Wednesday, August 09, 2006

The Croc Craze

Guapo's vacation came to an end today. He's off to some meetings and then on to Mexico. The kids and I have about another week. It was sad to see him go, so we really needed a really fun activity.

Shoe shopping is always a happy event, so that's just what we did.

Although I am a Colorado native, I have resisted the Croc fad like the plague. Why you ask? Because they scare me. Why you ask? They scare me because they are so ugly and all I hear about them is how comfortable they are. As I put comfort above all else (I once lived in grey sweats from Old Navy for two years. Oh how Guapo hated those sweats!), my fear is that if I were to own these hideous shoes, they are all that I would wear.

I have also resisted because they cost $30.00 and they are made of plastic. Did you know if you purchase them to big, you can actually cook them down to size? Right in the comfort of your very own kitchen. I have done it in the oven, but *they* say you can even do it in your microwave! I just didn't feel comfortable putting plastic in the microwave and pressing start.

Santa brought Margarita (8 yrs old) a pair of pink Crocs for Christmas last year and darn if she hasn't worn them practically every day since then and they are still living. Ever since her declaration of hating the color pink several months ago (but still being willing to wear the pink ones), she has been angling for blue Crocs.

So, with Guapo out of the picture, I was once again free to shop. Here's what went down:

That's right. I am the proud owner of some very ugly, very comfortable Crocs. Notice that I bought them in tan so that I can wear them with EVERYTHING.

Sorry Fashionista SIL, I know this is hard for you to see.

24 comments:

Blackeyedsue said...

I gotta get me some Crocs.

Millie said...

Yeah, I can't do it either. I'll stick with my out-of-style Birks.

Anonymous said...

Are they really THAT comfortable? In the 80s, my mom refused to let us wear the plastic jelly shoes. I was so distraught. Your children are lucky to have you.

Super Happy Girl said...

Just tonight Fashionista and I were at the mall, looking at a crock display, wondering out loud "who likes those things?". HA!

I know your SIL is crying somewhere, and she doesn't even know why.

But now, somehow, you got me thinking, perhaps they are really comfortable and cool somehow? I love the fact that you bought them in tan so you can wear them with anyhting.
Perhaps even a pair of Old Navy grey sweats?

Lana said...

we have crocs, even though I made fun of my sister when she got hers because they are so ugly!

H wants to go shopping next week on her birthday and crocs are on her list too, I didn't know you could bake them.

BTW, they are perfect for pool wear and shleeping around between pool and yard.

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha...I actually broke down and got my kids Crocs in the Philippines during our vacation since the colors and sizes we wanted were out of stock in Houston (at least in the stores we went to)! After a while, they begin to look cool and cute on my kids' feet (hot pink for her and black for him).

Small town has them too! I just saw a store selling Crocs for the same price as in the States! Will let you know if I get then too.

Seems like you're feeling better now.

Deannna - Younique Presenter said...

those things are so comfy, I got me some a while back for house shoes in Mexico and several times they have made there way out of the house on my feet. My style is a little different and every time I wear them my son ask for "cool shoes" too!

Kristine said...

I have the same color blue as one of your kids and I wear them with everything. I actually waited a year before getting them...you will love them...but beware...they do become your footwear of choice! Congratulations on taking the complete plunge into family Crocwear!

Anonymous said...

FYI: Crocs are made in Boulder, CO and being a loyal Boulderite, I broke down and bought a pair too. However, I bought mine in bright purple thinking, "Since these are so ugly, I might as well buy them in an ugly color." Oh, my kids have the Payless version of them too and they live in them. Only $15 for the knock offs.

Valarie said...

have they replaced all your new cute shoes yet? I have the same reservations as you- with them being ugly, expensive plastic and all.

utmommy said...

I had the same exact problem. They are so ugly, but oh so comfortable. I now own 3 pairs, pink, purple, & black. However, I was cheap and bought mine at Wal-Mart for $9.00 each.

Kristen said...

I have avoided the Croc craze, too. Being a Colorado native, last summer that is all I saw. I don't see them as much this year. I've considered at least purchasing my kids a pair, but haven't yet gotten around to it. I should since comfortable shoes are so rare!

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you out shoe shopping again. Hope that means you are feeling better. I am happy Margarita got her blue crocs. As you know, I haven't given in yet, but I agree that they do start to look cute on my kids feet. I am sure that nothing could ever be as cozy and comfortable as the grey sweats though.

Paulette said...

Hey I have purple, Blue, and Black and they are the most COMFORTABLE shoes in the world. I also have orange nike shocks and my CROC's are more comfy. LOL I saw some for infants the other day!!

Anonymous said...

Gabriela, I saw $120 worth of plastic shoes in that picture. This is disturbing, very disturbing. There are other hobbies out there...

Gabriela said...

abc momma: I don't know yet, I'll report soon. Ewww, I always hated those jellies. Hopefully those don't make a come back.

BOFF: I still own the grey sweats. I think you're right, they may look great together.

k-squared's mom: Hi!!!! I am emailing you soon. Where are they selling them in Small Town???

amerimeximadre: I really like them for my kids, easy on, easy off and the LAST like crazy.

Kristine: Thank you!

txmommy: yep, I baked Juan Carlos's down probably 2 sizes.

Janice: I did not know about the Croc knock-offs. That would have been nice.

Valerie: All of my other new shoes are making me feel nauseated. They are hidden in a suitcase.

utmommy: $9???? Man, I spent too much.

Jules: I am feeling a bit better down here in Boulder, I think it may have to do with the altitude. And no, nothing will every beat the grey sweats. I still can't believe you don't have yours anymore!!!

Kristen: Great, so now I am wearing ugly shoes that are going out of style. Sounds about right.

Paulette: sounds like I'll be wearing them a lot.

Guapo: NO COMMENT. Ok, well, one comment, my mom tried to talk me into getting you a big pair of red ones and I held my ground that you would NEVER be caught dead in red Crocs.

Gabriela said...

Oh wait!

Steph: maybe want to think about payless or Walmart.

Millie/Playdoh/Naddin j: I never got into Birks. Strange seeing I was living in Boulder at the time of their peak popularity.

Anonymous said...

WHAT A CROCK!

Code Yellow Mom said...

I'm still resisting the fad...but cute pic. And tan is very chic, as well as versatile. :)

Paulette said...

Haaaaaaaaaaa Guapo, I dont think she is listening lol, your a good hubby and it will make her feel not quite so sick??

Bright One said...

I had to laugh because my blog today ran along the same lines...trying to resist a fad. Your feet look so cute in them. I saw a perfectly horrid picture on the front of some tabloid at the Dentist's office that showed Jack Nicholson wearing them and that pretty much sealed it for me but they do look cute on you!

Grammy said...

Wow! Just look at all the really TAN legs. You guys are amazing! Last new years' eve just before closing (in a fit of envy over my DIL's fake crocs) we all headed to payless for knock offs. They had no 1/2 sizes, so I bought the slightly too small ones - since L assured me that hers gave over time. Mind did not. There's nothing more uncomfortable than a pair of ugly shoes 1/2 a size too small. Yuck!

Erickson Family said...

You all look so cute, but I still can't see myself in a pair of crocs. And I'm not even a shoe person! My shoes are generally ugly.

Maybe if they were tan.........

Anonymous said...

What temperature do you bake them at? I have a pair that are a size too big and I'd love to shrink them, but don't want to melt them either!