Moving My Manolos
On Consignment by Hireheeler ‘Back Bay Style’
Years ago, when I told a friend I was heading out for leg wax, she blurted, “I thought that was something only rich women do!” True enough, thought I…
I’d first heard of waxing from a tony gal, that I met during my ten years living amongst the “HENRY’s,”— High Earning, Not Yet Rich. When I returned to the world of forty-something single women, I could not give up my indulgence— it does hurt (on the bod and in the pocketbook) to be beautiful. I had no problem leaving the big house, the vacations and the pricey dinners out behind, but my penchant for smooth, sexy gams and properly 
positioned show seats could never be denied…
I expected things to be a bit tough, beginning on the bottom rung of the professional ladder at age 41. But, as long as I could meet a friend for a light bite, afford to see a few shows a year and do so with silky, smooth legs— I never really missed being part of the affluent class. Well even preferred pampering needs to be dialed back in a crisis… Eventually, I was forced to get out the shaving cream. Natch, I still “get thee to the spa” for a proper wax, when a decent paycheck comes in.
Somewhere, during the past several years, monthly living expenses skyrocketed. Socializing became a burden. I was working as a professional, but didn’t feel like I belonged. Dining out digressed from the “chic” restaurants, to chains, to cheap eats, to ultimately staying home. The heating bill looked as if it should be warming up the Hancock Tower (which, btw recently went on the block for half of its worth) instead of my flat. Theater tickets in Boston climbed to the height of the newly renovated Opera House ceiling. After a $200.00 night, when I found myself gazing more at the ceiling than the stage, I went on ticket strike.
Though I realize not being able to indulge in my spa day or in the Dress Circle doesn’t constitute real hardship, the stress of trying to earn enough to meet the rising cost of necessities had me popping lots of those little purple pills (Prilosec). And imperceptibly, as the struggle seeped into my self-image of an urban, professional woman, I began to withdraw. I felt the “fraud syndrome,” a feeling that I didn’t really belong at events where the “it crowd,” the “successful people,” the “smart set” gathered. The need to attend a professional dinner at a swank downtown hotel brought on a full-blown panic attack… I spent three hours fussing with hair and make-up and endured more wardrobe changes than a first date would garner. Finally, a black wrap dress and classic Stuart W’s got me out the door.
A few weeks ago one of the most successful women I know divulged, “I’ve have no money. The business hasn’t been paid much in months.” “Why didn’t you call?” I knowingly asked… Admitting financial struggle is the professional kiss of death. I guess we can all come out of the closet and admit that times are really tough…
Finally, I relented. I packed my pride and my well-worn Pradas in the back seat and moved to a respectable, but very un-chic digs in the burbs. Those old status symbols don’t seem to matter so much now. I may have given up my beloved hardwood floors— but you can bet… I’ll be struttin’ on that sensibly safe wall-to-wall in my one cherished pair of Manolos!
on April 13th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
guess it’s safe to say that everyone’s had to cut back… with the exception of the prez and his 100 oz. steaks…
the country could use a diet bM!
on April 13th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
thanks for that back bay style! I hear ya. My spa allowance has gone sadly south in the past several months… it’s a good thing it’s still freezing here in beantown— it would be a crime to expose my tootsies at this particular toe-point in time.
on April 13th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
boogie, think how healthy we’ll be without all that red meat….I haven’t made it to vegan yet, but I can visualize those little fat marbles in the arteries (and my hips) when I eat a sirloin, imagine the high grade stuff!
on April 13th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Back Bay yea i wish 0 would go that route 0 probley would go by the best arugula money can buy …
on April 14th, 2009 at 12:46 am
greetings from beantown – great post back bay – welcome to the on consignment closet — btw, have you been to ‘the closet’ on newbury??? You must have…
on April 14th, 2009 at 8:20 am
on a different note .. i have a Little new you girls
in San Antonio we will be having a new mayor soon…. and 3 of the top 4 leading contenders r women ..
on April 14th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Thanks Princess. Yes, the Closet is one of the few remaining authentic shops, not replaced by brands. I also love the shop with the beautiful Italian yellow potter, Dona Flor, I think it’s called, for gifts. Although one “brand” I’m happy to see on Newbury is Starbucks. Finally it’s almost warm enough to sit outside with a non-fat latte. Or maybe even a soy latte if I’m really feeling virtuous.
on April 14th, 2009 at 8:27 am
on a different note .. i have a Little news 4 you girls
in San Antonio we will be having a new mayor soon…. and 3 of the top 4 leading contenders r women .. i just thought i share this with you … and thats saying alot for this state
that’s terrific news boogieman!
on April 14th, 2009 at 8:58 am
we are slowly taking over, boogie. beautiful clip of hillary on this mornings Splash, Princess and Sista!
indeed bbs!! She instills such confidence…here and all around the world
on April 14th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Back Bay Style said
we are slowly taking over, boogie.
hey when if you girls do take over just dont forget me
on April 14th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I always feel better when Hillary is on the Splash. She is so positive and calm no matter what life throws at her.
on April 14th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
” From where I stand, for the very first time, we’re beginning to see glimmers of hope,” obama on the ecconmy.
” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said later the administration expected to see “many more months of hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.”
hmmmm obama sees see glimmers of hope,”
gibbs” says hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.”
mabey its just me but i dont see to much hope in hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.”
on April 14th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
hey whats new girls
on April 14th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I heard the “glimmers of hope” but missed the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. There has been a lot of buzz around some of the other sites, particularly Riverdaughter, raising the issue of strategy–is the hope for the banksters being bailed out by we, the taxpayers, or is it for the mere serfs, otherwise known as we, the taxpayers?
What really concerns me is that no one in the administration seems to grasp that no individual, entity, or country, can live forever on debt. They keep going on about “credit markets’ and consumer spending, and stand dumbfaced before the real problem which is, we don’t produce much of anything any more…except debt, which by any other name, call it credit, leverage, finance, cds, or a purple zebra, is still DEBT!…and not good for the economy or the person.
on April 14th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
0 TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOPE DURING THE ELEC I DID,NT BUY IT THEN & I’M NOT BUYING NOW
I AGREE WITH YOU Back Bay THEY JUST DONT SEEM 2 GET IT
on April 15th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
so girls how do you feel about these tea partys
on April 15th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Great post, back bay!
hey boogie—i didn’t know you’re a closet texan. good to know there’s one more of us lone star-ers who loves Hillary.
Personally, I’m thrilled with the tea parties because they’re driving the faux “progressives” here crazy.
So, pour me another lipton, and leave the bottle!
on April 15th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Thanks, Cindy. Nobody around beantown has invited me to any tea parties. I guess I look like the typical Hillary supporter so they leave me alone.
on April 15th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
from what i see in these tea party’s they have more of the Conservative core principles & not our more progressive values & that can be a problem
on April 15th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Here’s an unexpected bit of inspiration heels:
(make sure your sound is on!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
on April 15th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
now that was preety good she has a stunning voice
on April 15th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Gorgeous clip of Susan Boyle, Sista. I dare say someone gave her some very good vocal training at a young age. And that vocal shimmer is a natural gift.
on April 15th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
indeed bbs; the greatest gift that the talented Ms. Boyle gave me… is that she stood up with belief in herself and went for it!!! she realized her ‘dream,’ she brought the house down (and then some).
on April 16th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Cindy yep dont mess with texas … but im not a native of the state
on April 16th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Boogie—I’m a louisiana native myself, but have been here 40 years….never been a fan of rick perry, but i love his secession talk…..Anything that ticks off the obamabots makes me sleep better at night.
on April 16th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
im a native of germany & i feel the same about perry but i like perrys in your face attitude 2ward O and his O-thugs …
on April 16th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
yea cindy when he tossed that secession talk out there he realy started messing with them..
on April 17th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Sista, you are so right about Susan Boyle having the courage to just go for it. A great moment, and a sad commentary on the extent to which we have all allowed the cult of Hollywood “beauty” to determine our human worth. I was also struck by the ignorance of the panel when Susan said she was 47. Serious voices don’t peak until the thirties, forties, and even fifties. Serious teachers won’t even begin to train a voice before late adolescence. Susan proves that if you present people with quality, they will recognize it and respond.
Nobody outside the opera world took the big guy, Pavarotti, seriously until he got an agent who decided to market his physical size as an asset.
on April 17th, 2009 at 9:04 am
check out this girls
my gov must be driving O and his O-bots crazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glWhVBn21Vw
on April 17th, 2009 at 9:21 am
totally OT, but i just visited your back page and viewed the “Badboys ” vid, and want to say…
LOVED IT!
very clever, and kinda sad, too.
Ty suzan!!
on April 17th, 2009 at 10:28 am
boogie—-guten morgen, mein freund.
gotta love that rick perry! never thought i’d say this, but hope he wins another term….that will drive texas obamers crazy!
on April 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am
did ya see how crazy tweety was acting in that clip … mabey mathews is feeling something running down his leg this time instead of his ussaly thrill …
on April 17th, 2009 at 11:14 am
but i dont really want 2 see perry for onther term .. hes going to have a hard fight with hutchinson … and he knows it ..love seeing him stick it to 0 ….like this
on April 17th, 2009 at 11:31 am
but the democraticic hierarchy in texas hates hutch more than perry…….she’s just another cheerleader from ut to them…but one that could win.
they want perry to beat her in the primary.
it’ll be fun to watch.
on April 17th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Firm run by Obama’s auto industry adviser is linked to NY pension fund pay-to-play probe
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=7361490
hear is onther one of O buddys under investagtion by the feds