The Booty Call

Last night I had a booty call of the 21st century kind. I was hot, tossing in bed, surfing the web and looking for action. Perusing sites that in a satisfied state I'd never dare to explore. Sites that were dangerous and inviting. Sites that could strip me of my will, and thrust me into a world of leather and chains in which I'd lose all abandon.  I was exhilarated by the thought. 


I played around, waiting for something intriguing to catch my fancy. Then they appeared. Twin towers of pure unadulterated passion. I closed my eyes. The objects of my desire were within my reach.


"Come and get me..." they whispered. They stood tall, erect. They were lean, dark, and handsome. Wearing nothing but leather and chains. I lusted for them. I was restless. I had to try them on for size.  I made the call.


It was 2  a.m. Credit cards accepted. They'd be at my door before long. I tingled at the anticipation of a big package.

Yves Saint Laurent, "Passy 90" boot

The "Passy 90" cutout chain boot by Yves Saint Laurent. Proving that sometimes, to this girl, size does matter. And that's that. 

KIϟϟ & Boots

KIϟϟ is dubbed as one of history's most recognized bands. But it is not entirely because of their music. Their style is unmatched. If their black and white trademarked face paint and tight black leather outfits weren't enough to make them stand out, scroll down to their shoe of choice. Over-designed Platform boots. 

This band obviously knows how to accessorize. I love that they chose to do it with high-heeled, studded, black, white and gray, knee-high, bold boots. 

KIϟϟ has been in the public eye since 1973. It wasn't until 10 years after that, on September 18, 1983 that the band stepped out without their make-up on. They have since reacquired their traditional wardrobe that they will always be remembered for. They just could not leave their style behind forever, and that's that. I'll leave you now with arguably Kiss' most popular track and one of my personal favorites.

 

Kiss - Rock and Roll All Nite, 1996, Live, Under the Brooklyn Bridge

More up-to-date information about KISS can be found at the Kiss Official Website!

Boots for Boys

Ladies, boots are not just for you. Gentlemen, they're for you, too. Men have been wearing boots since well before the Elizabethan Era (1558-1603). Many wore gamaches, a high boot, or Buskins, a calf-length boot, everyday. In fact, we can see men in boots in period movies throughout the years. 

Elizabethan wear

Mel Gibson in The Patriot,  representing 1776

Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, representing 1811 

One pair of boots that guys don't seem to shy away from are workbooks, or what many call "timbs"(aka Timberlands). My dad wears them when he does yard work. My brothers wear them with their button downs and khakis in the winter. They will always be popular, they have a necessary function in the male's closet. 


The Mugg, or the man Ugg, is also a relatively popular boot within the male wardrobe. The Ugg Company makes advertisements to attract male consumers.

Yet, I still get the sense that men don't wear boot in the same way that women do -- for the style. Check out Ed Westwick, Chris Brown, Jude Law and Justin Timberlake (below) and take some advice from them. They pull off the fashion boot quite well. 

I think they look pretty good and men should definitely invest in a pair to elevate their style to celebrity status. And that's that. 

Country Stars and Cowboy Boots

For many musicians, especially country stars, cowboy boots are always in season. They wear them in the winter with a pair of jeans and in the summer with a breezy dress, on stage, at home and in the street. 

Miley Cyrus

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

And if you're Miranda Lambert, you even wear them at your wedding. She loves her cowboy boots. For her, that is just that. 

This trend is not only for the female stars though. Cowboy boot wearing dates all the way back to The Beatles when they wore them in Hamburg in 1960 with leather jackets. 

Beatles, 1960

However, there seemed to be one time this year when many of these country stars left their boots at home. The 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards, a place where I thought cowboy boots would be stampeding down the red carpet, was surprisingly not full of boot-wearing musicians. Instead, this past April Fool's day many of the country stars stepped out in more delicate footwear.

When Taylor Swift accepted her award for Entertainer of the Year, she was not in a pair of her many cowboy boots, but instead in a pair of sky high stilettos. Nicole Kidman, Miranda Lambert (Album of the Year winner & Female Vocalist of the Year), LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood must have all gotten the memo, as well. Don't get me wrong they looked beautiful, just a little bit taller than usual.

Now that the awards have been handed out, I am sure the Country stars are back to dancing around in their boots. Country stars and cowboys make too fitting a pair for them to be parted for much longer than a few hours. And that's that. 

Boots...Not Just for Winter Anymore

Boots. For most, you wear them in the winter, you wear them in the snow, you wear them in the cold, and then put ‘em away. But not this year. Boots are not just for winter anymore.

Even though spring has sprung, it does not mean your boots have to head back into hibernation. Springtime is time for your boot collection blossom. 

This year it’s all about adding a little spring into your boot-step. A great way? Color! Color! Color!

Here are some of my suggestions:

Despite the warmer weather, spring is also known for it's frequent rain showers. To keep your toesies dry, try a pair of the-ever-so-colorful Hunter Rainboots. They come in a tall or short style. You can find a pair of your own at The Hunter Official Website, but they can also be found at many department stores. 

A colorful pair of riding boots can go a long way. These Frye Carson Boots come in a variety of colors ranging from the usual Black and Brown to some great springtime colors like Blue (below, left), Berry (below, right), Emerald and Sapphire. To see all the colors for yourself check out the Frye Comany's Official Website.

 


Doc Martens, a brand a little bit out of my comfort zone, but nonetheless, springtime savvy. Not only do they work all the right springtime colors, but they even make their boots in floral prints. Take a look at the Doc Martens Official Website, for your own fun pair of colored of flowery boots. 

Boooooooooots!!!!

 Every year at the beginning of September my mother used to ask me and my two brothers one very important question: “What do you want to be for Halloween this year?”

Now, that’s a hard question for most kids, especially ones in elementary school when new “favorite” cartoon and fairytale characters change with the seasons. But in our house it was a question that needed to be asked early. It was around this time every year that my mother would get out her sewing machine, head to the fabric store and start concocting three elaborate homemade Halloween costumes for us. We knew that once we picked our costume, we would be wearing that costume, and that was that.

Usually, it worked out just fine. Aside from the one year when my older brother decided the week before Halloween that being Peter Pan to my Tinkerbell wasn’t “cool” with the 2^nd grade set, we were happy with our choices.  In fact, our costumes were good, and usually got a lot of compliments, especially from adults.

me, Tinkerbell

 Through the years,  I have been transformed into the Queen of Hearts, a Fair Maiden, Tinkerbell (twice), Hannah Montana (also twice) and Cinderella. I have been one of three blind mice, one of the three musketeers—and yes, each time my mom made all three costumes. I have seen my brothers become dinosaurs, lions, tigers, a loli-pop kid, a sumo wrestler and Captain Hook. That explains Tinkerbell’s repeat performance, by the way. My little brother “needed” to be Captain Hook, and begged me to be Tinkerbell again. I figured I owed him the favor. He did, after all, happily walk around as my sheep when I was Little Bo Peep.

Little Bo Peep and my sheep 

So what does this have to do with boots? Well, my mom left nothing to chance…not even our footwear. Yes, she made “boots” for almost every costume to cover our regular sneakers, which were the safest shoes to wear on a dark night, she said. And I have to hand it to her, the “boots” really did finish off the costumes.

Of course, when I got a little older, not too old for trick-or-treating, but “too old” for my mom’s hand-made costumes, I wore my own boots. My boot collection was just kicking into high gear when I was a biker girl. I loved the leather jacket, the pleather pants, the tall leather boots. I felt cool. I did after all get to sit on a motorcycle.

Now, as my twenty something life goes on, I look back on Halloween and have a new appreciation for how my mom put together so many elaborate costumes in such a short amount of time. She whipped them up proudly, and I even think she was disappointed when we outgrew the need for her needlework and wanted to throw together our own crazy costumes at the last minute. I remember the detail, the fittings, the first time I tried on my finished costumes. And I remember the boots…a detail that never went unnoticed to me. 

Boot Up the Melody

Who doesn't love listening to music? For all you boot-loving music gurus out there -- this post is for you. Here's a look at some of the most popular songs that talk about boots.

Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walking (1966)

Randy Houser - Boots On (2008)

The Killers - Boots (2010)

Kesha - Boots & Boys (2010)

T-Pain - Low (2007)

...apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur...

Boot of the Week: Hunter Boots Regent St. James Tall Rain Boot

The Hunter Brand is known for their rain boots. They have their classic style in every color imaginable. But for a working woman, a bright yellow or red pair of rain boots may not seem appropriate for those rainy days at the office. So here is my recommendation for you ladies, the Hunter Regent St. James Tall Rain Boot. 

Fancy name, I know. But they are practical, neutral, and the asymmetrical cut is oh-so-flattering. At first glance, these boots look like a pair of leather and wool boots -- not pair of waterproof, rubber, rain boots. Your male co-workers will never know the difference.

These rain boots make a splash, and that's that.

And the Winner Is...

These boots may be made for walking, but for most boots, when it comes to Oscar’s big night, the invitation to take the formal stroll down the red carpet historically gets lost in the mail. The 2012 Academy Awards show, which takes place on February 26^th, promises to be no different. Sure, it will be filled with head-to-toe glamour, and celebrities who get the elusive fashion nod can turn instantly into fashion icons. And “fashion don’ts” will be ridiculed in the media for a long time to come. For many stars, putting their best foot forward means playing it safe. Even celebrity royalty don’t grab what could be the fashion role of a lifetime: sleek dresses, sleek hair, and long, beautiful boots.

“Take a chance!” I plead to the leading ladies who have graced us for years with their acting prowess and studio staying power. “Surprise us!” I will to those Hollywood beauties that are secure enough in their beauty to wear thongs on the beach with paparazzi in tow. But the truth is, the 84^th Annual Academy Awards Show follow in the footsteps of those before it. When it comes to their feet, nominees will play it safe—not practical—“safe.” There will still be an abundance of 5-inch heels and strappy platforms holding up actresses who wobble their way through interviews, but long, luscious, leathery boots will be impossible to find.

Yes, boots will get the snub, quite like Leonardo DiCaprio who was overlooked for his work in Titanic and  J. Edgar, and Donald Sutherland who was ignored for his roles in M*A*S*H and Ordinary People. Sadly, boots will go unrecognized for the great performance that they put in throughout the year, and will be left at home on the big night. The opportunity for boots to get that break out role will slip away, and it’s likely that at the only boots that will be gracing the Kodak Theater will be Puss in Boots, one of this year’s nominations for Best Animated Films.

But judging from pictures, maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe this year’s nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role will be better off stepping out on “safe” terrain, wearing what gorgeous leading ladies of years’ past have already proven to work. Let’s take a look at this year’s top ladies and their recent boot outings. 

Meryl Streep, nominated for the Iron Lady

Rooney Mara, nominated for the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Michelle Williams, nominated for My Week With Marlyn
with her daughter Matilda in pink Hunter rain boots

Glenn Close as Cruella Deville,  nominated for Albert Nobbs

And, last, but not least, Viola Davis, who must never have worn a pair of boots in her life…or at least not since her break-out role in The Help.

Viola Davis, nominated for The Help

Judging from these pictures, maybe it’s better that these top ladies stick to shoes. But some day, on some glamorous night to come, boots will have their time. Boots will be up to the job. Someday, we’ll all be watching as a pair of Christian Louboutin 5-inch knee high boots accept an Oscar. There’s a lady out there who is confident enough to pull it off, and that’s that.

Welcome to the Family

This weekend, we welcomed a new addition to the family: Sperry Top-Sider Shearwater Boots. Finally, a pair of snow boots that wouldn’t look like my brother’s hand-me-downs.

Not that I minded wearing my brother’s cast offs. For years, I wore every pair of clunky rubber lace-ups that he outgrew. In fact, I couldn’t wait until they were mine. Bright, red fireman boots and white Power Ranger specials…If my big brother wore them, they were great, and that was that. When we got a little older and my little brother took off in size, I even had his old boots to choose from. Sure, there was a part of me that envied the girls who were the oldest in their family or who had older sisters. They always had the pretty pink or polka-dotted boots. The truth is, though, that I really didn’t mind wearing my brothers’ old boots, and in some ways, this fact still mystifies me.  

Maybe it was because when I was young, the snow in and of itself was exhilarating, and building snow forts and snowmen with my brothers was pure delight. Snow wars with neighboring clans were limitless, and a well-aimed snowball was infinitely more important than what was on my feet.


But somewhere in those middle school years, the desire to curl up on the couch with the dog to watch a “Friends” marathon during a blizzard snuck up on me. The thrill of getting bundled to careen down the hills of the Montclair Iris Garden was waning, and suddenly there were far fewer occasions to wear the Frankenstein footwear that kept out the snow. Sure, there were the massive-snowstorm shovel fests when every mother and child was obliged to help dig out, but that was rare. And in extreme situations, those big clunkers would do. They kept my feet dry.

me, in the snow

But keeping my feet dry was becoming less important. It was then that Uggs became my muse. I collected Uggs the Kardashians collect reality shows, and I loved them. I had tall basic black, tall black with shearling cuffs, and short black Uggs. I had brown Uggs with shearling trim and standard brown, too. I had pink Uggs and teal Uggs, and green Uggs that to this day hang out under my bed and are so comfy that in their retirement have earned the place of slippers in my life. Many of these boots, however, grace the back of my closet now, faithfully remembering the days they spent in the foreground. Sure, they may be worn, but they sure were worn well.

It’s not that I am indifferent to my Uggs. They own a place in my heart that reminds me of first crushes and sleepovers. They own a part of my history. But time marches on, and so does style. My Uggs have a track record of warmth, and I know that I can count on them to join me in welcoming our new Sperry  boots to the family…and to the closet. 

Boot of the Week: Coach Marlena Boot

The Coach Marlena Boot is a classic riding boot -- a necessity in every girl's closet. Now I know they may be a little pricey at $398, but let me tell you, Coach boots hold up. The first pair of "nice" boots I ever bought was a pair of walnut colored Coach riding boots. That was in 2008. I wore them yesterday (and received a compliment).


Coach riding boots can trot around the track day after day, through rain, sleet, and snow and still look beautiful. This Marlena pair is perfect for everyday wear. Pair them with jeans and a tee in the spring, a sweater dress and leather jacket in the fall or a long down jacket in the winter. These boots will enhance your wardrobe.


I give these boots a gold metal. And that's that.


Pick up a pair of these, here.