My shoes hurt etiquette

Sometimes shoes hurt.  This is part of being a grown women and we all deal with it from time to time.  Even if you are in pain their are certain rules and tips to avoid the fauz pas of removing your shoes in public.

1. Invest in a good comfy heel.  Try on as many shoes as you can, walk around the store in them and see how they feel.  If they rub or pinch in the store try going up a size and if that doesn't work don't buy them.  I don't care if they're the cutest shoes in the whole wide world, people in pain don't look cute.

2. Break in a shoe before you plan on wearing it.  If you have shoes for a special event of simply a new pair wear them while cooking dinner or cleaning to break them in.  This way you can break them in in the comfort of your own home and are able to take them off the second and blisters start to form.  If they hurt a lot you know that wearing them to an event where you'll be standing all day is not a good call.

3. Duct tape is your friend.  If you have sensitive skin on your feet flats will often rub your heel and give you blisters.  Before you go out simply stick a piece of duct tape on your heels and your good to go.  Do this until your flats are broken in and you'll be good to go.

4. Make good shoe choices.  Going to a concert or plan on walking the city?  Don't wear super high heels.   Sometimes you're better off trading in your high heels for lower heels or even flats.  Sure high heels are cuter but if you're doing a lot of walking your companion(s) will be much appreciative when you don't have to call it a night because you can't bear walking another block.

5.  Prevention is key.  For high heels arch support will help with the stress placed on your arch and this nifty deoderant like sunstance will keep away the blisters.

With proper prevention and common sense you should never have to end an evening early or remove your shoes at a wedding again.

Celebrity worshipping is bad for the soul and wardrobe

Sure, everyone likes to take a peak at what their favorite actor or actress, singer or general celebrity is up to and this can be ok.  Now if you come home from work and immediately watch TMZ, the Daily 10, Extra and The Insider while flipping through People Magazine you may have a problem.  

Celebrities love to be trendy.  Most of us normal people should stay far far away from these trends.  Seeing Lindsay in her footless leggings or Britney in her Uggs or every freaking celebrity in maternity wear when they're not pregnant gives us the wrong idea.  

If you see something enough, especially when you see it worn by women with fab bodies you start to think that these things look good and they don't.  You will always be better off sticking with classic pieces that flatter your body (your body right now, not the one from 10 year ago or the one 6 months from now because you swear you're only going to eat salad) are pretty and well made and make you feel good.

Remember, looking like this is their job not yours.  You don't jump behind the counter at the bank or stock shelves at the grocery store because it's not your job.  They get a lot of this stuff for free or custom made for them.  Even if you are making gobs of money buying all of these things will make a dent in your bank account and do you really need a closet full of capes and gladiator sandals?  

A Lady's Favorite Cocktails

Their are a lot of drinks out there, these are some classy cocktails that are a true crowd pleaser.

Mojito's

1 1/2oz light rum Crush mint with a fork inside of the glass. Add sugar and juice of 1 lime 

1 tbsp sugar (about 3 tbsp) and stir.  Fill glass with ice. Add rum and top with club soda.

1 lime 

Club soda

Fresh mint

Martini

2 1/2 oz gin All you have to do is mix in a chilled glass and voila.  Add an olive or 

1/2 oz dry vermouth slice for garnish.

Cosmopolitan Just say thanks to Sex and the City for reviving this cocktail. Mix 

1 oz vodka ingredients in a shaker and there you go.

1/2 oz triple sec

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz cranberry juice

Margarita Warm spring nights and mexican food just screams for this cocktail. 

1 1/2 oz tequila You know what to do.

1/2 oz triple sec

1 oz lime juice

There are a million other drink out there but these are just a few classics.  Remember to enjoy responsibly- there's nothing less classy then being falling down drunk.

Glassware- P2

Now that you have your basic stemware lets add some fun to the mix.

There is nothing quite like a frozen margarita on a hot summer day and you definitely need to glass to add to the atmosphere. A little salt, a lime wedge and you've got an event all on it's own.  Be careful, margarita glasses tend to have designs on them.  Ask yourself if a parrot glass is really something that's going to stand the test of time.

A martini glass is an absolute must have.  Martini's are a timeless drink and these glasses can easily be used for most other mixed drinks.

And finally, have a set of shot glasses.  You never know when guest will want to do a shot and it's always good to measure anyway.

Glassware- Serving Drinks in the Appropriate Glass P1

Most people never think twice about the glass their drink is being served in.  Sure they might laugh if a friend pours them a glass of wine into a coffee mug but otherwise are quite content with most anything.  There are others, we could refer to them as "glass snobs" who expect Riedel stemware in the appropriate shape and size for each beverage.  Now, Riedel makes beautiful stemware but not all of us have the budget that allows for this.  This guide is more realistic budgetwise but helps you avoid the unclassy gesture of serving wine in margarita glasses because you don't have enough wine glasses. 

Everyone needs a basic wine glass.  Stemless glasses are adorable but not appropriate for wine.  Regardless of what you've scene in movies glasses are meant to be held by the stem to avoid warming the wine.  These glasses are a great budget option.

If you're looking to upgrade slightly start with chardonnay glasses.

Then add some red wine glasses.

And finally every lady needs a set of champagne flutes.  When in doubt, serve champagne (sparkling wine works too.)

Now it's time to through a party!

MySpace-For Teenagers Only

Today everyone is on the internet. Ok, maybe not your great grandmother in Tuscan but most everyone. And the it's not just an email and searching tool anymore but more and more people are using it to meet people or connect with preexisting friends. I'm sure you've heard the warnings; things on te internet never go away, future employers look at your accounts (this I find doubtful, I very much doubt most employers are looking you up on facebook) etc, etc. I'm not going to warn you against things you already know but instead lay a ground work for setting up and enjoying these online forums as an adult.

Don't use MySpace if you're over 20. You have your own space remember? Myspace is a combination of teenagers, people who inexplicably want to acquire as many friends as possible and then gain fame for it (yeah, like that's a good way to start a respectable career) and the occasional 40 year old perv who gets off talking to kids. So you're in your 20's, 30's, 40's or older no MySpace for you. If you're over 35 you probably aren't on MySpace because you don't really get it. Don't worry you shouldn't get it. Who wants a list of 200 "friends: aka people you don't know and have never met. It's weird, yeah, you know it is. While it's a great place to read teenage angst poetry, if you're over 20 it's time to move on ladies.

Clinton drops out- woo there get off your feminist high horse

We all know that yesterday Hillary Clinton officially through her support to Barak Obama after dropping out of the race.  Clinton supporters and feminists everywhere are up in arms telling anyone who will listen that now they will vote for John McCain.  This isn't a slam against McCain but that's like choosing between a chocolate cake and a cheesecake when you really don't like cheesecake just because the restaurant ran out of fudge cake.  Ignore the prolonged metaphor but when it comes down to it Clinton and Obama hold very similar positions on most issues.  Sure they disagree in places but we're not electing a dictator.  Just because they want something doesn't mean they're going to get it exactly the way they want it.  They'll be lucky if they get it at all.

So ladies, Clinton not getting the nomination is not an affront to women everywhere.  She was just not the popular candidate and really, what is the presidential election other than a giant popularity contest.  A women will run again and one will eventually win the Whitehouse.  So instead of letting your daughters emulate Paris Hilton how about giving them the education and the drive to get involved in politics and get a woman elected to the presidency.