zappos tip

A few months ago, I ordered a pair of shoes from Zappos.



It was taking them a tad longer than usual for them to arrive at my door, so I went online to check the tracking number and see where they were. Well, it had been 5 days since I ordered them, but there was no information available for that number - UPS didn't even recognize it as a valid tracking number.

So, I did what any woman would do when her new, pretty shoes are "missing" - I freaked out and called Zappos.

The nice customer service representative assured me that they were shipped out, and while she was looking them up, she asked me if i would like to become a Zappos VIP and have access to FREE ONE DAY SHIPPING. Heck yes, I would! And now I am.

So, my shopping tip for you - call Zappos and complain about something. They'll likely offer you VIP status to soothe you.

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reader question: what to wear with riding boots

This post is dedicated to Kelly, from Tearing Up Houses - evidently my one, sole reader. (Haha, get it? ... SOLE!) She commented on my Winter Boots post, and she asks for:

Ideas on a pair of boots I bought a couple of years ago. They're Etienne Aigner riding boots a little sleeker than the first pair you pictured. I love, love, love them but don't wear them much because I never know what to pair them with. In the past I've thrown them on with an Abercrombie jean mini and a couple of lacey tanks. Any new ideas? (By the way, I don't really own skinny jeans because they look horrible on my body type, so it's tough squeezing my boot cuts into these...)

I'd never heard of the Etienne Aigner brand before, but I did a quick Google search to figure out what I was working with. I'm not sure what style exactly you've got, or what color, so I picked the ones that I would pick for myself, so hopefully you've got something similar to these:

 Etienne Aigner Venezia Riding Boots, $179.95, Amazon







Since I know you live in Florida, I will refrain from throwing a mess of cold-weather options your way, and suggest these instead:

Dresses
My first thought was to go for a breezy, chiffon dress in a floral pattern. My next thought was that, that was too predictable, so I looked for some alternatives as well.


Skirts
Since you mentioned that you usually wear skirts with it, I thought I'd try and find a few other choices besides denim and miniskirts, and found a few tops to pair with them.


Shorts
It is possible to wear boots and shorts together without looking like either Daisy Duke or a hooker.


Click on the images to see the items in each set!

You also mentioned that you have a hard time shoving boot-cut jeans into them, and that skinny jeans don't look good on you. As far as this goes, I would suggest perhaps finding a pair of jean-capris that you like, and tucking those into your boots - there's a lot less fabric to deal with than a full pair of jeans. Else, try finding a looser-cut pair of denim leggings.

Hope this helped, Kelly!

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collegiate appropriate winter footwear

Dependent upon where you attend college, many students face the predicament of what to wear on their feet come winter-time when sloshing around in snow and slush wearing ballet flats or peep-toe pumps is simply out of the question. Boots of some fashion are usually necessary for the winter months. Of course, you’ll want to ensure that your boots of choice fit in with your overall style genre. One thing to remember is that a decent quality boot is an investment - sure, it may set you back now, but in the long run, being able to wear the same timeless boot year after year sure beats having to purchase a new pair every winter because the cheap-o ones you bought last snow-season wore out. Before you reach for the ever popular (but oh, so … ugly) UGGs, consider these functional alternatives for a more put-together and stylish way to keep warm and dry.

Chic & Sophisticated
Full lace-ups or riding boots are sleek and polished. They’re clean, classic, and don’t need a lot of detail to make a big statement. Keep them polished and shined for the best effect. Though they're on the high end of the price spectrum for college students, I would highly recommend investing in a beautiful pair of Frye's. If you take good care of them, they will last forever, and are timeless. Big bonus - you can wear them in the spring, summer, and fall, as well as the winter!

Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots, $348.00, Zappos

Frye Melissa Riding Tall, $378.00, Zappos


Casual & Cozy
Duck boots, like these from LL Bean are the quintessential laid-back, homey boot. Many designers, like Sporto, are now emulating this classic style, but why not stick with the original? Sure, they might be a little pricey, but I can attest that they will last you a lifetime and will always be in style – after all, they’ve been selling out of them since 1912. If you have qualms about shopping at an “old fogey” store, try an updated look from Sporto.

L.L.Bean Duck Boots - Shearling Lined, $134.00, L.L.Bean

Sporto Kim, $75.00, Zappos


Sporty & Functional
These boots are all about keeping your feet warm and dry – no frills or fancy details, just straight up functional. I’m a fan of Colombia boots – they’ll withstand just about anything. Plus, they're cute in a "snow bunny" kind of way.

Columbia Bugaboot Omni-Tech, $99.95, Zappos


Urban & Hip
If bulky and/or fuzzy boots are just not your thing, try wellies. You may need to throw on an extra pair of socks to keep you warm, but they are the old standby for keeping you dry when it rains – and what is snow but a different type of water? They come in a multitude of colors and some with cute details like laces. If you’re looking for something a little bit more fashionable, try wellies with wedges to stand out.

Hunter Original Lace, $115.16, Zappos

rsvp Aster, $64.00, Zappos

Trenton Plask W, $76.00, 6pm

Sperry Top-Sider Pelican Wedge Sadie Rubber Boot, $27.98, 6pm

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holiday dresses

For many of us, December and January marks the beginning of holiday party season. With such an array of mass-produced, fancy dresses in stores and online, how do you choose a dress that will flatter your individual body type? I've compiled a selection of gowns found from reasonably priced vendors to help you visualize what styles could work for you. I picked styles with an almost old-Hollywood glamor; shiny fabrics, classic shapes, and feminine details make these just right for a special holiday gathering.

shirred sweat heart dress, $39.99, jc penney


short-sleeve beaded dress, $42.90, alloy


strapless bow dress, $42.90, alloy


cascade chiffon dress, $42.90, alloy

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