Year of the Horse

This Friday is Chinese New Year!  We welcome in the year of the horse (and the wood horse, to be exact).  In the spirit of the new year, I give you a selection of (what else?) riding boots.

The lines on the Toxicatn are so sleek, aren’t they?  I love how they swoop up the 16.5-inch high shaft.  There’s a quarter-inch heel and a padded footbed, so you can spend all day in these.  Also available in black and a lighter brown; find them at Nine West for $100.

Ooh, shiny.  The Xibit by LifeStride is made of faux leather polished to gleaming.  There’s elastic in the back so you can pull them right on, and they’re finished with silver hardware.  Also available in an equally shiny brown; yours for $74 from My Favorite Shoe Store.

For the wide-calf girls out there (I know your pain), here’s the Maren by LAUREN Ralph Lauren.  It has a suede shaft (15.5 inches) and leather at the foot, and in the touches around the buckles.  It has a 15.5-inch circumference as well, and comes in black as well as brown.  Find them at Zappos for $150.

Two-tone riding boots are my favorite!  And the Careinaw by Bandolino is a little unusual in that it’s two shades of brown, instead of black and brown.  I sort of love it!  The boot is made of leather, has a 1.5-inch stacked heel, and a zipper on the inside to let you in.  I love the buckles too, and the harness-type thing around the ankle.  Also available in all black, all cognac, and the traditional black and brown combo—your choice for $120 from Macy’s.

And if you also really love two-tone riding boots, get them monogrammed!

This pair of monogrammed boots has a one-inch heel and a 16-inch shaft, and you can get your initials sewn right into the brown upper part.  You can even pick your thread color and font choice—and there are twelve different font options!  Very nice.  Yours from Etsy seller Tiny Tulip for $67.

So gung hay fat choy, and welcome to the year of the horse!

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Shoe Fairy,

I am a teacher interested in a pump that goes well with my brown skirts or tan slacks, that I can wear to work and sometimes for those after-work-but-no-time-to-change occasions such as dinner or a reception (I have those with parents at the school where I teach).  I need a modest heel—2-2.5 inches at most.  No squared-off toes, though don't mind pointy toes.  I prefer something pretty conservative, and would like a closed heel, not a strap.  I wear size 8; sometimes wide, sometimes not.  I am on my feet for much of the day, going up and down three stories of stairs, but want to look and feel like an adult.  I can spend about $35-60, but of course prefer a bargain!

Helena

Dear Helena,

A brown pump—is there anything more perfect for fall?  Let’s see what we can find...

The Kashmir by Life Stride is a dark brown faux croc pump with a two-inch heel and bow detail at the pointed toe.  (And look at the little gold buckle!)  Subtle, yes; boring, no.  Also available in black, burgundy, or a sort of light gold—find them at Macy’s for $60.

Perhaps a satin?

This brown beauty is the Abby by Touch Ups is a satin peep toe with a 1.75-inch heel and pleating detail across the front.  This would look lovely under pants or a skirt!  Also available in white or silver; yours from Endless for $54.

How about a metallic for a special touch?  The Vivia by Sofft is a warm metallic brown, with a solid stacked 2.5-inch heel.  It also has black detailing around the foot and across the round toe, and the best part?  They’re by Sofft, so you know they’re comfortable!  On sale for $65 from 6pm; also available in black, black patent, or Chianti.

Whatever you pick, this is the right time of year to find a great brown pump.  It’s hard to go wrong!

- The Shoe Fairy

Philly Fizz

Philadelphia has a lot of firsts: library, fire department, post office, zoo… but don’t forget the soda!  Our own Phillip Syng Physick was the first to use sugared, carbonated soda water as a medical treatment, paving the way for everyone’s moms to give them ginger ales for their upset tummies.  Thank you, Dr. Physick!

To celebrate, why not attend the sixth annual Philly Phyzz Phest at the Physick House tomorrow?  Sing happy birthday, play 18^th-century games, and listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  (A little unrelated, perhaps, but this is Philadelphia at the 4^th of July.)  In his honor, summery shoes inspired by our favorite sodas!  First up, the classic cola:

Mmm… kind of looks like licorice, actually!  The Mateo by Life Stride is a braided, strappy one-inch wedge perfect for any summer outfit.  Also available in gold; find them at Macy’s for $40.

Orange soda:

The Peggy by Ivanka Trump is so light and airy, isn’t it?  Shiny, braided tangerine leather topped with a large rhinestone at the toe, and a little half-inch heel.  Beautiful.  Yours for $113 from Zappos.

Root beer, maybe?

The Feather Accent Thong Sandal by Haley Jeans Co. has an intricately cut faux leather upper and a zipper up the back to let you in (though I’m not sure where the feather accent is supposed to be!).  Also available in black or red; find them at your local Target for $27.

Lemon-lime:

The Serafina by Loeffler Randall is a flowery, yellow-green treat, what with the flower on the front!  It also comes in tan if you don’t like it in “acid,” but I think it’s cheery!  Find them at 6pm for $156.

My personal favorite: black cherry.

With rhinestones like the bubbles in soda!  The Tapley is a sparkly, strappy flat made of micro suede and elastic.  If the pink isn’t your thing, it also comes in blue, bone, taupe, and black—find them all at Bakers for between $40 and $60 (the pink is $40!). 

Whatever your favorite, raise a glass to Philly’s Founding Father of Fizz!

Philly Phyzz Fest is from 1-5 PM tomorrow at the Phillip Syng Physick House, at 4^th and Delancy.  Go raise a glass to a Philadelphia First!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is on vacation this week.  But my bet is there are a ton of sales around, so hit your favorite store and give it a try!