Column, thank you -- what a sweet thing to say. It's true that a new hair colour (and cut) can occasion a style renewal. I've gone through this once before when I dyed my hair red in my 30s -- I learned how different colours flattered me. So I've got a bit of experience, which helps.
Skylurker, the booties probably won't be warm enough for all-the-time wear (although they're surprisingly warm!) -- but I can wear socks inside them, or I'll wear them for parties and when I want to feel a bit more pulled together in the house than I do in my slippers. I will stlll have the cozy slippers for more casual days.
The evil pull of Zara...in my experience (both Lisas) -- Zara shoes are either horrible, or surprisingly good -- and you never know until you try them. For me, the fit is always better than on most N. American made shoes because I'm a real EU 37. The leather is often stiff, or the soles, but sometimes that's overbalanced by other factors and they manage to feel comfortable anyway.
