The Freelance Fashionista is going to NYC!

So, for the last six months, my husband has gone out of town three times. The first time, he was gone for a month. The second, he was gone for a week. The third time, he was gone for a weekend. Now, the fourth time is creeping up on me- another week alone with a one-year-old, three dogs, freelance projects, and school. Oh, and let us not forget that thing I call A JOB. Needless to say, I'm getting tired and weary of having a lack of excitement in my life.

Enter my decision: I AM GOING TO NEW YORK CITY!!

Ah yes, no finer place in the world for a Fashionista like myself. Boutiques and shops, museums and street vendors. Oh the heaven I will be in! Oh, and have I mentioned the free room and board part? Alas, I have connections in the City that Never Sleeps. Now if only I had connections in the airline industry. Sigh...

I cannot wait to get to the city... to experience the glitz and the galmour. I want to eat muffins from the Magnolia Bakery and hunt for the fashion-forward celebs I worship. Of course, I won't spend my entire trip coasting from shop to shop. I will go see Ground Zero. I will go see the Met. I will explore SoHo and admire the architecture of Bloomingdales. Make no mistake, I have a true plan; however, I reserve the right to abort my educational mission in pursuit of Tiffany beans and Gucci handbags.

Heaven indeed! Watch out Manhattan, the Freelance Fashionista is about to take over. Tourist watch out- I will not hesitate to run you over if I see the word "SALE" on a store front window. Taxi drivers, be prepared- this mama has no reservations about making you wait at the curb while she satisfies her addiction for cashmere. My Michael Kors Shoreham boots will be getting a workout! Oh Mr. Kors, how I adore you! You've designed your footwear with the shopping-addict in mind!

Oh... and to my current and future clients... mama needs a new pair of Michael Kors. So bring the projects on!

Footwear Fashionista, Part I - Autumn is Here!

Ah, Autumn. The perfect time of year! Yes, we all know the weather is beautiful, the trees are changing colors, and the days are getting shorter. Frankly, who cares? Autumn means one thing and one thing only to this fashionista- a new Fall Wardrobe!

If there is one thing I absolutely cannot wait for throughout the Summer months, it's being able to slip into a gorgeous pair of boots! Sure, warm weather is fabulous for flip-flops, espadrilles and peep-toes. I love these shoes just as much as the next fashionista; however, nothing beats slipping your feet into the pefect pair of boots or ballet flats. Why? It's simple:

No longer do you have to worry about whether or not your toes are pedicured. No longer do you have to check for chipped nail polish or change the color to match your outfit. Cooler weather means being able to hide those toes inside a fabulous pair of close-toed pumps, flats, or (my personal favorite) boots. This Fall is gearing up to be a great season for fashion! If you are a fashion-forward fashionista, listen up!

If there is one staple you should have in your wardrobe this season, it's a good pair of boots. Now, by "good" I don't necessarily mean high-end or expensive. If you've read my "Frugal Fashionista" segments, you'll understand that I look for bargains. I do not expect anything less of my readers. If you can afford to pay full price for a pair of Marc Jacobs pumps, good for you honey! For the rest of us, finding the perfect pair of boots, pumps, flats, sling backs, wedges, or the like, can be an adventure. Have no fear! You can be at the top of your game in the Footwear Fashion department; you just have to be smart.

Now, back to the boots! Boots are my favorite Autumn item. Boots can be dressed up or dressed down, as long as they are the right boots. Let me make a few suggestions as to what boots to keep in your sights for the season:

Riding style or Equestrian style boots are where it's at this season. These boots hit higher up on the leg than a standard boot (generally designed to protect a horseback rider's legs) and have loads of fashion potential. Some of my absolute favorite Equestrian style boots are a design of one of my personal favorites: Steve Madden. The Briee style boots hit high on the leg but maintain a feminine shape with the slim rounded-toe, and needle stitching details. These brown beauties would look wonderful with a pair of boot cut jeans or a sweater dress. Note: if you are aiming for a sexier look, don't pair these boots with a dress! The Briee style boots are geared more towards casual attire. We'll get to the "sexy" a little bit later.

Another Equestrian style design can be found at Nine West. These brown, suede boots (known as the Buck Up design) will hit just below the knee and look fabulous with a casual dress, jeans, or even leggings. The flat sole and stacked heel are made for a comfortable fit but give these boots a unique flare.

Obviously, high cuts are adorable. I could spend all day listing and demonstrating different types of casual, knee high boots that would fit the taste of any trend-setting fashionista; however, I have a few more styles to cover first! Let's move on to a personal favorite of mine (also seen in my "Frugal Fashionista" segment): the ankle boot! I absolutely love ankle boots. They can be paired (of course) with jeans, but one thing many people don't realize is the huge potential these boots have when it comes to skirts, dresses, and leggings! The feminine shape, the cut on the leg, and often the material, make this boot style the perfect accent to almost any outfit!

The boots I am about to present are a new addition to my personal wardrobe. I cannot wait to get my feet into these gorgeous girls! The first ankle boot I will cover are a creation of the great Steve Madden. These Trishia style suede ankle boots are too sexy for words! The brown suede details and the wood-like, stacked platform heels of these shoes are the perfect Fall staple. Boots like these can be worn easily with a pair of jeans (boot-cut or skinny), a casual dress or skirt, and with leggings. And at $59.97 on Gotham City Online, these boots are sure to go fast!

 If you're looking for a more fun, fiesty, sexy look, then you may want to check out the Hessa style boots by Jessica Simpson. This boot is almost the hybrid of the Trishia ankle boots and the Briee Equestrian boots by Steve Madden. The beautiful brown suedge climbs up to just below the knee and is accented by an extremely feminine whipstitch bow. The pointed toe and stilleto heels on these boots will make for one sexy staple for your dress, skirt, or even your jeans. Jessica Simpson knows her stuff when it comes to her shoe designs!

 The final boot style I am going to cover is probably the most fun boot in the entire gamit that I have covered. The design is daring, the details are sexy, and the price is just right. I'm talking about the Westside style by Baby Phat. These boots are fun- there is no denying it. The rhinestone embelishments, leopard print core, and the whipstitch details on these babies will make your feet the topic of conversation all night long. Kimora Lee Simmons is an urban icon when it comes to design and fashion. Although I do not frequently purchase Baby Phat products (they just aren't my norm), I love her and what she does with design! Totally daring, totally sexy, and totally chic.

As I said before, I could spend all day talking about boots, boots, boots, and more boots! I have yet to cover every possible clothing combination, boot material, color, and fashion out there; however, I have many more shoe styles to cover and only so much storage space to work with! Check back soon for the next installment of the Footwear Fashionista- we're just getting started!

(Please note: all related photos are featured to the side of this article. Image placement within the text of this article would have depleted the detailing of the boots, defeating the purpose!)

About the Freelance Fashionista

The Freelance Fashionista is a freelance writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a mother, a student, a full-time copywriter and HTML designer for an investment company, and is in the process of starting her own career consulting business.

The Freelance Fashionista (AKA Mel DiMarco) has an addiction to fashion, celebrity gossip, style, and of course, writing. She resides in the westside of Cincinnati with her husband and son.