TBMD

A long-standing item on my wishlist has been a pair of tall brown boots. I hadn't worked out the details in my mind yet (style, material, price, etc), so I was open to all possibilities. I figured I'll know once I saw the one.

A leather pair in a medium brown color from Zara's recent winter collection caught my eye upon its release, but I held off due to the $200 price tag. When it was marked down to $140 at the last sale, I jumped at the chance to try. I had high hopes, but sadly, there was too much material around the ankles, causing unsightly bunching and sagging. The search continues... at a rather slow and leisurely pace, I'll admit.

While browsing Gilt a few months later, I came across a pair of suede over the knee boots from Prada and fell in love. Then quickly lost the googly eyes when I saw the $1000 price tag and the words final sale. As I looked for more info, that nagging feeling of familiarity wouldn't go away. I was finally able to pinpoint the source to having seen Anh wear both the Prada and Miu Miu versions beautifully -- the only difference in style between the two (that I could tell) was the heel height (1" for Prada, 2" for Miu Miu). I'd like to thank fate for allowing me to snatch up the last remaining Miu Miu pair at NM for 55% off ($540). It just so happened to be in a gorgeous dark chocolate brown color in a size 37.

I typically wear 36-36.5 (the latter mainly for pointy toe shoes because I have normal-to-wide feet), so I had reservations if going up another half-to-full size would work. I kept expectations low, way low, this time around. Sz 37 fit me fine in the toebox (couldn't feel noticeable roominess), but did experience wiggle room at the ankles (would be a problem with pumps, but not an issue since my heels won't be slipping out of boots). When worn, I didn't feel like the ankle area looked roomy -- no obvious sagging, just normal creasing. Most of all, I loved how the boots contoured to my calves without being skin-tight. I worried about needing to constantly tug at the boots to keep them from sagging, but nope, no need for that at all. Deal sealed. I do think a half size up (36.5) would've been perfect, but don't have regrets about the 37.

The suede leather is amazingly soft and supple to the touch -- lightweight but not too thin. The inside is lined with smooth, black leather and provides contrast against the brown suede when the top portion is folded down. I personally prefer the over the knee look myself, so don't plan on wearing the boots cuffed.

When not worn, I keep the boots upright by placing cardboard tubes inside (came with purchase), otherwise the shaft topples over. I probably should look into some sort of suede-protectant spray, but have so far just been wearing the boots out during nice weather days.

I remember when I first saw the pointy toe and compared them to witch shoes because the front looked extra elongated. But when photographed (see above photo), the boots look rather proportioned. Aesthetics aside, I figured there was a good chance I'd be tripping over my own two feet. So far, so good and only slight scuffing at the toe. I love the boots so much the first time I wore them out that I promptly wore them again the next day and the day after that. I had no problems with comfort when standing and walking for hours on the ~2" blocked heel.

On a final note, LOL @ me for balking at $200 Zara boots, but bought the Miu Miu pair at $540 without blinking an eye. What a brainwashed sucker I am when it comes to the "name." Sigh. I'm working on it :)

Once again I (subconsciously) turn to the navy blazer + white jeans combo when I want wear a colored top. Case in point: one, two. That's me, a creature of habit.

Consecutive days of nice weather meant busting out thinner layers and documenting said outfits. So for the next few posts, outfits on the blog will appear more spring-like than usual.

Happy Monday!

Just sharing a mixture of outfits that I thought were only meh (and didn't deserve its own post) or because the photos didn't turn out well.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

coat: J.Crew Majesty peacoat (sold here - 40% off w/code BIG40) / shirt: Banana Republic Factory (recent - tag info; similar) / tee: J.Crew Factory (short-sleeve version - $18.50) / belt: J.Crew (similar) / jeans: Hollister boot destroyed (sold here - $25) / bag: Balenciaga city (sold at NM / Barneys)

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar) / coat: J.Crew Majesty peacoat (sold here - 40% off w/code BIG40) / shirts: Gap chambray tailored shirt (similar - 25% off w/code EARLY); Forever 21 (similar; similar) / turtleneck: J.Crew (sold here - 40% off w/code BIG40) / jeans: LOFT modern slim leg (this season's sold here - extra 40% off) / bag: Longchamp large Le Pliage (sold at Nordstrom / Bloomingdale's / NM) / shoes: Tory Burch Ludlow driver (similar)

sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar) / necklace: Heirloom Finds (sold here) / jacket: Burberry Marystow trench coat (sold at Nordstrom / Bloomingdale's) / top: LOFT (similar) / jeans: LOFT knit denim leggings (similar - 30% off w/code SPRING)

I'm a huge fan of making the most of my wardrobe by looking for versatile ways to wear items, thus giving outfits a fresh look. Past examples include: wearing a dress as a skirt/top or a button-up shirt as a jacket. And the list grows with the addition of today's outfit. I started with an open cardigan, crisscrossed the sides, then tucked the ends into my jeans for a faux-wrap sweater look.

My faux fur vest came with a belt, but I prefer to wear it unzipped and unbelted because it looks more casual and less constricting. I changed it up today and wove a black sash through the vest's pre sewn belt loops thanks to (where else?) an image found on Pinterest. Unfortunately my sash was too long for one loop around and just a tad short when looped twice. So as a result... my bow ended up looking a bit sad and droopy.

Today's outfit is from a few days ago, where conditions outside were much dryer. I woke up this morning to about 6-8" 4-6" of snow outside. DC is kind of a wuss when it comes to snow... half an inch on the ground and the federal government is delayed by 2 hours. I blame it on all the transplants who don't know how to drive in winter weather ;) I'm just happy that the government announced office closures at a reasonable hour last night so I could sleep in this morning. As for my plans for today? Watch more Olympics perhaps? "Help" my husband shovel the sidewalk? Stay safe and warm, east coasters!

I've found that accessorizing for cold weather outfits is a bit easier than their warm weather counterparts. Once temperatures dropped, I've hardly reached for my ever-growing jewelry stash because nobody would see them once I'm all bundled up. Instead, I pick and pair from my less extensive scarf collection and three pairs of gloves. My grouchy self sure appreciates the less is more decision making process in the mornings.

I've been watching the Olympics non-stop this weekend -- new events, new faces, but none missing in the drama department. Hope you have a good one!

One of the nice aspects of blogging that I take advantage of is going through my stash of old outfit photos -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Outfits can always be improved upon, and as I refine my wardrobe over time, I look for ways to tweak old outfits to make them new again.

For example, today's outfit features the same combination of tweed jacket + gray pants + snakeskin pumps as an outfit from last year. I tried my hand at pairing plaid flannel with tweed, which I thought was a cool combination at the time... but now? Ehh... I probably should've chosen a more casual pair of pants instead. This time around, I swapped out the casual top for a dressier version, which results in a more cohesive look from head to toe.

I wanted to wear a dark colored coat with black faux leather pants, but my closet options were limited to a navy peacoat. Navy and black, two colors I love wearing but could be mistaken for the other in certain lighting conditions. To remove all doubt that I didn't get dressed in the dark, I kept the rest of the outfit in the same color scheme by swapping out the original burgundy sweater over a gray top for a black sweater with a printed navy blouse.