Last night I helped a friend start her quest for a pair of boots that will keep her comfy, warm, and stylish as the weather gets cold.  This is a fashion-forward gal of my acquaintance who has finally accepted that her California wardrobe of heels and thin materials isn’t quite going to cut it as we move into a New York winter.  So, the hunt is on.

First try was the Cole Haan Air Joa boot ($295).  Waterproof, comfy (Nike Air sole), shearling cuff and cozy knit lining, and still not without a ruggedly chic sense of style.  All in all, a distinct possibility.

But it didn’t quite fit right, so on we went.  The Ugg Locarno ($225) that I posted about last week was her next choice.  Sadly, though, we didn’t have enough time to keep hunting for it in person before stores closed up for the night.

So, the Locarno search continues.  And in the meantime, here are a couple other ideas for anyone looking for a boot that can do it all.

The Santana Lacey Hi boot ($234) is sleek, water-resistant, and fleece lined for cold days.

 The Halter boot ($329) by those pros of sexy weatherproof shoes, Aquatalia by Marvin K, is a fun patent leather that comes in a nice black, yes, but also this deliciously autumnal “carmel” color.  It’s got a knit collar, a faux fur lining for warmth, and it’s weatherproof.  Plus, it’s got a removable insole in case you need to stick some of your own orthotics inside.

 And for really sleek, La Canadienne offers a number of boots that you wouldn’t believe are designed for bad weather, because they’re often just as fashionable as any other boot you can find out there.  The Fidelity knee boot ($264) is a perfect example.  Waterproof and with a breathing/wicking liner that’ll keep your feet warm and dry throughout the winter.  Plus, you can get this boot in medium or wide widths.  One word of warning, though.  The circumference on these is listed as 13″, so it may be a better pick for those like me who are looking to fit smaller calves.

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It’s hard to believe that Vanessa Hudgens is only 18. She already has a long resume for her age, has the pose down, and possesses great fashion style (or has a great stylist). Take, for example, these pumps that she wore while promoting Disney’s High School Musical 2 on various morning shows. Vanessa gets two fashion thumbs up for wearing shoes by Cole Haan, one of my favorite shoe brands. Cole Haan is owned by Nike so there is a certain level of comfort that you know you’ll get in their shoes. I’m guessing that Vanessa is all smiles in these photos because her feet aren’t hurting. Besides comfort, I love how elegant this d’Orsay looks - with a beautiful grayish-blue color and leather with snake detail, what more can you ask for?

The Cole Haan Alicia D’Orsay is available at ColeHaan.com for $195.

Photo Sources: Fan websites Miss Vanessa, Vanessa-Anne Online, and Vanessa Hudgens

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Much like Shoesense has realized that her shoe wardrobe doesn’t contain that eternal summer basic, the espadrille, I have realized that mine doesn’t have a good basic brown sandal.

Now, as we all know, this is a complicated decision, as there are thousands of brown sandals out there. So what am I looking for? Several key characteristics:

• good walking support
• dressy enough to wear to work (business casual environment), with skirts, etc.
• interesting design–not just your basic brown leather strap across the toes, strap around the ankle model
• fairly low heel (2” or under)
• no thongs

See? Not easy!

So, what have I found so far? Well, Shoes.com has been quite helpful in providing this Stonefly Eden slip-on for $120.

And they have these funky Paul Green Storm ankle-strap sandal for $220 which does the gladiator look without being too over the top.

Of course, there’s the classy Taryn Rose Voy sandal for $310 at Zappos, but I think it’s actually a little more basic style-wise than what I’m after.

The jury’s still out on the styling of the Think! Ying sandal (on sale at Zappos for $178), which is cute (and based on the Think! shoes I already have, incredibly comfy) but may be a bit too Western for my taste.

And winning the price competition is the Cole Haan G Series Layne slip-on (on sale for $100), which I love, but I think is a little too sporty to be quite as versatile as I’m after.

Decisions, decisions. Isn’t shoe shopping difficult? Aren’t our lives hard?

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Yes, even though it seems to fly in the face of our shared obsession here at Shoeblog, I avoided purchasing shoes this glorious Memorial Day weekend while shopping on Newbury St in Boston.

Which shoes did I narrowly avoid, might you ask? Several. Here, I’ll illustrate.

First up: the Dansko Nyla ($124)

It’s even cuter in person. The patent leather (all the black parts) is shinier, and the whole thing has a delicious summer vibe. It also comes in an adorable coral color, which is even more tempting to me.

Next temptation: Cole Haan G Series Keegan slip-on ($165)

I’m a sucker for G Series shoes, and this one has a removable insole, so I could put my orthotics in it. Plus the gold and the maroon patent leather… mmmm. It was a close call.

And finally, the last temptation (not of Christ, but of me): these Camper Twins slip ons ($139)

I’ve blogged about these before, but I saw them in the Camper store and had to try them on. And you know what… they look cheaper in person. Yes, they were comfy, but the leather didn’t look all that great, and the ‘’sunglasses” appliques looked none too classy, either. They didn’t have quite the sense of whimsy and fun I thought they would have.

So, the Campers ended up being less tempting, but the other two pairs… well, let’s just say I’m now scouring the internet to try and find them on sale anywhere. Anyone who has luck on that front, let me know. The temptation might prove too much for me.

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I’m a sucker for Nordstrom’s Shoe Style Guides. What’s not to love? Collecting a whole bunch of cute, trendy shoes in one place with tips on how to wear them and why they’re so ”in.”

The current style guide, like most of them, has 6 categories complete with head-to-toe style tips. And now I bring them to you.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles are a summer staple, as far as I’m concerned. They’re comfy and cute, with that springtime playful flair.

Suggested clothing pairings with espadrilles: linens, capri pants, dresses and skirts with above-the-knee hemlines that show off your legs and match the casually elegant style of the shoes.

My pick: the Corsica from Indigo by Clarks ($85) which is flirty and fun, has a shaped heel that adds a bit more sophistication to the espadrille’s casual style, and is likely comfortable, too, based on the company that makes it.

Bold-Strap Sandals

Think Christina Aguilera’s recent retro styling. Think 40s pin-up girls. Like those looks? Then these sandals are for you.

Suggested clothing pairings with bold-strap sandals: nautical-inspired clothing (stripes, studs, grommets) and flowing dresses with wide belts.

My pick: the Cole Haan Salma ($225). OK, so at 4.5" inches, I’m not likely to be able to wear these, but I love the lightness of the whole thing and the metallic accents of nailheads and buckle and the contrast between the two textures of leather. With navy-styled shorts and a fitted short-sleeve blouse, these’ll be enough to make any sailor sit up and say, "Aye aye!"

Prints & Patterns

I never like going with safe, demure shoes. And moving away from solid colors is one surefire quick way to bring some added pizazz to your shoes.

Suggested clothing pairings with prints & patterns: solid colors (you want the shoe to be the statement, so go simple with your clothes) and tunic length shirts and dresses.

My pick: the Nine West Sabyne ($83). OK, I’m cheating a little, because this one isn’t from the Nordstrom site, and I’ve posted this shoe before, but I just love the pattern. They’ve got this fabric in several different styles, but this one with the ankle strap and the peep toe and the low heel… it may have to come home with me.

The Bright Patent

Not really new news, but perfect for that leap into summer cheer. You’ve got to have shoes to keep you perky when the heat sets in, and these are the styles to do just that.

Suggested clothing pairings with bright patents: cropped jackets, shorts, metallic belts. Nordstrom also suggests ankle-length skinny jeans, but I’m morally opposed to those pants, having seen entirely too many women wearing them in New York who REALLY shouldn’t be.

My pick: the Pacific from MICHAEL Michael Kors ($129), which is that perfect candy apple red that’s just what the doctor ordered. The patent stripes around the heel are what seals it for me with this shoe. A pedicure to match, and you’re ready for anything.

The Flirty Peep-Toe

I don’t think I actually own any peep-toe shoes currently, and that’s a massive shame that will need to be rectified.

Suggested clothing pairings with flirty peep-toes: above-the-knee dresses and trench coats that evoke classic French chic.

My pick: this pump from MARC BY MARC JACOBS ($325). It’s classic and simple, but in a fantastic color and with a great cone-shaped heel. This is a shoe that you’ll still be wearing years from now.

The Detailed Flat

Yes, yes! Not just flats, but flats with fun enhancements. Did I mention I love shoe trends this season?

Suggested clothing pairings with detailed flats: bold printed jackets and dresses that can stand up to the detailing of the shoes.

My pick: the Taryn Rose Baker ($449). Also cheating, because this one’s also not from Nordstrom, but you really can’t get better than this for me. It’s mod, it’s stylish, it’s playful, it’s versatile. It’s the ultimate detailed flat.

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