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.

Getting a kick out of Kickers: Loving Lyle

Hmmm. I still remember when I first crossed paths with this brand way back in highschool.

I was then a junior at Angelicum school when I chanced upon a pair of bright blue Kickers while shopping for my prom shoes with my mom. 

The said pair was already pricey back then; if I remember it correctly, it costed around P 2,995 during that time (err... late 1990ish) but I managed to persuade my mom into getting me the blue, submarine inspired shoes (actually, I opted to get a cheaper pair for my prom shoes, afterall, it'll only be worn for a night.).

Years passed and still, my fondness for this brand never did falter. Time and again, I would visit the Kickers store to check out its latest releases and how each pair would fit me well.

A few weeks ago, during a sale at the Block at SM North, I chanced upon this dainty pair which I have been eyeing for the longest time. 

It was a pair of  fancy white dress shoes with cute tiffany blue laces. Yes, tiffany blue. For those unfamiliar, check the color palette online.  

I knew in my heart that I wanted it since I first laid my eyes on it a few months back. However, at P 3,995, i found the pair quite expensive. 

Ok, I love Kickers but it only ranks 5th on my favorite brands (subject to change without further notice, haha) so that's why I wasn't willing to spend much on a pair. Not to mention that during the time I saw it, I already finished hoarding several pairs from Adidas. Can't justify purchasing Lyle (the style name), so I had to let go.

Until a few weeks ago. 

Lyle went on sale. At nearly 60% off! 

Yup, got the pair for only P 1,670! Not bad.;)

Without hesitating, I grabbed the pair and asked for my size.

With my beloved fairy god mother on my side, the store had one last pair...of my size.

It was such a serendipitous moment!

I immediately fell in love with Lyle's edgy looks and cute accent laces.

The soft inside cushion provided utmost comfort, which makes it perfect with or without socks on.

Indeed, it was meant to be when the last pair slipped on perfectly.

Here's a picture of me wearing my beloved Lyle proudly.

Indeed, true love never dies. 

For years after, I still get a kick out of Kickers.  Most specially since I fell in love with Lyle. 

Shoe Spotting: Christmas Edition

I still have self-control.

I think.

Well, I can still  muster all my courage and will power at times to resist the temptation of buying yet another pair of shoes.

But admittedly, I still can't stop looking at a dainty pair.

After seeing the price tags, I mentally compute the available balance in my credit card and just immediately put the flirty pairs on my wish list.

Just like what I did yesterday.

While waiting for the color coding window, I went to the shoe section of the SM department store in Megamall. I never thought they had so much to offer until yesterday...Oh, and I never thought they were just as pricey.

I managed to take pictures of the shoes which tickled my fancies before I tucked my hands inside my pockets to further resist the impulse of buying a pair or two.

Here they are (in random order):

I have always loved espadrilles. These cute striped ones from Kickers ( I love the one in the middle the most), stood out among rest with their colorful hues and the abaca-like (i don't know how to call it) fiber soles.  To the tune of P 2,995.

I found this graffiti slip ons from Diesel an eye catcher despite the usual B & W scheme. The caricatures made up for its color. It reminds me of the pair I wanted from Toms.  If i remember it right, this costs around P 3,+++.

Of course, being the practical buyer (yeah right), I also thought of getting a pair which I could use during my meetings with my clients. These pastel colored shoes from Sebago would go well with the rest of my wardrobe (after mentally mix and matching my possessions and computing the success rate).  Hmm...around P 4,5+++.

I was tempted to buy a pair, but good thing I managed to stop myself and wait until I close another deal with another client. 

I left with my head up high, feeling quite proud of myself that I didn't fall into yet another trap. 

Well, not yet. Hehe.

The shoes can wait...until Christmas. Hehe.