Rage Against Uncomfortable Shoes

A post shared by Sara Cotner (@saracotner) on Mar 4, 2017 at 8:20pm PST

I find myself in a bit of a conundrum on a daily basis. I would be better at my job if I dressed more professionally. As an Executive Director of a non-profit organization, I have to raise a lot of money (millions), and I have to convince people that we can turn an ambitious vision into a reality. And whether I like it or not, my appearance is connected to my capacity to do that. I'm the girl who doesn't like to waste time or money with makeup. I only like comfortable shoes. And I don't like shopping. I don't want to waste time doing my hair every day. It's not a pretty combination. 

So when I find something that looks half-way professional and is comfortable, I'm ecstatic! Like these shoes I just got from Rothy's. They are made from recycled plastic and they are machine-washable. They are really comfortable (lots of padding for flats). So far, so good!

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How to Create a Letter Writing Station

If you've been following my blog the past couple of months, you know I am completely swamped with work stuff and just trying to keep my head above water. (As a side note, I enjoyed reading this article, which included this quote: "We're expected to do our jobs as if we don't have children — and then raise our children as if we don't have jobs.")

But right before the big tsunami of work stuff hit, I had a period where I was actually able to attain some balance. During that [very brief] period, I cleaned out the drawers in my bedside table and created a letter writing station, so that I could easily get back into the habit of sending hand-written correspondence. 

Oh, how I used to be such a cool and interesting person before I had children! I used to write letters! And send quirky postcards! 

It will be quite a while before I can regain the glory of my old days, but I at least wanted to make it easier on myself to send an occasional hand-written correspondence. 

Our bedside tables are old filing cabinets (found on Craigslist) that Matt spray painted. They have two drawers and then a really deep drawer for hanging files. We went with this option so that we could easily hide away clutter. 

Once one of the drawers was cleaned out, I filled it with cards, postcards, and stationary. I also have a clipboard so I can write while sitting on my bed. I have a pen, my address stamper, and postage stamps. Everything I need is in one location! It's incredibly easy to complete the whole post-card writing process is less than five minutes. 

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Boots!

Divine boots by Naot

For some reason, I've gotten it in my head that I want to wear leggings and tunics through the fall and winter. And since Texas does get cold enough to require socks, I'm thinking that I need to get a pair of boots to complete the ensemble.

But, as some of you may know, I'm quite picky about shoes. If I'm going to invest money in a pair of boots, they need to be good for my feet, comfortable, durable, and cute. It's a tall order, for sure!

I went back to your recommendations for shoe brands. By the way, I appreciated your recommendations for sandals so much! I ended up wearing the ones Jessie recommended all summer long (and plan to wear them next summer, too).

I also think I'll need to get a pair of skinny jeans to wear with them (which I have been resisting since the start of the fad--I'm really not a trendy dresser). I'm also thinking about skirts and tights.

I have no idea why I'm thinking about clothes and shoes like this. Perhaps I've been reading too many blogs? I don't even have a category that this post fits into!

Bitsy by Born

Knowl by Born

Paige Tall by Frye

Melissa Trapunto by Frye

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Henry the Hacker

I was just writing a post while sitting on my bed with Henry next to me. I left for a second to check on something. When I came back 30 seconds later, Henry had scooched himself to the computer and started touching the key board. He totally saved the post and then navigated away from it. He could have just as easily published it. Egad!

So if you see something totally random pop up as a post, you'll know who the #1 suspect is.

And he looks so innocent!

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Are You into Graphic Design?

I desperately want to redesign the header on this blog (it doesn't even match up with the actual name of of the blog, which is Feeding the Soil!), but I am seriously lacking the creative inspiration needed to undertake such an endeavor.

I'm wondering if there are any graphic designers (or wannabe graphic designers!) among you who might like to enter a contest to redesign the header? I'm brainstorming prizes like free enrollment in my Purposeful Conception course? Or maybe a box of maternity clothes? Or a box of books about pregnancy? Or a $30 gift card to Williams-Sonoma + a $25 gift card to Starbucks?

If you've got design skills and an interest in entering such a contest (you could pick your own prize from the above list), please leave a comment! Depending on the responses, I'll figure out if a contest makes sense. I could also throw in a permanent link to your blog or business website at the bottom of the page to thank you for your contribution.

Let me know what you think!

s.

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UPDATE: Based on the responses so far, the contest is officially on! A commenter pointed out that the design community has disdain for contests such as these, so I wanted to draw your attention to the issue. My intention is not to disrespect any of you. The winner will hopefully feel like the small prize + a permanent advertisement (as long as I'm using the header) is sufficient appreciation for their work.

Here's how to enter:

• Submit a .jpg of a new header for Feeding the Soil that is exactly the same width and approximately the same height as the current header via e-mail. If the file is too large to send, you can upload it somewhere online and send me the link to download. I will respond to every submission I receive, so if I don't respond within 24 hours, it probably means I didn't receive the file.
• Submissions will be considered on a rolling basis, starting after August 1. You can submit your entry before then, but I won't start thinking about the winner until after August 1. After August 1, the contest will stay open until a winner is selected. I will update this post once a winner is selected, so if you're reading this post and it doesn't include a winner, then the contest is still open.
  
• You may enter as many designs as you want!
• You may e-mail me with any questions you have. I'd be happy to help in any way I can (answering questions like, "I think font A is more my style than font B.") As long as the questions are easy (I'm thinking multiple choice!).
  
• If your design is selected, I may ask you to make a few slight modifications to the design. If you are up for making the requested changes, the prize will be yours. If you feel like the changes would compromise your work too much, then the prize will go to someone else.
  
• If your design is chosen, you may pick one prize from the following list: 1) free enrollment in my Purposeful Conception course for you and your partner 2) A box of maternity clothes mailed to your doorstop 3) A box of books about pregnancy mailed to your doorstop 4) A $30 gift card to Williams-Sonoma + a $25 gift card to Starbucks
• Your work will be acknowledged (and celebrated!) with an advertisement in the sidebar of my site, as long as I use the header you design.
  

I'm really looking forward to this!

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Shoes!

I know this post sounds like another vapid maternity leave post, but I'm actually here, typing next to my sleeping (although he's in the process of waking) baby.

But I really want to talk about shoes.

It's a funny topic for me because unlike many bloggers I know (and non-blogging women, too), I am not a shoe person. I spend a lot of money to get durable, comfortable shoes, and then I wear them for years. For real. Case in point: the shoes pictured above are pretty much the shoes I wear on a daily basis. The picture was taken in India in 2005 (and I actually got the shoes a year earlier!).

For the past seven years, Dansko--the shoes of nurses and teachers--has been my go-to brand. They are expensive, but the clogs last forever, and they are good on my feet. I'm convinced they've helped me avoid the Curse of the Bunions that plagues the rest of the women in my family.

But now I'm on the lookout for new sandals, and Dansko is totally letting me down. Everything looks so dowdy! I'm thinking it might be time to branch into a new brand.

But, I still want shoes that are comfortable, durable, and good for my feet.

Any shoe brand recommendations that fit the bill?

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iPod Applications?

Refrigerator magnets

I realize that I've already said goodbye and signed off for the year, but I have too many post ideas piling up. I need to express some of them before I bring engorgement upon myself (can you tell I've been learning more about breast feeding today?).

Really, this post isn't so much an idea as much as it is a request. You see, I have an iPhone, but I am terrible about using technology to its fullest capabilities. As I thought about using Microsoft Word to create a tracking sheet for our baby's eating/peeing/pooping/etc., I remembered that someone around these parts has already mentioned there's an app for that.

So, please, tell me what I'm missing! What apps do you find helpful for new parenthood? What about life in general?

Please share your wisdom!

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REMINDER: Registration is now open for the next Purposeful Conception Course: Preparing Your Mind, Body, and Life for Pregnancy, which starts on January 2. Register today!

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Happy Birthday, Mama!

Today is my dear mom's birthday. (Happy Birthday, Mom!)

I have to confess that I get her the exact same present for every single one of her birthdays: I make a photo calendar of the past year. (But it's okay because you like it, right Mom?). I figure I get more creative and original for Christmas and Mother's Day, so it's nice to have a good ol' standby for the third holiday.

Snapfish always does a speedy and satisfactory job printing and mailing the calendar. I always search retailmenot for a coupon before I place my order. This year, I saved a ton (although I would have paid full price for you, Mom...).

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We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Broadcast

I've been working on a few blog updates (as part of my master plan for summer vacation). I wanted to bring a few of them to your attention.

Without further ado:

1. I now have an RSS feed in the right-hand sidebar beneath my profile. I didn't even know I didn't have one (it's dangerous when we don't know what we don't know). Thanks to Michelle for requesting one! Please let me know if it works...
2. You'll notice there are new buttons at the bottom of every post. If you're feeling generous, please click on them sometimes. They'll help me spread the word about my little humble corner of the internet. I promise to do the same thing when I'm on your blogs!
3. The Facebook like button at the bottom of each post is a great way for me to get feedback from you about what kind of posts you like. It's kind of like the democracy of blogging. The more votes particular posts get, the more clues I'll get about what your favorite topics are or which ideas resonate with you.

I think that's it for now! As always, let me know if you have feedback on things I can do to improve my blog.

Thanks!

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Flash Mobs?

Apparently I am not up on my pop culture (no surprise there) because I am just now learning what the heck a "flash mob" is.

I so desperately want to be part of one of these. Is anyone planning one any time soon?

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Dry Cleaning (or Lack Thereof)

I have a confession to make. I don't take a single thing to the dry cleaners. I just can't bring myself to do it! a) It's expensive. b) I can't even begin to imagine what kind of chemicals go into the process. c) I barely have time to exercise, yet alone swing by a dry cleaners.

So, in general, I try to avoid those dreaded "dry clean only" labels (yes, it is hard for me to shop for professional clothing).

However, when I do by something that is supposedly "dry clean only" I usually end up putting it through the wash on cold using the gentle cycle (and air drying). That's what I did with my new favorite professional pants from Banana Republic. These pants seriously feel like yoga pants. I don't even want to take them off when I come home. The good news is they made it through the washing machine! (Granted, they may get worn out more quickly because I'm bucking the system, but we'll see...). They shrunk a bit in terms of length and fullness, but I can definitely live with the shrinkage (hopefully it's a one-time deal...).

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