Payless in Manila! (and I don't mean instant mami)

Thanks to Sol and a massive billboard along South Superhighway (which I managed to spot only today despite passing by that road every.single.day), I just found out that Payless Shoesource will open its first retail store in the Philippines on July 30!  And the first store will be in Festival Mall, Alabang (Yippee!)

I love Payless. I haven't really owned a lot of Payless shoes in my lifetime, but I do remember all of them.  Like those Mary Janes I wore as school shoes in 7th grade (and lasted the entire school year!)  Or that ugly but functional all-weather boots that I had to get because I didn't bring shoes appropriate for walking in the snow.  Or that silver thong sandals that I purchased days before my brother's wedding (because I thought the bridesmaids were supposed to wear gold shoes, and I only brought gold shoes with me!).

Beyond their merchandise, what I appreciate most about Payless is the set up of their retail stores.  Displays are organized by shoe size, and the stocks are easily within reach of the customers.  No need to call a sales assistant to get your shoe size in the backroom, it's all there for the taking!  I hope the local Payless stores are organized that way as well.  Which may eventually force the other local shoe brands to follow suit.

According to this article, the local stores will follow the sales schedule in the U.S.  I'm salivating already.

Now it's time for my wishlist:

The Patricia Field Clover Necklace (US$12.99)

Inspired by this necklace designed by Patricia Field for Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City 2 (as an aside, this necklace and the other accessories of the SATC2 ladies were the only redeeming factors of that film):

And this one:

Christian Siriano Saunter Flats (US$29.99)

Unfortunately, I will have to wait at least two months for this pair.  According to this article, the Christian Siriano line will only be available in September.  Bummer.

The soft opening is on Wednesday, July 28.  I'm actually tempted to rush there after work.  Somebody stop me (not!)