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.