Anthropologie shoes, Innertube blossoms, and CKC Nashville

I had a few quiet minutes today. Okay, I stole them from my future self, who will be up way late tonight finishing stuff b/c of the minutes taken earlier. But it was worth it. I was making the rounds of blogs today, just following links from one sidebar to another, came across Elsie’s, then her Red Velvet, then Candice Stringham’s very inspiring post from today, and scrolling down Candice’s blog, I see this gorgeous (but alas, strapless) dress from Anthropologie, and found myself on Anthropologie’s web site…

Where I began to hear this strange music.

The music you sometimes hear when a new pair of shoes is calling to you.

Jessica…. click on the SHOES link, Jessica…

I’m in the Espadrilles section.

Now, you have to know that I haven’t really gone in for espadrilles in the past. Maybe when a word is too hard to say, it puts you off of the thing itself. Or maybe I wasn’t European enough (although I can’t imagine how THAT has changed), or I didn’t own enough linen skirts, or didn’t live in a warm enough place to make something like this not only practical, but necessary. Right? Necessary.

But these shoes. Gorgeous.

And not just gorgeous in that oh I would only wear them on special occassions gorgeous. These are so sweet, so cute. So great for capris or skirts, stores or parks or sandboxes. Anyway, normally I’m opposed in general to spending $150.00 on a pair of shoes. I’m way more of a “buy two for $60 or $70 each - or better yet, buy one, and spend the rest on scrap supplies” kind. But… I’ve been a veddy veddy good girl lately… 

So while I’m in an espadrille-y mood, got any to show me? Link me up! 

Funny.. and true

Jared had the funny of the day (it was midnight last night when he said it, so it counts for today. He had taken the kids to the park yesterday after work so mama could have a break. I love that guy with all my heart for that.

Anyway, around here in NC there are these trees. I don’t even know what they are, but they are in FULL bloom with these beautiful little white blossoms, that LOOK like they ought to smell really good…

So last night, Jared says, “You know all those trees that are bl0oming right now? If you get up close to a bunch of them, they smell JUST like bike tire inner tubes.”

Awesome. I have to admit that I haven’t gotten close enough to the blossoms yet for a good whiff. But my curiosity is definitely piqued. And anybody know the tree I’m talking about?

CKC Nashville

And lastly, if you are going to CKC Nashville, I’ll be there teaching classes for Creating Keepsakes. These are paper classes, but we wanted to add in some fun twists. I’ll be having a little contest/challenge and giving away PRIZES in class to participants. The summary is: If you make a layout with one of my Photoshop Friday techniques on it (any one, doesn’t matter), and bring that layout to class, or bring a photo of it, you’ll go in the drawing for prizes. Neat. More details on that tomorrow (because I need to verify WHICH of the classes I’m actually teaching.. ha..). :) 

Comments

[Jeannie]

I was going to suggest that perhaps the tree was an azalea, but after hearing it smells like an inner tube tire...I'm not so sure!! LOL Post a pic! :)

[Aud Neal]

Hey Jess -- I know just what trees you are talking about. They are Bradford pears -- they've got a great oval shape (meaning the tree itself) to them, right? Those are blooming like crazy around here, and the dogwood trees are following closely behind them.

[Sarah]

Hey...I think we have the same trees in Texas and I pretend they are "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot" trees...even though I know good and well that they are not Apricot trees.

[Sinead]

LOL about the trees...they're Bradford Pear trees (or Cleaveland Pears), by the way. Gorgeous in the fall, too, though the first to split in bad storms or ice. Love those shoes!

[Tara]

Just a little espadrille enabling...

http://www.piperlime.com/browse/categorySearch.do?cid=31721

I don't normally go for them either, but they're sooo cute this season! And, for a shoe-a-holic, this site is wonderfully wicked!!

[- E i L e e n -]

Will you be teaching any classes at CKC - Charlotte? Digital? I'm dying to take your class. Thanks!

[Jill Godon]

Jessica, you enabler! I just went and ordered from their site. How could you do this to me??? Ahhhh... enjoy the shoes. They are GORGEOUS!

[Brooke in Oregon]

Ha ha, you sure brightened my morning, it is 6:30 am and it is still dark outside but I am laughing!! Yep Cleaveland Pears not just a flowering tree not a eating pear tree. Major stinker :) lol

Oh how I wish I was going to be at the CKC in Nashville, just went to the one here in Portland and always love it, so how about thinking about coming out west next year!!!!

[Julie]

A hilarious comparison about the smell of the pear trees! I have two in full bloom in my front yard, but I must admit that I've never smelled them! I'll have to do that today -- you've piqued my interest!

[Cler]

Hi Jessica, I've just emailed you a note about the spadrilles!
Cler.

[elsie]

yep... "stealing from your future self".. i totally hear you on that one! :) lol!

[candice]

Those are super cute shoes! I think you do need them! Isn't Anthopology the greatest? Sigh....love them. Have fun in Nashville!

[Sarah]

Yep, we've got those Bradford (or ornamental) Pear trees all over Louisiana. They smell like a poopy diaper. At least that's the closest smell we can approximate. We had friends over for dinner once and she brought a beautiful vase full of those flowers. All dinner long, I thought the milk was sour, or the sauce didn't quite turn out. After they left, I realized it was the flowers.

Apparently only the men (and me!) realize how bad they smell, because everyone in our church has them everywhere inside.

They are absolutely gorgeous in the fall, though, when they look like they're on fire. It would be an interesting photo collage to take a picture of the same tree during each season.

[Nancy]

If you haven't ordered the shoes yet, here is a similar pair for just a bit less :-) Zappos is the best - free shipping and free return shipping!
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/22720373/c/101673.html

[gabby]

LOL
he is so right about those dang trees.
they are tricky, they are.
xoxoxo,
g

[michelle]

Yep, those Bradford pears stink something awful. I am one of the lucky ones that will be seein' you at CKC Nashville! Can't wait to meet you.

[carol]

Hi,
Do you know which classes you will be teaching at CKC Nashville? Thanks!

[Trude]

Ok they aren't espadrilles exactly, but while shopping for comfy work shoes I couldn't help but order these:

http://www.aerosoles.com/product1.asp?P=KINSHIP

Cutest wedges I've seen in a long time - AND comfy! :)