Boulder and the Beautiful

All I want for Christmas is robot shoes.
$80, one-of-a-kind, handmade and they will definitely help with your dance moves, Mr. Roboto.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6702211

Crocs are sexy, in comparison to the latest sin committed by none other than Manolo Blahnik. How can it be?
These. Are. For. MEN.
Prepare to get beat up, dudes of the Man-olos. If not by other dudes with better style, by yours truly.
You sick creatures.
The leopard-print sandal thong would look just fantastic paired with a leopard-print man undergarment thong. Men should never under any circumstances ever even consider considering wearing something that involves the word “thong.”

I am not even telling you when these will supposedly be released or where to find them because that would be contributing to the decay of society.

From my new obsession, www.etsy.com, a marketplace for all handmade stuff.

$80, one-of-a-kind, handmade and sexy as hell.

Here are a few tips to keep your boots kickin’. Courtesy of Boulder stylist, Rachael Donaldson.  

* Use waterproof spray.
* Use equestrian straps to keep jeans tucked tightly into boots.
* Service your boots every year.
* Store them with boot forms so they don’t get a crease (get a good boot form at the Container Store).

It is that time of year again: too hot and too cold.
It’s too hot to wear winter jackets and jeans, yet too cold to wear flip-flops and open-toed shoes.
That leads to something I call The Great Boots Dilemma. Women pair various types of boots (because it is cold) with skirts or shorts (because it is warm). I understand this idea. But beware, it can be done very wrong.
Here are some recent Great Boots Dilemma sightings on the Pearl Street Mall.
I have solicited advice from the experts that I will share below.

Flat red boots with a black skirt.
 
Stylist Rachael Donaldson: “The Ugg look is schlumpy and over-done, but they are practical here in Boulder and a nice break from heels. Points for them being red.”
Stylist Marian Rothschild: “This girl has great legs for boots of this height. Very shapely.”
Fashion blogger Ken Izawa:
* * *

Boots over jeans and boots with a sundress. 
Donaldson: “OK on the jeans girl (but can we talk about her ill-fitting jeans?). Use equestrian straps to keep your jeans tucked tightly into your boots. Short dress with lots of print and those boots break this woman into too many parts making her look a square (literally) and they don’t pay off the lightweight flounce in her dress. Pretty much a don’t.”
Rothschild: “Never wear winter boots with a sundress! You’ve just crashed two opposite seasons together. Don’t do it! And if your jeans bag around the top of the boot as they do in this photo, that means you shouldn’t be wearing those jeans inside the boot. Therefore, only wear skinny jeans inside a boot.”
Izawa:

* * *Boots and printed socks and skirt.
 Donaldson: “I like it. It works because the boots are fairly simple, allowing the wearer to play a bit with the socks, and there’s a break between her socks and the skirt so she doesn’t look like she has on crazy tights.”
Rothschild: ”This girl needs an honest friend or a full-length mirror. So many fashion don’ts in one picture.  She’s wearing winter boots with a summer skirt and a summer bag. But the worst is the argyle socks. I’m just shakin’ my head. No, No, No!”
Izawa:


* * *
Fringe boots with a pattern skirt.
 
Donaldson: “The dress is too busy to allow for a shoe that is also busy. Makes the wearer look messy and unsophisticated.”
Rothschild: “Hopefully she has new shoes in that bag because those ’70s moccasins need to go bye-bye.” 
Izawa:
* * *Black slunchy boots over black pants.
 
Donaldson: “Works. The slouch in the boot balances the sleekness of the pants.”
Rothschild: “These boots are fine with these leggings, but a dress would look much better than these layered shirts; they’re too short and very ’80s looking.”
Izawa:
* * *Short-shorts with bulky boots.
 
Donaldson: “Shorts are a tough ‘fashion’ item to wear, so once you get past that… Um, I can’t, they’re just too short on her… OK, shorts = a wedge or summer shoes, not the has-been Ugg look. Screams ‘tragic.’”
Rothschild: “Again: Don’t mix summer and winter fashions together.”
Izawa:

* * *
Boots and a dress on a street musician.
 
Donaldson: “Nice look for the length and shape of her skirt.”
Rothschild: “She’s got the right idea, but these boots have seen better days; they need to be replaced.”
Izawa:
* * *Western-style boots with feminine dress.
 
Donaldson: “Another nice combo. It really works here: color, shape, fit, everything.”
Rothschild: “These boots look great. The heel is a wonderful height: high enough to give the foot and leg shape, but low enough to be comfortable. The height of the boot is great, too. They hit the calf in a nice place which flatters this gal’s curves. Curves are good.”
Izawa:

I like kangaroos, yet I do. I like Kangaroos, how ’bout you?

I rarely wear anything other than heels, but if I feel flat-footed (i.e. when my arches ache too much), Pumas and Kangaroos are my favorite sneaks. Here are two I recently spotted in great colors and styles.

 
Pink is a good way to put some femininity into tennis shoes.

 
Metallic silver and red makes these kicks stand out.

Toms Shoes (http://www.tomsshoes.com/) will be in Boulder noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, as part of the company’s national tour.
They will be at Savvy,  1114 Pearl St., followed by The Fitter on the Hill.
The owner of Toms Shoes plans to be on Oprah next month, the month he is expected to donate 50,000 pairs of shoes to children in Africa, according to Savvy spokespeople.

I featured these shoes as a Hot Five item this summer:
Toms Shoes - These shoes were designed to look like the traditional Argentine shoe. For every pair you buy, the company donates one pair to a needy child. They’re called “shoes for tomorrow.” Our favorite style is the white and navy shoes, which look nautical and are ridiculously comfortable. Check them out at www.tomsshoes.com or buy them at Savvy’s on the Pearl Street Mall for $38 a pair - er, for two pairs, that is.

Charlotte Russe at the FlatIrons Mall had a sale this weekend called “If the shoe fits.” Basically, it was the lasts of various shoes, and if they were in your size, you got the bargain.
The damage: $1.99 for a pair of adorable pink wedges.

New Rainboots
Originally uploaded by NikiNine

I woke up this morning to what would qualify as a torrential downpour, at least by Colorado standards (which indicates it lasted for more than 8 seconds).
So obviously, I had to drag out the ol’ rain boots.
It’s a shame to live in Colorado with so many cute rain books out there.
Here are a few that have stolen my heart. If you’re feeling silly:
 $10.49 from Target.If you’re feeling classic, yet trendy (if that’s not an oxy moron):
 $34 from Urban Outfitters . If you’re going to be taking the bus to work:
 About 6 Pounds (the currency, not weight), www.funky-wellington-boots.co.uk. If you want to add to color to the dreary weather and/or match my living room:  
 $49.95 from www.zappos.com. 
And finally, my favorite pair. Wedge rain boots with bows. If you wear a size 6 and want to be my best friend:
 $73.95, www.zappos.com.

I have a little brother. So occasionally, while growing up, I would be walking across the house and feel the breath-stealing pain of stepping barefoot on a Lego.
That must have been the inspiration behind the new “Sportiletto.”

My take: Feet and Legos have never got along. They should not try to play, or it looks something hideous like this…
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007420440,00.html