Hey B&B friends! I’m always excited to share amazing sources of glamspiration with you, and this time around I’ve interviewed the ah-mazingly stylish and inspirational shoe-loving founder of The Shoe Maven blog! I caught up with the shoe-lover to learn about her fabulous collection of heels and how she’s bringing awareness to Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease .
You have an exquisite shoe collection! When did you fall in love with shoes?
Thank you! I have loved shoes for as long as I can remember. My family has shared many stories of my love for shoes as a little girl, dating all the way back to when I was a toddler. One of the funnier stories involved me trying to make my own shoes out of Kotex. I was about four years old and had no idea what they were really used for. All I knew was they were shape-able and they would stay on my feet.
You were diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). Can you tell me more about this condition and how it impacted your lifestyle?
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive neurological disease that causes nerve cells in a certain area of the brain to die. The affected cells are responsible for producing dopamine, a chemical that helps coordinate proper muscle movement. As a result, people living with Parkinson’s disease experience problems with body movements and other functions. The cause of Parkinson’s Disease is not known, and there is currently no cure. People diagnosed at 40 years of age or younger are considered to have young onset Parkinson’s disease or early onset Parkinson’s.
You launched your TSM Originals T-Shirt line. What’s the significance of these motivational designs?
TSM Originals graphic tees not only serve as a creative, fashionable outlet for me, but are also consistent with my goal to make a difference in the quest to cure Parkinson’s. For each shirt purchased, TSM donates $5.00 to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s disease research. One hundred percent of the monies we donate to MJFF are used to fund research to find a cure.
You’ve overcome extreme adversity with Parkinson’s, and it still affects you daily. How do you remain motivated and driven?
I have to admit, it is a challenge at times. I found it incredibly difficult to remain positive before I had the first Deep Brain Stimulation procedure, but my faith in God kept me strong and positive. And, I refuse to let this disease steal my life. I have the support of a loving husband, and I have been blessed with an amazing little boy. Parkinson’s can’t take that away. I owe it to myself and to my family to get up everyday and live my life to the fullest. That mindset inspired my “Heels On, Head Up, It’s A New Day” shirt.
Some people perceive shoes as just a fashionable accessory, why do they mean so much to you and your mission for TSM?
Shoes are amazing accessories, but I appreciate them even more now. Parkinson’s Disease affects each person differently. For me, the disease and the side effects of the medicine made it difficult for me to balance. As the disease progressed, I was unable to wear most of the heels in my collection for fear of falling or breaking my ankle. Instead, I wore a lot of flats before I had my first Deep Brain Stimulation (“DBS”) procedure in August 2013. After the surgery, my balance drastically improved, and I was able to wear my favorite heels again. The Shoe Maven is a celebration of the wonderful benefits I have experience from DBS. TSM enables me to express my love for shoes and fashion, and provides a place to share my story with those who may be dealing with Parkinson’s or similar adversity in their lives.
What tips do you have for storing and maintaining a large shoe collection?
Great question! A shoe closet would be ideal. I have a Pinterest board full of shoe closets I would love to have, but it is also economically unrealistic for me (like most people). With or without a shoe closet, organization is key. My husband picked up some cubby storage units at a local thrift shop. The cubbies work well because I can easily see the shoes and they don’t take up much space – unlike when they are in boxes. I also have my collection organized by style (wedges, flats, etc.) and color. With shoes that I don’t wear too often, i.e., formal shoes, I store them in their original boxes and dust bags.
What’s your personal mantra?
I love the Maya Angelou quote: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. Please remember that your difficulties do not define you. They simply strengthen your ability to overcome.”
What else can we expect from TSM? Any exciting news that you’d like to share?
I recently launched a new feature entitled “Wear it Three Ways,” which will feature a new item each week styled in three different looks. I will be releasing some new shirt designs under the TSM Originals label in the next few months. Most importantly, I am working on a new fundraising campaign that I hope to launch next April. Stay tuned.
Head over to theshoemaven.com to see Tonya’s amazing shoes collection and to snag your very own TSM Orignials T-shirt.
Ciao Bellas,
