This 'n' That...from Here 'n' There

Summer exited Chicago recently without a lot of fanfare, and in its place cooler, wetter weather has made itself at home. Without realizing it was happening, I suddenly find the season for short sleeves and bare legs is over. And that means all the knits and leathers I love to wear can finally come out and play. Accompanied by all manner of clogs that are just perfect for colder temps. Hooray! I had a fun summer sartorially speaking, but this fall, I think I'm really going to enjoy myself!

 

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In Time of Scrimping, Fun Stuff Is Still Selling

 

This just in from last Friday's New York Times:

 

With a flat job market and an economy that will not improve, Americans are once again buckling down and cutting back.

At least on the things that they can resist.

Consumers at all income levels have been splurging on indulgences while paring many humdrum household expenses, according to industry data for the last year. Many retailers also report that while fripperies like purses and perfumes are best sellers, they cannot get shoppers interested in basics like diapers, socks and vacuum bags.

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Consumer psychologists say that in this uncertain economy — coming after one of the worst recessions in generations — it is just too hard being good all the time.

“People have a limited supply of energy to put toward controlling their urges,” Kathleen D. Vohs, a professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota, said in an e-mail. Ms. Vohs studies spending behavior at the university’s Carlson School of Management.

Many of the products selling briskly are not high-priced, but they could be on a party supply list: premixed cocktails and coolers, cheesecake, cosmetics and wine. Meanwhile, sales of staples like batteries, bleach and fertilizer have declined sharply.

* * *

“The toughest businesses, frankly, have been in the middle of the basics assortments,” Myron E. Ullman III, chairman and chief executive of J. C. Penney, told investors last month, referring to clothing staples. In the company’s second quarter, shoes, handbags and jewelry were top sellers.

At Kohl’s, similar categories — watches, handbags and women’s shoes — were among the strong sellers in the second quarter.

“The psychology of the customer is you can — I hate to sound too esoteric here — but you can improve your outfit or dress up your outfit without buying a new outfit by buying a new handbag,” said Kevin Mansell, chief executive of Kohl’s. “It makes people feel better.”

* * *

“In a poor economy, at any given moment people are more likely to have problems with self-control than otherwise — because there’s only so far their self-control energy can be stretched,” said Ms. Vohs, the professor of marketing.

Well, it goes without saying that if you wanted to work on self-control, this is not the blog for you!

 

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Chinese "Wooden Sandals"

 

Or at least that's what they're called in this article on cultural-china.com.

 

In Wenchang County of Hainan Province in southern China, a famous hometown of overseas Chinese, there has always been a custom to wear wooden sandals. 

Although the wooden sandals are in the danger of being gradually eliminated, to be replaced by cloth shoes, leather shoes or plastic shoes, yet you can still see many people wearing wooden sandals, whether in countryside or town.

Muji is a general term for shoes of wooden treads. Legend has it that in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), Jie Zitui, a nobleman of the Jin Kingdom, once got exiled together with the Jin King, Jin Wengong, to another kingdom. After his return, Jie Zitui lived in seclusion in Mianshang Mountain (now southeast of Gongxiu County, Shangxi Province), and declined Jin Wengong's repeated invitations. Later, the military people ordered by the king to summon Jie Zitui attempted to force him out by burning the mountain where he lived, but Jie Zitui died holding a tree. Jin Wengong lamented Jie Zitui so much that he used wood of this tree to make Muji, and whenever he put them on, he would think of Jie Zitui.

Wenchang Muji has a centuries-old history. At first, its shape was very similar to a tiny wooden stool and the upper was added onto it. Since only a small area of Wenchang Muji contacts the ground, they are suitable for walking on muddy road or in rainy days, and it is not easy for people to slip down.      

 

It's a unique design to be sure. But I can't help wondering if muji such as these were the inspiration for the Irregular Choice styles that featured these unique wooden soles. (The style Daddy's Girl is pictured.)

 

 

 

 

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Welcome Wagon

 

And before any more time passes, let me offer a hearty welcome to Jennifer who just discovered Every Clog Has Its Day. She's a brand new regular reader here as well as being a newcomer to the world of blogging. You can check out her own lighthearted corner of the webiverse at Fighting the Frump. Jennifer describes herself there as "a forty-something British expat living in Portugal. I work from home and it would be easy to stop making an effort with my appearance. Therefore I've committed to publishing a photo of myself every weekday to stop myself from spending my life in tracksuit bottoms!"

Jennifer dropped by in the ECHID Comments last week to say,

Just discovered (a bit late in the day as I'm now 40 something) that I too love clogs. I'm sure I must have had some in the 70's but my memory fails me so I count my new tan Sanita plain clogs as my 'first' pair and I'm already looking to build a collection! I've been reading through some of your archives and you've had me laughing out loud for most of the day. Thank you and keep blogging! You have a new follower ;o)

Woo-hoo! Jennifer, we're glad to have you here to join in with our addiction support group fun. Thanks for letting me share some of the pics from your blog with my readers.

 

Jennifer also writes,

I ordered 3 more pairs yesterday including a pair of clog boots for the winter! Thank goodness for internet shopping eh?

Oh, dear. It does sound as though she's got it as bad as the rest of us. Well, Jennifer, we'll make you feel very at home here. Though you shouldn't expect us to help you show any restraint. Three more pairs of clogs? You're just getting started!

 

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[On my feet as I blog:  my steel blue XRAY clogs from Bernardo. The perfect choice to pair with my grey crewneck top and grey corduroy flares. Did I mention I love fall?]

 

 

Comments

[Melissa Krebs]

Welcome, Jennifer! Love those red sandals and those dogs! Are they yours? (The dogs---I'm thinking the sandals ARE yours!)

[Tea]

I agree with Melissa - great red sandal clogs! You've got a great style. Meanwhile, looking at that sunshine from my dreary Wisconsin day makes me want to join you in Portugal.

[Lindsey Cochran]

It's dreary and grey in Chicago, too. I say we all adjourn to Portugal for a meet up.

[Johanna]

It's nice and sunny over here in the low countries. Still, I wouldn't say no to a clog conference in Portugal.

[Kathy Ann]

Welcome Jennifer! Grey, gloomy and rainy here in NYC. You are so lucky. Like the red sandal clogs too.

[Jennifer]

Ah thanks for the welcome! How kind of you all ;o) Portugal is indeed very hot at the moment - but then so is the UK as they are enjoying a late mini heatwave so sadly I can't make my folks back home green with envy - for the next few days at least ;o)

Yes the dogs are mine, all 3 of them - Blue, Pip and Max (plus 2 cats, Ben and Mango!) and for some reason they like rolling on my new clogs after giving them a good sniff! Could it be the fresh new smell of the leather d'you think?

I'm wearing my new black ponyskin Sanitas today. I like the way the assured clunking of the wooden soles on my terracotta floor tiles gives me a new 'leader of the pack' confidence! Who'd have thunk it?!

I would be happy to host a 'clog conference' in my little corner of Portugal! As long as, like me, you think dog (and cat!) fur add character to your surroundings - and your clothing ;o)

So thanks again for welcoming me to ECHID. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend ;o)

[Evan]

Welcome Jenifer from California. I love the sound of clogs on the floor. This is why wood clogs have more then the poly type. All of news here will make your pocket book week.