My first paycheck circa 1997

I am a firm believer that it is not always the amount of money you spend on an item - sometimes its just how you wear it that counts.  One can mix a Gucci bag with a dress from Target and look like you came from the  pages of InStyle!  It is how the accessory makes you feel or the memory it induces that counts.

I definitely am not a "Carrie" when it comes to shoes.  As much as I would love to own a pair of Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahniks, I also know I really just can't justify spending that kind of money on something I may only wear a few times a month (that and I am pretty positive my husband would not be too happy seeing that on the AMEX bill).  But a pair of shoes at any cost, when purchased with your own money, no matter how expensive or cheap, definitely holds a special place in a girl's heart.

This brings me to October of 1997.  It was my first semester at college in Boston.  Early fall in New England just can't be beat.  The day-time is still warm enough for a tank top but the evenings bring in the crispness of the cold that is just around the corner.

It was a Friday afternoon and clutched in my hand my very first paycheck from the bath and beauty store I worked at in the back bay.  It wasn't much, maybe a couple hundred dollars from the 10-20 hours I worked between classes (less the soaps and lotions I purchased with my employee discount).  All I was thinking, as I shoved my ATM card in the machine and pressed "deposit" was that that check meant one thing - SHOES!

 I had drooled over the "newest" trend of the times as I passed the decorated windows on Newbury Street.  Florescent pointy-toed stilettos were back in fashion from the early 80s and I was determined to get myself a pair that afternoon.

I hopped on the Green line towards Downtown Crossing - I know I could have walked, but I was on a mission - to get a pair of fabulous shoes and then get home in time to get a quick nap in before heading out for a night of fun in said shoes.

I don't know if you are familiar with Macy*s in downtown Boston, but it is similar to that of the one in Herald Square, NYC - a crazy mess with all kinds of pushy tourists - but one of the BEST shoe departments in the city (this was before Nordstrom graced us with it's presence here in MA).  There are shoes as far as the eye can see.  It is a treasure hunt trying to find what you are looking for, as all the shoes have been moved, piled elsewhere (you'd find a kitten heel dress sandal deposited in the comfort/old lady section) and you can never find someone to help, which is so odd since they work on commission.

With all this said - I still knew Macy*s was the place for me to find my perfect pair.

Honestly, I really don't remember the details of the actual purchase.  I am sure there was some digging, some pushing and some eye rolling, but what I do know is that 14 years later I still have the prize that I so desired.

A pair of size 6.0 Chinese Laundry Hot Pink Stilettos.

I wore them everywhere and with everything. With jeans.  With black "booty" pants.  To class.  To the clubs.  I am pretty sure I wore them to some family event where my mom complained about them being too high and too pointy.

They killed my feet.  My toes were red and blistered by the end of the night.  I had to pack a wad of band-aides in my purse when I would go out.  But I didn't care.  They looked hot and I felt grown-up and sexy!

I can't bare to get rid of them.  They sit in the back of my closet in their box gathering dust.  One day they will be back in fashion - trends always come back.  And when that day comes I will pull out my hot pink shoes (and maybe some black booty pants) and feel 18 all over again!