Shoe Closet Life: December 2010

I don't own a lot of neutral shoes and to say these are neutral might be a stretch for some of you.. but for me? Well, I throw them in that "box" on my checklist of options. So yeah. Working for Poetic Licence, I am constantly attracted to the outlandishly fabulous styles that get attention everywhere. They are like little sculptures on the shelves of my closet. In fact, much like art, they bring me great joy when I open my closet and see them sitting there. But back to the style at hand, the "Popstar" from Poetic Licence is definitely one that falls into more of the more neutral category for us. Neutral with flair, perhaps?

Anthropologie sure did celebrate it with featuring it in their first fall print catalog for 2010.. then to follow were several other press pieces released nationwide. By the time we made it to the NY show, we were down to only a few cases and it was a free-for-all to see who could snag the last of them! I love it when we have a great shoe like that. So much fun.

Subtle mint and cream piped trim. Deep mulberry suede "pop" color creating a saddle oxford feel. An unexpected pink shoestring flower. *doubletake* Wha wha WHAT?!?! Really? Haha! You just never know. But not shocked. And finish it off with a great platform and purple heel tap for just a fun little extra. *wink*

Coming up next from Poetic Licence.... Wait till you see spring. omg. It's already out... little early preview in my area since I live in the south and well when I visited H-Town this week it was 80. Good grief. Love spring shoes. Hate the heat. Where is the rest of winter!!! But oh the shoes........

Some fights are worth more than others.. This night below? It was which side of me they got sit on to watch Alice in Wonderland before bed. As you can see, it worked out just fine.. It's funny how once the movie comes on, where they sit suddenly doesn't matter as long as they are able to see the TV. Some fights are worth more than others.

This past year I have been so blessed. I cannot imagine traveling to Dallas to sling shoes and not staying at least one or two nights with @JenCokeley and her two sweet girls, Olivia and Emma. It's a funny story really, because I met Jen randomly through other friends and then we met to watch New Moon together last November. We've been close ever since. Not a day goes by I don't get a text from Jen, maybe just a hello or a silly smiley face, but always a reminder that she was thinking about me. And the day I got the text that 'Livy' had a tumor in her little belly my heart completely broke for her. I immediately left town, headed to Dallas not knowing if I really could or not with work. Some fights are worth more than others.

Surgery. Recovery. Too much hospital time. Chocolate cake the night before school starts... so many changes for Emma. So much going on. Jen is the strongest woman I know. Radiation. Chemo. "Sick" buckets in the car, by the couch, beside the bed. Olivia is fighting this battle tooth and nail and is pissed. And I smile. Behind the tears and the worry, I have to smile. She is so strong through all of this and it reminds us.. Some fights are worth more than others.

I swiped this picture from Jen's FaceBook. It kills me, looking at it. These two... haha.. they argue like none other.. well, they used to. Typical sisters. But deep down, they love each other, very much. It's so crazy to just watch Emma's response to Livy now when she lashes out. See, the treatments send her into mood swings that are fierce beyond belief. Emma takes it. Before she would have reacted more, but she chooses her battles more carefully. She knows some fights are worth more than others.

There was a benefit in October for Livy called "Liv 4 Life".. I wanted to share the information with you all. So many people give to charities during the holidays as gifts.. If you want to donate to Liv 4 Life for help with treatments in honor of someone else or just because, please see the information below. And please don't feel pressure to do so at all. Thoughts and prayers are welcome too!

She was diagnosed in August with a Wilm’s Tumor, a kidney cancer that primarily affects children of her age. Olivia has undergone surgery to remove the tumor as well radiation. She will continue to receive chemotherapy for several more months. This benefit is intended to help provide some monetary relief during this difficult time.

If you would like to help, but can not attend the benefit, you may donate to a fund that has been set up for Olivia. Donations may be made via Paypal to the email address Liv4Life@cokeley.net (http://www.paypal.com/) or through Caring Bridge (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/oliviacokeley).