Category Archives: Life

Please don’t stop the music…

A year of blogging! Who’d have thought it? So there to everyone who thought it was just another of my fads:)

While taking the photos this morning I had the iPod on and it suddenly dawned on me that it was a year since my first post. I couldn’t stop smiling, and then I couldn’t stop dancing…

The skirt is J.Crew, tights are Marks and Spencer, jumper is the Off Duty jumper from Boden and the boots are the fabulous Newburys.

Thanks to all of you for your support, and for embracing my weaknesses, challenging my opinions and reading my waffle – love you all xx

Sanctas clavis fores aperit

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ANOTHER POST FROM THE ARCHIVES.

First published on January 30th 2012:

During our dinner on Saturday evening we got into the dangerous conversational territory of schooling in Altanta. As couples, MM and I have fairly different opinions from our dinner companions regarding the schooling of our children. We support our public schools and believe that if more and more ‘middle class’ families like ourselves support the state, public schools in the City of Atlanta the better they will become. Many other families in Atlanta use the good elementary schools but then send their children to private middle and high school which can cost around $20k per child per year. Our perspective is that with the five degrees we have between us, their exposure to international travel, and our general involvement in our children’s education – they will be just fine going through the Atlanta Public School system. However, when someone starts telling me how atrocious the high school is, I can’t help but question my decision. It always makes me revisit my schooling and wonder if things had been different would I have ‘turned out’ any different?

I was educated in the UK and my primary education was significantly different from my children’s. To begin with I was raised in a tiny village near Bury in Lancashire. There was one Church, a newsagent, a corner shop and a recreation ground and we lived in a 2 up 2 down terraced, stone cottage – all five of us! The primary school was across the street and there were probably only around 60-80 children in the whole school. Everyone knew everyone. I remember it fondly, though because the school was so small it meant you could never really avoid your nemesis. When I do look back I don’t ever remember being told, or feeling, that I was smarter than anyone else, or that I possessed any outstanding ability – in fact my Mum still tells me the story when one of my teachers told her I had ‘absolutely no number sense’. Maybe I didn’t back then but I ended up doing my Maths O’level a year early so I must have caught up…It just demonstrates how tricky it is to predict your child’s ability. Anyway at the age of 10 I was entered to sit the entrance exam for Bury Grammar School for Girls (BGSG). I think the intention was for me to have a practice run for the following year, and I’m sure Mum and Dad didn’t expect me to pass – but I did and I was accepted to enter into the last year of the preparatory school which basically meant I was a ‘shoe in’ for the senior school.

Hawkshaw Village Church

I remember being very excited – especially about the uniform as primary school hadn’t required one. I don’t ever remember thinking about the implications, for me or my parents, of leaving my little primary school a year early in order to attend a fee paying, all girls school in town. It soon dawned on me though in 1981 when I started my new educational chapter. My eyes were opened as I met girls of different backgrounds, races and religion. It took me a while to figure out why a number of girls went to different rooms for morning assembly – then one day I was informed they were off to Jewish and Muslim prayers. I had no idea what ‘being Jewish’ meant. My best friend was the daughter of a wealthy pediatrician and I remember going to her house for the first time – I never knew a girl could have so much ‘stuff’ of her own.

I’m never sure if I was genetically wired to be competitive or if BGSG developed it, but I always wanted to do my best and be in the top of my class. I hated failure, and though I was never reprimanded for an occasional crummy grade I carried the shame of it, swearing next time would be better. Maybe it was the fact that we were all ‘high achievers’ – as we’d all passed the entrance exam we were all obviously relatively smart – so the bar had been raised and I had to step up my game. I also think girls versus girls made everything more intense as we couldn’t fall back on “well boys always do better in maths/science tests”.

Bury Grammar School (Girls)

I went through school never really being comfortable in my own skin – but who is with all that teenage angst? I moved from clique to clique, never really feeling settled, and I found my real happiness in studying. By this stage I think my Mum and Dad were somewhat out of their depth academically, and with little parental involvement I did well in all my subjects. In my desire to feel included I auditioned over and over again for the school choir and finally the music teacher took pity on me. Everyone was in choir – all the cool girls – and the music teacher had amazing enthusiasm, but executed favoritism like no other. She adored her ‘special’ girls – the rest of us were ignored, and a mild inconvenience. It was similar to that in P.E. – if you were anything less than brilliant at hockey or netball you didn’t stand a chance of being noticed. Now, as an adult, this behavior really bothers me – I actually find it strange that they were allowed to get away with it, but then BGSG always needed to be seen as excelling, not just in academics.

Morning Assembly

Interestingly, I recently read Janet Lawley’s “A Ballet of Swans”, the previous headmistress’s tale of BGSG, from its founding to the present day. Though some of the references were familiar, I have to say no fond feelings were awakened – it actually made me feel a little prickly that only 10% or so of the girls there, when I was a student, got the full support and attention that we all deserved. Elitism was rife, and if you weren’t applying for Oxford or Cambridge at A’level time you really weren’t of much interest. Maybe I harbor some resentment as no one told me what I needed to hear, and what I tell my children every day – “you are more than capable, don’t be afraid”. If a teacher had just taken the time to tell me that in my moment of weakness then I may have taken a different path.

So was a private, all girls school good for me? Maybe it helped shape me and make me more competitive but I think I discovered my true self at University. Did I get a great education? Yes, but I never really knew what to do with it, we were given no life lessons. Were they happy times? They were okay, but I couldn’t wait to get as far away from everyone I knew when I went to University – I was the only one in my year that went to St. Andrews – and I was just fine with that.

Hence, when it comes to my children’s education my greatest concern is that they have the opportunity to discover their talents and be true to themselves – not what others think is ‘best’ for them. As a parent my role is to be hands on, without meddling and overly influencing their decisions based on my experiences. Crumbs – another parental challenge.

Settling Down?

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ON FRIDAY IT WILL BE A YEAR SINCE MY FIRST BLOG POST! TO CELEBRATE I THOUGHT I WOULD REPUBLISH SOME POSTS FROM BACK THEN THAT A) I REALLY ENJOYED WRITING AND B) SO MORE RECENT READERS CAN FIND OUT A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME IN ADDITION TO WHAT I HAVE IN MY CLOSET:) ENJOY!

First published Jan 22nd 2012:

While waiting for MM to bring the Chinese home last night I ended up having an online conversation with someone about the East End of London (does that sound as sad as I think it does for a Saturday evening’s activities?). Before we moved here to Atlanta in March 2000 MM and I had lived in various parts of London. Oddly working from the most expensive to some of the cheaper (if not a bit dodgy at the time) areas as our incomes increased. We started in West Kensington, then moved to Notting Hill, then Camden, then Whitechapel, ending up ultimately in Spitalfields.

West Kensington was odd to say the least. We moved in to a 3rd floor flat in a house that was under renovation at the time, owned by some dotty Irish woman who was, I suspect, drinking all the contractors wages away. It also happened to be across the street from a hostel/halfway house where there were frequent yelling matches, if not fist fights (I was always most concerned about where my little Vauxhall Nova was parked for fear of damage). Relaxing – not. However, considering I was still a PhD student and MM was working for zero gaining ‘experience’ on a football magazine, it was not a bad place to live and certainly got me used to the eccentricities and chaos of living in London.

Next came Notting Hill. MM had me sold on location, location, location. We used to head up to Portobello Road a lot and loved ambling along there at the weekend and bar hopping in the evenings. The only problem is of course that W11 is one of the most expensive, exclusive postcodes in London so trying to find a flat with the budget of a student and a ‘part time’ worker was nigh on impossible. Until that is the Ledbury Road property came up. Ledbury Road – how cool is that – 2 blocks away from Portobello, always in the heart of Notting Hill carnival, close enough to Loftus Road and on one of the most exclusive roads in W11 – so how could there be a flat there we could afford? Well on arrival we found out. In a row of amazing town houses there was one that was not so amazing, completely dilapidated in fact. MM managed to convince me it was still worth a look. We headed up the creaky stairs through the house that had been converted into 5 flats – one on each floor. As we entered the 2nd floor flat my heart sunk further. It was tiny, no central heating, no shower, and a huge damp patch on the bathroom wall. There was no way I could live there – that was until we entered the ‘living’ room – I was in love with the huge double windows that opened up on to a private balcony. Yes our own private balcony, on Ledbury Road, in Notting Hill!! Still, however, unconvinced MM took me to the Ground Floor bar (now only 10 mins walk from the flat), bought me several Moscow Mules and an hour later I agreed we should rent it – I’m such a push over. We lived there happily for about 4 years enjoying many wild nights out and investigating each new fungus that grew on the carpet.

Ledbury Road as it looks today.

After getting my PhD and starting my first job as a Management Consultant (dead professional now…) I figured 1997 was the time to move on and graduate from student living. We loved having a market to wander through at the weekend and knew Camden Town would be a place we could get more for our money, so we headed to NW1 and Camden Square. The basement flat was by no means big but it did have some modern comforts like central heating and a shared garden – imagine that – no mold! Only problem with Camden Square was it was a pain for transport – I wouldn’t wish the Northern Line every day on my worst enemy…

Working in The City had opened my eyes to the thrill of walking through Bishopsgate, Leadenhall Market, Spitalfields and seeing The Thames every day. Also our friends were now living in Old Street so we were doing more and more of our partying in Shoreditch, particularly Charlotte Road where there were lots of cool new bars and restaurants – we were so hip. MM was now happily employed and finances were a little more comfortable so in 1998 we embarked on our search to own our first place. You would not believe the shoe boxes they tried to pass off as one bedroom flats in our price range back then. We had given up our lease in Camden and our estate agent in Spitalfields was giving us short term rents until we could find a place to buy. I think we spent about a year moving from flat to flat without unpacking any boxes – from Whitechapel to Commercial Street – a good thing Brick Lane was so convenient! Then the flat of our dreams (our dreams in our price range…) came back on the market and we bought our first place together in December 1999 in a fabulous new block of flats on Folgate Street right next to Spitalfields Market – we could live there happily for years! We moved in, bought furniture then two weeks later MM came home and told me we were moving to Atlanta…

Cantaloupe on Charlotte Road where we spent most of our time and money.

My visit to London Feb 2011 with friends:

Outside our block of flats in Spitalfields.

Fancy a curry anyone?

The back of me in Leadenhall Market.

Girls only.

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One of my New Year’s resolutions is to go out with the girls more often. Sometimes life can get in the way of spending time with friends, and prioritizing time gets tricky. But life also raises issues that are best shared with girlfriends over a glass of wine and a good laugh, hence my resolution. I put it into practice last night and headed out with Cristin. We had a fabulous night catching up over a couple of bottles of unnecessarily expensive wine:)

I wore my black jacket again from Zara over the Dita t-shirt dress (yeah right – dress that barely covers your butt!) from AllSaints. The trousers are the coated jeggings from Dorothy Perkins (currently on sale) which have turned into my favorite ‘going out’ pants – they fit amazing and feel sexy! I busted out the Buster boots from Nine West. They’ve been sitting in my closet for a while now after I bought them at a bargain price before Thanksgiving. Not sure why I haven’t worn them till now – I think I was concerned about tottering around in really high heels – but they turned out to be the most comfortable ‘going out’ boot.

So after putting a New Year’s resolution into practice I also broke one. My new Boden folded leather clutch arrived. I just couldn’t resist it and I’m glad I didn’t now – it is just beautiful. The leather is buttery soft and it is incredibly roomy without any bulk. The color could be pink, orange or red depending on what you wear it with, and the detachable strap is genius.

Make me feel better and tell me you have broken a resolution too by day 12!

Oh and talking about Girls – don’t forget if you are in the US the new season starts tomorrow 9pm on HBO.

A Christmas to remember.

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Firstly I hope Santa bought you everything you hoped for?

We have had an amazing week. Christmas Eve was filled with love and friendship on our annual family visit to Church. It’s a tradition I established a couple of years ago as I have great memories of singing carols as a child, both at Church and school. Attending a public school here though means there is very little carol singing, if any, as we have all this separation of Church and State etc. So in order for the children to appreciate the story of Christmas I have started taking them to Church on Christmas Eve. The real miracle is that even MM – a true agnostic – comes with us and belts out a couple of carols. This year we were also joined by friends and that made it really special.

For Church I wore my H&M dress, Boden chic leather biker jacket from last season and my black Isabel Marant Dicker boots. I can’t see the dress online right now but it was recently in the sale here in store for just $10 – yes it’s synthetic and I wouldn’t stand anywhere near a naked flame in it – but I think it’s really fun and can be worn for a variety of occasions.

On Christmas Day morning Santa was good to all of us – leaving us 4 tickets for a flight that lunchtime to NYC! SO exciting! Fortunately, Santa had tipped off Mom and Dad beforehand, so we had time to do a little under cover packing. Note to self: don’t try to go to Church, pack bags and wrap presents on Christmas Eve again.

Of course one of the joys of traveling Christmas Day is that there is no Christmas Dinner to cook. My little ones were thrilled with their alternative Christmas Dinner and a trip to their first NYC McDonald’s!

We anticipated that the weather was going to be colder up there but bl**dy hell it was freezing. So much for me wondering which jackets to take. In the end I made the right choice with my Patagonia Downtown Loft puffer – it was perfect for navigating the Rockefeller Center with the rest of the New York tourists.

It was crazy there and if the crowds were overwhelming for me then they must have been for Hugh and Poppy so we headed to Bryant Park instead, which was far more civilized on Christmas night. Another beautiful Christmas tree to see, ice skaters to watch and the Empire State Building lit up above us. What a perfect NYC scene.

Food featured heavily in this trip and that night we headed back to the hotel, weary from traveling and crowds, to enjoy the best Chinese takeaway ever. I see a new tradition beginning.

Boxing Day was icy again, but intent on doing some more tourist attractions for the children’s benefit, we headed Downtown. I wrapped up in the Boden Fairisle jumper, layered over an H&M vest dress, with my AllSaints Delors leather trousers, Zara scarf and Ash Bowie boots – which I have to say were the most comfortable shoes for walking up and down Manhattan – I was thrilled they’d made it into my bag! (Carnage behind me in this photo – a family of 4 in a hotel room…).

It was important for MM and I to pay our respects at the World Trade Center site, but not wanting to go into too much detail with a 4 and a 6 year old, we opted to wander slowly past Engine 10 Ladder 10 and the memorials. Very moving and hard to keep it together all these years later.

We then headed to the Staten Island Ferry. Not only the best way to see Downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty – but the deck of a ferry was also the venue for MM’s proposal of marriage one day early in December, 15 years ago. After telling Poppy the story she now loves recounting the bit about me drinking a beer and eating a hotdog.

After lunch we headed back Uptown, for a bit of culture and warmth, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We indulged the children with Egyptian Mummies then Hugh decided it was time for a bit of a meltdown – not surprising – the poor lad had walked miles. I took full advantage of his meltdown to suggest it might be an idea if I sat with him in the café (read bar) so he could snooze (and I could drink prosecco) – I always have my children’s best interests in mind you see. MM got to wander the corridors of art and Byzantine relics while I ‘parented’ – perfect for all of us I think? Plus the snow began to fall as I sat there snuggling my 4 year old. To say it felt Christmassy was an understatement – I was in heaven!

That night we headed out to dinner to the Bryant Park Grill. I wanted to take the children out for a nice Christmas dinner but obviously the location had to be child friendly and this venue worked out well. We dined on oysters, rack of lamb, and classic New York cheesecake. Don’t even think about the calories. Unfortunately the weather was ABYSMAL and we got SOAKED walking home – but renditions of ‘My Favorite Things‘ kept us buoyant:) I was very relieved that suede had not been my choice of footwear. Instead I wore my Rag & Bone Newburys (in New York what else?), with Dorothy Perkins coated jeggings (now just $29, incredibly comfortable AND they turned out to be pretty water proof!), Forever 21 earrings (similar here – LOVE how cheap they are!), and my tie dye Target Converse dress. On a side note it turns out that Rag & Bone put a lot of thought into designing the perfect boot for New York women – and they really do fit the bill perfectly. Some heel height for a bit of sass, but a block heel for walking between subway stations, and a padded footbed for comfort.

On Thursday we walked miles again. Dressed in my Off Duty Boden jumper (possibly my favorite this season), AllSaints leather Delors trousers, and Frye Phillip studded harness boots with my H&M scarf we headed off for breakfast. After pancakes we started with a bit of shopping in Soho. Bizarrely and quite worryingly I didn’t buy a thing, though I did worship for a while at the Isabel Marant and AllSaints stores. It was also fun popping in places like Uniqlo that we don’t have here in Atlanta. Fish and chips at A Salt and Battery was our reward for lunch before heading back Uptown to Dylan’s Candy Bar – Mom and Dad deserve a medal for braving those crowds.

My absolute favorite meal/experience of the trip was our visit to Balthazar restaurant on Friday morning. It made me wish we could stay and celebrate New Year’s Eve there. MM had taken me there once before as a treat on my 40th birthday trip. It was fun to go back and let the kids know we were eating at the Beckham’s favorite spot:) I bet Victoria doesn’t order what I did – it was perfect with a Mimosa.

So Christmas 2012 has been fabulous and we still have New Year’s Eve to go. I am extremely thankful though that we left NYC as the revelers arrived – I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather NOT be on December 31st than Times Square!

Glad to be back blogging – thanks for all your emails and comments – I have read them all and will reply soon I promise! What do you all have planned for Monday evening – and what are you going to wear!?

Falling for Anne.

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I have to admit in the past I have dismissed Anne Hathaway as a bit ‘ditzy’ – associating her with dire movies like The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada. Rachel Zoe also used to make vacuous comments about dressing “Annie” on her reality show and the association with Ms. Zoe did Ms. Hathaway no favors in my eyes. Well Anne will be relieved to hear that I am slowly falling for her. Having seen her attend premieres, do interviews, and also having seen some clips for the upcoming Les Misérables, I am finding myself enthralled by her charm, sincerity and talent.

This morning I was watching The Today Show while on the elliptical – as you do – it certainly helps 30 minutes fly by. Anne was being interviewed by Matt Lauer (another love of mine) and it was the first I had heard of her recent wardrobe malfunction where her panty-less you-know-what was captured on camera as she left the limo. Matt opened the interview with “we’ve seen a lot of you recently” – guffaw, guffaw. Now yes I agree the question Matt should have asked is ‘Why no panties Anne?’, but Matt didn’t choose that line of questioning. Instead he asked Anne ‘what’s the lesson learned?’ – well surely to wear panties – no? Instead Anne shared her sadness over why someone would photograph her in such a vulnerable position. As she spoke I found myself full of admiration for this beautiful, articulate woman with the best haircut. Even her sensitivity over her dramatic weight loss for the role resonated with me. I think she’d make a great best friend – and I’m willing to forgive her for The Princess Diaries.

Last night she appeared with Jimmy Fallon singing some “Mad Libs” for Christmas Carols – her laughter is infectious:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiLtTyUByBo

Avoiding all photos of the ‘malfunction’ here’s the stunning Tom Ford ensemble she wore with some very bizarre orthopedic knee-brace type shoes. They distracted me from the lack of panties anyway.

I still remember balling my eyes out – in fact sobbing loudly – at the stage version of Les Mis in London – I went to see it twice. I loved it so much I was hesitant about going to see the movie – but now I think I must – just need to remember the box of tissues.

Will you be watching it?

Lunch date.

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This week has dragged! The cold probably hasn’t helped but I sure am happy to get to Friday. The added bonus today is that MM got to take some time off too. Of course his idea of a fun morning is shopping – NOT – but I persuaded him to nip down to Atlantic Station with me to the local West Elm to look at vanities/dressing tables.

For nearly 20 years I have been in search of the most perfect dressing table. I see it in my head but cannot find it anywhere. I want a modern design, clean lines, drawers for storage – but it must also allow for a chair to be pulled up like a desk. Now all the vanities I can find here are very traditional and ornate, with large overwhelming fixed mirrors. Surely us contemporary girls need somewhere to apply our make-up too? I thought, online, I had found the perfect answer – the mirrored Parsons desk from West Elm. Unfortunately, having seen it in real life, $599 is ridiculously expensive for this piece. I don’t mind paying $600 for the right dresser but not for something that looks and feels cheap:( So on we go, hunting for my perfect dresser. Maybe I need to just get a carpenter out to create my vision?

The Parsons desk, West Elm:

We have just got back from lunch at Houston’s – my new favorite lunch spot. It’s lovely and cosy and dark…perfect for a Fall lunch. Two crab cakes and a glass of suavignon blanc later I am feeling remarkably chipper. As I was having ‘a day out’ I decided to make a bit of an effort clothes wise. I chose the Zara grey harem pants, Zara animal print t-shirt (no longer online), Sam Edelman Louie boots in rose taupe and finally the Boden blossom tipped blazer (some sizes left in clearance) from SS 2012. My favorite combination of colors – grey and pink – and yes I LOVE harem trousers right now – so comfy:)

Juicing.

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It all seems a little anti-climatic this morning after the excitement of election day. MM and I flicked between about a dozen channels last night watching the results come in – some for amusement and others for information…I think it was pretty much determined by the time we went to bed. I feel very proud to have taken part in the process – my first Presidential Election!

I’m still feeling rubbish today – terrible head cold – so I’ve just been to Whole Foods in an attempt to rid myself of the lurgy using various juices. Not to mention I’ve piled on about 100lbs from ‘feeding my cold’. I bought beets, ginger, and carrot and it tastes pretty good actually, with a scoop of chia seeds for good measure. I’m sure it’s more psychological than anything but I’m fed up of feeling under the weather. I want to feel better by Friday so I can head out on a good long run and clear my head.

It’s brass here today, and what with feeling sorry for myself it was the perfect opportunity to get my puffer out for the first time. Not the most flattering of coats, but perfect for when you don’t want to leave your duvet. This one is Patagonia – I love their coats – light and warm and last years. I actually got dressed instead of wearing sweats again – much to the relief of everyone in Whole Foods, and wore my Hudson jeans, Vince Camuto taupe Autumn wedges, and an H&M sweater dress that was buy one get one free – and I’m pretty sure the offer is still on here. I paid $25 for two – a bargain! The pink scarf doesn’t really match but to be honest at 8.30am this morning I didn’t care. You’ll also notice another Pax unit was assembled last night – it took a little longer than it should as MM and I were both wetting ourselves at each others ineptitude – who’d have thought IKEA flat packing could provide such hilarity?

Another outfit I forgot to post the other day was from Saturday when we went to my daughter’s swim meet. Quite loud pants it has to be said but they are awfully comfy. They are the Zara snake print trousers, worn with a blush H&M tank an AllSaints sweater (no longer online), with my Ash Bowie sneakers in camel and H&M sparkly blush scarf. As you can see the kids always want to get in on the act – I’m forever telling them to keep out of the closet right now due to tacks, hammers and swaying closet fixtures – so guess where they always want to be?

The Holiday Blues.

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It happens every year with varying degrees of intensity. While everyone else is excitedly comparing costumes and planning Thanksgiving road trips I am pining for home. But is it home anymore? Let’s put it this way I wish I was in England with friends and family. But do I still have friends in England? I’ve been here for 12 years now and a lot has changed. Lives move on. What is it that I really miss? Is it the familiarity and security of where I grew up? Is it my family that has almost doubled in size since I left? Would I really move back if the opportunity presented itself or is it just a fleeting moment of seeing it all through rose tinted spectacles?

Every year I go back to the UK for a couple of weeks and I have a fabulous time – then I’m ready to get back here. So if I went back to England would I miss the US the same way? Would it be fair to uproot the children? Could I go back knowing my Husband has zero desire to go back? What would we do for a living given our business is here? I ask myself the same questions every year and feel more and more backed into a corner. It’s the eternal conundrum. The longer we stay here the more roots we have here, and the more I miss England. Can I have my cake and eat it please? I sometimes feel like I’m skating the surface of life, avoiding getting in too deep with friendships or communities – because that would just make moving back even tougher no? Is it time to accept Atlanta as home and stop dipping my toe in and go skinny dipping exposing all to everyone? Answers on a postcard please.

On a lighter note we went to Abattoir last night to celebrate MM’s birthday. It all went well and fun was had up until the main course arrived. I ordered hanger steak – yum – errr not so much – it was covered in a rich hollandaise sauce. So in my very British manner what did I do? I wittered on about it to MM instead of returning it to the Chef, after all I got what I ordered. Next time I’ll go for the beet salad.

I did have a new outift to wear – the AllSaints Amei dress in petrol is fabulous – so comfy and easy to wear. It has two ties inside it that you tie behind your neck so you can adjust the length of the drape at the front and wear it tunic length or longer. It was chilly yesterday so I layered it over an H&M vest/dress in black. After seeing Doesmybumlook40 in her Dorothy Perkins coated jeggings I discovered they do free shipping to the US and ordered a pair before there was a rush on them. As she says they are fabulously comfortable and felt really dressy. I wore the pony hair Nine West Haywire shoe boots, and then topped it all off with the Boden leather jacket from back in the sale and my Zara camo scarf.