Yesterday was the day when Jonesy and I met at NAS! It was a very long day for me - we left home at 7:30 AM and came back after 10:30 PM. The start of the day was pretty rough - I could not find my passport just before we were ready to leave. After a short panic attack and going 3 times through the document box the passport was found in the same box on the forth attempt - which just shows the state of my mind that morning! :-)
I think they were ready for me at the Customer service this time: they found my boxes right away and did not ask me if I want to bring my car to the service area to take them home :-) Instead they lagged them out into the waiting area and the feast began!
After ordering 22 pairs of footwear last NAS I was pretty restrained this year - just meager 16 pairs. Pic 1 shows all that bounty and SA helping me to unwrap the shoes. The first pair I tried on was SW Accumulate (pic 2). Gorgeous boots! I was really afraid they will be too narrow in the foot but they were comfortable. Encouraged I pulled them on and - what a disappointment! They gape too much on the top. It is hard to see in the picture but believe me - they do. If this was the only problem I would have considered to try and take in the elastic a bit by the cobbler but - alas - they were too tall and dug into my knee when I sit down. I removed them with tears in my eyes but with the hope that other boots will fit better.
Well, long story short - they did not. With every new pair of boots my heart fell lower and lower. It was good that Jonesy joined us at this point because that cheered me up.
So out of 9 pair of tall boots there was a single pair which fit me - and they were not balck and sleek: Steve Madden Bankker (pic. 10) I was considering to get them because I felt pretty bad but then I had a nice surprise: San Eldeman python booties were a good fit (pic. 3 - 5)! That cheered me up again and I decided to get them and pass on the Bankker because my main goal was black riding boots and booties. See how strong my will is! :-)
After that I tried on SW Adoptable flats - they are so gorgeous and very comfortable (pic 8). I have a huge problem with ballet flats: they usually don't work with my bunions. These were very comfortable and though stretched on the bone but not digging in. I was seriously considering them but in the end decided to pass because I could feel slight pressure on my bone and was not sure how they will behave after a couple of hours of walking. If they come in wide width they would be perfect but they do not after size 10 :-(
I also was excited to try Fryes Melissa Trapunto - for the first time they made boots in my size. Oh boy, I had really hard time getting them on - I was afraid I could not take them off at all (pic 6) In the end I prevailed - they are beautiful boots but they felt a bit snug on the calf where the seam is (pic 7) I could have slouched them down a bit but again it was not what I was after so I passed again.
So I ended up with SE python booties and Me Too leopard print pumps. Pumps are a bit tight in the toe box so I am stretching them now (Shannon's potato trick) and we will see what happens.
Poor Jonesy has to endure all this shoe show and then give me her YLF critique on several pairs of jeans I also ordered. So from my order of 16 pairs of shoes, 3 skirts and 5 pairs of jeans I was left with two pairs of footwear and two pairs of jeans!
Then we went to the shoe department. Jonesy did not find anything for herself there and I asked SA to bring me all tall boots they have in my size (pic 12-13) Again long story I tried 7 more pairs with the same result - too tall and too much gaping. This concludes my NAS shoe woes...but the day was still young!
Some more browsing and shopping followed. I got a couple of more items from NAS but poor Jonesy did not find anything again. Then we left Nordie's and ventured into the mall and this is where she hit a jackpot - in Madewell.
We also went to Rack but our energy began to wane and it was soon time to say good-buy. It was a fun day - thank you Jonesy for staying with me through all this extravaganza and being such a sport! I hope we can do it again soon!
Jonesy and Sveta at NAS or how many boots can you try in one day?
34 Comments
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Deborah replied 11 years ago
Sveta you are a trooper and Jonesy is a great friend. I suppose it's a bit like the saying you have to kiss a few frogs to find a prince!! I think the booties are going to look fab on you and can't wait to see them in an outfit. I admire your self control and I trust those riding boots will come along soon.
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annagybe replied 11 years ago
Um, wow, just wow!
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Amy replied 11 years ago
Holy moly. You two are troopers!
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marianna replied 11 years ago
Wow! I feel like I was right there with you and Jonesy! I can't believe none of the tall boots worked, but bravo for trying them all on! And Jonesy is a wonderful friend. I love this post. :)
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Kari replied 11 years ago
Sveta, this is a good lesson for someone like me who's been guilty if making do with just good or okay pieces. This is why you have such a calculated and perfect footwear collection! You are SO good at sticking to your guns and not compromising.
So glad that you and Jonesy were able to meet for a fun day! What a supportive pal.
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sarah replied 11 years ago
Echoing what Kari said!
And you, hubs, Jonesy and the SAs have shopping stamina I can only dream of! I'm very impressed.
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replied 11 years ago
Thanks for sharing these fun photos!
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Mamapicklejuice replied 11 years ago
The SA's "ta-daaaaa!" gestures in photo #12 is cracking me up.
You are ruthless in your quest for a fab wardrobe, Sveta, and it shows in your always-gorgeous WIW posts. Glad you came away with a few treasures!
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velvetychocolate replied 11 years ago
I really enjoyed these photos Sveta - thank you for sharing them with us! You and Jonesy have amazing shopping stamina ...wow!
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Kyle replied 11 years ago
I was thinking of you yesterday. I'm sorry you did not find the tall boots this time, but I am so glad you found the items you did. I predict that you will love the SE booties and can't wait to see how you style them. Shout out to you and J. Fun day!
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KathyL replied 11 years ago
Wow, what a day! Sorry you weren't able to find the tall boots you were looking for, but at least you didn't go home empty handed. The python booties and me too pumps will look great in your wardrobe!
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ManidipaM replied 11 years ago
Sveta, I am very very impressed at your will power --- what amazing self-control. I don't know if I could have gone on after so much disappointment. Must have helped to have Jonesy to back you up, though? I find I'm more discerning if there are eyes I trust to see me try stuff on (clearly my own eyes I don't consider so trustworthy!)
I'm now all agog to see Jonesy's score and your new jeans. So glad the Sam Edelman python worked --- I thought 'so Sveta!' the very first time I saw them (not to enable or anything!).
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April replied 11 years ago
Ah, the dreaded search for tall boots that don't gape. I cannot imagine coupling that problem with also being a hard-to-find shoe size. I sympathize and admire your stamina!
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Parsley replied 11 years ago
Sveta, I admire your persistence and your energy! Sorry you didn't find more, but you have chosen carefully so that what you did get won't be a mistake. Did you try the AGLs?
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san replied 11 years ago
Great pics thanks for sharing. I thought some of the tall boots looked good on you but comfort is important. Love the booties on you.
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Jjsloane replied 11 years ago
I thought I was a tough shopper, but you have me beat. I would never have endured that long, but how great you did find a few things. Didn't Angie say if you found a couple pair then it would be a success? So great Jonesy could help too and I am also awaiting her Madewell post!
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Sveta replied 11 years ago
You are right: Jonesy was a great support and an awesome friend! I felt a bit guilty that she spent that much time helping me instead of shopping for herself!
Now thinking back it took around 1.5 hour in the Customer Service trying everything on and returning stuff: it definitely felt like much longer!
Parsley, I did try AG boots and while they are gorgeous they did not work for me at all. I find that this brand is not good for me - I tried AG flats before too with the same result. They feel too stiff but maybe this is becasue they are too narrow? SW on the other hand has a potential to be MY brand and I am very happy about this - I only wish they make different widths abover size 10...
Thank you all for having a stamina to read through my novel! :-) -
Lisa replied 11 years ago
What a wonderful day! Sveta, you are a trooper and I admire your perseverance during NAS. You do not settle...both in trying on everything available to you and during your selections on what to purchase. It can be so easy to just grab any ol' thing because it is on sale or because it fits, but you don't and it really shows in your well put together wardrobe. And Jonesy, you are too sweet to help Sveta during her shopping. What a great friend!
I went with a friend to NAS this weekend for a few hours. And she kept me from purchasing an orange moto jacket that would have eaten my whole NAS budget. It was a great jacket, but I don't have anything orange and she reminded me that for an investment purchase such as this, I should stick to a neutral before I purchase a bold color I may tire of in the future. Especially a color I never wear. Sometimes you just need that second voice during your shopping.
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Angie replied 11 years ago
WOW! What a day! I am in awe of the motivation and stamina.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Sveta. And at least you had fab Jonesy by your side! You are both AMAZING troopers and I'm sorry that it was a disappointing boot day. I hope that the Blondo's work out. They are out of your size, but they come in a wide width.
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rae replied 11 years ago
*whistles* What a day! I like your shopping style - now you can never wonder "what if." I am kind of amazed that the boots were too tall and gappy - weren't you worried they'd be too short and narrow? Now I don't feel so bad that boots gap on me so often.
Well, it is only the start of the season - I hope you eventually find just the things you wanted!
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replied 11 years ago
Sveta, I adored your novel! I love hearing about shopping adventures. You did the hard work of trying everything on, and like Rae said, you won't be wondering about the boots you tried for the rest of the season and kicking yourself for not trying them. The python booties will be so fab on you, and I can't wait for Jonesy's post. What a pal!
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Heather replied 11 years ago
I love this thread!!!! Sveta, you are soooo sweet and thank you for sharing your NAS and your time with Jonesy with us.
Sveta, well done on being discerning!!!
Hugs to you and Jonesy!
p.s. Jonesy, what did you score at the Madewell?!
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Jem replied 11 years ago
Thanks for the great post! I love the pictures, you both look great! Sorry you didn't have better luck with boot shopping, but I'm glad you had fun and that the python booties worked out!
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kellygirl replied 11 years ago
Troopers x 2! You guys are awesome shoppers :)
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MNsara replied 11 years ago
YES, what troopers you both are -- and hubby too!!
It might not have scored the exact boots you hoped for, but it sounds like you're honing in on knowing your feet and the brands out there. Each attempt might get a little easier, more successful. . .
The python booties are a pretty nice consolation prize though!
Now to await Jonesy's pics too ;-)
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Scarlet replied 11 years ago
Sorry that you didn't find all that you were looking for, but I sure enjoyed reading about your adventure and seeing the pics!
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Laura replied 11 years ago
I am so glad that you managed to score the footwear that you did - and I want to see what made Jonesy's heart flutter at Madewell. I guess shopping expeditions like this are what friends are for.
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Marigold replied 11 years ago
What a day! I remember reading about your NAS adventures last year ;), sorry the tall boots didn't work out, but I suppose every eliminated pair puts you closer to the perfect boot that's out there, I'm sure!
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Ginny replied 11 years ago
good for you for hanging tough!! and finding some great items, Jonsey!, what a great shopping buddy!!!
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Sveta replied 11 years ago
Lisa, that orange moto is gorgeous but I agree that may be not the easiest color to wear - especially when you have cool coloring.
Rae, that was exactly what I worried about - the calf being too narrow. 5 years ago all boots were too tight in the calf for me and not they are all too wide!
Yep, my hubby was a real trooper again this year. I really hate to drag him to the stores because I know how he dislikes them but I just feel more comfortable crossing the border not on my own and he is so sweet to go with me and never reproach me for spending so much time there. I may have not scored with boots this time but I definitely scored with my sweetie all those years ago! :-)
I will not divulge Jonesy's bounty and let her do it herself. You will have to live in suspense a bit longer! :-) -
Jonesy replied 11 years ago
These pictures are hilarious! I especially love the ones where it seems like we are engaged in some deep debate :).
I can vouch for how sweet and nice Sveta's hubby is! And I have to add that my job was very easy--I essentially just sat there and made comments once in a while! It was a very easy gig :). Sveta had it rough, trying on pair after pair of ill-fitting boots. Pics of my Madewell purchases below (also got a fab black and white striped skirt, not shown) if anyone is interested.
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Jaime replied 11 years ago
Sveta, you are so disciplined! I would have a hard time turning away so many shoes after travelling so far. Jonesy you are a trooper and we are very interested in your purchases and waiting to see them in action.
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Parsley replied 11 years ago
That makes sense about the AGLs, Sveta. I have narrow feet, so maybe the ones that work for me aren't likely to be good for you unless they come in a wide width. Darn!
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Vicki replied 11 years ago
What a precious day of friendship and shopping in these amazing photos, Sveta, and I'm so happy the SW ballet flats worked out for you. That photo proves it! Plus, I know what you're talking about when it comes to bunions. You will have lots of fun with the SE boots, too, I'm sure, and I commend you on your determined shopping extravaganza and Jonesy's steadfast loyalty to be at your side.
