It's my birthday and I'll buy shoes if I want to

On the weekend, Mom needed to do a little Christmas shopping. She hates the mall, so she brought me along as buffer.

While we were out, she thought we should pick out something for my birthday, too. I suggested clothing, but my favourite stores didn't offer up anything I was overly interested in (okay, there was one beautiful pleated grey skirt, but it was way over priced - I'll wait for the after-Christmas sales)

I mentioned that I could use a new pair of brown boots. We found a pair at Payless that were cute, but I remembered I had a 30% off coupon at home - and I didn't want her to pay full price when that coupon was kicking around.

On our way out of the mall, we walked through Sears, where I came across a beautiful (and oddly enough - practical) pair of brown suede boots - on sale 50% off! Sadly, they didn't have my size.

So,  Mom dropped me off at home and handed me some money to get the boots at Payless with my coupon. But all night, I kept thinking about those boots at Sears....

So I hit a couple of Sears after work (there are three on my way home... I really do drive too far for work). The first one had them, but only in black.

I was so excited when I found them at the second Sears... only to be disappointed when they wouldn't zip over my calf (I'll save my rant for calf-length boots made for stick legs on another day...)

Dejected I drove home. I could've hit Payless, but I just wasn't in the mood any more.

But Tuesday night, after a late evening at the office, I needed some retail therapy... and I still had Mom's money burning a hole in my pocket. The Sears right by my office is closing - EVERYTHING MUST GO, as the signs said. Which meant 40% off the lowest marked price - most of the stock already on clearance... and you know how I love a good deal....

I didn't find any brown boots.....but I did find these....

.... how could I resist? Thank-you Mom!

....And no, before you say it - they aren't the same as the birthday shoes Dave bought me... those look like this...

And Herringbone is classic!