My Shoe Story | Jenna MacDonald

When I first learned about the book “Our shoes, Our Selves: 40 Women, 40 Stories, 40 Pairs of Shoes” by Bridget Moynahan and Amanda Benchley, with photographs by Melanie Dunea from Kate’s instastories I knew instantly it was a book I was going to love. I ordered it and have been admiring the beautiful photography in this coffee table style book while reading the shoe stories ever since.

This post was inspired by the book. Be sure to read to the end to find out how to share your own shoe story and have a chance to win a pair of shoes from IEN LEE, the fantastic line of shoes from Marci Ien and Diane Lee Clemons!

I can relate so much to how these women all felt and feel about their shoes. Each pair of my shoes holds a particular story or a memory of an experience that makes the shoe special every time they are worn or even just seen in my closet.

Here is my story:

I’ll never forget the first time I saw a pair of shoes with red soles. You can read the whole story here, but the abbreviated version is simply I knew that one day I would own a pair. I would own a pair and walk in them with as much confidence and poise as the lady I saw wearing them did.

These shoes have walked me through a journey. Saving money on a monthly basis to buy them; getting up the courage to go into the Louboutin boutique to try them on; praying that they would fit and be everything I hoped they would be; buying them; and finally wearing them with all of the confidence in the world.

Not many people notice the red soles. Although I LOVE them and deep down want people to notice, I am happy when they don’t. I often feel judged or as though others think I am wealthy because of this one pair of shoes that I worked hard to own. Katie Couric’s story in the book was very similar to mine when she spoke about her Chanel shoes.

When I wear my black simple pumps I feel like I can do anything.

If I am heading into a Board meeting where I need a little extra pep in my step, doing a presentation in front of hundreds of men on a topic they know far better than I do or even posing for a maternity picture when I feel super large (and not so in charge). I wear them.

I keep my shoes in my bedroom, close to me, almost like you would a baby. In fact, The Mr refers to them as my “other baby”. But like all things or people that make you feel like the best version of yourself, I cherish them.

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Be sure to check out my fellow blogger Kate Winn’s shoe story at This Mom Loves…and we want to hear your stories too!

We would love to see a photo of your special shoes (old or new, fancy or casual, anything goes), along with a description of why they are so meaningful! If you have a blog, that’s a great platform (no pun intended) for sharing, but any social media account will do, and be sure to use the hashtag #ourshoesourselves.

If you post publicly to Facebook, tag @theresashoeforthat and @thismomloves and we will share!

If you post publicly to Twitter, tag @jennamac007 and @thismomloves and we will share!

**If you post publicly to Instagram, you have a chance to win a pair of shoes from IEN LEE! Be sure to follow and tag @theresashoeforthat and @katethismomloves as well as use the hashtag #ourshoesourselves. We will share, and enter you to win the prize!**

On Tuesday, June 18th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, the giveaway will end. We will choose a winner from all those who posted on Instagram using the hashtag and tagging both of us, and that person will win the IEN LEE shoes!

Giveaway open to Canada & US residents.

Good luck! We can’t wait to hear all about your special shoes!

xo Jenna