So now that your stockings are hung by your chimney with care and your closet has been filled with our three essential boots for the season (read about those here, here and here), you may find yourself looking for ways to spend your leftover boot budget on even more boots. Or more likely this time of year, you might be looking for some boots on which other people – i.e. family, friends, Santa – can spend some money for you.

Here are my choices for best ‘just for fun’ boots on a budget.*

*For purposes of this post I considered ‘on a budget’ to be near or below $100.

First up, the Very Volatile Houston Boot:

$77.99

Why we love it: I think this boot is totally adorbs. It’s western without being a traditional cowboy boot. It has a comfy stacked heel and the cognac color is super-versatile. Wear with a cream-colored sweater dress and gray tights for a great alternative to the all-black winter uniform.

Next, the Sbicca Haylen Knee-High Boot:

$102.89

Why we love it: I bought a pair of gray, knee-high boots last year and I have worn the heck (yes, I just said heck) out of them. They go with everything. Seriously. Everything. And this particular pair will, too. Wear with a cozy, slouchy navy-blue sweater and either blue or black skinny jeans for instant casual chicness.

Next is the Nine West Peekaboo Ankle Boot:

$109

Why we love it: Confession – I saw a similar pair of booties on a friend’s sister last fall and have been obsessed with them ever since. She was totally rocking them with skinny blue jeans and a black boyfriend blazer over a simple black tank. So cool. I obviously had no choice but to copy her and get a pair of my very own. Wear them like she did or with black opaque tights and skirts like I do.

And finally, the Nine West Fountain Boot:

$74.99

Why we love it: I don’t currently own any flat ankle boots. I KNOW – I’m shocked, too. I’m loving the light taupe suede and fun buckle detailing on this pair. And because I’m tired of doing actual legal work this afternoon, here’s a visual representation I put together of how I would wear these boots:

(And by doing so I’ve not only convinced myself that I desperately need these boots, I’ve also convinced myself I desperately need the rest of this outfit, too. Way to go Brakefield. Will your wallet EVER catch a break??)

Here’s hoping your wallet has been luckier than mine this holiday season and you can squeeze one or two more pairs of boots into your budget and closet this year. Merry Shopping!!

I really hope y’all aren’t tired of ‘listening’ to me talk about Christmas and the holiday season yet. Because I hate to tell you – we’ve got eleven days to go and I’m just getting warmed up.

Saturday night marked my second official viewing of Love Actually this holiday season. To me, Love Actually is perfect. For the ladies it has Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant. Colin Firth and that hot guy that Laura Linney’s character refuses to sleep with. For the fellas it has Billy Mack, Keira Knightly and a surprising amount of female nudity.

And while all of the stories make my heart all warm and fuzzy in their own way, I think this one is my favorite:

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Because first she can’t stop saying ‘fuck’ when she meets him and he just happens to be the Prime Minister.

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Then this happens when he verbally kicks slimy President Billy Bob Thornton’s behind after he dares to kiss his girl:

Then after he goes door-to-door to find her, they ride in a limo with an octopus:

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And finally, their big, romantic first kiss is interrupted by a children’s Christmas pageant.

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Who among us can’t relate to that?

Most importantly I think this story is my fave because Natalie, the girl who snags the love and affection of the Prime Minister who happens to look like Hugh Grant, is a normal-sized girl and not a Keira Knightley-sized waif. Kudos to the wardrobe department on this film who did a fab job of highlighting her curves with cardigan sweaters and tulip skirts. It’s totally easy to see how Hugh could succumb to her ‘charms’.

I have always been particularly obsessed with the white cardigan embroidered with black flowers and black tulip skirt she wears to deliver the chocolate biscuits to Hugh in his office. (I couldn’t find a pic of that particular outfit but don’t pretend like you don’t all know the scene I’m talking about.) And I love, love, LOVE the sheer black hose with the visible seam up the back that she wears with them.

And so, it is with my Natalie-inspiration in mind that I present these:

Free People Victorian Backseam Tight – $24

Now I’m not a girl who is afraid of a brightly-colored or patterned pair of tights. But my profession calls for a more conservative look for the courtroom and I’m thinking these would be a great way to add some interest to a suit in a subtle, appropriate way.

But what do you think? And what’s your favorite Love Actually story?*

*Confession: I cry every time the little kid jumps into Liam Neeson’s arms and does the Titanic pose in the airport. Every. Single. Time. Please don’t tell anyone.

I’m gonna make this post a quick one. Here is what I really want:

Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Swan ring – $2,800

Why I love it: It’s simple. It’s beautiful. It has a diamond in the middle. It will come in a pretty blue box.

Here is what I am willing to accept instead:

Tiffany & Co Tiffany Twist Bow Ring – $250

Why I love it: It’s simple. It’s sweet. I love the idea that it’s like a really fancy ‘forget me knot’. It’s one-tenth the price of the other ring. It, too, will come in a pretty blue box.

But since it’s the holiday season and I’m pretty much maxed-out on my luxury spending for the year, one of you is going to have to buy this ring for me. And I would never ask you to give me a gift that you yourself do not love (unless for some reason you don’t love that first ring – I would still ask you to get that one for me because you would be wrong). So I’m putting it to a vote. 

So I have recently boarded a new express train to Time-Wasting-Ville, and that train’s name is Pinterest. For the uninitiated, Pinterest is an online pinboard where you can tag or ‘pin’ various things you love from around the web . If you can find it on the internet, you can pin it to Pinterest. It’s a super-handy place to keep inspirations you find for everything from clothing to recipes to home decor and more.

And to me, one of the neatest things about Pinterest is you can follow the pins of your friends, too. So I know exactly what recipe my friend Holly might be making for dinner this week or what cabinets my friend Emily might like to have in her dream kitchen someday. It’s so cool.

It’s also a great place to find style inspiration. And frustration, too. For example, this outfit has been making the rounds on Pinterest boards o’plenty the past few weeks:

In theory, I really like the idea of this outfit. In reality, however, it is Way. Too. Much. There’s matching and then there’s Matching with a capital M. And this is the latter. Like the gurus say, ‘It doesn’t have to match. It just has to go.’

But I think there are some good things to work with here. Leopard is this year’s new neutral and red is always a classic. So how would I work red and leopard together? Like so:

So much better, right?

Here you still get the pop of color and pattern in a much more versatile package. This outfit would work for just about any size, shape or age. And you can totally swap out the skinny jeans and knee-high boots for a pair of black trousers and pumps for an instantly work-appropriate look.

The lesson here: Keep an eye open for inspiration everywhere – including Pinterest. But don’t be afraid to tweak to fit your own fashion needs. And if you’re not sure how – just ask. I live for this stuff. 🙂

Kids I think I’m experiencing some serious holiday brain this December as I find myself inexplicably loving things that would ordinarily cause me to gasp and recoil in fashion horror. For example, last night at a Christmas concert I confessed to my friend that I was IN LOVE with a guy’s red and green plaid blazer. For a visual it looked kind of like this except the red and green were even more vibrant:

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I mean seriously. There is zero chance that if I saw this guy wearing a bright red and green plaid blazer any other time of year that I would find it to be remotely acceptable. Clearly this is the work of holiday brain making me feel  warm and fuzzy toward all things festive.

And so when I fell in love with this outfit from the Gucci Resort 2012 collection I couldn’t decide if it was true love or holiday brain-induced madness:

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Objectively speaking, this outfit has a giant neck bow and a shiny accordion-pleated skirt – both things that I have previously ranted against here and here. But whether its the holiday brain or just a change of heart, I now find myself thinking I am in desperate need of a pleated skirt like this one (but preferably NOT on a Gucci budget).

So here are the candidates for your consideration:

Elie Tahari Francesca Skirt – $221.99

Pro: Cheaper than, but looks a lot like, the Gucci.

Con: Still a lot of money to pay for a skirt that I am unlikely to wear more than once or twice a year.

Pro: But it’s SO FESTIVE!! And we LOVE FESTIVE SHINY THINGS!!!!!!!!

Con: Shut up holiday brain you are not helping here.

Ella Moss Debutante Skirt – $148

This color might be the exact opposite of the Gucci gold above. I do obviously like the idea that this color is much more versatile. And I think this skirt has a lovely, light, ethereal quality to it as well. But I’m worried that the combination of the neutral color plus the knee-length hem might read a little dowdy in real life.

Old Navy Micro-Pleat Full Skirt – $24.99

My holiday brain is loving the hot-pink color of this one. It is also loving the budget price tag given that it has already been spending a lot of money on holiday gifts for others (and myself). But my sane, rational fashion brain is worried that the shorter length of this skirt might combine with the pleats to make my hips look way bigger than they are. And if anything is going to make my hips look bigger this Christmas it will be all of the cookies and candy canes I will be eating, not some pleated skirt.

O by Organic Broken Pleats Skirt – $148

From a pure design standpoint I think this skirt is amazing. Love the zig-zag pleats at the bottom. But from a practical standpoint, I think the bold pleats and nipped-in waist could make this skirt hard for non-stick-figure women to pull off.

And now, drumroll please….. the accordion-pleated skirt winner is:

Mod Cloth Bold Flame Skirt – $42.99

Pro: Color is still festive so my holiday brain is satisfied.

Pro: Price is budget-friendly so my holiday wallet is satisfied as well.

Pro: Shape and length are versatile enough to wear with a blazer or turtleneck to work or with a sparkly tank top and cardigan for a night out.

On the whole I think I’m warming up to the idea of the accordion-pleated skirt. It could be a great way to break out of the pencil-skirt rut I fall into every Winter.

Sure, I still have concerns – like will they make my hips look gigantic? Will I look like I’m wearing a lampshade?  And what happens to all of those pleats in the back after a day of being flattened against my desk chair?

So my holiday brain and I turn to you fair readers – do we love accordion-pleated skirts?

Oh Nicole Richie. I bet you are just so, so glad that most of America has forgotten that you used to run around looking like this:

And with that girl, too. (image credit)

Now we all know you as the queen of casual, boho chic:

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But girlfriend, you have also shown you can turn it out in a major way when needed:

And so I say to you, Bravo, Nicole. Bravo indeed.

And extra kudos for managing to further distance yourself from your former self through the births of both your two adorable children and your very own fashion lines. Which brings us to this bracelet from your House of Harlow line:

I am Officially. Ob. Sessed.

This cuff does an amazing job of blending the current trend of Native American influence with a modern shape and color palette. I’m normally hesitant to spend a lot of money on bracelets because I end up taking them off when I’m at work so they don’t bang on my desk all day. But I think this cuff has some serious versatility potential – much like Nicole herself. Here’s how I would wear it to work:

I’m not usually a huge fan of velvet, but I think the velvet skirt of this dress adds a nice textural element in this case. Plus this outfit could go directly from office to cocktails or even Christmas party this time of year.

I also think this cuff would look fab with this casual outfit I previously posted here:

And so, this Christmas season, let us give thanks for the celebrities of the world – like Nicole – who managed to turn it around and succeed on the interstate of life when they just as easily could have taken the exit to Lindsey Lohan-ville instead.

In my opinion, this is the Holy Grail of brown riding boots:

Frye Dorado Lug Riding Boot

Why we love them: Just look at them – SO PRETTY and worthy of numerous exclamation points!!!! But let’s break it down a little further.

– Gorgeous dark brown leather that will go with anything – including black (yes, really) – and will just look better as it ages

– Two buckles add some visual interest, but are still simple enough not to overpower any other jewelry and/or accessories you want to wear

– Beautiful stitching adds a little bit of western influence without being an overt cowboy boot

Why we don’t love them: the $468 price tag

And so, it is with a heavy heart and a light wallet that I go off in search of a suitable replacement substitute (because nothing will EVER replace them)*.

*For purposes of this post I considered “on a budget” to once again be $150 or less. I’ve see knee-high boots that cost less than $100 and they’re not pretty. Trust me.

First up, the Luichiny Women’s Point Tea Riding Boot:

$149

Why we love it: This is a pretty swell approximation of the Frye boot if I do say so myself. (And I obvs do.) This boot is genuine leather and has the same awesome ‘weathered’ look as the Holy Grail boots. Added bonus = inside zipper so that I might actually have a shot at shoving my high arches and wide calves down into this thing.

Next, let’s go in the completely opposite direction with the Jessica Simpson Vanitiya Boot:

Yours for only $139.99

Why we love them: Based on my rules for good riding boots above, I really shouldn’t love these. They’re light, not dark, brown. They’re suede, not leather. And they have a pretty noticeable detail in the form of that leather strap up the side. But for reasons I cannot explain and against all of my better judgment, I kind of have a crush on these boots.

Getting back on track, I give you the Steven by Steve Madden Intyce Boot:

$149

Why we love them: If you’ve had eyeballs anytime in the past few years and have used them to look at women’s feet, you have seen these boots. I myself had a similar pair a few years ago in the cognac color and wore them until they looked so bad it was embarrassing to continue doing so.

What’s so great about them? Well in addition to being reasonably priced, they’re also extremely versatile – the skinny wedge heel makes them easy to dress up or down. So if you don’t mind your feet and calves looking like those of potentially hundreds if not thousands of other women in your community, these are the boots for you.

Next is the SE Boutique Patli Riding Boot:

$149.95

Why we love them: Like the Holy Grail boots, this pair just simply passes the eyeball test. They’re pretty and they’re affordable. Plus they have that oh-so-handy full zip up the inside for when you just want to be able to put on your boots without a crowbar. Win-win-win.

Next is the Coconuts Becky Riding Boot:

$139.95

Why we love them: You should be able to recite this with me by now – real leather, dark brown, minimal yet interesting details, inside zipper. Although I wouldn’t blame you if you can’t tell all of that from this teeny picture. (apologies!)

And finally, the obvious knock-off, the Coconuts Walker Riding Boots:

$139.95

Why we love these: WE DON’T. In fact, these boots make me irrationally angry. They are such an obvs, yet poor attempt to duplicate my beloved Holy Grail boots that Frye should sue. And if they did sue I would offer my legal services for free – I am that mad.

Plus that color is foul.

So now that you know what to look for in a brown riding boot and have some of my humble suggestions, I charge you to go forth and shop! Now is the time to complete your essential boots wardrobe. And, as always, feel free to report back on your finds so we can all live vicariously through each other. Shopping is always better when you can share it with the ones you love. 🙂

Dear Missoni,

This is gorgeous:

This is not:

And this is just plain insane:

(But thanks for the laugh. Which I just did. Out loud. In my office.)

Please note the differences for future collections.

Love,

Shea

It’s Monday morning and you know what that means – time for our weekly check-in with the ‘new arrivals’ section on Anthropologie.com!*

*That’s the first thing everyone does when they get to their computers on Monday mornings, right?? You mean it’s just me? Surely not.

Given my love of navy blue and lace, it’s no surprise that this top is first on my list of new arrivals to love today:

Now we’ve talked about my love of lace in the past – so let’s talk about my love of navy blue. It is all-consuming. As a fairly pasty-skinned blonde, black is sometimes hard for me to pull off when it’s right next to my face. Navy blue, on the other hand, always works as my go-to neutral.

But wait, what’s this – the same top in totally gorge yellow-gold?

Uh-oh now I’m torn.

Yellow is a color that’s not so easy for me to pull off as it has to be just the right shade. Too pale and it fades into my hair. Too bright and it makes me look consumptive. But this particular shade has worked for me in the past and I’m loving colored lace this season. What’s a girl to do??

As an aside – is there anyone who looked at this top (in either color) and did not immediately realize you would need to wear a camisole underneath it? Because one of the reviewers on the Anthro website apparently did not:

“Holy Sheerness, Batman!, 

“I saw the blue version in the store yesterday and thought it was super cute and would great paired with the gold/blue tiled maxi skirt. I tried on my usual size Small, but it was extremely clingy and uncomfortable, not yo mention itchy and SUPER SHEER! Even sizing up to a Medium didn’t make much of a difference in size. I looked like I was ready to work the streets. Too bad, b/c it’s a cutie on the hanger!”

Bless. Her. Heart.

I realized as I was ‘researching’ (i.e. online shopping) for this post that I am four months and 53 posts into this blog and this will be my first post about handbags. It might surprise you to learn that as obsessed as I am with clothing and shoes, I am not equally as obsessed with  handbags.  I tend to buy one new bag per season and wear it with everything. I think that’s mainly because I am lazy and don’t like having to transfer all of my junk from bag to bag each day.

But when I do fall in love with a handbag it’s usually something that’s way out of my price range – like Fendi, or Prada or this Marc Jacobs:

Love the gray, love the gold, love the flap.

Now on principle I have no problems with a handbag costing $428, or even $1,428. Just like with boots, you really get what you pay for in terms of materials and craftsmanship when it comes to handbags. And a good, classic handbag can last you for years.

But I do have a problem with me personally paying more than $200 for a handbag because I’m so darn rough on them. Because I carry the same bag everyday, by the time the season is over my bags tend to look like I ran them over with my car.

So with that in mind I set out to find a similar bag for a price that wouldn’t make me cry if I got a big blue ink mark on the side (which ALWAYS seems to happen to me) and here’s what I found…

Tignanello Stitch Saavy Bag – $139

This bag is a no. There’s gray and then there’s pewter. The difference being that one is a beautiful, classy neutral and the other is a gaudy, shiny mess. I’ll let you figure out which one is which.

Revel NY Delancey Flap Bag – $119.99

This bag is much better. The color isn’t quite as gray as I would like it to be, but the overall shape of the bag is much closer to the Marc Jacobs that I love and the price is great. But while I actually quite like the look of the dark leather detailing on the straps I’m worried they make the bag look too casual to carry at work.

Ferre Large Leather Bag – $195

Now the description for the color of this bag says it’s ‘blue’ so there’s no telling what it looks like in person. But online it looks like a really pretty steely blue-gray and that would be fine with me. My only concern here is that the strap is pretty short and I’m afraid this bag would end up living in my armpit.

And finally,

Fossil Modern Cargo Convertible Flap Bag – $158

This one is by far my fave. The color is almost dead-on and it shares the same gold detailing and flap pocket as the Marc Jacobs. Yes this bag is probably too casual to carry with suits to work, but at this price I could afford to buy another bag that is more work-appropriate as well.

Or I could just spend the $428 on one bag that will work for all occasions – as long as I don’t actually run it over with my car.

Decisions, decisions. Help me decide.