easy spirit, naturalizers, and Cobbie Cuddlers all make pumps made for stewardesses, teachers, and waitresses... not the fanciest of shoes, but a truely classic pump is sometimes more stylish than the latest trendy bits. ignore exaggerated toes, 'kitten' heels (used to be the 'louis' heel) and thin heels in general...and get them in a size that will let you add a good cushioning insole. My pair is a pair of Enzo's - black, soft point toe, 3" heel, nice strap at the arch, totally elegant looking without being the least wobbly, and I stole a pair of 'wolverine' boot insoles from my husband, and cut them down to fit. except for the lift, I'd never know they weren't birkenstocks ;)

Hi Marlene! So glad you made out so well-- and that you came back to share. I have to travel to find better shoes here but I did receive the Sam Edelman Morillo suede boots and they fit a little snug but since they are suede I know they will stretch. I don't love them but they'll do for now. Which did you get? Also got a pair of cole haan smoking style loafers that will be great for the transition to fall. They are striped black, natural and cream so they won't carry into winter but they are fine for now. I am told that coach boot is at the outlet so I am stalling until I can hit the store later this week. Coach doesn't always fit me well so I prefer to try them on. I am looking at a few others-- but in the price ranges I have been pushed to, I prefer to plan a trip to philly to actually try them on. I am notorious for not returning things I buy online. Tonight I am loving this shoe from Donald Pliner... it's pretty masculine but in my head it will be adorable with skinny black pants. Unfortunately that would be true of a cute skinny model.. me? not so much.

Wow! Thank you for all the responses. I'm clipping every post so I can refer back to the great advice you've given. I think y'all are right. I'll go with the black dot rather than gray. I was just afraid the black would be too stark, but there isn't very much of it. Also, a row (or two) of black pencil liner with the white subways would be just the right amount of trim. I'd love white beadboard wainscot & it would fit since we will have it some other places in the house. That's probably something DH & I would DIY. I'll also start looking at medicine cabinets. I'm assuming that the vanity should be white. I know that's not the right faucet, so I will continue to look for a cross handle. Danze has one that is reasonable. We're getting our fixtures from Ferguson's so the Mirabelle is an option. Thanks for the link. Here's another idea. What about this decolave sink that can be partially recessed: I think that would look so nice sitting on a marble top. The only problem is that it needs a single handle faucet. There are several variations on the one below. I'm just afraid it might be too "precious", but it does make me think of the hand pump I used as a kid at my grandparent's summer home. If I go single handle, an alternative is something on the order of one of these: DH & I love, love, love toile. But, I think we will use it in the breakfast nook & keeping room, so chintz is a good choice for the guest room since it is "homey". I did a quick look online & there are so many pretty patterns. I plan to sew the drapes, pillow covers, cushion, for the window seat, etc. so I'll find a pattern that has a ton of coordinates. I may also piece together a quilted coverlet & crochet a throw in colors pulled from the fabric. I have so many shampoos, lotions, etc. from hotels that I can probably supply the guest room for a decade. LOL! Actually, once we move & I have my large crafts room, I'm going to start making soap & other toiletries again. It's real soap made with lye, but not the harsh stuff great-grandma's made. It took me months & dozens of batches to perfect my formula. Anyway, I'd like to create a "house" scent blended from several fragrance oils so our guests will bath with something unique they can only get at our house. This is going to be fun. What do y'all think about the window seat? It really is charming & DH wants it. DD and I think it might be better to omit it and have what looks like a writing table, but actually is a small desk where the guest can use their laptop. I'd keep a full size USB keyboard & mouse tucked in the pull out drawer, have a surge protected power strip for the laptop & other electronics charging & they would be good to go. Honestly, I think a guest would get more out of being able to use their laptop in some peace & quiet rather than sitting on a window seat. Yes I do wish that the door to the bath could be elsewhere. The plumbing on the lower level is fixed, but they aren't suppose to start the main level until after we go there in a few weeks for the electrical, mechanical walkthrough. The main issue with changing it would be putting the tub on the outer wall. I think a guest would rather have some natural light available for shaving, etc., than having a window in the shower. I don't really want the door opening into the toilet, but I guess we could switch the vanity & the toilet and then move the door closer to the tub. I need to think about that (quickly). I don't feel the need to make the guest suite "authentic" to any specific period, I just want it to have a feeling of nostalgia, if that makes sense. Like, the guest turns a crystal or porcelain knob to enter & something tinkles around in their brain on the order of "I remember something like that from Aunt Fanny's house." The suggestions for keeping the guests comfy are fabulous. Thank you so much. I guess what I really need help with at this stage is making a decision on the sink since that drives the faucet and the plumbing. Thanks, again - Jo Ann

I don't like to shop and being in either my wheelchair or scooter it makes it difficult to get around in many stores because they pay absolutely no attention to the guidelines for clearances for aisles and make it impossible to even get through some areas. Steinmart is one of the worst. And they give me a dirty look if I accidentally hit something struggling to maneuver to get to the merchandise. They lose my business. So shopping online is a godsend for me. I hate returning because it means I have to get to the post office which I never do. But eBay, Amazon, and a few other stores get a lot of my business. I ordered a lot of stuff for the house remodel after the flood. I have found that I have good luck with certain men's shoes because I have a very flat wide foot so they fit better. I just bought a new pair of leather sandals in men's 7. I now wear a woman's 9. I wore a 7.5 for years and years then suddenly things changed.