grey booties

What:  Size 8 grey ankle booties
From:  Aerosoles
Purchased:  October 21, 2011
Cost:  $26

I spent all last winter coveting grey shooties/ankle booties, particularly an expensive pair.  I ended up buying these for $20, and while I like them, they're kinda cheap-y and I don't think will last.  Suede is already rubbing off.  Also ever-so-slightly pinchy in the toes.

Anyway, when shopping with KG recently, we hit the Aerosoles outlet store and these were marked to $26.  KG got both the grey AND the black (marked down to $35, I think), but I stuck with just the grey. After seeing KG rock the black ones with black tights and skirt, I was thinking I should have gotten black, even if they were $10 more, but I had purchased the odd black Naturalizer shoes earlier that day, so grey it was.

So, the other day I decided to step out a little bit and actually wear some of the crap I buy on the clearance racks, and pulled on these funky patterned tights, with a grey skirt and black sweater.  It was a little out there for me, but I think worked.  At least it was a little different.

Bottom line:  keeper.  They are more comfy that the other ones I own.  Probably better with jeans.  Still feeling like I should have gotten the black ones, maybe?  Or, really, neither.  The real bottom line is I've gotten two grey booties for $46, which is still cheaper than the shooties I really wanted last year.

March 2 - grey strappy sandals

What:  size 8 grey satin strappy sandals
From:  Talbots (outlet)
Purchased:  mid 00s
Cost:  $20

Grey is my go-to neutral.  Love it - grey and purple, grey and blue, grey and pink, grey and yellow.....do not love grey and brown, though.  Anyway, when I saw these on the clearance rack at Talbots I snapped them up years ago, and sadly they have never been worn.  I'm just not in a fancy party world any longer, I guess.  Someday! 

Bottom line:  keeper - they still fit

February 16 - shootie #1, or why do the shoe gods hate me??

What: size 8 grey shooties with buckle
From: Liz Claibourne (Marshalls)
Purchased: January 2011
Cost: $20 - on clearance

OK, folks, these were the second pair of shoes that I bought in 2011, and I wasn't sure about them. They are cute, but Liz Claiborne isn't a great brand, and besides, I was coveting the expensive Naya shooties. I bought these January 17th, with a 30 day return policy.

And then I found the Naya shooties on super sale. If the Naya shoes were perfect, I didn't need another pair. But if the Naya shoes were not perfect, these might be a good alternate. Sob! You see, the deadline for returning these was fast approaching, and my Naya shoes were not showing up. The last time I ordered online from Naturalizer, the shoes arrived in two days. I had taken to screaming at odd times: "where are my new shoes?!" (I've never claimed to be easy to live with). I consulted Rich, and he said, just keep these, they were cheap, they look good. So I decided to wear them on the 16th (also, still have not fixed heels of grey short boots). And they are pretty cool, and I do like them and am glad I kept them.

BECAUSE: Naturalizer broke my heart. Broke. My. Heart. On the 17th, I got an e-mail saying my order was canceled (sic) due to lack of inventory! Let's just say distraught doesn't begin to cover my disappointment. After a period of mourning what could have been, I am back to cyber stalking. I've found the Naya shoes on one site for $80, plus $10 shipping. And at this point in my non-working life I can't justify that purchase. And, I do have these. They are fine. I like them fine. And, if not for the heartbreak caused by Naturalizer, I might have been able to say I love them. But alas, they will forever be linked to second place, good enough status, which isn't really fair to them. But such is life.

Bottom line: keeper

February 12 - fancy flats

What: size 8 silver ballet flats with silvery flower
From: Talbots
Purchased: spring '09
Cost: $32.50 (edited for accuracy)

Hmmm. You know what? I might have my dates all screwed up. The very first pair of ballet flats I bought from Talbots were these, and I wrote I bought them in spring 09. But, I wore those orange-y ones enough that when I saw these in Talbots I knew I had to have them. I just loved the flower-y thing. I held out til late winter sales and finally snagged them at $35 (and I had to call around and have them held for me at a store across town to get them). So does that mean I bought them in '10? Did I miss a purchase? No, I must have the wrong year on the orange ones. Not that it matters all that much, really. Now I'm going to have to go back through some receipts to see if I've been living a lie and actually bought 22 pairs, not 21 pairs, in '10!

I wore these in January, but was so totally unmotivated in posting. But, it really was a fashion faux pas. It was a cold day, and I put on black socks! Bad, bad, bad. I don't think you can wear socks with ballet flats? So does that mean you either freeze for fashion, or hold ballet flats for spring/summer/fall only?

edited to add: OK, so I have been living a lie - I bought these on February 15, 2010, which makes them the second pair of shoes I bought in 2010, for a grand total of 22 pairs. Great, now I have to go back and edit the 2010 recap.

Bottom line: keeper

November 15 - my mother made me do it

What: size 8 grey croc ankle boots with 2.5 inch heel
From: Talbots (outlet)
Purchased: November 10, 2010
Cost: $35

Folks, meet shoe purchase #20 for 2010. I seriously cannot believe I have purchased 20 pairs of shoes this year. And I can't believe I bought these, even though I love them. First, on November 10 I was feeling lousy with what was about to turn into a raging kidney infection. Plus, I was wearing crappy shoes. Add in I had just gotten a notice that the outlet store as having its seasonal sale with an extra 10% off, plus my mom had given me a gift card to Talbots and you have a perfect storm.

I tried these on on a whim. I am seriously craving a pair of grey shooties. I haven't been able to find any I really like and are affordable, though. So I slipped these on at the outlet and whaddya know, they felt super comfy, and looked sooo much more stylish with my dress pants than my blah easy spirit shoes. They were $78, 50% off, plus an extra 10% off, and I had a $25 gift card, which meant $10 out of pocket. After thinking about it for a while, I texted a couple of people. My friend TSM replied: was there ever any doubt you would get them? My sister, on the other hand, replied: I do not approve of this purchase. My sister, you see, knows I really, really want grey shooties. Ankle boots are not shooties. You wear them totally differently, and my sister knew I was subbing one desire for something I didn't deeply desire, thus leaving the deep desire unfulfilled.

Shooties are hot right now as a look with skirts and tights. Since they end at the ankle, you can wear a skirt. Ankle boots, on the other hand, end just below your calf, cutting off your leg visually at a thick point, so you cannot wear them with skirts. Only pants. I seriously debated for a long time in the store carrying these around. I knew I'd have to write about it here, you see. But, as you can see, they now belong to me. As TSM said, despite great internal (and external!) debate, there really wasn't much doubt.

Prior to my shoe challenge, I would have purchased these and then worn them all November and throughout the winter, pushing other shoes aside. And, since I am writing this in early December, but backdating to November, I can tell you that's exactly what I've done. I freaking love these boots. I was sick the weekend of the 12th, and still felt awful the 15th, but went to a job interview and wore these (with black pants, black shell, and green suit jacket with grey stitching). A man in the elevator complimented them! I only left the house 3 other times the rest of the next week, and wore these boots each time (with jeans). Love, love, love them. Excellent purchase. Super comfortable, looks great with professional or casual clothes. I'm going to have to discard more shoes so that I can wear these more often. Thanks Mom!

Bottom line: keeper!

But I still crave shooties.

August 25 - grey and pointy

What: grey pointy-toed kitten heel size 8 pumps
From: Tahari(Lord and Taylor)
Purchased: December 28, 2008*
Cost: $30*

All right, I've been shamed and called out by one of my two readers, so back at my shoe blogging. I'll wrap up August and then restart September with more energy! I do, after all, have more than 100 pairs remaining to be worn, and if I find them so uninspiring, perhaps I should more seriously cull.

Anyway, these are one of my infamous I-have-no-job-and-maybe-will-become-a-stay-at-home-mom-so-let-me-purchase-5-pairs-of-mostly-work-shoes-in-one-month-while-it-is-winter-and-I-am-spending-maternity-leave-walking-around-Friendship-Heights. These may, in fact, be the first pair I bought. Actually they had them in purple, now that I am thinking about it, and I saw them and loved them and did not buy them (no job, no need for them, trying to be frugal), but thought about them endlessly and went back and the purple were all gone but the grey still called my name. I love them. Love kitten heels, love the exaggerated pointy toe. The first time I wore them I limped home, but they've become quite comfortable and are a great shoe for work. The picture does not do them justice. I need better lighting.

The day before I wore them I was reading something that said the trend this fall is for not quite as pointy shoes, which reminded me of this pair so I pulled them out. But they are still quite stylish and will remain a staple. And grey is a hot color this year for fall (as it often is). I was just reading another fall style guide ("affordable trends") and am eyeing a grey bag and yet another pair of shoes - booties. I'm watching this bootie trend and while I first thought it was ridiculous looking, I'm actually feeling like I need a pair of booties. I prefer to buy better brands a little later in the season from stores like Lord and Taylor rather than buy cheaper earlier. What say you, dear readers - fan of the booties? (or shooties, if you prefer?) And do you wait for higher quality, or buy now?

Also, do you spell it gray or grey?

Bottom line: keeper!

eta: So when I was putting these back in their box, I found the receipt. Actually bought these in late December 2008, so they were the first of my 5 shoes in a month (well, 30 days) purchases. Also, I had deflated the price - they were actually $30. I think, trying to hide my absolute financial foolishness, I had mentally oked it by lowering my price paid. The other ones were definitely cheaper, but these - while still a great bargain - were not quite the huge bargain. Out of all those 5 pairs, though, I've worn these the most. I love them - here's a closer picture of the pattern - love that marbelized look. They would have been fab in purple, but the grey has probably been more practical!