Ay! My High-Heel Wearing Days Are Catching Up with Me!

One telltale sign you're getting older: aches and pains. You think of stuff you used to do for hours on end without consequences, but then things change. For me, "stuff" included wearing high heels. It's now to the point where 5" heels are actually very comfy for me. This is supposed to be good, right? Stilettos are sexy, after all.

No, it's not good. I'm now suffering the consequences of my behavior. One day a couple of weeks ago, I woke up with a huge pain in my right foot. It lingered for a while, the pain waxing and waning. I decided to ask my friend JA about it. He's a physical therapist and athletic trainer. He rubbed on the bottom of my foot, and I felt like smacking him! This used to feel good whenever it was done at the nail salon, but it didn't this time. Then he asked me to move my ankles, and boy did that hurt! Then he said something I knew all along, and it suddenly made sense. He said, "The gastroc inserts right here. You probably have a sprain in there". He pointed to the back of my leg, right where my Achilles tendon was.




picture of the gastrocnemius muscle to the right taken from wikipedia.com


JA was referring to the gastrocnemius muscle, that big beefy one in the back of your leg. The gastroc's job is to bend your foot so that your toes are on the ground, but your heel comes off it. What is that you do that causes this to happen? Put on a pair of high heels. The higher your heel, the more your gastroc has to work. And if you're wearing them for hours and hours, your gastroc works overtime and revolts by becoming inflamed. And if you're wearing heels day after day for hours at a time, you may get to a point where this position becomes comfy for you, more so than standing with your entire foot on the ground. It's not a good thing. That means you've got major contractions, and when you do need to have your foot on the ground, you'll find it hard to put it there because the tibialis anterior muscle, responsible for bringing the back of your foot onto the ground, is so overpowered by the gastrocnemius. This is what happened to me. Due to the nature of my work, I wear sneakers, but that was getting painful for me. Even though I was actually spending more time in flat shoes than heels, the heel-above-the-ground position is not mechanically correct, so the ratio of time spent in heels to time spent with the entire foot on the ground should be REALLY small. So even wearing heels for a few hours each weekend can become a real problem.

I knew all that. I just didn't think I'd have to worry about it so early in my
life. Sigh...

calf stretches, pic taken from the Mayo Clinic website








Does that mean I'll stop wearing heels? Hell no! At least not right now. Maybe in a couple of decades. I'll just be sure to not wear them anywhere where I won't have a chance to sit and kick off my shoes after a half hour. And of course, I'll do my calf stretches.

Gaga-Ooh La La

During the afternoon last Thursday, 8/12/10, I got a frantic phone call from my sister. Was I available that night to attend the Lady Gaga concert with her? Of course I was! I hung up with her, sat through a conference call for 1 1/2 hours, then bolted home, as my shift was over at that time. I showered, tried to take a 45-minute nap (it didn't happen-I was too excited), and then it was time to get dressed. I knew what clothes I wanted to wear, just a simple T-shirt and jeans, but what shoes?

I didn't have much time, so I just grabbed what stood out to me: my Christian Louboutin zebra-print ponyhair Tigresse wedge sandals (bought on sale, pictured left)! The bold print just seemed so appropriate for Lady Gaga.

I zipped to my sister's house (after scarfing down a McDonald's happy meal in the car), then off we went to Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. As we took our seats, we spotted Gwen Stefani sitting not too far from where we sat (my hairdresser, whom I saw yesterday, said a couple of other celebrities were there, too: a soap star and Britney Spears). Fans went crazy even before the show started, especially the ones in "the pit", the standing-room only section right in front of the stage. Honestly, I love Gaga, but I wouldn't get in line hours before the show just to stand for hours more, especially after a long day of work.

Then the show started, and it was fantastic! Nothing less is to be expected from the ultimate performer that Lady Gaga is. She truly loves her fans, and even if you're not one of them, you'd probably agree that she puts on one hell of a show (if you're lucky enough to see one). I can't get into too much detail about it, but needless to say, I was so bummed I left before it was over. I just don't think I would've been able to work the next day if I stayed for the whole show, plus waited an hour to get out of the parking garage.

I did, however, get a couple of souvenirs, which my sister bought for me (I owe her big!):

Lady Gaga "Monster Ball Tour" T-shirt and program

My Movie-Filled Weekend (Spoiler Alert for those of You Who Haven't Seen Eclipse)!

Another weekend update...

I'll begin with the pre-weekend festivities yet again. Those of you who know me know that I actually prefer to stay home on weekend nights, so the actual bar/restaurant thing usually happens during the daytime on weekends or weeknights.

Thursday, 7/22: After lunch, I made my way from the parking lot into my building. I was dressed pretty plainly, in a James Perse V-neck, jeans, and flipflops. A patient in a wheelchair was passing by, then he looked at me and said, "Miss?". I responded, "Yes?". Then, he said, "Wow! You're so beautiful!". I couldn't believe it, so I just laughed and said thanks, of course. Hah, J! Guess what else I was wearing? My big sunglasses (by Chanel)! J. had earlier told me that guys assume that girls who wear big sunglasses have something to hide, so their "hotness" score drops by 2 points (I'll explain to those of you who ask). Anyway, I went with some gals to Gyu-Kaku for a happy hour meal. It's sooo not worth it. You have to spend a minimum of $15/person to be charged the happy hour prices (which is about half the regular price), so unless you eat a lot, you may as well just go with the regular menu. But the company (and the kalbi beef with lettuce) was good. I'm so glad I stuck to my "diet". I'm not really on one, just trying to cut calories and carbs. It's working, as my clothes are feeling looser these days =)

Friday, 7/23: Pay day. I also watched an Argentine film, Los Secrets de Sus Ojos (The Secrets of Their Eyes). It's a great film about a detective who writes a novel about a rape/murder case that's on his mind for 25 years. Kinda scary, but I tend to like darker films. I went with a group I met online. So nice to meet new people.

Saturday, 7/24: I met up with my friend TC who helped me score some shoes from Asia! They were shoes I wanted for some time, and they turned out to be on sale! I was sooo excited! Oh, and we also went to Barneys to try on some shoes. He scored a very unique pair of men's Louboutins, but I refrained from making a purchase (other than my sale score). I need to stay focused. It's just a week before Vegas and 3 months before Spain! To tide me over, I bought some goodies from Famous Cupcakes (owned by the Kardashians) and Millions of Milkshakes (a celebrity-themed sweet shack, which no celebrity actually enters, unless they're promoting their own drink named after themselves).

from Asia: Christian Louboutin lavender Poseidons (I waited months for you)!









Sunday, 7/25: I went from seeing no movies for a year to seeing one every couple of months to seeing 2 in one weekend. I decided to catch Eclipse, the 3rd movie of the Twilight series. It came out a month ago, but none of my friends or family wanted to see it, so I gave up and went to see it alone. This is the 2nd time I've gone to a movie alone, and you know what? It's not that bad. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I heard that there are a lot of people who actually prefer to see movies alone. I agree with the critics. It's the best one of all 3, very romantic and action-packed, with cool special effects. And I had a change of heart as a result of this 3rd movie. I was rooting for Edward since the 1st movie. In fact, Robert Pattinson is on my wallpaper on my computer. After learning that Bella would have to completely change herself and leave her family behind to be with Edward but wouldn't have to with Jacob, I think Jacob's the better choice. Jacob proved his love to her by putting his life on the line, even though he knew there was a big chance she'd still choose Edward (and did). And yes, that warm and hot bod add to his case, too!

Chanel Nail Polish, the Ultimate Filler During My Self-Imposed Ban

After a shoe purchase made for me via a friend who traveled to Asia (arriving this weekend!), I decided to refrain from buying any big ticket items for 3 months, starting 8/4/10. Technically, I could make as many of those purchases as I want this week, but decided to start early (unless something really catches my eye in Las Vegas, where I'll be from 8/1/10 to 8/4/10).

What to do in the meantime? Find a worthy splurge. There are so many, but one I particularly enjoy buying is Chanel nail polish. I picked up Nouvelle Vague a few weeks ago and loved it--it's too bad they were sold out by the time I caught on. I got the last bottle from Neiman Marcus Topanga.

Yesterday, as I was reading Allure, I came across an article in the magazine devoted to the cult following of Chanel nail polish, which is where I learned about Paradoxal (see pic above and to the right-sorry it's sideways, I don't know how to fix it). It's a gorgeous dark purple, featured in the new campaign. So after work today, I went back to Neiman Marcus Topanga and saw that it was gone. I hurried across the mall to Macy's, where they had 3 bottles remaining. I snatched up 2 and was talked into also buying Inimitable mascara. It's actually the answer to my problems-long lashes that just need to be separated! No wonder my friend MK loves it!

How to Preserve Your Christian Louboutin Trademark Red Soles

What is it about Christian Louboutin shoes that I love so much? Let me count the ways...I could go on forever, but I won't. One of them, however, is that extra boost of confidence I get from donning them. I actually don't mind the stares when I wear them. I love flashing the trademark red sole, and I'm fascinated whenever I see that sole flashing on a TV screen or on the streets. I'd get giddy with excitement every single second I'd be wearing a pair...then I would go home, take them off, and say "ugh" when I look at the sole (particuarly after the first wear), scratched up and dirty. Well, they are shoes, and they do touch the ground and carry a person's entire body weight. I had no choice but to sigh and come to that realization. However, that doesn't happen anymore...

Why not? What did I do? I got red rubber soles to put over the scratched and dirty part! Sounds easy? It's really not. Number one, you have to find a cobbler that'll actually have them and will actually put them on. Either that, or buy them yourself (from trusted sellers on ebay, from the manufacturers themselves, or elsewhere). Second, you gotta trust them. 2, maybe 3, steps. But step #2 (or #3) isn't easy at all. I thought I found one with Shoe Lab in the Topanga Plaza, but they turned out to be absolutely no good! I'd taken some shoes to them previously to have the red rubber soles put on. They did a decent job for about 3 pairs I took in, for the hefty price of $45/pair (but they did them in an hour and a half each, so I didn't mind at the time). Then they f___ked up a pair by doing only the center and leaving the edges untouched, leaving my (signed!) red lizard Simple pumps to be scratched up at the parts not soled! I stupidly gave them another chance, and they got paint on my poor perle Poseidon sequins! I was so devastated and couldn't bear to look at them that I sold them at a loss. What to do about all the other pairs that still had scratched-up and dirty soles?

Then, after searching on The Purse Forum, I found Eddie. He saved 5 pairs of my Christian Louboutins that I scratched up. He added red soles (by Vibram) and replaced the heel tips...for $36/pair! And he even secured the beautiful brooch on my now-rare-yet-much-coveted purple Fiorellino sandals...for free (pictured left)! It's been just over a week that I started a "relationship" with him, but I'm in love with him (not literally, of course, LOL).

And guess what?...I'm visiting the Christian Louboutin boutique in Las Vegas during the first week of August! And it gets even better!! Why? Because...I'm going to Europe again...this fall!!! I'll be visiting Spain, Portugal, and France! Unfortunately, I won't be going to Paris =(...but I'll be in Madrid, for sure...the city in which the newest Christian Louboutin store opened!

Memorial Day Weekend, 2010

Hi, everyone! I know that there are quite a few of you who read my blog to find out how I'm doing, so I thought I'd use this entry to update you.

Just like almost every other Memorial Day weekend in the past, I stayed home. I don't do the Vegas trip, like most Angelenos do. If I ever do get away for these 3-day weekends, it's to visit my nephews in the Bay Area (San Franciso, San Jose, etc.).

Even though the weekend technically started (for me) last Friday (5/28/10) at 4:30 pm, I actually "partied" the day before. A co-worker invited some of us to Copa d'Oro, a bar in Santa Monica: http://www.copadoro.com/gallery.php, in celebration of her birthday. I nearly decided not to go, as those of you who know me already know that I'm very shy. I am NOT fond of the bar scene, and I don't hang out in big groups. I like to go to events where I'm pretty anonymous (hence the boutique cocktail parties and the Lakers games) or to intimate dinners (with 1-4 people). I thought, Why not step out of my comfort zone and hang out with a big group of people...in a bar?! I'm glad I went, as I found that I have some pretty cool co-workers, but I ended up leaving after about 30 min. (I was also 2 hours late!), as I started to feel uncomfortable, and about half the group was leaving, anyway. Oh, well, I did step out of my comfort zone!

Friday the 28th was forgettable, just another workday.

Saturday the 29th was an UGH morning. I got another ticket, this time for running a stop sign. Great...I am OK with paying the fine, but since this is my 2nd one in 1 year (I got the last one exactly 1 year before...to the date...I swear I need to NOT drive on May 29 every year), I may not be eligible for traffic school, and my insurance rates will probably go up. Yikes...Well, Sat. night was much better. I had dinner with my oldest and younger sisters, tacos and red velvet cupcakes! Then we saw Sex and the City 2 at LA Live. I loved the fashion, but the storyline could've been better. And...the Lakers won! They're the NBA Western Conference champions once again!

Sunday the 30th was also forgettable.

I had Monday the 31st off, the actual Memorial Day holiday. I actually did something exciting, for me anyway. I cooked! I'm trying to be healthy, and buying and preparing your own food is the only way. Wow! Me, finally being domestic...who'da thought?!

my Memorial Day dinner: salad with Catalina dressing, steak, asparagus sauteed in olive oil and butter, roasted red potatoes (yum!)

Party at Hermes, 5/19/10

Last Wednesday, May 19, I went with my friends T. and G. to a party at the Hermes boutique in Beverly Hills. In addition to being a promotion to special customers of Hermes, it was also a fundraiser for the charity Save the Beaches (who provided the awesome gift bags). A specially-designed towel was for sale at this event, and an art auction was also part of the festivities. One piece of art sold for $40K! Wowee! They served champagne and delicious snacks, including tiny cones with butter pecan ice cream and macarons. It turned out that I was one of the very few women NOT wearing black (lol).

Of course, T., G., and I drooled over the bags that were in the glass display cases. We saw a blue jean shoulder Birkin with palladium hardware. I'm soooo glad I already have a blue jean Birkin, as I would've been tempted to purchase the shoulder version that night if I didn't. We also got to meet the new boutique craftsman. He had an adorable French accent and is so handsome! I look forward to the day I have to bring a bag in for cleaning =)

As far as celebrity spotting goes, it's inevitable at these things. Rob Lowe was hosting, but he had left before we got there. Brent Bolthouse was the DJ (he made a few appearances on the MTV reality show, "The Hills"), and Shenae Grimes from the new version of the TV show "Beverly Hills 90210" was also there. She looked fabulous in a fur wrap and black heels. I was able to get a not-so-great pic of her chatting with Brent (on the left) and another one with her male friend (unclear if he was her boyfriend or not), but that pic was even worse.

my outfit for the party: a floral Kate Spade dress (originally bought to wear to the ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia last year, but it rained that night, and I didn't feel like wearing it) with my red lizard Christian Louboutin Simple pumps (autographed by him on 4/28/10!)

the gift bag from the party, provided by Save the Beaches with the famous trademark orange Hermes shopping bag: a Save the Beaches T-shirt (love the graphics!), a white bracelet, and a pencil