Shoespiration – Steve Madden Sidney Dress Sandals

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August was full of adventure for me!  I was in Savannah, GA earlier in the month and had a wonderful time.  I will detail that trip in a future blog post.  I also spent time with my two Godsons and niece in SC mid-August.  We had an 80s themed party which I will also share in a future blog post.  By the end of August, we were back to photo shooting for the blog.  I cannot wait to feature that post because it deals with the legend of Moll Dyer, a local woman who lived a century or so ago and was rumored to be a witch.  Perfect post for October!  😉 

In the meantime, let us embrace what is left of summer with another segment of Lizzy’s Latest Shoespiration.  🙂  These Steve Madden sandals are quite darling with its twist and curve diamond pattern ankle straps.  The stiletto heel is approximately 4.25 inches and like many Steve Madden heels, are comfortable.  I chose the yellow hue because it matched this striped romper (yes, another romper!) perfectly.  🙂 

With heel/outfit combo selected, we decided to head South for this photo shoot.  Our roadtrip took us to Pamplin Historical Park in Petersburg, VA.  Petersburg was the site of a nearly 10-month siege between the Confederate and Union armies.  I wrote about the Battle of the Crater (July 30, 1864), one unfortunate event during the siege, in a Heels on the Battlefield segment last year. 

Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s strategy of attrition was a winning one when in the early morning hours of April 2, 1865, the Union Army penetrated the Confederate lines in what became known as the Breakthrough at Petersburg.  This catastrophic breach forced Confederate General Robert E. Lee to order the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond.  Richmond, the Confederate Capital, fell the next day and thus commenced the South’s surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Pamplin Historical Park is the site of the Union Breakthrough at Petersburg.  Today it is a 424-acre site that according to their website, “features world-class museums, antebellum homes, a National Historic Landmark Civil War battlefield…” and so much more.  It is also the largest privately owned Civil War historic site in the country.  I highly recommend a visit to Pamplin if you’re passing through the area and it is a must see for Civil War enthusiasts!  🙂

On our way out, we ran into a group of soldiers from Fort Lee Army Base.  Being from a military family myself (Dad was a Navy Lieutenant), I’m always keen on meeting people who serve and thanking them for their service.

Glenn, the tall young man, on my right side, is a professional boxer (hence the Muhammad Ali shirt 😉 )!  I’ve never known a professional boxer, so I was so excited to meet him.  He just graduated with honors from the United States Ordnance School and is now in the Army Reserves for the next two years as he pursues his boxing dreams.  Afterwards, Glenn will return to active duty and pursue his military dream of becoming a Green Beret!  Glenn is ambitious and smart and I have no doubt, he is a future Green Beret!  I am so honored to have met this man and look forward to watching him realize his dreams.  His level of perseverance and positivity is inspiring.  Everyone should have a Glenn in their life.  🙂  Follow him @mitchelltime740 on Instagram! 

Have a wonderful week!  Be on the lookout for Lizzy’s Latest 2018 Top 5 Fall Favorites.  It will be posted within the next 2 weeks.  🙂    

Style with a smile!

Replica earthworks showing what it may have looked like in 1864-1865. 

Military encampment

Another view of the earthworks

Tudor Hall Plantation – known as the “big house.”  It belonged to the Boisseaus family.  They are descended from the French Huguenots.  They were displaced by General Samuel McGowan of South Carolina in 1864 when it became his military headquarters.  The exterior of the house has been restored to its 1864 appearance.  

Earthworks consisted of a parapet and ditch.  A parapet is a dirt embankment high enough for protection from cannon and rile fire.  

The Boisseau’s tobacco barn. In 1860, 3,795,314 pounds of tobacco were cured in barns like this one. The farmers grew dark-leaf tobacco called Oronoco (high nicotine, low sugar content). Oronoco was ideal for pipes, chew, and snuff.

This statue greets you at the entrance to Pamplin. The soldiers features are so life-like, particularly the one staring at us. Every time I’ve been to Pamplin, I can’t help but stare back and ponder.

Not only is Dad my photographer, he sometimes carries my bags for me. 🙂

These heels are still available, but size and color are limited.