Attitudes

Attitudes offers a nice selection of women’s clothing, & there’s always a sale rack. Helpful customer service. The reason for only 3 stars is that some items are priced 10% higher than the same items at a boutique I frequent in Napa.

So my stylist/​Huzby and I are headed to Calistoga for a one night stay at Solage (review to follow). We’re 20 minutes into the drive when he asks what shoes I brought to wear for dinner. To be clear, Mr. Grumpy has already specified what skirt and sweater I should wear and I have diligently packed both.
«You’re not planning to wear those horrible elf boots» Mr. Grumpy says while giving me the hairiest hairy eyeball he can give and still stay in his lane.
«Yes. And they’re not elf boots. They’re closed-​toed heels. It’s supposed to be pouring tonight.» I cross my arms, battening down the hatches; I can see I’m in for a tirade.
MG: «I hate those shoes. You said you were bringing the sandals I got you for Christmas.»
ME: «Oh, right. Well I wasn’t going to wear those to dinner. I was just going to wear them in the room. Anyway, I forgot the sandals. I’m not wearing sandals in the rain. «
MG: «I HATE those shoes.»
ME: «Well, hopefully it won’t ruin the night. You’re a big boy.»
MG: Glowering silence.
ME: «What do you want to do, turn around and go back for the sandals?»
MG: «You KNOW I hate those shoes. I can’t believe you forgot the sandals!»
ME: «Well it is what it is. If you really can’t stand the shoes we can probably get something else in Calistoga.»
MG: «We’d better be able to find something. God! I HATE elf boots!»
So as you can see – the pressure was on.
We get to Lincoln Ave. and park. We’ve been told there is one shoe store in town – Bella Tootsie, which we find and the shoes in the window look promising. Unfortunately it closed at 3:00, ten minutes before we showed up.
Sensing the possibility of a major fail on my part from which Mr. G may suffer irreversible upset, I grasp at the possibility that the clothing store we’re passing – Attitudes – may sell shoes. We go inside and (There MUST be a God.) there is a small wall space devoted to shoes. Mr. G looks the 12 or 15 styles over and declares there is only one acceptable pair –sandals, naturally. Unfortunately they only have them in a 6 or a 10. Thinking the 6 is likely too small (usually I’m a 6.5 or 7), it’s still the closest to my size. So I try them on, willing my feet to think small. Lo and behold, a Cinderella moment occurs. They fit exactly with no room to spare and on the very last strap hole. Not only that, they’re comfortable! Not only that, they’re on sale! Not only that, I notice a pair of elf boots (which I AM allowed to wear when we’re not dining out) and try them on and they fit! (Size 6 again: Bjorn brand must run slightly bjig.) Not only that, they’re on sale! So… Mr. G springs for the sandals and I spring for the elf boots. End result: two very satisfied customers and one evening disaster averted.
It is, of course, pouring down rain when we WALK the block and a half to dinner (SolBar) under a shared umbrella. My feet are soaked when we get there, but we sit next to the fire and my feet and sandals are dry in about 10 minutes. I do a cursory inventory. I am the only fool in the place wearing sandals. The upside? Mr. Grumpy is looking pretty happy.
Thanks to Attitudes! You saved the evening! I thank you from the bottom of my toes.