In this new series, Shopping for a Living, things are going to get a little bit personal. Believe it or not, there are workplace hazards in this field. Sure, benefits, too. What’s weird is that they’re sometimes the same. The simple fact is that I have many, many opportunities to acquire goods and services because it’s my business to be in the shops constantly. Great: lovely clothing, accessories, and helpful contacts. Not so great: Closet space and bank balances. There are worse problems to have—for instance, what if I didn’t have a place to blog about these acquaintances and acquisitions?

In my head there is a list and on this list are about six or seven essential wardrobe items for women living in Seattle in the ’10s. A slightly slouchy, long-ish navy cashmere cardigan, for instance. A really nice but lightweight canvas tote—for downtown shopping days. And, a pair of driving moccasins.

We’re a city of drivers. Yes, it’s high time we get in the habit of busing, biking, and walking more, but until such time as we do, I for one need to pay better attention to the shoes I’m burning fuel in.

Example A: The Dieppo Restrepo booties I purchased at Totokaelo and have included here. I happened into them on some work-related errand or another back in early January, and couldn’t really refuse their practical beauty. They’ve served me well, but I haven’t been that good to them. I noticed a few weeks ago that the wood strips on the stacked heel had become so rubbed and worn by the rubber floor mats in my car that a really unpleasant frayed, fringe-y thing was happening. Like something had chewed the back of the heel and left the scraps to flap in time with my footsteps. Totally not cool.

I should have learned my lesson the last time this happened, and I should have been all set after I purchased a pair of driving shoes, but I guess this makes clear my status as a slow learner.

But maybe not when it comes to repair. Earlier this fall I followed the advice of one of my favorite hair stylists and tried Admiral Shoe Repair, and I haven’t been anywhere else since.

When I took my disgraced boots to Admiral’s owner and solitary repair guy Peter Ahn, he took a look at the damage and without batting an eye said, “You need them tomorrow?” I had a small heart attack—most shoe repair shops in Seattle keep your best pairs for three weeks—and said, “Oh, no, don’t worry. No rush.” He told me to come back in two days time. Which I did, and found my navy blue favorites as good as new. I am definitely not going anywhere else ever again.

The moral of this little ditty is two-fold: 1) When putting pedal to the metal, be mindful of your heel and your floor mat, and whether the latter is damaging the former. 2) If and when you find yourself with footwear in need of fixing, get yourself to Admiral Shoe Repair. In my experience, Ahn’s the best in town.