Saturday, September 22, 2007

Fall? Hello? Are You Out There?

This is absolutely the cruelest time of the year for Texans (and everyone else in the South). Every store is filled with cute sweaters and fall colors, and people on TV have obviously progressed into the next season, but day in and day out we still have heat and humidity. All you Houstonians, please don't think I've lost my mind. I know that when I moved to North Texas I lost my license to even say the word humidity in your presence. When I go home I feel like I'm fighting for breaths. And that's on top of fighting my ever livin', ever lovin', big, big hair.

On Thursday, Sunni and Janelle and I had a playdate with the babies at the Galleria. It was glorious. The indoor playground was not at all busy and Ava, Ella, and Jackson had a lot of fun. They even let us do some shopping after they played. I love, love, love getting to be there when the girls get a new outfit. And it is a good time for toddler girls' fashion. I can't say the same for boys. All of us moms found some great things at Old Navy, where they had tops for like $4. I have been in the market for a vest and I finally found the perfect one. The Moore women have been known to rock many a vest in their lifetime, although it has been quite a while since my last vest purchase. Possibly 1994. I think I bought a denim one for my first day of high school. I wore a blue denim vest with a white body suit and khaki shorts. Why all of our dads let us out of the house wearing those skin-tight body suits beats me.

So do I even need to mention how tired I am of my capri pants and flip flops? Feeling summer fashion rebellion in my spirit, I wore some new wide leg jeans that I recently acquired at Express to our mall playdate. (Thank you, BooMama, for getting me on the right track.) They are very long and require a high heel, so I wore my wonderfully fashionable, horribly painful boots from last year. I looked down and said, "Feet, your break is over. It's time to get back in shape!" The boots and jeans made their fall debut. I was thankful to have Jackson with me because pushing the stroller gave me a little extra support and balance while I re-trained myself to walk on stilts.

Perhaps you are wondering why I am willing and eager to put my feet through this kind of trauma. For starters, wearing a crazy-high heel forces you to have great posture. In other words, it makes you stand up straight and suck it all in naturally. I'm also a firm believer that walking in difficult shoes burns more calories than walking in regular shoes. You get tired quicker, so doesn't that make sense? The sides of my thighs were burning a little by the time I left the mall and I was well pleased.

I did, however, live to regret the timing of my foot conditioning/training. Last night I had to wear my cowboy boots to the Big Tex square dance. My feet were not at all happy about the two-a-days workout. I think I asked a little too much of them. Hopefully in a few weeks they will be so well conditioned that and I can rock stilettos in the morning and ropers in the evening without blinking an eye. Or cursing my shoes.


Sensible shoe choices for moms everywhere.


42 comments:

Alicia said...

Wow! I am the first to comment...maybe...You are too cute Amanda! I love to hear your shopping stories. I wore a pair of really cute flats today for the first time and I was limping into the door after wearing them all afternoon. I hate those blisters you get on the back of your heals! dern. Anyways...cute story. Oh did Auto and Hot Rod lead the square dancing...cause i sure do remember them from camp a few years ago...which leads me to say...Go Red Team. I just couldn't stop myself. Love you!

a boy a girl and a pug said...

okay I am loving those cowboy boots. I've lived in Texas for 15 years, how I've managed to go without cowboy boots I'm not sure. This may have to be the year that I get with it.

debra parker said...

I just posted a question to high heel wearers...maybe you should go and share your knowledge.

I am also tired of wearing capris and flip flops.

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Yeah, you probably overdid it. But who can blame you? Those boots are gorgeous!

AbbyLane said...

a true friend shares all the beauty tips she has...

"wearing a crazy-high heel forces you to have great posture...it makes you stand up straight and suck it all in naturally"
"walking in difficult shoes burns more calories than walking in regular shoes"

amen sister. beautiful shoes.

MamaCass said...

The galleria playdate sounds like so much fun. I am sad we missed it. I could have used some relaxing shopping after this week. And I am so over my flip flops. It is time for some cool weather. Speaking of boots I have been thinking about buying some cowboy boots for Tobey even though he would probably grow out of them in a few months. But they would be so cute. I found some online for Toddler's called John Deere Johnny Poppers. I am sold on the name alone.

Susan said...

Although I adore the top pair, my feet (and ankles and back) no longer do. But the brown pair on the bottom...ohhhh...I love me a good pair of cowboy boots and I have several and am always looking for more!

boomama said...

The black boots made my heart skip a beat. And the cowboy boots are adorable. I'm going to try a wedge hill on my dressy boots this year to see if I can avoid a trip to the podiatrist. But my new jeans are going to need a LOT of heel. I do hope I'm not in over my head.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you about Texas being too hot for fall fashion! We are still HOT in early Nov!! It's so sad. :(

Love ya,
Yoli

Janelle and Ella said...

This post is hilarious!! Like Sunni said, they are gorgeous! Your fall attire Thursday was fabulous. I might have to go get those jeans. Best wishes to your feet.

Nancy Mon said...

We all must be thinking alike about footwear bringing in the fall. By faith we ate chili the other night to call that thing into being. Last night at Target, I bought some gel insoles to put in my new flats I bought. Sowing the seed to reap a fall harvest.

Big Mama said...

No pain. No gain.

A Place For Ministry Wives/A Place For Me said...

I'm sure you were "stylin'" in both pairs. Sometimes fashion must outweigh comfort...SOMETIMES. :-)

jennyhope said...

you are so funny! I remember the body suits. I am still embarrassed over that! I can't believe my lack of fashion! I am with you on the workout from the shoes! LOL!!

Little Steps Of Faith said...

" These boots are made for walking.."(thanks, got the song in my head lol)..

We are definitely not ready for boots here, or jeans....FL is too hot yet.

I do love to wear both though, but also cute heels. not quite stelletos, but they look hot with jeans and a tank top; or for the most modest and buttoned shirt with a cami under it.

I had to buy green mascara last night..I'll let you know of the response:) Also, try that Dove pro-age lotion...Yum, awesome!

Poor college student decided to spend money after working that department all night...Not my fault:)

Be Blessed:)

Ang

Erin Ward said...

Fall is my very favorite season, and I'm missing is dearly. It hasn't arrived in Springfield yet either. What's worse, we had a little tease a couple weeks ago. It was fall for about 2 days, then we hit the 90s again...

Dionna said...

Ever since I was a little girl I've loved boots. Love 'em!

Jackie said...

OH...I LOVE those first ones!! I have been out looking for a new pair of boots!! Found a pair at Anthropologie the other day...didn't have the heart to pay that much..but I've been dreaming of them since then (and every other cute thing in that store!!)

I was mentioning to my hubby today that on the Today Show they were showing "fall fashions" I was so jealous, b/c we won't be able to sport those until December here in Houston, and even then, you only get to wear them for about 2 days and its over!! UGH... I need to moved up North so I can be more "fashionably adapted!"

Oh yeah...and love your rationale on wearing uncomfortable shoes...surely we are working off WAY more calories in those suckers, I mean, we pay for it for days to come in sorenes...
Have a good weekend!!

Darlene R. said...

Yet another reason for loving Texas.....boots.

Angela Baylis said...

Those black ones aren't too pointy? Okay... I'll trust you on this one, too!

I wish I lived in Texas so I could get away with cowboy boots!

Love,
Angie

Shelly said...

I was living in denial about the brutal cold weather we're already experiencing here. (And my brutal, this GA girl means 40's...let's not even talk about the fact that these people here think that is warm). So yes, I wore my UGG'S AND a turtleneck the other day. NOT COOL!
Nate looked at me the 1st day he was here (while I was shivering), and kindly told me that I was going to have to stop living in cold weather denial and put my flip flops away. So I feel you're pain, in a different way!
(Although I was highly appreciative of getting to wear my jeans that sound a lot like yours the other day. A girl can never have too many pairs!).

Kay~ said...

Siesta,

I am totally with you. My capris and cute sandals are screaming to get a winter's rest.
PLUS, I am dreaming of pumpkins, soups, stews, and how to decorate my porch with fun fall stuff.
Come on fall! We're a waitin' on ya.

ocean mommy said...

Oh the wisdom!! I agree we HAVE to burn something wearing these things. It's still warm here in GA. My girls and I are praying for cooler temps. everyday. Especially since the pool season is over. If it's hot, I want to be in the water! If not, let's break out some sweaters and jeans!

connorcolesmom said...

So funny that you posted on this today. I am at my parents house for my mom's birthday and all I packed was fall fashion (jeans, sleeveless turtle neck etc...) Well my brother had a soccer game and out I go in my jeans and turtle neck I about died of a heat stroke!!
I so want it to be fall I mean it is September 22nd - come already!!
much love,
Kim

Allison said...

Hey girlie! I'm having the same shopping woes. I am in desparate need of new clothes after being pregnant for the last year, but its too hot for winter!!! I miss you too and yes, the twins HAVE been asking where Auntie Mandy is. Come see us soon. I will treat you to the BBQ pizza and tart you are dreaming of. Love you!

Lauren said...

I am with you on LOVING fall clothes!!! I get way too excited about sweaters.

And I think wearing uncomfortable--but fabulous--shoes every so often is a total given. It is just worth it sometimes.

Lindsee Lou said...

The battle of humidity and hair are something that I will FOREVER hate about Houston. I mean, seriously, can we have cute, silky hair, just one day?!

And the heels. You're so right. Although I'm already almost 6'0 tall I LOVE to wear heels, just for that reason. I do hope one day I just find a man taller than me so that I can still wear the heels!!

This was hilarious!

Lindsee

Holly said...

Your Mama did such a fine job in Denver...you would've been so proud of her!

And Travis? He nearly slayed us all with his song "Forvermore." I prayed that Jesus would come back right then, for if you could sing him down, He surely would have come!

You have such a wonderful heritage, Amanda...and Jackson...and those to come after you and Curt! I'm so glad!
Love you in Him,
Holly

Toknowhim said...

I am so waiting for Fall too. It is my favorite season of all...

I am hopelessly klutzy, and have always stayed away from higher heels for fear of breaking an ankle, leg, or some other body part. Do you think I could learn to walk in stilettos (did I spell that wrong?) eventually? :)

Blessings, and come on cooler weather.. We are all waiting...

annette said...

Oh it does this mom's heart good to see you are so comfortable with your height that you do enjoy a pretty pair of shoes. I think you're about 5'8"? My girls are 5'10" and they love a good heel too. I am so glad my own insecurities of being tall aren't a generational bandage! Keep those great boots going. They are working for you. Happy First Day of Fall from HUMIDSTON, I mean, of course, Houston.

Kevin and Christie said...

YEAH!! I am SO pumped about today being the first day of fall...I too sported some brown fall mules to support the day! I can't wait for the weather to cool so that we can wear the sweaters!! YIPEE

life with the wisners said...

oh amanda...you really know how to get a girl all lit up. i'm with ya, sister.

fall? what's that? i hear it's a season.

oh how i long for it. and to wear some sassy boots.

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Being only slightly over 5 feet, I've always been a heel girl - think the female version of Prince.

And, just so you know, those black boots are HOT! :))

FitzandMolly said...

If I could keep only one thing in my closet, it would without a doubt be my Lucchese boots. We Texan girls must have our boots!

Unknown said...

Here in Alabama, we're having the same fall issues. It's almost October for pete's sake and the high today is going to be 90?!?!?!?!?!?! Oh where oh where is fall??

I am almost envious of women who can walk around in heels and make it seem so painless. I'm a short one and should wear heels, but I just can't do it to my feet. I put them through enough torture as it is w/o adding in heels!!

Michelle said...

We were teased with Fall here, temps dropped and now are back to norm... but no Texas weather here! Soon the leaves will change and I will send you pics!

Patty said...

Loved the boots! I just love shoes and I have plenty of them. My problem is I buy shoes before I buy clothes. I think I am backwards. :o) I am ready for Fall. It had been in the 70's in east Tennessee but yesterday it was 91 and humid!!! Hopefully it will cool down in Dallas.

Allison said...

You are cracking me up! As a woman that walked one mile each way from public transportation in SF in heels all the way through nine months preggo, I feel your pain! But all for the name of fashion! Who can resist how great they make you feel!

Amy T said...

I would kill myself in those black boots. Let's just say Grace is not my name and I try to keep my feet as flat on the floor as I can! But I bet you looked gorgeous!

Allison said...

Oh, and this may help you.....

Nothing can bring you or your kids down from the high of new shoes more than the resulting new blister they’ve caused.

Before anyone slips into shiny ballet flats or ultra cool sneaks, rub on some Save My Feet Blister Elixir (Party Shoe Elixir works wonders for heels). All it takes is a dollop of this lotion to protect spots usually prone to painful blisters so there’s no fumbling with a barrage of bandages or money wasted on adorable shoes never to be worn again. The non-greasy formula smells fresh and lasts up to 8 hours.

Anonymous said...

Amen, Sister! It is 95 degrees in Tennessee and HUMID. I have moved the boots to the front of the closet and I am waiting for the day. And oh, how I love me some heels. I choose cuteness over comfort everytime! Come quickly, Fall!

Erin said...

I have a picture of us on our first day of highschool...I will find it and share it with the world. Our outfits were AMAZING!!!!!!