Brunch with Brittany
Welcome to Brunch with Brittany, the podcast where meaningful conversations meet fun and laughter! Join your host, Brittany Gonzalez, every week as she dives into the world of relationships, beauty, fashion, and self-improvement. Designed to be your go-to brunch companion, this podcast is all about empowering women and creating a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Whether you’re looking for tips on navigating modern relationships, advice on leveling up your financial game, or just a good laugh, Brunch with Brittany has got you covered. Brittany brings in inspiring guests from all walks of life to share their stories and insights, ensuring that each episode leaves you feeling motivated and uplifted.
Tune in for engaging discussions, practical advice, and plenty of humor. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode, and join the conversation on social media @Brunchwithbrittany. Let’s brunch and elevate together!
Brunch with Brittany
Champagne Moments: How Dressing Up Transforms Your Day
Do you ever find yourself saving your best clothes and favorite perfumes for a special occasion that never seems to come? Imagine the positive shift in your day-to-day life if you decided to wear your cherished items more often. Join me, Brittany Gonzalez, as I explore the power of dressing up and how using our favorite things can uplift our spirits and attract positive vibes. I share memorable anecdotes, like that unexpected glass of champagne I received just for looking my best, to illustrate the profound impact of breaking free from the "save it for later" mindset.
Ever wondered why Gen Z is swapping stilettos for sneakers at the club, while we millennials swear by our towering heels? In this episode, I take a nostalgic look back at my own fashion sacrifices—those six-inch stilettos that made me feel fabulous despite the discomfort. We dive into the generational divide in fashion and how each era's preferences bring their own joy and confidence. Whether you're a sneaker lover or a high-heel enthusiast, there's something relatable here for everyone who values personal style over fleeting trends.
Finally, I guide you through the art of balancing style and comfort with the right heels for every occasion. From skinny heels with a square bottom to versatile block heels and classic pumps, I’ve got tips to ensure you look elegant without compromising on comfort. Nude heels and classic black pumps are wardrobe essentials that can save the day when you need them most. Whether you're a high-heel devotee or a sneaker aficionado, celebrate your unique style with me and find out how to elevate your everyday outfits effortlessly.
Welcome back to Brunch with Brittany. Grab your drink, whatever it is, and let's start brunching, all right? So if you're that person who never uses your favorite things okay, maybe it's lighting your favorite candle or wearing your favorite outfit you're saving it for the right moment. This is the episode for you. Okay, I am guilty of this, I have been guilty of this, but no longer I am free. All right, so let's get into it.
Speaker 1:So, yes, if you're that person, like I said never wearing your best clothes, never using your favorite perfume, right, like? You know that that scent makes you feel good, it makes you happy, but you're like, no, I'll save it for, like, when I'm really dressed up, or I'll save it for a special occasion, right? Maybe you're not using your beautiful plating when you're having dinner. You know, you're like I'm going to use a plastic while I'm eating. Unless I have someone over then I'll take out the nice plates, things like that. This could actually be a subtle sign that you are not doing well mentally, that you're not in a good place, and that's what that looks like. And you're thinking like, well, you know, I don't feel good, I'm not feeling my best, so I'm not going to use my best products, but that could actually be the reason why you're not feeling good, because you're not using your favorite products that make you feel good, right. So it's almost like this thing where you're causing it, or you're prolonging that feeling and not even realizing it. Because how good do you feel when you spray that perfume on you and you go out smelling good? Maybe you'll get a compliment, right, something you weren't expecting. And then it makes you feel better, it lifts your spirits up, and I have been guilty of like I would buy you know same thing a nice perfume and save it for special occasions. Or a certain pair of heels Wouldn't wear them Sometimes I wouldn't. I have stuff in my closet that I would not wear ever. Like it would just sit with a tag on it and I'd be like for for a certain occasion, right. Like when I, when I go out of on a trip or something you know, or something happened in that trip never happened and the outfit stays in there, or that outfit no longer fits you, like you, like it did, right, you went by, you took so much time. That outfit doesn't even look the same on you. All of these things are really actually things that could be affecting your mental health and how you're feeling and going about your day.
Speaker 1:Um, you know, even dressing nice, right like dressing, like dressing up, now, for me it takes a lot of energy and time to put into it, but I've always found that it's worth it. I don't know if you've noticed, but people, unfortunately, are kinder to you when you're dressed up, when you're dressed nice, when you look nice. You know, I remember even one time I went to a restaurant, right, and I was dressed really nice. I was loving my outfit, I was wearing like a nice brunch dress, I had my hair done really well, my makeup, like I felt really good about myself. So I was waiting on a table and I'm sitting out in like the waiting area, just, you know, waiting for the table, and some one of the management had walked by. Right, an employee walked by and he goes oh, he's like where's your champagne glass? And I was like I laugh, like no, you're right, I do need a champagne in my in my hand right now. So, whatever, okay, I go back into my phone. I wasn't, actually, it wasn't even into my phone, but at some point I do remember picking it up anyways. So I'm just sitting there looking around Next thing. I know the guy comes around the corner with a glass of champagne for me, complimentary, just was like here you go, and literally it was just because I look nice and I was like that's it. You know, that's all it took, but it it made me smile, it made me feel in a better mood, even though I was already in a good mood. But it's weird how the world will work more in your favor when you present yourself nicely versus had.
Speaker 1:I went to that restaurant and I'm wearing, you know, sandals and I'm wearing, you know, cut out jean shorts, which there's a time and a place for that. Trust me, I have some in my closet. But when you're going to a nice restaurant, you're definitely going to want to be dressed up, dressed nicer, just because to me that's like better etiquette. But, like I said, I don't know why, but people are nicer to you when you're dressed nicely. And then you know it also opens up conversations. You know you're wearing a conversation piece like this is one of my favorite outfits I've ever gotten myself. It's like gives me Barbie vibes. It's pink. I mean, one girl doesn't love pink, as you can see. I'm pink on pink, okay, but yeah, so I wore this I think it was actually when the Barbie movie came out.
Speaker 1:I specifically bought this outfit for the Barbie movie and I went with a group of girls and we had like one of the best nights all dressed up, all in pink, and I was like, okay, I have not worn this outfit since and I'm mad at myself for that because I'm like why? It's cute? Reuse, reuse it. You know, even though I know we get kind of like we can't get caught in the same outfit. We need to stop doing that to each other, ladies. Okay, if something looks good, then we can re-wear it. All right, stop judging the girls for re-wearing outfits. We have a lot sometimes, but sometimes stuff just looks good the way it looks good.
Speaker 1:You know, like going to the grocery store. Oh, my goodness, I used to go to the grocery store, so I'm embarrassed to admit how badly dressed I would go Not even just PJs, like close to bleachained clothes type of clothes to the grocery store. Not that they were, but it might as well have been Like I would just go so ratty and I remember my hair would never be done. I'd have it like frizzy, no makeup, you know, dressed down, and then, because of what I do. People would run into me and like recognize me.
Speaker 1:And I remember one time I saw was a these grocery store employees they were out one night, right ran into them and they come over, they say, hi, we talk. And I was like, yeah, I know, you know, mentions me about the way I was dressed. And I go, I know I go kind of crazy when I go into the grocery store. And they all looked at each other and they were like, yeah, yeah, like that, right, like that, right, like, like they've talked about it, okay, like they've noticed they talked about it. They didn't understand it. And then meanwhile in my head I'm like I'm just here to get groceries and go home, right, like. And I remember dragging my feet around the store. I just didn't feel good Really. Then I tried going to the grocery store dressed up completely different experience. I was in a better mood. You know I would definitely more people would speak to me when I was at the grocery store and sometimes I know you don't want that. You're like please, nobody talk to me, nobody acknowledge me. I'm not a people person and I get that.
Speaker 1:But overall, just to feel good for yourself, dress up, wear that outfit that you've been wanting to wear for no reason, like, don't have those dresses in your closet that you're not going to wear, or you're going to wait until, like, oh, a gala night. No, honey, I'm wearing whatever I feel like wearing. If I feel like dressing up, I'm wearing it. And sometimes I know you've run into those people who go oh, you're like, wow, you're overdressed, or I didn't know we were dressing up. You ever been around people like that? Listen, they are projecting on you, just so you know. Okay, they did not feel good enough or take the time to dress themselves up. And seeing you all dressed up and looking good makes them feel bad about themselves. And I've had girlfriends be like, oh, I was going to dress up, but I know we were just going to do something casual. And I've had girlfriends be like, oh, I was going to dress up, but I know we were just going to do something casual. And I always tell them no, no, no, no, no. Don't do that for me, don't do that for anyone else. You wear the outfit you really wanted to wear, because you know that that's going to make you be in the best mood, right? So, never dress down for anybody, all right, don't believe that, no matter how it makes them feel, they need to work on that for themselves. Wear your outfit and wear those shoes, for example.
Speaker 1:Even this one woman. She said my aunt passed away at the age of 41. She said she left a whole wardrobe of beautiful clothes, scarves, jewelries, all with tags on. All with tags on, because you can't take it when you go. Right, you don't know when your last day is going to be. So that's also why it's so important to use your favorite things now, right, like, don't hoard them, don't just buy it and then have it there to look at. You know, use it, it's going to make you feel better.
Speaker 1:So there is a woman who says that she's a CBT therapist. She said this is how we treat depression the idea that you should still do the things that make you feel good, even when you don't feel good, so that you can literally feel good. Right, it feeds each other, right? This is from a therapist. Okay, so it has to be real, it has to be true. Um, another one she said she wasted so many food items by saving them until they went bad. I think I'm guilty of that, but that's just because I was tired and didn't feel like cooking. But ultimately the same thing. Like you buy a nice cheese Do you ever buy a nice cheese? And you're like I'm going to make a charcuterie board, right. And then you're just like, oh, I don't have the time. Or I'm just like, no, not yet I'm going to have guests. No-transcript life like that, it's just the way that it works, okay.
Speaker 1:This one woman says I never leave my house, looking crazy. She says I light all my candles. Oh my God, that was another thing. I would buy really nice candles for decorative purposes, and then I'd even forget that they were there, like they would blend into the background, and I'm like, oh yeah, I have this candle that I really love. Never smell it, never use it, but it's there. And so you got to stop doing that, because then, when you're done with it, you'll get another one. Just buy yourself another one, like that's.
Speaker 1:The other thing is that you make room for new things and sometimes even better things. That you know you may have loved this, but once you use it, you found something better or found something just as good. But the point is that you continue that so that you can keep that going and that you're you know you'll feel good. Again, you get a new candle. You're going to feel good about that. Who doesn't love a good candle? They make great gifts. I love a candle as a gift. I think they're awesome.
Speaker 1:But again, it's a sign that you may not be doing well mentally if you are hoarding these things or if you're not using them. Maybe it's a scarcity mindset thing that you have going on. If you grew up poor, you grew up without. You might feel like you need to hold onto these things to make them last, because if you don't, then they'll they'll go away right, like the same thing with money. So those are signs that, like that's definitely a negative thing that you got to work through and pinpoint.
Speaker 1:What is it? But today, if you are hearing this podcast, go light that candle. Okay, go to your room right now. Keep, keep listening to me and go. Spray your favorite perfume on yourself and watch how much you smile. Watch how much you just feel better walking around your own home or walking outside. Try it. It works for me. I'm telling you, I no longer hoard my things Like I'm like I'm going to use it and if it's gone, I'll figure out how to get it back. You know it's so important.
Speaker 1:Which brings me to my next subject of how to do with this. This because same thing with clothing, with things that you own, except this one is for Gen Z. Gen Z, I got to talk to you. I was reading this article that said Gen Z says that if you wear this specific type of shoe, you are officially old, it makes you look old. And I was like what shoe could that be? Like what shoe makes you look old? A croc, I don't know, you know. No, they had the nerve to say heels. Heels are a sign that you are officially old, and I cannot disagree with this more.
Speaker 1:I listen, gen Z, you are known for being out at the club in sneakers, in low tops, in flats okay, in flippy flops. And, as a millennial, okay, I don't come from that era. I come from the era where we would wear, like the highest five, six inch heels minimum. Okay, you started there, even if you couldn't walk in them and, mind you, I could not. All right, I was definitely the Bambi at the club, all right, but I didn't care, because when I was standing and leaning up against the wall, I looked amazing, my heels looked great, okay, but getting to the bar. That was another story, but that was the sacrifice you kind of made, you know, like, for the whole outfit. Let me tell you something we would be in the club wearing blazers okay, like work blazers. Okay, pencil skirts Dressed like we were for an interview. We'd be at the club with the pumps on the platform heels. I every shoe I owned was a heel that I could not walk in. That's how committed I was to this culture.
Speaker 1:Okay, like sacrifices were made. My feet would hurt. I, you know, my ankles would give out some nights. I remember I had to have friends carry me to the car and it wasn't because I was drinking. I literally could not hold my body up, but I still felt good about myself and I had a time. But I have been seeing, you know, when I go out and I'll see the girls wearing these sneakers and I can already tell like that's a Gen Z look. You know, you like to wear those baggy pants and I do think it's cute, it works for you, it's very cute.
Speaker 1:Me, I would never, I would never be in the club with some sneakers on purpose, like it would have to be a complete accident. I was, you know, like, you know, when those friends invite you somewhere and you have no choice, you're already out. You're like I was here just to eat and now we're going out tonight, can't go home and change. That has happened to me twice in my life. Okay, twice I may have been in the club with sneakers or flats, flats and then I always got to explain myself like look, this is what happened.
Speaker 1:I would not be in this club without my heels. I don't like it. I don't like it. But yeah, so the sign that you're getting old is to wear heels. And if that is my sign, call me a viejita. All right, I will be that viejita in the club with my heels, because I'm not getting rid of them.
Speaker 1:I only wear sneakers for, like, if I'm going to go traveling and I know we're going to go sightseeing right, we're going to do a lot of walking. There's a, you know, cobblestone floors, so you know you can't wear a heel or you will break your ankle. Like it has to be physically impossible for me to wear these heels, for me to say I'm not doing it. So you saying that I was thinking, all right, all right, I get it, you're not into it, gen Z, you don't like it, you don't like the heels. Maybe it's for comfort purposes and I don't think that that's the right attitude to have about it. Like I don't think that's a reason, but again, it's because I'm from a different era and we had to wear heels Like it was a must. There was no other choice.
Speaker 1:If you were the girl in the club would shoot with tannies on, you were going to be looked at wild, you might not even be let into the club. Actually, that's not true. They always let the girls into the club. I've seen all walks of life be let into the club just because they were a female, but at the same time, couldn't be me, wouldn't be my group, okay. So then I decided well, oh, let me tell you this was a. I forgot.
Speaker 1:So with the heels, all right, I remember one night I was wearing these like six inch. Do you remember? You wouldn't, gen Z. But there are these, the thick platform heels. Right, there are at least six inch stilettos, skinny heel, skinny heel. But they had a platform and they were like they would cover your toes and they were V shaped. All right, they were kind of bulky looking too, but the heel was thin. Those were so in. Okay, when I tell you that was the heel, that was the pump every girl had to have, that was it.
Speaker 1:So I remember one night after the club, I'm wearing those heels, I can't walk in them, I, or my, I do not walk in these. Well, and I walked out of the club and I remember like, okay, I'm out, there's nobody outside, like I can really just walk crazy because I don't have to try to pretend. So I did, and I noticed there was a cop outside of the club and I noticed that he was watching me and I was like, okay, like you know, I look a little crazy right now because the way I'm walking, but I know it's my heels and I'm confident that, like he's gonna know, he can tell I can't walk in heels. Well, this dude waits until I get into my car. I start driving off with my girlfriend. Next thing, I know the lights go up behind me and I'm like what happened? Like what, what? Like what's going on? I know I, I'm, I'm not drunk, I know that I haven't made any, you know, uh, wrong turns. So he pulls me over and then he goes uh, I pulled you over because you were walking funny, like you were walking, like you're drunk, you know. So he was accusing me of being drunk and I'm like, oh my god sir, I'm like you were.
Speaker 1:And I started getting an attitude because I was very like, confident that it wasn't because of my drinking. I had one drink and a red bull that night, thankfully and so I already knew I was like this guy. No, no way. I said you try walking in six inch heels and then you tell me what you look like. So he literally has me step outside the car. This is the only time I've ever had a cop ask me to step outside the car and I was like, thank God I was okay, but I was still so angry that I knew why he was doing this. But whatever. So he gives me a test, he does the thing with my eyes and you know he's like all right, he's like, okay, you're, you're fine, but he's like I smell alcohol and I'm like you're lying. You smell Red Bull, that's what you smell, and you're you're, you know. So I get into it with him.
Speaker 1:My whole point was I couldn't walk in the heels, so much so that this cop really thought I was drunk. But you know what? It didn't matter to me, it was worth it, it was. It was like there was no other choice.
Speaker 1:But I want to show you some heels, girls, that you can wear, that are still comfortable. Okay that they still they have a heel on them. They're still really nice and comfortable and you can rock these without doing the sneakers and you're gonna look better. You're gonna look elevated. You're going to look better, you're going to look elevated, you're going to look classier and it's going to elevate your outfits. Okay, so I want to start with, like, see the outfit that I'm wearing right now, this hot pink thing, it's. You know, I love this. It's a dress. By the way, the shoes that I wore with it last time and you're probably going to hate these, gen Z, you're, you're gonna hate these, but I don't care.
Speaker 1:Okay, this heel right here, this skinny heel with a little like a square bottom. Okay, they look very uncomfortable. I'm not gonna lie, when I bought them, I was like these are gonna be so hard to walk in. Like you know, you tie them around your, your, your legs, your ankles, and actually very comfortable, very, very, very comfortable and super cute, feminine. You know, not the sneaker, they don't flatten you out like. This is a very cute heel you can get away with and still be comfortable and still dance in. Um, they're gonna last you about three to four hours and then you're gonna have to sit down. But you know what? Get your fun in for three to four hours and then go home. Okay, you shouldn't be out more than that, all right?
Speaker 1:So you always need a nude heel, and this heel for me was like comfy, nude but still glam, sparkly, perfect. Okay. And it's a block heel okay, it's similar to your flat heel, your flat shoe. It's got some femininity to it. Okay, it's got some sparkle to it. Comfortable. I've lasted these all night. Okay, love these Again. They elevate your look. Can't go wrong with a block heel like this.
Speaker 1:Now, some of the girls will tell you that block heels are how do I say? Like the girls that know would not wear them, but I think that there's a purpose for them, there's a place for them. If you're at a wedding, go to a wedding and you want to last, you know you're gonna have to last hours on the dance floor and being there. This is a good heel for that, okay, or a strappy nude one? I have one, but I don't want to show you because they're not my like best pair. They're not. I need to get a new pair, is what I'm saying. But a strappy one, nude, will take you anywhere. I promise you Comfy ones though. You got to know, though, because some of those nude ones they look comfy. Try them out, walk in them, you will know, You'll be able to feel it. All. Right, you need a classic pump.
Speaker 1:Okay, again, I know this is a very skinny heel. These are Steve Madden's. He is not. You know, I'm going to skip over that. I'll just say this. I'm going to skip over that. I'll just say this Very glam, right, you can tell this is very fancy, sparkly, beautiful, elegant.
Speaker 1:You know, it's a nice black heel. Cover your toes. I like the cover. These kind of shoes I like because they'll cover your toes if they're not done. So you need a pair of that for those days when your toes are not ready for the public eye. Okay, your in-between days days. You need one of these, right, um, to save you.
Speaker 1:And again, classic black, it could be all black. Have a little sparkle to it. Um, you're gonna have to get some inserts. These aren't the most comfiest, but they're so pretty. I mean, come on, you get the compliments you would get with these like worth it? Worth the pain, worth the suffering? There's gonna be some shoes that, no matter what you do, they're going to be painful but they're better than rocking the sneaks.
Speaker 1:Don't do it. Don't do it. You're still going to do it and that's okay, but I'm not going to partake in that and I'm going to be considered old and you're going to be considered not taken seriously. I don't think. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong. Are you having a good time wearing those sneakers? Like I know? And that's the thing Women will still get hit on. I get that. But who are you getting hit on by? Is the question when you're wearing sneakers? I'm really asking, I'm really asking you to ask yourself you know, I don't want the guy that's hitting on me because I'm wearing sneakers. Then he's going to be comfortable with me wearing sneakers and taking me places where I only wear sneakers. No, it's not happening.
Speaker 1:So I think that the way you present yourself is really important. And when you're going out, wear that heel. It feels so nice and feminine and I just think it's a little too masculine to be doing the sneaks. And it also tells your age, which is fine. You're away with it, that's fine.
Speaker 1:I just remember being in my early 20s and that was never a thing like that would just, you just didn't do that. All right, um, but times have changed and I'm okay with that, or do I? Am I not? Doesn't sound like I am right, there's a way around. It is all I'm saying. I didn't like being called old, though. I didn't like that. So take that back.
Speaker 1:Gen Z, I love y'all. I think y'all are great. I definitely believe in your generation, just not when it comes to the shoe game. So take it from the girl who's been around a little longer than you. Wear the heels, you'll see the difference and let me know. Maybe wear the heels and then let me know in the comments how it went for you. You know were you Bambi. You got to go through those nights. You're going to have those nights. Bring an extra pair, if you can, in the car, then you can switch it up. Get the pictures with the heels. Switch it up, then it doesn't matter, you know. But don't just be in the sneakers like that for you.
Speaker 1:I'm Brittany Gonzalez. Thanks for brunching with me. This is Brunch with Brittany. Follow me on iHeartRadio, youtube, tiktok, every platform that you can listen to. Podcasts on Spotify. I'm there to follow. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this and let me know in the comments what you think. I mean, is it a sign? Do we need to retire the heels? I don't think ever. I don't think ever, but I would like to hear your side of it. Cheers.
