361/365 - More Uggs Knock Offs

Ever since Erica purchased her Uggs Slipper from Zappos, I have been coveting a pair. I've worn a hole in my current slipper and the cozy lining is all gone. I was hoping for a new pair at Christmas, but that didn't happen (I'm not complaining - Scott bought me something just as nice - I'll have to take a picture of that tomorrow).

I was mentally prepared to spend between $70 and $100 for a pair of slippers like Erica's. I went to the Zappos website and tried to select a size 7 slipper.

And received this message - "The Shoe / Size Combination you have selected is not Available" - at least 6 times!

OK, I understand. Christmas was a few days ago and I'm sure folks are heavy into the after Christmas shopping thing. I set up the "e-mail me when this selection becomes available" bit. Then I hit the local Outlet Mall's Famous Footwear store after work.

And came home with these:

And I only paid $35 for them!

Let's look at Erica's Uggs to compare:


I think I can live without the Uggs label on the top. And I will attest that my BearPaw slippers are just as comfortable.

And for $65 less than the Uggs, I think my wallet feels better!

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323/365 - These Boots Are Meant for Sloshing

We assembled at a local restaurant - an informal gathering to celebrate Jill's birthday. Jill didn't want any gifts, but Heather couldn't resist these funky rain boots.



Too bad we didn't have them two weeks ago. Oh, except it rarely rains in Vegas. I guess that's why they are sold here instead.

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November Evenings

The angle of the sun in November casts a beautiful glow, don't you think?


Straight Out of the Camera (SOOC) today, because I'm running around, getting ready for our next adventure. Where I get to wear these:


The last time I wore these sandals, I was walking along the banks of the Italian Riviera.

While we aren't going back to Italy this weekend, we are going somewhere fun....

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305/365 - Harbinger

Gonna sell my car and go to Vegas
'Cause somebody told me
That's where dreams would be
Gonna sell my car and go to Vegas
Finally see my name upon the Palace marquis

Gonna quit my job and move to New York
'Cause somebody told me that's where
Dreamers should go
Gonna quit my job and move to New York
And tattoo my body with every Broadway show.

Listen up now honey, you're gonna be sorry
Can't get out from under a sky that is falling
And you say
No fame no money I'm nobody
The way I'm running has sure got me down
On my knees.
But next stop, Vegas please.
Gotta get to Vegas
Can you take me to Vegas?

Vegas by Sara Bareilles

Here's the Video of the song, from her Live at the Fillmore DVD/album:

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296/365 - Fast Shipping, Great Service

This is our second experience with Zappo's and once again, they have impressed us with their great service and fast shipping.

Ordered Saturday evening, arrived today. Wow.



Erica's latest [expensive] purchase. Yes, she agreed to pay for them herself, draining her account down to about 20 bucks.

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Team Up Thursday - Laces

Lee picked out this week's fun theme - Laces - an extension of last week's "shoe" theme.

Lee's photo of her daughter's knee high Converse sneakers is on the left. Wow - those are some serious laces! My daughter's laces hang in one of our cars - a prize from one of those carnival games you play at the amusement park.



Each Thursday, Lee and I create a diptych based on a theme. You can view the other great diptychs at the Team Up Thursday Flickr group.

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Team Up Thursday - Shoes

I chose this week's theme of "shoes". I love Lee's colorful slippers against the leaves and pattern of her walkway. I bought these boots last year before we went on vacation in Colorado and haven't worn them since - until Wednesday when I took the picture. I must find an occasion to wear them again......



Each Thursday, (OK, sometimes later than Thursday!) Lee and I create a diptych based on a theme. The Team Up Thursday challenge was started by Megan and Melody. You can view the other great diptychs at the Team Up Thursday Flickr group.

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219/365 - Tax Free Shoes

The state of Illinois is giving us a little break this back to school season - Tax Free purchases of clothes, shoes and other school necessities. But local county taxes are still in effect, so in reality, tax reduced, not completely tax free.

But still a reason to go out and buy a new pair of running shoes, because I've started to experience some pain in my feet and I'm hoping I'm just at the end of the usable mileage on my old shoes.

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SOOC Saturday - My Running Future?

Today marks the 2nd running of the Illinois Marathon. Almost 15,000 participants took to the streets this morning, running a 5K, 1/2 Marathon or Full Marathon. Last year, I ran the 1/2 Marathon and it was a blast. I didn't participate this year, and with all the pre-race hype leading up today, somewhat regret it.

Instead, I ran a mere 7 miles today.


And I am considering training for the Full Marathon in 2011. There - I said it. Because if I don't write it down, it won't happen. Now it actually might, even though the future is a little fuzzy.


Today's pictures are SOOC, because who has time to edit after spending hours running around.....
Melody at Slurping Life hosts SOOC Saturday and talks about truth and dreams today. My dream - to run that marathon next year.

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Table View 1 - Snow Gear

My first "Table View", pictures taken of, or around the kitchen table. I think it will be interesting how the "view" changes over the year.



Some of the less obvious elements - that blue green rectangular item on the left side of the picture - that's the ruler I used to measure the amount of snow we received. I'm sure you've figured out all of the other "stuff" that's laying about.

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339/365 - New Converse

The latest fad to arrive at the house - Erica's new Converse sneakers. Since these sneaks have been around for ages (I remember them when I was a teen, too), it's hard to find much fault in their retro styling. [And they are not Reeboks, which I regret wearing in High School]



And a positive review of Zappos.com - we ordered the sneakers on Monday and they arrived today! Free shipping, and if the shoes didn't fit, free return shipping. Erica was so excited to see the box at the front door when she got home from school.

Another view, with a texture applied:


I think we are "complete" with Erica's fashion requests - at least for now!

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313/365 - Ugg Knock Offs

Having a 12 year old middle school daughter, I am subjected to the current fashion trends and fads. Last month - Aeropostale and Abercrombie and Fitch. This month - skinny jeans, Converse sneakers and Ugg boots.

Fortunately, Erica possesses some "common sense frugality" when it comes to expensive name brand items. I think that stems from my insistence that she pony up the funds to buy some of these "must have" items. So, when she realized Uggs cost upwards of $120-$200, she was OK with buying a copy cat version for half price.

The Shoe Carnival boasts a nice selection of identically styled boots, and with Buy one, get one 1/2 price, I got myself a pair (because I'm all about trying to stay trendy - well, not really, but they are very warm and comfy!)

Erica's pair (the traditional light brown color):


I opted for the darker brown boots - really fits "me" better than the light brown ones:


And we bought them on the warmest day of the Fall season - 70 degF out there today! But it never hurts to plan ahead.

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POTD - Old Shoes, New Shoes [contrast]

At last, fall arrives along with a huge bounty of boots at the shoe store. I decided to replace my 3 year old daily shoes with new ones today and thought the subjects fit this week's POTD theme of "Contrast".

Old:


New:


Loving the new shoes - really comfortable! Sing with me now:

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
It so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I dont need an excuse,
'cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

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197/365 - Out with the Old

And in with some new sneakers. We got our money's worth out of his old sneakers - I think they were purchased way back in October of 2008 and the bottom soles were starting to come apart.


We purchased the new pair at the local Kohl's. I love that store!

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