some random thoughts:

• I love this piece on how to write a thank you note (via Mighty Girl)
• I spent this past weekend outside of Healdsburg on retreat (I’m on the vestry, which is similar to the board of directors, at my church) at The Bishop’s Ranch, one of my favorite places in the world (photos above.)
• I’m finally finishing decorating my office and I’m pretty sure that this print, by my friend the lovely Lisa Congdon, is going to need to make an appearance.
• these were some of my favorite shoes last summer, and they’re finally back in stock. Cute and comfortable enough to wear for an entire day of walking around a city. (oops, link was a zappos vip link – fixed now!)
• oh hey, I’m heading to Chicago for a few days on Wednesday! I hate cold weather a lot, but my work schedule for the year dictated that I make my annual visit in February. Suggestions for excellent indoor activities are appreciated.

They’re the KRISSS from Steve Madden in gold (gah, why do so many things I like have such terrible names?) So sparkly. So comfortable. Which is key for work shoes for me (weddings usually mean 8-14 hours straight of being on my feet, and while I refuse to wear un-pretty shoes just because I’m working, I also really dislike being uncomfortable.) I already bought myself a backup pair for when my first pair inevitably gets beyond the point of repair, but if I hadn’t I’d definitely be taking advantage of their current half-off status.

A third pair would be silly, right?

a few things I really liked from the last week or so:

• these snakeskin print velvet flats from daniblack. which are as comfortable as they are rad.
• buying tickets for my next trip – Chicago in February! (because apparently I’m a masochist – it’s very possible that I hate cold weather more than anyone in the world.)
• the big 60th birthday party I planned for my dad the night before NYE, complete with made-to-order street tacos, gallons of sangria, and a plethora of papel picado (above.)
• spending New Year’s Eve with some close friends, risotto, & champagne.
• oh hey! I worked with the amazing APW ladies to make some downloadable wedding-related spreadsheets. They’re pretty awesome, if I do say so, and you should totally use them if you have a wedding coming up.
• this piece from the Times on “The Joy of Quiet.” yes.

Gold + glitter + peep toe = love. They’re pretty much party-shoe perfection. The BCBGeneration Ariel Pump in gold glitter – I found they ran big, and ended up with a 1/2 size smaller than normal.

(*it should be noted that I wear heels incredibly regularly, as in, for most of the day several days a week. If you’re not a heel-wearer, please don’t try breaking in a new pair at a party. you will be miserable.)

I like them so much that I bought a back-up pair for when my first inevitably wears out to the point of not being repairable anymore, at which point they will inevitably be discontinued (find a good shoe repair shop – it will change your life for the better.) Yes, they definitely cost more than I would usually spend on such a simple flat, but were so worth it. It is ridiculously hard to find a pair of well made simple shoes these days.

Anyone else have a pair of great, well made, comfortable flats to recommend? I am always on the hunt for more. (it’s not like I have too many shoes or anything)

*no, Zappos does not pay me to link to them. But considering how much I spend there, I really wish they would – feel free to get in touch!

photos: left, Zappos; right, Elizabeth F. Clayton

It’s not hoarding if you actually wear them, right?

*at my last place they were spread between two different closets and a rack in the front hall. I’ve also heavily edited them in the last few months. Yes, you read that right. At one point I owned close to 90 pairs of shoes. I’m choosing to consider my current count of 60 a victory. **I’m incredibly reluctant to admit to my materialism.

Grey with red laces? yes please. Now if they’ll only go on sale for half off, maybe I can actually let myself think about buying them.

image: Zappos

I miss running into Natalie at Bay Area craft shows and openings (she is a super lovely person,) but am so glad that she’s up to such great things in Austin.

photos: Canoe

As far as brands go, I have long vacillated been J Crew and Havaianas – I tend to have a few pairs of each brand going at all times. My general experience is that Havaianas are more expensive but tend to last a little longer, while J Crews break in quicker and are more comfortable immediately.

*there’s a chance I packed them with my summer clothes, which currently are in a box whose whereabouts are unknown.

photos: left – J Crew, right - Zappos