Winter boots: found??

Boot option

Boot option I'll surely say no to

 My Nine West booties

My winter boots

It took me a month, but I have found my winter boot. They are not ideal, and they sure as hell aren't as fantastic as the Dior boots in my first post, BUT they will do for now. I found and bought them just in time for as I was unpacking my bags the first snow of the year fell, and it was nothing short of amazing- just beautiful, beautiful white covering the world.

I got immediately excited because that meant I got to wear my new boots. I tried on my first "winter outfit": a white dress, a black knit cardigan, gray wool blend tight and of course my boots. I even combed my hair for this faux outing and maybe - maybe not put on another layer of mascara. Looking at myself in the mirror that big stupid grin on my face turned into a big frown. I looked and felt like an idiot... it was a sad, sad time.

My boots, I thought made me look dumpy and I can't remember ever wearing that much clothes. Ever. Everyone said I looked fine, but being used to ballet flats, wedges and flip flops (and not to mention the fantastic hot sun) I began to resent the boot wearing season. Luckily a package came from the US of A carrying my three favorite things: books, Starbucks and shoes. My boyfriend bought and packed up the Nine West booties I'd been longing for, and they almost revived my love for the boot wearing season. Almost. Just as long as I don't fall on a patch of cold, harsh ice when wearing them.

Gray obsession

Lucky Brand

Lindex

H&M

Alexander McQueen

Elizabeth and James

DVF

The color in between two basics: black and white. Why shouldn't it be used just as often? I am loving coats, bags and boots in this color (or for some anal retentive people "shade") for fall and winter. The softness of gray is great for layering on different pieces, as well as accessorizing. I especially love the muted color of the Elizabeth and James boot which softens and the suede gives them a great texture and you can wear this style with pretty much anything. Get excited by the fabulous blandness and pair gray with vibrant colors like blue, purple and my favorite, yellow. This arty and quite flashy Diane Von Furstenberg scarf with her image on it is great - tie it onto your bag or wear it as a scarf under that amazing gray coat for a bright flash of color in these upcoming dreary winter months.

Everyone loves Kiehl's...

Calendula toner complete with petals

Moisturizer

Yerba Mate cleanser

Avocado eye cream

Mango-Papaya face scub

Mixed Berry toner with real berry chunks!

... Or at least they should! Kiehl's is a line of skin care products, but they also have shampoos, conditioners and even stuff for your dog. They started in 1857 in New York and they use all natural ingredients - so no horrible chemicals. And this, I think, is the very best part: they don't test on animals and they never have. I decided to try Kiehl's for that reason. To eat an animal as nourishment is one thing, but why does an animal need to suffer so I can have pore-free skin and luscious eyelashes?

I have been using these products religiously for a few years now and I love, love, love it! I use the Calendula toner, which is made with real calendula flowers and you can see them in the bottle - which is really neat; the avocado eye cream; the Yerba Mate Tea cleanser; and your basic moisturizer with SPF.

My skin has never looked better. As far as I know you cannot find Kiehl's products in Norway, but glory be hallelujah, this must be why we have the internet. So, I say: "Clear, fabulous, glowing skin and a clear conscience?" Yes, please.

To clog or not to clog?

Aldo

Diane von Furstenberg

Dior

Traditional Dutch clogs

Rachel Bilson

I say not to clog. There is one fall fashion trend that I especially cannot stand and that is the clog. I do not like them for any other reason, really, other than I think they are hideous. Clogs are bulky, unflattering and remind me of the shoes nurses wear. In my opinion a fabulous shoe should be seamless with the body; elongating it, giving it a flattering posture. A clog style, for a lack of a better word, clogs the body down. I can't think of a single good way to wear them - even Rachel Bilson in her effortless style can't make them look anything but, well, silly. Let the 18th century Dutch milking maids keep this look.

Search for the perfect støvletter

In moving to Norway from San Diego I have come to find that I am seriously unprepared for the change of season. Being a dresses and skirts kind of person (besides from what I like to call my very comfortable but ugly "airplane pants") I don't own a decent pair of pants or jeans and I don't own a single pair of boots or as the Norwegians call them: støvletter. Pants are the least of my worries because as of  now I have decided to wear fabulous wool blend tights along with skirts and dresses and beautiful warm coats all winter - let us see how long I last... Still a pair of boots I must have; I am thinking along the line of the Dior Cavaliere Buckle Bootie. Unfortunately I do not have $1,250 to spend on a cavaliere bootie, so I must find a replacement! Stay tuned.