In search of Rosie's shoes...

This entry originally appeared on my blog about decorating and design.

It seems like every time I take my mother out shopping, we are in search of the perfect shoe! In my mind, shopping day with mom is really the "search for Rosie's shoes" and is very similar to the quest for the Holy Grail!

For me--having had minor back surgery--I am most satisfied with either a soft pair of UGGs, Toms, Old Gringos, or anything that resembles a comfortable flip flop!

Although I have been known to wear Choos that are way too high for walking across a campus, I am not that obsessed with shoes.

However, after our Friday search for the "ungettable" perfect shoe, (...one that is closed toed, but summer-y, has some type of ankle strap, is lightweight, and is not "too high...") I started to think about shoes and shoe design.

Of course it seems that every notable designer also has a shoe line. But, what came to mind was the simple, classic espadrille--the shoe that seems to meet all of Rosie's criteria for a summer shoe!

I started my quest and education of shoes by finding out more about the espadrille. Did you know that this wonderous shoe had it's origin in Spain? Also, did you know that the name is derived from the Catalan name for the shoes, espardenya?

I tried to explain the design to my mother, however, she did not see this classic shoe as being...SEXY! (...do I hear the term octogenarian cougar forming in your brain?!).

The "non sexy" image" may be in part because this classic style -- traditionally made from natural fiber and rope -- was worn by peasants.

BUT (and this is what I will sell Rosie on...) the shoe was made popular by Lauren Bacall in the movie, Key Largo...ahhhh Bogie and Becall...classics themselves!

A quick Zappos search produced way too many choices! Red, gold, striped, flowered, green, black, glittered, textured, oy! I think one of these would be perfect for Rosie because they meet all of the criteria:

But, it will be up to Rosie to decide...have fun, mom!

The picture of the woman...

Are you wondering why there is a picture of a sexy woman on the right of the screen? Well, wonder no more! My mom, Rosie, always had this notion or idea that women--at all cost--must look sexy. You know the old 1940s idea of the secretary sitting on the desk in a short skirt applying blood red lipstick...well, that's Rosie's view of women and what women should be!

We always think that this image may be due to the time/years when Rosie grew up. Needless to say, having daughters growing up in the 1970s and 1980s--who had and still have--very different views of women, causes many "discussions." These discussions have taken place over the years and most times get "heated" regarding what is "normal" and what is ..."not so normal" when it comes to dressing, professions, sports, music, etc.

With that said, I felt it was only fitting to include the graphic--who from today on--we will call...Rosie! You should also know that Rosie's preferred colors for clothing are none other than black and white. She would still be wearing the blood red lipstick and strutting in stilettos now...but...she is almost 80 years old!

...thinking of Rosie!

Rosie's House

Here is a picture of the house that Rosie was born in (green one -- first in the picture). She lived on the top floor until she married my father. Then…she moved away…right around the corner. When I was four, we moved back to this house. We (my mother, father, and two brothers) lived on the ground floor. The summer we moved back to the “house on Withers,” my Rosie was pregnant with my sister.

During that hot, sticky summer, my responsibility was to watch my two year old brother. I was almost five at the time and really didn’t care what he wanted to do. But…Rosie told me that I had to watch him while the other kids were playing jacks, stickball, etc. There I was in a dark, damp hallway watching this sly little boy who waited and waited for me to look away so he could run outside.

…then, I would get in trouble once again. That was also the summer that I found a dead rat swimming in the toilet bowl of our little apartment. Not to fear…my father scooped it out with a spoon and threw it away.

My cousin sent me a picture of the new renovations to Rosie's house. The house remained in the family after my grandmother passed away. My uncle takes care of it now.

Rosie is going on a trip back to the "old country" (B'lyn) this weekend. My sister is going with her and they will visit the old neighborhood with my uncle.

Can't wait to hear what she has to say about the house, renovations, and N.Y. in general. This will be the first trip to New York in over ten years.

...thinking of Rosie!