The great UGG debacle (Or: Why I hate UGGs)

It's no secret that I can't stand UGGs. My mum thinks they're adorable, I have friends who adore them, had classmates in fashion school who wore them daily, and am sure that many people will disagree with me and proclaim their undying love of them after I post this, but I hate them. With a firey burning passion. (I also hate Crocs, but we'll talk about that another day)

Here is why:

They are slippers. Slippers are meant to be worn inside.

Now, I'm not innocent in this, I've worn slippers outside. But, I learned my lesson, fast. Though my "boots" were much cuter then flumpy UGGs, they got wet in rainy Vancouver, instantly. And I threw them away when they had gone through the wash a few times and still smelled like someone's feet had died inside of them. Ew, not pretty.

But, I'm getting side-tracked. UGGs originated as surfer boots, to wear between sessions, so one's toes didn't get too cold. Sounds like slippers to me: footwear that one puts on during periods of rest between activities so that one's feet stay warm and toasty.

Plus, they just look like slippers, and if everyone would just wear them inside, I would be totally ok with that. But, more often than not, the street is taken over by girls in their skinny jeans and squealchy UGGs as soon as the weather gets a little nippy.

And, they think they look like this:

All cute and cuddley and Kate Hudsoney (notice she's wearing pyjamas in this photo, proper UGG-wearing attire). When in reality, most UGGs end up looking like this:

Slouchy and crumpled and more bag-lady than fashionista. Not to mention that they take about 30 seconds to go from snuggly to soaked:

Ew. Who would want to put their foot in that? Not to mention that they take eons to dry, and smell like wet dogs in mud puddles during that drying process. I've had roommates who like them too, I know.

You'd think that, as a booties made for people who surf (a water sport), they would be waterproof, or quick-drying. Apparently not.

Recently, I was at Nordstrom, killing time while I waited for my mum, and I thought I would check out the shoes. And, of course, I stumbled upon a whole bunch of UGGs.

Look! Slippers! Oh, no, wait, those are supposed to go outside?

And sparkley slippers? Sure, why not.

But, then, they admitted it! These are actual UGG slippers:

That's not to say that everything the UGG company does is terrible. Their riding boots are pretty spot on:

And, though I'm really picky with motorcycle boots (most of them are too clunky for me), the styles in their Motto collection are pretty on trend:

So, let me end the great UGG debate by saying: UGG, you and I can be friends! Just, please, stick to making real footwear, and keep the slippers at home.

What do you think of them? I've love to hear your thoughts, whether you are pro- or anti-UGG!

Velvet, my dear chap!

Something that was hugely popularized by Coco Chanel and then by Yves St. Laurent, was the idea of menswear as womenswear. And it's still huge now.

Not going to lie, some of my favourite shoes are feminine takes on men's styles, including floral brogues and patent oxfords:

But, the big one that been coming out this season is the velvet tuxedo slipper! I picked up a pair in navy when I was in New York last, and the luxe look is to die for! They bring all the charm of a gentlemen of a bygone era in his smoking jacket, and still look divine and ladylike with a mini dress and pair of tights, or shorts and a blazer.

Plus, how can you go wrong with studs?

Or a royal purple! Decadent!

Velvet is such a rich fabric, always present for fall and winter, and beautiful in jewel tones. But, typically, it isn't reserved for footwear. No more! The snuggly velvet will keep your toes warm on those bitter November days, and you'll look like royalty (or at least silverscreen nobility) doing it.

What Mikal made (Or: my new slippers)

Something delightful has happened!

If you remember, back in July, I had reposted an entry from my friend, Mikal's, blog, in which she had made some adorable little knitted bootie slippers.

We had gone for tea a little while after that, and she had offered to make me a pair. I was happy to graciously accept her offer, and we didn't really speak of it again for a long while.

As I've been insanely busy with New York trips and a major undertaking of closet organization and clutter purging, I hadn't seen my dear Mikal in a few months, and, as we hadn't spoke about it, and she's getting really close to her due date (she and her husband are expecting their first child at the end of November), I assumed that she'd forgotten about my booties, and continued on with my life.

But, I was wrong! We finally managed to get together for tea once again, she presented me with these beauties!

They're so comfy, and perfect for wearing inside my raccoon slippers when it gets really chilly at night. Plus, I've slept in them a few times, and the ties make sure they stay on my feet. The few times a year I sleep in socks, I end up finding them in the bottom of my duvet or on the floor in the morning. 

Thank you so much Miss Mikal! I love them! 

And, again, if you want to check out her blog, it's here. It's a great spot if you're looking for a project! 

Tea and snuggles

One of my favourite things about cold weather is that it means it's time to bring my slippers out of retirement. There's nothing more pleasant than curling up on the couch with a cup of tea, a good book, and a pair of snuggly slippers. Especially if it's raining. 

About two months ago, I was on a short roadtrip to my grandparents' house for their 60th anniversary party (I can't even start to process the idea of being alive for 60 years, let alone being married that long! Congrats Gramma and Grampa!) and we needed to make a detour through Bellingham so my mum could pick up a few things. 

Of course, this meant swinging through Kohls, and that was where I found these little darlings:

They're raccoons! And, on sale, if you want a pair... 

I think they're charming. To be honest, I'm not really much of a cutesy person. I don't like hearts and stars on my clothes, I don't really have much use for stuffed animals (although, I do have a few that whose company I enjoy very much), and my iPhone case, while pink, does not have cartoon characters on it. 

The only exception to this rule is sleepwear. I have pyjama pants printed with Spongebob, and slippers that look like raccoons are a-ok in my books! Outside the house, I want to look like a sophisticated adult, but pyjamas always remind me of slumber parties and Christmas morning. Disney princesses belong here. 

What's on someone else's feet: Part two.

My darling friend, Mikal, is a absolute whiz. She recently made herself a dressform of herself using an old tshirt and some duct tape (clever, no?) and has been sewing up a storm ever since!

Her creations range from lace maternity shorts (she's 5 months along with her first child, and so adorable!), shiny pink zebra pants, and these little gems:

She's crocheted these without a pattern, and I don't know about you, but I definitely want a pair. Especially considering the weather we've been having, sliding along my hardwood floors in these with a cup of tea sounds like bliss!

Check out the full post, and instructions here, and check out the rest of her blog for some rad DIYs to pass the rainy afternoons, and rock in the sunshine!

Thanks for sharing, Mikal!!

Sea legs and "athetics" shoes.

This past weekend, as anyone ought to know, was St. Patrick's Day. And, this means one thing for weekend warriors such as myself... Time to get your party on.

Now, I'm a self proclaimed weekend warrior (emphasis on the weekend, here, I'm decidedly dull during the weekday evenings, getting to bed around 10 and staying there until my alarm jars me awake around 6am) and proud, but this doesn't make me a train wreck, by any means. I'm still a classy lady. There's no Snooki-esque indecent exposure, or wobbling about like a baby giraffe taking her first steps. It just means that when Friday afternoon hits, it's time to crack a bottle of wine (as is the Friday ritual in my office) and when it's suddenly Sunday morning, my hot pink slippers are the only thing to touch my feet, as I watch terrible horror movies with my partner in crime and drink tea, attempting to rehydrate after the weekend's escapades.

Of course, footwear etiquette is part of the package. If you're going out dancing, heels (followed by Rollasoles, of course) are customary, but, I learned about a new kind of going out shoe this weekend, "athletics" shoes.

By this, I do not in any way mean dirty white sneakers that you wear to work out in. I've said it 100 times, I think running shoes should only grace the feet of those who are running, or in an actual gym. And, really, if it's the latter, bring a pair of something cute to wear to and from the gym. No one needs to see your ratty New Balance.

No, when I say "athletics" I mean that you utilize them for "sports." The best example I can give is exactly what went on on St. Patrick's Day. Dominique and I, along with our good friend, Estee, went over to another friend's place to play various-alcohol-pong.

Let me explain. The night previous to this, we had been extended an invitation to play beer pong, but, I had declined, on the grounds that I'm allergic to beer (and it's gross... yuck!), so the host had most graciously offered to procure a bottle of wine so I wouldn't have to die, and we could play with that. It sounded like a good idea.

Now, beer pong sounds a little like a frat game, and in a way, it kind of is, but it was such a blast! We only played one round, as it was getting chilly, and we weren't very good at it, but it was the precursor to a great evening of drinks and comradery. To be honest, we spent most of it playing Rockband.

This was definitely not a typical night, and we discovered that our shoe choices were a little... off. As the plan was initially to run downtown after a round or two and meet some friends for a birthday party, we had all worn stilettos. The ping-pong table was on the grass. This was not going to work.

Thank god for Rollasoles! We were saved! But, now we're far more aware of the sorts of shoes required for playing weekend "sports," which look a lot more like this:

I have these guys, they're Vera Wang, and so comfortable. They also don't sink in grass! An elasticized flat is also more comfortable because they're more likely to hold onto your foot without rubbing, meaning you'll avoid getting blisters. Plus, the beaded bows are just ridiculously adorable!

They qualify as "athletics" shoes because you could probably run in them, if you needed to (god forbid), you can wear them on grass, and, if you should be in a crew of men, you're not going to fall behind because you're taking 3" steps to avoid falling off your stilettos.

Most flats, low wedges and sandals will work, but make sure you're going to be warm enough! I wound up having to borrow a pair of very becoming socks from our host to keep my toes from freezing right off my feet!

So, there you have it, "athletics" shoes for the weekend warrior. These are not, of course, to be mistaken for a very different kind of "sport" shoe which looks a little something like this:

Remember, we're still classy ladies. Get your mind out of the gutter!

Fresh start.

Well, it's the beginning of another year, and what do we have to show for it? An expanded shoe wardrobe, of course!

Hopefully, a little more wisdom and some stories, as well.

It's been an eventful year for this shoe-anista! There were trips to New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans, then back to New York less than a week after touching ground again. There were birthday parties, and themed parties, and lots of memorable moments. And, of course, shoes to go with each.

This past week has been spent relaxing at my parents' house, in the sleepy little town of Gibsons, where my mum runs a successful clothing store, SWISH (check it out on facebook here), which facilitates all the trips to New York, as I am her assistant buyer. I'm also taking on another project, working on her facebook page and writing a style blog for SWISH as well.


All this relaxing means that I've spent most of my time in these:





These are my delicious pink slippers, a Christmas gift from years gone by, and the only suitable footwear for lounging around while watching horror films with your dad. While wearing charming pyjamas, and maybe a touch of blush and mascara. You never know when you'll be hosting unexpected houseguests.


I've worked a few days for my mum at SWISH, as it afforded us the perfect time to spend some quality time together, and it let me shop the leftovers of the season, and get a few good deals (hooray for family discount!!), including these little Candie's numbers:



I'm so excited to break these bad boys in! And, to save my poor toes, I bought about a thousand sets of gel toe cushions from the dollar store in town... Amazing, that I got them for 1$ a set, when the drugstore was going to charge me 7$ for the name brand ones...


Now, because it is the beginning of the year, I'm also going to be spending a lot more time in these:



Because, really, no list of New Year's resolutions is complete without a promise to one's self to get healthier and fitter. With so many sheath dresses in stores right now, a girl simply must be in tip-top shape to rock the look. Shoe shopping counts as cardio, right?

Happy New Year!

Nothing bad can happen in Birmingham!

Alright, so I'm back, for reals, I promise!!

Ok, well, I'm going to try. It's really quite tricky to keep up when you're so busy!!

Anyways, when I say back, I mean two things... Back in the blogosphere, and back at home!

You see, my counterpart, D, and I just returned from Birmingham, Alabama!! We had gone for our friend Jimi King's album release, and there were good times had by ALL! And, of course, excellent footwear ;)!

Ok, so quick side-note here: I am notorious for wearing the worst and most inconvenient footwear in airports. For some reason, I always end up in laced-to-your-knees boots or 20,000-strapped gladiators, and security becomes an incredible task. So, this time, I decided I would be insanely clever, and ditch my work pumps (the little brown ones I showed you in the summer) for my favourite ugly blue flip-flops!

This was a great idea until I stepped off the plane and realised it was freezing in B'ham.

D had been clever enough to wear Uggs, which, I'm sorry if you love them but, I hate with a firey burning passion. I think they're hideous, and that they look like slippers. (I share the same sentiments about Crocs, but that's a rant for another day.) Unfortunately, (and I think this is karma for wearing them in the first place) they had started to fall apart the moment she stepped out of the house to come and meet me.

So, after checking into the hotel and having a nap, we headed to Target (which was across the street) to get something more suitable. What we found were these:

Now, here's where I become a bit of a hypocrite, because, if you click on the link provided above, you'll notice that these are not shoes, but slippers, which is the precise reason that I hate Uggs so much. But, if you look at these guys, they're so much cuter than Uggs!

Anyways, hate me if you must, I wore them outside, and I liked it! Plus, I don't think I've ever gotten more compliments on a pair of shoes in my life! Wait, I think the general concensus on my Sam Edelman fringeys was a little more exuberant. But not by much!

The other darling shoes that we got on this trip were these:

(Although, I got the black ones and D got the pink... the website won't let me save the black picture. Weird.)

Now these babies are from Wet Seal. This place is a goldmine for going out shoes. D and I have both bought shoes from these guys before, and they are our go-to going out shoes. Mine are wedges and I have had to glue them back together a million times, and D's are stilettos that have been worn so far down the leather on the heel is starting to peel back. This is how amazing these shoes are, and how often we wear them. If you're in the states, go there now.

The other thing that's amazing about Wet Seal is that their shoes are cheap. Like a friggin' steal. These were 12.50$. No, I don't think you understand. Twelve-friggin'-fifty!!!! And they'll last forever. And you'll never have to take them off at midnight because 1 hour of wearing them was plenty thank-you-very-much. My wedges? I've slept in them. Amazing going-out shoes. Amazing.

Anyways, sorry for the stolen photos, my camera hasn't been unloaded from this trip yet. More to come, I promise!