I glanced at my feet yesterday, which was the first time I’d paid attention to them in ages, and two thoughts came to mind…
- Yay! Sandal season is coming.
- BOO! Sandal season in coming. (Note to self: buy a tube of exfoliating foot cream ASAP.)
Warm weather is right around the corner, which means that it’s time to free the feet, so, because I like to be prepared (and, also, because I don’t own any flat sandals that are comfortable), my number one sidekick/sous chef and I went to DSW yesterday.
Guess what? They have quite a few options for ladies who can’t wait to liberate their toes from the suffocating oppression of socks.
I went in specifically looking for options that aren’t sky-high heels, and I was blown away by all of the choices this season.
SO MANY FLATS!
Flat sandals with a platform base, in particular, are having a moment, and I’m here for it 100%. I love the idea of combining the comfort of flats with an extra couple inches of height.
First big trend: flat platform sandals with a cork base
This trend is a little like your traditional cork wedge heel, but with a flatter base. I noticed plenty of neutral colors (black, tan, white and beige) and single thick straps around the ankles, often with a Velcro closure.
I debated for a long time whether to take these Franco Sarto sandals home, because I liked the warmth of the darker tan color and the detailing on the base. They were pretty comfortable too, but I could feel the ankle strap ever-so-slightly rubbing against my skin…
While I love the white base, it’s going to be hard to keep clean.
I’m CRAZY picky when it comes to shoes now (one of the unexpected side effects of the pandemic!), and if a shoe is even just a touch “off” from the get-go, I know I’m not going to wear them.
So, even though I liked them in theory, I didn’t bring them home.
My Sous Chef also wasn’t a fan…
Second big trend: espadrille flat platform sandals
I saw a lot of these espadrille flats with a platform base too.
Some of the espadrilles also had the same white base I saw from the Franco Sarto pair I tried on. Again, love this in theory, but dang… I’m going to get those dirty in a hot second. Too hard to keep tidy. 🙁
When Crocs move you…
I’ve never in my life been a Crocs person, but I was kinda moved by these platforms. They look a little inexpensive when you see them just sitting there because of the material, but they look higher end on your feet.
I tried on the taupe and liked how they looked and felt, but I didn’t pull the trigger! Now I’m thinking about the black and beige pair because I could wear them with so many things, and they actually looked quite chic.
I’m still on the fence…
Anywho, I’m going to keep looking, and I’ll let you know if I find anything good!
Pet store visits
We’ve been going to Petco every day this week because Connor recently made a guinea pig friend.
Connor is a little obsessed with a tan and white female guinea pig currently residing there named “Peaches.” I keep telling Connor that one day we’re going to go in and Peaches will be gone, because she’ll have found her forever home… I think Connor is not-so-secretly hoping we’ll adopt her.
I would love to add Peaches to our family, but I’m afraid that Rosie would torture the poor thing! I would hate for Peaches to live her life in fear, ya know?
Does anyone have experience with guinea pigs cohabitating with cats? Can they live together?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!
Hi Karen,
sorry to (possibly) break your heart, but cats and dogs cannot be trusted around guinea pigs as they can think of them as prey, no matter how well trained they might be! Another thing to take into account, guinea pigs are very social and don’t do well alone, so are usually kept in pairs (or more). In some countries, like Switzerland, it is even illegal to adopt just one guinea pig!
Sending hugs and kisses to your little guinea pig lover! 🙂
Thank you Emma for the insight. I figure if we ever adopt they’ll have to be at least two of them!
About the shoes, I actually think the Crocs sandals are good idea. I have a friend that is super picky with shoes and she says she can’t believe Crocs sandals are amazing.
And about the guinea pig, I don’t have any experience with cats and them, but I think it isn’t a good idea since Rosie is already an adult cat. And I’d be afraid that she’d see Peaches as a prey. I’ve seen on TikTok kittens being raised in homes where there are already rabbits, but I think the other way around may be risky.
Has Rosie hunted any little animal before? Could it be another pet an option?
I have a feeling it would be a bad idea, too. I think her prey drive is pretty strong! So for now no guinea pigs for us.
That’s good to know about the Crocs, by the way. I may have put a pair in my cart!
In the end you know your cat, I know Zeus is only a match for similar sized cats or dogs and they need to be young and energetic. We’re now struggling with how Max and he get along, since Max is a senior dog and isn’t as patient and energetic as he should be to play along with Zeus.
And please tell us if you end up getting the Crocs.
Hi Karen,
We have had 2 cats, 2 guinea pigs and a dog at the same time! The cats mostly ignored the guinea pigs unless they were out of their cages. People often asked if we had a bird when on the phone as the guinea pigs make chirping noises-they loved grapes and would chirp whenever the fridge opened.
Cage cleaning could be a chore and guinea pigs need things to gnaw to keep the teeth from getting too long.
Good Luck!
I love the Franco Sarto’s you have on in the selfie pic. I didn’t think about the white sole issue, but yeah, when they got grubby it would drive me mad, too. And if the straps rub, for heaven’s sake don’t buy them. I’m at the age where shoes have to feel comfortable straight out of the box! None of this “They’ll break in” nonsense for me. Unless of course they’re riding boots.
I have a strong “Princess and the Pea” syndrome going on, so I could never get used to Crocs. Always felt like there was something or many things inside my shoe.
Dear Daughter had a friend who had three cats, a dog and two guinea pigs. They guinea pigs were rarely in their enclosure/cage but they mostly lived upstairs where the bedrooms were. Cats and dog had the run of the house and the outside, too. I think it just depends on the cat or dog. You’ve already mentioned Rosie running up trees after birds, so I think that’s your answer. Also, these were well fed cats. One of them weighed over 20 pounds and it wasn’t because he was a long cat with a large face.
Hope you have a good weekend!
Hi Karen,
Do not get the guinea pig. They poop non stop. Stay strong!
Ilene
Our cat killed a foster hamster, so I would advise against getting Peaches…
As for the shoes, I wasn’t a fan of platform anything even the first time they were in fashion, but I am already quite tall, so maybe that is the reason.
I think your pants are actually the star of the DSW show. Well, 2nd place, after Connor, of course! 🙂
My friend has had numerous guinea pigs along with 2 cats and up to 3 dogs. Their first gp (Mr. Whiskers) lived for like 20 years. The gps mostly stayed in their cage and, if they were coming out to play, they just made sure the other pets were either outside or in another part of the house. I think you’d have a problem if you allowed all your pets to roam free but, bright as Rosie is, I don’t think she’ll figure out how to open the gp cage. 😉 That said, I agree 100% with pairs being company for each other, but they should already be living together; I know of some gp on gp violence when they weren’t siblings/brought up together. I’ve never been a fan of the rodents but, if my boys had had their hearts set on one, I probably would have caved.