“Sole”fully Expressive The Beauty of Wearing What Makes You Happy

“Sole”fully Expressive

The Beauty of Wearing What Makes You Happy

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

If shoes could talk, the pairs lining Alisa Bartram’s closets would be throwing a glitter-filled parade in her honor. Sparkles, bold colors, whimsical shapes, and the occasional Santa-themed heel would march proudly, each one telling a story about a woman who never stopped believing that fashion should be fun. For Alisa, shoes aren’t just something you wear to get from point A to point B—they’re tiny works of art, conversation starters, and joyful reminders that growing older doesn’t mean growing dull.

Alisa Bartram has always known who she is. Married to her husband, Mike Bartram, for nearly ten years (with a milestone anniversary coming up this spring), she lives a life filled with curiosity, creativity, and more than a few shoe racks. Her obsession with unique footwear isn’t a phase or a passing fancy—it’s a lifelong love affair that began practically as soon as she could walk.

“As long as I can remember, yes, I have such a large list of hobbies and special interests that the shoes are just one of many!”  Alisa says when asked if she’s always been obsessed with shoes. And honestly, it shows. Growing up surrounded by fashionable, expressive women—namely her mother and grandmother—Alisa learned early on that color and creativity were things to be celebrated, not toned down. Their influence planted the seeds for a personal style that would one day blossom into a collection of at least one hundred pairs of shoes… and counting. “My mom and grandmother have always been fashionable ladies who value colorful, expressive things so in a way it was me following their lead,” noted Bartram.

Her earliest memory of shoe-induced joy dates back to kindergarten, “For me, it started with a pair of pink sparkly cowgirl boots that I had in Kindergarten and grew from there,” Bartram recalled.  For most kids, those boots might have been a fleeting phase. For Alisa, they were destiny. That early magic was reinforced in the early 2000s with her love of “Shoezies.” Bartram explained, “They were like tiny collectible shoes with all kinds of designs that you could trade and display. I bought so many of those from Kmart before they went out of business!” Even then, it wasn’t about practicality—it was about delight.

Fast forward to adulthood, and Alisa’s shoe collection has grown into something truly impressive. With well over a hundred pairs, her assortment spans brands, styles, and eras, though many of her most beloved pieces come from the now-defunct British designer Irregular Choice. Known for their bold, eccentric designs, these shoes feel tailor-made for Alisa’s personality. When a particular pair is hard to find, she turns to resale platforms like Mercari and Poshmark, happily hunting down rare designs at the right price. For her, the chase is part of the fun.

Every collector has a crown jewel, and for Alisa, that honor belongs to a pair of red, glittery Christmas advent calendar boots—complete with Santa heels. They were among her earliest pairs and remain her most iconic. These boots aren’t just shoes; they’re an annual event. Every December, friends and coworkers eagerly await their return from storage, knowing that the holiday season hasn’t truly begun until Alisa steps out in her festive footwear. At this point, it’s tradition—and traditions, after all, are just joy that’s been repeated enough times to feel sacred.

You might wonder what Alisa’s husband thinks about living with someone whose shoe collection could rival a boutique. The answer is simple: Mike loves her exactly as she is. “He sees every layer of uniqueness in me and loves me for all of it,” Alisa shares. “We’re both very hobby-invested people… It keeps our relationship interesting because we always have something fascinating to talk about.” Their relationship thrives on mutual support and shared enthusiasm for learning and hobbies—some overlapping, some entirely their own. One moment they’re discussing a new shoe release, the next they’re talking about airplanes Alisa loves, or a fascinating scientific article Mike recently read. Their curiosity keeps things lively, and their appreciation for each other’s individuality keeps their bond strong.

For Alisa, the true magic of having so many unique shoes lie in what they represent. They’re symbols of freedom, whimsy, and self-expression. Growing up, she carried a quiet fear that adulthood would demand the end of playfulness—that one day, a switch would flip and fun would no longer be allowed. But that moment never came. Now approaching 40, Alisa realizes she’s still the same imaginative little girl on the inside, just with better shoes.

Her footwear reflects that philosophy beautifully. Each pair is a reminder that life doesn’t have to be taken so seriously, and that joy is something you can actively choose. She hopes her unapologetic love of color and creativity encourages others to embrace what makes them happy, even if it’s a little unconventional. In a world that often pressures people to blend in, Alisa stands out—quite literally—one fabulous step at a time.

When it comes to what catches her eye, uniqueness is key. A shoe must be colorful, imaginative, or tied to something she loves. She even dreams of a design that doesn’t yet exist: a heel shaped like a jet engine, inspired by her love of airplanes. Practical? Probably not. Cool? Absolutely. Of course, Alisa is quick to assure everyone that she does own “regular shoes” too—comfort matters, and insoles, she insists, are everyone’s friend.

In the end, Alisa Bartram’s shoe obsession isn’t really about shoes at all. It’s about refusing to dim her sparkle, honoring the playful spirit she’s always had, and inviting others to do the same. Her collection is a celebration of color, creativity, and courage—the courage to be yourself, no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake. And if that courage happens to come with glitter and Santa heels? Well… that just makes it even better!