While Lar is out and about in Edinburgh exploring castle ruins and city farmers markets, I’m at home. . . shining my shoes. . . on my deck. . . still wrapped with Christmas lights from last year (no point in taking them down now – Christmas is just around the corner!). I lead an exciting life.

While I’d much rather be visiting the Scottish countryside, I do get a lot of pleasure in taking care of my clothing. Somehow shining my shoes is cathartic; it feels go to do something that prolongs the life of an item when so many products these days aren’t made to last.

I’m no expert, so I’m not sure if I shine my shoes correctly, but it gets the job done. So, without further ado, here’s how I go about taking care of my shoes.

Tools: Horse hair shoe shine brush, can of Kiwi Regular Shoe Polish in black, applicator sponge, shine cloth and SureHold SureFlex adhesive. Everything except the adhesive (more on that later) is from a shoe shine kit that I’ve had for ages. All these items are available online or at your local drugstore.

First up, I brush off any excess dirt. If my heels are really caked in mud I’ll use a toothbrush with soap and water to clean them. When I asked Troy to take these photos the other day I was feeling way too lazy to use soap and water, so you only get a pic of me dry brushing:

Next, apply the polish. I dab my applicator sponge in the polish and then move along the shoe in circular motions, making sure to cover all of the scuff marks.

I love how the polish packaging is so still old-school. I rue the day Kiwi decides to make their tins out of plastic!

Last step: take a shine cloth and buff in the polish. If you want some extra shine, you can sprinkle on a little bit of water and buff a little bit more. Or you can go really crazy and add another layer of polish and buff again! I usually just stick with one application of polish and a little bit of water.

Now for some satisfying before and after shots:

Ah. So much better, no?

But we’re not done yet! I have two more shoe care tips I want to share.

Tip 1: Buy a tube of SureHold SureFlex adhesive. I hate, hate, hate that feeling when your inside sole detaches from the bottom interior of the shoe and starts bunching up right under your heel. Eventually all of my favorite pair of shoes suffer from this because I tend to over-wear shoes I love. So a few years ago I did some research – and by research I mean I Googled “best glue for inside of shoe” – and discovered this SureHold stuff. I was so concerned that any glue I used inside the shoe would make the sole too stiff and make it even more uncomfortable, but this stuff works like a charm. The inside sole becomes as good as new!

Tip Two: If you don’t want your boots to get slouchy and don’t feel like buying expensive boot shapers or making your own, just use a rolled up magazine. I’ve had these Frye boots for over two years and whenever I’m not wearing them I’ve used the same rolled up issues of Yoga Journal inside each boot. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

So there you have it! Now you’re all shoe shining experts!

Next post: polishing silver! I’m kidding. . . mostly.

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Dearest Lar,

I bet you don’t have to shine your Hunter boots – those things are indestructible. If it rained more here, I would absolutely buy a pair. Now, on the issue of ethical clothing, I like the idea of purchasing vegan shoes and purses, but they never seem to last nearly as long as leather products. I wish there was a shoe shining equivalent for non-leather items.

I had so much fun at the Lady Foot Locker/Under Armour event last weekend – even though I’m completely out of shape. It would have been even more fun if you could have come with me. The icing on the cake was that every blogger at the event got a pair of Under Armour shoes – the ones I’m wearing in the top photo and below:

Photo via Lady Foot Locker

I’m hoping there will be some fun blogger events when you come into town for the holidays. I’m so tired of saying, “Hey, I’m Cath, one half of the AsianCajuns.”

Love, Cath xoxo

Happy Monday! Let’s talk about the weekend.

This post should really be titled, “What the hell should I wear this weekend?” With my limited budget, I end up spending my money on work-appropriate items. If it wasn’t for Lar leaving me a bunch of her fun, laid-back clothing when she moved, I’d end up wearing my pencil skirts* and button-up shirts on the weekend.

I wore this outfit to brunch on Sunday. The sunglasses, belt and purse are Lar’s. The denim skirt is a hand-me-down from my aunt. I bought the top right before going to a Minnesota Twins game when I was freezing my butt off in Minneapolis last month (proof here). The boots are the only item that I sometimes wear to work.

Target fleece • H&M skirt and belt • Urban Outfitters bag • Frye boots • Michael Stars sunglasses

If I had an unlimited budget, I’d buy a couple of pairs JBrand jeans and these sweaters in different colors and wear them as a weekend uniform. It might sound boring, but really I just want some comfortable, good-looking clothes that work just as well for sitting around watching TV as they do for a Sunday brunch.

Since I don’t have an unlimited budget, my fall clothing wish-list includes nothing but work-friendly items: navy blue heels (I have my eye on these), button-up silk shirts and a perfect black blazer. If I buy any or all of those items, I’ll include them in some upcoming blog post.

*This might be a little bit of exaggeration. I do own a few pairs of jeans that I have on heavy rotation on the weekends.

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Dearest Lar,

I know you feel that you don’t have many interesting clothes, but your eye is so much better than mine. You always look great in your outfits even with just a few key pieces in your closet. You’ve actually inspired me to do more thrift store shopping this season – I think that’ll be the only way I get some items on my wish list.

I hate that we weren’t able to Skype this weekend. Who knew yard work was so time consuming?!? I thought it was only going to take me a few hours – not 7. Mom and I ended up working well past sunset. Maybe we can video Skype during my lunch break this week.

Miss you so, so much,

Cath

Nothing like starting the week off with some animal print! Actually the timing of these photos are a little bit of a farce – I took them a month ago. Atlanta hasn’t really cooled down yet, but if I had take these photos this week I would probably have a cardi jammed in my purse for the coolish mornings/evenings.

H&M dress and belt • Kate Spade purse • Jeffrey Campbell heels • Primark necklace

It’s a shame that Wheatie doesn’t have the same appreciation for black patent and zebra prints as I do – otherwise I’d give him a jazzier collar.

I bought the necklace at Primark when I was visiting Lar last month and am surprised I haven’t worn it much. Before buying it I had been on the hunt for a beaded collar necklace because I could think of a million outfits to wear with it. Of course now that I have one, I can’t quite figure out how to style it.

I love this jersey, zebra dress from H&M. It has an exposed zipper on the back, a cinched waist and a long-ish hemline that is higher in the front than the back.

Another reason why I love this dress:

Someday I’ll live in a house that’s worthy of that wallpaper (you can purchase it here). Until then I’ll just buy affordable dresses with patterns that remind me of it.

I hope you all had a great weekend and have something fun planned for the week. Lar might be MIA for a while since she and Matt just moved apartments and might not have internet for a while. I have to start studying for my microeconomics midterm, which means I’ll be taking lots of study breaks to blog.

I know Lar was so touched by all the sweet words from everyone about her endometriosis. I’m so proud of her for sharing her story and grateful to Diane for spearheading the fundraiser.

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Dearest Lar,

I’m so glad you’re done with your move to your new flat. I know you still have a lot of settling in to do, but you’ll make your new place look cozy and gorgeous. Don’t forget to take before photos!

If you make it over to a cafe with wifi this week, make sure to Skype me! xoxo

Love

Ramona West dress worn as a top • second-hand necklace • Forever 21 pants • Seychelles shoes

I know it’s been forever since we’ve had a good ol’ fashion outfit post on here. There’s a couple reasons for that:

1.) Lar and I have been posting photos nonstop of our time together in Scotland where we didn’t really care too much about what we were wearing and were more focused on just being together! In the same country!
2.) We’re both feeling like we’re going through personal style changes – becoming less focused on fashion trends (more on that in a future post). There are only so many times you can walk into a H&M or Zara and feel inspired, especially when you realize shopping at those places makes you look like everyone else.
3.) It’s hard to get motivated to take outfit photos when you’re tired of your old clothes and don’t have the money to buy new items. I’m going to be doing a lot of thrift store shopping for any fall and winter clothes I need.

I actually took these photos before my trip to Scotland and only realized this week that I never posted them. The dress is one of the many clothing items Lar left me when she moved away last year. It works so well tucked in as a shirt because it’s so long I never have to worry about re-tucking it even though the pants sit low on my hips.

I’d like to say that I cuff all of my pants because I love the look, but it’s mostly because I’m too lazy to get my pants hemmed or hem them myself. And given the fact that I’m short, ALL of my pants need to be hemmed when I buy them. So let’s just pretend I’m right on trend and cuffing really isn’t the lazy girl’s solution to hemming!

Speaking of trends, I went to the grand opening of the C Wonder store in Atlanta a few weeks ago and man, does that store have it figured out! As soon as I walked in I thought, “Holy, moly! I want everything!” It was all so bright and cheery and filled with every item that captures today’s fashion zeitgeist: tassel loafers, silk shirts, arm party bracelets, monogram charms, envelop clutches. . . The list goes on and on:

I know, I know. This post is turning into a bi-polar mess. First I say that I’m no longer interested in trends and then I say how much I loved the C Wonder store because it’s so trendy. Well folks, I blame it on our consumer culture and my weakness for silk button-ups. At least I actually didn’t buy anything – just oggled at all the shop’s goodies.

Speaking of goodies, June Shin, local talented jeweler, is hosting a contest over on her blog for her new jewelry collection. Help her come up with a great name for her new collection and you could win one of the pieces! I’m trying desperately to think of something creative because I have my eye on this Ruby Chains beaut below:

For more info on the contest, visit June’s blog.

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Dearest Lar,

It was such a treat to be able to text you today. For some reason I just figured even the cafes on Hydra didn’t have wi-fi. I still can’t believe that you went hiking and had to pee in nature – the horror! And you had to shower with water bottles? It’s beginning to sound more like a camping trip than a luxurious beach vacation. But, as long as you’re having fun and getting some good relaxation time, then it’s all worth it. I seriously can’t wait to see photos of all the donkeys you say like to mosey about town.

Sorry this post is all over the place! I still want to write about you taking me to Falko and eating yummy German pastries, but that will have to wait until next week – when you’re back in Scotland with wi-fi 24/7. Yay!

xoxo, Cath