Part of my daily routine in the winter is something that I like to kindly refer to as “The Swap“. What is this you ask? Well, it didn’t start or become necessary until I moved to the city. I spent a majority of my life cruisin’ around from place to place and door to door not realizing that you actually have to walk places. In the snow. Or the rain. When your face feels like it’s going to fall off.
It was a rude awakening when I moved and no longer had a car (thus are the lack of seat warmers) and was welcomed to real, city life. Soon I figured out that it was not feasible to wear my stilettos to work everyday. I still do on occasion, especially if I have plans afterward, but I’ve had many an occasion of almost ruining shoes due to mother nature’s violent patterns and have learned my lesson. So I now exercise “The Swap”. All it means is I wear a sturdy and resilient pair of rain, snow or regular boots to guard, protect and warm my feet and when I get to work I take them off and shove them under my desk and make myself look like the baller who came to work in 4″ heels.
Kidding! No but really, it makes a huge difference in my book to not walk around all day in big clunky boots. I love rain and snow boots a lot actually – but I love being able to change into something more walkable. When I first learned about Tieks, I knew they were after my heart. I love heels and being able to bop around town and my favorite thing about them (other than the fact that they’re really comfortable.. the leather feels like butter) is that they can fold up and fit in your purse. Have I done it? Absolutely. I’ve actually been known to carry quite a few things in my secret Mary Poppins purses and flats are definitely one of them. The streets are still covered in water and ice and one wrong move and my foot would be submerged and frozen.. no thanks!
Although February is almost over and the big fuss of Valentine’s day seems a distant memory, there’s another big reason that the month is typically associated with the color red – it’s American Heart Month! I know I’m about to step it up big time in terms of working out in preparation for my trip to LA with the Nike Training Club in a few weeks, but it’s also a great way to keep your heart healthy. So put down the girl scout cookie, and go run around .. your heart will thank you.
SHOP THE LOOK (+ MORE OPTIONS)
Topshop cropped sweater (similar)  //  J.Crew Tartan button down shirt  (similar) //  Hudson ‘Nico’ black skinny jeans  //  Tieks in Cardinal Red (c/o) //  Burberry rain boots (similar)  //  Balenciaga bag (similar)  // UO Sunglasses (similar)  //  Topshop pom beanie (similar here and here)
Photos by Mary Graves
