I understand that shoe purchasing problems are fairly common among women, however, in my family, we all suffer from the disease in varying degrees. We love shoes. For me it’s not just about how cute the shoes are, it’s how purchasing and wearing them makes me feel. It’s knowing that I have found the perfect shoes for an outfit or event. Or finding great shoes and getting to construct an outfit around them. (Yes, I do realize I need therapy, but I would appreciate it if you would keep those comments to yourselves).

As a child, my mother taught us that the right shoes can make an outfit. I have vivid memories of staring into her closet at the boxes and boxes of shoes. It was amazing. And for better and worse, she passed this shoe buying gene along. But unlike the smoker who hopes that her child will not follow in her footsteps, my mother put us on the path following hers.

My first memory of shoe purchasing was at the local shoe store around the corner from my house. It was a bit more expensive than the department stores, but my mom loved going there because it was a children’s shoe store, they had excellent customer service and they carried Buster Browns (the first brand name I remember being aware of). I loved going down there. I loved Mr. Nice Shoe Man, who always helped us. I love that he always gave us rolls of Smarties.

That love of shoe purchasing was developed as a child, and like any good relationship, has only become a deeper, stronger love with the passing years. As my weight has fluctuated over the years and clothes often became my nemeses, shoes have always been there for me. They always fit, whether I’ve been a size 6 or 16 (okay, so I’ve never been a size 6, but for literary purposes, it sounds better). And I know that I will always find a pair (or 5) that I like, even if I can’t find the pair I’m looking for.

This week was no exception. I went to Nordstrom (another bad habit I inherited from my mom) with the specific intent of finding a pair of red shoes to go with a fabulous dress I’d purchased the day before. I had actually worn the dress to work with black shoes, knowing that as soon as my day was over, I would head out to find a red pair. And find a red pair I did. In fact, it was more like five. The final choice was between the Brytni, a 4.25 inch, patten leather, peep toe, mary jane in red, and the Suttle, a 2.75 inch, sling-back, peep-toe pump (the ones in the pic) – both by Steve Madden.

I loved the 4.25 inch heel and they made my legs look fantastic. However, seeing as how I am already quite tall for a girl and that I have finally realized that you can look good without your feet killing you while risking serious injury to your ankles, I opted for the lower heel. They are also much more versatile. I have a disease, but I am not completely crazy. Do I spend too much on shoes? Absolutely. Because I know this, do I at least try to make sure my shoes are good for more than one outfit? Definitely.

And in case you were about to be impressed that I left with only one pair of shoes, you can go ahead and stop. I also purchased these in yellow – another pair by Steve Madden. (Steve and I have developed quite the relationship over the past five years or so. He was there for me when I finally left the doctor, Doc Martin, that is, and he has yet to fail me). But now that I just read how high the heel is on my new yellow shoes, they may need to be returned. We shall see.