It’s mid-season and I’m pretty impressed with the ped choices out there this year. There is definitely a wider selection of attractive footwear for us fussy-footed gals who require a combination of lower heels, arch support, soft leather, roomy toe boxes and spongy footbeds. 

Here is a roundup of versatile and comfortable Autumn shoes that I’ve had on my clients. The styles, levels of comfort, and prices vary. Remember to click through all the colour options. 

Note that all of the links open in a new window.

1. Aerolsoles Heavy Metal Animal Print Pumps: These pumps are so lightweight that you can barely feel them on your feet. The ultra soft leather strap positioning is interesting and prevents them from slipping off. Size down half a size. Both animal print patterns are divine. 
2. Sam Edelman Petty Bootie: I have linked to this bootie before because it’s comfortable, dramatic and well made. It’s your answer to an animal printed cowboy boot that was made for bootcut jeans. 
3. Rockport Mary Cap Toe Bootie: The clean lines, great colour and block heel appeal to me. Especially modern when worn with streamlined dresses and skirts. 
4. Indigo by Clarks Mary Margaret Bootie: Sleek, simple, modern and no-nonsense. Great with just about all Autumn clothing, both dressy and casual. 
5. Indigo by Clarks Elise Cully Pump: This retro heeled oxford with cut-out detailing looks amazing with fun hoisery, skirts and dresses. Love the burgundy colour option.  
6. Clarks Orinocco Dip Bootie: A rugged look that will go the distance. Great for casual gals on the go. 
7. Clarks Diamond Empire Bootie: This bootie has a somewhat Victorian vibe and fits neatly around the ankle.  
8. Dr. Martens Sara Heeled Oxfords: The graphic integrity of these oxfords launched me into orbit. The height of the heel with platform is unexpectedly comfortable and the footbed is soft. Like all Docs, they are well made and robust. These will soon be mine. 
9. Dr. Martens Nettie Chelsea Boot: The most refined Docs I’ve seen. Clean, casual and versatile. If they weren’t quite so high, they would also be mine. The fit is snug so you might need to size up one size. 
10. Born Jailyn Bootie: These booties have straps that streamline the ankle, so dainty ankled gals should give them a try! The metallic colour option is fabulous. 
11. Born Waverly Heeled Oxfords: l like a classic heeled oxford with brogue detailing, and this one fits the bill if three inch heels are your thing. 
12. Kickers King Heeled Oxfords: I wore Kickers as a child in the ’70s on non-school uniform  days. It’s great to see the brand revived so be sure to peek at their assortment. Kickers makes fun footwear, of which these casual oxfords are no exception. 
13. Stuart Weitzman Puffystuff Pumps: If you’re after extra comfy low heeled tan patent pumps, try these. They are worth the investment. 
14. Stuart Weitzman Roadhouse Boots: Stunning. Mr. Weitzman knows how to make soft, walkable, and well made footwear that’s a cut above the rest. 
15. Fidji Alea E872 Bootie: Edgy. Fidji shoes seldom disappoint, and their high comfort factor is the best thing about them. 
16. Fidji Abira E909 Slip-On Oxford: I adore it’s little one and a half inch heel and turned up nose. I prefer the taupe, but they look edgier in black. 
17. Fidji Acacia E899 Zipper Oxford: Another great little flat oxford from Fidji with interesting inset strap detailing. Spunky.  
18. Halogen Lynden Pump: This type of sandal can be worn in Autumn with socks and hose if that look tickles your fancy. 
19. Anyi Lu Jiver Pump: Anyi Lu makes beautiful shoes that are usually soft and low heeled. This three toned oxford is both lady-like and arty – perfect for a dressy office environment.  
20. Style & Co Mookie Booties: A great vegan option. Super comfy and flattering on the leg line because of their sleek silhouette. One of my clients has made these her 8-hour “run around the whole day” shoes for Autumn.  

Most of these shoes will accommodate orthotics, especially if you size up half a size. Waterproofing spray works wonders, as do good socks and the addition of a soft insole.

Booties are the way to really update your wardrobes this season. If you aren’t yet wearing booties with skirts and dresses, I hope this encourages you to give it a try.

The weekend is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a cuppa and a good book, watch a movie or leaf through your favourite magazines. From now on don’t forget to drop by our Friday Book Nook first. A spot we will use to catch you up on new titles added to YLF Books over the last week, announce any upcoming giveaways, give updates on the YLF Book Club and keep you posted about everything else that is happening in and around the bookstore.

We celebrated the launch of YLF Books in style with some fantastic giveaways last week. No less than fifteen prizes were up for grabs and we’re chuffed that so many of you entered the competitions. Thank you again for all your support and input! Now le moment suprême has arrived: visit our Competitions section to find out who the lucky winners are! If you are one of them, we’ll be in touch via email.

With the new Personal Stories category, YLF Books is already expanding. In Alligators, Old Mink & New Money, Alison Houtte lets us in on what it is like to run a vintage clothing boutique and shares anecdotes about the never-ending hunt for that one special piece. What would you do if you inherited more than three thousand vintage clothing items that each came with their own story? Charlotte Smith is custodian of The Darnell Collection and writes about it lovingly in Dreaming of Dior: Every Dress Tells a Story.

New in Movies is A Single Man, designer Tom Ford’s gripping directorial debut with a very strong 1960s aesthetic.

On the forum we’ve been talking excitedly about starting our own book club. Not surprisingly, we don’t just love to read, we also love to chat about it. During YLF Book Club meetings we’ll regularly get together online to talk about interesting fashion reads, discuss our personal favourites, and share thoughts on the titles in the store. Be sure to check in on Wednesday, 26 October, when we’ll put up the schedule with our first titles.

Happy browsing everyone!

You see an item that’s different from your usual stylistic preferences, yet for some reason you are drawn to it. You try it on and it looks great, but as expected, it doesn’t “feel like you”. So the question is, do you take the item home hoping to incorporate it into your style, or do you leave the potential wardrobe orphan at the store? 

I vote take the item home, keep the tags on, and experiment with the new look if you have the luxury of doing so. Spend a little time integrating it with items from your wardrobe that are more typical of your style preferences and reassess your feelings. By adding your personal style touches, the item will probably feel more like your look. If after this process, it still feels like too much of a style stretch, return it. 

Sticking to your signature look, AND trying something new are both important components to having a great sense of style. On the one hand, it’s nice to have a distinctive look because style is a celebration of individuality. On the other hand, changing up that distinctive look, even just in subtle ways, keeps things fresh and interesting. Heaven forbid our style becomes staid and boring. That’s why I suggest taking the item home and giving it a chance in the short window of time that you have before returning it. Moving out of your style comfort zone in this manner is sometimes the best way to evolve your style. 

If you can’t return the item because of the store policy or the fact that it is a sale item, you’ll just have to follow your instincts. The worst thing that can happen is that you end up with an orphan, but even then you always have the options of selling the item or passing it on.

My most recent example of this scenario was when I instantly fell in love with a very floral pink midi dress. The silhouette, length and fabrication were right up my alley, but the large floral mid-toned pattern was not something that would usually tickle my fancy. But I was very drawn to this dress and it followed me home. When I matched it with red heels or cream boots, and my off white leather jacket or faded denim jacket, it began feeling more like me. And now I actually like the dress best on it’s own with red heels so that I can see the hectic floral pattern in all it’s glory. 

Have you had a similar experience? When faced with an item that is compelling but not typically your style, do you take the plunge, or do you leave it on the store rack?

HelenInCanada liked this slideshow of fashion photos that shows the crazy and creative side of fashion runways around the world. 

It’s hard to believe that ’90s fashion is considered vintage. Makrame found this nice article in the Wall Street Journal about the so called least appreciated decade in fashion.

Gotta love Miss. Piggy in Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung, courtesy of Annagybe. 

These spooky Halloween accessories were right up Nicoleb’s alley. Sweet! Especially during and after the candy coma. 

Kari, who is determined to become an ardent hat wearing lass, found this inspirational and helpful guide. Audi’s Already Pretty guest post on flattering hats for every head is also a great source of information.

Nancylee’s curiosity was piqued by the hype surrounding the soon-to-be-opened C.Wonder store in New York City. It’s being billed as a more affordable version of Anthropologie, featuring women’s clothes, accessories, and home decor.

Looking for a new pair of running shoes? Inge recommends shoefitr, a service that helps you find running shoes based on the fit and style of your current pair.

For a long time, bridal gown designer Vera Wang has designed non-traditional gowns in champagne, mint, and peach. However, her 2012 bridal collection is almost exclusively BLACK. Dresslover applauds the designer’s risk taking creativity. 

Vildy loves Lisa Armstrong, the Telegraph’s new fashion editor, and was fascinated to learn about her lifelong enthusiasm for figuring out fashion. She goes through the same trial and error process as the rest of us, except she gets paid for it.

Cjh was inspired by street fashion during New York Fashion Week Fall 2011. 

Isabel was fascinated by a New York Times article on young French designer Isabel Marant. Now she totally gets why the “Dicker Boot” is all over the blogosphere.