ReShod For Paris

Welp, although all the pretty flats I suggested could stand up to a day of shop til ya drop, apparently they would not keep my Paris piggies warm and dry. Merci to Ashley in London for cluing me in this morning annnd for letting me know there would be no boo hissing from the locals if I broke out the ole UGG's..

Alice, If your are coming to Paris for the holidays it's entirely possible you'll freeze to death in flats! And yes, UGG's would be fine. There's a sort of unfashionable fashion in Paris which, is basically trying not to look put together while, looking put together at the same time. Similar to London's Sloane Rangers, the BCBG's of Paris would be champions of UGG's and messy ponytails (kind of like preps but, more European). If you really want to fit in, take a cue from Charlotte Gainsbourg (the ultimate Queen of BCBG) and her sister Lou Doillon (both daughters of Jane Birkin) as they seem to be the poster children for Parisian style...

I have the UGG Classic Cardy's and they are all the rage here in London. They're prettier than classic UGG's but, just as warm. Otherwise, I'd say motorcycle boots, booties or riding boots are going to be seen quite a bit in Paris. Also, you can never go wrong with a great pair of Wellies when you're walking around if it's wet. Not to say that you won't see loads of girls in flats and pumps but, they'll be freezing and totally used to it.

Best of luck!
Ashley

It's back to the drawing board for moi Ashley! I have the bff Kimba bringing her UGG Classic Cardy's to Kiawah this weekend for me to check out and, it also looks like either my Blundstone 500's...

Or, my Blundstone Rigger Crazy Horse's will be making their Paris debut...

I also managed to find a couple pairs of the La Canadienne's that seemed to be très popular among the masses...

Yessireee, a couple of beauts to be filed away for future consideration...

Along with these Aigle Chantebelle boots in shearling that have BCBG written allll over them...

But, for now, I think I'll just pack my li'l Blundstones prefering to funnel any additional funds towards the T.Anthony Stowaway Duffle or 29" Wheeled Packing Case. How else am I gonna cart back all the loot I'm fantasizing of?

Kindness of Ashley Turner for steering me in the right direction. Althooo, I guess it wouldn't have been SO bad if I found myself in Paris in desperate need of a new pair of boots. I can assure you, the whining and crying would eventually wear him down...XXOO

Shod For Paris

Dear Alice,

I have been faithfully following your blog since I discovered it this summer (courtesy of New York Times) and I was just tickled to learn that you will be in Paris for Christmas. I'll be there too, with my husband and 3 kids. My eldest daughter is finishing up her semester abroad and we thought it would be a great time to take the family. Anyway, my dirty little secret is that for months now I have been spending a ridiculous amount of time planning my ultra-chic-but-practical and pared-down Parisienne wardrobe. After lots of online shopping (and returns) I pretty much have everything I need, except for footwear. Living in New Orleans, boots are mostly a fashion statement, with very little need to consider warmth, comfort etc. I test drove a great looking pair of riding boots a month ago when I was in NYC for the weekend but ended up with blisters that almost ruined my feet, not to mention the weekend. I need something black, somewhat weather-proof and very comfortable. And chic, of course. Any suggestions? I need to wrap this up so I can concentrate on the sightseeing and shopping itineraries, Hermes definitely being on the list! The girls and I have decided that we need a few of those enameled bracelets. My husband has taken care of all the restaurant reservations and I have been eating my very low-cal version of your "Big Salad" any night we are not out so that I can totally indulge upon arrival. Oh, and I have another question concerning my husband's outerwear. The most he ever needs down here is is his Barbour jacket. I just don't think that will cut it. Ugh. I guess he could wear his black cashmere overcoat. It seems so business-like though. What do you think? Looking forward to hearing from you!

Heidi

Well Heidi, I am in no way any authority on how to be properly shod in Paris annnd my taste in footwear runs pretty pedestrian. Ya lost me at boots being a fashion statement (all my boots being for foul weather and barns). But, I do plan on tooons of walking in Paris and feel confident culling from my experience turbo shopping the means streets of Manhattan. The testing grounds; from Bergdorf's to Ralph Lauren and back with lateral Pucci, CK Bradley and Serendipities stops multiple blocks in either direction...

The velvets are a different story but, the Stubbs and Wootten needlepoint loafers get very high marks for comfort and only get better with age. And, how apropos are the recently resurrected Napoleonic Bee pair?

I had these leopard Stubbs and wore them with everything. I was eventually forced to hold a self intervention cuz I was too dependant on the darn things and passed them on to a friend...

While not quite as versatile as the first two pair, the Cuenca Blue are a close second. At least with my winter wardrobe heavy on black, navy and purple...

You can not go wrong with an all black suede Belgian Shoe. When I had to shod my swollen, injured Achilles foot and gimp to my Ortho appointment yesterday I grabbed the softest, most worn in Belgians in my closet. They're like wearing slippers. An exclusive club slipper...

I also have the black suede with grey trim pair on my wish list after spying a cute UES gal in Calypso sporting them. Très chic...

Orrr just maybe, you and your Cinderella sized foot will get lucky and find a pair of the wait listed black quilted velvets in stock...

Now, although I have not yet test driven a pair of the Bloch ballet flats myself, I have it on veeery good authority that these are off the charts comfortable and blister free for big city walking. This pair being particularly good for strolling past 31 Rue Cambon...

If black is your preference, I've been eying the Disco Ballerinas. Not too crazy but, as RL would say, they've got a li'l juuuzzzhhh...

My favs of the line, Serenade, are being somewhat elusive so I am calling all scouts in the field to report in with any sightings...

I also highly recommend the old school suede Gucci loafers which my friend recently scored at an outlet. You can, and I have, walk for miles in those things. Jury's still out on the Roger Vivier flats but, considering Jessica Biel wears them to the gym I'd say the odds are in our favor...

For my evening swank, I am hoping to purchase my inaugural pair of Loubs while abroad. And, although I have big girl dreams of this pair...

I will more than likely chicken out and leave with a more Allie friendly pair like this...

As far as outerwear for the hubbies, Babe is getting the Patagonia Better Sweater for Christmas which will not only serve as a great warmth layer but, can also stand alone...

And, going from a pic of Babe, his brother and father in Paris a few Christmases ago, all in Barbour, I'd say that is indeed a good jacket to take. Buuut, after taking into consideration the recent US mag Parisienne pic of the Brangelina brood in parkas, this Patagonia Down Sweater is also under consideration. All this virtual shopping has me thinking I'm going to need a new, bigger T. Anthony. Ce la vie...

Kindness of Heidi Friedler for her delusion of faith in my ability to help with her Parisienne shoe wardrobe. I hope we cross paths Heidi. You'll recognize me by my shoes and orange bags...XXOO

ps... keep your eyes peeled for Ina Garten sightings cuz she'll be there for the holidays too!

Jammies To Go With My Slips

Now that my new slippers have arrived, I'm feeling the need to update my jammie wardrobe. I think the neighbors and the UPS man may be tiring of seeing me in the same ole Lilly P rotation.....

I did, however, pick up these toasty flannel J. Crew bottoms at the Outlet last week for $15. When paired with any of my Petit Bateau tees I can pretend they're lounge wear when slipping into them at 4pm...

Lanz of Salzburg nightgowns were de rigueur when I was young. Buuut, since I no longer watch TV sitting on the floor inches from the screen with my knees drawn up into my gown, I think I'll graduate to this Tyrolean Stripe pajama set...

I'd feel like I was in good company donning the same pair of Owl Piggy Pajamas that Oprah and J.K. Rowling wear to bed...

And, with the code OPRAH at check out they're only $68. Pshaw, a mere pittance for the chance to play twinsies with two Forbes List women...

Wonder if that code also works on the brand's Santa Barbara Toile pj's? For those of us not yet on the list...

Ever since seeing "It's Complicated" I just knooow it's my kind of town...

My friend Kathleen told me about Elizabeth Cotton luxury pajamas waaay back in the height of summer...

But, I tucked those jamms away in my mental file for another, tanless time. Like now, when my pale skin could use some pretty Liberty of London prints coverage...

And apparently, if I wanna keep up with the the Bloggerville Joneses, I'll need to start shopping coordinating pocket squares...

Kindness of Kathleen Abercrombie for the Elizabeth Cotton find. All we need to go with our swanky new jammies is a GP chick flick, a bowl of clam dip and a bag of chips, a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough, two spoons, our needlepoint projects du jour and it'd be just like old times...XXOO

Cuffie Commandment

According to Maxminimus, when dealing with cuffs one should "go big or go home"...

Two inch cuffies or no cuffies at all! thundered from the burning bush in front of Casa Max...

That sure was fun trying to communicate to the couple who barely speak English when I dropped off Babe's new Bills Khakis 11 Whale Corduroys for tailoring. BEEEG? Yes, BEEEG. Max said BEEEG...

And, although I love the cords so much that I am champing at the bit to order Babe another pair in Sage, I think I'll wait and see how this initial tailoring of BEEEG turns out. I may be knocking on the door of Casa Max with a BEEEG cream pie not for eating...

In the meantime, I'll spend the next few nail biting days til tailoring's complete trying to earn my North River Outfitter 20% discount towards the Sage, or replacement Khaki, pair...

Kindness of ole Maxminimus for the 2 inch cuffie edict. I'll take my thank you for the PR in Butt Police credits. Considering my injury and all...XXOO

Hermès Placebo Effect

It was one of those good news, bad news kind of weekends. The bad news was that I may have blown out my Achilles running 11 miles Saturday morning...

Buuut, the good news was that Babe suggested we swing by Hermès while in DC and get a new scarf to go with my red velvet Belgians...

I don't know which worked faster, 800 mg of Advil or the offer...

But, I had that T. Anthony packed and my lame self in the car faster than you could say gimpy...

There is nuthin a li'l orange box can't cure...

But, just to be on the safe side Dr. Babe dispensed some medical advice before boarding his train on Sunday. "Make sure you R.I.C.E. Babe. Rest, ice, compression, elevation..."

Compression? You mean, like wrapped tightly with something? Youuu betchaaa!!!

Wonder if any of my How to Wear Your Hermès Scarf books has a compression knot?

Kindness of Babe for being so thoughtful and generous with me all the time. And, for Pilgie who will kindly remove his handsome self from my new scarf so I can wrap my foot...XXOO

Happy Birthday Pilgie And Welcome Home Lollers

Happy 3rd Birthday to our George Washington Rockefeller. It seems like only yesterday that we had you bundled in cashmere for the ride to your new home with us...

You were a true Preeeuuunce right outta the gate...

Thank you for outgrowing your all your attempts to have Mummy committed for Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome...

Fortunately, for Lollers sake, we're in a new town with a new vet and my questionable rep is back in C'ville and G'town...

And, Miss Lolly Cakes Rockefeller came through all her surgeries with flying colors. We backed out of the Heidi Montag special at the eleventh hour electing to postpone the nose job portion of the lineup. Who needs two nostrils to breath out of anyway?

We are sporting a li'l morphine patch under our green bandaging...

Which make us very sleepy...

But, besides a few extra naps, our girl is back to her old joyous self. Looks like Pilgie got his birthday wish...

Kindness of Dr. Brunori at Oceanview Animal Hospital for taking such good care of my baby. Knowing Lolly was in such capable hands is what kept Pilgie and me from going off the deep end that very long day. Also, of Daddy for killing himself to make an earlier train home to be with the birthday boy and the li'l patient...XXOO