Is It Me Or Is It Them?

Just what is going on?!

Is it me or is it Gabor?

Well, I have no idea to be honest, but I'm on the case.  I realise you need some back story before I tell you just where my case is right now.

You see, I happen to have a bit of a thing about Gabor boots.  Some of you have noticed this. 
I have two pairs of knee boots, brown and black, which I have had for 15 years and which have never been repaired and which still look amazingly good and which still feel beautifully comfortable.  That's how good Gabor boots are.

The knee boots were my intro to Gabor, my foot in the door, so to speak (pun totally intended and even it it weren't, I'd still take credit for it!).

I have a pair of black nubuck Gabor heeled ankle boots, which you see a lot on my blog in winter.  They look good with everything, jeans and trousers, skirts and dresses.  And I can tramp around cities' hard pavements for whole days in these and not feel a thing.   But they are quite old now and aren't cleaning up so well any more. 
Apropos cleaning nubuck, do any of you lovely ladies (and gentlemen, of course) have any magical tricks for cleaning nubuck that you can share?

So, magic aside, I am on the hunt for some replacement black ankle boots.  Leather, so's I can polish them up ... or get someone to do that for me :-).  Some low-heel grey ankle boots would be nice too!

I started my search back here in life-less-tailored, lusting after boots that don't fit my now-lifestyle but resigning myself to the more practical boot choice.
Then the lovely Laurie of Vanity and Me only went and taunted me with these Amien beauties below, reminding me that I'd been "stalking" them online for some weeks.

So what's a girl to do?  Yup, I got on to my fave shoe site, Charles Clinkard and moments later I awoke from my reverie with not just these lusted-after Amien boots but several other pairs.  Well, a girl wants to get value for her postage, eh?

So, Amiens are the boots that got my boot buying ball rolling. 

Then wanting some mid heels greys, Soleros joined my order.

Then reminding myself that the nubucks need a newer mate,  v. similar Polyannas joined the gang.

And Enfield made this a gang of four.

I ordered all four in my regular size, same as my other Gabor boots. Charles Clinkard delivered them quickly and smartly, as they always do.  Such a good service.

So what happened at try on?  You tell me.

Amien just about managed to get on my foot but was unwearably tight.

Solero failed to get on my foot, despite me using a shoe horn.

I so wanted the leather Polyanna to fit. Managed to squeeze myself in but soooo tight.

Good old Enfield fitted perfectly and my feet just slide into them.

NB: when I struggle or am plain unsuccessful getting into the boot, it's always with the left shoe though I've compared my two feet and they look the same.  The back inner heel seems to collapse inward.

So, should I be thinking that 1 out of 4 ain't bad?

Has this happened to you?  Your favoured brand suddenly not fitting?

I'd love to hear from you on this as I'm starting to think something awful has happened to my feet.

So has Gabor really changed their sizing or style of boot opening?

Or is it me?   Does shoe size increase with age?

Well, I do love Gabor boots and this lady is not for turning any time soon, so I'm going to size up.  That's where my case is right now.

But I'm just a bit confused from this whole trying on session. 

You see,  I had no trouble sliding into these Jones taupe coloured boots in my regular size (from a recently Jones sale).

Same thing with these grey higher heeled, picked up for a song in a Debenhams sale.

So, I just seem to be struggling with the style or sizing of Gabors. 

And finally, I'd sure like to be fraternising with these babes by Carvela, but at £150 that is not going to happen. Well, perhaps I should qualify that with "... any time soon". 

For, There's Always Tomorrow.  Or the January sales!

A la perchoine.



These Boots Are Made For Battling

The Sussex town of Battle is built on the area where the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066.   Battle Abbey was built on the site of the actual battle where 7,000 poor souls lost their lives.   William the Conqueror built it as a penance.  This is what remains.

A moment's thought.

Moving on -

M&S jumper, grey relaxed skinnies and scarf from Next.

A very simple weekend look.

And here's DF entering into the spirit of this blog!

Wearing top to toe in navy from Charles Voegele in Holland, the top is beautifully loose and lacy, and ideal for layering in winter and keeping cooler when wearing it in summer.

I hope to pick up a few new things whilst I'm over here.  I'm so looking forward to finally showcasing something new for you!  Ideally I would like to find a few nice layers and some transitional shoes as ... da da daaahh, I only brought over the boots I travelled in.  

Yes.  Really!  

These poor Gabors are having to fit in with each day's outfit and they are putting up a brave battle but I have to find them some backup pdq.  My obvious first port of call was Clarks, as I have become a big fan in recent years.  I was, however,  disappointed with what they had on offer when I did a little reccie this week.

   I came away empty-handed, probably because between-season shopping is just setting oneself up for failure. 

Hey ho, onwards and upwards, I'm sure something will turn up next week ...

Blowin' in the Wind!

But back to the town of Battle which is pretty, filled to the gunnels with beautiful houses and an interesting mix of architecture, tempting restaurants and shops 

... and lots of Ye Olde Tea Shoppes where wonderful cakes are served!  Yum!

There are some nice housey shops - and here are some Easter bunnies scampering around on the furniture! I like the upcycled cupboard in this window display, I'd like to give that style a try.

And what better way is there to round off a day of mooching in an old English town?

Yup, pub  fish and chips!

A la perchoine.