This week's obsession: gladiator sandals

Gimme a good pedicure and a great pair of sandals
(like these from Sam Edelman @ Nordstrom Rack).

Government, law, civil engineering, art, the Roman alphabet, architecture and... the gladiator sandal. These are some of the great things ancient Rome gave to the world.  

A few of my favorites as we get ready to step into summer (especially with this heat wave!):

Pair these Circus by Sam Edelman sandals with this.

A snakeskin print to liven it up a bit.

A fashion hit and enduring years after its debut (and now on sale!).

If you want to splurge.

The cork sole and high ankle strap make this one stand out.

I love the delicate rope detail on this pretty sandal.

I wouldn't dare but if you feel so inclined.

Only 38 days til summer (but what happened to spring?).

You are what you eat

This new documentary confirms my suspicions: too much sugar is killing us. Go see it and let me know what you think. Propaganda piece or truth?

Happy mama's day

Today's your natal day;

Sweet flowers I bring:

Mother, accept, I pray

My offering.

And may you happy live;

And long us bless:

Receiving as you give

Great happiness.

--Christina Rossetti (1830-94)

No one's smile

Has ever warmed my heart

Like yours does;

No one's laughter

Fills my heart with delight

As quickly as yours can.

--Barbara Cage

Links may06

see/read/watch

• The world's most colossal statues. (Slate) 

• Kimye tone it down for this year's Met Gala. (Marie Claire)

• Firstborn children dream bigger, achieve more. (The Atlantic)

• Female breadwinners: a threat to society? (Elle)

• Speaking of female breadwinners, former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts is joining Apple for $68 million. (Fashionista)

Photo of Guan Yu Statue by Fabrice Fouillet. (LensCulture)
 

Maps... (a different view)

 

We've been making maps for thousands of years. From Paleolithic cave paintings of the night sky and Cuneiform clay tablets found in Kirkuk to European exploration of the Americas and Google Earth, maps help us explain, define and navigate our way through the world. 

When I was a kid, I would spend many lazy summer afternoons studying my treasured globe. I loved that thing. Sometimes I would close my eyes, spin that blue orb and wherever my finger landed would be the place I would "travel." Morocco. Bali. The Sahara. Such a big world, I thought. I wonder what all these people are doing right now.    

Maps tell us stories. One of my favorite travel sites, Urbane, creates maps that characterize physical places by social connotations. For example, instead of making a map of Manhattan neighborhoods with names like the Upper East Side, Spanish Harlem and Tribeca, Urbane uses crowd-sourced adjectives like "rich and white," "zone of perceived danger" and "apartments you can't afford." Yep. Pretty much sums up NYC.

Check out this brilliant map of Seattle.

And this one, explaining London.

   
Demystifying Colonial-era neighborhoods in Boston.

And getting the low down on Dallas.

Toronto, San Francisco, Miami, Mexico City, Portland, Philly, New Orleans, Seoul. If you've ever lived in any of these cities, nodding in agreement to the inside jokes will provide a deep sense of satisfaction. On the flip side, if you've never been to these places you'll just have to visit and find out for yourself.

Now close your eyes, point to a place on the map and see where your finger lands. Then go there. Happy travels!  
     

All maps designed by Urbane. (If you don't see your city, let them know!)