These Boots are Actually Made for Walking

...And they're surprisingly hot! (And warm, and waterproof, and made in Canada...)

La Canadienne Dorina Boot

I know I've talked about this brand before - and it's gorgeous flagship store in Montreal - but I can't say enough about how much I love the brand.

I've owned two other pairs of (more rugged) La C boots that I literally ran into the ground. But it took 2 years before the waterproofing started to wear off and the weather took its toll. Not to mention my miles-a-day of walking.

Buying winter boots is a serious challenge for me a) because I live in Canada and it's freakin' cold here, b) because I walk a long distance every day, c) because I want something multi-purpose (for dresses or jeans), d) I have the skinniest calves I've ever seen on a real person and e) because I demand comfort. Fortunately, I'm not high enough to think I can do all that on a budget. And very fortunately, this brand inspires me to spend my hard-earned bucks.

I had a very amusing shopping experience this week when I purchased them at Brown's. I was staring approximately 500 styles of boots in the face, trying to figure out which ones wouldn't be completely useless or entirely ugly, when I came upon the Dorina's (pictured above). I asked to try them, and when the SA brought them out from the back, they were in their branded, La C box. (This is the point when suspected, if they fit and looked good, I was going to buy them.)

I tried them, they fit like a glove (well, with my mega-skinny calves they could be slightly more fitted but they'll be perfect with tucked-in skinny jeans and quite fine with tights) and they were comfy with a chic heel.

Note: La C's do fit slimly in the calf in some styles. Not slimly enough for me, but on some the calf is a challenge because it's too tight. And before someone suggests that skinny calves are a good thing, they are perfectly lovely to be sure (as are all working legs), but even more difficult than thick calves to fit into a winter boot. Cue gratitude that they were in stock, in my size and I liked 'em lots.

In the end I got the black (couldn't find a reasonably sized photo of those). They are more boring, to be sure, but more practical. And a girl's gotta be sort of practical when she's spending $300.00 on footwear. Apparently, the price has come down since last year, 30 bucks on this particular boot, likely because of current economic realities, so support Canada (no matter where you're from) because these boots are the real deal.

In Which K Discloses that She Can be a Total Bitch Sometimes

Believe it or not, I have not always been the magnanimous and delightful creature all of you in the 'sphere have come to know and love. I know that shocks you, so just play it cool.

Time was, I used to be rather snippy with people when they didn't meet my (entirely unknowable and/or unreasonable) expectations to a T. For example, if you said you'd, um, sweep the floor and then you did but you did a totally crappy (IMO) job, I'd complain that you had sucked out because you couldn't be bothered. And then you might retort with "But I did you a favour and, in my universe, this floor is clean." And I'd have come back with something like: A floor's not clean till you can eat off of it.

Occasionally, I was even extreme. You know when high expectation meets snitty entitlement? I kind of excelled at that...

So, just such an event occurred about 3 years ago when my husband (he of giftaphobia) decided to surprise me with this Canada Goose parka. Or one that looks more or less like it. In fact, the guy didn't just give me an $800.00 coat, he gave me 5 - one for each of my parents, one for himself and one for my daughter. We were all going to Quebec City (aka Santa's Village) for Xmas and he wanted to be sure we'd all be adequately warm to romp in the snow (between stops for booze and hot chocolate).

You'd think I would have swooned with love and gratitude at its receipt. Instead, the pre-Xmas handover went something like this:

Scott: I have a surprise for you. You're going to love it. One of my clients got me this excellent deal on these coats and were all going to be so toasty warm in QC. It's going to be fabulous.

Me: Are you talking about those insanely expensive puffy coats your client distributes?

Scott: Those are they.

Me: Um, ok. Let's see.

Scott: (With presentation fluorish) Voila!

Me: (Gasping) Um...

Scott: You like?

Me: (Blanching and sputtering) Do you honestly think I'm going to wear something that makes me look like a lifesized parcel? A fat parcel? Are you aware that this thing is actually fattening?? It makes me look, ah, fat. Take it back. I will never wear it. (Long pause, withering tone) Oh, but thanks. I appreciate the thought.

You should note, it was just at the advent of the puffer coat phenomenon we all take for granted now. So in fact, Scott was ahead of the style curve.

What happened after that is that he called me a total bitch - and some other words that aren't fit for a family blog - and threatened to pull out of the trip (albeit half-heartedly) and suggested divorce so that he could live a life with a woman who'd appreciate him (less half-heartedly) and - while I couldn't undo the past - I more believably apologized and actually brought the coat to QC. Like, to wear for the entire trip. 20 extra pounds be damned.

And, what I discovered on our magical, and miraculously non-conflict laden holiday, was that the coat was the warmest fucking thing on the entire fucking planet. Not that it should have surprised me, what with the brand's claim to fame being the production of parkas for all expeditions to the arctic. Next time you watch a documentary on seals, notice the parka that the scientist narrator is wearing...

I mean, I spent hours outside, loving the frigid cold air, taking in my surroundings with warm ears, oblivious to wind. And some cute French guys even checked me out.

Now we all wear puffers. You are looking as laden with faux 20 extra pounds in yours, as I am in mine. Of course, the skinny jean phenomenon has helped us all to retain some chic under the cirucmstances. And some chunky boots are practically de rigeur. But let's face it, the style is jolie-laide at best.

I haven't removed mine in approximately a month. It allows me to walk to work and back (2 hours a day) in whatever the weather (my La Canadienne's assist greatly). I am never chilled. I am not unduly laden by the weight of a full fur (heretofore my best alternative) or insanely bulky wool coat. I am truly grateful for the freedom it provides.

I owe my husband an eternal apology. I mean, even if the thing had sucked, my behaviour was hideous. So thank you Scottie for your foresight and generosity. I guess the coat has warmed my heart. Even as the wind kicks my ass.

Sometimes I Wonder About Me

On Sunday, just prior to the antihistimine high/low, we all went out for a midday stroll on College Street. For those of you unfamiliar with said thoroughfare, it's a trendy strip full of clubs, churrasquerias, fantastic ice cream (Dolce, anyone?), grocery stores (large and small) and boutiques.

One of these, Article 8, is entirely too youthful for the likes of me. (Let's call it as it is, shall we?) The place started out as a T-shirt textile printer and eventually morphed into a clothing store which sells dresses the size of Ts. Despite this, somehow I managed to walk out with a dress that doubles as a shirt (no joke). It's blouson with a tight, skirt-thick hem. And it's acid yellow. With a picture of a lady stencilled on in black. And some silver thrown in for good measure.

You know I'm going to have to take a photo of this, because it sounds too horrible to look at, much less buy. I promise, it's novel (if nothing else). And it's the kind of thing I can wear in the hottest weather because it's practically nonexistent. And ray repellant! With my red gladiator sandals I think I can just about pretend I'm 23 and bartending in the East Village...

Bridge(r) Line

It's a rare designer who interns for Vivienne Westwood and then teams with Lululemon (on its "fashion" offshoot Oqoqo), non? It's less rare, admittedly, for a Vancouverite to produce a brand known for "sustainability", as Ms. Bridger defines it, ethical and local manufacturing:

"We create designer clothing and the socially conscious thing is just how we think everyone should be living his or her lives. We use sustainable fabrics and strive to have a positive relationship with everyone who works to create our clothing. You can trust that we are doing whatever we can to make our garments and company as eco as we can, and are always looking for ways to do it better next season."

I am thrilled to tell you this line is manufactured exclusively in Canada. I'm less thrilled to say that you can't find it in stores in TO or Mtl. and, if you order it online, unless you link up with the design office directly, you have to purchase it in USD. Which is fine if you live in USD. (To its credit, the company will deal with you directly to order in CAD.)

I, for one, can see the merger of strict, London tailoring with relaxed, West Coast fabrics. And there are a number of pieces I could see myself wearing: a black shawl cardi, the paper bag skirt above. Gotta say, though, it's not inexpensive. (The grey dress pictured retails for $248.00 US .) I know, this is the price you pay to live ethically. But I can't help imagine that, if this line was available locally, at one of my hipster haunts, it would be the kind of place I'd go during the sales to scoop up a piece or two at a pricepoint that works better within the scope of my budget. I can think of a number of places in TO this line might fly...

One other thing I really like about this brand is its website modeling campaign. The women in the web stills are lovely and actually seem to have a layer of adipose tissue standing between them and their skeletons. It's like they work out a little and eat a little and their fertility is probably intact. How refreshing.