Inge is a GREAT researcher! (Tanya is fabulous at finding things online too). Now I understand how Inge gets so much practice. I’m excited about the new business launch. You HAVE to let us know when you are live!

Laura, I have a 13 inch calf. You’re looking for boots with that calf measurement or smaller unless they are slouchy. You’ll get away with a wider calf width if you’re wearing your boots over jeans. Is that the goal? But not as wide at 14 inches. The only boots that will fit your calf are the Aquatailas, but I found them stiff and uncomfortable. The Kenneth Cole is worth a try too. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.

How about a perfect pair of chestnut boots? I can suggest those in a heartbeat.

Laura, I also have 12.5" calves, so I know exactly how you feel. I second Angie, I wouldn't go for anything that's over 13.5 ". The tall Docs work for sure

Tanya, I am so glad you can share my skinny calves frustration. (Wow, what a strange-sounding term that is!!) I do love my Docs for that very reason.

Okay Angie, I can change my game plan - I'd consider chestnut if they were perfect. Which ones?

Uh oh. They are sold out. Just tried to link a picture. They were these in chestnut:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7486441/c/72.html

I’d suggested them to Maya too. They would be in my closet if the shaft was an inch and half longer. They are PERFECT in every way. Super, super comfortable, flattering and funky. Now all we can do is dream about them

Oh boy. You really know how to pick them! Those boots are truly gorgeous - and made in Spain. I love that! I wish the chestnut was available, but Nordstrom did have my size in "smog" so I ordered them. If they are the perfect boot then maybe I can see if the color will work in my wardrobe! I'll keep you posted!

I'm holding thumbs!

Angie, I still want those boots even after getting my dress boots! They are available on Nordies in the gray color and I'm thinking very seriously about getting them, but they have to go on sale first. They were a few days ago but not anymore

Maya, maybe you should buy the boots and hang on to them for a couple of weeks to see if they go on sale - Nordstrom will give you the sale price, right?

I don't think that's the best idea for me Laura. I'd get too attached to them and then wouldn't want to send them back, even if they didn't end up going on sale. Besides, I wouldn't know how many weeks to wait, or if they'd even go on sale at all. If they sell out it's okay. They're boots I want, not boots I need.

Thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm ladies!
Angie: I promise I will keep you posted. There's still lots to be done, but I'm very excited. 2009 should be a big year for me.
(and I agree: Tanya is an amazing internet sleuth too!!)

I loved those Eric Michael boots when they were posted the first time around, and I still absolutely adore them. The smog is a terrific colour. I hope they will work out for you Laura! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed they'll go back on sale soon Maya.

Bella: thanks for asking. There's no official job description actually, as this is all still rather new. Personal shoppers have, of course, been around for a while now, but a shopper focussing on books only is still virgin territory. (There are a few personal book shoppers in the US and the UK, but as far as I know they all work as employees for one specific book shop).
My plan is to work independently, and I'll be offering the following services (in a nutshell):

- B2B: Advising businesses on suitable book(ish) gifts for clients, employees, big events, promotional campaigns, etc. And then of course ordering the items and having them delivered on their premises.
- B2B: Offering thematic book packages (e.g. books about the area they are located in, both fiction and non-fiction) to hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and other accommodation providers.
- B2B: Compose - in cooperation with architects/interior decorators - complete libraries for businesses and private individuals,
- B2C: Organising shopping days/weekends, during which I take my clients shopping and we go looking for suitable book(ish) gifts for family, friends, themselves...
B2C: Buying book(ish) gifts for people who are too busy going 'hunting' themselves and having them delivered at home.

I'm working on a few other activities/cooperations as well. That's the amazing thing about starting a business in a field that is still relatively unknown: you have an enormous amount of freedom to determine how you want to go about it (you have to stay realistic of course, ideally you do want to earn a living with it;-). But that's also the hard part: you have to figure out everything yourself, there are no other book shoppers to learn from (e.g. price setting etc.).
This has been in the works for two years now, first just as an idea, and now that we're in the practical stage I'm getting impatient and eager to really start things up. 2009 is going to be the year of my new business launch, so I'll definitely be toasting to that this evening.

And now I have to go prep for dinner tonight.
I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve and see you all in the New Year!!

Inge, that is so exciting and interesting! I wish you the best of luck and a prosperous year with this new endeavor.

Can't wait to see the new boots, Laura.

Maya, I completely hear you on the boots. Once they find their way into your home, it might be awfully hard to send them back

Inge, that sounds so interesting!

Laura, those boots are gorgeous. Please post photos and I shall live vicariously through you. I am extremely attracted to them, but I can not justify them in any way. I couldn't think of many ways to wear them in which they would be worn differently from my silver Docs.

You lucky ladies with your nice long legs! I would look like a stumpy pirate in those boots. Short legs and "slouchy" do not go together, unfortunately. (My boring, plain, stretch Aerosoles are about as wild as I can get in the boot department, I'm afraid. Sigh.)

But I am enjoying following this boot journey, and can't wait to see pics!

Yes Tanya, I too am unsure if they would duplicate my silver Docs. We'll see. My docs are 12-eye, though, so they are mid-calf, not knee height. I am also wondering what the color looks like in real life as opposed to on a website. These might be different enough. Or not!

I might end up back at the place I started, with red La Canadiennes, but: Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

p.s. to Tarzy: I think we're the same height? So it'll be interesting to see how these work ... I highly doubt you would look like a short stumpy pirate!! Of course maybe I will look like a short stumpy pirate - my son has loads of pirate gear so I can wear an eye patch, bandana and sword in the photo when I post

Okay. The slouchy Spanish boot verdict is on. I hope you lasses love them as much as I did. I desperately tried to make them work because they would have become an 8 hour walking shoe (very sad face).

Wish I could take you ALL boot shopping!