I want to buy a new pair of shoes...

Normally, I don't write about shopping, there are already far too many blogs about shopping and what to wear/what not to wear. This post has nothing to do with dictating what you should buy. This post is all about what I want to buy.

I am in the mood to spoil myself. And when I spoil myself I usually want new shoes. Back in the old days (read: when I lived in Richmond) the bottom of my closet was lined with boxes upon boxes of shoes. Shoes I loved, shoes that went with just about every outfit I owned. New shoes, vintage shoes. Shoes. My favorite pair was a vintage pair of spectator pumps I found at a second-hand shop on Cary Street. They were in pristine condition despite being from the 1940s. I paid $15 for them. When I moved to Sweden, I couldn't afford to ship my collection of shoes. I gave some away to my roommate, took the most practical pairs (that could withstand Swedish weather and donated the rest to the Salvation Army thrift store. Somewhere in Richmond, someone got great pleasure (I hope) out of my pony skin clogs, my strappy sandals, my cute little mules.

So what shoes do I want? Well, when I was in Zürich a few weeks ago, I saw the cutest pair of red pony skin ballerina flats at Gallerie Andy Jllien. I yearned for them. I talked myself out of them and bought a more practical pair of plain black leather ballerina flats instead. Now I wish I'd bought both pair instead of just one. I have been looking for something similar in Stockholm but all I have found are pony skin driving moccasins, which aren't nearly as cute.

Today I thought I would look for a pair of brown leather boots while I was in Södermalm. I figured I may as well look since I was early for my class. I went in and out of several stores, but--alas--no boots tickled my fancy. I ended up going to Åhéns after class and treating myself to some facial products from Origins.

At least I bought a new pair of curling boots last week. It's good to be prepared for the winter. Last year, we had our first snowfall on All Saint's Day. You may remember how I described the chaos on the streets of Stockholm when drivers who hadn't switched to their winter tires slid backwards down Upplandsgatan, buses crashed near Norra Bantorget, I slid my way down the road like the Silver Surfer and--for a change--did not fall. Jack Frost really kicked Stockholm's butt that evening. I don't think the same thing will happen this year on All Saint's Day. It's been pretty mild the last two weeks. Perhaps I shouldn't speak too soon. The weather here can change at the drop of a hat.

But enough about weather. I want a new pair of shoes. I am off all day on Friday. Maybe I will look for a pair then. I have worked hard all week. I have earned a new pair of shoes. And shoes are my guilty pleasure...well, shoes, Sims 2, Days of Our Lives and chick lit novels. And I am not ashamed to admit it.

Speaking of Days of Our Lives, we are three years behind in Sweden. We're at the point of he storyline when the Salem Serial Killer has sent an eerie "message" to Caroline Brady. I know a few more people will die on the soap. I usually refer to Days of Our Lives as "the bad soap" but I love its campiness. I love that Marlena has been possessed by the devil, been kidnapped a gazillion times and been surrogate mother to genetically-engineered twins. It's a nice escape from reality.

Shoes and soaps...a little chocolate would be nice, too.