Can You Imagine a Day Without Shoes?

Everyone loves those summer days when you can run around barefoot in the grass and sand…but what if you had to be barefoot every day because you couldn’t afford the luxury of having shoes to wear?

Can you even imagine having to go ONE day without the comfort of shoes?

I can’t.

But if Blake Mycoskie (founder and CEO of TOMS Shoes) has his way everyone will be aware of what that feels like. In fact, today was his annual “One Day Without Shoes” event, which encourages people around the world to go the whole day without shoes in order to provoke conversation and support for a movement to provide this basic human right to those currently without.

And I actually participated in the campaign for most of the day…without even knowing it. You see I decided to work from home (to help recover my voice after losing it due to a recent cold), which meant I was in pajamas and bare feet most of the day.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t go the entire 24 hours because I had a dinner to go to tonight but I find Blake and his company so inspiring that I felt inspired to write about the event.

He truly is a rock star in the business and charity world and I have always been in awe of the generosity he has managed to deliver through his company in only five short years. In fact, a lot of people credit him with the concept of the “one to one” business model where a pair of shoes is donated for every single pair sold.

Which is all the more reason why I was so excited to finally get my first pair of TOMS shoes recently!

And I plan to keep buying!

I mean, you get inexpensive, comfortable and great looking shoes while at the same time helping out another in need…what’s not to love and support?

What color are your TOMS?

Wylie digs the gray/white color scheme

Side angle…I look like I’m ready to dig for clams!

They’re even cute from the back!

I’ll Never Underestimate the Power of Heated Seats Again

This past week and a half has been bittersweet.

On one hand, I spent part of my Thanksgiving break going car shopping. On the other hand, I knew that it was because I had to get rid of my beloved car of ten years and embrace change.

Normally I would have procrastinated and drawn out the inevitable decision as long as possible, but the process was sped up by the fact that I no longer had a car to drive.

Fortunately, the process was made a lot easier by the fact that I went through it with my twin sister. Yup, somehow the universe necessitated that we needed to find new cars at the same exact time.

Sometimes it’s creepy being twins.

Long story short, we didn’t start out looking at the exact same car but that’s what we ended up with – matching 2011 VW Tiguan’s. We draw the line at matching colors though so she got black again and I got the ‘alpine’ gray.

Aside from the similarity in color, they are nothing like our old cars – I mean, technology has really changed in the last thirteen years! Two days in and I can already tell that I’m getting spoiled by:

• the seat warmers – ahhhh, how have I lived without you?!
• the hands free Bluetooth system – look mom, no hands!
• the iPod adaptor – see ya crappy iTrip!
• the remote entry – yes, no more fumbling in the dark for the keyhole!

I still can’t believe the car is mine to drive for the next three years! I almost feel unworthy to have such a cool car.

Of course, the only downside is that I have monthly payments again. But I’m not even obsessing over that anymore because the Tiguan is so fun to drive that I actually look forward to going to work in the morning…and that is priceless!

Here are a few snapshots of the new ride. It’s a good thing I like the VW logo because they put it everywhere!

Twin cars!

Shout out to the dealership

Digital dash

I like shiny objects!

Their logo is even in the headlights!

The key flips out like a switchblade…bad ass

Quote of the Day

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Anonymous

I’ve been collecting quotes for a while now and this is one of my favorites. It’s encouraging and motivating and reminds me not to waste time worrying or regretting the past. I can make the choice today to make a change and start living my life the way I want it.