Clean your closet, clean your soul

An episode of hoarders. (Photo credit: BuzzFarmers)

Yesterday I went through all of my (many) pairs of shoes to figure out which ones were coming with me to Dubai.

After an hour or so, I decided to sell or give away 41 pairs of shoes.

41!

Despite me being totally disgusted by myself, it felt great to get rid of so much stuff. It is interesting to know by the time I leave Vancouver, my life will be a leaner, trimmer version of the one I had here.

Today I'm going through my coats and clothes.

Having never shared a closet, I've never really had to cull my collection. I've allowed my wardrobe to grow and grow, with little thought of how big it has actually grown.

It's become apparent that I should have been on Hoarders a while ago. And I think my friends were irresponsible for not suggesting that a while ago.

11 days and counting.

Vacation Highlight: New Shoes

Before I left for Paris, I knew I wanted to buy one thing: a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes.

Can you imagine?! Louboutins from Paris! l'eek!

Well, thanks to a ridiculously busy January and February at work, I was able to afford a pair. These would officially be the most expensive pair of shoes in my closet. I wasn't going to take this decision lightly.

My first day of wandering, I stumbled upon the Louboutin store by Notre Dame. I wasn't quite ready to go in, but looked through the window, scoping my options. I thought the store was a little small, but whatever.

On my last day of wandering, I directed myself back to the store. I was ready.

I walked in, looked around. The pair I liked from the website were far too expensive, but right next to them were the prettiest shoes I had ever seen.

I asked to try them on, but that store didn't have my size - the flagship store did though.

Yesssss!

I made my way through the complicated Paris streets and numbering systems, walked by it a couple of times and finally found it. I walked in, tried them on and fell in love.

See:

Aren't they pretty?!

I may not wear them a lot, obviously, but these shoes are totally a vacation highlight!

(Shoe) WHORE!

At last count, I had 79 pairs of shoes.

That was over a year ago.

There are many more now.

I don’t know what it is exactly, but shoes, to me, are an addiction. I know many women who feel this way, but holy shit am I out of control.

I have expensive shoes – one pair of Manolos, one pair of Choos. I have inexpensive shoes – Payless is an incredible source for affordable, but cute shoes. I have shoes by designers I have never heard of before. But all of my shoes, I feel, have been a steal of a deal.

Oh, you want proof now?

Manolos and Choos were each under $125, thanks to an online consignment store. I once bought a pair of lime green Prada wedge sandals for $25 at DSW. Century 21 gave me great deals on two pairs of Dolce & Gabbanas and a pair of Cynthia Rowley. I also have many (so many) Payless, street market and other discount shoe types in my closet. (I just don’t love them as much)

I couldn’t imagine trying to pick a favorite – they are like my children.

My dad was disgusted when I put up a shoe museum in my living room. A bookshelf full of shoes – the perfect display for my little pieces of art.

Now, I want to go shopping.

sigh

According to the critics

Last year, I did a month-by-month recount. To be totally honest with you, I don't think that is possible this year.

Not because this year wasn't good, but just because it wasn't as monumental as last year. So this year will be a random best-of.

So here it goes, probably a little disjointed, but so am I.

Best activity: Hands down, rock climbing

I love climbing. I never thought I would like it as much as I do, but here
I am, blogging about it.

Geek.

There is something so satisfying about finishing a hard route, or moving
up to the next difficulty. The best part about it? It is the only time in my
day that I am quiet - my head is concentrating on only one thing and my
whole body is pursuing that one thing.

It is incredible.

And, the boys are pretty cute.

Worst activity: Sailing

I came up with this plan this year - to eventually retire on a boat. So, I signed up for sailing lessons and was ready to fall in love with sailing.

That didn't happen.

Maybe it was because there was no wind and it was more tedious than exciting, I just didn't dig it.

Plus, those sails are really heavy.

See, I am not that granola.

Favorite big-ticket purchase: moving my shit to Vancouver

Sure, it wasn't really a purchase, but it was fucking expensive.

I was totally in denial. I didn't REALLY need my furniture out here, really, what was the big deal??

I can't believe I ever thought that way. It was a HUGE deal. The second I got my couch and my bed and my everything, Vancouver started to feel like home. I started to feel like me and life started to improve.

Seriously. I wouldn't have believed it either.

Favorite new shoes: Tie - climbing shoes and black Kenneth Cole Mary Janes

The climbing shoes are ugly, they stink and they hurt my feet a lot of times, but I love them. I took them to China with me and looked at them longingly because I couldn't use them. I just got them re-soled and they are like new! Yay!

The Kenneth Coles, well, they are fucking hot. I get compliments on them all the time and they make my legs look fucking awesome.

I forgot them in Beijing and now have to pay $50 to get them back. THIS is the problem with traveling.

Favorite thing about Vancouver: Walking home from work and the water taxi

During the summer, I discovered the water taxi. It is awesome.

On nice days, when I have my flats with me, I walk home from work and take the water taxi to get across the bay.

When I get to English Bay, I sit on a log, look west to the mountains, ships and Stanley Park and smoke. Ahh.

It is the perfect way to end a day.

The water taxi brings me to Kits beach and the perfect walk home.

It makes me happy like a mo-fo.

Love of the year: Sia
When I lived with P3, I didn't really get it. Sia was his and that was that.

Then, just before my birthday, she had a seizure and I have never been more scared. Not even when I was in hospital.

She couldn't walk and you could see the fear in her eyes. It was devastating.

That is when I finally got it - she is everything a person could ask for and more. And I would be lost without her.

When I couldn't walk, I credit Sia with getting me out there and walking. When I was going through a rough break up, Sia came and sat with me while I cried. Now, all I need is a little Sia love and my day is better and my world is happy.

She is the best thing in the fucking world.

And the love she gives is unconditional. Her happiness to see you is not faked and everything about her is perfect. She is a little damaged, which makes her all the more special. She doesn't like everyone and it takes her a while to really warm up to someone. But now, I am pretty sure, she loves me as much as she loves P3 - he gets jelly, it is both funny and a little sad *for him, not me, I get nothing but joy out of it*.

She is lovely. She is the loveliest brown color. She is my puppy love. She is Sia.