Would my life would be perfect if I owned a pair of Chanel cap-toe ballet flats? (photo from Travel + Leisure)I am shamelessly obsessing over acquiring a pair of Chanel cap-toe ballet flats in tan and black, like the photo below. The editor of Lucky magazine writes in this month's issue (the one with Zooey Deschanel on the cover) about her love for her pair, and this Travel + Leisure article declares "[i]t is difficult to imagine any other single shoe that so seamlessly takes the place of both sneakers and evening sandals, while managing to look effortless and fabulous to boot."
These kind of accolades, combined with my own long-term Chanel obsession, have convinced me that these shoes are what I need to obtain complete self-worth. I came very close to buying a pair for my 50th birthday when I was in the Chanel store in Soho last fall. But my teenage daughter was with me and I worried that plunking down $500 for a pair of ballet flats just might send her the wrong message.
My true self is not obsessed with labels. Style (at reasonable prices), yes, labels, no. My current handbag is a Cole-Haan hobo that I got on sale at the outlet store in Kittery, Maine. As much as I'd love to strut around in a pair of Manolos or Louboutins, I'm happy with lower-priced brands like Nine West, as long as they're sexy and don't look cheap. My engagement ring belonged to my husband's grandmother. I buy cashmere sweaters from Bloomingdales and J. Crew when they go on sale.
My previous shameless object of desire was a particular watch, which I had been lusting after since I was 25 and living in Dallas as a junior account executive at an ad agency. There have been opportunities to buy one since then, but I always felt too guilty to go through with it: Did I really need to spend all that money on myself when the ceiling below the bathroom was leaking?
Still, my lusting continued until I finally got my watch for my 50th birthday last November. I opened the box, put it on, and thought two things: It's nice to finally own this watch…but shouldn't I feel more special?
When I told my middle sister about wanting these Chanel shoes, she said I was being ridiculous. Then she admitted what she really wants is a Mercedes.
Hey, anybody else out there with shameless obsessions?
19 comments:
Oh where do I start? Well, 2.55 bag for one...
It is always something, since I don't work anymore it is rarely clothes or shoes I lust after. Mostly these days it is house items, I love to look at high-end furniture, decor items, then think maybe...
Probably too many to list but the top of my list right now is chickens. I'm a simple lass...
i love handbags, I totally splurge on handbags, shoes,, well I just love the look, so I usually don't get anything over 100,,, I always try to get them on sale, to justify being a couple at a time, lol
A Blackberry is on my want list. Those are very wonderful shoes, I can see why you want them.
Uh, yes. Too many shameless obsessions. I really love handbags and I actually found myself considering a Tod's bag that was on sale for a little over a grand (yep, on sale like 40% off). Ya, then reality set in and my little day dream ended.
Besides fabric? Strangely, I don't want shoes, handbags or jewelry. I guess I'm a tomboy. I want a yellow Corvette. Or a Mercedes roadster. Actually what I really lust after is an Aston Martin Vantage...but it's about $150K.
I'm continually obsessed with something. I find it's better to put off buying the thing because it's always somewhat of a disappointment, and I just find something else to obsess about immediately.
Currently, I'm obsessed with these little silver elephant sculptures at a local jewelry store. I want the mommy elephant with 2 little elephants to follow her. I know if I got them, they would annoy me because they would collect dust.
If you really want the shoes and are worried about setting an example for your kids, perhaps you could save up for them. Put $25 a week into a box until you have enough, then go buy them. I think that would be setting a fine example.
Claudine's suggestion is a good one. And $500 for Chanel shoes sounds cheap to me. Not that I have ever spent that much on shoes...
A 2.55 and a Birkin for me. Really, a $500 fantasy item is not that crazy! As soon as my divorce is final I'm buying some Louboutins!
hahaha...Paula - chickens. Well, there are some very very handsome chickens out there(we used to raise Columbian Wyandottes and I think they are gorgeous myself)..and there are some(like Cornish Crosses, which frankly end up looking like feathered T-Rex if you allow them to grow too big). If I could, though, I'd go back to raising sheep and get back my beloved 'red heads' - Tunis, a very elegant sheep. I used to lust after spinning wheels, but I now have two, so that's done. What I lust for now is space with water and electric so that I can set up all my hat making equipment.
Well, I wanted Louboutins until they started showing up on everyone. I owned a Mercedes E320 back in the late 90s, and with today's gas prices (and the fact that they require high test), I'm over it. So I guess my current obsession is a Bottega Venetta croc tote (as if!) and Manolo's Something Blue pump.
I know a woman who has those Chanel ballet flats. She has had them for years. They are still fabulous and she faithfully resoles them and keeps them in shape. Worth every penny. Of course when she bought them they were about $350. Considering that the the Times Chanel ad a few weeks ago had a pair of fabulous shoes for about $1200 that will be out of style next year, well go for it.
My obsessions? Handbags. By the way, I'll bite whats a 2.55 bag?
The June BWOF shows a shirt styled 3 different ways, and one of the looks includes some Tod's shoes that look very similar, ivory with the black cap toe.
Gosh, I can't say I have a shameless obsession. Well I have plenty, but nothing long term...
I guess my obsession is to find a pair of cute, sexy shoes that don't hurt my picky feet. Those chanel flats are so classic, but designer shoes never are wide enough in the toes for me. bleh
I have a shoe fetish, ah obsession! The most I have paid for shoes if $225. My excuse for expensive (expensive to me)is that I have a narrow size foot. You cannot get narrow sized shoes at many places so I pay more for the narrowness. Seems like you would pay more for wider shoes?????? I also obsess over sewing machines, sergers, coverstitch machines, etc.
A Hermes scarf. But it has to be perfect and go with 3/4 of my wardrobe. I have been looking for one for a while, but the current styles just don't excite me like the vintage ones--and I'm picky, I don't want a used one. Oh, I have created a vicious circle for myself. Someday I'll find one I can't live without.
NancyK, a 2.55 is the classic Chanel quited flap bag created in Feb. 1955 hence 2.55. Gorgeous at every age!
Late to this party but sistah from another mother I am sooo with you. I just graduated from law school at 50 and for 3 years I planned the graduation my present to myself was to be a pair in black and tan, but with no one hiring new law grads, it would be foolish to do that now. Maybe for Christmas??I am
Post a Comment