Starting to think about fall boots? Where do you stand on ankle boots versus tall boots these days? I’d always loved the look of riding boots in the fall but struggled with fit. (Are my calves really so big? Why are they all-too-tight?!)
I rejoiced when JCrew and Madewell (I have the Archive Boot) started offering extended calf-sizes and appreciated when more brands started to make zippers part of the detailing. Sam Edelman has a pair with both!
So how do you know if the boot will fit if you’re hoping to order a new (tall) pair online? Vogue recently referenced a UK-brand, Ted & Muffy, that “refers to itself as ‘fairy tale fitters’ for its offering of options in an array of calf sizes (and clever, friendly instructions on how to do at-home measurements).” I thought their fit tips would come in handy for anyone and took some notes…
Calf Measuring Tips
While seated, with your feet flat, wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your calf, taking care not to leave a gap. Measure to the nearest 1cm.
Measure both calves.
Check with the brand to see if you should size up or down if your measure falls between numbers.
Natural leathers are more likely to expand and give over time. Suede will give most of all.
In general, boot height is the distance in a straight line between the bottom of your heel to the top of your boot.
Where to Buy Flowers (when you don’t have access to a wholesale market)
By Natalie Brookshire of Natalie Bowen Designs
I know that I am incredibly fortunate to live in San Francisco, where there is a world-class flower market less than a mile from my studio. But what if you don’t have a wholesale market nearby? Where do you get high quality flowers to work with? I get asked this very questions quite often and I’d love to share my insight.
The first thing I want to share is that the flowers at the market are not that much less expensive than those in a grocery store. The “wholesale” market is not the key to world’s cheapest flowers. The market offers a much wider variety of blooms and the chance to not pay tax. That’s about it when it comes to scoring a major discount.
Here are some tips for alternative places to look…
We just got back from a weekend on the Sonoma Coast—where we only gathered further evidence to support my suspicion that Sonoma county is one of the most incredibly diverse, beautiful counties in the country. We drove through vineyards and farmland before following the Russian River to the point where it meets the Pacific, just beyond Bodega Bay, and then drove up the stunning, rocky coast to the small seaside village of Jenner. We had rented a large house, surrounded by redwoods, from Kid & Coe to share with friends (and our many, many kids).
Highlights: Beachcombing, seal-spotting, tidepooling, meal-sharing, card-playing, and zip-lining (the house had one in the yard!).
