I am not really a shoe lady but during the 2 remaining months (November & December) of 2010, I bought 3 high heeled shoes from Nine West and Vicci and I had realized now that those were  bought out of impulse because I was enticed by those screaming SALE signs.  Usually, if  I don’t have money  to splurge, I am avoiding those shoe stores.  Admittedly, the quality and styles of shoes sold there are to drool for but the prices are really too expensive for ordinary shopper like me.   However, the holiday season allowed me to shop to my heart’s content because I had 3 important occasions to attend to;  a wedding, a debut party and a grand Christmas celebration.  Yes, I bought a pair for each gathering!

When I had the chance to organize my things yesterday by putting all my shoes in order by storing them one by one into their respective boxes then I labelled them.   As I was doing that, quite a tinge of misgiving entered my mind- like I should have not bought those shoes because the heels are high and not practical … well all sorts of silly reasons which I know in a way won’t help since it was already there.  But anyway, since those expensive shoes will surely last for years because they were made of durable materials, I am pretty sure that I will be able to use them repeatedly to many special gatherings and eventually my budget will be spared.

Somehow, those shoes already served their purpose; I looked 2 1/2 inches taller, I walked graciously and it helped me checked my walking posture.  I also believe that it looked good on my feet so I  felt good and gave me that illusion of being beautiful…. lol!

Posting these pictures alleviate my misgivings… they are pretty sandals afterall…

A week after the closing of year 2010, people are all busy still shopping because most goods are up for sale!  I was somehow enticed to go and looked around for possible great find.  Well, the pair of Nine West office shoes that I’ve been checking during the Christmas season became 50% less so I never think twice and bought it, not anymore consulting my dear husband.   I really loved it although it was half size smaller but I decided to take it hoping the leather material will still expand as it wears off.

I wore it on the first day of office after my 2 weeks holiday.   I have to admit, I was a show off that day … of course the girls gave compliments about the shoes but little did they know that slowly towards the end of the day, my feet was about to scream for help.  It was a torture.. the shoes became too tight for my swollen feet.  Argggh…

Emerging from the Outpatient exit door of  the hospital,  my husband who was waiting in the car can see from afar, how I walked awkwardly with my new shoes on.   I pretended everything was fine but the facial expression cannot hide the truth.

Well, the prize of impulse buying…. or not consulting my husband.   Whichever…. my shoes have not been worn again and I might reluctantly give it away to my niece.

Such a waste!

Gold.. gold.. gold.

20 years ago, price of gold per gram was very affordable.  Gold shopping became a pastime of bored mothers and part of shopping budget of almost every woman who fancied buying gold pieces.  The popular pieces then were bangles of intricate designs and of solid built.  It seemed that almost all women that I know have a piece or the 7 days set of bangles because the husband can tolerate the extra indulgence since it was very cheap then.   But not anymore, the gold price has increased almost 300% higher. . The cost of everything has gone up and you can’t expect to pay the same price for your gold pieces as before.  The price shot up and really expensive, so nowadays, husbands have to take the wives to shopping somewhere but not in the gold market.

Selling gold can be a lucrative business if the customers are good!

Proliferation of selling gold on installment basis is a welcome alternative.  Meaning, the price of whatever gold you have chosen will be divided into 3 equal payments (or 3 months to pay).  This will be on a very easy payment terms.  However, this selling is based on trust; usually the jewelries are sold to friends and friends of close friends with good credit record.  The installment scheme worked for those who can’t afford to buy on cash basis.

Every business has its ups and downs.  Selling this way is sometimes referred to as  “TEARDROPS” because if one will run away with your goods, then your tears will surely fall nonstop out of desperation and frustration.

Well, there is risk in this kind of business.. be willing to take it.  I did!!!!!!!

… cooling my heels and my head just now while doing myblog.   Cooling my heels because we just came home from shopping for shoes….cooling my head because my son threw tantrum when I refused to buy him the shoes of his choice because I did not like the its material.  Actually, I still  asked him to choose another pair but I believed his mind was already set on that style and I can no longer persuade him to look around for a different pair.   He then went home empty handed and  resented my refusal.  On the other hand  his sister was contented with the shoes she picked for herself, although initially, I was not sold to idea because the shoes looked bulky and of masculine style.  It looked like more of boxing shoes that I teased her that it is not perfect  however, her whims prevailed over my inital objection.    Oh well, no recourse but have their way afterall, she is the one going to wear it and their taste is different from mine.   Generation gap, I believe…..  My son on the other hand was sulking on our way  home but I just let him sulked till he realize that he needs a shoe and will definitely come to me anytime soon. 

We had bought two shoes (one for my daughter and my eldest son), well, tomorrow for sure,  we will be going out to go round of shops for shoes for my sulking son….

And hopefully he will be able to make the right choice.   He better make up his mind fast because I might change my mind! 

Tonight we will make good of our promise to our two children that it will be shopping time.   We will be shopping for shoes this time.  But choosing the right shoes for our feet is not as easy as pointing on the display rack or just because it is fashionable or the design is good.  Our feet evolved for flexibility and strength and not to only be stuffed into shoes.  We have to remember that good shoes are part of of the good care our feet deserves.   I’ve been telling my children to choose shoes for comfort and function rather than style.  Because wrong shoes can can cause or aggravate foot ailments.  So,  right shoes can prevent foot problems and wearing the right shoes is vital to foot care.

Sometimes, they end up buying shoes that is stylish but not functional.  Functional in the sense that if they are buying  particular shoes for their P.E class, the rubber shoes should be according to the different activities like for running shoes, the sole shoud be of waffle design that is used for running, for traction and to help with forward motion.   Herringbone design is for optimum motion and used for basketball and tennis shoes.  While gum rubber out sole is created for indoor activities that requires much traction to a smooth wooden or cemented ground.

See! I have done my research so we won’t  go wrong in buying shoes!  Well, let us see tonight if they will make the right choices. 

Good luck!

 A simple old tradition turned out to be a consumer based celebration these days.   Christmas became the “season to buy”.  As modern tradition dictates, gift giving is part and parcel of this festive event.  While shopping is a thrill to those who have lots of money to spend on gifts, to others who can afford very little or none at all, it became desperation.

This season also made me think of a distant cousin who had gone bankrupt due to fund mismanagement and improper handling of his credit cards; his way beyond spending made his credit card debt  accumulated more than he can handle. He sought the help of a well trusted company introduced by another friend who too, was helped with Debt Management Plan.   We believed that an immediate assistance is what my desperate cousin needed that time because he was already neck deep with financial obligations due to his uncontrolled expenditures.  I can still remember that Free Debt advice was given to him and not long enough he was able to get out of the seemingly quick sand that was pulling him down.                                                                                                       

When I chanced upon him in a local convenience store few weeks ago, he was a picture perfect of a man who is contented and at peace.   I’ve learned from him that countless of debtors were helped by JustClearMyDebts.com.  To them, said company was   heaven sent because it provided and offered them tried and tested IVA Information and in no time at all, they were almost debt free. He told me that there are no more sleepless nights of worrying.  He advised me that the main advantage of credit card is its convenience and it will leave me with a debt too difficult to pay back if I will not make good at budgeting and managing my finances.  

Very well meaning advice indeed,  but he might have forgotten that handling finances and  credit cards is one of the few skills that I am good at.   I am using my plastic cards wisely!

What would you expect?  This holiday season, everybody seemed to be in a rush and in a shopping frenzy.  Shopping is done left and right… invitations for parties, exchange gifts, gift giving, food galore are all part of this Holiday season!  Although shopping really excites us no end but shopping for oneself is different from shopping for another person.  If you are going to buy a gift for a friend, there is much thought put into it like you have to carefully consider the receiver’s personality, likes, lifestyle.   But  first and foremost is to consider your budget. 

 Just a wishful thinking-  how simple and meaningful it would be if we could  just blow kisses into a box and wrap it.  Also gifts can be in a form of good deeds- a hug and a kiss, opening a door for an elderly, baby sitting for a neighbor, visiting the sick, giving love and cheers to those who are in prison , in the home for the aged.  Simple things count a lot.  But let us face it, we can no longer get away or others are unwilling to do away entirely with the gift giving tradition. 

Gift giving dated back in our ancient times but during those days gifts, were simple and non-materialistic.   But  gift giving  was no doubt transformed into a modern Christmas celebration with too much commercialism.  There is no disputing that Christmas giving has become a very big, brisk business because there is no stopping people from shopping to give away gifts.  It became a tradition.  Somehow it became a ” SEASON TO BUY”.   To most it brings happiness but disappointments to those who can afford very little.   Our culture changes but the spirit of Chrismas and the giving associated with it, is affected by the modern consumer culture in which we live. 

Well, we all have different viewpoints here.  Actually it is our choice…. let us not overspend…. let us not be a millionaire for a day.  While it is true that it is better to give than to receive,  however, let us buy gifts that is within our means.

I love giving and receiving gifts…

A friend called  a week ago asking for any available Halloween costume I might have in our closet.  Her son should come in his best Halloween outfit not necessarily scary but was encouraged to be unique.  She told me that almost all children come in costumary cartoon characters outfits while the braver ones used scary masks and all sorts of spooky make-ups and they wanted to be different this time.   Well, since my children all all grown up, I had already given away all of their small clothes, all school  costumes- used for United Nations parade, Halloween, Nutrition month, their Santa outfits… what else?  So, I can only suggest (as if I am a fashion guru..lol) and we found a 1970s afro wig and told her that maybe she can have her son used it as Michael Jackson come to life and apply very pale make-up and touch of dark color to circle around the eyes.   That’s all I was able to suggest and hopefully  she liked it.    I  believe there are a lot of toys and novelty shops here that sell masks and wigs and you can be different in a way if you will be more creative.    Afterall, you will only be using it once a year and not necessarily you have to buy expensive outfits.

The next day when I reported to work,  the phone was busy with two of my officemates comparing notes about Halloween costumes they had prepared for their children and were excited too!

I mused and said to myself,   dare to be different… creativity is the key!

Summer months are almost over!   We have survived once again the unbearable hot summer days and nights of May to October with almost 50 deg. C/ 122 deg. F  maximum temperature especially at noon.  The burning dry wind in summer is particularly unpleasant.

I’ve heard that a long time friend will be coming for a visit and it”s good that she will be coming after summer for any visitor in the states of Arabian peninsula should be prepared for very hot conditions .   We have seen people who suffered from heat stroke and heat exhaustion and that can be a threat particularly to new arrivals in the Kingdom.  School and offices timings are sometimes cut short or even cancelled when the scorching heat becomes unbearable.   The children in school feel uncomfortable and restless and the decision was based on previous experiences when students complained of nosebleeding and heat exhaustion.

The nights are getting to be little bit chilly and the days are somehow comfortable enough.   I am looking ahead to a busier week-end to pack our summer clothes and unpack the bulky jackets, cardigans, sweaters, jogging pants ready for winter.   The shops now are teeming with winter clothes and it I am trying to resist to shop however, when we visited a local shop, I grabbed a fashionable sweater and a scarf to match.   I’ve seen an ankle boots and would love to own a pair!

People are getting ready !  For now, bye hot summer and hello winter!

Don’t laugh now! I am serious! Even how silly it may sound but I am telling the truth, my stiff neck was caused by a ceiling fan! The other day, we graced the housewarming of a friend, an occasion we all looked forward to. The said house was on the buzz lately because our common friends were like bees talking about how majestic its interior, furnishings and appliances are. We were not disappointed for true to our expectations the house was adorned with beautiful vases, painting but we were particularly in awe with the decorative ceiling fans.   We all can’t help to look up all the time because it was an instant conversation piece the whole evening.

Obviously, those elegant fans have caused the strained soft tissues on my neck for I was trying to figure out its brand and kept looking up. A guest who for sure had noticed me,  whispered that I don’t need to strain my neck any further and scribbled a site in a scratch paper.  It was written exactly like this- the best place to shop -Hansen Wholesale Ceiling Fans and he further wrote to visit this site if you really want to find out who makes the Best Ceiling Fans here! It was written with conviction! I later found out that he too owns a beautiful home with fans of those brands and he swore for its super quality performance and never stops recommending the brand to his countless friends.

In the meantime, I will continue to draw inspiration from my friends’ home decorations and should we decide to re-decorate our house for a modern look, I would definitely consider buying from Hansen Wholesale those ceiling fans.

However, I am afraid that if I will frequent my friends’ house, for sure my stiff neck will linger on and on.