Lisa Michelle Fashion, Shoes, Uncategorized

Minnetonka Double Fringe Tramper Boot Review

I have always been skeptical of moccasins; structurally they just don’t seem like they’d last very long or provide much support for everyday walking.Wow was I wrong. The Double Fringe Tramper Boot by Minnetonka  dispelled  most if not all of these fears. I picked these gems up at a small consignment shop for $18 unworn with the tags still attached, I can safely say I would never even glance at these if it weren’t for the amazing bargain (these boots usually retail for around $66 or $67 dollars…Yikes!). Whenever I get a new pair of shoes, especially those with radically different styles from what I am used to, I always walk a little around the house so I can see if there are any problems before using them outside. The first amazing quality of these boots is their comfort, these are easily some of the most comfortable shoes I can remember and for this reason alone I would consider shelling out more cash than I usually do for another pair. The rubber sole has almost a rounded cleat design that is both sturdy and feels fantastic, here’s an image:

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In addition to this great feature it also has easily the best insole that I have  ever worn. It feels like a cross between memory foam and a bouncy pillow, which combined with the outer sole is great for long walks on pavement or other unforgiving surfaces.

The outer structure of the boot also exceeded my expectations. What I would have thought to be thin and flimsy turned out to be quite warm and thick, making it a great choice for the cold autumn morning walk to work or school. The suede can be sprayed with protectant and cleaned easily with a gentle toothbrush if scuffed. Though it does come in five colors, I can’t imagine getting anything other than black or dusty brown purely  because they do not show signs of wear as easily as the lighter colors. The fringes add another layer of detail which look adorable with jeans or a skirt and the metal accents also give the boot a distinctive quality.

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Before buying these boots I would recommend trying them on first in stores before buying online through their website, purely because they tend to run on the narrower side. As a whole, these shoes were a great purchase; stylish, comfortable and versatile, the Minnetonka Double Fringe Tramper Boot is a must for any Fall collection.

Buy them here: https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/women/styles/boots/double-fringe-tramper-boot

Happy Shopping!

Lisa Michelle Fashion, Shoes

What To Know Before Buying Dr. Martens

Any fashion enthusiast knows them for their iconic yellow stitching and trademarked “Bouncing Soles”: Dr. Martens, a staple of London fashion since 1947. These boots were originally invented by and for Klaus Märtens, a WW2 doctor who had been injured during a skiing accident, he used soles fashioned out of rubber to simulate aerated Jeep tires, providing a more comfortable option than the standard issued combat boot. Since then the shoe has become popular across all spectrums of the fashion world, from bikers to punk rockers, the boot’s versatility and comfort knows no bounds. At first glance the shoe’s platform sole and blunt stitching can beckon the question all impulse shoppers fear: “What would I wear this with?”. Well the answer is … everything. In case you haven’t googled it by now or still don’t know what they look like, here is a picture of a pair of Dr. Martens boots:

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I have those exact shoes, and yes I do love them.

Though, before buying them I did my fair share of research (which you should do before slapping down $120 on any piece of clothing) and I heard horror stories about the “breaking in” process, ultimately delaying my eventual purchase about three months, for reference this was the article I read. Personally, I didn’t have any problem breaking them in, but two things I would recommend are to wear them around the house first or if you’re eager to get out there and walk around, wear thick socks.

Now back to that cringeworthy question; after experimenting a bit I found that my favorite outfits that incorporated the boots tended to be skinny jeans and high-waisted shorts with high socks. They are perfect for pretty much any fall outfit, and if you have some cash to spare they make them in some other fantastic colors. As for the “Bouncing Soles”, I have found that after a fair amount of wear the insole of the shoe tends to mold to the individual, creating a comfortable platform especially for walking on concrete. The thick soles are very forgiving, but as someone who is especially partial toward Vans and Converse, the extra weight of the shoe can take some getting used to.

If the one’s above don’t exactly suit your fancy, the brand offers many variations off of  the iconic style which also vary greatly in price, they can all be purchased on the Dr. Martens website here.

There are plenty of lookbooks out there that feature the immense versatility of this timeless boot at work, here are some styles from around the internet that I just had to share:

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As featured on  this wonderful website

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As seen on Pinterest

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Here’s an example of the maroon variation, as seen in Vogue Spain

These are just some examples of the endless styles that look amazing with a good pair of Docs, and despite the daunting pricetag to this day I don’t have a single regret about taking the plunge as these boots have become my go-to accessory to add a little edge to my daily look.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

Lisa

 

 

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair, Fashion, Lifestyle & Health, Uncategorized

Yes, You Should Buy That Knockoff Brand, Here’s Why:

 

 

The allure of the iconic brands like Ugg, Victoria’s Secret, and The North Face can be tempting for even the most fervent bargain shopper, but for those of you are interested in quality products at a third of the price, keep reading.

When one usually wants to buy a sexy piece of lingerie, Hanes isn’t the first brand they think of. Sure, its cheap and most of their products don’t look half bad; but what about a nice pair of pantyhose from Victoria’s Secret, right? They’re the made by the same factory. Specifically the pantyhose, which can cost almost half the price if purchased under the Hanes brand.

I used to be hooked on high end salon brand hair products, eventually I got tired of shelling out upwards of thirty dollars on serums and shampoos when I’d  eventually just end up drowning in empty bottles of Redken and Paul Mitchell anyways. To get that mirror shine on a dime I started doing something so brilliantly simple I seriously regret not starting sooner-I started reading the ingredients on the back of the bottle. Every. Single. One. After reading the various hydroxypropyltrimonium’s and hexylene glycol’s I started to notice how identical most shampoos actually are. I found out that one of my go to brands, Paul Mitchell, uses the identical formula as the Harmon discount “Awapuhi Botanical shampoo”, the only difference being that the latter costs roughly half of the former…

There are some product brands that are virtually identical, like Emu and Ugg. Both are made in Australia and have virtually the same designs made out of the same materials. I did a blind try (basically mixed up the shoes and put them on without looking at the brand) at Nordstrom’s and ended up finding the Emus more comfortable, so I got those and saved my forty dollars. Basically the same situation with North Face and Columbia, when it’s below freezing outside I love the Columbia Women’s Varaluck™ III Long Down Jacket, right now on their website its about $130. A North Face coat of this ilk costs roughly between $270 and $340, and to be honest feels exactly the same.

In reality you wear clothes for you, if it makes you feel fabulous having a logo that comes with a price tag, go for it. However, if you just want to find quality products that are almost identical and won’t break your bank there are plenty of great options out there that should definitely be explored.

Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

Lisa Michelle Fashion

Casual Blues- 3/15/16

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What I’m Wearing Today: The Sweater is from Forever21, yes it is from the kids section,but it’s really warm  and hey, who can tell? The simple, blue, skinny jeans are from Garage, I love them even though they are usually a touch on the expensive side because I rarely have to cuff the bottoms when I wear flats. The riding boots are made by Khombu, I managed to snag this pair for $15 at a closing Sports Authority, but they are also available online. Here’s a better picture of the details below:

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Steal This Style:

Sweater-

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=boys&Category=boys-sale&ProductID=2000145998&VariantID=

Jeans-

http://www.garageclothing.com/us/california-blue-jegging/p/prod990021

Boots-

http://www.bfads.net/Item/Sports-Authority-Black-Friday-Khombu-Womens-Riding-Boots/153063