State of the Union

I was looking back through some photos of the kids this morning and starting to take note of all the sweet hugs and kisses I’ve captured them sharing. There’s so much love there.

Then I stumbled on this series—some outtakes—from when I took Hudson’s four-year photos. It was a few months back, but this roller coaster still captures the range of emotions these two can go through together, from one moment to the next, so perfectly.

Keep Reading >

Shoe style: Chukkas and Desert Boots

For a few weeks, I thought I’d lost one of my Desert Boots—I couldn’t find it anywhere! How does one shoe go missing?! I was really upset about it: they’re such a staple. As it turns out, Skyler likes to try on my shoes and move them around the house—squirreling them away for winter, perhaps.

Still, when I thought they were gone I found myself looking around to see if I’d choose the same pair. There’s a lot of variety in the Chukka category, if sometimes subtle.

Actually, I say “category” because, in my research, I learned that there are some technical distinctions when it comes to defining a Chukka: (1) two or three open lacing eyelets (2) rounded toebox (3) ankle boots.

Traditionally the soles were made of leather, not rubber, and it’s the rubber that makes a Chukka a “Desert Boot.” According the The Gentleman’s Gazette, Desert Boots came about when one of the Clark boys spotted the variation with a crepe rubber sole in Myanmar during his deployment. The lightweight boot with a good grip was designed to be worn by soldiers in Egypt’s desert terrain. Ironically, it was the counter-culture beatniks who first made them popular in America.

Whatever your inspiration, these are seven options for wearing today:

Vans Geo Wool Rhea SF | Suede Original Hobe | H&M Desert Boots | The Classic, Clark’s Desert Boot | Wedge Desert Boot | Minnetonka Ankle Boot | Macalister Fringe Boots

P.S. I have the Clark’s Original Boot in Bushacre, as worn in Monterey and Yosemite.

[Additional Image sources: Top: B&W (Clark’s) | Clark’s in Beeswax, with cuffed denim | Chukkas and plaid // Bottom: Marshall Matlock and pair of the Original Hobe in Camel]

Home Design: Five books to Wishlist

There are so many great new design books coming out right now, a few by fellow bloggers. Here are my top five right now: Ordering a couple of these immediately for gifts,  and saving the others for a holiday wishlist.

Any you think I should add?

Keep Reading >