Boots Boots Boots Boots!!

You know what's better than asking for help picking my wedding shoes?  Asking for help picking a pair of damn boots.

Because it's February in Indiana, I wear boots nearly every day when I'm not at work.  And, to my great sadness, the leather boots I have are quickly reaching the end of their lives.

So, despite my DSW-fail last time... I had a great coupon code (or something?) and decided to try again.

I threw a few of the best-rated pairs into my cart... and I was off to the races.

I had some definitely losers... but some potential winners.  Can you tell I can't decide?  You be the jury.

First Up, the Corso Como Rhia Boot. I like this boot, and the leather is good quality, if a little stiff.  Feels like it would hold up very well.  It's pretty slim on my calves particularly, but not in an uncomfortable way.  It would probably not break down and slouch too low anytime soon, which is great.

I'm not sure how I feel about the detailing at the back.  It's not bad, but is it good?  I'm unsure.  It's a little different.  Can you tell I fear change?

 

Next, the Nicole Maverick Riding Boot.  These are actually cut a little bit lower than the other pairs on my calf... maybe like half-calf? 

The leather on these is super-nice, soft and supple.  However, I'm afraid that said supple-ness is what's leaving them bunchy around my ankles already.  Also not positive if I love the color... I wear most of them with black leggings, so this brown color is iffy to me.






Next, the Rachel by Rachel Roy Desirey Riding Boot.  I love the color and I'm surprised that they don't photograph too poorly.  In person, they look pretty plastic to me.

They were fairly comfortable... just afraid of looking cheap.  And like bigfoot.





Next, the Bandolino Whimzy.  If you can't tell by the lack of pictures (or of me even putting on the right boot), I hated these.  Flipping cheap as heck.  Such a shame, I used to love Bandolino.



 Last but not least, I've been looking for a comfy pair of pumps for a bachelorette party I'm attehding in March.  Enter the Mix No. 6 Barbie pump.

When I took them out of the box, I thought CHEAP CHEAP... but in the pictures, I'm not so sure they look that cheap.  They are remarkable comfortable for $30 shoes, but of course I sized up to an 8.5 and they are too big.

 So, I'd say this was a pretty mixed bag. 


I'm pretty tempted to keep the black pair at the top (Corso Como) and I love the brown pair (Nicole), but I just don't think they're gonna work in my life.

Jury's still out on the "cheap tan pair."

Keep em, lose em... what say you?! 

Pick My Wedding Shoes, Okay?

So, I have scoured the whole internet.  Ordered designer shoes on sale.  Returned designer shoes because they were too tall.

Apparently, cobalt blue satin shoes are hard to find.

Comfortable, non-cheap, non-expensive, blue satin wedding shoes.

It is the holy grail.

And I give up.

So, I'm having a pair of shoes made.  There are shoes that can be literally custom made, ones that have custom ornaments and embellishment, and then the ones that are mostly made and you just dye them.

The custom ones... too many options.  I wish I had done this a year ago when I was more enthused with decision-making.  I'm leaning towards a pre-made option.

There are 4 shades of blue to choose from, but that's a whole different problem.


So, I'm not 100% in love with all of these shoes, but I do like them all.  I think, in blue, some of them could be perfect.

They are all about 3.25 inches.  (#1 is 4" but has a platform.)

I know they are kinda crappy quality photos, but that's all there is on the site. 

Pick a shoe, any shoe. 

Also, in YOUR experience, is a slingback more comfortable than a whole-backed-shoe?  I think so, but maybe I'm wrong.  I think a whole-back-shoe has to be broken in a bit more.

Pick my shoes.  Please and thank you.

Much Ado About Boots

Dearest Internet Friends:

I am in need of grave help.  Shopping help, that is.  What else could be such a serious emergency?!

You see, I've mentioned it here before, but I struggle with footwear.  Oh, I know what I like, no problem.  It's the finding and acquisition of said necessary purchases that really gets me stressing.

Lately, it's boots.  I had amazing luck last year at DSW and was hoping to hit that same jackpot this year... and I'm just not sure.

You see, if you browse Pinterest, it will have you believing that you need 95 pairs of the most spectacular, buttery-leather boots.  And.... I do, and I want.

Let me give you an idea of the current situation.  I apologize that I had to take indoor pictures using the flash.  It was a stressful time for all involved.  Me and myself.

The brown boots started the whole situation.  They are a bit more brown and less red in person... but gorgeous nonetheless.  I worry that wearing them to work and all around town has ruined them a bit - but I honestly like them more now than I did before.

And then Mr. RH found the black pair innocently sitting on the shelf at Nordstrom Rack.  They are lovely... but only 75% as comfy as the brown pair.  The wedge heel is very small and I feel like my foot steps off the back a bit.  You'd think a wedge was a safe bet... but I can shoot that theory down no problem.

(Note to the foot people out there... isn't is disgusting how badly I pronate my feet/ankles?  Wow, these actually blew my mind.)

So, I wanted to shop early and often this year for boots.... mostly because if/when those brown ones bite the dust, I need to be prepared.

The first ones I tried were the Audrey Brooke Adore Leather Riding Boot...  they're nice, but I wasn't really a bit fan of the strap on the calf. 

Looking at the picture, I guess there's nothing wrong with them, per se, I was just ambivilent.

NEXT.

 The Audrey Brooke Tayler Riding Boot.  I believe it's the newer model of the tan pair I'm wearing above... and I ordered it in brown.  Then black.  I really wanted a black pair, but then again do I want a backup in case my brown pair dies?
 

 The question is... I almost feel like they're too baggy on my leg.  I know it's impossible to get boots that fit like a second skin (isn't it?!), but I don't want to be walking around with saggy boots, ya know?

(Random side note: have you all heard of the boot bra?  Yeah, me either.  TILL NOW.)

So, I'm all sorts of confused.

Are my current boots ok?  Or do I look like a hood rat wandering around town?!  I NEED TO KNOW.

And then... thoughts on the new boots?  Looking at these pics, I feel like I should keep the black and return the brown.  And keep searching for a backup pair, or maybe even a pair of more cognac-colored boots so I have yet a millionth boot option.  Girl loves some options.

Another random side note... I used this exact same post title almost a year ago.  Acquiring the first two sets of boots.

And things worked out well then, cause I wear the heck out of all of those boots.

So.  New boots.  Yay, nay, black, brown.  Ball's in your court.

Happy Monday!

Earth Shatteringly Important

Ladies,
It's not very often that I reach out when I need help... because I'm one of those people who always says "No, I'm fine, I've got it under control" but I'm really lying.

Today, I need you.

Mr. RH has repeatedly asked me for a Christmas list.  I nonchalantly replied that a diamond would suffice but he got all grumpy and said that wasn't a Christmas present but, honestly, who doesn't think that diamonds make appropriate Christmas gifts?  Men, humph.

So then I got an awesome Christmas-y email.  From TOMS.  Yes, the ugly shoe people.  You all know that I've had a mostly hate-hate relationship with TOMS (in fact I put them right on par with the ugliness of Uggs) but... then the came out with the wedge.  And I wore it on one of my first few dates with Mr. RH and he thought I was smoking hot and GAME OVER.

So.  Christmas email.  New Holiday Styles.  Color me overexcited.

But then.. the dilemma. 

There are 4 contenders:

Houndstooth Wedge, $69
Snow Leopard Wedge, $69
Pewter Sequin Wedge, $89
Black Sequin Wedge, $89

Mr. RH loves snow leopard so those got his vote.  I love houndstooth so I was drawn to those first... but then, SPARKLES!!  The silver turn me on but I have the gray canvas wedges and wish I had the black... so black sparkles take the lead.

But do I need to pay an extra $20 for an extra-extra pair of TOMS sparkle wedges that I don't need to begin with?  That is the question.

 Actually, I have a couple of questions for TOMS while we're at it.

1. Why are your holiday wedges open-toed?  We aren't all in sunny California and I reeeeally hate stressing about whether it's fashionably acceptable to wear tights with open-toed wedges.  It's just so unnecessary.
2. Why did you not make this hot red Houndstooth in a wedge?  It's like you hate me.  We both know that women with size 8 feet should never wear the flat TOMS because I will look ugly and die. 
3.  Red Sequin Wedges.  Just think about it.  (Like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz but hotter!)

Soo... I need your help.  Pick my wedges please or sentence me to a season of ugly, seasonally-inappropriate shoes. 

Please.  Help a sad sister out.

Much Ado About Boots

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know my nemesis:  shoes.  I love them and I hate them.  SO MUCH. 

I have the most difficult feet.  They are flat flat flat and always hurt.  I like to buy shoes for fashion, but on a
daily basis I tend to go more for practicality. 

That being said, I've gone through the last few winters with NO boots.  No cute wedge boots or riding boots or Ugg boots.  Mostly because I swear that Uggs are still the fugliest things I've ever seen.

Right around my birthday, I found what appeared to be The Perfect Brown Boots on DSW.com.  They are the DSW brand Audrey Brooke and of course they are not available online anymore. 

My only issue with these is that they are more brown and less tan/cognac than I wanted.  But I'm still finding plenty of ways to wear them.  That and the fact that I got a huuge scratch on the right boot at work this week.  Whomp whomp, disappointment.

Then, on "Sarah Day," the Monday after my birthday, Mr. RH and I went to the new Nordstrom Rack in Indy.  We wandered lost around the store for 5 minutes and then these shoes were in my hands.  I put them on and it was.... true love.  Go figure. 

I mean, Mr. RH was looking at me like I was some hot random chick (note: Mr. RH doesn't check out hot random chicks nearly as much as I do, I don't know what's wrong with him!) and how could I not buy them?  They were just under $100 and real leather.  Score!

Of course, a couple of days prior I was in Chicago with my BFFs and stumbled upon a pair of boots that have been on my heart a LOT.  For a long time. 

Fuggs.  For real.

Yep, Cardy Uggs.  I'm not so sure how much I actually like these.  I'd like them better if they stayed up high on my leg as they are in this picture... but they really sag and look quite baggy on my leg.  And I don't have stick thin legs by any measure!  I wonder if I could move the buttons in a bit to make them tighter.  Hm, deep thoughts about Uggs.  

On another random note... I found this amazing scarf at Francesca's in Indy on Sarah Day.  And I was so excited about it.  

 But then I realized that this scarf would be the perfect gift for a friend's birthday... so unfortunately I mailed it out this morning.  Maybe they'll still have it the next time I'm at Francesca's?

So yeah, I've been going boot crazy lately.  Not sure what's gotten into me... other than Mr. RH looooves me in a boot.  Although I can't say I hate them so much myself. 

Anybody else have any good shopping finds lately?  I can't stop!

In Memorandum. Or Memoriam. Not actually the same thing.

(Dear Anon: thanks for calling out my word usage error. I could NOT spell this morning and ended up spell-checking incorrectly. How gauche.)

A couple of weeks ago, during the Chicago Bachelorette weekend, I came to a conclusion.

We spent the late evening shaking what our mommas gave us at a bar (the Hangge-Uppe for you Chicago readers). Twenty minutes into the evening, I realize that A) I am far too sober and B) that my feet are killing me.

Not a little bit, a LOT bit. As in, I don't think I can make it to a cab outside bad.

Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that I have to A) develop a drinking problem or B) never wear these shoes again.

(If only I'd been drinking that night... I never would have come to these conclusions. Sobriety is so freeing to the mind.)

I got these shoes for my 21st birthday from my college girlfriends. Another girl and I share the same birthday and they put together two boxes of identical gifts for us - only one was sassy and over the top (me) and the other was much more girl-next-door.

These shoes have enjoyed numerous bachelorette parties and nights out, which might explain what happened to the back of the right shoe.

They're around 4 inches tall with no padding or platform - meaning that they immediately cut off circulation to my toes and pinch a nerve on the bottom of my foot.

I'm a little scared that retiring these shoes means I may never wear impractical shoes ever again, but I'm sincerely hoping that's not true. I'm too young, right?

RIP, Leopard Skank Heels. October 2007 - March 2011.

Gone from this world but never forgotten.
(My youth, that is.)

Gotta Be the Shoes

So last week I was feeling pretty awful, as you might remember from Friday's post. And of course we all know the only way I can cope with a case of the sads is online shopping.

You don't even want to SEE my Forever21 cart right now. It's out of control.

6pm.com provided, of course.


I only started off with two pairs on Saturday... and then I ordered 4 more pairs when 6pm had a promo for 15% off on Valentine's Day. So since I'm single and didn't have anything to buy for anyone on V-day... I shopped for me.

First up, the Calvin Klein Lainey Pony Hair. I love leopard so much.

I wanted these to be cuter in person... but they're just ok. I love the leopard but they're not terribly comfortable or well fitting. Maybe if I wore socks they'd fit better...

Next up, the Clarks Jardin Flash. Isn't the picture horrible? Damn my point and shoot camera. Damn my losing my SLR remote shutter.

I hated these sandals though, hence why I didn't redo the picture. Sandals like this just don't fit on me. All the straps and stuff just rub my feet raw and are loose and tight in all the wrong places.

And then on Valentine's Day... these babies had to be mine. Steve Madden Ulltra-G. They have a low 2.25 inch heel, which is perfect for this 5' 8" girl that really doesn't need 4 inch heels.


Unfortunately the glitter feels kinda scratchy on my foot. Hmm. Maybe I could put clear nail polish over that inner part to smooth out the glitter? But honestly, I'm not even sure what I'd wear these with. I'm just not sure.

And up next, two pairs of Life Stride Quiver. These seem like comfy walking-all-day shoes. They were marked way down the day I ordered them... like $25 or something cheap. Weirdly though, the red is stiff and the purple pair is super soft.


Are these ugly? I can't decide. I think they'd be OK with regular jeans... but I can't even remember the last time I wore regular jeans!

And last but not least a pair for work. Maybe. LifeStride Maggie.

Yes, they are ugly thanks for noticing.

The rational part of my brain thinks I shouldn't keep all of these. Especially since I'm supposed to be saving up for a new camera lens. Right?

Right.

What says you? Keep or send back?

The Shoe-pocalypse

This past weekend, I realized that, in all honesty, I had been wearing the same five pairs of shoes for the past 6 months.

And if I'm being really honest, I haven't utilized my shoe collection much at all since I moved from my childhood home... in August 2009.

Oops.

What's even worse is the fact that I've been shoving all my shoes (minus my tennis shoes, boots, and several brand-new in boxes dressy shoes) in a giant rubbermaid tote for the past year and change.

Yeah, somebody's taking really nice care of their things. Not.

First off... I lined all my soldiers up. Every stinkin pair.

(As you can see... my collection is rough. And gross. And kinda outdated. Somebody hasn't really purchased shoes since college. Except for work shoes which are any hideous pair you might see in these pics.)

First I identified some pairs that were missing in action.

Bye-bye, favorite gold Target flip-flops from 9th grade. I shall miss you dearly, but I know your companion has been missing for at least a year... (packrat! hoarder!)

And then I found the ones that needed to be trashed cause they were ugly or non-functional. But mostly I'd hated them forever and they needed to go bye-bye.

Bye bye!

But what to do about the shoes that I'm basically over but... eh, maybe not?
I still love some of these shoes but honestly most of them are pretty trashy looking and have some functional defect - ie they make me feel like my feet are going to fall off.

But they haven't made it into trash bags yet...

I did manage to thin the herd quite a bit... but I still look at this and think - do I really need those?!

You can barely see the hot pink barbie platforms in the foreground of this picture.. but they have a 4" wedge. Seriously? Where am I going to wear those?

But it's hard to get rid of a shoe in perfectly good condition.... if you are me and are a shoe-hoarder.

And while we're on the topic... how do you organize your shoes?? I have been throwing ALL of mine into a big tote... which explains why some of them are in such crappy condition, don'tcha think?

Shoe trees? Individual shoe boxes?

Cause... just between you and me... it's Monday morning (I started this project on Saturday) and those shoes are ALL still in the middle of my bedroom floor.

Just me and my soldiers, getting ready for battle...

I Had Such High Hopes....

For the past 3 years, I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of boots.

Needless to say, I've come up empty-handed every time.

This past week, 6pm.com, my kryptonite, had a few pairs go on special.

I purchased these because they looked cute on my computer.

Maybe I was just sleep deprived and weak-willed. Which, come to think of it... is most days of the week.
Also, what do you think of the AWESOME indoor-outdoor blue carpet in this pic? Snazzy, right?

Don't worry, I plan to make it my b*itch this afternoon by ripping it out. I think. If I don't feel like laying on the couch... which is actually very tempting.

No. Carpet be gone.

Anyways... the boots. Yay or nay?

-------------------------------------------
Also, I've got a question for your DSLR types.

Do you all have remote-shutter-releases for your cameras?

Or is it just my raging blogging narcissism that necessitates I be in front of the camera as much as I'm behind it?

How can I take good outfit shots from behind the camera, you know?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Boots. Remote controlled cameras.

Go.

Also, if you didn't tell me what color to paint my bathroom yesterday... go there too.

Happy Thursday!

Still Kicking Myself

So I hung out with my BFF TJ Maxx late last week. It was a spontaneous trip after work... I honestly don't even know what I was looking for.

And then I saw these beauties.

They're kind of tacky, but they're also kind of fabulous... right?

I'm not sure. My fashion radar is all kinds of messed up these days.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't buy them.

However, I did photograph them on the floor of TJ Maxx.

Damn.

What do you think?

Cute or fugly?

I'm So Vain. About My Feet.

As you might know if you've been around here very long, I like me some shoes.

Not expensive shoes, not anything special shoes... I just like shoes. I think it's written into my girl DNA. Or something.

Anyhow, these days I rarely wear cute shoes. Because I'm on my feet all day long... I just don't. I'm embarrassed to admit the ugly-ness of the shoes I wear at work. So I won't.

For most of my "adult" life, I've been a size 7.5. For this tallish girl, I've always thought that a 7.5 shoe was very dainty.

Friends and acquaintances always said my feet were proportionally small - and I liked it. Small feet felt very tiny and nice.

Fast forward to today.

I don't know if it's weight gain or old age or what... but my feet have grown. I think.

All I know is that my 7.5's fit... but any time I buy 7.5's in a store - they feel too small.

Weep.

Am I the only one who wishes companies would offer vanity sizing for shoes? I mean... I'll pay you to turn the "8" into a "7.5."

Dude, am I the only one with a greater attachment to my shoe size than my bra size?

Cause gosh I love me to talk about some boobs too.

But that's another post for another day.

Have a very happy Earth Day!!

Shoe Me the Love

A couple of weeks ago, on Saint Patrick's Day, I got an e-mail from DSW.com saying that I would "win" a certain percentage off my order - all I had to do was sign into my account.

Easy enough.

Well I signed in and found out I would receive 50% off my purchase. And y'all know I couldn't pass that up!

Between the discounts I received, I ended up paying $106 for 4 pairs of shoes.

Crazy, right??

So now I need all your opinions because I can't decide if I like them all.

Group shopping therapy anyone??


First up, the Jones New York Wavelength Flower Slingback, $49.95
In Beige

And again in Black

Quite frankly, although I know I'd use the black much more often... I think I like the beige better - it's easier to see the flower detail. However, I think the beige color and my skin tone aren't the best together.... the beige is a little... reddish? I dunno. Although for half price... maybe I should keep them both?

Ok, those were really the only fun shoes.

The other two are comfy/ugly shoes for work.

Aerosoles Raspberry Flat

Despite their uglyness, I kinda like these flats.


Last and certainly least, the Aerosoles Savvy Patent Sandal.

I want to like them... but for some reason they just don't fit my feet. Plus I'm technically not allowed to wear "flip-flop" style sandals to work. Boo hiss.

So.... should I keep or should I return?

Also, where do YOU buy shoes? I am still on the hunt for sandals to wear to work - I hate hate hate wearing socks to work. Ugh. Socks. Sick.

Happy Tuesday!

First Big Girl Purchase

Once upon a time, when I first got my job, I was all excited about my newfound buying power. No longer would I have to wait out unemployment to help fund my lifestyle... I was making the big bucks now.

(Side note: Big bucks? Hahahahahaha I laugh at the thought. More like I'm making some bucks.)

Anyways.

I was all.... "Should I buy a ring or a laptop or a camera?"

I had big(ish) dreams, people.

So... what do you think the first purchase was?

...

Camera?

...

Laptop?

...

Ring?

...

If you guessed any of those... you'd be a wrong.

My first big purchase?


Drumroll please.


Running Shoes.

I know, what a letdown, right?

Unfortunately for me, $100 running shoes for flat-footed girls do NOT grow on trees.

And I want to complain because running shoes are ugly and boring and blah blah blah but.... look at the inside of this shoe!
Cute, right? The color of this particular shoe is "Pink Lemonade." Which almost makes up for the fact that I spent $100 on ugly shoes.

Oh, and one more thing.

This showed up on my front porch last week:
Shiny new laptop for me!

(Although shiny should be past tense. It's all covered up in fingerprints now!)

Happy Thursday everyone!!

I Know, I Have a Problem

On Friday, I wrote a post about my little shoe problem.

You may (or may not) have read the update: I got rid of four pairs and the current shoe count is 28.

But then on Friday... I went to TJ Maxx. I know, I know... but they're so cute!! In my defense, the price was literally criminal. A crime, people!

Wanna guess how much I paid for them?!?!

$7. Seven dollars.

I have paid more money for lunch, thus I decided they must be mine. I will save them for... next spring. Or next week.

Current shoe count: 28 29

Happy Monday!!

love,

For Laurie

Remember when I wrote this post about my garage sale successes?

Well, the ever-wise and brilliant Laurie made the comment:
"Time for a new pair of shoes?"

And I say, absolutely.
I was so willing to go shell out some big bucks for a nice, expensive pair of red leather shoes... and what do you know?? I found these at DSW for $40 (and they're real leather too)!

Think they're appropriate bridesmaid shoes for a December wedding? No? Ok then. Guess it's time to hit up DSW again...

Happy Tuesday!

love,