Bad Black Booties, Shoe Envy and Relishing Being Wrong

WHAT:
Woe is me, chicas! It’s a bit nipply outside, and I fear that fall has officially arrived! Time to put up those strappy summer stilettos and stock up on autumn essentials: that means coats, jackets, blazers, cardigans, hats, scarves, and of course–my favorite–beautiful boots! Now, if you’ve ever stepped onto a subway car and heard a cat-like hiss–heard claws popping out–heard a gasp of disbelief–then you know that nothing incites more envy or admiration than a bad ass pair of boots. Ankle, knee-high, thigh-high, flats, heels! OOOOH! I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about them! To begin, I bring you this season’s most essential staple: the black ankle bootie.

I’ve selected booties with a little more personality than most, from ruffles, to suede, to metal details, but a classic ankle silhouette works just as well. Just stay away from pointed (Wicked Witch of the West!) or round (Farmer!) toes and go for almond shape to keep it sexy and up-to-date.

WHERE:

HOW:
Oh my. So many ways to wear this shoe! Jeans, tights, dresses–you name it! Pair them with a leather jacket for a rocker look, or throw on some colored tights for ’80s appeal. You can dress them up or down, wear them day or night. This is your most versatile purchase of the fall.

EASY-LIVING TIP:
I don’t know about you, but I just love being wrong. That’s right–you read correctly. I love to be proven wrong. Why? Because each time I am, I learn something new. Each time that I can admit it, I know that I have taken a step in deconstructing that terrible, defeating enemy, the human ego. So why, then, is it so damn hard for most people to admit when they’re wrong? It’s all in the way we enter a conversation and the mind-set that we have.

It is my opinion that there are two basic types of people in the world (simplified, yes, but just bear with me). The first always approaches an argument or debate with one goal in mind: winning. He is hell-bent on changing his contester’s opinion to match his own. He does not listen, he just hears. He is constantly formulating his next defense instead of trying to understand his opponent’s complete thought, from beginning to end.

Next, there is the type of person who enters a debate with the mind-set that the true victory is in learning something new. Stretching his mental horizons. This person is patient and attentive to others’ points. She acknowledges brilliance and asks questions instead of constantly offering rebuttals. She doesn’t cut others down, because she knows that ideas, just like reality itself, are subjective–they are rarely right or wrong. This person knows that the end goal is not to change someone’s mind, but to grow from the dialogue itself.

Next time you find yourself inching towards a debate, I encourage you to take a step back and adjust your mind-set. Put your ego aside and hope to be proven wrong. Ask those questions and watch your opponent soften and reciprocate with a more open mind as well. Put this attitude into practice and your knowledge of the world and of yourself will expand exponentially.

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Nude pumps, Stickin’ It to “The Man” and Trusting

Hola Ladies! First of all, let me just say: thank, thank, THANK you for all of the kind words and amazing feedback on the site! I just launched a couple of days ago and the response has been so positive. I really appreciate the support! Don’t forget to subscribe for updates (it’s super easy!), and please feel free to give me suggestions on what you’d like to see in the posts. I promise to do my best to incorporate all your requests!

WHAT:
Now, down to business…literally. I chose today’s love object with my incredible corporate divas in mind. An unlikely selection, considering that I do most of my work in jeans and a tee. Rarely do I get the chance to sport beautiful pencil skirts, crisp white collared shirts, elegant scarves, or–my favorite–the perfectly tailored power shift dress. Many of you who hate shopping for work-wear are probably thinking, “and this is a problem for you?” Let’s face it: it’s hard to be fly in suit unless you have Beyonce’s money or Michelle Obama’s stylist. However, there has always been one affordable trend that has caught my eye over the years as I’ve enviously watched my 9-7 ladies mill on and off the train in lower Manhattan…the perfect nude pump.

Every single time I see a pair, I think, “that’s a bad B.” They just scream “effortlessly stylish.” Now, some of you may have extremely conservative dress codes at your jobs, so for you, I would lean towards a classic, closed-toe style in a unique fabric. For those of you who have a little more flexibility and are looking for a subtle way to stick it to The Man, I say go crazy with it! The nude palette should give you a little room to play with design and details. Though I rarely opt for the conservative appeal, I tried to represent for everyone. Wear them proudly as I live vicariously through you!

WHERE:

HOW:
Naturally, nude pumps go with just about everything. They can be dressed up or down, and are perfect for going from a day in the office to happy hour with the girls. Some of you may be thinking “but I’m not nude-colored–I’m brown. They won’t compliment my skin tone as well.” I used to think the same thing, but trust me–they still look fabulously chic. If you still want more of a monochromatic look, I would opt for a camel colored shoe or a deeper brown. One day soon, the makers of Band-Aids and shoe manufacturers around the world will wake up and realize we’re not all the same color!

EASY-LIVING TIP:
Today’s easy-living tip is short and sweet. It’s something that I often have to remind myself. In the journey of life, we’ve all taken our falls. Maybe someone has betrayed our trust personally, or maybe we’ve witnessed a parent or a friend suffer from being “too naïve” or “too nice, too soon.” As a result, we go through life seeing the glass half-empty instead of half-full. This means that when we meet someone, we give him %10 of our trust expecting him to work his way up to %100. We expect the worst, but hope for the best. Well, next time you meet someone, romantic or otherwise, I challenge you to take a chance and reverse this equation. Give him or her %90 of your trust; expect the best but prepare for the worst. It is nearly impossible to forge a true bond with someone if you refuse to be vulnerable. In the wise words of my dear friend, Last Offence, “you have to play big to win big.” You know as well as I do, it’s so worth the gamble…