Why I Gave Up on Pretty Oxford Shoes

I used to be a shoe-addict. Especially oxford shoes (sometimes they call it 'brogues' too).  You know, that kind of shoes with lace, flat insole (generally), very narrow heel, and usually made with polyurethane outer. Here;s one of the example from my Pinterest, an oxford shoes from Argyle & Oxford. Objectively, I love the details, the uniqueness, and look at the quirkiness! Plus, it's metallic. I can't not appreciate this piece of art.  And it was on 50% sale. Ugh.

I was in love with oxford shoes that almost all my past drawings contain that kind of footwear. Here's some samples: 

Maybe during my 18s-24s, I've purchased 8 different oxford shoes, with different material, price, quality, and comfortability. Well, honestly, none of them was comfortable enough.  Especially at the first usage. It usually takes time to fit in my feet, and it costs a lot.  A LOT of pain. It usually tores my back of the ankle, hurt my toes, that I should buy a slip-on in Singapore 5 years ago, because I failed in handling the pain of my new oxford shoes. And it's cracky after a long time.  Like...3 months, for example.  Because polyurethane + tropical climate + true pedestrian = hardcore shoe life. Girly shoes won't make it. Oxford shoes...have failed. Many times, yet I didn't care at all. I wanted to look GREAT.  Sundanese would call me 'loba gaya'--literally translated to 'too much style': it means, I gain beauty voluntarily, even with pain and loss. 

After a while, I don't think it worths my effort anymore.  The sight of any oxford shoes still steals my attention, but, hey, it's not comfortable, and not actually useful besides making you 'feel good but hurt'. It's just me and my delutional idea of 'finally have my own money to buy all the shoes I want!'. I should've listen to my conscious body parts: oh, dear, do you feel okay with these stuff wrappin' ya' around? 



Then I took a breathe and had a flashback.  The only shoes I own when I was a high-school student were 1 pair of black slip-on as a school uniform,  1 pair of polkadot slip-on for free time, and I think I owned a pair of party shoes or something for formal attires. AND HEY. I survived. And my feet were happier.

Now, for my footwear, my priority is not again 'the style' or 'the must-have', or 'the trend', moreover, 'the uncomfortable beautiful shoes'.  It's now: pink and made of airy fabric with fluffy insole and flexible sole. At least it's going to be really nice to walk on. If it has to be a sport shoes, I'm so fine with it! Now I've found out why I never, never ever used a feminine shoes except a simple mary-jane (with rubber sole, lol) since I was a kid. My childhood consciousness was more generous with my body. Hahaha! 

Anyway, my hometown provides a really, really random trotoire. I mean for real.  Wandering around by feet is compatible with an off-road--being seen from a Landrover's point of view. :p

I also need a pair of sandals for rainy days.  Since my jelly shoes has ended up in the landfill.  It's broken. Definitely broken. I bought it 2 years ago. On the 1st year, one of the part on the left was crushed.  But it's still usable.  But the right part followed the path.  And last time, the belt was in a horrible condition.  However, it's just bad.  I expected she would live longer, but, she's a cheap sandal anyway. Bought impulsively (only 40% thoughtful thoughts in it). Thanks for everything, Dearest Jelly Sandals. :)

My 77 days of no-shopping still continues.  So I have to stop here before...suddenly making a long wishlist and get impatient to purchase something.  Remember: more impulsivity = more damage on Earth. Simply.

Have a cheerful weekend, darlings! xx 

As An Alternative from Shopping

My old wardrobe data! Ugh, I found this in my notebook (a bonus from some fashion magazine).  And it was from my post-school time.  After days in boring uniforms, I have only a few of clothing pieces I loved and cherished.  And only 3 pairs of shoes! OMG.

The only minus I had was my colour tones: black, grey, dusty rose, green, random oranges, random yellows?  Only that.  It's not weird that I was more melancholic at those years.  My pallette was bad and not beautifully arranged.

Anyway, that list has brought me wrong. It was the beginning of my fashion hoarding (?). I read magazines and had thoughts like, "Oh, I need a black dress, one jeans, two high-heels..." because I thought it is necessary.  Or arbitrary.  I don't know. I'm laughing at it.  I was a green-obsessed hoarder.  And irony in one label.

OKAY THEN. I was only a naive 18 year old girl anyway.

Now I'm here, focusing on other things than shopping and fulfilling my starvation of ornament-based-pride!

And better make myself proud, strong, and happy with some music. 

And here's a little bunny in memory. :')

May The ( Space-Concerned ) Force Be with Ya'

"Don’t be afraid of empty space in your closet. It might feel weird at first, but when you can get dressed in the morning without stress and struggle, you’ll start to enjoy the benefits of owning less."
-taken from the 333 Project 

I've been reading a lot about minimalism and so. Since last year, I guess. While I'm trying to sell my preloved clothes / shoes / jewelry, plus stop shopping for no reason. It's beyond effective.
It's interesting!

And, just like my proccess of being vegetarian, or becoming a good musician, being in touch with watercolour, plus my path of 'detoxifying' my toiletries, it's a fun, fun journey! No way back. No regret.  Everything's fun!

The other blog that I am subscribed in is: Un-fancy. 

Oh, yeah, and it's affecting a lot of other sessions in my life.  Most importanly, my lifestyle and mindset. Bye, bye, impulsive shopping. Bye, bye, wander around a departement store for nothing but tired and bankrupted.

I am no longer believe in 'retail therapy', but more into 'use whatever you already have efficiently!'.
And I'm not a hoarder anymore.  That's the most precious step I've ever had.  I might find a reason to stack some stuff just because 'oh, it's a local brand, don't worry', or 'oh it's made of organic cotton, don't worry'. Oh, nonsense! What I have to worry is THE SPACE AND THE ENERGY. And THE TIME, sorry. Shopping has actually eaten a lot of most productive moments, and erase the space I have in house or in my head, and surely, energy. Plus, when I shop without further thinking, I usually end up in regret.  And regret feels bad. Really.

So let's start our little mantra again:

I am not a cupboard, I am a fulfilled humanbeing. 

Thank you, Dearest Universe. :) 

 

cherishing my super duper simple rings, that i can wear with ANYTHING i already own

 

 

Definitely.

Oh, it's June! JUNE! Closer to July, August, oh those sunny days I've been waiting forever until November. A lot of incoming summer projects are in front of me and it's exciting!

Anyway, since June has arrived, I decided to try another 'project' of stop shopping for unecessary things...such as clothes.  Yea, that trap called 'shop till' you drop' isn't healthy at all. I mean, ugh, I don't want to get dropped due to shopping, and shopping has actually swallowed my money worthlessly.

21 days  of shopping less period seems quite easy... now when I think about that.  But what about three times of that? Heya, it's fun to do, huh?

So, the rules are similar, with special notes defined by text colours:

applies to : clothes, shoes, bags, accesories, cosmetics, magazine, book, stationery, office-supplies, furniture, fancy palm-oil based food and beverages, craft supplies, needles, pins, hairpins, bobby pins, organizer, notebooks, animal (off course!), and other thing that usually ends up as clutter.

If I survive the 77 days (counting from now), I'm going to treat myself with a new romantic piece to learn both on viola and piano.

NB. I have to finished the baroque piece from previous project. 
Anyone joining? ;)

Fashion thingy : This is the REAL target--since being 'a girl' gives me a lot of excuse to shop...like it's in the social unwritten habit. And these stuff are actually the most tiring things to be thought about--and wasted a lot of time (and material) to browse. I used to spent many hours to browse when I should actually rehearse or doing an unfinished illustration. And yeah, my money has gone far away for some pieces I haven't even worn until now. About cosmetic, I've been so much better on this.  Yee-ha ! 

Books: NO BOOKS, except needed for educational needs such as music bundle in higher grade, better editorial, or arbitrary exam book. Art books? There are free e-books and Pinterest images everywhere, baby. For free.  And all you need is actually...that endless practical session. 

My entire house is stuffed with these stationeries and all art supplies like a workshop garage or something. Should I buy anything? Not in a million years.  We have 7 watercolour pallettes here. A box full of clutter of crafts and...huh. Hello. Food: only eat the necessary and nutritious plants. Fancy foods cost too much! 

So, see you in 77 days from now ( there will be random posts in between, but I meant about this goal ). I'm going to do productive, progressive stuff. Including doing this project already. 

For The Earth, for humanity ! :)