NES' Boot Quest: Flat Boots

I rather like flat boots. To me they seem so much more practical and subtly sexy compared to their somewhat in-your-face heeled compadres. They say "You know what, we may be flat but that means you won't slip over on slush/ice in front of that really hot guy who catches your train/bus/tube in the morning. And you know what else? He'll still be checking out your leather clad legs and thinking inappropriate before the watershed thoughts. And you'll be comfortable. What more do you want?"

Well exactly. What more do you want? Oh, maybe all of these please....

'Manfred' by Faith
See? They even have dependable names!



This particular Manfred is a rather simple riding boot. And is all the more lovely for it. He's multi-functional too - dresses, skirts, skinny jeans, leggings (if you must) - he'll cover all of them. And what price such versatility? Why only £90 which is Not Bad At All.

'Callous Stud' by Office
Now I don't know if they intend it to be called 'Callous Stud' but doesn't it sound very Jackie Collins? And that, reader, can only be A Good Thing.


The current vogue for studs will more than likely be dead by the time you read this but on these boots, they're understated enough to provide a bit of interest and a mild rock chick edge. At £115, they're not cheap but would never go out of fashion.

'Banner' Biker Boot by Office



Another boot from Office, this time a bit more biker but with the features of buckles and straps. It looks sturdy but sexy, non? And you can make it as tough or as feminine as you like. I'm seeing it in a haze of grungy 90s glory with a silk slip, floral dress, brushed cotton plaid shirt and chunky hat and scarf. All for the rather bargainous £85.

'Cate' by Christian Loutboutin
You didn't think I'd have done a trawl without finding some beautiful Louboutins did you? Why of course not!


And the beauty of these is the simplicity and concealed wedge heel. Worth the investment and care because these are what your gran would call "Timeless" and "Classic" and do you know what? We should all take more notice of what our grans say when it comes to Stuff Like Fashion. How much of an investment though? *whispers* £845. Wowee.

NES And The Quest For The Perfect Pair Of Boots

Dear reader, it's the same every year. The weather starts turning a little chilly, August suddenly becomes Winter and I still will not have found a decent pair of winter boots.

In my head, I like to think that I'll do it differently next year. Perhaps be super organised and get the perfect pair in the January sales so they're ready and waiting for when the leaves start falling off the trees. But no, because if I waited until the sales then the perfect boot would already have gone and then I'd have to go through the same tribulations and heartache all over again anyway.

So, seeing as the very lovely Alex pointed out this morning that we're already half way through October, I've decided I best get a shift on. Meaning that I'll be scouring THE WORLD* in my quest and sharing the fruits of my labour with you because you are lovely and you obviously appreciate good shoes and boots.

If you see anything you think worthy of note, let me know!

* Obviously when I say 'THE WORLD', I mean a whole bunch o'websites and not an actual physical jaunt around the world though if someone would like to fly me to New York, that'd be fantastique!

NES x x x

America's Next Top Model Season 12 Episode 4:

Natalie has set herself up as being the bestest model evah. Which is of course annoying the other girls.

Time for Runway 101 with Miz J. who was rocking a finishing school look.

Allison's walk was abysmal and she was given the book on head trick and told to get home and practice. Miz J brought in Bianca and Chantal from Season 9 to show how it should be done. Is it bad I couldn't remember them at all?

Truth or Dare? How deliciously high school! Nijah does a good Carlton dance. Natalie offends Tahlia which seems to be a pretty easy thing to do.

Teyona got re-madeover before joing the girls to walk for Jill Stuart. In front of Ann Shoket from Seventeen - who seems to being introduced earlier and earlier as each season passes.

Natalie did a weird turn in the middle. Nijah and Tahlia got headshakes from Miz J.

Poor Allison just looked terrified but in the end won people over. Fo did a good walk and had taken Miz J's advice.

The winner was Natalie who won some clothes from Jill Stuart despite her turn.

This week's photoshoot was on a tourbus going round NYC. Fo and Aminat were Wall St bitches and absolutely fab together.

Kortnie and Nijah were supposed to be Soho artists. Kortnie was looking rather lovely. But Nijah was dead in the eyes again.

Sandra and Celia were Upper Eastside nannies while Allison and London got to be the Gossip Girl/Olivia Palermo socialites.

Natalie, Teyona and Tahlia were tourists in Times Square with Tahlia leading the way. Mr Jay isn't convinced by Natalie.

Time for judging.

Kortnie and Nijah were up first. And didn't get it - mainly thanks to Nijah's meh.

Fo and Aminat - Fab!

Celia and Sandra - Sandra stands out but Celia also looks good.

Tahlia, Teyona and Natalie - Tahlia looked great and lit up the picture. Teyona has a lot of teeth!

Allison and London - Not a good shot really...

Best photo was Sandra.


Then Aminat.



Then Tahlia.



Bottom two: Allison and Nijah. With Nijah going. Nijah doesn't SMILE WITH HER EYES which is pretty much one of the worst things you could ever do. Like ever. Really.

Next week, the fabulous whirlwind of fierce, Benny Ninja. Pretty.