Summer Style: Boat Shoes

Okay, so we all know that around July I start getting really sick of flip flops. This year, I decided to do a preemptive strike against summer shoe boredom by buying some cute alternatives that I could wear with shorts and summer dresses.

I bought these boat shoes a few months ago:

Roxy Skooner Boat Shoe

And when I bought them, I was like "Meh, I guess I'll get these." And that "meh" soon turned into "OMG I love these shoes everyone should have them forever and ever."

I get the fact that it's a boat shoe and who really cares, but I seriously wear these almost every single day. Not only are they super comfy, but they go with everything ever. And there are tons of adorable options all over the budget scale.

So, not surprisingly, I'm now super into boat shoes for summer. Check out my summer uniform lately: A button up, rolled bermudas and boat shoes. How simple and girl-next-door is this?

Green shirt / Lucky Brand jean shorts / Eastland boat shoes / B o c Børn Concept crossbody purse / Mango macrame bracelet / Alex and Ani stud earrings

Yeah, it's not groundbreaking, but when the idea of trying to build yet another outfit out of your Old Navy flip flops makes you physically ill, you'll thank me.

Alright, sound off: How do you feel about these guys? I'm kind of over my TOMS, so I feel like this is a nice alternative, right? 

Getting Ready for Party Season!

So, now that Canadian Thanksgiving is over and Halloween is coming, I'm totally getting ready to kick off the holiday season around here. Now, don't get me wrong – I won't be putting up Christmas stuff until after American Thanksgiving, but to me, American Thanksgiving is part of all of the festivities. And all of this culminates in one thing:

Parties.

I love 'em – a chance to get dressed up, hang with friends and family and eat really good food. And honestly, the time when I get most excited about women's fashion isn't during Fashion Week, it's when everything gets all special and sparkly and fun – like some of these fun finds from Axara Canada – during the last two months of the year. 

That being said, are you ready for party season yet? If not, I think there are a few things you need to put on your fall shopping list. Bonus? Everything is going on sale anyway, so now is a good time to snap up some party clothes. Here are my party season must-haves:

      1. A pair of pumps that you can stand in for more than five minutes. You can't go wrong with a basic black, but look for something special – a textured heel, studs, whatever. These from Axara are perfect because the heel isn't too high, but there's some extra interest.

         2. A pair of dark jeans for more casual parties. Because not every party necessitates a cocktail dress. Sometimes, you can get away with some dark skinnies, killer heels and a special top.

         3. A couple of special tops. Look for luxe details. I'm really into chiffon, leather and lace right now, but beading and anything else goes. I like to make sure my tops will go with both dark jeans and a pencil skirt so I get max use.

       4. A couple of fancy dresses. Here's the thing. I don't mind spending more on quality cocktail dresses. I wear them during the holidays, but I also pull them out for weddings, benefits and dress them down with blazers for a more casual look. I get a ton of wear out of them. A little black dress is always appropriate, especially if it has something that sets it apart. I just ordered this one and plan to wear it all season long.

        5. A serious jewelry piece. Statement jewelry doesn't ALWAYS have to be a big, colorful necklace. I like really ornate earrings or huge cocktail rings. If you're going to do statement necklaces, keep in mind that the holidays are more about glitz and sparkle, instead of plastic and color. And please no novelty jewelry. Like, we know that now, right?

       6. A clutch! Oversized purses have no place at a festive soiree. I think it's good to at least have one basic black clutch on hand... and maybe one that's a little sparkly too. Clutches are pretty much my favorite thing ever, right after cookie butter and those commercials Ron Burgundy does for Dodge Durango.

So, how do we feel about this shopping list? Doable? In the end, I feel like the fun part about the holidays and women's clothing in general is  that it's a time when you can dress up more than usual. My family (both immediate and extended) are pretty casual people, so it's fun to get out of the rut. Whether it's a more tailored look for Thanksgiving with the fam or going all-out for a work party, the next couple of months mean shucking off the tees and jeans – just until January 2^nd.

This post was sponsored by Axara Canada. 

Fall Boot Eye Candy and the Time I Rolled My Eyes So Hard My Contact Fell Out

So the other day I was on a mission: find a new pair of boots. Do I already have a large collection of boots? Yes. But I was looking for a specific kind of boot -- a mid-length black boot with grungy details and a wide mouth. I've been wearing a lot of military-type outfits and my brown midi boots didn't always cut it.

Anyway, as a last-ditch effort I popped into the Payless in our teensy town and started browsing. Cue the always-intense Payless shoe salesgirl who popped over to tell me all about the fall sale. "It's a really big deal," she said. Great. I love a sale. She asked if I was looking for anything in particular and I lied and said no, but I'd let her know if I needed help.

She then proceeded to point out which shoes were "really fashionable this season." I wandered away and then proceeded to roll my eyes so hard that my contact bubbled and I had to poke it back in. That's a serious eye-roll, folks.

That got rid of her for about two seconds. She came back to show me a line of comfort 1" heels. Like, I don't know how to say this -- but I don't feel I look like the kind of girl who wears "comfort" shoes. But I nodded and make affirmative noises to make her feel good and she went to another aisle for a while.

While she was gone, I miraculously found the exact boot I'd been looking for and tried them on. They fit and I picked them up to check out. She came back. THIS time she wanted to show me a pair of leopard-print wedges. I'm guessing because I was wearing leopard flats? I was clearly standing there with a box with boots, but I then felt pressured to try on the wedges (they were horrendous).

Finally, another customer came in and I had five seconds to breathe. Of course, then I had to check out and explain to her that I ONLY wanted the boots and no I did not want to buy leopard wedges while she looked personally offended. It was awful. I left there feeling emotionally drained, all for these. On the bright side, they're exactly what I wanted -- mid-calf, wide top and a little slouch. On the down side, I'm terrified of ever going into that store again.

Anyway, to stop you from experiencing shoe salesperson guilt trips, I've rounded up some of my fave fall boots for you.

I'm all about comfort this year, so most are flat or have a small heel at best. Heeled boots have their place, but that is not at the pumpkin patch, amiright? I also like a little interest in the form of buckles and straps, along with a nice, wide top that you can stuff your jeans into.

I know heeled booties are also back for fall, but I'm just not a bootie kinda gal. I have a big butt and a sleek little bootie heel makes me look like a watermelon walking around on toothpicks. I don't begrudge others for wearing them, they just aren't for yours truly.

So check out my picks for mid and knee-length boots and may your shopping experience be much less eye-rolling than mine.

What kind of boot are you looking for this fall? Tell me so I can copy you and make my husband mad when I ask for more shoe storage yaaaay.

Rocket Dog boots / Rocket Dog wrap boots / Olsenboye ankle booties / Tan wedge shoes, $41 / Low-heel boots / Forever 21 ankle booties / Ankle booties

 

 Mossimo brown buckle boots / Charlotte Russe studded knee high boots / Buckle riding boots / Jessica Simpson high heel cowgirl boots / Not Rated boots / Double buckle boots / Forever 21 knee high platform boots

3 Tips for Buying New Workout Shoes

Okay, I know this isn't a fitness blog, but since I'm currently in the throes of finding new workout shoes that are awesome for you know, fitness and still cute, I thought I'd clue you in. I love the workout shoes I have now, but I can tell they're starting to wear and it's time to kick them to "strictly wear with yoga pants to the grocery store at 11 pm status."

In the meantime, I do have some tips for picking a pair of workout shoes -- both for function and because I'm really vain and like my workout shoes to match my clothes and look pretty. Also, can I point out that while swimsuit season is technically over, working out now shifts from looking good in swimwear to looking good while still consuming copious amounts of fall food, like pie and pumpkin muffins. Ohhh I cannot wait.

Ahem. Moving on.

1. Choose specifically for the sport/fitness you do.


There's actually a pretty huge difference between say, a basketball shoe and a running shoe. Shoes made for specific sports or types of fitness have different features, like supportive sides for lateral movements or light soles for faster feet. Because I vary in my workouts, I look for a good, all-around cross-trainer with light soles and mid to medium side support. Whatever your workout du jour, there's probably a shoe for it -- there's even a line of Reebok Crossfit shoes for those of you working on your WOD every morning. Also, if one of your sports or fitness is running, you'll need a completely different shoe -- don't try to run like, 13 miles in your cross-trainers or weight training shoes.

2. Try them on.



This might sound like "duh," but if you see a really good deal on fitness shoes online, beware. Workout shoes are on your feet for long periods of time and through tons of movement. The last thing you want is a hurt-y tag or lace to drive you insane when you should be focusing on burpees. I only buy online if it's a model I've already worn. Otherwise, it's a gamble -- some fitness shoes fit more snugly, some might have varying levels of arch support -- just trust me and head to a store and actually try some on before you check the Internet for deals.

3. Make it fun.

 My personal motto for workout gear is that the cuter it is, the more likely I am to work out. I know it's completely shallow, but nothing motivates me quite like some new leggings, adorable workout shoes and a new tank top. In the last two or so years, fitness shoes have gone from evil necessity to freakin' awesome accessory. Like, wearable outside of the gym and I love it. Neon is still pretty big right now, as is patterns on your shoes. So make fitness shoe shopping as much fun as shopping for heels and you might have more motivation to actually wear them.

(Not going to lie, I'm leaning heavily to the leopard ones)

Anyway, thought it might help if I Shared my process with you. I love shoe shopping, no matter what type of shoe it is. Now, help a girl out -- do you have a fave cross-trainer that I should check out?

Summer Shoe Candy!

 ** This post has been sponsored by ShoeDazzle.com. All opinions are my own. **

Remember on Monday where I said that if you didn't get a good MD present, you can go buy shoes instead? Well, I'm gonna help you with that.

ShoeDazzle.com asked if I would check out some of their Spring and Summer offerings and since I spend most of my time looking at shoes anyway, I was happy to oblige. I went online and took a fun fashion quiz about which styles I liked and what types of shoes I wanted to see. Once you're done answering the questions, a stylist then puts together your own showroom with options you'd like the most. Of course, you can also browse around for other shoes too, which is exactly what I did. Now I'm excited for summer and *might* be ordering some wedges. Because I really need them.

 These are my picks for face summer shoes. Even if you don't buy them, you can see how pretty they are, right? Drooooool.And, can you help me decide which ones to get?

I finally found a pair of camo skinnies, praise the heavens. Can't wait to show you. But in the meantime (they're being shipped) I love these adorable flats. Can you imagine these with a khaki skirt and bright T-shirt? I die. Or colored skinnies! OK I'll stop now I'm sorry. 

I'm debating these as one of the pairs I want to buy. There's just something about a white shoe in summer time and that button is bringing out the 5-year-old in me. Large wooden buttons are just one of the joys in life. Screw raindrops on roses.

Please, a red canvas peeptoe wedge? Shut up about it. It's adorable. These with a pair of bermies on a summer date night? Your legs will look a mile long and your feet won't want to fall off like every time I wear heels on a date. I really want these too. UGH.  What is it with red shoes? I have 7 pairs already and I need moooore.












These sandals are boss. Like, I know that flip flops have their place in the world, but after wearing them for a while I kind of want to set them on fire. I love the ankle detail on these. Would they not be amazing with a maxi dress? The answer is yes. Yes they would. 












I love the "match everything" color of these wedges. They would seriously go with pretty much every piece of clothing I own. I'm also loving the way the leather wraps around the cork. And straps make me happy, especially when they hit under the ankle bone. Hellooooo tiny ankles.











Oh, excuse me cutest nautical espadrilles of all time. Would you like to belong to me? I would wear you on my boat with my swimsuit and be the cutest mom on the dock and everyone would be jealous oh please? 

These are another pair I am seriously considering. White and camel makes sweet, sweet love together and I can appreciate that. I have too many shorter summer dresses that are practically begging me to buy these.













Or I could go polka dot with these wedges. Because polka dot makes me so happy. Can you imagine these with a pair of cuffed skinnies, white tee and aqua belt? Instant make-people-jealousness.


Alright, what's your vote? I am in shoe overload and seriously can't choose! Let me know in the comments and I'll totally yield to peer pressure, I just know it!

And, if you're in the mood for shoes too, follow this link to ShoeDazzle.com -- it'll score you 25 percent off and free shipping, which puts the majority of these shoes around the $30 mark. And that's my happy place for shoes.

That reminds me... I really need a pedicure.

How to: Shop for Shoes Online

Hey, newsflash: I like to shop for shoes. Like, a lot. As in, my closet is overflowing with the 130+ pairs of shoes that I can't stop buying. I attribute it back to my first pregnancy. I didn't get huge or anything, but things didn't fit well and I had an awkward baby belly that wasn't big enough for maternity clothes but was too big for normal clothes. It was a dark time for me. I turned to shoes. Shoes always fit. Shoes didn't judge. Shoes were pretty.

Fast forward seven years and I'm still totally obsessed. And one of my favorite ways to add to my collection is to shop for deals online. Seriously, I buy a huge amount of cheap shoes online, thanks to coupon codes, sales and the fact that I do it on a daily basis. But shopping for shoes online can also be a little tricky, so I've got some tips if you're going to be trolling the interwebz for pretty shoes.

1) Look for brands you already own.

This is something I do with online clothes shopping as well. It's probably the only time I could be considered "brand loyal." It's just that if I shop via brand, I know for sure what size will fit me, since I've already got some in my closet. For instance, I love Chinese Laundry shoes. I'm a 7.5. When I see CL shoes on sale, I don't have to hum and haw over the fit, since I already know. I heart online shoe superstores that have most popular brands of women's shoes since I can sort via the brands I already own and buy that way.

2) Read the reviews.

This is a MUST, people. Reviews are golden because they save you from making the same mistakes someone else has already made, like ordering too narrow or buying a shoes that's totally uncomfortable. I always check out the user reviews for comments on the way the shoes fit, whether or not they run true to size and how comfortable/easy they are to walk in. I mean, obviously I sometimes still buy shoes even if they aren't easy to walk in, but at least I'm prepped.

3. Shop around.

I made a rookie mistake on V-Day when I bought these cute boots at the mall. I loved these MIA Crusaders and bought 'em on the spot. The coolest part about them is that the studs make a spur noise when you walk and make me feel like I'm in True Grit, which is my favorite Western of all time. ANYWAY, I got home and started thinking about buying them in black so I looked them up online. Guess what? I totally overpaid. I found them cheaper online. Before you buy, plug the shoe brand and name into Google Shopping and you'll probably find the shoes you want for cheaper -- especially if there's a coupon code involved. Sweet, sweet coupon codes how I love you.

4. Make sure there's a darn good return policy.

Buying shoes online means you don't get to try them on, so you're sorta flying blind. There's been times where I bought shoes from a brand I knew and did everything right -- and they still didn't fit all that well when I got them. Seriously, I have one pair of heels that were so tight that they literally made me lightheaded when I wore them. That's why you need to check the return policy before you buy. Gold standard is free returns, but it'll vary from store to store. Just know what you're getting into so you can send the shoes back if they're totally heinous.

5. Hide the boxes from your husband.

Then, when he asks if your shoes are new, shrug noncommittally and mumble something about having them for a while. Just trust me on that.

Let's recap here:
Shopping for shoes online = good.
Shopping without thinking = bad.
Having a good return policy = good.
Owning up to it = bad.

Ask Jae!

Who WOULDN'T take fashion advice from this girl!?

When I started this blog back in the winter of 08/09, I did it because I was always having friends ask me questions about style, jewelry and fashion in general. It was just a place where I thought they could go and grab quick info on... well, not dressing like a mom. Since then, my style has completely evolved (seriously, I look at some of my old posts and I'm like oh dear, what was I thinking?) and gained a ton more readers (no longer my tiny circle of friends!) but I still get questions all of the time. And since I never want this to be a "everyone come see how good I look" blog, I have to get that perfect balance of advice, bad clothes, outfits and all the rest to make me feel happy inside.

So today is a great day for cleaning out my email inbox to address any concerns you have fashion-wise. Keep 'em coming, because if I don't answer them publicly, I definitely will shoot you an email. I'm super nice like that.

Here we go guys, it's time for Ask Jae! (Ps I always wanted to be a Dear Abby type. This is me living out my dreams.)

Kate (and a ton of Facebook fans) asked about boots for wide calves. I hear this question ALL of the time and it's something that I even have issues with. I have a pair of boots that are crazy tight and I'm always stuffing my legs into them like I'm putting a tent away after camping. That was a fantastic visual.

Alright, here are your options. Shop for boots in specifically wide widths. Endless.com has an awesome selection of wide boots and you can narrow down your search easily. Another think is to look for boots with stretch. Here's a hint: if the boot can stand up on its own, it's really stiff and doesn't have much give. Look for a thinner construction with interest like ruching, which is really just in place to hide the fact that the boot is stretchy. Another product you might be interested in is the Boot Band. It's an insert you zip into the boot to give you a little more wiggle room. Also, if you have larger calves, look for a flat riding boot or a skinny heel. As my friend Kate noted in her email, anything else WILL make you look like a Clydesdale. Which is no bueno unless you want to work for Budweiser.

Next!!

Ashleigh, who is my IRL friend, asked about how to match jewelry to your outfit. Personally, I'm not a jewelry planner. I play it like a date and just go with what feels right. But I do have a few rules that I typically follow. I don't like jewelry to be close to each other, so I rarely wear earrings and a necklace together. I like the emphasis to be on the actual design of the jewelry, so I don't like it to be competing with other stuff. When it comes to matching necklaces to necklines, consider the space you have to fill. In general, if you're wearing a minimalist look, it's OK to go with chunkier jewelry. But busy clothes call for little jewels or nothing at all. It's all about balance, people.

Jamie asked what I thought were "must haves" for your wardrobe. I wrote about that like, two years ago, but the list could use some refreshing. I would definitely start with a dark wash pair of boot cut jeans. I'm also think a crisp white button-up is a perfect layering piece and think that a slim-cut cardigan must be in there too. A pair of basic heels and a pair of flats are definitely necessary, and I really think you should have an amazing jacket. Leather, trench, whatever, just something more than a parka, please.

Shawna asked what I recommend for long-waisted, normal-legged peeps to avoid drop-crotch. Two words: trouser. jeans. Because you have a long waist, you really need to bring up your natural waist to look more balanced. Trouser jeans hit higher on the hips so your torso looks shorter and because they're meant to hit around or just below the belly button, you won't get saggy crotch. Saggy crotch makes me sad.

Nicola was worried that she can't wear dresses because she's short, chubby and adverse to heels. Never fear, Nicola. First, stop calling yourself chubby. Babies are chubby. You are delightful. Secondly, I totally recommend a pair of pretty flats in place of heels. I wear mine with skirts and dresses all the time as a jeans alternative during the week. I just bought some cute lace flats and I'm excited for it to warm up so I can wear them with casual skirts. Just wear them when you try on stuff -- it's easier to get the picture when you have the right shoes. Trying on skirts with runners or socks is GROSS.

Wendy wants to know how to hide the fact that her pants are a little tight in the tummy as she works to lose weight. Wendy, it happens to the best of us. You've seen the post where I wore my fat day special, right? Totally works with jeans. Just grab a loosey, chiffon-type top and wear it with a slim-cut blazer or cardigan. It's how you wear loose clothes without looking like a total slob. Crisis averted.

Ashley asked whether or not it was OK for shorties to wear maxi dresses. That, my friend, is a super emphatic YES. I'm an astounding 5'4 and I would die without my maxi dresses. In fact, they give you a nice, lean line that can actually put a little height on you. Just try choosing a maxi that is long enough to hit the floor (shouldn't be hard for us shorties) and then pair it with some cute wedges. It's totally on-trend and it'll give you a couple extra inches of height, even though that freaks my husband out. lol.

Debbi asked about necklines for different face shapes and body types. Check it!

And finally, Nelda, a girl after my own heart asked about decorating a log home. I know this has nothing to do with fashion, but I thought I'd give her some ideas on dressing her abode, since log homes are weird. I am very against my house looking "cabiny." We have a cabin and that can be cabiny. My house doesn't need to have animal heads on the walls. It's too kitsch when you already live in a log home. Since the logs are really heavy, you can't really be minimalist with decorating. I like black wood, heavy pieces and furniture that can hold its own against the size and color of the logs. You can check out my personal blog for some random house pics (I've posted a couple here too) but basically I look for bold, oversized furniture. Also, the entire house is painted in the same palette... I don't think a log house lends itself well to different colors in each room. I just customized the palette for each room -- my room is tan and a deep, browny green, and the kids' room has the same two tone paint but with red plaid accents. Does that help?

That was both fun and long winded. I hope everyone learned as much as I did. I actually didn't learn that much, but I am excited that email inbox is cleaned out for like, the next five minutes at least.

Freaky Friday: Shoes

So we couldn't all agree on the cuteness that is TOMS, but I will point out that the response was overwhelmingly positive, which means I can wear my sparklers in peace. Someone asked me yesterday if the pair they give away are the same sequined ones, to which I say I sincerely, sincerely hope so. I so hope there's some kid in Africa wearing special edition plum sequined TOMS. That would be sweet.

But, even if we can't agree on TOMS, we can totally agree on awful shoes in general, right? I was sent some awesome examples on the fan page, which you should totally join. Because we make fun of stuff. Who doesn't like making fun of stuff!?


Have I ever told you how much I hate Betsey Johnson as a designer? No? Well I will. I hate Betsey Johnson as a designer. There is nothing OK with these boots, which is why I expect Katy Perry to wear them in her next music video.


I genuinely feel sad for this shoe. It clearly is a flat that wished it was an Oxford that wished it was a flip flop that wished it was a boot that wished it was dead.


I sincerely hope that this was made in a kindergarten class. If so, bravo! If not, BOO, HISS.

How to Take a Completely Lovely Trend and Beat Everyone Over the Head with it Relentlessly: The title of my newest blog. All about this shoe and how I enjoy florals.


On the bright side.....

....nope, I got nothin'. These are ugly. Checkerboard? Really?

Ohhhhh the infamous kitty shoes. I'd like to point out that while they look like they are for three-year-olds, they are from Torrid and therefore not only made for adults, but plus size adults. Because apparently plus sized girls like..... cats? Also, they came in leopard, so be excited for that.

Also they were labeled as "vintage." Could someone kindly point me toward that era in time?

(Thanks, Meleah!)


Oh, Christian Siriano, you hot mess. Please stop designing high fashion shoes for Payless. All it does is convince soccer moms that they can pull off Muppet feet. Although I would like to touch... then pull my hand away in a disgusted fashion. Let's arrange that.

(Thanks, Rachel dear!)

Can we be done with the huge cuff sandals, please? I've never seen one I like and this one is especially horrendous. The twee boy just kills me. It says "I'm avant garde, but I still like lollipops.



Emily notified me of this alarming trend of cross flip flops with interchangeable straps. None of those words should ever go together. I feel like if you want to express your faith, doing so between your toes probably isn't the best method.


I love a red shoe as much as the next girl... I probably have six or seven pairs. Still, I will not be owning this glorified band costume for the foot. Not only are they ugly, but I was a terrible french horn player.

See? I feel like we're all back on the same page now. Happy sighs all around.

TOMS: Love 'Em or Hate 'Em

On my birthday this year I finally took the plunge and bought my first pair of TOMS. I had hummed and hawed over it for the longest time. The pair I wanted were a special edition plum glitter that retailed for about $90, so they were more of an investment than I usually make in casual shoes. Still, every time I passed by them I thought of all the ways I could wear them. Finally, I had my family members donate to the "Buy Jae some TOMS" fund for my birthday gifts and my TOMS were purchased. I'm super happy with them. Not only are they ridiculously comfortable, but the sequins make them a little different. Happiness.

Still, I know that TOMS are kind of polarizing. I will admit that they're pretty darn ugly. But that's pretty much the point. They're supposed to look organic and homemade and not like the usual five inch pumps I usually traipse around in. My husband hates them and can't believe I spent so much. But at the mall yesterday no less that four people stopped me to say they liked my shoes. So I know that you either love them or you hate them.

But they CAN look super cute and casual with different outfits. I've been experimenting with mind and have come up with a few ways to wear TOMS without looking like a complete hispter wannabe.

Rue21 woven shirt, $20
Pleated skirt, $24
Toms shoes, $54
Antique sunglasses, $35
Dorothy Perkins wrap bracelet, £13
Dorothy Perkins red belt, £5

I love to wear mine with a skirt. My little family went over to the local farmer's market last weekend to buy raspberries and this amazing cream syrup and I was super cool and comfy in my skirt and TOMS. They're awesome from making a skirt look less churchy. Also, start loading up on plaid this fall because it's gonna be big. I love the idea with plaid and a girly skirt.

Floral shirt, £24
Old Navy denim short shorts, $13
TOMS white shoes, $44
Metal Mulisha polka dot bag, $35
Mimco tahitian pearl earrings, £30

I also wear my TOMS with my bermuda shorts. Actually, I did that yesterday. It's a nice change from flip flops without being as dressy as flats. Yesterday I just did a floral tank with a boyfriend cardigan and called it a day. It was super easy and I felt like I totally blended in with the tortured teenagers shopping at Hot Topic at the mall. Just kidding.

H m cardigan, £4.99
TopShop stripe shirt, $24
Almost famous jeans, $35
Toms shoes, $44
Vintage handbag, $50
Coral jewelry, 17 AUD
1928 jewelry, $20

I've also worn my TOMS with jeans and was really happy at how casual and easy it looked. I love the idea of wearing them with bootcuts or flares and just have a little of the sequins poke out, but a more subdued pair is every bit as cute for a nautical-inspired outfit like this one. What a perfect outfit for fall shopping, lunch with friends or just generally not looking like a hobo when your husband comes home from work? This would be so cute with a patterned scarf too!

So, what do you think? Do you love TOMS or do you hate them? Remember that every time you buy a pair, they donate a pair to a child in need, which is how I reconciled the $90 price tag when I bought them. They also have super cute wedges and other types of shoes, but I think starting out with a classic TOMS is the way to go. I have my eye on their vegan wrap boots... Christmas?

I call for a vote! Let's see if there are more lovers than haters! Comment away!

An Ode to the Wedge

Not to be confused with the WEDGIE, (as a total side note, my first job when I was 15 was in a deli. We had a hot case, and whenever someone would come and order potato wedges as "wedgies" I would erupt into giggles and get the stink-eye from my lesbian manager. No really, she was actually a lesbian. But not the pretty kind.)

The last two or three pairs of shoes I've purchased have been wedges because they make me so very happy in the summer time. They are such a quick and easy way to add non-serious color to an otherwise boring outfit. Not to mention how awesome they make your legs look when worn with a skirt or a pair of bermudas. Seriously. If you're looking for something to punch up your wardrobe for summer without spending a ton of money, get the most bang for your buck and buy a seriously bright pair of wedges. A pair of lemon yellow wedges are on my radar for next purchase.

Here I've assembled a huge array of 40 pairs of awesome wedges that make me oh so happy, with prices starting at $5 (!!) and the highest being a really cute Kate Spade pair I couldn't resist at $171. Does Jae love ya, or does Jae love ya?

Paris Hilton Camila Wedge - Red, $40
Pierre Dumas Fontana-2, $25
Michael Antonio Women's Harriet Wedge, $20
Dune Ankle Tie Cork Wedge Sandals, $27
cork wedge canvas slingbacks - Shoes - at debshops.com, $5

red floral espadrille wedges, $37
Report Tristan Wedge - Red, $36
Picnic Pinup Wedge, $35
Enzo Angiolini Angela Wedge - Red, $45

PLASTICLAND - Deep Purple Ruffled Velvet Platform Wedges, $38
Wine Flocked Ultra Wedges, $50
BP. Cork Wedge Sandal, $60
Emma Pink Phila, $40
Restricted Bloom Slide - Fuchsia, $35

Mia Fifi, $40
Betseyville Bethany Wedge - Blue, $35
Skechers Cali Women's The Pantages Wedge, $30
Naturalizer Women's Stampede Sandal, $38
T-Bar Wedge Sandals, $38

CL by Chinese Laundry Women's Ionia Ajour Gore Slingback Sandal, $38
Turquoise Crinkle Flower Platform Wedge Pump @ Amiclubwear Wedges..., $13
Betseyville Victoria Wedge - Turquoise, $79
Restricted Surf Wedge - Turquoise, $25
cork wedge knotted slingbacks - Shoes - at debshops.com, $26

Bc Footwear Women's Coming Out Party Wedge Sandal, $36
Nine West Cheyanne cork wedge slingback (GREEN), $70
Seychelles YIN, $90
BC Footwear SKIP, $50
Rocket Dog ABBY, $55

KAMPARI, 39 GBP
Miss Sixty Twist Front Wedge Sandal, $56
Kate Spade Women's Metro Wedge Sandal, $171
Pelle Moda Women's Yukio Wedge Ankle Wrap Sandal, $91
Wedges - Daytime bonprix, 18 GBP

Coconuts by Matisse Women's Melrose Sandal, $49
Reaction Cedar Dew LI - Fanta, $72
BCBGirls GEBLYN, $50
Wild Diva Wink18 Wedges, $20
wedge sandals

See anything you like?

(Also, have you entered the giveaway? You have until 11:59 MST on Thursday to win a $60 gift card... and you can totally buy some cute wedges with it! )

Shoes for GLOBAL WARMING!

So how cute does Jenna look? I have those same tights, so I'm partial.

Did you guys miss me? How were your holidays? Please tell me you got some awesome glammy presents for husbands and kids who know you don't want pot holders?

So I was watching the Today Show this morning, which I do every morning because I have an inexplicable love for Matt Lauer. Anyone who can STAND not punching Tom Cruise right in the mouth when being called "glib" is a-ok in my book. Anyway, the big news story this morning was the freakish cold snap that has hit the entire U.S. of A. I had to chuckle. I'm not one of those people who thinks the world will end in a fiery inferno, especially after that admission that the research on global warming wasn't THAT bad. Don't get me wrong, I believe in caring for our planet and using reusable shopping bags, but just out of social responsibility.

Anyhoo, I was thinking about our dear friends in the South, who are probably scrambling right now to find winter shoes to deal with the snow that they had no idea would affect them this winter. Here in Utah it's a balmy 35, so I'm not minding it. I'm from Canada, remember? We are all born with an extra layer of skin or something. Yesterday morning though, I walked outside and prayed for the sweet release of global warming. Because it was the kind of cold that makes your bones shiver.

The right shoes are SO important in the winter and snow. First, you have to deal with slipping and sliding on the ice. Second, the snow spilling into your cute flats. Third, you don't want to wear scary moon boots and look like you're heading on an expedition of Mount Everest.

So here are some of the best shoes that I've found for the global warming emergency we are facing right now.

I'll start off by bragging about my husband for a second. He got me the Frye Harness boots for Christmas. I cried when I got them. This is how much I love these boots. I've wanted them for like two years. That should say something, because they still haven't gone out of style. They are awesome in the snow and cold and I've worn them nonstop since I got them. Look how pretty!

I'm considering naming them. Is that weird?

Anyhow, the best case for these as snow boots is that they are virtually indestructible. Any snow or ice on them only serves to make them more comfortable and worn in. Love.

K, so I will admit that the price tag on the Frye's is more than I would usually spend on a shoe. Which would be why my husband had to buy them. But, if you want the look for less, American Eagle does a pretty darn good job of a look alike for around $40.


Love these. And they'll still function well in the cold and look cute with jeans.

But there are other riding boots I love for the winter too. Look for something flat, with a bit of a grip on the sole, so that you don't look like an idiot slipping around in totally nonfunctional winter boots.



(F21)



Ugh, love this color so much! (Nine West)

If you're dealing with snow and cold that is like, MAJOR (I'm lookin' at you, Wisconsin) a real, super warm winter boot doesn't have to be hideous. Check out these from Loris that are totally acceptable.



And, if you're weird about wearing boots over jeans or don't have appropriately skinny jeans to tuck (we've talked about this; skinny jeans to tuck only. Otherwise you'll look like a weird pirate) try an ankle height boot that will still keep you out of the snow, but you can wear under jeans.


(Payless)



(Aldo) These are seriously adorable. The buckles peeking out from under some jeans? Love.

I also want to note that all of these boots are under $50, for you Southerners who don't want to spend serious cash on boots you might not ever wear again. You know, with global warming and whatnot.

Finally, you can always try something like this, if your best friend is Harry, and you've just found a briefcase full of money in Aspen, CO and are trying to seduce a woman named Mary who's husband is being held for ransom.



............anyone?