Summer Strollers: Kickers Striped Espadrilles

Yup, summer is officially here!

The sand. The sun. And my new pair of shoes. Hehe.

As early as now, I've been asked time and again what I intend to do over the long holiday.

Go to the beach? Perhaps.

But I just went to Boracay last month. And will be going to Bohol in a few days...to stay at Panglao beach. Haha.

Hmmm. What if I just go abroad? Maybe.

But then again, I just got back from Hong Kong 3 days ago so I don't think that can be an option. Plus, I think I over shopped. But that's retail therapy right? :)

So with only a few days left before we commemorate the holy week, I am left with no plans.

But I do have a concrete answer to the persistent question:

When everything fails, get myself a new pair of shoes.

Works for me.

I would gladly spend say 2 days (since malls will be open by Saturday afterlunch) watching DVDs or embarking on a church tour all over the metro, just to save enough money to get the pair I have on my wish list.

Ok. Here goes nothing. I have decided.

So off to the mall I went.

I have always been a frequent visitor of SM North The Block because of its strategic location: A 10 minute drive from my place brings me closer to my gym (Fitness First) and one of my favorite shoe brands: Kickers.

I was told that they had a clearance sale (thanks to my constant research) so being the SHOEpaholic that I was, I hurriedly went there to check out the merchandise.

When I got there, I immediately saw the pair I was eyeing months before.

It was a pair of colorful striped espadrilles.

Made of unique, almost organic (I couldn't think of the right word) material that resembles coconut husks, it was definitely a sight to behold.

I tried it on before so I knew it was as comfortable as can be. For people like me who like to take Bus # 11 (HK's pop term for going on long walks), this pair indeed can be such a worthy ally.

Oh and the colors: Summer at its finest. Think about earth, wind, water, and fire...well represented in deed. If it had a bright red streak, it would have formed Captain Planet (So 1980s). Haha!

Hey, at P2,995 I found the pair quite expensive then. Maybe because everytime I would chance upon the pair, I already spent my money on something more important (yup, shoes aren't and shouldn't be the end all of everything)

So I just did the usual: gave the pair a "courtesy call" and then silently wish I could afford it.

When I was about to put it down, a bright red tag caught my eye.

P 1,670.

Fabulous!

Mentally I computed the amount I would have spent on a plane ticket going to an island paradise and I arrived at a beautiful conclusion that the tag price cost barely a fraction.

Justified.

I gave the pair a second look and saw it was a 9.5.

Perfect. The universe aligned once more.

I asked for a new stock but I was told it was the last pair.

Lord, thanks. Patience indeed is a virtue. Hehe.

So I held on to the last pair for dear life until I managed to pay for it.

After getting the receipt, I felt like I won the lottery. Hehe.

So here I am days before the holy week...where boredom strikes big time for those who have no plans.

But me, am ready.

I'll let my summer stripes show me the way.

Thank you Kickers.

Especially on Saturdays: Zara Espadrilles

I just love Saturdays.

The shows on TV. The great home-cooked meals. Time with friends and family.

And time to shop. Hehe.

Ok, I admit at times I do shop on weekdays most especially when I am stressed.

But based on actual experience, I am most likely to shop a week before or after the payday. And on a saturday.

Why you might ask?

Because it gives me the opportunity to review my purchase and still have enough time to have it changed before I wear it on Monday.

Not to mention that Sunday serves not only as my meditation day, but the day I get to review my battle plan for the coming week and how I can make up for the purchase I've made in terms of better output.

Anyway, last saturday, as part of my weekly detoxification, I went to Powerplant Mall instead, a most welcome diversion from my usual QC route.

Initially, it was the Rockwell Bazaar that led me to this mall which I seldom visit. But after spending less than 30 mins inside, I left without any purchase.

But determined as I was to engage in my much needed ---and  deserved--- retail therapy, I went inside the mall to check out what's new since my last visit...like around 6 months ago. Yup, that long.

Hmmm...the usual upscale stores, the fancy crowd and pricey stuff...Might as well check out my favorite stores, I said to myself.

I went to each and every store in my mental list of favorites.

I thought though that I would end up buying food to bring home to my mom since I wasn't able to find anything that I like.

Until I went inside Zara.

Zara is actually one of my favorite fashion brands. I like their tops and jeans the most. Classic designs made trendy. Perfect for my meetings and  night outs with friends.

But for the first time, that day, I fell in love with a pair of Zara shoes.

Espadrilles to be exact.

Since summer is just around the corner, I decided to check out a pair.

I haven't had any Zara pair before so I was quite excited to try them on.

I was quite surprised though that their sizes were bigger than usual: my usual 9.5 shrunk to a size 8. But who cares as long as they fit.:)

The blue stripes provided much contrast against the dirty white body canvass.

The red patch on the heel added a unique charm to this espadrille looker which can give most shoes a run for their money.

I love slip ons and this pair definitely increased my fondness for such with its soft cushioned base perfect for long walks inside...and outside the mall.

On sale at P 1,990. Original price was P2,495. For the very reason that I managed to close a new deal the previous week ----Not bad as a personal reward.

After purchasing my beloved pair, which happens to be the last on stock, my companion and I went to UCC to have coffee.

Excited as I was, I couldn't resist  trying on the pair right then and there!

So here is how I looked like then:

And I never did take off my new pair...until we got home.

What a wonderful saturday it was. Especially with a pair of Zara Espadrilles.