I managed to get the last pair of these available in my size, so I had to try ordering these Cons after Angie tempted me so many times with her rave reviews. Many times in the winter I would love to mix up my boots with some sneakers, and these are a great way to do that for my casual life.

I tried them on the other day and was not sure they looked right on me, but my husband loves them, so I persisted and tried again yesterday (in a better frame of mind — noted that trying on something new when you feel emotionally awful is not a good idea). I wore them around the house and enjoyed them enough I decided to wear them out. Pics 1-3. The knot front tee from NAS has not been the workhorse I anticipated (I missed prime wearing weather because our fall was so short), and the side view isn’t the most flattering, but I guess it’s JFE. The old dark burgundy Dre jeans are still going strong. And the bargain Ted Baker jacket made an appearance too — it was an unseasonably warm day.

Pics 4-6 Worn last night for a friend’s birthday party and art opening. Dark festive? The shirt is black velvet, my old studded cowboy boots add some edgy bling, and I took advantage of the warm temps to wear my beloved long white jacket from Amsterdam. The necklace is from Zambia — made out of snare wire taken from poaching attempts and hammered into jewelry.

Pics 7-8 Worn to meet a fellow artist for coffee and to pre-Christmas dinner with my stepson and his wife. Zara sage green velvet blazer, basic black tee, studded Frye boots (it was pouring rain), and the necklace is from an artist in South Africa — made from discarded Keurig cups!).

Pics 9-11 Worn to meet a friend/client for lunch meeting. Pilcro flares and a striped sweater with the Kori booties and the Amsterdam jacket again. I’m getting a ton of wear out of that B&H leopard print scarf from South Africa too.