It snowed again today. I like snow, (when I’m not driving in it…which I was) and I have lived in the Northeast my whole life. But the thing is, I don’t own snow boots. Or cold-weather boots. Or outdoor boots of any kind. So for the first snow yesterday I wore leather boots. With three inch heels. Not the most appropriate footwear, I admit.

This drives Michael nuts. When we met I was an 18 year old college freshman walking around New England wearing sweatshirts in the rain (plus an umbrella!) and sneakers in the snow. After about a year of dating and countless fits of exasperation from him (”You live in New England! You walk to class! You need a raincoat and boots!”) he finally convinced me to buy a suitable jacket to wear in the rain. But boots? Not so much.

I know what you’re thinking. How can someone who loves shoes so much not own a pair of boots? Well, I own boots. Cute boots. With heels. In lovely shades of blacks and browns. I just can’t jump on board with snow boots. I’ve tried, I really have. I’ve looked at everything from Uggs to L.L. Bean. They just seem so clunky and unattractive.

This has always been a problem. Back in middle school I used to wear my snow boots to the bus stop and change them as soon as I got on the bus. They’d sit in my locker all day until I put them back on right before getting off the bus in the afternoon. That way it looked like I wore them, just like I was supposed to. (Hi, Mom!)

I realize that it’s time to bite the bullet and buy a pair of boots I can wear in the ice and snow. I just don’t want to look like I’m a lumberjack or a Muppet with oval feet.

I am open to suggestion. Help me, please.