I was never ever a shoe girl. Ever. I was more of a top splurger. I could never have enough cute tops. I really enjoyed spending my money browsing t-shirts, sweaters and long sleeves in the store versus the shoe department, but as I have become more conscious on style and my closet I realize shoes are essential to “putting” it all together.

You see a few things stand out in my mind. When I started dating my husband, Nathan, I would always get teased by his two older sisters for my love of thick white crew socks. Abbey particularly would call me out for pairing with brown suede mary jane flats. Proclaiming I needed some dress socks. Reluctantly, I ditched the socks after adhering to her advise. I did indeed save two pairs that I hid in my sock drawer until about a year ago. Seriously, there is nothing better than straight out of the package white crew socks. Delightful.

In my attempt to impress I headed to their home one Christmas Eve, when I pulled out my skirt for the late night church service, Abbey started to giggle and basically redressed / styled me in their old childhood bedroom. There were clothes everywhere among us three girls and shoes upon shoes. We were slightly tipsy too from the oyster shooter shot and glasses of red wine from dinner. As Nathan’s parents yelled from downstairs that we were to leave in five, I grabbed two knee high boots and followed the girls to the door. As I went to jump in a car, again, his beloved sisters started to giggle at me, “Ashli! Seriously?” I looked down and had two different boots on. See, my love affair for shoes, well it became acquired.

I knew I had to up my game. But, who would I turn to? The classiest, stylish, Meema. My grandmother use to have to most impressive shoe and jewelry collection you could imagine. Stilettos and open toe heels before open toe heels were cool. There were red high heels, and brown leather pumps, cork wedges and cute flats with a slight heel. Heaven! Slowly, she started given me pair after pair stating, “Oh, I cannot where heels like this anymore.” She was the shoe Queen! And, thankfully, I wore just her size.

I was set! Over the years when I received compliments it was usually a pair of her passed down shoes, and nearly 10 years since she started passing box after box along. I still have three pairs I wear.

So, you can say, shoe love, well it grew on me. I had to take it step by step (pun intended!).

Now, 30 years old (Eek! Ugh!) I actually spend my money on shoes. Like the Pair in the picture above that I snagged from Old Navy this weekend. They really do make an outfit.

Old Navy Gladiator Sandal

J.Crew Sandals

GAP

Converse

J.Crew Gladiator Sandal

Target Pumps

Old Navy Flats

Adidas Sneakers

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