As spring semester gives way to summer, I’d like to try a new project. In the spirit of Wanderfood and Wandergear Wednesdays, I’m thinking of Tuesday Shoesday: a (mostly kinda trying-to-be) weekly feature about shoes. Are you with me? Are you feeling it?

First up: Crocs Boat Shoes for women.

So far, I only have the classic, cloggy-lookin’ Crocs (in hot pink, of course). They  are shamefully comfortable. In general, I restrict them to Home Use Only. There are exceptions (of which, mind you, air travel is not one.)

Living in Central America last fall taught me many things, including to always a bring a sun hat and to respect the Crocs. Crocs were invaluable in Costa Rica, such as the morning in Tárcoles when we accompanied fisherpeople on their small boats.Though I took some ribbing for my footwear, I felt vindicated when some of the fishermen were also sporting Crocs (in more demure hues). Flip flops can disappear without warning. Classic Crocs have that heel strap that lets you know that everything’s going to be alright.

Another acceptable destination for wearing Crocs outside of the home is to the pool.  My WanderMan and I are heading out soon for Symes Hot Springs, a place we visited in 2012. Sure, flip flops will do the job. But Crocs have more support and more toe-protection than flip flops. They are, as the web site claims, “incredibly light and buoyant.”

Recently I caught sight of these Crocs boat shoes  in navy and pink (photos from Crocs.com). Will I have to revise my thinking about this brand? Will I have to take back all of those snarky things I’ve said?

Change is the only constant, eh? As our buddy Ralph Waldo Emerson affirms, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Far be it from me to cling to a belief that’s shown to be errant. I will eschew hobgoblins and expand my mind!

I will also gladly wear these Crocs boat shoes out of the house in a heartbeat. I would wear them to a hot springs, or to the coffee shop. If I had rich friends with boats and cabins on Lake Coeur d’Alene, I would hazard these shoes with a sun dress or perhaps rolled-up jeans a cute t-shirt. Readers, if any of you want to invite me out on your boat, I’ll gladly honor you and your style with a blog post. You know where to find me.

The other day, I wore my faded neon-pink khakis from the Gap. I call them my Safety Pants because they’re so visible. At the sound of “Safety Pants,” one of my students mentioned ‘The Safety Dance.” Oh, the 80s. To my students, I confessed my surprise when I first heard of a 90s party. But of course, the millennial people’s 90s are like my 80s. And I enjoy a good 80s party. Sometimes my closet feels like an 80s party.

Which brings me to the subject of this post. Between the talk of Safety Pants and the 90s, we ended up on a google search for MC Hammer pants, yielding the picture above (from neato tumblr ninetieslithium).

Drop crotch trousers did not perish in the 90s. People magazine’s Style Watch recently took Justin Bieber to task for his love of the spacious garment (photo below from their site) and offered hypotheses for why Bieber persists with the lower-than-thou crotch. I’m neither Belieber nor hater. It makes sense that the drop crotch is amenable to his dance moves (one of People’s hypotheses. The same must have been true for MC Hammer, no?). And Bieber’s choice of that lavender leopard print is great.

WanderChic regulars know that I feel drawn to these trends of yester-decade. Part of the challenge is walking the line between vintage-inspired and costume.

I like these pants, above, from etsy seller Lila’s Fashion Joint (both photos from their site). The pants are 94% cotton and 6% spandex/lycra. I love the pocket design, like fancy canteens or the shapeliest cargo pockets ever. Or maybe it’s an expression of my inner Katniss Everdeen?

I’m also struck by the unexpected placement of the zippers in the front, a unique way to taper the leg. You’re both Hazmat- and  runway-ready.

On the lively blog Man Repeller, drop crotch items are a repeat offender. I like that MR takes fashion risks and dresses to her own taste. The blog is an exercise in loving the unloveable (or underloved, I guess). I’m a softie for several items on Man Repeller’s list of culprits: clogs, jumpsuits, and my beloved shoulder pads.

But if the genius behind Man Repeller feels great in overalls and a jeweled ear cuff, and I feel like a million bucks in a shoulder-padded blazer/flotation device, then how could that be repellent?

I realize that this blog is about travel, and that desks, bookshelves, and filing cabinets are big and bulky and don’t travel well (usually). But I’ve been thinking about not only dressing with style, but also the ways in which one’s living and working spaces give off vibes.

The topic’s been on my mind in part because of this rad article about Workspaces of the Famously Creative.

The workspace above belongs to food writer Amanda Hesser (photo is from fromyourdesks.com). I admire both its personality and its restraint. There are splashes of color (that stapler! the painted orange!). Things are tidy, and there’s a window to stare out of (a must-have for the daydreaming that leads to good thinking and, one hopes, good writing). I look at this picture and think, dang, I could eat off of that desk (she’s a food writer. Perhaps she does).

My office at my university is more of a clutterbox. It doesn’t have quite as many geologic layers as does the workspace of sculptor Alexander Calder (fromyourdesks.com). I have to say that do some good thinking in that box. It’s a sanctuary for fauna and knickknackery rescued from thrift stores.

I’ve also been thinking about workspaces at home. In just a few short months, I’ll be plighting my troth with my WanderMan and moving into his house, the Big House, I call it. We’re trying to figure out how to combine our spaces. Where will I get my writing, reading, and thinking done in the Big House? What about when I come home from work and just need to stare at a wall? What does it take to make a space feel like your own? (OK, so these questions are not going to be answered in one blog post, no matter how winsome.)

I’ve been a Keen fan since I moved west of the Mississippi several years ago. I’ve had a pair of much-loved reddish leather Keen Mary Janes (they didn’t wear out. I lost them in a move.) My Keen leather boots with wooly sherpa lining are indispensable in the bleak midwinter.

The kind folks at Keen recently sent me a pair of their Mercer Ballerina flats in Greenbrier, from their CNX line (photos from zappos.com). The shoes are available in a variety of fun colors, such as Mimosa (below) and an icy Norse Blue. For those committed to the shoe strap, the Mercer Mary Janes are blooming in many of these same shades.

The CNX line is known for lighter materials (shoes that weigh in at less than 10 ounces, to be precise). The Mercer Ballerina is suede and mesh. At first I wondered if the mesh cutouts in the suede upper and sides would tip this too far into sports shoe territory. I’m not such a huge fan of the water sandal/shoe hybrid creatures. I could see their appeal on a summer camping trip. But for my day job, the Ballerina fits the bill. I like what the mesh adds in breathability. In fact, the mesh slice is a tasteful, unexpected detail.

And of course for W&L travelers, these lightweight shoes make packing easier. I need shoes that can support my WanderToes through afternoons of museums, plazas, churches, markets, and also not embarrass me at a nicer restaurant or, you know, at the discotec. The rubbery ledge at the front of the shoe makes the look a bit more casual. But Keen’s “patented toe protection” has to show up somewhere.

For more looks at the CNX line, follow the Keen #BraveNewToes tumblr account of road trip through the Western U.S.

I may claim that I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but that just means there’s not a 6-pound bag of gummi bears somewhere on the premises.

Before my friend Ann up and moved to Texas, she made me these sage-scented shortbread cookies as a birthday gift (photo from epicurious.com). I shared one with the prof whose office is across the hall from mine. And I was planning to share the plate with my intended (who is more honest about his love of sweets). Really, that was the plan.

I’ll say that I’m not a huge fan of shortbread. I think of the blue tins at my parents’ house, especially around Christmas. I think the cookies are Swedish or something. They’re stacked four deep in crenellated paper like cupcake wrappers. They’re dry. And unexciting. No offense to my parents (they don’t bake the cookies, after all. They just buy them and make them available in the bread drawer. It’s not like I’m rejecting their garlicky buttery Chex mix or something).

But of these shortbread delights, I don’t know which to prefer, the buttery smooth backdrop, the intense crystals of sea salt, or the savory hints of sage. Some of the cookies were standard round cookie shape, like golden coins from another realm. The rest were shaped like elephants. (I guess Ann had not yet packed away her elephant cookie cutter).

Ann, the baking poet , claims that you can follow the recipe as written. She didn’t have to add extra water. I feel like a bit of a poser, blogging about this recipe before I try it myself. Last weekend I made an apple crisp, and soon, I’ll try my hand at these cookies. And this time, I’ll make sure to share.

As Western Christendom’s Holy Week scoots into high gear, I thought this would be an apt moment to consider the intersection of fashion and faith. My friend the Rev. Liv Larson Andrews (above, center) has a keen eye for style. She’s also a Lutheran pastor, so she’s a “woman of the cloth” in more ways than one.

Liv pastors Salem Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington. She also blogs for Spokane Faith & Values. 

WanderChic: I’m guessing that as a minister, you’ve got some rules about what you can and cannot wear. How do you fit your style to those rules? Or, how do you express your fashion sense as a clergyperson?

Liv Larson Andrews: The choices about what to wear as clergy are less about rules and more about general integrity, I think. I’m coming to enjoy a creative aspect in myself, and gradually applying that to how I dress. So I’m more open than I have been in the past to experimenting with styles in what I wear on a daily basis.

A main influence in this department is my mother. She is ever stylish, in heels and blouses, while working as an elementary school librarian (where she has colleagues who wear Crocs.) For her, she feels the intentional way she dresses brings worth to the role. In a way, I feel the same. I don’t dress the same way she does, but in exploring my own self and styles, I think I can bring worth to the role of pastor and express that pastors are really just normal folks with quirks and proclivities of their own.

That said, I suppose there are a few things off the list. But they would probably be off the list if I were a clerk or non-profit worker or whatever. Super snug or short skirts just make me feel nervous. Same with low-cut shirts.

WC: What are the clothing options for a minister? Are there any progressive designers out there creating vestments (which I think of as “holy clothes”) for women in ministry?

LLA: There is a company that supplies Lutheran seminaries with clerical shirts (the ones with little tabs or all-around collars in them). It’s called Friar Tuck. In school, we ladies called it Friar Frump. Every shirt looked like a box with a collar on it. Argh.

Since then, there are several companies out there trying to provide for the needs of ordained women. One of them is WomenSpirit. In fact I just ordered a few shirts and an alb (white robe) from them. Some options are fitted, some not. But all of their products seem to honor the fact that a body with breasts and hips will be wearing the garment.

I’m quite excited about these knit collared shirts (below) from WomenSpirit.

WC: You’ve mentioned that on Sundays, you really have to choose your  earrings and shoes with care. What are your favorite lines of shoes and jewelry?

LLA: Ooh. Favorites. Hmm, all of the vintage jewelry at Carousel in Spokane catches my eye. Earrings are actually one area where I’m becoming more brave.

But Sunday is a bit different. A colleague of mine likes to say that the presider of worship should be like a cold glass of water: nourishing and clean, but only that. Able to point to what is truly meaningful: the sacraments, the community, and Christ’s presence within them. So on a Sunday morning I tend to wear smaller, simpler earrings and take off any nail polish. Shoes need to be comfy and strong but also not draw too much attention. A few times a year I get a little festive, though. I definitely have bright red heels for Christmas Day.

The struggle in presiding is both to be fully yourself and also not get in the way of what the community is doing. The people are there to commemorate Christ and to be nourished to serve God in daily life. So my being cute or funny or attractive has no value. It could very well distract. But crisp, clean actions and looks can be helpful to keep the emphasis on the community’s celebration.

WC: How would you describe your personal style? Where are your favorite places to shop? And while I’m at it, does shopping ever feel at odds with your faith?

LLA: As you know, I’m a thrift store shopper. Other than the occasional ModCloth dress or WomenSpirit clergy shirt, it’s Spokane’s thrift stores that supply my wardrobe. I recently had great luck at Global Neighborhood Thrift, filling one of their $25 buckets with some real gems. Fringe and Fray downtown never fails, too.

Ah, money. Surely, we can go crazy overboard with spending on clothing. The Luke 12 passage about the lilies comes to mind [“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these”]. There is a sense that God wishes for us to be content simply as we are, to know our inherent worth. I think fashion becomes a dangerous path when it crosses into the territory of needing to look or seem a certain way in order to have importance or worth in the public sphere. In fact, for women, it is hard to stay out of that territory.

The faith community, which is called to value us as God does, just as we are, warts and all, can be so helpful in calling us back out of that ugly land of wanting approval. When we are certain and secure in God’s love for us, we can take joy in dressing. And when we look to the community for ways to use our money well and wisely, our fashion dollars can be directed toward local and independent designers and makers. This may sound ideal, but it also sounds fun.

WC: W&L readers are travelin’ folk. Do you have any travel plans coming up? What are your travel essentials?

LLA: I’m headed to Indiana in April to present at a conference. Which could be inches of snow or sunny and 70 degrees. The essentials there are flexibility and layers!

It’s a new era for WanderChic. She’s looking for a bike.

I am not a cyclist. I do not intend to take my future bike down any mountain faces (at least, not on purpose.) I would not have identified myself as a Cruiser (it sounds a bit like Swinger?). But in bicycle nomenclature, I guess that’s where I belong.

My WanderMan is a bike enthusiast. He’s not preachy about it, but he’s got ideas for fun trips and wants me to come along.The last bike I owned was a pink Huffy. One warm Christmas Day, when it was new, I rode the bike in manic circles on my grandparents’ patio. Another fateful day I left pink Huffy sprawled on the driveway, which I was not supposed to do. Mom didn’t see Huffster and ran over the front wheel with our minivan. After that, I couldn’t ride Pink Huffy in a straight line. It looked better suited to the circus.

Many years later, I borrowed a bike at the Burning Man festival. And, lo, I remembered how to ride. I savored the freedom of pedaling across the hardpan desert of a dried-up lake.

I haven’t been thinking so much about bike specs. I’m much more interested in the accessories. I adore the helmet at the top of this post from Nutcase (photo from rei.com). They offer several groovy retro prints, in addition to the pictured pink leopard print. Surely this is a sign.

I also like the looks of the Bern Lenox EPS turquoise from U.K. company cyclechic (above).

Cyclechic also offers a variety of helmet covers like the Yakkay Luzern black faux fur helmet cover (above). I’ll be following their site more closely as I rejoin the world of Bike People.

If you’ve got suggestions for a Casual Biker, nay Cruiser, like me, I’m open!

I first encountered Mishakaudi jewelry on a trip to Fringe & Fray, a funky resale boutique in my neighborhood. I saw a golden pair of earrings, like celestial gumdrops, that were under $10. It was love at first sight.

Turns out that Mishakaudi is a jewelry line designed by Marissa Lewis (above, all photos hers), who lives in Spokane Valley (not so far from WanderChic.) Lewis started Mishakaudi in 2010 and makes each piece by hand. A self-described “proud vegan,” Lewis creates striking looks without leather or feathers.

Lewis reports that Mishakaudi is expanding bigtime and has launched a fundraising campaign to support this growth. For a $10 contribution, you could be the namesake for a piece of jewelry in an upcoming Mishakaudi line. Pretty cool!

WanderChic: How would you describe the aesthetic of Mishakaudi?

Marissa Lewis: My line is Trendy Bohemian with tribal and world influences to simple classic designs.  I also have a line of positivity promoting jewelry, that I like to put out in the world to create good energy for the wearer and the world.  My demographic is wide, ages 20-60 depending on the line. My trendy pieces tend to be more for the 20-40 year olds, but I have a lot of chic and simple pieces that older women wear as good basics. Overall, I see my ideal customer as a 20-30something, trendy, creative, expressive in style and life, fun, and positive.

WC: What have been your most popular styles?

ML: My most popular styles lately have been the Trichev and V Necklaces, Honora Necklace, all the sparkly glass jewelry, like infinity earrings.  My new spring line is my new fave!  It is full of bright colors, and I am really loving it.  The new Tube Necklaces, Joshen Earrings and Trituge Necklaces are perfect for spring and summer.

WC: How would you describe your own personal style?

ML: My style is simple with a bohemian flare.  I wear a lot of basics and layer with lots of jewelry.  I also have two little girls, ages 2 and 4, so dressing super nice is unrealistic, besides the fact that I make jewelry all day.

WC: What have been some of the joys or challenges of running a small business?

ML: I love to be my own boss, run my business my way, and do what I love! How lucky am I?!  The downside is that I work alot! Much more than a regular 40 hour week.

WC: Do you have any “rules” about wearing jewelry, such as no more than 3 pieces, or don’t mix gold with silver?

ML: I kind of have no rules for jewelry. The cool thing about jewelry is that is a piece of art made from one person, but expressed however the wearer wants to.  I personally love to layer lots of necklace and bracelets.  I kind of think 2-3 necklaces at a time is a must have, unless it is a big statement piece.  And I love mixing metals.

WC: Do you end up traveling for work a? Do you have any trips on the horizon?

ML: I do travel for work.  I tend to spend about 1 week a month, most months out of town.  I travel to Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, Montana to do tradeshows and sales trips.  I just got back from Las Vegas for our biggest show, Pooltrade.  I go to that show twice a year.  I will be going to Portland end of March to see all of my wholesale accounts.

WC: What are your travel essentials?

ML: I like to travel, but I hate being without my stuff. I am a vegan and eat pretty fresh, it can be hard to find the right food when I am traveling.  When we went to Las Vegas last week, we drove ourselves and rented a 1 week apartment with a kitchen so that we could bring our juicer and blender for our smoothies and such.  We also went to Whole Foods and loaded up on fresh groceries and made dinner a couple nights we were there.  Staying on our healthy eating is key to our family’s happiness, so we make it a big priority.  I also always have my tea with me so I can grab a cup of hot water.

I’m afraid of many things. Answering my phone. Cleaning the litter boxes. Disappointing my parents.

But I’ve become rather fearless when it comes to two features of my upper-body-wear: color and volume. The universe keeps sending me these amazing blouses in rad prints, many with tasteful shoulder pads. (I’m crushing on this one, pictured above, from etsy store momodeluxe.)

That’s right. I like shoulder pads. ”A lady and a linebacker,” says my WanderMan when I show off a new-to-me blouse.

I’m not an 80s apologist. I prefer to think of myself as an enthusiast. I don’t want electric blue eyeshadow or vertical bangs (again). But I’m all for a little extra shoulder oomph, especially for those of us with bodies where, as a friend kindly pointed out, the party is downstairs.

I acknowledge the artifice of the shoulder pad. Can they be ridiculous? Sure. So can scarves or hoop earrings. The dose is the poison.

A google search for “tasteful shoulderpads” is first corrected in those scolding italics (did you mean tasteful shoulder pads?) Nothing much turns up, other than a few jabs at  extreme Dynasty-era armor, and a general sigh of “Thank God the 80s are over.” (Image of the pattern above, which I happen to like, is from etsy seller raegirl.)

In one of my classes, we’ve been talking about contradictory truths. Higher order thinking asks us to hold conflicting possibilities in our heads. That’s how metaphor works. Say that our love is a red rose. We know that in what writer Natalie Goldberg calls “1+1= 2 thinking,” our love is not literally a red, fragrant flower (unless it is. None of my business). And yet. Our love is beautiful, or delicate, or timeless, or fragrant, or tender and flanked with stubby thorns. Figuratively, our love is a red rose. There’s some truth in it.

So picture me googling contradictory truths like “tasteful shoulder pads” and “luxurious polyester.” I believe! I have blouses in my very closet that, on first touch, I did not believe were synthetic. Do they wrinkle? Hells no. Do they travel well? Oh yes. Do I love the the silky feel of them on my skin? You betcha.

(Photo of 80s vintage blouse from wanelo.com)

I’ve confessed before that I love color, especially in winter. And I’m a weenie about the cold. So you can imagine my delight when the fine folks at BOGS Footwear sent me a pair of their Classic High boots to test drive (er, walk).

The boots are designed to be comfortable to -40F, though I’m happy to take BOGS’ word on that. Our inland Washington winter hasn’t been that brutal. I’ve worn these boots with wool and fleece socks from my Winter Sock Box, and my feet have been toasty and dry.

These Classic BOGS also feature an  antimicrobial stink-fighting insole and a Max-Wick™ moisture-wicking lining. I’ll not feel unladylike when I remove these boots after a long day. And, thanks to the well-made handles, I won’t look unladylike in the process.

The BOGS catalog includes many fun patterns, such as “stargazer,” “mumsie,” “leaf,” “lanai,” “ambrosia,” and of course my favorite, “vintage.” Solid colors range from black and dark green to turquoise and bright pink. I opted for a tall pair of boots for maximum warmth, but you’ll find plenty of mid and short boots, as well as clogs and kickin’ booties. (Photo above and below courtesy of BOGS).

BOGS recommends sizing up if you’re a half size, so I opted for an 11. The boots offer great support and feel like the right length, with enough space so that I’m not hitting the end of the toe box.

At first I feared that my feet looked huge in these shoes. I’ve come to appreciate that the boot is just a roomier fit that I’m used to.

Overall, I love the look and feel of these boots, so I’ll be wearing them a lot as winter gives way to spring. I can’t help peering at the garden near my office in hopes of a crocus. I’ve been thinking about e e cummings’ poem “In Just-” which presents a world that’s “mud-luscious” and “puddle-wonderful.”

In my BOGS, I romp across lingering snow patches, muddy lawns, and puddles without fear, and in style.