Surviving Winter: A Good Pair of Boots

 

Today we’re going to start from the ground up, meaning today is all about shoes (my favorite topic). See when it’s snowy and icy, you can’t just wear your tennis shoes (or as they call them in Canada, runners). They aren’t warm enough and you’ll just fall on your butt. My first year, I went out to buy my first pair of winter boots and ended up with something so ugly, I literally only wore them on the coldest of cold days. I don’t want that to happen to you. There are attractive snow boots out there, but you might have to search for them.

When purchasing said boots, or searching for said boots, I’ve found that there are three essential questions you must ask yourself and one thing to consider.

First: are they sewn into the sole? Can you see stitches? If not, that means they’re glued and you probably don’t want that because they are less waterproof than stitches. I wouldn’t consider this a hard and fast rule, but it’s definitely a deciding factor for me.

Second: what is the traction like? Do they have nice, thick, preferably rubber soles? No? Maybe not the best option for winter.

Third: how tall are they? I would say the taller the better. Again, not a hard and fast rule, and might be a issue of personal preference, but  lets just say when that truck plows through that puddle, you want to tall tall boots to protect your nice pants.

Lastly, when purchasing boots consider insulation. Those ugly boots I bought first year where lined with faux fur, and of course there is the obvious choice of buying a pair of Uggs, but I would seriously advise against Uggs as a winter boot. Yes, they are cozy and warm but they also get salt stains like no other and have no traction.

1. Are they sewn into the base?

2. Good traction

3. Tall (this is a preference)

4. Insulated is better

Here are some ideas:

 

 

(Pepperlime, DSW, Doc Martens, LL.Bean)

My Doc Martens have become my favorite pair of shoes ever. They are so comfortable, keep my feet dry and prevent me from falling on my butt all the time.

Hope you’re enjoying the snow! I sure am!

 

Surviving Winter: The Basics

Welcome to Emma’s Winter Survival Guide! Today let’s go over the basics of how to survive winter.

FIRST: check the weather every day.

In California when it’s sunny outside, it’s probably more or less warm depending on the time of year. In Toronto during the winter, there might be a big beautiful cloudless sky and still ring in at seven degrees Fahrenheit. It’s always safe to assume it’s freezing and prepare for the worst. Which brings me to point number two.

TWO: Do not leave the house without a hat/ gloves at least in your bag.

Frozen ears are the worst behind frozen fingers. Even if you don’t think you’ll need them because you checked the weather and it’s only going to be twelves degrees Fahrenheit instead of seven, BRING GLOVES. (Honestly, I probably wouldn’t even be going outside if it was that cold).

THREE: The wind is your worst enemy.

I feel like this is a truth everywhere on the planet. Even in California, where it doesn’t get that cold, a nice strong wind can take it from a chilly day to a downright freezing day. Which is why I direct you to number four.

FOUR: Layers are your best friend.

When I moved to this arctic tundra (I joke) no one informed me that in order to wear normal people non-plastic snow pants all the time and still have legs by April, I needed to start wearing leggings/tights underneath my jeans. I distinctively remember coming back from one particularly chilly November day and asking my then-roommate how you prevent frozen thighs, but I don’t think she understood my question because she said that most people just wear jeans. NOT TRUE. Most people wear jeans + leggings, and if you are me, + 2 to 3 pairs of socks.

Any questions, comments, complaints?

Tomorrow we’ll start with the clothing recommendations! Hope everyone is staying warm!

Bonus insider tip: hot beverages are the best.

Good Day Sir!

So normally I don’t post on Saturday because I have things to do and I’m sure you lovely people have things to do besides sit on the internet all day (maybe not, no judgment), but yesterday was a little bit crazy. I always spend Canadian Thanksgiving with Nate’s family who live in a mid-sized city outside of Toronto. After my class I had to rush to the bus station to catch a bus out, which conveniently put me right in the middle of rush hour (which should really be called rush-three-hour because that’s how long I was on this bus).

But I’m here now and the scones I made were delicious! Plus, Nate’s parents have cable, a rare luxury in the life of a poor university student.

 

In the spirit of thanksgiving, falling leaves and pumpkin pie, here are 5 Fabulous Fall Boots (all of which I would be most thankful to receive!).

1. b.o.c by Born Leighton Boot

I want these the most, I think they’re SO lovely. Ugh I would wear them always.

2. Kamlik Rain Boots

I actually own a pair of these babies in that green color above and I LOVE them. They are unbeliavably comfortable and great quality for a pretty reasonable price (made in Canada too!). They come in a lovely array of colors and run a bit small (order a size larger), so they aren’t great if you have big calves, but I would highly recommend them.

3. Beatrice Riding Boots by Jessica Simpson

Nothing beats a great riding boot.

4. Feather by BC Footwear

 

5. Michael Antonio Solange

I’ve been thinking about these boots a lot. I think they would be a pretty good alternative to the ones at the top, but is the heel too high? I think the heel might be too high…

 

Have a lovely weekend! and happy thanksgiving to all :)

Ideal Outfits: Weekend Socialite

Good morning, good morning! I had an intensely busy weekend (at least for me). It was all school work, social events and snow (!!!). Friday night, I had a charity-event-gala-thing hosted in part by the on campus magazine I work for, Urbane, where we ended up raising a good  chunk of change for various poverty centers around the city. Then, I had to scoot off to my second event of the evening, a pub night hosted by my student association. Saturday night was a friends birthday party and Sunday was the day of rest aka the day of homework.

I love love love this dress from Modcloth. At little out of my price range, but a girl can lust right? With Christmas approaching I’m doing a lot of lusting.  I really like the idea of an over-sized clutch in a fabulous color (and that Stila lip pallet is only 15 dollars!).

Jack by BB Dakota Alex Coat, $85Inge Christopher Aegean Oversized Flap Clutch, $228 Cluster Jewel Stud Earrings, $5.80Forever21.com – Accessories – Jewelry – 1000008726, $4.80 Stila Paint Your Pout Red – The Talking Palette ($60 Value) Paint Your…, $15 Seychelles Suspense @ Libby Story, $184 Learn and Grow Dress | Mod Retro Vintage Printed Dresses |…, $95 UrbanOutfitters.com > Opaque with Glitter Back Seam Tight, $15

Word of the Day

Petrichor:

n.The scent of rain on dry earth

from the Greek petros “stone”  and ichor “the fluid that flows in the veins of the Gods in Greek mythology”

“The term was coined in 1964 by two Australian researchers, Bear and Thomas, for an article in the journal Nature. In the article, the authors describe how the smell derives from an oil exuded by certain plants during dry periods, whereupon it is absorbed by clay-based soils and rocks. During rain, the oil is released into the air along with another compound, geosmin, producing the distinctive scent. In a follow-up paper, Bear and Thomas (1965) showed that the oil retards seed germination and early plant growth.” -Wikipedia