Why Yes, I Happen To DO Own A Pair Of These...

Emu Australian Shearling Book
$127.00 at Endless.Com

I'll be the first one to admit that I scoffed my nose at the whole UGG phenomenon.

.. and you REALLY don't want to know how I reacted when FUGGS started popping up all over the place.

But right after Christmas last year, I was shopping with my cousin and I happen to come across these very same boots at an impossible discount.

My coupon-clipping cousin had even MORE discount coupons and we calculated the total cost for THESE boots would be $3.00.

You read that right.

Three one dollar bills.. or 12 quarters or 30 dimes or 60 nickels or 300 pennies.

And even thought I've spend years making fun of this style, I couldn't POSSIBLE resist spending 3 bucks for them.

What kind of shoe whore would I be if I let this opportunity pass on by?

They sat in my closet until last month when I put on a pair of new jeans and hadn't realized how "skinny" they were. Now, I have a size 16 ass and jeans that taper down tight to the ankle really should be considered a felony. So what to do?

I tried on a few knee high boots but the jeans were bagging at the knee .. ankle boots looked weird and it was way too cold for flip flops.

Then I remembered the boots. Because they laced up, I could adjust them so that my jeans didn't bunch up and had the option of leaving the upper two eye holes empty and folding the tops down like a cuff. I have to say it looked really, really cute.

I was surprised at how warm they were (in fact, I no longer wear socks when I have them on) and they were so damn comfortable that they've become my go-to boot when I have a lot of running around to do. A quick coat of water proofing spray keep the suede dry and spot free.

It's a win-win.

And come on... THREE BUCKS???? Can't beat it with a stick!!

4am Shoe Crawl: Winter Boots

... so usually when I can't sleep and there isn't anything else to keep me entertained ( books finished, bad tv, sleeping husband ), I go virtual shoe shopping.

Only this time, I really did need to shop because winter is here and I need a new pair of boots. Let's not split hairs on the word "need", ok?

Chooka Rain Boot
$65.99 at Endless.Com

I was looking for something like this -->

I really like Chooka. Never had any issue with size or comfort and while I needed something functional I also wanted something with a little bit of style.

Since snow is always a factor here, I knew that these wouldn't be the warmest of the warm but the plan was to buy a size bigger so I could wear thicker socks.

It's worked before so I had no issue and was justhisclose to ordering them when that well heeled devil on my shoulder whispered click the next button!

And as much as I pleaded with myself NOT to click the next button.. telling myself that nothing good EVER comes from clicking the next button.

I did.

I clicked it.

DSquared2 Panzer Boots
$1092.00 at Endless.Com

And found these all purpose weather creations.

Ok.. so the caffeine is getting to me but really, for a stiletto whore like me you can't ask for anything more in a winter boot.

Water proof, right?
Ringed eyelets, right?
Nubby sole to prevent slipping, right?
Bright red shoelaces in case of an emergency, right?

Ok..

So the red shoe laces are stretching it a bit.. but considering that I had a pair of stiletto Timberlands ( Hello Jenny From The Block! ) .. did you really think I wouldn't fall completely in love with them?

But I knew that wearing them in a coffin after my husband killed me because of the price tag wouldn't do them justice so reluctantly, I continued my search.
These look warm, don't they?

Rock & Republic Darcey
$395.00 at Endless.Com

These look warm, don't they? Sure they do.

But you know me.. can't resist anything with buckles, studs and a heel skinnier then a french fry. And really, how much snow does anyone really think I'm going to be walking in anyway?

Isn't that one of the perks of having step sons?

Hand them a shovel and tell them to make a path from the door to the car?

And if I can't drive what the hell would I be doing with shoes on anyway?

But then I thought that suppose I was driving and the car broke down and I had to walk somewhere that wasn't shoveled by step sons?

This is why I need to lay off the caffeine and go to bed earlier! Do you really think I'm kidding?? LOL!!

Dolce Vita Josh Shearling
$89.50 at Endless.Com

I settled on these.

For a variety of reasons:

1. They have buckles
2. They have a nobby sole
3. They have a thicker stacked heel for more stability
4. They are lined with warm stuff
5. They were only $89.50 with free shipping
6. My youngest step son is named Josh so it was like karma or something!!

Now I can go to sleep.

But I won't be able to because I'll be anticipating that box being delivered..

Damn, it's worse then Christmas!!

Meet The Masters: Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen: Spring 2010 Collection

You've seen these shoes, right?

If you can't place just hunt down Lady Gaga's Bad Romance video. I'll wait.

Ahhhhhh!!! Now you remember them, right?

And I bet you're thinking the same thing I thought when I first saw them:

GOD! I WISH I HAD A PAIR.. OR TWO!!!

Well, ok.. that probably isn't what your first thought was but either way, they made an impression.

To me.. these are more works of art then shoes but I'd wear them. Even if only to tip around the house when no one was home.

Anyway .. I always do a little snarky eye roll when a designer branches out into shoes. It's one thing to have a passion for creating spectacular shoes (ie: Manolo Blahnik) but another to just do it as an off shoot to your fashion and accessories line (ie: Michael Kors).

I didn't mind so much with McQueen because he was just so uber-creative that I had the feeling if  he didn't branch out he would have exploded in a poof of Scottish plaid and glitter.

Growing up amid humble beginnings, McQueen made fashion his life at the age of 16. He apprenticed with many different tailors, honing the skills that would make him famous. At 21 he moved to Milan and worked along side Romeo Gigli ( no relation to any characters in the Jennifer Lopez movie ) and went on to earn a masters degree from Central St. Martin's College. Pretty impressive, indeed.

His first collection was a mix of his apprenticeships grabbed the fashion world's attention and made his mark as an up and coming force to be recognized.

McQueen was the ultimate fashion bad boy with frequent outburst and attitude .. who else could call Hubert de Givenchy irrelevant? .. but his show dripped in theatrics and his self titled label was blazing trails. He won numerous awards and was still respected by the fashion world. So much so that after his Givenchy line failed, he was given a second chance.

Gucci bought a controlling interest in his line in 2000, giving him greater controlling license. He continued to win awards and his clothes worn by some of the celebrity world's greatest fashionistas.

Sadly, McQueen died in February 2010.

McQueen "Faithful" peep toe boot
$1150.00

While McQueen's flair for the dramatic is legend, he did design a more ready to wear-ish line for normal wear.

If you consider dropping a paycheck normal. 

I did once *sigh* .. long before kids and their insatiable need to eat.

Anyway..

There's no doubt that even his causal and evening wear are works of art .. and for those of us who can't afford his price tag anymore, you know when you see a facsimile in places like DSW or Zappos or Endless where the inspiration comes from.

Gladiators?

For the LIFE of me.. I can’t figure this trend out.

Unless you’re Russell Crowe and wearing a leather strapped Roman kilt.. I can’t see ANY reason why you’d want to put these things on your feet and wear them out in public.

Tweet Lace from GoJane.Com. Priced around 25 bucks

Unless maybe you’re a post-apocolyptic punk rocker… or into the whole alternate lifestyle, I’m just not getting it.

Are you suppose to wear them with jeans? Shorts? Skirts?

Am I just too old and set in my ways to see their value?

Mind you.. I never thought twice about buying a pair of shoes because someone else would think they’re ugly.

I just don’t see the appeal in this type of shoe.

Wanted Tickles at Endless.Com for around 35usd

I will say this though..

There are some types of shoes that don’t look like much on display but have a completely different appeal once they’re being worn.

There are some young girls that I’ve seen wearing Gladiators and they looked cute.

Of course, they were all around 15 with mile high legs no wider then a pencil so maybe that’s what it takes.

So is it me?

How do you feel about Gladiators?

Trend or soon to be staple?

But yknow.. yknow.. stick a heel on these suckers and you won’t be able to hold me back. Check these out from Bebe..

BeBe Gladiatore 189.00

Now.. THAT’s what I’m talking about!!

If I had this pair in front of me, I’d be cradling them like a baby and oooh and aaahh over them.

Maybe even drooling a little but I’d be sure to not get any on the leather!!

These 5″ heels have a half inch platform and while I’m not a fan of platforms in general, I think I’d be able to live with this one.

Anniversary is in 7 days..

Guess what I’m asking for!!

THESE Have My Name Written All Over Them...

Funtasma's Militant 128.00

I love.. Love.. LOVE shoes that have belts and buckles and stones and feathers and bows and ribbons and anything and everything that make a statement.

These boots just don’t make a statement, they yell DON’T FUCK WITH ME, BITCH!

I wasn’t even looking for shoes or at shoes when these suckers pointed a loaded gun to my back.

How could I say no?

They also come in Camo but.. yea.. even I think that that’s a little much. With my luck, I get picked up as some kind of high fashionista terrorist or something.. especially because I’m always at Dunkin’ Donuts at weird hours of the morning!

The boots are made by Funtasma and ShoeBuy.Com has them listed at 63.95.

Not a bad price.. especially if you’re not going to wear them all the time.