Narberth Dickens Festival

This weekend is one of my favorite local festivals: the Narberth Dickens Festival!  It’s just all too cute: wandering carolers in Victorian dress, hot toddies in vintagey mugs, street vendors, horse and carriage rides, all sorts of activities…and of course, the characters from Dickens’ classic story wandering the streets, ready to warn you that you’ve been living your life in a dissolute way or what have you.

If you’re truly feeling in the spirit, here are some Victorian-esque shoes you might want to wear!  This one is the most authentic:

So authentic, in fact, that you’ll need a button hook in order to get them on!  Just like old times.  The Victorian Button Boots by Tavistock are made of calfskin, with two-inch French heels and calf sizes in two options (11 or 14.2 inches around).  Yours for $195 from American Duchess Historical Footwear—and while you’re there, look around!  If you’re a history nerd like me, you may geek out a bit.  (Why oh why are the red Kensington 18^th Century Leather Shoes out of stock?!)

But if the button hook seems a bit much, just stick with laces:

This pretty brown pair of Calf High Victorian Boots by Pleaser have the same look for much less work.  (But still come work.  That’s a lot of laces.)  Also available in black or white; your choice for $44 from HowCool.

These bronze beauties are the Victoriana Knee High Boot from Hades.  A quilted upper, a line of buttons, a flamed buckle, silver trim, and a 2.5-inch French heel make this boot special.  And there’s a zipper on the inside—even easier than laces! Find them at Twisted Skyn for $165.

Okay, this last pair isn’t entirely historically accurate.  But it’s a little badass:

The Victorian Fur Boots by Fendi have the same silhouette of a classic Victorian boot (buttons and all) but they also have a line of fur and feathers!  So fun!  The outer is made of color-blocked brown, black, and white leather, and they have a squared off toe and a four-inch heel.  On sale for $868 from Shop.com!

Just make sure that whichever pair you choose, you can chase the book characters around Narberth.  (Actually, that signature scavenger hunt might only be for kids.  Screw that.  I want Bob Cratchit’s signature!  Bob!  Come back!)

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Up to half off all boots
Bare Feet Shoes: 15% off $50, 20% off $75, and 30% off $100
Bus Stop Boutique: Party next Thursday from 6-9 PM!  Cocktails, 10% off, free gift wrapping on all purchases!

Macy's: 20-50% off select styles, plus 20% off with code GIFT
Steve Madden: 20% off $75 with code BUYMORE20; 25% off $100 with code BUYMORE25

Fall Trend: Fur

November is upon us—the heart of the fall season!  Time to explore another trend for fall 2013, one that is especially good now that the weather has turned cold: fur!  Yes, ‘tis the season for fur.  And while fur usually makes the rounds on boots this time of year, this year fur is showing up everywhere.  Like on pumps:

The Heiress by 2 Lips Too is deceptively simple at first glance, but then you pause to take it all in: lace.  Ruffles.  Beading.  And fur, of course!  But the monochromatic palette means it doesn’t overwhelm you.  It’s like caramel…delicious, furry caramel.  It has a five-inch heel and a one-inch platform, and can be yours for $54 from Heels.com.

Not enough fur on this pump for you?  How about this one?

The Ivana by Isa Tapia is just full of fur—real rabbit, dyed a warm red.  Plus, they look super-cozy, don’t they?  If you ignore the four-inch heel for a minute?  They look like slippers, but slippers you could wear to a fancy function.  Or ruby slippers for a Russian princess, during the dark winter.  They can be yours for $455 from Shopbop.

The Eclipse by Charles Jourdan is also rabbit, but gray.  It looks so soft and fluffy, doesn’t it?  I want to reach into my computer and pet it.  Plus, I just love gray.  The four straps up the front and the four-inch heel finish the look.  Buy it before 9 AM today and you can get it for $129, but after that I think it goes back to $215.  Keep an eye on Neiman Marcus Last Call!

Here’s something with a little whimsy:

Meow!  The Cat by Kate Spade New York is gray flannel flat (flannel!  I can barely stand it) with a furry little gold-embellished kitty face on the round toe.  Pointy ears, whiskers galore… this guy has charm to spare.  Yours for $68 from Zappos Couture.

Wow.  Just…wow.  The Leather Fur-Trimmed Pump by Fendi is interesting in so many ways.  First, of course, the fur.  It looks like a chipmunk was skinned and out on the front.  (Actually, it’s mink.  Mink!  Fancy.)  And just look at the heel—a cubist dream in many shades mirror-plated metal.  (Plus it sticks out from the back of the shoe a bit, which is kind of cool.)  You’ll be the talk of the town in these!  Find them at Saks for $1990.

Whether you choose fake fur or real, warm up to this trend this season!

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Boot sale-- save up to 25% off select styles
Bloomingdale's: Sale now through 11/17 (save 20-40%)
Lord & Taylor: Veteran's Day sale-- take 15% off regular and sale with code VETSDAY
Macy's: Take 15% off with code VETDAY
Nordstrom: Half-yearly sale-- save up to 40%
Payless: Buy one, get one half off