Sorel 'Caribou' boots in 'buff' / via ASOS spring sale 2012
(worn here with just seen olive green cords from Uniqlo, which I pretty much live in)

I didn't get around to writing one of those 'summing up 2012' posts yet, and it kinda seems like I've missed the boat a bit on that one now. To be honest though, I didn't really buy that much in 2012, so it would have been a rather short post explaining that no, I haven't finally found some self restraint, I've simply become poor. 

We awoke this morning to an unexpected blizzard raging outside of our window, which reminded me of one purchase that I do really want to share with you - the biggest (and most expensive) one of the year, and possibly one of the most sensible buying decisions I've ever made in my life. Yes, big news folks. 

December 2011, during the midst of another harsh winter and after spending a few too many mornings shivering at the bus stop with damp socks, I decided that snow boots needed to be added to the top of my wishlist. Living in the UK, it's honestly not something I thought I would ever have cause to buy, but - thanks to Global Warming - we now seem to be suffering a good few months of snow and ice every year. I considered UGG/Bearpaw boots, but decided that I needed something waterproof. Wellies would be too cold, as would stomping boots extraordinaire Dr Martens. I wanted something with 'oompf'; something that would serve me right should the world as we know it end, plunging us all into a frozen post-apocalyptic wasteland not dissimilar to the one depicted in The Road. 

I considered Bean Boots and BOGS, but both are too difficult to come by here in the UK, and too expensive to import. 

I then turned my attention to Sorel. Purveyors of perfect winter footwear suitable for many a sub-zero climate, and worn by my favourite kick-ass police detective Marge Gunderson, aka Frances McDormand in Fargo (pictured to the right). Once I'd researched into them a little, nothing else would do, and - very very luckily - I snapped some up in the ASOS spring sale (2012) for only £60 (they retail at £150 full price). They arrived just as summer was beginning, so I had no cause to wear them right away. I ferreted them away in the bottom of my closet, peeking at them a few times and - forgetting how miserable the cold was, and not being able to imagine needing to wear such big serious boots - wondered why I'd bothered to buy them.

But winter came around again, and my god, was I thankful for these beauties when it did. I eagerly shed my puny sneakers/ballet pumps and, hurrah! warmth! They are 100% waterproof and incredibly toasty. I can wear them just with regular thin cotton socks, wade through icy slush all day, and my feet stay warm and dry. The huge eyelets are an excellent feature, making the boots easy to loosen or tighten depending on how much room you like around your ankles, or how bulky your trouser leg is. 

They are honestly amazing and I can't recommend them enough. I love that the boot liner is replaceable (or upgradeable, if you're going somewhere really cold), so that if they wear out I can get new ones instead of having to get a whole new pair. They're definitely the kind of great quality item which would be worth investing in having mended too, should the leather/rubber outer ever become damaged. Although I bought mine at a reduced price, I've concluded that they would definitely be worth the full £150, and I would pay that in future should I ever need to replace them. 

P.S. They also got a great review on one of my favourite blogs,  les anti-modernes*