Cole Haan, LLBean, Tieks, and Merrell Shoes

It all started when I realized my Cole Haan rain shoes sprung a leak. So I superglued the right front to the sole to mitigate any further damage. But the time has come to find a replacement. I loved those shoes! But it seems no one makes rain shoes anymore - in my size 11. But I did found a similar looking pair on LLBean, but when they arrived they were much too narrow and tight. So I had to return them. I was also in the market for a ballet flat and had been reading a lot about Tieks. When those arrived, the right shoe was about one half size smaller than the left. So those were also returned. I began to wonder if my feet were actually the size I thought so I printed out a foot measurement scale. Nothing on my end had changed. Cole Haan was always my go to place. So I found a pair of zero grand flats. They feel okay, but the backs need to be stretched a bit and I’m not happy about the stark black, but that was my fault trying to replace my beat up wonderful black flats that are also falling apart. So I tried one more shoe from Merrell. I’ve had walking shoes from Merrell that lasted a very long time so decided to give these a try. They were actually comfortable without having to stretch or break them in. I think the lesson I’ve learned is I really need to try shoes on first. I rarely if ever return things, so I was getting a little frustrated even though everyone makes that process easy to do. Since I retired two years ago my wardrobe really changed and my shoe supply has really dwindled. I haven’t replaced anything for quite some time. I’m just getting too lazy to go to the store. Maybe DSW is the best place after all - I’m not really that picky anyway. After all that, I still haven’t found a rain shoe. 

LLBean Rain Shoes - Too Tight!

My Cole Haan rain shoes are wonderful. I have had them for many years and always got compliments on them. But the right foot shoe is deteriorating - the material on the bottom is beginning to crack and the toe portion is separating from the bottom. I have repaired it twice with gorilla glue, but that won’t last. And even with that, my foot gets wet. Since Cole Haan no longer carries this type of shoe that I can find, I ordered a pair of rain skimmers from LLBean in 11M - one of my favorite places. The shoes looked nice and the reviews were good so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s hard to find stylish things in my size so I was pleased they were actually available. They arrived yesterday. Immediately when I took them out of the box they looked really narrow - and they were. My feet are actually narrow and a size medium can oftentimes be a little loose. But these shoes were a medium and were unusually snug. I thought maybe I’d wear them around the house a bit and see if they might give a little. Perhaps because the meterial is quite inflexible that just wouldn’t do. So I decided I would do what I rarely - if ever - do. I’m planning to return them tomorrow. Unfortunately these shoes don’t come in a larger or wider size. I’m going to have to rely on my Cole Haan rain shoes for now. I know it’s only a matter of time and I’m very disappointed! 

Cole Haan Nike Air Rain Shoes and Gorilla Glue

I always got compliments on my Cole Haan Nike Air rain shoes. And when you wear a size 11 shoe, it’s a rare thing to find a pair that fit and are comfortable, nevermind get a compliment. As a child, having big feet seemed to be noticed by everyone, and not in a good way! I’ve had these shoes for a very long time and am so sorry they are starting to fall apart. I’ve already used gorilla glue on one of the shoes - it is separating at the toe end from the bottom. So yesterday I wore them for the first time in awhile because of the stretch of rain we are having, and noticed that the same problem has reoccurred. When I got home I found the gorilla glue again, added a couple of drops to the problem area, taped the sides together, and left them to “cure” overnight. Today they looked okay - and then I saw the bottom of the shoe. It’s stating to crack open. So all may be for naught. Maybe these will last another couple of wears. I just know I’ll never find anything like them again. I know shoes come in bigger sizes these days - at least now I have more options. It used to be “what have you got in my size?” whenever I went shoe hunting because anything I liked was a no go. But my question is - now that I found these, why is it just one shoe that seems to have the problem? 

Replacing Cole Haan With Tumi

My old Cole Haan purse was looking quite beat up. I've had it for about fifteen years. It was very functional but very heavy. It's been on many trips with me. I particularly like the space on the side for water bottles, phone, or umbrella. So I started looking for something that could replace it - light, closes completely, shoulder, cross body, compartments to organize, stylish. I've always had large purses because I put so much junk in it. I don't like backpacks. So it was looking like a large tote would be the solution. I saw some nice options on the Internet and we headed out to the mall to see what it would boil down to. I found a beautiful leather bag at Coach, but it was slouchy and unstructured. It had great features. But I found another bag at Tumi that probably would work better for a working person - but I retired a few months ago. The Tumi was very structured, had a shoulder and wrist carry handles, and about the same size as my old bag. It was a very difficult decision but the Tumi was on sale and the Coach bag was not. I also liked the five year warranty and it would be good for any kind of travel. So my husband helped me decide and we went with a black Tumi. The grey and green were also nice but dirt is a problem. And for the first time in ages I had it monogrammed with my artwork artist initials - LIT. So I've been trying it out and like it so far. I need to really break it in. It's still quite heavy especially when I load it up with two iPads. But the slot for the phone is great. Now I'm hoping this one lasts as long as the previous bag. I also hope it goes well with my LLBean wardrobe. 

From Cole Haan Heels to DSW Memory Foam

How things have changed! Since I retired in February my style of clothes and shoes has really changed. I haven't yet gone through my wardrobe to dump half of the things I will probably never wear again. Yes, I still wore stockings and heels to work, although for the last few months I was wearing primarily flats. I can't imagine ever wearing heels again, especially since I think I may have plantar fasciitis on the right foot. Something just felt like it ripped one day when I was getting up off the floor. Isn't it fun getting old? Anyway, wearing size 11 shoes doesn't help the matter much either. It was always - what do you have in my size? - rather than please show me this! Since we have been walking every morning and my walking shoes are over ten years old and have water leaks, I decided it was time for a run to DSW to see what we could find for my new life. It started out pretty depressing as there was nothing in my size. But as we headed toward the athletic shoes, things changed a bit and I was finally able to find three pair of comfortable, memory foam, form2u - whatever you want to call the - shoes. I never thought memory foam would be so important until now. Walking on anything without a padded foundation is out of the question. I still have an urge to visit Cole Haan again for a step up comfortable, less old lady flat for more formal occasions. I really need to dump all the old stuff too. I just need to find some time. Since I retired, it seems there is even less than before! But now I am really looking forward to our morning walks in my stylish retired old lady shoes. 

The Home Depot Fix For My Favorite Cole Haan Bag

When we travel I put everything but the kitchen sink in my purse. That purse happens to be a several year old Cole Haan hobo bag that has served me very well. I'm very attached to it. Well, the stress of the weight finally took its toll on it - three iPads were just a bit too heavy. One of the metal rings holding the strap broke. The tiny nail fell out and the strap came with it. So what could be done? We decided a trip to Home Depot might be just the thing. I wanted something that looked like the original ring, but it also needed to be easily applied. With the help of the staff at Home Depot, we found a clamp of sorts that was silver and black. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for but when I put it on, it looked quite nice. Maybe I should have gotten two so it was a matching set. The best part was that this new clamp can hold up to 100 pounds! What more could you ask for? 

My Favorite Cole Haan Purse and Andre Winter Coat

I had a great winter coat in Milwaukee. It was full length, light, flannel lining, and a great collar - perfect for walking the dog and staying warm. I left it there thinking I probably wouldn't need it here in this warmer climate. What a mistake! But I did bring along another three season coat that I've had at least twenty years. It has a removable hood and inside lining. But it is suede and very heavy. It serves the purpose on especially cold days. It is finally starting to wear down, but is still fixable as it gets older. The strings that tie the hood in place have deteriorated and one of the brass decorative buttons fell off somewhere. My always reliable Cole Haan bucket purse with a cross body strap and handle lost a piece of the silver ring that keeps the strap in place. Unbelievably I found the tiny part on the ground in front of my work place. I just needed a little wire to replace the itsy bitsy screws. I would be heartbroken to lose either one if these valuable items. I'm not sure if I would have felt that way even ten years ago. I think I'm getting older. It's getting really hard to lose things. 

Macy's Purse

I usually carry a very large purse and put everything in it except the kitchen sink. It weighs a ton but I always have whatever anyone needs from band aids to water. But during the week I don't need to carry around all that junk. I have a very small purse that holds the essentials but it's not quite big enough to fit in the umbrella or gloves when it gets colder outside.  And when we travel it becomes the primary purse and fits inside the big purse. So our mission today was to check the shops and hopefully find something to meet the need. My husband always comes along to serve as fashion advisor. We headed to Tyson's and checked Neiman Marcus, then Coach, then Cole Haan, then Saks. We finally reached the end of the mall and headed in to Macy's. It was there I found exactly what I needed at 40% off plus another 20%. Best of all it met all the specifications and more, and the price couldn't be beat. I hope it lasts for awhile, but at that price I just can't complain.