Editor’s note: This was the very first blog post I ever wrote when I launched Stylaphile. My mom passed away in October of 2016, but this post will always remain as a tribute to the woman who not only influenced my style, but also taught me to be an independent strong woman and to pursue my dreams with passion.
This photo of my Mom was taken in the 1950s when people actually dressed up to go to church. Wasn’t she a looker? Check out that fabulous fit-and-flare dress and how it accentuates her tiny waist. The dress would have never fit me, but damn I wish she had kept that straw handle bag and passed it down!
Growing up, one of my favorite things to do was to clean out my Mom’s closet. I especially loved organizing her shoes and bags. She was quite the collector when it came to shoes. My shoe obsession was obviously coded into my DNA. My seemingly meaningless childhood activity of playing in my Mom’s closet led to my modern day “shoe closet.”
Yes, I know it’s extravagant. To take an entire guest room and convert it into a showcase for your obsession. But hey, I don’t have kids (not the human kind anyway) and I could care less about things like expensive cars. This is where I like to spend my disposable income. To quote Carrie Bradshaw, “I like my money where I can see it. Hanging in my closet.”
The last time I was home visiting my Mom, I organized her closet again. She doesn’t have nearly as many shoes as she used to, and she prefers flats to heels now, but it was such a wonderful experience to be able to spend that time with her doing what we loved to do when I was a child.
So, thanks Mom…for letting me play in your closet for all those many years. I’m still playing in mine. And I know that makes you very happy.
Stylaphile 