As the Covid-19 pandemic drags on to 2021, I think we can all agree that shallow stuff like shoe buying is more entertaining than a pandemic wallowing. So I’d like to share a review of Carmina Shoemakers‘ women oxfords, the 2nd big purchase I talked about last year.

I’ve been searching for a pair of white, leather lace-up when my derby’s gave up on me after 7 years (read here). But two years of scouring physical and online stores didn’t yield “the one”.

I realized that quality pair of women’s oxford shoes are hard to find simply because only a handful of good brands are making them. Oxfords are still largely considered men’s dress shoes while women are still expected to cram their feet into stilettos or ballerinas. While I do own a few pairs of stilettos, I use them once or twice a year, which makes the cost per wear ridiculously expensive. Maybe it’s my age but I now consider oxford shoes a woman’s best friend. They’re practical for both office and casual wear. I think it’s the one pair every woman should have in their closet, especially working moms.

think I’ve found the perfect fit. But they’re not with the ones I’ve been running on for four years. This is not a technical review. This is a purely experience-based, unbiased shoe review.

It’s easy to believe that running is a sport that’s basically free. You put on a pair of trainers, slip on your sweat pants and old t-shirts and you’re good to go. At least that’s what we think.

I  finally “almost” have my very first credit card, despite forever denying its usefulness. For the last 6 years of working, I refused to get a credit card because I don’t like to have debt, unnecessary debt that are usually caused by developing a want. But in the 1st world countries, it is very hard to move without a credit card. Booking a ticket or a hotel when you want to travel requires a credit card and most shops here in the Netherlands have their online stores where items are being sold at a discounted price. It is just logical because when you shop online, you save the store manpower, rent and other costs of store maintenance.

Unfortunately when I applied the first time, I was denied immediately because my income does not meet the requirement of the bank. So I have to pull some strings to get a credit card. I cannot rely on other people’s card forever if I want to book a ballet in Prague or fly to Madrid at the last minute. ! The possibilities are endless *I think that line is from a credit card commercial, like  two days in Lido, finding beautiful shoes in Milan or simply shop for clothing online.

Now that I am almost in the final stage of getting my credit cared *because there has been so much drama in getting it but I am reserving that for another post. Somehow owning a credit card provides a certain kind of freedom…a license to travel and shop especially when you live in the Netherlands where shopping with cards, debit or credit is the practical thing to do.

I am already planning my summer vacation to Italy. For the 1st time in my life, I will be using a credit card that bore my name. But since I can only use it online for at least another week, maybe I will get this bag to match my new shoes from Mango which I could have gotten at a much lower price online. On the contrary some happiness can be bought by money.