by Wendy
Follow me on twitter@wendylooksleaps

Do you have trouble letting go of a favorite pair of shoes? I bought a pair of Converse in 2012 that are definitely in my footwear hall of fame.

Every year I bring my Converse on trips, thinking I’ll leave them behind at some point and free up more room in my suitcase. They’ve been to places like Spain, England, Denmark, New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Puerto Rico. They’ve hung out at beaches, mountains, restaurants, bars, cities, casinos, hospitals, baseball games, family parties, museums, bookstores, churches, concerts, backyards, hotels, airports, train stations. They’ve been very loyal. They’re practically charms.

Every year I contemplate buying a new pair of Converse. Although there really isn’t anything wrong with these. Amazingly, they don’t stink (really!) and have that cool worn-in look. I might not win any fashion blogger awards wearing the same pair of Converse in so many photos but why mess with what works? And instead, I could buy a style of shoes I don’t have. Or a purse or a dress…that goes well with my Converse. Everyone knows they look great with jeans or shorts, but I’ve always loved the sort of subversive edginess of a girly skirt or dress with Converse – am I redeeming my style blogger cred?

I was closest to tossing the Converse during our family beach vacation in Hilton Head this summer. Jack and I rode bikes on the beach, and at one point I kicked off the Converse to wade in the ocean. I got sand and saltwater all over the shoes when I put them back on – and perhaps for the first time ever, they weren’t so comfortable. I rinsed them off with clean water when we got back to the house and left them out in the sun to dry. The next day they were very stiff, still sandy and had some uneven color. “Might be the end of these,” I commented. My brother-in-law Jimmy looked over and said, “Naw, you just have to break them in again.” Immediately I thought, he’s right! My Converse could be better than ever!

I may be addicted to these shoes. There are worse things.

Me with my sweetheart in San Francisco. I mean Jack! Not the Converse.

A gorgeous day for exploring Cordoba, Spain

Walking in London

Admiring Gaudi’s work in Barcelona. You can tell who I am by the shoes.