Shoe Drive for Haiti

Thanks to all who supported our Shoe Drive for our Haitian brothers and sisters.  We managed to collect what seems to me like 100 pairs of shoes which means Big and Elegant will be donating 10 new pairs of shoes that will go to the victims.  I pray God bless you all for your heart of compassion and remember that no good deed goes unnoticed.

The donations collected will be taken to Pinellas Christian Center located at 1315 9th Ave N St. Pete Fl 33709.  For more information on what the urgent needs are and how you can help, please call (727)898-2389.

Remember, we can all do something whether big or small.

Amy “Your Shoe Lady”

We are blessed to be a blessing!

We may not have all we want but when we take a look of what others are enduring we realize we have more than enough.  I was hearing a radio talk host today talk about the donations that some affluent people are making to the relief efforts in Haiti.  He said that though he was empathetic towards the situation in Haiti he felt the money should go towards fixing the problems we have here in the US.  It truly saddened me to think that someone could say they are empathetic and yet not want to help.  I realize we have a big mess on our hands when it comes to our economy, however, I believe our Haitian brothers and sisters are suffering much more now and we can make a difference in their lives.  If we were the ones enduring such distress, would we like to hear that other countries won’t help us because they have to fix their mess first, I don’t think so.

We cannot let opportunities like this pass us by.  It’s an opportunity to sow a seed in someone else’s life.  We are blessed to be a blessing.  We may not all be in a position to give money, but I’m sure there’s something we all can do; whether it be donating canned goods, clothing or even your time to the charities that will need help to box and ship the goods. 

I urge you to take some time to count your blessings and then find a way to help those less fortunate.  I assure you when you give out of a heart of love and compassion, it will come back to you in blessings.

Amy “Your Shoe Lady”

Let’s celebrate Christmas!!!

We’re only 4 days away from celebrating Christmas, time sure flies. Let me start by once again wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May you be granted your hearts desires during this Christmas season.

A typical Christmas celebration for my family actually starts on Christmas Eve. My grandmother started the tradition of having our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and I’ve wanted to perpetuate it and since my husbands birthday is on Christmas Eve I kill two birds with one stone and I have some friends and family over to celebrate him as well with lots of good Spanish food. I make rice with pigeon peas (arroz con gandules), roasted pork shoulder (pernil) and Green bananas in escabeche (guineitos en escabeche) along with a delicious birthday cake and lots of good music.

Christmas morning for us is waking up to thanking God for allowing his son Jesus to come into this world, after all had there been no Jesus, there’d be no Christmas. We then go to opening gifts and last but not least a hardy breakfast. The rest of the day is spent resting and seeing my son enjoy his gifts. My husband and I take this time to just relax and enjoy each others company (that’s if he doesn’t have any runs given that this is a high season for his airport transportation company).

What about you, how do you spend your Christmas?

Enjoy your Christmas and don’t forget to be a blessing to someone else during this season.

Regards,

Amy “Your Shoe Lady”

What to give for Christmas?

Someone recently commented on one of my discussions I posted on a social networking site and I thought I’d share it in the event that you’re stumped and have no clue as to what to give a person that has it all.  She will be giving her mom a decorative jar and in it are 375 thank you notes.  Imagine that, 375 messages of gratitude, one for every day of the year. I think that is a unique and an awesome gift.  In times when we are all watching our budgets, I can’t think of a better gift.  First it makes you have to think of that person and secondly you have to think of the influence they’ve had in your life.  I think that is the true meaning of Christmas.  It’s so sad to see the amount of debt that people go in to in order to get others gifts they truly can’t afford.  I say, lets go back to basics and give from the heart; after all, those are the gifts that will last a life time.  I wonder what other creative ideas we can come up with for this Christmas.

What has been the most unique gift you’ve received or given?

Shoe of the Week

This week we have Softie a great boot.  The Softie is a classic slouch boot that is both comfortable and versatile. Featuring a smooth upper and a clean rounded toe providing a polished look. The padded and flexible insole moves with you to provide ultimate, all-day comfort with a 2” heel.  Retailing at $75.99 (does not include sales tax or shipping charge if ordering online). Available in black size 12 W, Winter White size 9 W, 10 W and 11 W and in Navy sizes 7 ½W 8W.

Feel free to conatct me if you have any questions. 

Regards,

Amy “Your Shoe Lady”

What is your new years resolution?

What a year!  This has been the worst of times and yet the best of times.  I can say that I am fortunate in so many ways.  My husband and son are healthy, I’m doing very well despite all the challenges I’ve faced this year, the store is still up and running, we are blessed to have a roof over our heads, a means of transportation, clothes to wear, food to eat and great family and friends to stand by our side in good and bad times.  This year has been a tough one but a lot of good has come out of it as well; my family and I have a greater appreciation for what we have and we have had to learn to be creative and use what we have in a very wise way.  We take so many things for granted and it’s not till you find yourself without it that you realize the importance of such things. 

As 2009 comes to an end I look back at all the events that transpired this year and I can say “I am still standing”.  We have faced great challenges but we are still here.  I’ve always said that what doesn’t break me makes me stronger and 2009 has done just that, made me stronger.  I’ll be taking the wisdom, the knowledge, experience and strength I didn’t even know I had into 2010 to make it the best year ever.  We are definitely a blessed people and though we may have had to go through some stuff I’m sure if we look around there’s someone who is worst off than we are.  I am looking forward to 2010 and hope you are too. 

 This year my priority is to increase my love walk.  Love is truly the basis of all good things.  I want to make it a point to be more loving and merciful towards others, what about you; do you have any resolutions for 2010?  I encourage you to make this year count and let it be the best ever.

 I sincerely wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a new year full of hope, health, happiness, joy and peace.  God bless you and keep you always.

 Amy “Your Shoe Lady

Keeping an attitude of gratitude

I want to start by wishing all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving!  On that note I just want to exhort youto sit for a minute to think of 5 things you can be grateful for.  With all the hustle and bustle of our very busy lives, we forget to count our blessings and be thankful for what we have.  We take the little things in life and the people who are by our side for granted.  I believe more than a day to be thankful we should live a life of gratitude and learn to be thankful in all things good or bad, happy or sad, for open doors and even closed doors, for those that came in to our life and those that left, remember at the end it will all work out for you and not against you.

As for me, life has been tough during the past year, but one thing I know for sure, I am grateful for each and every day that I have lived.  Would I want things to be different, maybe, but at the end what didn’t break me, made me stronger. 

The five things I am grateful for are:

1.  My faith

2.  My husband and son

3.  My health & sound mind (despite having Chrones disease and breaking my foot I can still be thankful; I may be limited but not to the point where I’m unable to function and fulfill my purpose and goals).

4. Great friends that encourage and lift me up when I’ve been down.

5. The ability to look forward to a better tomorrow ( the last thing you want to lose is hope; as long as you have faith and hope you can bounce back from any setback you have had and know that your tomorrow looks better than your yesterday).

What about you, can you name 5 things you are thankful for?

Shoe of the week…

Every Tuesday we bring you the shoe of the week.  For those of you in the vecinity of our store you can call for an appointment Monday – Friday or stop by on Saturday from 10 – 5 pm (no appointment necessary) and check it out yourself and for those that cannot make it to our store you can look for it on our e-store by going to http://cartfly.com/bigandelegant.

This week we have a very elegant slingback with adjustable ankle strap and approx 2 1/2″ heel in Bone Pearl by Ros Hommerson which specializes in leather or microfiber uppers; quality latex foam cushioning and soft, flexible man-made outsole from our high end collection.  Great for the office or for that special event.  Customers have given this shoe a very good rating because of its extra cushioning in the ball of the foot and the overall comfort they felt when wearing this great shoe.  Available in size 11 Wide and 12 Wide.  (This shoe is also available in black in sizes 10 Wide and 11 Wide). 

Retail price is $98.75 (does not include sales tax or shipping charge if ordering online). 

Feel free to conatct me if you have any questions. 

Regards,

Amy “Your Shoe Lady”

Never take anything for granted…

From cast to boot...

As many of you know I recently suffered a foot injury which had me on bed rest for about 7 weeks.  I broke 2 of the bones on the vamp of my foot (metatarsus bones), the 4^th and 5^th one to be exact.  It’s not till you find yourself without the ability to do what you normally do that you realize how blessed you are.  Needless to say that not being able to walk freely, bath without having to balance your self on one foot, go up and down stairs, being able to drive or workout, reminded me that I can never take anything I do for granted.

 I remember when I regained my eyesight after being declared legally blind due to Chrones Disease, I cried when I was finally able to see my 6 year old son’s face again.  I’d look up to the sky just to take in its beautiful clouds.  I vowed I’d never take my sight for granted ever again.  Or when the Chrone’s was finally in remission and I was able to get back into a normal routine, the first thing I did was clean my bathroom.  That was the place I spent most of my time in when I was sick and being able to clean it and smell the fresh scent made me very happy.  You see while I was sick I was not able to do anything other then lye on the bed and go from the bed to the bathroom.  I truly learned to be joyful even when I clean my house because I remember when I couldn’t.

 My life has had some rough turns and some great obstacles, but I can sincerely say “I’m still standing”.  What didn’t break me, made me stronger.  It’s in times of trials and adversities that relationships are put to the tests and thankfully I’m surrounded by a great group of people without whom it would’ve been even harder to survive. These have certainly proven to be the worse of times and yet the best of times.  I had a chance to relax, catch up on some reading, meditate and even figure out what my passion and purpose is.  I know I’m not at 100% yet, but I’m on my way and that’s what matters.

 It’s not till we lose something that we realize how important, useful or valuable it is to us. 

What about you, have you ever lost something only to learn to appreciate it when you regained it?

Shoe of the week…

Every Tuesday we bring you the shoe of the week.  For those of you in the vecinity of our store you can call for an appointment Monday – Friday or stop by on Saturday from 10 – 5 pm (no appointment necessary) and check it out yourself and for those that cannot make it to our store you can look for it on our e-store by going to http://cartfly.com/bigandelegant.

 This week we are showcasing a great classic pump by Easy Street in a black croc man made material, a square toe box, padded insole for extra comfort, rubber sole, with a 1 3/4″ heel.    (Vendor’s suggestion is “This style tends to run large. For an accurate fit we recommend purchasing a 1/2 size smaller than you typically purchase. For example, if you normally purchase a size 7 1/2, we recommend purchasing a size 7″). 

Retail price is $49.99 (does not include sales tax or shipping charge if ordering online).  This shoe is avalable in black patent and black kid smooth as well.

Feel free to conatct me if you have any questions. 

Regards,

Amy “Your Shoe Lady”