In the last ten years I have bought three pairs of boots. They were all lace-up, hiking style ankle boots, the last pair from the men's department. I have a wide foot, a high arch (and the styles were all so flat), AND really big calves. Any one of these is a challenge; the three together in a time when all footware looked like flattened cardboard tubes made boot shopping an absolute nightmare. I once spent an entire winter (in Canada) in leaky boots because I couldn't find another pair. We were in a really bad financial space at the time on top of it all, so having some made was absolutely unthinkable.

Today I bought two pairs of boots. Can you believe it? A pair of just over the ankle boots with a bit of a heel, for when I want to feel like a lady (hooray for the changing silhouettes of boots that are more arch-friendly) and a pair of equestrian style tall boots to wear with jeans and skirts. They are wide shaft and still have no extra room in the leg, which tells you how big those calves really are. I had been planning on waiting till I had finished losing weight to hopefully buy some with a regular shaft, but I could see that it just isn't going to happen, ever.

I had a coupon for 25% off on top of the 25% off the second item special going on. :o) Both are from Blondo; a company that has been around for decades and which I've bought before.

I am over the moon.

And I applied my birthday coupon to a purse on clearance that I had often eyed before. Ended up costing me $15...