Every once in awhile the voice in my head that keeps chanting "Must…have…new…shoes! Must…have…new…shoes!" subsides to a dull roar, and I find myself able to contemplate one or two other topics for a brief span of time. Topics such as, say, old shoes. Or new shoes that don't come in my size so it doesn't make sense to buy 'em. Happily, when those moments of clarity materialize, it provides fresh grist for the blogging mill. As you'll read for yourself below!
__________________________________
Spy vs. Spy
One benefit of being obsessed with clogs is that I'm able to while away the occasional hour or two just plundering the internet for pictures of shoes. Pictures, mind you. Even though the shoes might be exorbitantly priced (and therefore not worth purchasing) or hopelessly out of my size range (ditto), it's still a pleasure just to look and see what some imaginative footwear designer has dreamt up. In the case of these Saga House clogs from (I believe) the Swedish maker Krone, the result is a square-toed T-strap slingback perched atop a sizable heel. That's a whole lotta unusual packed into a single wood-soled shoe, innit?
But no matter how many times I gaze at this pair in the months since I first happened upon the photo last summer, I can't help but thinking of a cartoon image from my childhood: the cold war Mad magazine combatants of Spy vs. Spy (pictured here from TVTropes.org). Am I crazy? Or do you see the similarity, too?
__________________________________
Dutch wooden shoes
Last weekend for the Saturday Flea Market here on Every Clog Has Its Day, I featured a pair of shoes listed on Etsy by seller AuntieMacassarsAttic. Auntie M., better known as Lisa van der Roest-Beck, wrote in to tell us,
BTW,...I just married a Dutch man in Holland this past May, and a lot of the Dutch farmers still wear their wooden clogs.
I took this great pic of an old pair that were nailed outside a barn in Tuitjenhorn, North Holland.
Thought you might like to see it.
We might indeed, Lisa! We might indeed!
__________________________________
A visit to John Fluevog
A little over a year ago, regular reader Melissa Krebs started catching my eye in the comments section of ECHID with her penchant for exceptional exclamations. These usually were expressed upon glimpsing some breathtaking new clog that I had posted. "Holy crow!" was a frequent fave as I recall. Recently, Ms. K. shared with me a pic of her own recent John Fluevog purchase, and I'm pretty sure I shouted out something, too. Though the exact content of my own outburst remains lost to memory, the spirit of my zeal was similar in her own, and I'm pretty sure a verbatim transcript would reveal my reaction also to be comprised of four letter words. Suffice it to say, the Volunteer clog boot she had just received from John Fluevog is a darned fine example of the cobbler's art. Heck, yeah! (Also pictured is close personal friend Emma Peel.)
Seeing this pair, I was immediately inspired to wander off to the local John Fluevog emporium for a little shopping adventure of my own. The Rahab wooden sandal from John's Faith line recently went on sale for just $99.00, and after establishing that they did indeed have my size in stock, I figured it would be well worth the trip.
Lo and behold, Rebecca, the manager of the Chicago 'Vog store, was sporting a pair of the same Volunteer boots herself. They look great in photos, but in person they're devastating. Even more so than my paltry cell phone camera can reveal. (Note to self: if you're serious about this blogging thing, start carrying a decent camera with you.)
Adorable, no?
I was sold as soon as I spotted them on her. And my salesperson, Jack, was sent off into the treasure trove in back to fetch a pair in my size to try on.
What does this all have to do with clogs, you ask?
Well, I drove down to check out the Rahab wooden sandal...
...and while I was there, I figured I'd poke my toes into the Scout...
...or the Guide if they had a pair to fit me.
Then the Volunteer boot caught my eye. No black pair in stock in an 11, but I was willing to urge my feet into a tan pair just to check the fit. I wouldn't say I made them look anywhere as devastating as Rebecca or Melissa, but they were extremely tempting.
(sigh)
Alas, my own feet called out for a still larger size, and I was confronted with the possibility of leaving the store empty handed.
But then,...
...what's that I see?
A new wood soled boot style in the Fluevog oeuvre?
Actually, two!!
But, good God!!!
That first pair! It does have a wood sole. And a high heel. And an interesting toe. With lots of studs. And it laces up. Does it come in an 11?
Why, yes it does!
C-c-could you...could you bring me a pair...to try on?
You could?
(insert squeal of ecstasy here)
I came. I saw. I used my credit card. And now these gorgeously out of control 'Vogs are mine! Mine! MINE, I tell you!
And OMG! They're as smooth as butter on my bare feet!!!
Suffice it so say, this shopping trip was more satisfying than expected. And yes, the shoes had a lot to do with making it so much fun. But so did hanging out with John Fluevog staffers, Rebecca and Jack and the woman from Scotland whose name I've forgotten, but whom I managed to insult by asking her if she was British. Sorry! [UPDATE: Her name is Bekka. Sorry, Bekka!]
More photos of these military green Convictions from John Fluevog to come. They're a birthday present to myself so I don't feel quite right living my life in them just yet, but I'm sure they're destined to be one of my 10 Essential Shoes this coming year.
Woo-hoo!
And if that little tale of retail satisfaction isn't enough to brighten your day, let me leave you with the words of John Fluevog himself. Or at least the staff member deputized with writing this copy that accompanies each purchase:
Always hold on to the truth. Don't let others sway your heart. Don't compromise yourself for the sake of temporal groovyness. Be separate from the crowd that's awash with normality by standing on a firm foundation. Never waver in your love or faith, and in all you do, please wear my shoes.
Amen.
__________________________________
[On my feet as I blog: I thought they looked so good yesterday that I put 'em on again today. I'm loving these Rosabella clog boots from UGG Australia. Especially now that it's cool enough in Chicago to wear them.]
