SHOPPING: It may still feel like summer, but at least the boots are out in stores!

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, it was refreshing to see a nice selection of boots on display at our local Marshall's and TJ Maxx stores last week.  Both stores I visited had boots in boxes, with a sample on display above the boxes.  Unfortunately, the TJ Maxx display was fairly unorganized and more difficult to shop than Marshall's.  As someone who doesn't normally store boots in boxes (except the few pairs of higher-end boots I own), I miss the old days when these stores used to just display pairs of boots out in the open, whether by standing them on shelves or hanging them from a rack.  Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you've found the perfect pair in your size only to open the box and find it's the wrong color or style.  However, there is something to be said for that lovely leather aroma which wafts out when you open the box!

Back to what was on display at Marshall's and TJ Maxx, it's obvious that riding-style boots and other knee-high boots with flat heels will continue to be a big trend again this season (even Costco is carrying this style!).  Of course, I tend to gravitate toward the heeled boots, and the ones that caught my attention at both Marshall's and TJ Maxx were the Michael Kors "Lesly" boots for $179.99.  A little pricey for these stores, especially considering that I'm seeing similar prices online.  Although I've never been a flat of platform soles, I do like the stacked heels on these.  I found some photos of the boots being very nicely modeled on the My Style Snapshot blog.  I'd like to find a pair of great stacked heel boots this season, but something a little more conservative like these gorgeous vintage Anne Klein boots currently listed on eBay (if they were anywhere near my size, I'd have snapped them up for sure!).

Marshall's also had some nice Ralph Lauren black leather dress boots with fairly conservative spiked heels.  I didn't catch the price, but I'm always a sucker for a nice pair of black leather dress boots!

Here's to cooler weather coming soon so that we can really start appreciating this season's boots!

SHOPPING: Wow, Costco is selling boots!!!

Attention, Costco shoppers...Costco.com is carrying some very nice Kenneth Cole New York black leather riding boots for $99.99 with free shipping.

Want to try them on first?  Hopefully, your local store is carrying these like ours is!  Our local store had a very nice display of these boots near the front entrance yesterday with $10 off for $89.99.  I'm not used to Costco carrying fashion boots, or dressy shoes of any kind for that matter, so this was a very pleasant surprise.  Judging from the customer activity around the display, these will be a very popular item for Costco. I can see pairing these with skinny jeans and long skirts.

Also, these boots were displayed next to some Ugg-style boots.  I've never been a fan of Uggs (short for UGLY, I say!), so having these displayed next to them made the dressy Kenneth Cole boots look that much better!