I've been on a journey toward self love this entire year as I seek to be brave and courageous and love myself well.
Part of that journey has included allowing myself to purchase a few clothing items that fit instead of wearing clothes that didn't or clothing that was stained and ripped or worn through. In doing that, I've stepped outside of my normal style picks and opted for some clothing that is flattering and fun and even fashionable.
Melissa and Brook, the founders of the Mom Style Files thought it would be fun to further my fashion by dressing me after I received a surprise pair of shoes from our favorite shoe company Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes.
When the Hotter box arrived at my doorstep, I was excited to see what was inside because the surprises that arrived on Melissa and Brook's doorsteps were adorable.
I secretly hoped Hotter would surprise me with the same pair as Melissa. Because seriously how cute are the jewel ballet flats in coral?
When mine arrived, I was a little ... unsure of how I was going to pull off such stylish and trendy shoes as the Laura shoes. But Brook had me covered.
And I even found that I could make this ultra trendy shoe my own when Melissa and I spent an hour sitting in front of YouTube trying to figure out how to tie the laces.
We may or may not have summoned her 9 year old to help us ... but we ended up with the beautiful Laura shoes ... only with a twist {or two}!
Want your own pair of Laura shoes? Right now they are on SUPER sale! Go score a pair while they are still available!
I've been working on building a wardrobe comprised of "classics" -- those timeless pieces that live through season and trend and carry on strong for a few years at a time {and through countless body morphings}
One basic I've been missing?
Black shoes.
My former black shoes bit the dust this past spring, and I've been in black shoe limbo ever since.
In contemplating a shoe to review from my favorite shoe company ever, Hotter Comfort Concept, I consulted my personal stylists, Melissa and Brook, from the Mom Style Files. Brook was gentle with me, and gave me a nudge in the right direction, and Melissa flat-out said I had to have a pair of black shoes and a pair of heels.
So I put together those two "suggestions," and I landed on the black Cheshire boot from the fall collection after a brief rendezvous with the Winter Boots, which didn't actually fit my feet but were painlessly and easily exchanged for the new boots.
And I'm so glad I did! When I slipped them onto my feet, they were everything I've come to expect from Hotter -- both comfortable and chic. The perfect combination -- so perfect it's hard to separate one aspect from another.
I love how the heals are high enough to give good lift, but not so high that I feel like I might take a tumble. Also, I'm so glad these boots stretch far up the calf.
Other features worth mentioning?
-I can put these babies on and wear them with no breaking-in period required.
-The material is extremely high quality, made of leather
-The inside of the boots in soft and stylish material.
-The width in the calves is forgiving and flexes easily between wearing thick wool socks and thin leggings.
Would you like to choose a pair of your own Hotter shoes? Hotter is generously giving away a pair of YOUR choice! Which one would you pick?
If there was as shoe love-bliss, I'd be swirling around in it.
I've said it before, and I'll stand firm in my comfy, chic Hotters as I say it again: hands down {feet happily planted?}, Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes shoes are by far my favorite duds to sport.
Love at first wear: Winter Taupe Jade Boots
Be it at a big conference in downtown Chicago where I'm on my feet all day but still want to rock a look or whether I'm chasing my boys through the park or parading them around town while running errands, I almost always first grab for a pair of my Hotters simply because they really are as comfortable as they are stylish.
This past weekend, I sported a leather pair of Winter Taupe Jade ankle boots to Bloggy Boot Camp Chicago, and only had to put me feet up twice the whole day.
and that was simply to snap a few pictures of these comfortable and stylish ladies!
Do you want a pair?
Hotter is graciously giving away a pair of YOUR CHOICE of shoes or boots! Simply enter below to have your name thrown into the giveaway.
And check back tomorrow for a special discount code if you'd like to just take my word for it and order yourself a pair of shoes or boots that are not only Hotter in terms of comfort and style but also when it comes to quality and longevity -- as I'm on my third year of wearing my first-ever pair of heavily-worn Hotter boots.
These lovely comfys are worth every single penny.
Disclaimer: No purchase necessary to enter, subject to availability of stock. I received a pair of Hotter Seville’s to assist in this review, no other compensation was received and opinions expressed are all my own. This is the same entry form as that at Peanut Butter in My Hair and Redhead Reverie. See Redhead Reverie for a full review of her Hotter shoes.
Past Hotter Reviews/Giveaways at Undercover Mother:
Now that mother nature has been busy redecorating the trees with lovely bursts of color and the prevailing winds have shifted toward sweeping in milder temperatures, I decided it was time to pack away the thick, cozy winter boots, coats and hats and do some redecorating of my own with a new spring wardrobe.
Because it's been such a tough winter for our family, I have been more than ready to welcome a new season filled with warmth and pretty colors both outside our front door and inside my closet.
Normally, I don't give myself permission to welcome a new season with a new wardrobe, but John and I decided it was necessary for me to buy new clothes if I want to go out into public, you know, clothed. Having lost around 25 pounds during this the past year, most of my old clothes now hang on my frame.
So we went shopping, and to say I had fun picking out new threads is an understatement. While I was super excited to offer a new home to these new clothes, I realized also that during my weight loss my feet scaled down a size, so new shoes were in order, too.
Oh, darn. I'd said to John, trying to disguise a sly smile. I guess new shoes are in order, too.
After having fallen in love last fall with a pair of soft gray Pixie boots from Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes, I headed straight to the Hotter site and began drooling over the spring line of shoes, searching for a pair that would easily carry me from an afternoon spent at the park straight into date night with just the quick change of a shirt and jewelry.
Because I know from experience that Hotter shoes are extremely comfortable, I browsed all different styles, not shying away from heels. {I broke up with hellish-on-the-feet shoes last fall after discovering Hotter and finding shoes could be stylish and comfortable.} But once I spotted Damson Bliss Shoe, I knew I'd found a chic shoe that could easily transition from day-time to night-time wear.
When the Bliss shoes arrived, I immediately tried the pair on and found that my hunch was right; these lovely ladies could rock both the daytime t-shirts and the evening-wear knit sweaters in my spring wardrobe all while putting a little spring in my step.
Overall, I love my Hotter Bliss shoes; they definitely live up to both names. The quality is superb, and I love the intricate detail of the embroidered flower on the straps.
I do have to mention, though, that because these lovely ladies are worn without socks, I did spend an evening transitioning my feet into these warmer-weather shoes.
There were no killer blisters nor was there limping involved, but I had a tender spot by my heel and near my toes during that first jaunt out in the Bliss. After that initial wear, however, the Bliss have provided the comfort level I expect from Hotter shoes.
Do you need hotter shoes than what you're currently sporting for your spring wardrobe?
Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes has graciously has offered to give away one pair of shoes to one of my friends here AND to one person who matches a pair of Hotter shoes to our favorite spring outfits posted daily on the Hotter Facebook page this week! {How awesome is that?!}
CHECK OUT TODAY'S OUTFIT AND MATCH A PAIR OF HOTTER SHOES by simply placing a link with your shoe choice beneath the outfit on their facebook page!
And to be entered into the contest here, simply click on the Rafflecopter entry form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Trust my review and just want to order a pair of Hotter shoes {or provide hubby with a highly appealing Christmas hint}? Here's a 10 percent off coupon code provided by Hotter for new customers and free p&p on the first order valid through April 23, 2012: PFAUSB
Disclosure: I only work with brands I absolutely love and respect; it's a pleasure to review my second pair of high-quality Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes. Hotter provided me with the Bliss shoes for review. As always, all opinions are my own, and I only share products that we actually use in our own home.
**Random.org chose Une Autre Mere as the winner! Congratulations!**
A few years ago, for the first time ever, I experienced love-at-first-site bliss -- with a pair of extremely chic red leather high-heeled boots.
The first time I wore them, I felt beyond stylish strutting around the city on a date with my hubby.
Those boots were hot.
But they killed my feet and have remained hot in my closet ever since.
I know -- it pretty much defeats the purpose of having cute boots when they better decorate the inside of your dressing area than your feet.
Since then, I've sacrificed beauty in favor of comfort, rarely finding shoes where the two elements blend.
And then, a few months ago, Melissa was introduced to Hotter Comfort Concept, a shoe company that has deep roots in the UK but is just now expanding into North America.
Hotter offered to send Melissa, Sarah and I each a pair of shoes to try and see if they lived up to the Hotter promise: ultimate comfort combined with beautiful style.
So I picked a pair of boots -- mostly because I really want to wear boots but I've been scared to buy another pair after my red-heeled debacle.
The day my Hotter boots arrived -- soft suede ankle boots named Pixie in soft gray -- I tore open the box, and they were, indeed, hot.
But I knew: looks weren't everything.
I immediately put them on, intent on putting them to the ultimate test right away -- a walk to the park with my boys.
I wasn't going to let myself get attached to these beautiful boots if I couldn't, you know, wear them. {Because, my red boots don't need a life partner as they look beautiful in my closet.}
After we returned from our romp around the park, I knew how these boots got their name: they very apparently are Hotter because you can actually wear them comfortably without forfeiting beauty.
And for a woman who refuses to walk around limping after wearing a pair of cute shoes, Hotter shoes haven't just found a space in my closet, they've found a permanent home on my soles -- I've worn them nearly every day for more than a month.
My only suggestion? Buy your normal size rather than relying on the company's print-out size guide. I ordered a size nine rather than my normal eight and a half because of the size guide {which hubby helped me print, put together and use, so I'm pretty sure I measured correctly}, and I found the boots a smidge too big.
I decided to keep the shoes because with boots I often wear heavier socks as the air cools, and I'm very pleased with the fit. {However, with shoes, I probably would have had to exchange for the smaller size. Though, with Hotter, the exchange seemed like it would have been painless and easy, as a return slip with shipping label was included.}
Do you need hotter shoes than what you're currently sporting?
Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes has graciously has offered to give away a pair of shoes to one of my friends here! {How awesome is that?!}
To gain an entry, simply tell visit the Hotter shoes site, and share which ones you'd pick {don't forget the color!}
For extra entries {make sure to leave a comment for each one completed}, you can: *Like Hotter on Facebook *Tweet: I want my feet to look chic AND feel comfortable, so I'm hoping to win a pair of @HotterShoes from @HyacynthW. {include link: http://www.undercovermother.net/2010/11/rave-hotter-comfort-concept-shoes-live.html} *Facebook post: I want my feet to look chic and comfortable, so I'm hoping to win a pair of @HotterComfortConceptShoest from @UndercoverMother. {include link: http://www.undercovermother.net/2010/11/rave-hotter-comfort-concept-shoes-live.html}
Trust my review and just want to order a pair of Hotter shoes {or provide hubby with a highly appealing Christmas hint}? Here's a 10 percent off coupon code provided by Hotter valid through Feb. 1, 2011: USABLG
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Entries must be in by Friday, Nov. 12 at noon CST. Winner chosen by Random.org.
