Ellen Degeneres meets the Shoe Ninja

I love shoes. 

Prior to having children, I would purchase ridiculous high heels and find reasons to wear them.  Yes, I'd mainly wear my Rainbow flops around the house, but when it came time to leave the house, I'd don my pointy toes heels.  No matter that I am too clumsy to not get my heel caught in every other sidewalk seam or gap in a bridge. 

Even after Henry was born, I'd teeter on my heels, bobbing the boy on my hip. 

No more.  Not only do I no longer really want to go to the places that require high heels and all that grooming, but let's face it--those types of shoes, while beautiful, just aren't comfortable.  I don't care what Kelly Ripa says, they just aren't. 

But I still love shoes.  So I have replaced my quest for the perfect Kate Spades with the perfect comfy shoe--the sneaker.

Sloan first started calling me "Turtle" (from the show Entourage) when I purchased my Ed Hardy sneakers and lined them up next to my black Converse high tops and brown suede Simple lace-ups.  But upon reflection, I've come to realize that in this stage of life, my current fashion icon is Ellen Degeneres.  I wear a lot of sneakers, jeans, snazzy Ts and cardis.  And I'm okay with that.  Except for her formal wear tuxedos, Ellen is a snappy dresser. 

I've added to my sneaker collection a pair of Vans and the kids got me a pair of Project Red Chucks for my birthday. 

And I'm bringing Gracie with  me.  However,  Gracie's high tops are more out of function than form.  She is the shoe ninja.  And don't tell me to try Robeez.  She can take those off with no hands.  She can undo velcro, elastic, zippers, and buckles.  After which she delights in throwing her shoes at me while I drive.  And then toss her socks at Henry.  But she has yet to figure out the triple knot.  Double knots?  Yes, she can undo those.  Hence, the lace up high tops that are a huge pain in the butt to put on.  But darn it all if they aren't cute...