that (and, yes, that is a lovely arch). I am sorta glad I wasn’t able to do this post because I frequently splurge these days. We spent so many years saving and saving to end up with enough money to be comfortable but not exactly living the dream, if you know what I mean.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Yay for you guys to splurge more often these days. Absolutely well deserved. You worked hard, I am sure, both of you!! You deserve luxuries and pampering now.
I have what must surely also be a Frankenfoot (hahaha-love that). Before this silly accident, my right foot was a ness already. In fact, I was supposed to have surgery and then PC was diagnosed with cancer so it went on the back burner. Now that foot is really a mess and may require surgery in several places before all is said and done. But we shall see. I can’t wear my strappy sandals long. And even have discomfort with tennies and boots. I love my L’Artiste shoes because they generally feel pretty good. Might need to splurge on more of them.