Toe to Toe...can a shoe really can make a difference?

Can a shoe really make the difference?
Okay, so New Year's Eve is my anniversary so every year I am faced with the challenge of not only finding a NYE dress but topping the dress from the year before because I HAVE to look more beautiful (lol) than the year before for my husband (not that he demands it, he tells me I am always beautiful) but for me to feel like I am still as beautiful in his eyes.  Get it?
First I had the dress fiasco from h-e-double hockey sticks...I was so consumed with other things that on December 30th I woke up and on my way to work realized I hadn't even thought about a dress! I mean, this was unreal...2007 was by far my favorite. I loved that dress....

The dress...

And last year was okay...but this year I wanted something different. I panicked and sent out a FaceBook message desperate for help. The emails poured in, girlfriends offering up their closets and dresses, so sweet, so appreciated.
So, on a few tips, I headed to White House Black Market on my lunch hour PRAYING for a miracle.
And a miracle I found...her name was Ellen. I had driven to Short Pump Towne Center with 50 minutes and a hope of coming out with something that didn't make me look like I belonged dancing on a pole or at a prom!
I walked in, found Ellen and told her I was desperate. She quickly pulled 8 dresses and I went to work.
40 minutes, start to finish I was in and out with a respectable and amazing dress and a new found respect for salespeople during the holiday rush.
So I was good right? Well, not exactly...I had the dress, hose, Spanx (yep, never go out w/o them) but I had one more key decision to make but no more time...today...
So, I awoke on NYE morning, hit SealTeam workout an then knew I had one hour when the mall opened at 9am to get the key item that would make or break the outfit...the shoes!
Yep, the shoes...I had the safe, black sling back satin peep toe pumps. The ones I can wear to anything and fit in, but I wanted to feel young and sexy and sassy! I had gone to DSW the night before and nothing struck me. I was off - one hour, one mall and a few stores that boast shoes that could compete.
WHBM, nothing. Saxon, nothing...really? Nordstrom's - didn't even venture, I mean I do have an allowance!
Anne Taylor, H&M, etc...NOTHING. So I head to Macy's and there it was...the shoe to beat all others. It cost more than my dress! Should I dare? Should I try it on? What if I love it?
I caved...I put it on and WOW, toe to toe, this shoe vs.the standard black satin peep toe sling back pump?
I admit - no contest!
Paired with my new dress - this COULD be it. So I buy it thinking "I will take both pairs and see which pair is best come time to decide.If I don't wear them, I can return them."
Time to dress - the decision - the choice has to be made. If I wear them tonight I can't return them...
So I do my make-up, Spanx are on, dress on, hair, jewelry AND...put on one of each shoe...
WINNER,WINNER, Chicken Dinner! Okay, so I won't be buying anything else new for a month but...you tell me -

THE shoe!

If you had to choose, which one would you have picked!
Toe to toe, hands down, the sexy shoe won and it felt great!
Yes, a shoe really can make a difference (and they were comfortable all night on the dance floor)!
Run safe, run happy!
-d