Cinderella

We are taught at a very early age that if the shoe fits the prince will marry you. Now that I've reached 50, I realize that the prize is not the prince but rather the fit of the shoe. Why is it so difficult to find a shoe that's cute and comfortable? I work in a shoe store (one that shall remain nameless...at least for now) and I have trouble finding a shoe that fits well. In fact, I feel like I'm on a never-ending journey to find the perfect black pump.

Why can't designers seem to get it? Women want a pump to fit us in length, without slipping off our heels. We want it to be slightly pointy, without being too tight across the toes. We want the heel high enough to make our calves look incredible, without being so high we're either pitched forward or walking on stilts. And most importantly, we want the innersole to feel like we've stepped onto a cloud. With the advent of memory foam it shouldn't be that difficult, right? So why is it? Please tell me Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Carlos Santana, Fergie or any number of shoe designers. And as for the high-end designers, we all know that Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Prada design shoes to be seen and not worn. They're what I call "sittin' shoes." You can walk as far as from the car to the table, but don't plan on standing all day in them. So you might say there are comfortable shoes out there...Naturalizer, Aerosoles, Life Stride, Easy Spirit, Bjorn. Let's get real, they still look like shoes your grandma should be wearing! There's nothing sexy about them. And truth be told, they're comfortable for about two hours and that's it. I know; I work in a shoe store, remember? Always on my feet.

So, I decided to start this Blog - The Shoe Jew - for all you women who, like me, LOVE SHOES but can't seem to find the perfect pair. I'll let you know where the deals are; share with you what's hot and what's not; and keep you up-to-date on my search for the perfect black pump. Please feel welcome to share any of your insights with me and our readers.

Happy feet make for a happy home!

Erica