Ni hao

I spent two weeks in southeast China on business.  I've been to Dongguan once before, but it was over 4 years ago and times are always changing.  I always think it is such a great experience and so eye-opening to see different cultures.  That's why I love to travel, even though it is not nearly as fun when you have to work!  I still have a lot to learn, but that comes with time.  Only speaking English, I always feel so "dumb" in other countries.

A few observations:

A lot of people smoke.

You can smoke virtually anywhere, including the mall and probably your desk at work.

No traffic safety.

People walk through main traffic roads wherever and whenever.  

Bikes, rickshaws, vans, large trucks, and mopeds all use the same lanes.  Or lack of lanes.

No one wears a helmet.

Forget child seats, kids aren't even buckled in.  They often climb to the windows and stick their head out.

I saw several bad accidents (after they happened).

You can fit your family of four on a single bike.

Landscaping along the main roads is beautiful - probably better than most people's private home landscaping in the US.

Noticed improvement since the last visit - better roads, more luxury cars, new border patrol.

It is so humid!  I was wearing sneakers taking a walking in the morning and almost fell because of the moisture in the air/ on the ground.

Billiards is very popular - driving to the factories, I saw pool tables sitting outside.

Soccer and baseball seem to be growing in popularity.

Watermelon is an after meal treat.

They cook with a lot of oil.

Had an amazing Taiwanese lunch and Japanese dinner but didn't venture very far into the food world on my own.  Surprisingly, didn't have much Chinese food but a lot of Italian!

Western toilets are not always available.  Reference picture below of what is commonly available...  yes, a flushing hole.  (or sometimes non-flushing!)

Chinese manners are different from ours - spitting is common.

Very respectful in the workplace - always stand when you walk up to them, always "present" things to you with two hands (handing you their business card, giving back a credit card, etc).

Buddhism is the most common religion.

Stayed tuned, more to come....

Shoe of the Week

I go back to being a working woman today which means I have to drag out my career heels.  I thought I should feature an office appropriate Coach shoe since that is what I will be working on now.

Camille heel $188.00

Shoe of the Week

This week's shoe is probably my absolute favorite shoe I've ever owned.  It's a special occasion shoe - so far this pair has only come out for the Kentucky Derby, my best friend's 30th birthday party, and tonight for my brother-in-law and now sister-in-law's wedding.  I'm thrilled to wear my favorite shoes, but even more excited to be at their celebration.  Just maybe they'll motivate my husband to get down on the dance floor.  Who can resist dancing with mirrored disco ball feet?

These beauties called my name as soon as I saw them.  I mean, come on, it can't get any more perfect than hot pink, glitter, AND a bow!  September 14, 2010, I was watching Oprah on DVR.  The guests that day were the dysfunctional Judd family, and for a second the camera panned down to Momma Judd's feet, and I saw the most unbelievable shoes...

The shoes weren't ever even the topic of conversation.  They just instantly caught my eye.  I started yelling for my husband to come in the room and check them out (because I know how much he cares about stuff like this).  I had to rewind and pause the screen to get a good look.  They didn't mention the brand, but I was on a mission to find them.  It didn't take long with the help of the world wide web.  There they were - the Kate Spade Charm - just waiting for me to find them and take them home.  Except there was one problem.  They were sold out of my size!  The next morning I called the store, and they didn't have my size either.  Just like the name, I found a charm of a sales associate who called other stores around the country and found them for me.  They showed up at my door in a pretty pink and orange box (I told you they were perfect for me) a couple of days later.  At the time, I thought they would be my perfect wedding shoes.  (That was back when we had our perfect wedding venue).  Later, I went wedding dress shopping and the dress I picked was going to snag on the glittery shoes.  I couldn't justify the price tag anymore, so I returned them teary-eyed.  I think the sales associate felt awful taking them for me.  It's no surprise, I regretted the decision.  I kept thinking about those shoes, and how impossible it was going to be to ever find them again.  I decided to give it a shot anyway, and put in a request that Zappos notify me if they ever got them in stock in my size.  One morning I woke up to the Zappos app ding on my phone that they had them!!!  I couldn't believe it.  I instantly added them to my cart and returned them to their loving home.

True story.  I can't make it up.  

By the way, Kate Spade decided to make them again, so you can find them on their website now in navy, silver, platinum, or multi glitter.

Shoe of the Week

I've kept my eyes peeled for a new pair of great boots.  I always look for something with a low heel so I can comfortably walk all over the city.  I recently spotted these Chain-Linked Knee Boots.  I think they'd look darling with jeans tucked in to really show off the detail, and they look like the perfect heel height.

Shoe of the Week

With all that has happened recently in New York... earthquake, hurricane, flooding, terror threats... I'm not sure how much more we can all take.  I thought it was time for something light-hearted like the Prada Bi-Color Suede Mary Jane Boots.

I think these are hilarious.  The $1,400.00 price tag not so much.  But what is even crazier is the line on Saks.com stating "DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, A CUSTOMER MAY ORDER NO MORE THAN 3 UNITS OF THIS ITEM EVERY THIRTY DAYS."

Shoe of the Week

The Cowboys season opener is today, so I'm going back to my roots with cowboy boots!  I think any of these would be appropriate for game day.  Go Pokes!

Frye Bruce Pull On $398.00

Nocona Boots embroidered Oklahoma State University $229.99

Rios of Mercedes Custom Boot Style 0945t

Shoe of the Week

In preparation for the hurricane, I thought a pair of Wellington's would be a must this weekend!  Some fun finds from the web...

Shoes of the Week

With the start of school and football season just around the corner, it's time to prep your fall wardrobe.  I hope you have a pair of wedges somewhere in your closet because they are everywhere!

Tall Boots:

Kate Spade New York Darya $498.00

Booties:

Anthropologie Belted Booties $198.00

Sandals:

DV by Dolce Vita Pali $87.00

Pumps have even morphed:

Christian Louboutin Sculpted Wedge Pumps $695.00

Comfort:

Naturalizer Ashby $79.00

Low:

Cole Haan Air Talia Suede Wedge Pumps $178.00

High:

Giuseppe Zanotti I17017 $750.00

Expensive:

Alexander McQueen Platform Suede Peep Toe Booties $1,050.00

Budget:

2 Lips Too Too Capture Wedge Bootie $49.95

Ornate:

Yves Saint Laurent Suede and Leather Wedge Pumps $995.00

Career:

Nine West Gingy Wedges $79.00

Even Rain Boots:

Hunter Wedge Rain Boots $175.00

And All-Weather Boots:

Sperry Top-Sider Brentwood $178.20

Shoe of the Week

Last year I was in love with the Valentino structural bow jelly thongs.  I never splurged and got them, but I definitely considered it on multiple occasions.  I thought they would have been perfect for our Barbados honeymoon.

I'm still not sick of the signature Valentino bow that we've seen so much of lately.

So I found a couple affordable updates and I'm still lovin' it.

Dolce Vita "Briar" Platform Pumps

$89.95

Enzo Angiolini 'Mistle' Pump

$89.95

Shoe of the Week

Anyone that knows me knows that I love shoes.  What's not to love about them?  They always fit.  They may not always be comfortable, but they always fit.  Your dress size may fluctuate when you eat three Rolo McFlurries (is it McFlurries or McFlurrys?), but my shoe size stays a constant 8.5 and I like that I can count on that.

I work in men's shoes, so I am surrounded by hundreds of shoes in huge piles every day.  But men's shoes lack some of the fun trends you can find in women's footwear.  I see a lot of black, dark brown, and tan leather shoes.  Constantly.  So my Shoe of the Week feature will be my chance to drool over the whimsical, outrageous, pretty, sporty, etc.  I can't promise they will all be affordable or wearable, but they will be interesting.

When people ask who my favorite designer is, I can't answer with just one.  I feel like that's asking parents to pick their favorite child. Not fair.  Unless one of your children is Casey Anthony.  I will feature some of my faves here.

[By the way, if you don't have it already, you should download Bergdorf Goodman's shoe of the day app!]

To keep with this week's shoe-themed post, New York City was recently named the most walkable city in the US according to Walk Score.  After living here, I agree.  It's a great city for walking - easy to navigate, sidewalks on every street wide enough for a few pedestrians,  and it's great for short or long distances.  I never drive in the city, and I never miss it.

I feel like I should also use this time as a Public Service Announcement for all pedestrians in big cities:

1.  Sidewalks are like traffic lanes.  Don't unexpectedly stop in the middle of one.  You will cause a traffic jam or get run over.

2.  Leave your beach, patio, and golf umbrellas at home, unless you want to arrive dry but without an eye.  There is no room for oversized umbrellas on the streets.

3.  When walking with friends, walk single file not shoulder to shoulder.  In case you didn't notice, people walk fast here.  Faster than you.  And they want to be able to get around you.

4.  On escalators, stand on the right, walk on the left.  Same reasoning as #3.

5.  If you smoke, please blow it away from my face.  And don't leave your cigarette hanging out where I will get singed when I walk by you because I don't want to breathe your second hand smoke.

With all of that walking, you definitely wear through shoes quickly.  These are comfy and keep up with the return of the 80's that I'm sure you've noticed this summer.  They are $140.00 and part of the NikeiD line, so you can style them any way you like in case you aren't diggin' the rad neon.

I think they're a little more wearable than these Asics which Ralph was recently seen wearing and retail for $120.00.