Please keep your shoes on

I find this habit of taking off your shoes in a house or apartment really strange. Ok, I admit when it's wet outside you are to wipe off your shoes carefully before stepping inside, or let's say, you have one guest, and you want him or her to be comfortable, it's ok. But to have a party with 20-30 guests and demand them to take off their shoes? What were they thinking?

That they don't have to clean afterwards? That people feel comfortable without shoes? So to dress up for a big party, and then walk around in socks or tights. I get this white-trash-feeling. And definitely people I don't want to get to know.

Plus, let me tell you, with that many people there'll be all sorts of stuff on the floor. Chips, greasy stuff, spilled wine or whatever. Who cares? A party is fun, and the fact that you have to clean afterwards is maybe not a joy, but a must. Shoes or not.

Small

I bought new underwear today and it was remarkable. Ok, it's a bit remarkable that I buy any type of clothes at all, but mostly it was because they were in a small size! I looked at the medium and realized that they would be too big, as indeed my old underwear already is.

I haven't had a small size since a patch in the 80's when I had some eating issues, but now I'm healthy and come in a small size! Well, at least buttwise.

Pants

I went to a dinner the other day, and realized just before leaving that I had only one pair of pants that fit me these days. And those were the pants that I wore when riding. Ok, so the lower part of the legs are covered in chaps, and the upper part is only getting in contact with the saddle, but still.

Luckily the hostess didn't comment on any possible stink, not that she would being polite and all. At least not to my face :).

But to avoid this in future I went shopping for new pants today, and got frustrated yet again. Low waist, super-low waist and one sort that had high waist. As I'd like to avoid the grandma look, I was finding only one with normal waist but they were ugly. Also 60 francs. Eventually I ended up buying a pair of black jeans, looking just like my old ones for 20 francs. I mean, I don't understand why the 60 francs pair would be better than a 20 francs pair, since they're all made in Asia anyway. Not that I'd like to contribute to child labour, but I have to trust H&M to be honest...well honest-ish I guess.

So a new pair of jeans it is, and the only good thing with the low waist is that my still somewhat wobbly stomach is "hanging out", so that I won't forget that I still have some kg's to go.

Fashion

One of my relatives is busy opening up a clothing shop. She was enthusiastically talking about which brands she will have, and haha, I didn't recognize one of them! That's how interested in fashion I am.

But when my niece was visiting the other day (she's almost two), she and I were dressed similarly, so maybe I'm more in touch with fashion than I thought?

Legs show-off

I did an impulse buy today that I may regret. I bought a carpenter-style jeans dress which is so long it almost covers my buttocks. On the other hand, I have never cared about what people think about my clothing style (probably not much), so why not?

Still have to think about whether I'd wear it outside the house...

Cold shoes

I was discussing my new sporty shoes with a friend of mine, and when I complained that it takes time to walk them in, he suggested I put them in the freezer. Like a housewifey tip from a man. Yeah right!

But later that evening after a few drinks I thought why not try? Then I forgot all about it, and got quite a surprise when I opened the freezer again after a few days. Had to laugh at myself.

However, somehow it seemed to have worked. I really dunno why, and maybe it's in my head, but today those shoes seemed more comfortable.

Top in neon pink

I seem to be in a shopping mood lately, and today I bought a sports top. First I looked at bras, finding out them costing like 80 francs. Duuuh! Luckily I found a tight sports top doing the same work for much less. I thought I'd get it in a discreet colour :).

Goodbye pyjama

I belong to the diminishing group of people who thinks that clothes should be worn until they fall apart. Ok, I wouldn't go as far as sitting there with a needle and thread to try and mend it, no way, but I don't want to throw away perfectly good clothes even if they are out of fashion. Haha, fashionista me? I have been accused of many things, but never that.

But today I had to. A pair of soft pants with a more than 10 cm rip on one leg, and a top with half my belly showing. Yes, it was time to let them go. But it hurts. They were so comfortable, and have been with me for a very long time.

Tonight I will sleep in the top I bought at Copenhagen airport back in 1999. Almost as good as new!

Skirt or pants

I'm invited to a big birthday party in a couple of months, and in order to be prepared I asked if there is a dress code. No, I was told, "but it would be nice if you could wear a blouse and a skirt". And no, the guy doesn't work for UBS.

Pressing on, I was informed that pants would work too. Phew!

Only got one skirt I still get into, so either it's shopping time or finding a suitable pair of pants for a big party. I know, it's not a problem like in solving starving-people-in-the-third-world, but still. For me it'll require a brain-storming session.

Shoes yet again

So tomorrow is pick-up day for shoes and clothes. A few weeks in advance you get plastic bags with labels cleverly saying "shoes" and "clothes" on them, and the day before pick-up you put the bags on the street for the organization to pick them up the next day. Preferably with shoes and/or clothes in them.

I left this afternoon, and wasn't sure when I was gonna get back (and if I would remember) so put my shoe-bag on the street before leaving.

Coming back just now, I first noticed a woman totally clad in black, going through the neighbours bags, and then when approaching "my" house that my bag was nowhere to be seen.

Ah well, I guess the shoes went to somebody needy.

My feet have shrunk

Found flip-flops today, but of course they didn't have my size, 37. But as it turns out 36 was enough for me, very soon I can start shopping at the childrens department. Too bad my body didn't shrink with the feet.

The perfect handbag

Friend suggested I might wanna get a new handbag, and he might be right. I think this one is just perfect for me.

Tights

Oh darn, I have to go shopping for new tights!

Or maybe I can use them one more time, wearing boots? I mean, they are still covering the legs, and I'm not the type to throw away something that still works. And it's only one toe, right?

Shoes

Was out with a friend this afternoon. I think one can easily say that he's not too much into fashion.

It's good to know somebody who is worse than me.

Btw, when I blogged about the baby having nine pair of shoes, a friend remarked "that's probably as many as you had in your entire life". Haha, he's not far off.

The 80's is back

Finally the 80's fashion has reached Switzerland. Today on a train track in Zürich suburbia. Leg-warmers!

Shoes

I don't get it. In most homes you are not welcome with shoes. Ok, so if it's wet outside or snowy, it is perfectly understandable that you don't bring that into a flat or house, but with dry weather why not?

In my opinion a home is somewhere you live, and you want it to be comfortable. And you want your guests to be too.

If you're having a floor that doesn't tolerate shoes, buy another floor I say.

And if you're worried about dirt? Then try to look at your doors (how many times do the handles get touched?), the corners of your floor and ceiling, behind cupboards and shelves, the drains both in the bathroom and kitchen, under and behind the fridge and I could go on and on.

In my home everybody is welcome wearing shoes. Mind you, the first I do coming home is to wash my hands, but that is more to get rid of germs from other people, since I always go on public transportation, and I have a feeling it keeps me from getting colds. Works most of the time.

And until now I've never gotten sick from people wearing shoes indoors.

Shopping

So finally I picked myself up and went to town, with the aim of shopping. I cannot stress how much I hate it. Wanted to find some shorts that doesn't end at the crotch. Guess what? There aren't any. I figured at my age I shouldn't show off my, albeit nice, legs that much, but turns out I don't have a choice.

Another thing is when looking for clothes most sizes are 34 or 36. Looking around in the shop, very few people have that tiny size, which I assume means bigger sizes are sold out, so even though it looks like there is plenty of clothes, there are very few items that fit me.

In the end I got a pair of pants, crotch-shorts, a dress (!) and a top for 3 francs. Not all for 3 francs, but the top. Figure I could always sleep in it.

Then I went to do something much more fun. Shop for stuff for the apartment. Don't particularly need anything, but always on the lookout for things on sale.

Am proud to say I found two nice hand towels for 6 francs together, and my biggest catch today, a blanket. Blanket (purple, what else?) was set down from 55 to 39 francs, and I was hesitating whether to buy or not. Decided to in the end, and when at the cashier desk was informed it was only 10 francs, not 39! Excellent.

What's the opposite of shopoholic?

Today I had plan. I was gonna pick myself up by the bootstraps and go clothes shopping. If you know me, you know I absolutely hate it. I cannot think of anything worse than having to go into a shop, find something that might be suitable, undress and dress again in a filthy changing room, queue up and pay and so forth.

And as luck would have it, I emptied my mailbox before leaving, and found books! Three of them! Books sent to me by my very nice aunt, books that I cannot wait another second to start reading.

The shopping will have to wait, the only skirt I can still fit into will have to do for another period of time.

Pyjama pants

I am actually considering buying new pyjama pants. Am pretty disappointed, think I only had those for about 10 years.

Pants!

Bought a new pair of pants yesterday. Having walked around in either shorts or the same pants for the last 6 months I thought it was about time. And, I'd like to add, fit into size 38!

Just for fun I put a bright pink top on, and some high heels. The cats got round big black eyes, and scattered away. Scary! I can understand them, usually seeing me in saggy pyjama bottoms and a top.

And yes, am going out tonight. Didn't just dress up for the cats. How sad do you think I am?