on the hunt: boy shoes

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I've had a pair of Converse All-Star sneakers for years. My mom hates them (she's dubbed them "boy shoes") but they are so easy to throw on during the weekends, I find myself in them constantly. They're perfect for running errands in the neighborhood and great for biking around when the weather is nice. My current shoes are nearing their end, so I'm in need of a replacement with spring rolling around soon. I'll probably end up with something neutral that goes with everything (seriously, I wear them all the time) but a few fun colors and patterns caught my eye during the search. Which do you like best? Any cute sneakers out there I am missing?

screw you, mother nature.

I feel like I am constantly complaining about the weather, but it has truly been unbearable the past few days. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, hail, thunderstorms, freezing temperatures...you name it, we've had it. I keep checking the 10 day forecast, hoping that we just need to get over this last hurdle and 70 degree temperatures are only a few days away. No such luck. The only thing I have to look forward to in the near future is 50s (at best) and rain. Appalling. 

I needed something to get me through the doldrums, so I have started planning my summer wardrobe (assuming warm temperatures actually show up one day...I'm still skeptical). Yes, I understand it is going to be 28 degrees tonight but I thought I might lose my mind if I didn't have something sunny to look forward to. Well, I've been eyeing these sandals ever since I saw them on this Spring wish list. They were a bit pricier than my typical Target sandals (which I still love) but I decided they were a bit more pulled together for work and worth the splurge. After multiple internet viewings and 4 trips to the store (I have a hard time pulling the trigger!), I finally brought them home tonight. I'm going to display them prominently in the box until I can actually wear them. Hopefully soon! 

More Snow and New Boots

View from my window when I woke up.

Walk to work this morning. Cutest street!

{via}

And it is snowing outside my office window right now. Luckily I wore the new snow boots Kurt got me for my birthday. Aren't they .....um .....practical looking? :) My former pair of Tretorn boots (and seemingly every pair of rubber boots I have ever owned) sprung a leak and weren't going to last me the rest of this crazy, precipitous winter. Kurt did a ton of research to find boots with practically indestructible rubber that would be warm for the winter months but possibly still work when it rains in the summer. He insisted on getting a quality pair even though I assured him I don't lead a very high performance lifestyle. They are pretty great boots though. Very comfy and warm and so far my feet have remained dry. I hope Kurt doesn't expect me to be all outdoorsy now!

Boots! Boots! Boots!

Most recent present to myself: new boots (I'm much too generous to myself sometimes, or, let's face it, most times). I finally broke down and bought this pair. I resisted succumbing to the convenience of this pair even though I walk by Aerosoles everyday. I'm attempting a crusade to be a hip New Yorker and those Mom boots would have taken me a step in the wrong direction. I got a huge box from Piperlime at work yesterday (I've never done more online shopping than when I moved to a city with any store you could ever imagine, go figure) and crafted my entire outfit around wearing my new purchase today. Sadly, the forecast is calling for rain, so I may be forced to change into my sneakers when I leave work (read: not so hip).

I often have a hard time finding boots thanks to my athletic calves (I spent the first 10 years of my life walking around on my tip-toes, dreaming of being a ballerina. I am convinced that is to blame for ample leg muscles). These boots are a little slouchy, so they fit there nicely. They have a baby heel which does not make an awful click-clack noise on the ground (a much abhorred feature of my retired pair). To me, they actually have a little bit of a pirate look to them, which is neither a good or bad thing. I've been so over my entire wardrobe lately; I'm hoping this new addition will inject some life into my attitude about my current clothes. Or maybe I will have to make some new additions to play into the pirate theme: off the shoulder dresses, puffy sleeves blouses, and maybe even a parrot.... At least my Halloween costume would be worked out!

I also ordered this pair from Piperlime. I like them a lot as well but they were a tad too tall for my vertically challenged legs and came over my knees (without being a design feature of the shoe)! Back in the box they go.

These Boots Were Made for Walking

As a treat to my hard-working self, I have decided to invest in a new pair of boots this year. My old ones have held up well over several years but New York City walking has pushed them towards retirement. They are scuffed and falling apart. I even had the heel reattached last year to squeeze a few more months out of them.

It's no secret I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather. I am also pretty cheap, so I am trying to convince my self that these boots are a necessity. A good pair of knee high boots and thick tights allow me to prolong skirt and dress wearing long into the winter. I have a lot of dresses and not so many pants. Without my glorious new footwear, I would be severely limiting my wardrobe potential. So there. I need them.

Now the question is which ones do I get?!? I need some help. Suggestions are welcome--desired even. The ones above are from Aerosoles. I haven't seen them in person and am not totally convinced. They aren't too expensive and look comfy. The issue: I'm afraid they look a tad bit matronly* as most Aerosoles do. I'll give them a try but don't have the highest hopes. So the search continues! I hope to find a good pair before the temperatures drop! Please help!

                                                                    

*A tangent. Bear with me. After Labor Day, like a good Southerner, I retired this pair of white sandals I wore constantly over the summer (Target--best deal ever). So I was wearing this pair of leather sandals I don't love but tolerate. I saw Kurt that evening after work. This was our exchange.

Kurt: (looking at the shoes) Oh, I haven't seen those before. Are they new?
Melissa: No, I've had them for a while. I don't really like them though.
K: Oh. Why not?
M: Eh, they're borderline mom-ish.
K: Oh, yeah. I can see that.
M: (voice raised to a higher octave) What?! You're not supposed to agree with me! You're supposed to say they look fine and I shouldn't worry! Ugh.....hmmm.....jeez. (sigh) I'm never wearing these again.

New Kicks

I got my Tom's Shoes today! I'm hoping they will be comfortable enough to traipse around Europe in but won't make me looks like a tacky tourist in sneakers. And how awesome is the company? For every pair of shoes they sell, they donate one to a child in need. I feel like I've done my good deed (especially since children make my heart turn cold, right Jen?).

I got them in the grey because I figure they will go with a lot. I feel like I am beginning to catch the disease all New Yorkers eventually fall victim to. I swore I would never do it, but I find myself drawn to neutrals and (gasp!) even black! I must be too far removed from the South. I need some color and pattern stat!!!