Thanks for the feedback & for confirming that these are keepers. I am so excited, as Maya pointed out, to be well set for summer AND fall/winter with fantastic and comfortable footwear. (Though I do think I'll still get some wear out of the boots this spring... Seattle has sporadic cold days, and as I mentioned before, I'm perpetually chilly. I think the lighter color of the boots will make it look less out of place than, say, my dark brown patent-y boots.)
San, you can kind of see my toe shape in the blurry zoomed-in picture, but I assure you my first three toes are really straight across. The 2nd toe is SLIGHTLY longer than the big toe. For some reason, these three toes fit perfectly "outside" the peeptoe, whereas my two smaller toes (the ones that slant) fit securely within the straps. They don't seem like they will rub or pop out, but I am testing them all over the house to make sure.
I actually fluctuate between an 8 or 8.5 (usually an 8 for a round/square toe box, 8.5 for a narrower box, which leaves a little extra empty space at the tip of the shoe.) For these I picked an 8.5. It does feel like the toe box is high but not too wide, but I think that if it was low and tight to the foot, it would hurt while walking. For me, the 2nd or 3rd smallest holes fit best on the straps, so I hope THEY don't stretch out too much.
Jean, I am not sure - as I mentioned, my toes are wide but the rest of my foot is slightly narrow-ish. I don't think the boots would fit a VERY wide foot, but the foot space is very roomy - I could definitely wear very thick socks comfortably in winter - and I ordered my "lowest size" (8 instead of an 8.5.) I'm not sure if this is helpful.