Gadzooks! (Or: The cat's pajamas)

I warned you. It's flapper time.

After seeing the cast Charleston-ing the night away in Nice Work If You Can Get It, and picking up the most fantastic tights, printed to look like they're stockings with garters, I'm obsessed!

(worn with one of my new Betsey Johnson dresses, divine!)

It also doesn't help that the first thing I saw on my Facebook feed upon arriving home was this:

Trouble!

While I was in New York, I came upon the most darling T-bar shoes, shopping at Strawberry. Unfortunately, the straps on them hit a little funny, so I had to pass up on them, but I'm back on the hunt now, and the second that I find a pair I love, it will be on. It may have to wait until I've paid off my credit cards from New York, though...

In the meantime, the obsession grows. Here's a little history lesson to show you what we're going for here:

These are all shoes from the 1920's, and we can gather the basic elements pretty quickly. They all have straps across the foot (I'm sticking with the T-bar for the sake of this exercise) and a wider, mid-height heel. A lot of designers have done sky-high versions of the same, but I think the mid-heel works best, and looks more authentic.

Now, I've done a little sourcing (of course) and here's what I've found thus far.

These are by Monsoon, and are essentially exactly what I'm looking for. The issue is that I found them on Polyvore, but when I went to the Monsoon website, they were no where to be found... Back to the drawing board.

Then I found these little numbers. They're by Office (apparently the UK has the right idea), and are adorable in mint green! How cute with a complimenting minidress and those garter tights?

And, of course, if we're shopping London, we have to check out Vivienne Westwood! The queen of British fashion, no pun intended! (The crown is her signature symbol, and she has been known to make fun of the monarchy,) These demure little beauties would be perfect with knee socks and short shorts, no?

 Finally, I found a pair that were no longer available from Samanta. It's a shame, because this orange is very hip right now... I'm wearing a dress the same colour as I type this.

Now! To learn how to Charleston!

Trudging through a winter wonderland...

So, it's happened. Snow.

Now, I live in the deliciously damp land of rain boots and umbrellas, Vancouver. Snow is a relatively rare occurrence in my life. And, as a result, I'm not particularly prepared.

In fact, in the snow, the task of keeping my toes dry and warm typically falls to my rain boots, which look like this:

Now, if you know anything about me yet, then you know these little darlings came from New York. And, surprise, surprise, I bought them in 3 colours...

If you love them as much as I do, you can get them from DNA Footwear online, but I would like to give credit where credit is due, because I got mine (all three pairs, though tracking down sizes was a nightmare!) from Strawberry, in New York. There are about a million locations, and all are great! Strawberry is also great for clothes, jewelry and bags (I got a Kenneth Cole wallet there for $20.00, they have lots of discounted label treasures), so check it out!

Anyways, so back to snow. If you click on the link for DNA Footwear, you'll see their warning that these boots fit small and narrow. I have small feet, but they are a little wide across the balls of my feet, so I had to buy 8s for a foot that usually fits in a 6 1/2-7 1/2, and there's room for me to wear thin socks, or tights with them without choking all the blood out of my foot. That being said, they have stretched out a little, so there's hope for fluffy socks in the future.

Unfortunately, for the moment, I am stuck with chilly tootsies.

My other snow blunder was to walk to work with tights on, but a short skirt, so my legs were also feeling the bitter whips of winter wind. Fortunately, I got these at a boxing day sale:

They're boot toppers! (Faux fur, of course!)

I put them over my rain boots (they cover the bows and leave only the foot of the boot exposed) and they turn my charming little puddle jumpers into pseudo-mukluks that keep my calves warm, and my ankles dry all the way to the office! (Apparently I have a faulty gait that causes my shoes to flick bits of snow up into the tops of these boots. It's weird, I don't get it, but at least now there's a solution!)

Technically, they would also work as legwarmers, if that's the look you're into. Either way, they're adorable and snugly. Now, if only they could warm my toes as well, we'd be in business.

Although, to be honest, I've always had cold feet. And not just when it comes to big decisions.