The Scream

I like clothes and shoes a lot, especially vintage coats, retro-style shoes and knee-high boots. For the most part, I only buy pieces that can be worn with a number of other things in my wardrobe.

I also have a thing for red shoes. I have five pairs of red shoes. Via Spiga espadrilles that look really cute with slim fit jeans. Vintage Italian sandals that look cute with some of my summer dresses or slim fit capri pants. Deep red, patent leather mary janes with stiletto heels that go well with some Mad Men era skirts/dresses I have.

But I don't know what I was thinking when I bought a pair of patent red leather Via Spiga pumps. It's a retro style with a bow that borders on the comical, a slutty Minnie Mouse look. I also bought a pair of red satin Bally shoes with laces that tie all the way up to the knees. Perfect shoes for a cartoon villainous. I've never worn these shoes except to try them on once. They sit in the back of my closet collecting dust.

What have you bought on impulse that just doesn't make sense?

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I'm having trouble finding shoe styles that are appropriate for an 11 year old with size 7 1/2N feet. She has Vans, Converse, standard tween/teen stuff, etc.. But she wants to wear other styles. We used to go to Payless because it was one of the few stores we could (I'm not into shopping in stores) find that had smaller women's sizes and narrow widths in styles that could also work for a child. But the quality really is crap and their selection past size 6 1/2 is not kid friendly.

She's still growing and likes to have several (a lot) pairs of shoes per season, so I don't want to spend too much on a single pair. She has outgrown multiple pairs of shoes less than 3 months after we bought them.

Any brands or stores to look for in particular? We live near a good selection of stores. I'm not having much luck asking other moms, because my daughter is a bit dressier and much more into fashion than her friends.

My daughter's middle school has an after school malt shop. Both my kids have developed a taste for malts. They want to make them at home. I remember Carnation brand being commonly available when I was a kid. No luck at my local supermarkets (we have almost every national chain or specialty store in our neighborhood). I googled, some Los Angeles Chowhounders recommend Cost Plus and Smart and Final. Nothing. Another one said the Vons on Sunset, which isn't too far from me, but all of this seems like a lot of effort for Carnation malted milk powder.

I'm thinking of ordering online. Any recommedations? Barry Farms, Horlicks or King Arthur?

Anyone know? I really need this stuff.