If you’ve been here a minute, you probably already know I’m a self-proclaimed bag lady. So naturally, or maybe not so naturally, shoes are where I struggle. I love the idea of heels, but actually wearing them is another story, especially if there’s any significant standing involved. Forget it entirely if we’re walking. A small kitten heel is fine (1 to 2 inches, max), but anything beyond that is strictly reserved for dinner or a primarily sit-down occasion.
And maybe, as someone who doesn’t get pedicures, I should be steering clear of open-toe shoes altogether, sandals especially. But honestly? I truly cannot be bothered. Because here’s the thing: I love sandals. I love the freedom of moving my toes. The weather here has been all over the place lately, and I just can’t do heavy shoes anymore. So, with spring and summer outings on the horizon, plus whatever vacation we can manage to squeeze in, here are the shoes I’ve been exploring.
When it comes to packing for a beach trip, I think about footwear in four categories:
Fancy Sandals: Think a nice dinner out or a day spent wandering through cultural spots or maybe a destination wedding (no matter the outfit, I will not be wearing heels in the sand -_- ). You want to look put-together and cute without sacrificing comfort, bring in some color, and ideally something that plays well with everything else you’ve packed. These are the tops one I like for that (statement shoes that don’t make you have to pack band aids to survive):
Jelly Shoes: Perfect for a morning brunch buffet (before you plant yourself poolside to read for 12 hours straight), though maybe not the move for serious walking. Where they truly shine is at the pool or beach. Easy to rinse off, zero worry about material damage, and they are just cute and deeply nostalgic. (Between the time I started to draft this and it hits your inbox, I have already bought the jelly rope shoes - will report back once I get to wear them out when the weather warms up. Oh, and I already own the jelly flats in red and wear them regularly)
Simple and Sleek: The crossover shoe. Nicer dinners? Yes. Walking around? Yes. Beach and pool? Also yes, though fair warning: salt water can be rough on real leather. This is the category for the minimalists among us who want one shoe to rule them all. (I really love the toe ring shoes and I think I need them. Who doesn’t love a jewelry-shoe adornment?)
Workout and Travel: If you’re the kind of person who actually hits the gym while on vacation, I salute you deeply and sincerely. I am not that person. But I do almost exclusively wear sneakers to the airport and on the plane, even beach-bound, knowing full well they’re coming off the moment I land. So my travel sneakers tend to skew minimal rather than performance-driven. Open-toed shoes in airport and airplane bathrooms give me a particular kind of anxiety, and I stand by that.
I know I just made a whole case for freeing my toes, and yet, while browsing sneakers, I genuinely want all of these. Didn’t think I was a ballet sneaker girly, but here we are. And my cow print sneakers have been asking for a friend lately; those zebra print ones might just be the answer.
Last year I bought a pair of those black elastic Tevas (the ones that basically all of Substack had also bought) and wore them straight through spring, summer, and fall until the elastics started losing their stretch. This year, maybe I'll bring in a couple of options so I don't wear a single pair into the ground!
Are there any sandals or shoes you're craving for the warmer weather? Introduce me to new styles and brands! Let me live vicariously through your shopping too!
Blotting Sheets: I love blotting sheets and desperately need them come summer. These are great because the compact has a sticky pad inside that picks up each sheet, you blot your face, peel the sheet off the pad, and you’re done. I’ve always preferred blotting over powdering, and I love that this one comes with a mirror too. I’ve already ordered a second box and a refill pack, so that tells you everything you need to know.
Dark Spot Concentrate: This is my second tube, and I genuinely think it helps fade dark marks faster, so why not grab it on sale? It’s tiny and pricey, but it works, which is probably why it’s already sold out. No surprise there.
Face Compact Foundation: I mentioned wanting to try this a few newsletters ago, so a sale felt like the right nudge. I got the shade Midi and it’s a pretty decent match. It’s a touch more tan than I am right now, but I think it’ll come into its own as the warmer days roll in. I use the glossy side on my eyelids as a base, then layer these eye pencils on top for an easy eyeshadow look I can pull off in a dark closet (where I get ready every morning, hiding from my kid).
Intense Recovery Cream: Technically this is my third tube, but this one is for my mom. I LOVE this cream. If you’ve been reading for a while, you’ve seen me rave about Instant Angel and Deliverance, but I think this new one has quietly taken the top spot. The texture alone wins me over. My mom is going through a really painful bout of eczema right now, and I’m hoping this helps her skin heal faster.
Body Buffing Bar: I have annoying strawberry skin on my arms and I’d love to actually feel good in sleeveless tops and dresses this summer, so I grabbed this to try. I’ve only used it once, and wow, it is ROUGH. Like, genuinely stings even when you’re being gentle. I’ll report back on whether it makes a real difference, but consider this your warning: this one is not for the faint of heart.
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