Sweet November

November has arrived, and, with it, inevitably, will come two annual occurrences that arrive like clockwork: the onset of winter and my search for the perfect flat leather boot under $100.

But I must say I'm feeling good about both of these things this year. For one thing, the high yesterday was 70 degrees. For another, I've already found these.


P.S. When you visit the boots at their web site, don't worry about that third commenter down -- the one from Canada, who complains that boots never fit her perfectly toned calves and approves of the wearing of leggings. That's three strikes right there -- we'll take care of her.

The Hoser Hut

In New York City, people don't have lawns. But that doesn't seem to stop people from watering the land right outside their front door. It is not clear to me WHY people stand outside, drenching the sidewalk with a garden hose every single morning, but it happens. And the resulting puddles can reach havoc on my black suede ballet flats. Since the dirty looks I give these urban gardeners as I daintily tiptoe through the marshy sidewalk, trying to keep as much of the delicate suede out of the water as possible, don't seem to be having an effect, I am forced to search for an alternate footwear option. I'm thinking these. $27.99 and free shipping -- that is, if the mailman is willing to wade through the flood outside my front door.

On a Li'l Mission

At Amanda's college they have sororities and wear slutty nighties to pajama parties. At my college we have little sisters and we hand down our big wooden hoops to them. My little sister Susie, known to me as li'l since the day we met, is a on a quest for a black leather shoulder bag for around $50. And as all I really ever did for her was give her a big wooden hoop, I kind of do owe her. So here's what I've located so far:

$40, PVC

$39, leather-look

$70, leatha

$50, leatha

And the obvious choice…$30, hemp

(H. R.) Puffer Stuff

I waaaaant it. I know I have leather jackets, puffer jackets - but I don't have a leather puffer jacket. How sleek. How slim. How greatly reduced from $350 to $99, and how well worth it.

Au natural

I'm like the opposite of one of those PETA people who throw paints on ladies wearing fur coats; I want to do the same to people wearing synthetic-leather shoes. I know it's wrong, and not very animal-friendly of me, but that's just the way I was raised. I just prefer things organic (as in, "of or from an organ").

Which is why I am so happy to present you with these gray suede kitten-heeled numbers. Target.com has a ton of cute fall shoes, but every time I find a pair I like, I am chagrined to learn that they are made of a "faux patent leather upper with thermoplastic rubber outsoles." But then I came across these, which claim to feature a "suede upper!" Ok, so they still have thermoplastic rubber outsoles, but at least it is real thermoplastic, not faux!

Ok, I'm off -- must go stock up on paint in time for Yom Kippur. Whoever came up with a holiday where leather shoes are patently (get it? Like patent leather!) not allowed must have been blowing the shofar a little too hard. (Just kidding, God! I totally heart you!)