What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man...

A little over a week ago, I got an e-mail from Frye (because I stupidly registered for their mailing list) telling me what was new for fall. In their e-mail, they featured these booties:

source

These are the Ray Belted Booties and I fell in love. I have noticed in the past few years that my own aesthetic has been unconsciously admiring that new/old alt-folk look - you know, well-worn oxfords and booties and vests and maybe suspenders. The younger teaching fellows that swarm my school in the fall always look like they belong in Mumford and Sons (for a hilarious look at that fashion, check this out). In fact, I describe one of my young colleagues' look as 'Amish chic.' Because that is exactly what it looks like.

Anyway, these booties spoke to me on that primal, "maybe she's in a bluegrass band" level. I love that they're already distressed: they look as if they've belonged to one forever and gone on amazing adventures.

But they also cost $328, so after admiring them wistfully on the internet, I deleted that e-mail. However. However. My husband is a very good man. He decided to buy them for me. He was going to wait until October (so that the September paycheck could kick in), but it's been a little hard at home - he has a piece due and I've been taking care of Baby Boots all by myself - so he ordered them for me last weekend from Zappos. They arrived Friday morning. 

Here is what they look like in person:

Pay no attention to the messy closet in the background. Dig that fun tote bag, though...

They are... amazing. My husband literally gasped when I pulled them out of the box. I love them so much. I feel as if I could be in a Traveling Wilburys video while wearing them. I could hang out with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty in these boots. 

Here is a view of them on my feet:

Art!

I cannot wait to wear them and to see what I'll do with them, naturally. The weather is supposed to warm up quite a bit again this week, so it'll be a while, but, oh man, I cannot wait. Skinny jeans, skirts, leggings ... the sky's the limit with these beauties. 

I felt so guilty about another pair of boots that I immediately donated my old black Fluevog booties. They were never the right shape for me and they were a wreck. All my outfits with them? Imagine how much better they look with these! Can't wait.