Wishes Wednesday

Everyone who know me knows I have an Isabel Marant problem.  I have yet to become an owner of a single article of clothing she has made, but I am always in search of a nice dupe.  I don't know about you, but spending $640 on a pair of sneakers seems more than a little insane.

What else is a little insane is how much I am into the wedge-sneaker look!  I tried to fight it, I really really did, but LOOK at how cute the sneaks look with skinny jeans!  I'm not that into the light on light look here, but with some dark skinnies and a slouchy tee...?  Hel-lo, spring!

But back to this $640 issue.

Hunter Boot Dupe!

Do you know what I have been coveting for years?  A good pair of Hunter wellies.  They really are chic and functional, especially in the sloppy winters we have here in Utah!  The problem is, Hunter wellies are, well, pricey.  I just couldn't bring myself to buy a pair of rubber boots that were over a $100!  I hovered over at Gilt for a Hunter sale and ended up buying a pair that weren't the EXACT thing that I wanted, but I was hoping they'd suffice.  The fit was much too big around my calf and that's what I had found so appealing about the Original Hunter Wellie...it was a sleek rain boot, NOT a galosh! 

Well, I'm here to tell you there is a DUPE for the Original Hunter Wellie and it's....a Hunter Wellie!  The dupe is that you go on over to the kids section at Nordstrom and they have the SAME boot for half the price!  Now, this dupe will only work for ladies (and gents) with a tinier foot, up to about a 7-7.5 to be exact, so I'm sending my apologies for all you larger-footed folks.  I wear a 6.5 and the Big Kid size 4 fit perfectly, even with thicker socks!

Now it's not exactly the same as the adult Hunter wellie.  There are two main differences: 1) the shaft of the boot is about three inches shorter than the adult version, but if you're like me, the taller adult version actually hit uncomfortably at the back of my knee, so the shorter shaft was perfect!  2) There are two greyish-silver reflectors at the back of the kid's version...and I understand this could be a deal-breaker for some, but I truly don't mind them!

So there you have it! I'm excited to stomp my way through this winter and hope this saves you a little moolah if you're on the market for some new boots!

Platforms, Please

I will take any one of these platforms, please.

And thank you;).

Variations on Perfection

If you follow this blog, you know I've had a hankering for some Isabel Marant Dicker Boots since returning from Paris.  They are endlessly wearable, comfortable, and chic.  Perfection, really, except for the price tag, of course.

I was able to find some dreamy copy-cats from Anthropologie a few months ago and really do get to wear them everywhere!  I thought that the style of these ankle boots couldn't get any better...until I found these.  Zippers AND fringe?!?  These are part of my DNA, people.

But of course I wasn't about to spend THAT much on the booties of my dreams.  That's why you can get them here, on sale.  I won't be mad if you pick these up, too, they really are the cutest!

Retail Therapy

There is nothing like finding a treasure to perk up your day.  I was having a bit of a pity party for myself yesterday, when I was admonished at work during a meeting in front the entire staff.  I am all for constructive criticism, but taking petty shots at a coworker and her skills in front of an audience is less than unprofessional, it's just plain mean.  I also had worked allllll weekend and have been feeling about as burnt out as a black piece of toast!  Needless to say, I needed a break.

I skipped out of work a little early yesterday to hit up my favorite place to find great labels at a discounted rate: Nordstrom Rack!  After about half an hour I found these lovely Elizabeth and James suede booties...for $60!

  I KNOW!  They are buttery soft suede and I can see myself wearing these with everything from skirts to shorts this summer!  I also can see myself kicking some shins with these on, too;).  *Ahem* No shins in particular...

I may or may not have a boot problem.

I never really have a problem finding great boots.

These have the essence of the Isabel Marant booties 

I'll never have on my feet in a million years!

Why can't I find a perfect basic top though?

Seriously...?  Why is it so difficult to find a great top?

If you've found one please give me your suggestions in the comments!

Stress Shopping

I may or may not have purchased these on a whim this morning while trying to get a blog post ready!

Anthropologie is having a sale on sale items!

25% more off your sale purchases.

I was defenseless, really.

And look how dreamy these clogs look with rolled up pants!

SEE!

Defenseless.

This is even more serious in the best way possible...

A few days ago, I was already searching for the perfect ankle boot for fall and winter.  Needless to say, I'd found it, but it was also a shoe by Isabel Marant with the price tag to prove it.  I scoured the internet for knock-offs that wouldn't break the bank, but I could only pairs that hovered around $200.

Friday afternoon, I had a couple hours to kill, so I went to Nordstrom Rack to see of I could find a cute top or something with the $25 gift card I'd won at work a few weeks before.  Of course I had to go check out their shoe section, just in case, you know?

I stumbled across these beauties.  I knew before even looking at the price tag they would be spendy.  I decided to try them on JUST to see if they'd fit and then I'd see how much they were. 

They fit!  They were even cuter on...I started to prepare myself for putting them back on the rack.  I sat down and removed the boots and turned them over to how much I couldn't afford them.  They were marked at $75.

WHAT?!?!?  I turned them over again and looked at the price tag and it STILL said $75.

Needless to say, the boots came home with me.  I feel like I won the lottery or something!

This is serious...

I am pretty sure I've found my holiday gift to myself.

But I only get to choose ONE.

Now they aren't the Isabel Marant shoes 

that I know I'd never get on the waitlist for anyway,

but they are also a third of the price!

MUCH easier to explain that purchase to Mr. Teef.

And the answer to the question of the season was...

So remember when I was all worked up about what shoes I should take for my two weeks in Ireland and Paris?  I needed the perfect mix of comfort, fashion, and versatility.  I needed to look cute while logging up to 15 miles a day of walking...!!!  What was this girl to ever do?

A fellow bridesmaid even asked what my shoe choices were at the wedding since she knew how vitally important this detail was to me.  I told her I had such great responses and really had most of your suggestions in the running for what to pack, but ultimately I ended up taking just two pairs of shoes: a pair of ballet flats that could be crushed into nothingness at the bottom of my backpack and a pair of brown low-cut motorcycle boots.

The motorcycle boots were the best. decision. ever.  Their thick soles supported my feet over the thousands of cobblestones, rocky ocean pathways, sandy beach walks, and marbled floors of museums.  They also looked great with everything in my backpack, from the cute wispy tees I brought for dinners out to my warm military jacket to battle the gusty Irish countryside.

Thanks to K,Tea?'s advice about insoles, I also had the arch support and cushioning I needed (my arches are ridiculously high after years of ballet.)  I ended up getting some runner's insoles that made my life worth living after 12 hours of walking.

The motorcycle boots were also a serendipitous choice for Paris because BOOTS are all the Parisian girls were wearing!  Granted, many of their boots had perilously higher heels than my humble motorcycle kicks, but boots were the go-to item for most of the stylish women I saw walking around town.  (More on Parisian style later...this needs a whole blog post;)!)

My boots are no longer available, but I found some cute alternatives that look similar to my blessed pair.  All are available at endless.  Again, thank you so much for all of your suggestions!

Mugshot.

My kinda mug.

Gloriousness from SSENSE.

Sigh.

Mint

YES.

Now quit snowing, so I can wear these!

From here, of course.

Replacement Killers

I've been in love with these Swedish Hasbeens Jodhpur Boots in black for awhile.

Unfortunately they cost 2495 kroner.

That's $325 in 'Merican.

So, I tried to find a worthy replacement in the "clog that will change your life" department and stumbled across these.

Not exactly a boot, not exactly black, not exactly Hasbeens, but hey,
I'm a student and don't have luxury of a "cost-per-wear"
breakdown right now.

I found these little cuties at JessJamesJake on Etsy.

Fine little replacements, indeed.

Sam Edelman knows the secrets of my soul...

Just sayin'.

Available at Nordstrom.

Adorable Sustainable

I am loving these flats from SMARTFISH.

They are 100% vegan and made by hand without the use of any adhesives.

So cute.

I'm bad and I'm fine with that.

I purchased these beauties for myself after two harrowing days of teaching.
It was truly my only motivation for not walking out and bursting into tears.
Thank you for giving me strength, FRYE.
xo

P.S. I got them on super sale, too...so don't even THINK I paid that much for them;)!

Shoe Porn

Yes or no?
I got these for a song, but the calf is pretty stinking big on me...
I like Hunter Boots because they're so sleek,
but these look kinda like galoshes.
So,
are
galoshes
ok
for gals
over
the
age
of
7
?
?
?

Ooh la la...

At Endless.

Um...I have no excuses...

Yeah, these too.
Sorry, Shug! I'm stressed!!

Lovlies from MaraisUSA.

Yellow Shoe Contingency Plan

So remember how I told you when I get stressed I get shoes?
That's true.
x3.

All from Endless, because is there really any other way to ship than overnight??