Shoe Slave: Back to Booties

High-heeled, creeper boot, Phi.

Tabitha Simmons suede and leather ankle boots

Via Spiga, Jaden patent leather lace-ups.

Oh thank goodness fall arrives soon! Let's return to our shoe-staple, "The Boot", with impunity. Boots somehow feel wrong in the summer. Simultaneously hot (temperature) and irrelevant - not good. Rows of boots stare at me from my closet all summer long. And all but the cowboy boots (you know, that Stampede thing) go unworn.

This fall seasons brings yet another round of gorgeous boot options. Loads of flat styles of choose from again - small mercies for those of us living in snowy cities. Piles of black, rocker-inspired spuds, platforms and black leather. Love it all.

With my granny-inspired style sensibility, I can't quite bring myself to confidently wear some of the fierce-looking fashion footwear. So this Jaden boot by Via Spiga was the perfect solution! A granny boot with a vicious heel in black, patent leather. Love. I think the Jadens were fall 2008 (picked them up for a song) but they're perfect this year as well. So cute with leggings and a sweater dress.

Get Your Polish On

We finally have our summer! So, if you haven't done so already, get your pretty toes on.

The best pedicure in Calgary can be had at Macaronies in Kensington.

Macaronies' newest esthetician, Kim, is the lady to see. I broke from my French pedi tradition and opted for sparkly red (OPI Little Red Wagon) last visit. Love it. I also love the mini-OPI polish bottles. Do you ever use up a full size bottle of nail polish before it goes gloopy or you fall out of love it? I don't. Minis are the perfect solution.

Carine Roitfeld. Sigh.

Photo: Hedi Slimane

This morning, I happened to click up on an image of Carine Roitfeld, editor of French Vogue. Love, love, love her. You simply MUST read this February 2008 New York Magazine featuring Ms. Roitfeld - it's an absolute classic. A few quotes:

“I do not like comfortable,” Roitfeld says. She has outlawed sneakers and what she calls “Hugg boots” in her office because “they are hugly.”

Regarding a trip to Thailand:

“You think this will be so glamorous,” she sighs. “You have the idea in your mind and then you get there and the people in the hotel …” She grimaces and gestures hugely in the hip area. “There were lots of people who were so fat and like that.”

About the first lady of France, Carla Bruni:

“For us it is good. She is very glamour. She can fit in the clothes."

So good. If you want more....

Sound Styling

I've taken to carrying copious amounts of food around with me at all times. Part of my healthy-eating, YAYOBA kick. The dusty, beer-chillin' cooler bag just wasn't maximizing my style. So began my search for a cooler bag - focus on the COOL.

Through my search I have deduced that cooler bags fall into one of three categories:

1) Utility: think Walmart, red and navy with plenty of zippers
2) Obnoxious: think Budweiser and Harley Davidson
3) Impractical: think faux-Burberry design, large enough to hold a few carrot sticks and a bottle of expensive water.

The solution I found really has its' own category - Burton.

You know I love Burton luggage. Big fan. Should have known Burton would create the smartest cooler bags too. The Lil' Buddy even has a set of battery powered speakers you can plug your iPod into. The sound's not Sennheiser but it's pretty fun to have music with your cooler.

Good side zip compartments, sturdy zippers and loads of funky prints. Love it.

Check out CNET's review:

Karl Lagerfeld's Sweet Tweets

Thanks Lainey for giving me the "heads up" re: Karl Lagerfeld's Twitter account. Perusing his comments this morning nearly made me tumble out of my chair. A few....

After the couture, I am spending a quiet weekend in my all-glass apartment, floating over the river on Quai Voltaire.6:55 AM Jan 31st

Believe it or not, I love rap.7:46 AM Jan 19th

Throwing money out the window brings money back in through the front door.12:18 PM Jan 15th

Healthy St. Paddy's Day

Most of us are trying to stay healthy and watch our waist lines. Hard to do when green pancakes (Mom!) and green beer are on the menu. So, try this uber-healthy St. Patty's Day shake.

Vanilla protein powder (two scoops or one serving package)
3 scoops Greens Plus
2-3 cups cold green tea
Ice

Blend in blender until smooth.

Bling! Roberta Chiarella

Images: Roberta Chiarella

We all moaned over the gorgeous emerald earrings Angelina Jolie wore to the Oscars. Seriously gorgeous. OK, so it would be a little much to wear knock-offs of THOSE earrings - but if you MUST - you can buy them from New York jewelery designer, Roberta Chiarella.

Better still, check out her other designs! I love the crystals - max effect on a budget. Am in love with the Rocky Road earrings. I just need an event to wear them to.

Free T?

Image: Divine Rights of Denim

Ladies, if you haven't already been to Oliver & Lilly's in Vancouver, or attended a FSC trunk show featuring Oliver & Lilly's fashion, now is great time to visit this amazing Vancouver boutique.

Lou Lou magazine's City Deals is currently featuring an O&L giveaway. If you buy a pair of jeans (and trust me - you won't want to buy just one pair) you receive a free T-shirt by Alternative Basic from LA.

So get your fine butts in there and discover how great your Spring denim can look.

Feels Like Spring

Image: MAC

Despite the weather-tease, I highly doubt spring is going to happen anytime soon.
But don't let that stop you from getting ready!! Spring fashions are hitting the shops, and the Fashionista Social Club.

If you're not quite ready to shelve the sweaters (I wouldn't) but you're feeling like a little spring, I have two words for you. Lip. Gloss.

Not any lip gloss. MAC, Plushglass lip gloss in "Fulfilled". It's the perfect, light pink/coral color and looks lovely on everyone. Buy a few and stash them in your winter coat pockets for a little hit of spring in February.

YAYOBA: Granny Hands

This freezing cold, dry weather really takes a toll on the fingers. So, after numerous applications of Krazy Glue (literally) to close the cavernous cracks on my fingers, I decided my hands needed a little more TLC.

My efforts paid off - no more bleeding fingers! Thought I'd share a few of my DIY, cold weather, hand maintenance tips.

Inside out, drink lots of water and take a good fish-oil supplement. Outside in:

1. Wear gloves outside - always. This seems pretty obvious but I was lazy. Freezing hands = bad.
2. Slough off the dry. When you're in the shower, use a pumice stone, or other scrubby device, all over your hands and around the fingernails. Out of the shower, use a body polish/oil. My hands-down favorite (groan) is Kootenay Body Polish in Thai Ginger.
3. Use a heavy-duty moisturizer like Aveda Hand Relief or Gardener's Hand Repair. All day, every day.
4. Oil your hands. This step really makes the difference. Each night before bed, cut open one capsule of Vitamin E oil (or buy it in a bottle and apply). Lube up your hands, paying special attention to the finger nails.
5. Apply Nail Envy religiously. It protects your nails from the elements and prevents splitting (really). Even better - it's now formaldehyde-free.

Some people swear by wearing moisturizing gloves to bed. I personally can't do it.

Forgot #6: Pray for an early Spring.