Rites & Revelations

Today is my birthday and I decided to continue a tradition I started on my 3oth: I took the day off from work and went to a spa for some pampering. I had a million-and-one things to do at the office, but I realized that except for buying shoes, I often put myself last (subject for another blog) and I needed to do this, especially since it's a "milestone" birthday. So off I went to the Marriott Jordan Valley Resort & Spa for scrubbing, sloughing, massaging, and a myriad of other indulgences.

I enjoyed this year's spa treatment much more than last year's. A girlfriend and I went to Spa Time in Kuwait where she treated me to the chocolate indulgence treatment. The theory -- rubbed and scrubbed with cocoa seeds and oils -- was much better than the reality. As a chocoholic, I thought I would love being totally enveloped in various cocoa essences. Instead, I was hungry the entire time. The room and I smelled like brownies and at one point I was tempted to start nibbling on my arm. And it was murder being coated in cocoa oils, made immobile from the weight of Turkish towels, and tempted by the scents of my own skin and strategically-placed candles. After the experience, my friend and I immediately went out to eat.

Anyway, it was nice to take some time off, although I did stay in touch with my office by blackberry. But I learned something new about myself. I've always favored hard science over holistic treatments and as much as I enjoyed my little indulgence, I probably would have been more comfortable in a more clinical setting. I liked the apres-spa experience of sitting in a plush robe, sipping tea, and looking at the Dead Sea, but the candles, dimmed lights, and new age music during the treatments almost drove me crazy. I think I'm too high-strung to truly relax.

Food & Race

I was just listening to an NPR interview with Sherman Alexie about his new book. He described the protagonist as an "apple," red (Native American) on the outside and white on the inside. It made me recall a dinner party conversation from a year ago during which dinner guests traded all the names they had been called by fellow countrymen who accused them of "selling out." I was surprised, not that the concept existed among different countries and cultures, but that each expression was food related and that none of us at the table knew euphemisms other than our "own," which included oreo, banana, coconut, and chicken mcnugget.

A few of my favoriate things

So I've been blogging about shoes lately. Yes, I have an obsession, but I am going to indulge myself and post pictures of some of my favorite footwear. This fabulous sling was one of my first purchases from Zappos. I loved the variegated shades of purple and regret that I did not buy the blue version that was then available. For me, this shoe is proof that one must match an outfit to a shoe instead of the reverse. When I bought the shoe, I had nothing to wear with it, but shortly after it arrived, I found an irridescent linen suit in the exact same colors. Had I tried to find something to go with the shoe, I'm sure I would still be searching. Continuing with the variegated theme, I just had to have the brown croc pumps. Similar to the purple ones, aren't they. I find that subconsciously, I tend to buy variations on a theme in all things. Anyway, this is a beautiful shoe and I only think I've worn it once.

And of course, I have a whole bunch of shoes that have not yet been worn out of the house. Some are waiting for the perfect outfit, some are waiting for the right weather, and for some, it's not yet the right place or time.

I love the color of this shoe and periodically I take it out of the closet and wear it around the house. It's waiting for the right outfit in order to to make it's debut. My procrastination contradicts the shoe's name, carpediem.

I bought this last fall at the annual Nordstrom sale. It's much cuter on. It too is waiting for an outfit. Once again, color is the challenge. The shoe is a weird pinky, beige combo that's very hard to match. I'm not upset, however, because the price was great and I don't feel like I wasted my money.

This was a must-have about which I'm developing second thoughts. I liked the height of the boot shaft and the elastic back so that it would have a snug fit. It arrived over the winter when I had a cast on my right foot, so it has not been worn. Of course, this year Stuart Weitzman has come up with a sleeker version that I might like a little better (see right image). But I paid a fortune for these boots so somehow, I will make them work. (This is a good lesson in only ordering from Zappos. Had I bought them from Zappos, I could take advantage of the 365-day return policy.) And finally, I have this cut-out pump in black. It's a beautiful shoe, but it's a little "girly" for me. I don't have the right outfit and I fear the right ensemble would not suit me. I console myself by removing the shoes from its box and wearing them around the house with my pajamas.