Let’s start the morning with some girlie action.
Birkenstocks are WAY in style this summer. The standard German tourist version — Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Sandal — is getting a lot of attention. But I’m a fan of this t-strap model — Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor Sandal in toffee. I get a new pair every two years.
I’m reading The Goldfinch: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction).
Do you replace your running shoes every six months? You probably should. Here’s my latest pair — Saucony Women’s Omni 12 Running Shoe.
Looking for affordable art? Try this painting of a bather.
Need a father’s day gift? Cuff links, boxers, a book, Soundfreaq SFQ-07WW Sound Spot Compact Speaker, Wood and White

I hated the Goldfinch. It never ends – wtf happened to editors?
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LOL, I loved The Goldfinch. De gustibus and all that. I got The Secret History and plan to read that once I feel like reading again. I’m in an ADD phase where I can’t concentrate on a book.
I just bought a pair of Dansko sandals that have changed my life: http://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/Styles/Sandals/Irene/Chocolate%20Nubuck/
When we go to Germany again in August, I plan to bring those and my Naots: http://www.naot.com/products/ProductDetails/1022?dept=1004&coll_id=21.
I am frugal as can be except when it comes to shoes–I’ve had way too many problems caused by wearing Payless shoes.
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I JUST reread the Secret History after having read it when it first came out in 1992. It DOES stand up.
I bought some NinaZ clogs at the Williamsburg Flea when I was in NYC a few weeks ago. MUCH more comfy than Hasbeens which felt like bricks strapped to my feet.
Naots are great too. And I always have a pair of birkenstocks on the go – it is the PNW. No fuzzy socks in them, though.
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I hated Secret History, but have been told by others who also hated it that the Goldfinch is better.
There was a style of Naot 15-20 years ago that was perfect for me. Then they stopped carrying it and I’ve never found anything as good. Mephistos are pretty good.
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I also love the Naot Matai. Birkenstocks never worked for me, but the Naots were the perfect footbed. Will look up the Danskos. I gave up on Danskos when the steel shank in the clogs kept setting off the alarms in airports, but these look like they might not have steel shanks.
I also think that replacing sports shoes 1/2 times a year is not just a marketing ploy, if you actually run/play in your shoes. Spouse is trying the Hoka One One shoe (big puffy marshmallow sneaker: http://www.hokaoneone.com/), and I’m considering trying it out myself.
I’ve completely given up on cheap shoes, even for the children.
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“I’ve completely given up on cheap shoes, even for the children.”
Ditto–I bailed on Payless for my oldest after she did physical therapy and it turned out that Payless shoes are not therapist-approved footwear.
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Same here on Payless – growing feet deserve well made shoes. And especially if they are active.
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When I was in Northern Italy in 2012, all the wealthy Italian women were wearing those T-strap Birkenstocks.
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Takes a while to make it over the pond.
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can I admit perplexity as to what is “girlie” about these things? I don’t see the point in gendering most things anyway, and often find nothing “girlie” about the posts, but this one in particular seems lacking in any special gender markers. Maybe better to just not worry about gendering such things.
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I’m thinking you would not be excited about the Naot Matai, or the Dansko sandal, but, who knows. Agree on not gendering most things, but some things are gendered (not books, but yes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and, mostly, shoes, though there could be some crossover there, as in the Birkenstocks. I have narrow feet, so boy’s/men’s shoes never work for me).
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LOVED The Goldfinch. But yes, it could have been shorter. When you are Donna Tarrt, there is no editor!
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