31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 6

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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Each of us has a certain item of clothing from when we thought we made it. A lucky piece of jewelry worn when nailing an interview, a little black dress that killed at a work event, or even a wedding dress from that special day. This pair of shoes is from a “made it” moment when I hit one of my career highs.

Staying at a 5-star hotel. Breakfast at Brookfield Place. Backstage access to Madison Square Garden. Flying home on the team plane. I never thought I’d get to experience the travel extras of life in the NHL in the 5 seasons that I worked there. But my “made it” moment was made even more special when I got the opportunity to share these pleasures and more with an incredibly deserving Make-A-Wish family.

Any trip to New York City is special, but I was lucky enough to fly ahead of the team to get things ready and treat myself to a solo morning of shopping in Soho. Strolling up Broadway walking in and out of stores, I came across & Other Stories on Broadway and had to pop in. Long an online window shopping fave of mine, I was always hesitant to pull the trigger on shoes because the European/American conversion isn’t quite exact. But with the luxury of an early Sunday morning and a virtually empty store, it wasn’t long before I walked out with these under my arm.

A muted shade of seafoam, they’re unexpected and cool, and I especially love pairing them with 70s trouser jeans and a white blouse for some fun. Or if I truly want to relive that New York “made it” moment, I’ll throw on a flouncy knee-length dress or skirt and top with a blazer and show them off.

I’m thinking today of my Blue Jackets co-workers. Working in hockey isn’t just another job, you truly inherit a secondary family when you join the team. Sending love and strength as they navigate through this difficult time. <3

& Other Stories Platform Heels | Columbus Blue Jackets Puck

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 5

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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I know they say you’re not supposed to play favourites, but sometimes it's hard to NOT reach for a certain pair of shoes every, single time. This is that pair.

These sandals are an outfit maker, a confidence builder, and a compliment getter all in one. But even more importantly, they’re comfortable. I can run errands at lunch at the mall or walk city blocks between meetings and not once do my feet hurt or blister while sporting these.

What’s even better about these sandals is the cost per wear I’ve gotten out of them. I saw Aimee Song wearing these back in the OG blogging days, before Stories/Reels/Snapchat/TikTok were even a thing, and hunted them down online as fast as I could. #influenced. I’d even go as far as to say that these sandals started my love affair with Zara (long before Columbus had a store), which makes it even sadder that I’ve been taking an extended break from them. (Get it together Zara!)

Playing favourites. As long as the others don’t find out, it’s okay, right?

Zara sandals (old) | IKEA rug (similar)

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 4

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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Year over year my style continues to grow more minimalist, with my shoe style has been following suit. Pointed-toe boots and heels, blocked heels replacing stilettos, and of course, neutrals, are taking over my shoe closet.

But there are still a few pairs of showstoppers that I can’t part with, shoes that you can see from a mile away. They add that extra “Katy Perry” to any outfit, they’re a personality all their own. These Rebecca Minkoff slides are a literal bow on my feet, with “look-at-me” gold metallic screaming from afar. I love pairing these with more masculine looks – a long white oxford with leggings, or cropped black trousers and a black blazer – the masculine counterbalances the gold and the bows. Oh, and don’t forget the cherry red toe polish.

Rebecca Minkoff Calista Gold Slide (old)

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 3

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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A few months pre-pandemic, I started dabbling in at-home workouts as a way of managing my stress. During the day, I was working on a campaign that teaches parents, friends, and families how to help kids manage their mental health, and figured I should probably put my money where my mouth is and start to manage my own.

These Nike sneakers are the best physical representation of my personal mental health journey. While still a work-in-progress, I find that thirty minutes, an online workout, and these shoes have become a lifeline for me, invigorating my brain, shedding my stress, and making me feel proud that I’m putting myself first. And the extra benefits, weight loss, better sleep, and an overall greater sense of strength, aren’t too bad either.

Nike Air Max Dia sneakers | Gaim Yoga Mat | Hand Weights

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 2

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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I was reminded by Twitter that this week, The Devil Wears Prada turns 15. While I can quote more than half the movie, I’ll never forget the cerulean blue scene where Miranda Priestly schools an unsuspecting Annie about the trickle-down effect of designer fashion.

That is the story about today’s pair of shoes. When the designer sneaker trend blew up many years ago, I was obsessed with the Givenchy Urban Street slip-on sneaker. Super sleek, but still sporting an of-the-moment logo, they were the perfect non-athletic sneaker to wear with my everyday looks. Of course, they were completely out of my budget too.

When the main street brands started replicating the designer sneaker explosion, I lost interest pretty quickly in owning a pair. It wasn’t until a chance drive-by of our Saks Off 5th that I spotted these by Vince, and decided to pick them up.

In hindsight, I’m pretty happy that I ended up with the Vince version. The Givenchy version remains a classic to this day, and the Vince version has the same level of quality and style, but without the logo, which I now appreciate even more. These shoes are fabulous for flying; comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off in the air and for TSA security checks. Even if all the traveling I’ve been doing lately is via my food through my semi-regular Blue Apron deliveries.

Vince Vista Sneakers | Givenchy Urban Street Slip-On Sneakers | Blue Apron