A Tale of Two Shoes

Sometime between Carrie Bradshaw and Lady GaGa... normal women started wearing really tall heels. Fortunately for me, this transition took place soon after I graduated from college and start wearing heels regularly and also when I started dating a giant, therefore making some sort of platform mandatory for carrying on a conversation.

I've found that when you wear tall shoes you often elicit comments from strangers, which is fine, because no one wears metallic gladiator sandals to fly under the radar. However these comments are usually "how do you walk in those?" or " I could never walk in those." If you've ever felt compelled to say this to someone, this is your public service announcement to stop. Its not at all offensive, its just... what is the appropriate response? "Well I just put one foot in front of the other. .." or "oh, sure you could, lets try!" seem unnecessary. I usually just smile and say "oh, haha . . . they are actually comfortable!" Which is at least half of a lie. I'm not hobbling around in pain but obviously some orthopedic contraption would be a bit more soothing on my feet.

I've posted about the Waleos before, and although I have some other shoes I really love, these are probably the tallest shoes that I wear to work and everyday outings. One day while wearing these royal blue pumps, I headed to the post office on my lunch break. As I left and walked to my car, a woman walking next to me said " wow! those are some crazy shoes!" "Oh, haha!" I responded (of course.) "And they're really tall!" she continued. "Yes! Just the way I like them!" I replied as I proudly stepped off the curb and twisted my ankle. I limped to my car and waited until I had driven at least a mile away to check out the damage. No bruising, just my ego.
Undeterred, I wore my leopard print kicks to work. As I headed into my office, I passed a woman who works in the same building. We exchanged hellos and then she stopped. "Oh my god your shoes!" she squealed. " I just had to say something!" "Oh, haha!" I responded (seriously what is wrong with me?) But she didn't stop there. " Those.are.HILARIOUS!!!" she howled. Really? Hilarious? Now shoes can be funny. Like these.

Or maybe these.

But are my shoes . . . hilarious? Oh well.

Now I totally understand where these women are coming from. I constantly wonder why Carrie Bradshaw must trot around NYC in her Louboutins and can't just walk like a normal person. This is especially bad in the "A Woman's Right to Shoes" episode which I used to think was so totally petty and ridiculous but now I'm all "Preach Carrie!" which just shows how old and unmarried I am. Anyways, after all that nonsense with Tatum O'Neil, Carrie has to put on her new Manolos on and play hop scotch down the street?!

Also, sometimes I am concerned about Beyonce dancing in heels. Even during the single women leotard phase I was amazed that she could lunge and squat in those things- its like a Cirque Du Solei trick.

I mentioned that Amanda Seyfriend wore some killer heels to sprint around with JT during In Time. Good for her, but I couldn't help but think that if I was literally running for my life, I might have taken off my shoes.

In fact, about a month ago I was running a half marathon in Florida. Around mile 9 a blister started to form on my left foot, and I really couldn't take it. I decided my best option was to stop, remove my shoe, adjust my sock and continue on. Well, once I stopped, it was really hard to get started again. My pace dropped, I considered vomiting, and I apparently looked so horrible when I finished that a medic called for a wheelchair. ( I politely declined.) So I probably should have left my shoe on.

I'm not really sure how to wrap up this rambling post except to say, I guess we should let women decide on whatever kind of footwear works best for them. And if you're the one wearing the highest heels (or cushiest sneakers) keep your head high and keep your shoes on. Come to think of it, the only girl who ever benefited from losing a shoe was Cinderella.

And those things were made of glass! Even GaGa doesn't go there.

The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is terrifying, disgusting, thrilling, violent, and seriously awesome. It is over 2 hours of cinema that is anything but Chick Flick Chic. But I LOVED this movie.

I broke one of my life rules and didn't read the book first. I think this actually worked out because this movie is a mystery and I had no idea what was about to happen. If you haven't read the books, I think the trailer does a poor job of previewing what this movie is all about. Its a murder mystery and a tale of revenge and the story is told through a fascinating set of characters.

Of course at the forefront is Mara Rooney as "the girl" herself, Lisbeth Salander. She is a BADASS!! I am kind of obsessed with her. If you start seeing outfit posts with me in leather jackets, boots and a mohawk, you at least have fair warning.

Let me take a CFC moment and just say that Daniel Craig is so gorgeous as Mikael Blomkvist and his wardrobe is equally attractive. I saw him on the Today show talking to Matt Lauer about filming this movie after he had finished an action film. Mr. Bond said he actually had to "put on weight" and become "your typical out of shape journalist." Um, okay. I think if typical journalists actually looked like this we could revive the newspaper industry by printing their headshots alongside their articles.

Also! There is a makeover scene at the end. And a love story! Squee!

Okay seriously, I do need to let you know that this movie is incredibly intense and not easy to watch. In fact, I held my hands in front of my face for at least a few scenes. But for the rest? I couldn't look away. And I can't stop thinking about it now.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, rated "R," drama, starring Mara Rooney and Daniel Craig, "A"

Young Adult

So, here's the thing about Young Adult. I think it is a really well done movie, with impressive performances, especially by Charlize Theron. This movie was billed as a black comedy but honestly, it wasn't very funny. Its interesting . . . and depressing. . . and at times really uncomfortable. I can't say that I would recommend seeing it, but its a good movie.

Young Adult, rated "R," comedy, starring Charlize Theron, "B-"

Ringing in 2012 in Style

If "style" means pinning synthetic hair to your head and whipping it around on the dance floor.
Let's back up. A few details on what I wore for New Year's Eve.

I got this dress last February from a department store on a really great sale. At the time I didn't know it was for NYE, I just knew it was a really cute dress and I would find an event to wear it to.
The shoes are Steven Madden Partyy (yess with two Ys) pumps. They have a sparkly heel and my boyfriend gave them to me for my birthday this year.

Another birthday present- the Petra bracelet from Stella and Dot.

The rest of the jewlery- cheap, cheaper, and cheapest- from Forever 21 and New York and Co.

Eye shadow and liner from my mini makeover at MAC. Also Maybelline "Falsies" mascara which is the best cheap mascara in the world.

I also put on fake eyelashes- I always get the Ardell lashes- the accents style. They're only the outer corner of the lashes, which I find easier to apply and less caterpillar like for overall effect.
I wore a clip in ponytail from Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves' brand. I got it at Ulta and I LOVED IT SO MUCH. I was really excited to bring my boyfriend to New Year's but I'm pretty sure my ponytail was my date.

The definition of CFC

If you've ever wondered what it meant to "apply the rules of a romantic comedy to everyday life" here's your answer. I was getting ready for work last week and heard the first part of this story on the Today show. As I was sipping my morning tea, I heard Ann say

"Here's an interesting story about a woman who got pulled over and issued a speeding ticket by a police officer. He tracked her down and asked her on a date!"

Already I'm thinking "so cute! I bet this is leading to really sweet proposal where he writes 'will you marry me' on a speeding ticket!" But no.

Here's how things ended up. In retrospect, it does sound totally creepy. But admit it, would this not be an adorable rom-com starring Katherine Heigl as a career minded woman who happens to be a terrible driver AND have perfect hair? And Patrick Demspey as the handsome police officer who is at first exasperated with her inability to follow traffic rules, but then wins her heart? "That's the Ticket" would be the title. The poster would feature the tagline "There's No Speed Limit on Love."

And that's what it means to be Chick Flick Chic.

CFC in 2012

I'm back! I had a great Christmas break (if I'm not too old to call it that) and now am seriously struggling with the post holiday weirds. The weirds are such a curse, but the good thing about them is they mean you had a really good time. If you had a crappy week you would be ready to move on to the next thing, not sad all of your good times were over.

Anyways, this was the first year that I haven't been home for the holidays and I was worried it wouldn't really feel like Christmas. But it was so nice to really enjoy the season over the past couple of weeks with my family instead of stepping off a plane and cramming all of my holiday cheer into a few days. I learned, like the Who's in Whoville, that:

"We hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came!

Somehow or other... it came just the same.

Christmas day is in our grasp

So long as we have hands to clasp

Christmas day will always be

Just so long as we have we. "

Then we all held hands and sang "Fah who foraze Dah who doraze welcome Christmas . . ."

Next I headed to Orlando for a reunion with my best friends from college. We have planned a mini trip almost twice a year since we have graduated and they are basically the highlights of my life. We had a wonderful time, but the best part of the trip was a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Growing up in Florida, I'm a Disney veteran but I haven't been in years. We had an absolute blast and really took a lot of Disney lessons to heart. The theme this year is "Dreams Come True" and we chanted that along with all of the princesses, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and of course, Donald.

If you could have heard us interacting during our reunion, you probably would have thought we sounded a lot like Disney princesses. "You look so beautiful!" " Your hair is so long!" " I love that outfit!" " You look great!" " I am so proud of you!" " You are changing people's lives!!" Just like a princess we have found true love . . . with each other.

Next I headed to my hometown to ring in the new year with my 5 besst friends from high school and our dates. We last spent New Year's as a group in 2001 so this was a reunion AND anniversary celebration.

We've come a long way in 10 years, mainly in our (okay, my) hair styling choices, but I am so proud of all of us, and honestly so happy that we have remained such close friends. Not a lot of people can say they are still best friends with FIVE girls they knew when they were 14, and I think we're pretty special.

I wanted to blog on New Year's Eve, but I was too busy applying my fake eye lashes and hair extensions (more on that later.) I wanted to post my favorite New Year's Eve scene from a movie EVER. And no, its not When Harry Met Sally. It's this lovely part from the first Sex and the City movie where we see how all of the girls are ringing in the new year. Obviously a pregnant Charlotte and Harry are precious and Samantha and Smith in their sparkly robes- absurd but somehow appropriate. Anyway, the part I'm trying to get to is when Carrie runs across town in her pajamas just to let Miranda know that she's "not alone." I LOVE this scene!

I think female friendship is a really complicated thing that not everyone understands. I'm sure being obnoxiously bffs for the past 10 years has been irritating to some people, maybe ourselves included. But if you can say that in the past decade, no matter where you were, you knew having five best friends meant you were never alone- well, that's something worth celebrating.

According to my facebook news feed (people I know in real life) and twitter feed (celebs I wish I knew) everyone is feeling optimistic about 2012. As am I! Here's to a year of family, best friends, and dreams coming true!

Holiday Flair Part II

Happy December 26th! Do you have a case of the post Christmas weirds? I don't yet because I have two best friend reunions this week! Anyways, here's recap of some holiday outfits- inspired by a few of my favorite Christmas movies.

For a day at the Biltmore- fur inspired by Maureen O'Hara at the end of Miracle of 34th Street.



For dinner and a performance of A Christmas Carol- cozy scarf inspired by Amanda Woods in The Holiday.




For another holiday party- shorts and tights inspired by Vera Ellen in White Christmas. This movie really deserves an entire post for the gorgeous costumes. Perhaps next year!


Orangey red lipstick, black and white blouse inspired by Esther Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis.

And of course, side bun inspired by Ashley Greene.

For Christmas Eve- sparkly top inspired by anything festive I could find in my closet and headpiece inspired by reports that the Duchess needed to prepare FIVE outfits just for Christmas Day!
That sounds grand. The only wardrobe change I made was into my new sparkle Uggs. Thanks Handsome!

Do you like dressing up for the holidays?