Shopping for Love

So the question is, how do you shop?

Are you an impulse buyer? Always waiting for the big sale? A tiangge expert? A UK fan perhaps? Well, how do I shop? This is easy to answer and yet can reveal a lot about one's personal preference for a partner.

Hmmm...my style would have to be: I look around until I find the best merchandise (it should match my style fancy, budget is flexible depending on the desire level) and then look some more to make sure that I got the best.

Recently, I went into retail therapy. I was in a depressed mood for two weeks due to a series of a not-so-fortunate incidents and I would say that it was the perfect time to finally add up a pair or two to my boots collection. It's been a long time already since I bought my last pair. And the fact that it's already worn out only means that I needed a new one.

Yes, boots in tropical Philippines can be stylish too. And I really don't care if others (average ones!) do not find "amour" for this type of shoe but I love it. So anyway, before I digress any further, I suddenly went into nostalgia about my boots.

I so love shoes and I spell it as B-O-O-T-S!!!!!

I remember watching Dawn Zulueta in one of GMA Supershow episodes and there she was in tight jeans, loose shirt and boots. Right there and then I knew that I will have a passionate love affair with this piece of fashion statement.

So then, I got my first pair, courtesy of my dad. It was in 1987, I was in 3rd year high school and I was partying wearing my most precious pair--a flat pointed, calf-length suede boots purchased in Brazil. It was the most beautiful at least for me at that time. It's comfortable, in vogue and made me stand out from the rest. NOBODY will dare wear one.

Then there was a lull. I thought that that pair was enough to last a lifetime. Boy, was I so wrong. When I started working, I received a gift certificate for Marikina Shoe Exchange and so to maximize the amount, I got a round toed boots, ankle length in pure black leather. It was comfy alright and took me a long time to wear it out.

Then the ukay ukay became the in thing. An officemate chose a slip on boots with rubber stretch material at a great price. Of course, it was a comfy pair too but I've soon given it away to a good friend.

Then the square-toe, ankle length leather boots from Figlia went on sale. I didn't shell out a cent for it cos I used a gift certificate and then, it fits me so well that I am not sure if I'll ever be ready to throw it away because it is so worn out already.

Then the calf length, most envied pair fell into my lap. The same officemate who bought an ukay boots for me had done it again. This time he chose a suede, high-heeled pair with broken zippers at a snag of a price. I took it and had Mr. Quickie take care of the rest. All those who saw it on me say the same thing: FITS ME WELL! And it is indeed beautiful. But then what they don't know is that it was the same pair that gives me uncomfortable feeling after a day out. It looks good but not comfortable. I had to live with it to maintain an "image".

After that, and my latest stash, two pairs of brand new boots. On sale, half the price, one in black and the other in brown.

I have looked around for the best pairs. I have tried so many, in many shops. But then when I saw these two and tried them on, fitted very well. Looks good too. I went around the shop for more choices but in my heart I know that I am going to purchase both.

It reflects the way I choose a partner. I dabble in many choices but I know what I want. I am not going to settle anymore because it's beautiful or comfortable. Now I know that I want to have both qualities in one pair.

Let's just say that I bought two because I want a backup. But when I come to a point where I needed to choose just ONE, I know where my HEART really belongs.