I find myself lusting over things way too often. The Frye Erin Workboot has been on my wish list for some time now. The combination between the rich leather, nubuck, wooden heel with a leather sole, and braided laces is impressive. With over a century and a half of experience, you can expect Frye to go through all the trial & errors to finally achieve The perfect boot. With a leather that has so much potential in the aging process, it is hard to resist wearing these every season; whether it being with a thick wool sock or a spring time chino. With the richest leathers and qualities of hand craftsmanship, the American heritage boot companies have me sold on their timeless footwear this season.

Photos: Vincent Tsang

sartoriography is on the road!  Last week my friend Sean and I set out from Chicago and slowly made our way to South Carolina, my home state.  As you likely already know from former posts, our first stop was in Louisville, KY.  There I spent some time with my best friend and got an insider’s take on this city where the South meets the Mid-West.

An old train next to some crazy collections of old Americana.

Fun graphic art of Louisville

Elizabeth's, a little vintage store near Susanah's house on Frankfort Ave.

My impressions of Louisville were solidly positive ones- interesting mid-century industrial architecture, pretty houses with wide porches and great detail, lots of village-style down town areas with pretty lights and creative stores.  The restaurants abound, as do cafes and little vintage shops.  Good food and good beer, well-priced clothes, and creative art and music are easy to come by, especially in the neighborhoods Susanah and I visited.  If I were trying to be pithy, I might call Louisville “gritty-cute”: a playground for people who love brick facades and appreciate Americana-inspired art (but not in the needlepoint kind of way).  The aesthetic, both for the city and its residents, is one of laid-back country combined with a little funk.  I spotted lots of plaid, cowboy boots, and interesting outerwear, and even a folksy dress or two.

This is the window in Susanah's bedroom. I was ready to move about two seconds after arriving.

One of my favorite places we visited was Hey Tiger, a small, locally owned shop that sells vintage and handmade clothing and accessories.  Newly opened in early December, Hey Tiger already has an impressive set of pieces for men and women- perfectly scuffed Frye boots, cozy cardigans, clip on ties in bright colors, and flowy dresses just right for Louisville’s bluegrass feel.  The store’s stock of vintage graphic tees and sweet clutches alone is worth a visit.  The owner, Alicia Cavender, worked for well known Louisville thrift and vintage store Cherry Bomb before setting out on her own, so (as my mom would say) her understanding of vintage quality and design “comes honest.”

Best of all, the prices are freakishly reasonable for a place so well stocked.  No matter the pieces (shoes, a recycled leather bag, or a bar of handmade soap), the quality of what you buy seems (FOR ONCE!) to exceed the cost.

Hey Tiger is located at 976 Barrett Ave. in Louisville and is open Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm and Sunday, 12pm to 7pm.  Check it out!

Hey Tiger's logo. Click the logo to visit the Facebook site!

Alicia Cavender, owner of Hey Tiger

***Please Note: sartoriography was not paid or compensated to review Hey Tiger in this post.  sartoriograhy’s visit to the store was inspired by a suggestion from a friend of a friend, who had never been there herself.  The decision to tell people that Hey Tiger is awesome comes from the fact that it IS awesome.  Afterall, sartoriography is, in part, about showcasing honest to goodness talent and Hey Tiger definitely fits the bill.  So, there ya go!  And thanks to Alicia for being willing to be featured!***

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable decided earlier in the week to start Charlie Frye this week over JaMarcus Russell.

Hey, I’m all for it. Tom Cable feels that it gives the Raiders the best chance to win. I absolutely agree. By now, you all know how I feel about Russell.

The Raiders are in Denver to take on the Broncos. They went to Denver this time last year and got a surprising victory at Invesco. That was with JaMarcus as QB. That means there’ s no excuse to lose this one.

Charlie Frye, along with Bruce Gradkowski, is a  bit of a journeyman himself. He’s in his fifth year now and is playing for his third team. He was drafted in 2005 by the Cleveland Browns, then lost the job in 2007 to Derek Anderson. He was traded to Seattle last year and started against the Green Bay Packers and others after injuries to both Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace.

Today, he gets his opportunity to lead the Raiders to a big divisional game that the Raiders can hopefully play spoiler in.

FRYE Women’s Matilda Double Strap Boot $231 at Amazon

This is one of those beautiful shoes that I can admire from afar, but will likely never wear.  Because let’s face it, if I attempt to walk in a heel that is higher than three inches, I will fall down constantly.  But for those who can handle a pretty intense heel, these are stunning.  I love the color, I love the double buckles and studs.  And ankle boots are perfect for Florida, where it doesn’t get cold enough for knee-high boots very often.

shoe·le·ry: interchangeable pieces that allow the discriminating shoe enthusiast the ability to transform existing shoes into a fresh and unique fashion statement

Refinery29’s call-out of the shoelery trend this week marked an important milestone for the burgeoning accessory classification; but if you ask me, they left out one important player to watch: Bluff NY. Born out of the economic crisis (or as founders Anna, Cara, and Jess refer to it, the “creative revolution”), Bluff NY provides a very real, very exciting way to update your shoe wardrobe. Passing fad? The fervent commenters over at jewelry designer Kelly Framel’s blog The Glamourai, don’t seem to think so. I understand why; it’s timely, an organic evolution as consumers spend less, pay more attention to detail, and grow increasingly conscious of the importance of renewing and recycling. I caught up with the innovative designers this weekend as they prepared for their upcoming holiday party/sample sale tomorrow (in collaboration with chic hair accessories line à la tête).

LFI: OK, so I know there are three of you, but whose idea was Bluff? Give me the background deets. What are your roles within the company?

AY: So, I got the idea for Bluff because I had spent 2 years working on Wall Street and had a closet full of boring pumps and boots. I wanted to spice up my shoe collection, but without breaking the bank. I went to the garment district and picked up a bunch of material, but then realized I needed to enlist the help of someone who knows how to design and create products. I called my old friend Cara (we went to high school together) who went to Parsons, and pitched my concept. The next day Cara called Jess, who she went to Parsons with as well. That very night we began to design the first collection. I work on the business end and Cara and Jess are the design/production powerhouses. We’re actually a really awesome team.

LFI: I love that the line was born out of innovation and necessity and good old-fashioned resourcefulness. Any tips for my readers about other ways to extend the versatility of one’s wardrobe?

AY: We love to recycle. The concept of reusing what is already in your closet and coming up with seemingly new outfits is exactly what Bluff is about. I personally have a  few staple pieces that are on my body about 50% of my life. A black 5 ft long tube dress/shirt/skirt is the answer to many of my fashion crisis.

CA: Almost all Bluff pieces can be worn in many different ways.  We have a blog, www.bluffny.tumblr.com, where we ask Bluff fans to show us how they “Bluff.”  We have photos of people wearing Bruiser as an awesome spiky headband, Amber feathers as a necklace, and a lot more.

AY: I also love scissors, and am constantly cutting and revising a lot of my stuff. Turning a pair of ripped tights into an arms cover (by cutting a hole in the crotch), cutting an old pair of leggings into a cute pair of biker shorts, etc.

JG: I pick a theme every morning, like 20’s meets Chloe, or Stevie Nicks.  Then I just dig through my closet and find whatever works.  I always end up finding an old piece I never thought I’d wear again, bringing it new life!

LFI: I love the innovation! If you could collaborate with any shoe line, what would it be and what would you create?

AY: Bluff NY for Brian Atwood. Yes, please. I could die for a 4+ inch heel. We’d probably do some simple studded pieces but also some over the top feather, glitter stuff.

JG: Frye. I’ve got some awesome ideas!

LFI: How have sales been? Any favorite accounts you work with or anyone who has been particularly supportive of the collection?

AY: Sales are good. We are in 3 stores and all have had repeat orders. We love all our retailers!

LFI: Very diplomatic. You are obviously the mastermind behind the sales effort. What are your best-sellers? Any items you are surprised by?

AY: Best sellers are Stud, Bruiser, Alice, and the feather pieces. I’m shocked that Night Rider doesn’t have better sales – it’s my absolute favorite, but a little eccentric, I guess.

LFI: Now that you mention the names, I love them! Who comes up with them?

AY: Names are a collaborative effort – inspired by our friends, music we listen to while designing, and just how the pieces make us feel. Bruiser is actually called “F my X” internally – you figure it out.

CA: I named “F my X.” It was a no-brainer!

LFI: When is your next collection getting released? What is inspiring you for the next season?

CA: We don’t really do the collection thing.  We started with a collection of about 14 pieces but now we are expanding that with a new piece every now and then.  Our pieces are seasonless so they don’t need to be retired after a few months.  Eventually we will have a huge catalogue of items!

AY: Some [new!] pieces will be available at our holiday sample sale! We’re inspired by what is hot in fashion, but more so by what we think women want to wear, and what makes sense as a key accessory in a woman’s closet.

LFI: If you could style a celebrity with Bluff pieces chosen by you, who would you dress and with what?

AY: We gave Alessandra Ambrosio one of our pieces and I would absolutely die to see her in them. We gave her the Achilles because it is what we had with us, but I could definitely see her in the Amber Duster.

CA: Jess and I are in agreement on this one right now… Alison Mosshart.

LFI: Describe the Bluff-ette in three words.

AY: The bluff-ette is a fun-loving, trend-setting, innovative thinker.

JG: Stylish, creative, rad.

CA: Really into fashion.

Sample sale Wednesday, December 16, 6-10 pm, at 277 W. 10th st, apt 1k (between Washington & Greenwich), with à la tête. Above, 1. Alice, 2. Easy Rider, 3. Through the Hole, 4. Achilles, 5. Bad Things, 6. Amber Duster

We all love holiday shopping… except when it’s stressful. And let’s face it – it’s almost always stressful. This time of year, many of us have two mental lists going: the list of all the things you would like to buy your friends and loved ones, and the much smaller list of things you can afford to buy them, the latter of which is usually much less inspiring. And some of us just don’t know where to start. Whatever your budget, you want to feel like you are really getting them gifts they would be excited about – gifts that were handpicked just for them. This week, we’ll be taking an elemental look at holiday gift giving for everyone on your list. I’ll be showing you my picks in all price ranges for all the archetypes in your life!

Today, it’s all about Wood. We all know one: the busy bee who’s always on the go, and loves to tackle new things. The adventurer. The pioneer. Woods like things that are practical, allow them to move, and are often times sporty or outdoorsy. Whatever their hobbies, they’ll love anything that will support them in their jam packed schedule. So, nothing too floofy or restricting.

Here are some of my gift picks for Woods:

Holiday Gift Guide: Wood by thelifestyled featuring Frye boots

Topshop Tucked Jumper Dress, $57
Dorado Riding Boot by Frye, $498
Converse Silver/Navy/White Women’s Jack Purcell Ltt Ox Shoe, $87
American Apparel Nylon Pack Cloth Gym Bag, $17
ToyWatch Large Watch with Plasteramic Strap and Silver Dial,$228
Carrera Machu Aviators, $95

Tanya Aguiniga Rope Cuff, $70

Little Birch Jewelry Stand, $28

KOR ONE Hydration Vessel, $30

J. Crew Men’s Camp Socks, $16.50

Tomorrow, we’ll be shopping for luxury – for the Metals in our lives!

my frye boots just told me they’d like to see these socks on christmas morning. also, they might like a sister. these fryes sure are greedy.

–

Even before you open the shoebox, it’s apparent that Frye boots and shoes are special. From the impeccable craftsmanship to the classic ruggedness, Frye boots stand out from the rest of the boots that flood the department stores every Fall. I am lucky enough to own two pairs of gorgeous boots, a pair of adorable flats and some sky high yet surprisingly manageable platforms from the brand, and I can’t imagine buying boots from any other company. Though the price is initially steep (most Frye boots seem to fall within the $200-$400 price range but I’ve seen some that cost as much as $600), they’re a product that will last and last, making the investment worth it.

Living in New York, I have to think of functionality and durability when it comes to my footwear choices and I know I can always turn to Frye to find beautiful footwear that can withstand New York’s harsh pavement and weather.

Here’s my current Frye collection, minus the flats (already packed them):

Harness boots, Carmen 3-strap, Blair ankle strap

The Harness boots were my first pair of Fryes. I remember I wanted them for about 4 years and then finally for my 17th birthday, my mom got them for me. They are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own. I was worried at first that they would be too masculine or Western, but when paired with skirts and dresses, they give the right amount of toughness while still looking like women’s boots.

I got these at a Bloomingdales sale for 40% off last Thanksgiving. Admittedly, I haven’t been wearing them nearly as much I should because the soles are leather. My mom recently got them soled and I’ve been wearing them a lot since then. They are just as comfortable as the Harness boots but easier to work with.

I tried these on mainly as a joke… I am really terrible with heels and when I saw them, I thought they were so crazy high (they have a 4 inch platform, which I know is easy for some people, usually treacherous for me) that I had to try them on for a good laugh. They were super marked down at Bloomingdales (seriously, no where has better sales). To my surprise, the shoes not only looked amazing on but were cake to walk in, so home they came. I love wearing them because of the height it gives me… They make me feel like a giant when they really only make me a whopping 5′8″…

Anyway, I highly recommend Frye to anyone looking for amazing boots.

I have had a crush on these boots since the beginning of the summer and my love affair has not wavered.  These beauties are the Sunny knee boot in Banana by Frye.  I love everything about them, from the unexpected color to the cuff at the knee, to the almond shaped toes, to the tiny wedges on the heel.  The color helps these boots transition through the seasons.  The “Sunny” color is perfect for summer, with flowy dresses and skirts.  In the winter, they can brighten up your look over jeans or tights.  These sold out quickly, so good places to check are Amazon and eBay.

My new boots:

They’re FRYE and called the Ronnie Slouch Boot. I bet my feet are going to be toasty now.

Sun Valley, Idaho has always been one of my favorite places, ever since my family started going there more than 25 years ago. After college, I knew exactly where I wanted to live when I entered the “real world” – Sun Valley. For me, Sun Valley is a magical world full of snowflakes, schooners, down jackets, no make-up and endless trails to get lost on.  Here is a guide to one of my ‘small town heart,’ favorite places in the world:

As you step off the plane and onto the tarmac, the cold air makes you gasp.  Surrounded by snow capped mountains and the smallest airport you’ve ever seen, you know exactly where you are – Sun Valley, Idaho. You walk the quick jaunt into the airport, shuffling along in your Ugg boats and faux fur collared down jacket. You grab your bag, hop in the Sun Valley Lodge Shuttle and off you go!

Since 1936, Sun Valley has held the distinction of being the original ski resort. After its construction in the winter of 1936, celebrities and European nobility flocked to the majestic resort, nestled in the Idaho wilderness. One of my favorite things to do at Sun Valley Lodge is walk through the halls and look at the enchanting images of timeless celebrities such as Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Claudette Colbert, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper, as their black and white faces stare back, witnessing new generations enjoying the serenity of Sun Valley (Sun Valley Resort).

The real majesty of Sun Valley is the mountain, Bald Mountain – affectionately known as ‘Baldy.’ Baldy has a total of 13 lifts and 65 varied runs throughout the mountain. The terrain is expansive, with seemingly endless runs stretching 2,054 acres and 3,400 vertical feet.  Skiers and snowboarders alike can explore Baldy’s impressive terrain, while ending their day at one of the area’s five lodges. After a long day of skiing there is no better way to reward oneself than to grab a pitcher of beer, warm up in the sun and listen to one of Sun Valley’s fabulous cover bands at the Warm Springs Lodge.

After a pitcher or two, you and your newly acquired goggle tan can head back to Sun Valley Lodge, slip into a pair of black double knit pants, throw on vintage Frye boots and grab a great cashmere sweater. Head  back into town to enjoy the fresh snow lined streets and bustling nightlife.

As the sun goes down, the lights turn up on Sun Valley’s main street. Stretched out between Baldy and the Sun Valley Lodge, Main Street offers a plethora of restaurants, drink specials and fur-clad out of towners. I always love to indulge myself in one of the many fabulous restaurants that Sun Valley has to offer. For the ‘tourist,’ try the rustic, steak induce coma, Pioneer Saloon. For ‘wannabe locals,’ Vintage is the only place to go. Located in a small house, nestled in an alley, you will never forget the taste of heaven. One of my favorite places and for individuals wanting a little more action and a warm fire to cuddle up to, Sawtooth Club is a must. You don’t need your down jacket when you’re in the Sawtooth Club – this place heats up with drink specials, celebrities and great food. My go-to order is always the crab and artichoke dip, a cool 44 North and soda. Try a fabulous whiskey ginger (after all you are in a ski town), take a seat by the fire and watch the fabulous people that walk through the door. Who knows, you might find your future husband at the Sawtooth Club – I did!

When you start to feel the dancing itch, walk next door to the newly constructed Whiskey Jacques’, take off your jacket, grab a $1 vodka soda and dance the night away. Whiskey’s is the best spot for cheap drinks, great music and ‘getting in’ with the locals. Whiskey’s has always been my favorite local hot spot – it’s a place where I can throw on a hoodie and drink a beer, or dress up my favorite pair of skinny jeans with a great Elizabeth and James top. Cotton or cashmere, Whiskey’s is always a good time.

As your night wraps up, wipe the sweat off your face, throw your hair back in a pony tail and head outside to catch the bus back to the lodge. Before you take that Frye footed step onto the bus, don’t forget to look around at the magnificent mountain town that is Sun Valley, and say to yourself “tomorrow, I’m going to do it all again!” Because for me, I DID!

This post was written by guest blogger Katie, special to the Event Services team.

pretty in burgundy -and- tan

oh erin boot, i love you

I have come to the stunning realization that I love my knee-high boots. I’m sure that was obvious to everyone else, but I just decided on it.
I really want another pair (or two). I’ve been searching for a nice brown pair.I’ve decided I want them under $200. So far, these are the top four:

Items in this set: 
FRYE Women’s Jane 14 Stitch Boot: Frye: Shoes, $195
Steve Madden Women’s Hunny Tall Shafted Boot: Shoes, $128
Kenneth Cole REACTION Women’s Iconic Note Boot: Shoes, $107
Madden Girl Women’s Punkk Hi Heel Slouch Boot: Shoes, $49

photos courtesy of Zappos.com

(I really have a problem. OFD–as I’ve named it.)

Wow. These were so jaw-droppingly gorgeous that I had to write a post about them immediately upon their discovery.

Firstly, I encourage all who have been searching for a fantastic pair of T-strap heels to buy these. They’re the kind of shoes that make for an ample wardrobe: definitely a staple item. Aso, I want to mention that these lovelies are currently on sale at Zappos.com! There are quite a few colors to choose from: Forest (pictured here; I love these), Bordeaux, Brown, and Black. Take a look.

Which is your favorite?

In the spirit of warm, cozy stories told before a fireplace (can’t wait for snow!) I thought I would share one of my own encounters with a classic pair of Mary Janes.

It was a sublimely beautiful winter afternoon, last year, when my best friend and I decided to take one last mid-December stab at Forever21 to see if we’d find the dresses we’d been holding our breath to find for a Christmas party full of friends we hadn’t seen in months. Well, not only did we find those dresses–I also stumbled upon the most exquisite pair of Mary Jane heels I’d ever seen. I’d normally just lust after them quietly and unobtrusively, but I just couldn’t contain the curiosity that was building up inside me. I warmly walked up to this girl who happened to also be wearing an equally lust-worthy outfit to match: an A-line satin dress of a brilliant jewel-toned blue (gorgeous)

…

I couldn’t stop staring at those beautifully crafted means of adornment on her feet. I decided there was only one thing I could do to regain some piece of mind: ask her what I was dying to know where could I purchase those myself?

“Excuse me–” I cleared my throat. “Excuse me. Hi. I”m sorry to interrupt you. I just had to tell you that I love your shoes.”

Her eyes widened and an eager smile crept up on her face. “Thank you.”

“They’re so cute. I”m dying to know: where did you get them?”

“Aww, thank you. They’re Juicy.”

“I’ve been looking for the perfect pair of Mary Janes..and I just wanted to tell you that I love those.”

“Thanks…yeah, I’m kind of obsessed with them.”

She smiled.

I smiled.

And I walked away with less of  a chip on my shoulder.

Really? Juicy? Who knew?

Feast your eyes: Eva by Juicy Couture

You’d be surprised how much searching went into finding these shoes, but here they are.

The perfect casual Mary Jane. The two-straps give it a little flair, don’t you think?

Are you as in love with them as me?

photo courtesy of onpenairsports.com

We will now pause for turkey I hope everyone had a Wonderfelle Thanksgiving! I’m thankful to not have to work for a few days and to be somewhere a bit warmer!  Since I’m basically eating and shopping all weekend, I’m dressing for comfort and a food baby of course.

Clearly this situation calls for leggings, loose layers, and some cowboy boots (it is the south, y’aalll).

I fell in love with this Elizabeth and James Faux Fur Cocoon Shrug ($565) in K’s post here and needed to have it immediately.  I’m currently burrowed in bed in an almost identical ensemble – seriously, it’s redic soft and even more redic warm. You should be very, very jealous.

These Frye Deborah Studded Boots ($648) have been begging and pleading me to move into my closet, but the small army of cowboy boots already occupying that territory is emphatic that this is NOT going to happen. Unless they are a gift… like a peace offering… that would be ok, right?

Enough. I have shopping for other people to do.  If you’re not crazy enough to deal with black Friday crowds (unlike my family… where it’s more than a tradition, it’s like a mandatory activity) you should definitely shop through nonprofitshoppingmall.com where a percentage of every dollar you spend at over 300 different retailers (everywhere from Saks to eBay to wine.com) will automatically go directly to the nonprofit organization of your choice… and not to blatantly plug it again (ok, well maybe), but if you need help picking an organization GAVI is an excellent choice! Shopping and saving lives, yes pleeaaase.

It’s a pretty good time of the year and I’m excited to go visit the family in Jersey this week for what I’ve been told will be two Thanksgiving Day dinners — one on Thursday and a bonus meal on Saturday. I just downed about two handfuls of chocolate-covered peanuts so it’s safe to say that I’ll be wearing men’s sweaters for the rest of the year.

While we’re on the topic of food and Thanksgiving and the fact that those chocolates were pretty unsatisfying, I’ve decided to channel my hunger here. They say you shouldn’t shop when you’re hungry; but I say, if the cake fits, eat it.

1. Frill-Seeker Satchel, Anthropologie, $328

2. Dress as seen on Lookbook, vintage retailer Beyond Retro

3. Toffee Pull Flats, Modcloth, $34.99

4. Maya Peep Toe, Frye, $168

5. Crimson Bubbles Skirt, Anthropologie, $188

Melissa Button 77167 FryeTreat yourself to the unbelievable style and hand-made quality of these gorgeous Frye boots. Soft, supple leather upper. Classic pull-on design with dual pull tabs. Smooth leather lining. Cushioned leather insole provides lasting comfort. Durable leather outsole. 1″ heel. 15.00″ shaft height. 14.50″ circumference. 19.00 oz. Product measurements were taken using size 6.5. Please note that measurements may vary by size.SKU: 77167!FRYIn StockAvailability: Usually ships in 1-2 business daysList Price: $298.00Price: $269.95You Save: Shipping: Free

via Melissa Button 77167 Frye | SHOE MANIA.

From now until December 26, donate a used coat to Barbour’s coat drive and receive 25 percent off a new Barbour jacket. Drop-off your used coat at Barbour by Peter Elliot at 1047 Madison Ave. between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday or between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Help yourself look good by helping others and, while you’re at it, pick up some other discounted fall/winter faves:

Dark charcoal heather cashmere elbow-length gloves; Portolano (Retail: $95; Sale: $57) at Bluefly

Glazed pecan vintage matchstick cord; J. Crew (Retail: $79.50; Sale: $69.50) at J. Crew

Red brown Melissa riding field boots; Frye (Retail: $378.00; Sale: $264.60) at Shopbop

EQB

My friend called me today to ask my opinion on finding an essential fall shoe – fashionable yet comfortable, lays well underneath pants, small non-stiletto heel and good for winter/can be worn with socks. She thought her solution was the Dansko clog. I agree to a certain extent especially in the area of comfort and can be worn with socks, but there are definitely better items out there to choose from. My immediate thought was the ankle boot, both rugged and more stylish. I need a pair myself, here is what I found.

Bernardo Sahara, $169, Piperlime

Sam Edelman Joss, $179, Zappos

Ariat Spat 2, $139, Zappos

Frye Sam Boot, $204, Zappos

Born Jarrah, $90, Zappos

Embroidered Star Booties, $348, Anthropologie

To-And-Fro Booties, $248, Anthropologie

Camper, $155, Yoox

Loewe, $335, Yoox

King, $128, Yoox

ok, is it Fall yet?? you can never quite tell with this LA weather (it’s almost thanksgiving!). if it were up to me, i’d be in my comfortable sandals all year round. Sadly, my sandals streak has reached its end – especially with the new construction going on by my workplace, I’m forced to revert to covered shoes. So what’s next? for sure I will not be up in heels while I’m running around up and down the stairs all day.. no, no.. what I’m really dreaming of are motorcycle boots! here are some note worthy finds!

Jeffrey Campbell Brit Boot at Free People $248

Beryll Vintage Artisan Asphalt Boot at Free People $588

Frye Engineer Boot at Urban Outfitters $188

Sam Edelman Zoe Boot at Urban Outfitters $350

Frye Maxine Trapunto Shortie Boots at Shopbop $298

Frye Veronica Slouch Boot at Shopbop $328

I'm waiting for you, Turk

Hedo Turkoglu had a chance to steal my heart. Down one with a shot to win at the horn, Turkoglu’s first potential game-winner rimmed out tonight from about 20 feet, handing the Suns a hard-fought 101-100 victory over the Raps.

I realize it’s still early and he can’t make ‘em all, but it’s been a rather uninspiring first three weeks in Raptorland for Turkoglu. Sure, he made a couple biggies to keep Toronto in it in the fourth tonight, but with a pair of chances to win it (he missed a three on the prior possession), it would’ve been nice to see him seal the deal. He finished with 20 (tying a season-high) on just 8-of-20 from the field, though that was with a sore hip, as Matt Devlin reminded the television audience every 11 seconds of the first quarter.

In all, it was a nice road effort — one the Raps should’ve had in the end. After getting lit in the first quarter, Toronto’s D actually put together a solid effort, switching on Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire’s little two-man game nicely, keeping the Suns from killing them with the pick-and-roll. Still, Nash and Stoudemire managed to get theirs (23 and 30, respectively) and Channing Frye nailed six threes and finished with 20. Aside from the big three, the remainder of Phoenix’s lineup was 9-of-33.

Chris Bosh led Toronto with 25 and 10 rebounds, though he could’ve had even more against a weak Phoenix interior that had nothing in the way of a shot blocking presence. Jose Calderon started strong but finished with eight points and seven assists, forfeiting a bunch of ball-handling opportunities to Turkoglu late. Andrea Bargnani had 17 but grabbed just four boards for the Raps, who were out-rebounded 46-39.

The loss sends Toronto to Denver on a losing note, as I’d originally expected. Still, after getting my hopes up with a lead much of the night, this one is a little tough. Oh well, might as well get this road trip done and out of the way while we can. The Raps and Nuggets go Tuesday night, followed by a date with the Jazz on Wednesday.