Flats that are anything but

Now that I'm taking the T to work and doing lots of walking, I need a pair of super comfortable flats for my commute.  My go-to Tory Burch flats are pretty dead, so I took my friend R's advice (and Oprah's 20% discount) and got myself a pair of Tieks.

They arrived the other day in the cutest packaging, complete with a darling little flower and a handwritten note.  The box was so small I thought it was a mistake: maybe they sent me dwarf-sized Tieks?  It turns out the shoes fold up really, really small.  The nerdy origami-loving girl inside of me did a little dance of joy and wonder upon unpacking the box.

The brilliant thing about Tieks is that they have a split sole, like my favorite Capezio ballet slippers.  So they fold up right in the middle and fit compactly in a small carrying pouch.  Once folded up, they are no more than 3.5 or 4 inches long!  They could probably even fit in a small evening clutch that way.  Also included with the shoes is a fold-out bag I can use to carry the stilletos I'm not wearing for my commute, as well as pant clips that have already come in super handy.

Of course, all of this ingeniousness with the packaging would mean nothing if the shoes themselves were awful.  Fortunately, they are gloriously comfortable.  I love that the soles (in a signature turquoise color) are padded and non-skid.  And the split sole design makes the flats almost as flexible as my real ballet slippers.

Retailing at between $145 to $265 (depending on the color and style), the flats are not exactly cheap.  And I think Oprah's discount is over.  But I hear that occasionally Tieks will announce promotions on their facebook page.

Have you tried Tieks?  What are your favorite flats?  In addition to the Tory Burches, I have a pair of Bloch flats that I love too . . . .

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Laptop Fashions

As a grad student, I always tote my laptop around town, mainly because I have a fantasy of being the kind of writer who can crank out a chapter while sipping a latte and gazing dreamily out the window of some romantic cafe.

Right.  Never happens.

Nonetheless, since my MacBook does in fact go with me everywhere, I feel a need to spiff it up a bit, so that it becomes more reflective of my personality.

Image source: I Am Human

Currently, my laptop is "upholstered" in this cheerful fabric cover ($30 from I Am Human).  The bold graphic gives the laptop some style and warmth, but the best thing about the cover is that the cushiony fabric (which is adhesive, but removable) gives a bit of extra padding to the laptop.  No more ugly scratches across the aluminum body of my Macbook!

The same manufacturer also has a fun wood veneer series.  I like the Scandinavian vibe of this cover.

Image source: Michelle Christina

My old 12 in. Powerbook, which was weathered with a zillion scratches, was spiffed up with a white version of this laptop decal from Etsy seller Michelle Christina.  For $13, the decal was an inexpensive way to cover up scratches (and to distinguish my laptop from others at the airport security check).

Image source: Casauri

I've been carrying my laptop around in this Casauri case for several years.  I'm a huge fan of orange, and I like how compact and light (but yet cushiony) the case is.  But after years of commuting with it, the case is getting a bit worse for wear.  So I've been on the lookout for a replacement case.

And I think I've finally found it!

Image source: Bookbook

On Unplugged today, I came across this awesome laptop sleeve that looks like an old book.  Isn't it charming?  And perfect for a literature grad student?

The leather hard case comes in a few different colors/designs, all of which look like vintage hardcover books.  My only quibble with it is its price: $79.99 seems a bit much to pay for a laptop sleeve, no?  And I wish one could customize the case with a favorite book title or author, etc.

Do you carry your laptop with you?  If so, do you have a cover or a case you love?

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