365 Days | 365 Items Challenge
So it’s my first week of the 356 Days | 365 Items Challenge.
And for the next four weeks, I’m focusing on my bedroom.
More specifically, in the closet with my shoes.
Women like shoes. We really like black shoes. And it is important to have multiple pairs for multiple occasions…running errands, picking up kids, dinner out, evening with girlfriends, weddings, funerals, baptism, Maroon 5 concert, etc.
So, with wine glass in hand, I took stock of my shoes.
Here are some things to note…
First, contrary to Hubs belief, I’m not Imelda Marcos.
All-in-all, I probably have less than 20 pairs of shoes, boots, slippers, heels, flats, sandals, etc. And while some may consider that “excessive”, for a clothes-horse as myself, I consider that pretty limited. The rule the Snyder house has always been that if I can fit them on the shoe rack or on one of my closet shelves – I was within my “rights” as a shoe owner. However, if I crossed the line and left shoes on the floor of the closet, it would trigger a response in Hubs (almost automatic…it is a little scary) that I needed to cull the “herd”.
So this week, I culled the “herd” and got rid of seven pairs.
Pair #1: Black Ballerina Flats
These beauties were marketed as a “flip and fold” shoe that could be put into you purse so you could wear them after your “killer heels” have put a hurt on your feet. You want to know the last time this occurred…1994. Bridesmaid. Awful shoes. Plus they were the cheapest form of pleather. TRASH.
Pair #2: Black Call-Girl Shoes
I’m not sure why I bought these. I think I may have been having a day. A day where I was feeling like an overtired mom who constantly had spit up on her shirt and less of a women. I wore them a couple of times, and they were comfortable. But as a 5′ 9″ women rocking four inch heels, you start to look like an Amazon Women and less like a hot mama. Did I also mention my husband is 5′ 8″? Yeah, people snickered. DONATE.
Pair #3: Brown Call-Girl Shoes
So my day must have been really rough, because I bought two pairs to make sure they went with anything. DONATE.
Pair #4: Brown Gladiator Sandals
I bought these in the beginning of the gladiator sandal trend. They were cheap. And we were broke and I wanted to be trendy. They are cute, but so uncomfortable. They are made from some fake-suede materials that has no give, but plenty of rub. Like makes a blister every time I wear them. DONATE.
Pair #5: Grey Flannel Studded Flats
I bought these online. Again, they are wicked cute, but so uncomfortable. I swear they are made from plywood because they have no give at all and just end up making my feet hurt…which is the exact OPPOSITE point of wearing flats. If I wanted uncomfortable, I’d wear the call-girl heels. DONATE.
Pair #6: Black Clark Sandals
I love these sandals. Love them. They are broken in, comfortable, and I have walked many a mile at shopping malls, amusement parks, DeAnna Rose, and other kid-friendly places. But they are spent. They have served their purpose and it is time they were retired. I’m a little sad. And hoping I can find a replacement pair via the Internet. Goodbye dear friend…you will be missed. TRASH.
Pair #7: Gold Sperrys
This pair probably hurts the worst. I bought them two years ago at the start of the Sperry trend. I knew they would look so cute with shorts and capris. And they did. I just couldn’t wear them for any length of time because I would get a blister. I tried everything to make the spot that rubs disappear…no luck. I thought long and hard about keeping them, because I paid full price for them, and they are still current. But I know better. I’ll never wear them because they hurt my feet…so it is time for them to go. GIVEAWAY.
And here is what I learned.
- If it didn’t fit or feel comfortable at the store, there was no amount of “breaking in” that made them feel any better at home. That shoe salesman at Nordie’s lied to me…those Gold Sperry’s didn’t feel any better after six wearings than they did at the store.
- Cheap shoes suck. (Except for flip-flops because they are disposable.) Out of the seven pairs of shoes, four of them were cheap shoes. And even though I got them on sale, I still didn’t wear them. I would have been better off saving the money on the four pairs and buying a pair of amazing Cole Haans.
- At some point you have to let LOVED shoes go, otherwise you look like a bag lady. I loved those Clarks. They were so comfortable. But they had passed the point of looking good, and now just look “road hard, put up wet”. So it is time to say goodbye. And find a replacement…because that is what Google is for…finding a new pair in the exact same style.
So how did you do? What things did you let go this week? Do you have any extra space? Does it feel good?
You can see all past posts on the 365 Days | 365 Items Challenge. Image credit: ronstik / 123RF Stock Photo
Uh, the clark shoes seem fine. You need to save them for painting and yard work. I tend to get rid of painful shoes stat. I don’t keep them around at all. I don’t know how your cheap shoes can add up to some cole haans as in money wise. Also cole haans are narrow and give most people bunions. So you don’t clean your shoes out seasonally, as in when you change your wardrobe around,as in early in the season? Anyway, July is a good time to get stuff on sale. If you don’t clean out your shoes every season, you have no excuse to buy new ones. Also, I have seen your husband and he isn’t that short. Also, no one cares if you wear shoes that make you seem taller than your husband. Its not a Tom Cruise ego thing. You married a smaller guy. That doesn’t mean he needs to make you smaller. I could go on with this topic about short guys and tall girls. Maybe you just want free shoes from sponsors or something like you did with those boots.
Great job! I think your limited shoe collection is very impressive! This is something I really need to do because my shoes are a horror- spilling out every which way in the closet :). Your are right on the old and beat down shoes- give them away before the temptation to slip them on just this once to wear in public overtakes you.
I feel your pain on the Sperry’s. I have a pair that I wear a lot- no blisters here but then again mine aren’t cute gold ones.
Charlene – it was such a bummer because I have two other pairs of Sperry’s that I love. I guess different styles fit differently. Thanks for your comment.
I completely agree that if the shoes were uncomfortable in the store, they aren’t magically going to feel good at home. I need to go through my shoes too…make that my entire house.
I’m taller than my hubby too (taller than most people), so I’m a flat kinda gal. And I still have people look at my feet almost daily to check if I’m wearing heels. It makes me giggle. And even my flip flops aren’t cheap. I love my Chaco flips.
Don’t you wish there was a magical fairy to make bad cute shoes fit better? And there is nothing wrong with great quality flip-flops…Hubs needs expensive ones. I may have to check out the Chaco brand. Thanks for your comment.
Kelly I am shocked and impressed you keep your shoe collection to 20 pair… even I have more and I cull regularly.
Ann…wait till we get to my costume jewelry. Ugh. I might need to purge 20 pieces to even make a dent.
I wouldn’t even be able to tell you how many pairs of shoes I own! I do get rid of worn out or uncomfortable ones, but styles come back around so in the box, on the shelf they await. Flip flops, sandals and rubber shoes don’t count, in my opinion. Luckily, my husband loves me in cute shoes!
Love that you don’t count anything with a rubber sole.
Not sure what rosarita’s issue is but I appreciate your blog! Thank you for the 365 things in 365 days articles, I need a little direction on where to start. Keep up the great work Kelly!!
Thanks Jessica. Next week will be harder…it’s all my costume jewelry.
Great job! I agree about the shoes – if they don’t feel good in the store, they probably never will… I soooo need to go through my shoes. Hopefully I can get that done this week. I am with you on this decluttering journey, we really need it!
I have one question – are you actually getting rid of one thing per day or are you picking one day a week to get rid of 7 items?
Good luck!
For the shoes, I just did a one day dump. For other rooms (like my bathroom), I’ll probably do a few per day.
I just did this the other day! DBF is moving in and so I’m having to get MUCH more organized! I don’t have a lot of floor space for a shoe rack but do have lots of closet bar space in an upstairs closet, so got two of these sets from walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-2pk-10-Shelf-Organizer/15566812
It isn’t the sturdiest I’ve seen, but does the job for ladies shoes. Was able to do one shoe per cubby so it isn’t crowded. I have an old one of these that I put in the bedroom closet (which is much smaller) for all my every day shoes.
KCatty – I’m a big believer in doing whatever will work for storage. I have my jewelry in a fishing tackle box. It works. 🙂
I’m so excited to be following this because our house really needs to be organized. I’ve tried and failed… this is just what I need, something that will take a year not 7 days (with four kids that’s impossible!).
After my first small panic attack at the thought of getting rid of my shoes, I understand it’s for the best. So I tried real hard and thought about it but after being pregnant last year and being a stay at home mom, a lot of my shoes were not worn in the last year. So I came up with an idea (which will take all year), I stuck a piece of tape under the soles (because my shoes are scattered through out my house). If this time next year, a pair of shoes still have tape, they go! Sometimes I wish I can fast forward time. 🙂
That is an awesome idea!! And you are right. Little bits each week is easier than a whole plan in a few days.
how did the sperrys hurt your feet?