The Year of the Boot.

Back posting. Every year for about the past 5 years, I order anywhere from 3 to 6 pairs of boots online. I typically return all of them, some years I have kept one pair. Acquiring about 1 pair of boots per year for the past 10 years has led me to have a very sparse, very worn boot collection. Especially in Denver, because boot season starts in October and ends in May. Wearing my boots for work and socially, they are pretty much all done. I currently sport Uggs from junior year of high school, and that is sadly coming upon 20 years ago. It is time.

So this year, I did my typical online browsing and ordered 5 pairs. I am specifically in desperate need of GRAY or BLACK BOOTIES. The tragic news? I found many boots. None were gray or black. They all fit. They're all cute. THEY ARE ALL PERFECT. This is a dilemma, as I am now a part-time working, full-time Momming, tired tired woman. But boots, I feel, are like the perfect dress. If you see it: buy it. Because when you need it and don't have it, you will find nothing.

Examples of said boots:

This brand is Cubanas, from Portugal. They are well-made and amazing. I bought a similar Frye pair a few years ago and returned them because they were so uncomfortable and the heel was not doable. This heel doesn't even feel like a heel, and these are very wearable. This might be the new go-to boot brand for me.

Tell me you've heard of the Penelope Chilvers Incredible boot. I might or might not have been obsessing over these boots for the past 2 years ever since I saw them on a British fashion blog. They have pony hair on them, which is my only issue with them. They are crazily expensive, but I found them ridiculously on sale and ordered them in white. TBD whether I keep them or not, but I'm guessing they will be perfect.

But none of these are gray. Or black. Or ankle booties. ***SIGH***

The Year of the Boot.

Back posting. Every year for about the past 5 years, I order anywhere from 3 to 6 pairs of boots online. I typically return all of them, some years I have kept one pair. Acquiring about 1 pair of boots per year for the past 10 years has led me to have a very sparse, very worn boot collection. Especially in Denver, because boot season starts in October and ends in May. Wearing my boots for work and socially, they are pretty much all done. I currently sport Uggs from junior year of high school, and that is sadly coming upon 20 years ago. It is time.

So this year, I did my typical online browsing and ordered 5 pairs. I am specifically in desperate need of GRAY or BLACK BOOTIES. The tragic news? I found many boots. None were gray or black. They all fit. They're all cute. THEY ARE ALL PERFECT. This is a dilemma, as I am now a part-time working, full-time Momming, tired tired woman. But boots, I feel, are like the perfect dress. If you see it: buy it. Because when you need it and don't have it, you will find nothing.

Examples of said boots:

This brand is Cubanas, from Portugal. They are well-made and amazing. I bought a similar Frye pair a few years ago and returned them because they were so uncomfortable and the heel was not doable. This heel doesn't even feel like a heel, and these are very wearable. This might be the new go-to boot brand for me.

Tell me you've heard of the Penelope Chilvers Incredible boot. I might or might not have been obsessing over these boots for the past 2 years ever since I saw them on a British fashion blog. They have pony hair on them, which is my only issue with them. They are crazily expensive, but I found them ridiculously on sale and ordered them in white. TBD whether I keep them or not, but I'm guessing they will be perfect.

But none of these are gray. Or black. Or ankle booties. ***SIGH***

Trying to Make Mules Popular

In high school, I had a pair of high heeled, open toed clogs made by, you guessed it.... Candie's. You remember Candie's?

I had at least 5 bottles of this stuff in my room at all times. But I digress. The clogs were actually somewhat of a throwback when I was wearing them in the early 2000's. I believe now in 2015, they are so, so out it's in.

Nice platform toe to make them wearable to highschool football games...studded black suede...actual wooden sole. These things were legit. I've been noticing more stylish clogs available in the past year, and just went out on a limb and got some.

Kelsi Dagger, who has the ultimate sense of plaid, has made the cutest, comfiest, most retro platform mules. They are amazing and definitely make you feel like you are walking through Europe in the 1980's, in a good way. 

I'm Back

Big delay in posts there. Sorry.

To get back into the swing of things, let's talk about the ultimate So Out, It's In. Remember the movie Mary Poppins?

This movie is OUT. As a refresher, Mary was a magic nanny, had a carpet bag that had endless capacity, and kept everything one might need in there (spoonfulls of sugar, etc). Well, carpet bags are back with a vengeance. Artemis Design Co. out of Boston is making the most contemporary carpet bags out of Turkish kilim carpets, and they are amazing. What a fantastic alternative to the typical designer bags that we are all tired of. Louis Vuitton, Prada, yawnfest.

THEORY: Paper Source is Urban Outfitters for Adults. Discuss.

Have you been to Paper Source lately? I went to get some Christmas gifts there and it has some very eerie similarities to the one store I feel guilty shopping in these days: Urban Outfitters. I am way too old for the place, but they have some really cute stuff.

Here is the evidence that I found at Paper Source:

  

Presidential Pez Dispensers?? Pezidents?!!?! I could totally see buying these when I was 22 from the UO gadgets department. Compelling. 

A POCKET MICROSCOPE?! I mean, I want one. I feel like this would sit right beside Urban's collection of traveling Crosley record players. Very compelling.

The final evidence: A manatee tea infuser? A Manatea?!?! If this doesn't say "Urban Outfitters for Adults who now drink tea instead of Jager," I don't know what does. Case closed. Paper Source: You're so out, you're in.

THE Christmas Gift List, people.

I have been the ultimate Christmas-list-maker since I was a wee child, so I'm bringing that skill back to help everyone who wants to give the perfect gift. Here we go.

Chevron trouser socks? Don't mind if I do. Perfect for Stuffing Stockings with stockings for $12.50 at J Crew.

 J Crew is spot on right now, and these fairisle sweaters are amazing. $98, all sorts of colors. Do it.

Shinola watches have the perfect look. Made in Detroit and over-sized just right. I am digging this one even though it's Men's, but these are pricey at $875.

Are you like me and still haven't found the perfect blanket coat for this winter? This Pendleton coat is on sale at Nordstrom right now for $618 and is super cute. It is the epitome of blanket coat. 

Dana Rebecca Designs has some awesome stuff. I wore one of her necklaces in my wedding. All super simple in all different metals accented just so with pave diamonds. These earrings are $355.

 

The Uggs Adirondak II boots for $220 are comepletely worth it. I wore them in Iowa and they are waterproof and great for blizzards.

Being appropriately overdressed in the winter is so in right now. This is a blanket scarf from Urban Outfitters, which I truly believe has somehow morphed into what Forever 21 used to be. $58.

You cannot go wrong with fur-lined anything. This sweater is $168 from Anthropologie.

And finally, my ultimate holiday pick. You know I'm a purse fanatic. I've never found Liberty print all that appealing, until I saw this. The Iphis collection is my obsession, and I will definitely own one of these at some point before they switch back to the typical flower print. This blue is my favorite but they are all amazing. Gives that Goyard feel without the cost, although this still runs £395.

What it's all a boot.

For the past 2 years I've been trying to replace my tall brown boots from college, but it is HARD. Finding the perfect, most comfortable, stylish brown boot is near impossible. I would really like a pair of Frye boots, but they just don't speak to me. The only ones that are doable for me are the short Patti Riding boots, but how do you wear those? I tried them on and they look ridiculous with skinny jeans. I think you would have to either cuff your jeans or wear socks over your jeans.

After I realized Fryes weren't going to happen, I went searching for the perfect boot. They are so expensive you really have to be married to the things because you'll have them for years. That is when I found Antelope. It's an Israeli company and I have never seen people wear them (which is a win for me) and they are said to be insanely comfortable. I am obsessed with a pair from 2010:

Are those not divine? Is it a clog? Is it a boot? Is there a leather sock attached??? I am obsessed. They are called the Antelope Alma 805 and you can't get them anymore. Of course. The only thing I could find that was close were these:

It's so-so. It's just not the same as the one from 5 years ago. Of course. The clog boot: So out, it's in.