May your holiday be filled with love and happiness, and yes, maybe a horse or two :). We spent the days before Christmas with our buddies Chance and Ron, who didn’t complain that they got their presents a couple days early. A belly full of candy canes kept Ronnie from wanting to work ;). Today, after a big present-opening extravaganza, our tummies will be treated to a prime rib roast (Happy Christmas to me), some hot toddies and old-timey Christmas music. Nothing better.
Please share how you spend Christmas with your family (or post videos/pictures) in the comments – I love to hear different family traditions.
You know what I meant…those old black things that covered Grandpa’s shoes in the rain!! 😉
Anyway, Since the recent renaissance of Hunter, wellington boots have taken over the ubiquitous UGG boot for casually fashionable women, it girls and oh yeah, practical women’s rain gear. I love my Hunter boots, but I think it’s time for a migration to something different this year. The good old rubber boot has had some fun incarnations over the past couple of seasons, and this fall proves to be no different.
A wonderfully waterproof boot, with leather buckle details, it has space for a spur and a heel, so it has been approved for riding. Versatile, you can get them in navy or brown. A must have wellington boot for riders; great for a muck or a buck. Wear warm wellie socks and you don’t need much else for the colder weather until it’s really sub zero time.
Ariat Storm Stoppers Riding Wellington
Specialized sole of the Ariat Storm Stoppers
Built for comfort
Ariat also has the MUD BUSTER Tall Boot for a nice wellington option but not as saddle ready. There is room for a spur, but the tred isn’t as advanced as the Storm Stopper. It’s a more traditional wellington option, available for men and women and in hunter green, black and navy. $129.99
Ariat MudBusters Wellington Boot – can be worn to ride
For the more stylish wellie-lovers, I have to introduce the MoovBoot!
Not for heavy duty stall mucking, these are the Porches of the wellingtons. Shipped from Australia (orders over $150USD ship free), they come in a number of styles and heights. For those colder late fall days, they have a line of boots lined with 100%Australian merino. YUM. Sure to keep your feet warm and dry on even the dampest and slushiest of days. Great for you city girls looking for this year’s everyday boot trend.
MoovBoot Arena Luxe lined in 100% Austrialian Merino Sheepskin
MoovBoot Geo Classic – unlined
MoovBoot Snow Leopard – lined with 100% Austrialian Merino Sheepskin
MoovBoot Geo in Sunset – lined with 100% Austrialian Merino Sheepskin
For those of you looking for a regular wellington (not meant for riding), Joules makes some of the cutest around. Fun designs and different heights, they’ll be sure to have one that you or your little one will love.
Joules Horse Wellington
Joules Welliebob
Joules Horse Wellington
Whichever one you select, you are sure to be happy!
As the fall and winter weather rolls in, I’m reminded that I do not own a pair of rain boots. I typically alternate between my slUggs (slipper-like Uggs) to my super duper arctic fur-lined winters. I think I need to find a pair for the fall and spring when the slush and rain puddles are up to my ankles, but the weather isn’t so cold. I only have a budget for one pair, so I need to find some that are stylish enough for Soho but functional for the times I’m at the barn cleaning my tack and stepping in poop. I need to be able to rinse off the manure and jump in my car without too much residual slime…my husband likes a clean car (again, sorry dear).
Hunter Umbrella
I have a fun new Hunter Umbrella – it reminds me of the clear plastic one I had as a child – it’s great because I’m totally protected, but can see where I’m going on the streets. For some reason, New Yorkers love to either open ginormous golf umbrellas while exiting a crowded subway stair, or rest their umbrellas strategically on their heads so the little end spikes are at on-comers’ eye level. Probably some defense mechanism or complete obliviousness, but I digress….
I also have a navy blue Jules Horse Poncho for rainy days when I need to push my baby’s stroller and I need both hands free.
Joules Navy Horse Poncho
As I will be wearing all my rubber at once, I have to match. Here are my options:
Jules makes really cute wellies.. They have a sale on their “horsey” patterns, but I think with my poncho, this may over do it just a tad; a little too preppy for downtown.
Of course I LOVE the Hunter for J Mendel boots with muscrat fur and shearling. Boot bliss, but perhaps it’s a little decadent for doodoo.
Hunter Black for J Menel
I also adore the Burberry Shearling-Lined House Check Winter boots, but yet again, I digress from the practical side of my purchase….
Burberry Boots
Chooka makes a pretty wellie for a reasonable price. This pair is definitely in the running. The added contrasting color straps give this a little luxury.
Chooka Navy
Hmmm, maybe I can get a twofor…barn work with riding ability. The Green Rag Bone X Hunter Tall Boots seem to be okay for riding (heel, zipper on outside, tall). Again, they’re not cheap at $295, but if they double as a winter riding boot, that’s two in one. I’ll have to try them on to be sure.
Hunter Tall Boots
My last option is the good old Original Hunter Wellington. I love the silver – and added benefit of matching Annalise’s new little girl pair. Mommy and me wellies always win.
Fall this year is filled with red. I’m really feeling this trend because just about everyone looks amazing draped in this color. Valentino, Dior, Nina Ricci and Dolce and Gabbana all have fabulous frocks in crimson this fall, but who can afford such glamor? Not I, so I’ve been searching for items that are more affordable or perhaps just one featured red statement piece to carry me through the season. One beautiful red piece worn correctly will turn heads.
Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2013 Runway
Christian Dior Fall 2013
Antonio Marras Red Wine Riding Hat – $160
Banana Republic Graphic Stone Necklace – $79
Gap Cinnabar Red Leather Bag – $98
Hunter Red Bradwell Rubber Short Boots – $115
JCrew Cabernet Minni Pant – $118
Michael by Michael Kors Red Cowl Neck Dress
Red Ray Ban Aviators – $160
RGB Nail Polish in Classic Red – $18
Toms Pink Seasonal Slip Ons – $63
Uniqlo Natural Cella Birtwell T-Long Sleeve – $19
Styling note:
I still prefer mixing red with grey and camel colors, not necessarily black. You have to be quite careful mixing those two bold colors, done the wrong way, it’s just plain cheesy.
Also, pay attention to the undertones of the red you choose – some have more blue and some have more orange. Choose the wrong red undertones and you may wind up clashing with your skin tones. This is especially true for lipstick. For example, when I pick a more orangy-red, my teeth wind up looking more yellow. Ick.
Tack and Tweed Equestrian: The Love of Horses 