R and I had pretty much the best day ever at the local thrift stores today. I got my first pair of real Wranglers and a vintage 80's blue and grey silk cocktail dress. He got some stovepipe stonewashed Levi's and cowboy boots... and a Grateful Dead tie-dye t-shirt. Pictures coming soon.
One of the nice things about living out West is that your Sierra Trading Post orders come in way faster. Hot dog, a new down jacket! Because we all know I need more gear!
Apparently these were kinda popular last winter. Well, I only heard about them this winter, but I totally want some. Russian wool felt boots! They are called valenkis.
My feet, I like them to be warm.
I got some new hiking shoes. They are fabulous. They look like this:
Full post-weekend update soon!
So when I packed up and left Florida, I left my hiking boots and my trail runners behind. My boots have begun giving me blisters incessantly and my trail runners were hand-me-downs when I first got them a long time ago. I told myself I'd buy some new shoes pronto.
I forgot. Last weekend I hiked in my running shoes - road running shoes. This is not a long-term solution. I need some new shoes.
First priority: affordable day hikin' shoes.
Second priority: winter-worthy, weight-bearing boots.
Z, who's an admitted gearhead (I seem to meet a lot of these), gave me some advice on shoes and now I'm searching online. We're talkin' under $100 here folks, 'cause I am poor. Anybody got any brand recommendations for good trail running/approach/dayhike type shoes? Right now I'm thinking Vasque or La Sportiva or Montrail, just 'cause I've found a few from them that I like, but I'm open to other recommendations - a few options: here (La S), here (V), and here (M).
Boots... well, we'll talk boots later. Those might be a Christmas present. Lord knows I don't have the money for good boots right now.
So this morning I found these fabulous blog posts about bras. Seriously! If you're female you really ought to read these. I'm definitely going to try out their advice - I mean, for example, did you know this? I DID NOT.
Next trick about bra fitting, cup size is relative to band size, a 32C and a 40C are not the same cup size. A 40C is the same cup size as a 32DDD. Everytime you go down a band size you have to go up a cup to get the same fit.
Also, they all went hating on Victoria's Secret. I grew up thinking that was the best kind you could buy, and a big step up from JC Penney or other department stores. I have several, definitely like a lot of them, though a couple that I have are on the uncomfortable side. You mean there's something better out there? I guess sometimes my upbringing shows - I'm conversant in a lot of ridiculous fashion stuff (denim, heels, boots, Chanel nail polish trends, for Pete's sake) but completely ignorant about a piece of clothing that I actually wear every day, just because of a lifetime's habit of going to that dang Port Charlotte mall to shop for the basics.
I got the links from Feministe, where there are some good links in the comments, and definitely definitely check out this post and then this one (read both!) from Bitch Ph.D. They're full of good advice. Check it out FOR SURE - especially anyone who has a hard time with bras. I mean, I don't have a lot to haul around in mine. If I'm feeling particularly, uh, liberated, I can always just go without. (And no this does not cause sagging, people.)
Arg, damn you, coat season. I keep seeing these coats online, really great wool coats, in tweeds and lovely colors, perfectly shaped. And I want one.
But I already HAVE one. A really awesome tomato-red one. With retro buttons. I also have a whole collection of coats for all seasons, most of them quite awesome.
I do not need a new wool coat.
I do not need a new wool coat.
Now, if I find one at a thrift store for under $20, well, all bets are off.
Y'all I can't tell you how much I wish these shoes were my size.
Lisa Nading makes my favorite dress shoes. I can't really afford them right now. Nor do I have anywhere to wear them. But man, that is a nice pair of black heels.
There's something to be said for that whole 'high heels are the tools of the patriarchy' argument, and anyone who knows me knows I'm more of a boots and sandals kind of girl, but a good pair of heels is irreplaceable.