Wheels Up

It snowed again this weekend after I thought all that shit was DONE. I oscillate between total apathy and defeat to hope and excitement for my trip. My travel outfit is complete and my beater boots cleaned up pretty nicely. I'm adding a Love Quotes scarf for comfort and my Michael Kors watch after the TSA check.

For additional alternatives to the boots since my last rant, I have updated the list below with 2 new candidates.

Jacket: My old from J. Crew but similar here | Pants: Uniqlo Drape Bottoms | Scarf: My old Love Quotes but similar here | Striped tank: My own but similar here and here | Crop tank: Nordstrom BP. Crop Tank | Watch: Michael Kors Runway Watch | Bag: Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM Damier Ebene | Booties UPDATE: My old Steve MaddenPembrook booties but similar here and here 

Shady Boots

As you saw a few posts ago regarding my travel uniform, I've been preoccupied with the perfect light colored suede ankle boots. I discussed how they are an appropriate shade to transition from polar vortex to spring, the slip on design is easy for TSA checkpoints and the low heel add just enough height and structure to an otherwise very casual outfit. 

I already have an old taupe pair of Steve Madden boots, but my husband has gone from calling them "leprechaun boots" to now calling them "momma's beater boots". I became rather self conscious and started to review the alternatives that I suggested. The Enzo Angiolini Gimm boot seemed like a good and affordable replacement but it was just plain awful. The suede was actually more of a lilac than a taupe or grey. The stacked heel was not leather stacked but more of a block heel with painted stripes for a leather effect. Lastly, as many ratings suggested, they were horribly uncomfortable, even for the brief time I was trying them on. Oh and they were a bit high on my leg which gave me cankle effect. Booooooo!

After the strongest beer on tap at my Wednesday burger joint, I felt financially overconfident enough to try on the ubiquitous Isabel Marant Dicker boots. I don't even really like them...they seem ridiculous and severe. Pretty much how I'd picture a leprechaun's boots. But a short suede boot that you can wear in any season feels like a sound investment. I tried them on in taupe and these boots are amazeballs and I'm still not sure what kind of scheme I'm going to have to pull to get them. The toe is not as extreme as it appears and the lower heel is comfortable without being frumpy. They just feel so damn luxurious as you slip them on. But life is about choices and right now I have some other choices to make with those funds. Otherwise there is not a damn thing wrong with those boots!

So now the third option (which I should have done last year when stock was more consistent) is the Ash Spiral ankle boot. Even though it is nearly impossible to find, it's a reasonable compromise compared to the Dicker.

So what do a do with only a few days left and the need to stay financially solvent? I got a suede brush and a suede stick and cleaned up my beater leprechauns. This will have to do until I figure out a hustle.

Before --> After

First Boots: Isabel Marant Dicker Boot | Second Boots: Ash Spiral Suede Bootie | My leprechaun/beater boots: Steve Madden

My C. Wonder(ful) iPad Clutch

The countdown to St. Martin continues and with the news that we will have weefee (what the French call wifi) in the villa, I've decided an iPad is necessary. I have an iPad 2....or 3(?) with the magnetic front cover but no case. I've looked for cases, but haven't found anything my style that doesn't add bulk and weight. I decided on a clutch because I can #1 hide the iPad from the gremlins and encourage them to use the beater iPad, #2 when I travel the iPad just isn't sliding around in or out of my carry-on, and #3 I now have a colorful clutch to use when my iPad is naked while charging. Yay! 

The clutch is faux leather but the feel is similar to a coated canvas bag. That should hold up to all of the travel abuse. I'm not the best with leather.

Clutch: C. Wonder Printed Stripe Zip Top Pouch in Wheatgrass/Navy

Farewell, My Queen

It's been 5 days since it last snowed and I think it's finally over. I really couldn't take it anymore. It has snowed every week IN MARCH. I made so many batches of ricotta pancakes and drank so much Fat Weasel Ale that I didn't think that I'd ever go back to normal size. I'm still a bit on the extra padding side but that was just a caution in case I slipped on the ice. I hear that new hips are pretty expensive so I'm really just being budget conscious.

Since I think winter is really over, it's time to put the mink into cold storage. Even though I will not miss the weather, I will miss looking at this lovely animal whenever I open my closet. I spent the afternoon just draping it over my shoulders to say my goodbyes. Have fun with all of the other furs this summer. I hope you get some great stories about the foolery that goes on in coat check. I can only imagine!