Feel the Zappos love!

As hard as it is, I love shoe shopping. There are just so many cute shoes out there! Although, to put this in perspective, I should point out that I have never paid over $100 for any pair of shoes in my life. So no Manolo Blahniks for me! But I have radically boxy feet (7W with a high instep) that are tough to fit. In a regular shoe I usually have to go up to an 8. I love shopping at Nordstrom's because they offer a lot of styles in wide sizes, but the nearest store is over 100 miles away. No way I can make that trip with Big and Busy in tow.

Why all of this is relevant: As many of you know, I've been agonizing over what to wear to my sister's wedding. I bought the approved bridesmaid's dress: (can't show you the pic yet, but picture sleeveless teal silk, below the knee length.) It really is a gorgeous dress that I CAN wear again. Assuming I ever get invited out to anything fancier than KFC in the rest of my life. And that this happens while I am still reasonably young and passably hot. Sister's wedding, FYI, is in Philadelphia next month. It will be COLD and miserable there, but I am assured that we should not have any snow, at least. Ceremony is at 4:30pm, and reception is at 6pm at a swanky boat club. (You can read all about it here, so long as you promise not to stalk my sister on her wedding day or any day. And if you tell her fiance's recently ex-wife about this, I will personally kill you.) Sister's flowers are likely to be pretty fall tones (various shades of orange/red/brown, probably tied up with chocolate brown satin ribbons.) The brown is important to keep in mind as you read on.

Next stop, shoes. The shoes that are pictured with the dress (in the picture you can't see) are not available, thank you for playing. So I shopped around at Nordstroms.com and at Zappos. Hit a goldmine at the latter. Realized that it would be cheaper overall to buy 10 pairs of shoes I was thinking about from Zappos, then send back the 9 pairs that didn't work, rather than pay for the gas to drive to OKC and back for a real-life expedition to Nordstrom's. What makes this an even more brilliant idea is the fact that Zappos offers *free return shipping*! No way to lose at this point!

Now is when you, the reader, get to share in the Zappos love with me. Help me decide which shoes to keep! I actually ordered 8 candidate pairs, and have selected 4 to send back. Here are the ones that are still in the running, as well as the pros/cons of each pair (note that each is available in Wide!):

Shoe A (see it in Green Eel). Pros: The green is actually a pretty good match for the shade of the dress. The eelskin is shiny and seamed, which provides visual interest that complements the dress. Cons: Color match could be better (need to look at this in daylight again.). Ankle strap may kill me by the end of the night.

Shoe B (in Black Peau). Pros: A very cute shoe! Not constricting to the foot at all. A pretty but low heel. Likely that the 3 other bridesmaids will also wear black shoes. Cons: Open-toe means no pantyhose. No pantyhose in Philly in November means a freezing CG with ugly goosebumps. Not likely to be supportive for a night of dancing.

Shoe C (in Bronze Satin). Pros: Looks much better in person than in the picture. A comfortable shoe with nice arch support. Would look nice with a bouquet tied with brown satin ribbon. Shiny fabric complements shiny silk of dress. Cons: If other bridesmaids wear black shoes, this might look garish when standing next to them (and in the pictures.) I guess I could also try this one in black.

Shoe D (in Pewter). Pros: Looks good with dress. This would still look OK next to other bridesmaids in black shoes. Pleated silk in shoe complements pleated waist in dress. Cons: The least comfortable of all these options (the instep on left foot is the teensiest bit pinchy). I think I like the green ones better.

Gah! So many choices! At this point, any of these shoes would look "good enough" by itself. Ranking them is what's hard; there's a lot of apples and oranges and coconuts (with lime!) going on. My friend Gretchen and my mother have given me input so far. But I need more! Help me, please!

FTR: I have super powers!!

The ChemMom has returned. Had a fabulous time in San Antonio with my girlfriends. Didn't kiss anybody whose first name begins with the letter C (including Cowboy). Will blog about it later, if memory and children permit.

But meanwhile, here's what I learned after I came home. I always suspected that I was special and truly extraordinary. Yet now I know that I am AMAZING. I am strong and wise beyond my years, and oozing capability from every pore. OK, that oozing bit sounds kinda gross, but the point is, ChemMom is really a ChemGoddess. (Which I did already know, but the chemgoddess blogspot was already taken.)

What is my super power, you ask? How do I demonstrate my vast superiority over ye mortal folk? Is it X-ray vision? Can I spontaneously burst into flames? Can I control the weather, bringing in storms that evocatively wrap my scanty clothing around my supersized post-nursing breasts?

Don't you wish. Dream on, Cupcake.

Here is what I can do. I am the only one ... in this ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD ... who can set up and operate this.

Ah, welcome home, ChemMom. This is your life.