Getting Your Boots In Gear

If you do not have your Carnival boots by now you are not only a procrastinator but you are probably facing the fact that Sizes and Styles are SOLD OUT! It is amazing but currently the pickings are slim if you are boot shopping and especially if you are looking for coloured boots. 

Carnival Basics and Carnival Kicks are still advertising availability of boots so check them out if you are still in the process of looking for boots. Carnival Basics has updated their inventory and Carnival Kicks is offering free shipping and Mas Camp pick up:

And if you are looking for someone to decorate your boots, Nicey's Custom Designs is still taking orders, prices and website listed below:

TnT Carnival Rates (prices in USD
(for those living abroad, SHIPPING IS NOT INCLUDED)

SANDALS:
A) Basic - $40 - spray paint (if necessary), rhinestones and basic trim elaborately placed on each pair.

B) Feathers - $55 - spray paint (if necessary), rhinestones, basic trim, and feathers elaborately placed on each pair.

C) BLINGED OUT: $75 - spray paint (if necessary) and rhinestones (of different sizes) elaborately placed on each pair.

SNEAKERS AND BOOTIES:
A) Basic: $60 each - spray paint (if necessary), rhinestones and basic trim elaborately placed on each pair.

B) Feathers: $75 each - spray paint (if necessary), rhinestones, basic trim, and feathers elaborately placed on each pair.

C) BLINGED OUT: $95 EACH - spray paint (if necessary) and rhinestones (of different sizes) elaborately placed on each pair.

BOOTS:
A) Basic: $80 each - spray paint (if needed), rhinestones (or other stones depending on the costume) and basic trim.

B) Feathers: $100 each - spray paint (if needed), rhinestones (or other stones depending on the costume), trim and feathers elaborately placed on each pair.

C) BLINGED OUT: $125 EACH - spray paint (if needed), rhinestones (or other stones depending on the costume) elaborately placed on each pair.

For more info, check out:

http://www.niecyscustomdesigns.biz

My boots review

Last year I had customized boots made by Natalie, and owing to the fact that I got the wrong foot measured they were so uncomfortable on Carnival Monday that I had to resort to sneakers on Tuesday. This year I decided to buy my boots online, and found a very cheap pair at Amazon.com for $15.00US, with shipping it came up to just over $20.00. The only issue I had was with the fur, but that I easily removed, which left the boot very comfortable as it was not fur lined inside.

The heel was perfect; a wedge of just 1 inch, and the boot on the whole was extremely comfortable. I had bought these boots my exact size, and was worried they would be too small for insoles. Thankfully I did not need to use the insoles as they fit very well, and I just wore socks on Monday and my feet were not sore, aching or cramping at all. In hindsight I would advise anyone to buy your boots a size bigger in the event that you do need insoles.

A few weeks before Carnival, while planning my Monday wear I decided to get another pair of boots for Tuesday, that pair I bought at shoeocean.com and the price was $25.00. Those boots were shipped to a friend who brought them for me as she was coming to Trinidad for Carnival. My Tuesday boots were also flat, with a 1 inch heel, I got those one size bigger and used the Dr Scholls Heel and Boot insole, I felt as if I was walking on cushions, they were SO comfy! Those insoles were a Godsend as I did a lot of walking on Tuesday!

My Monday boots I decorated myself since I figured I would not be in costume anyway, and my Tuesday boots Afro Chic decorated as I wanted a very good job done and a boot that was not ostentatious in decorations as my costume was elaborate enough. When I decorate I really have no limit on what I will put on my boots! I think my Monday boots looked great, never mind I only used ONE can of silver spray paint and not two as Afro Chic advised, I was being frugal as my Carnival extras spending was steadily mounting up! Of course if these were my Tuesday boots I would have handed them over to Afro Chic as she is an expert in spray painting!!

These are how my Monday boots turned out:

Original boot with fur & without the fur,which I removed :


After, spray painted & decorated:


Finished boot with Swans Down


On the Road!

The decorations on my boots lasted all day for the most part, I am missing one or two gems. These boots will be my footwear for 2009, God's willing, as they are now broken in good and proper. That saves me headache of having to find boots again! I noticed many, many, many ladies wore boots on the road and I was VERY happy to see that. My friend wore the flat, soft Ate Logo boots and said they were SUPER comfortable, not to mention they already came in gold/bronze. So, let me know how was your boot experience, if you tried them for the first time this year (or not); where did you buy your boots, the cost, how did you choose to decorate, comfort on the road, and will you do boots again or go back to sneakers, photographs are welcomed!

For photographs of my Tuesday boots visit Afro Chic’s FAB Carnival Footwear page on facebook, and you can also check out examples of footwear she did for other masqueraders on her Fab Boots blog. I predict next year she will be swamped with orders, especially for the customized sneakers, so you guys better get your foot in the door early!

Carnival Websites to Note

Though Carnival is 5 months and 24 days away (whose counting?) I suggest that you bookmark these two blogs for future reference.

Yesterday the topic was footwear and the lady with the do it yourself boots, Afro Chic, has started a blog for boots and boots orders;Carnivalboots.blogspot.com. In addition to this website where in the future you will be able to order your custom made and decorated boots, she also has another site ticketmistress.blogspot.com where you can get your fete tickets! The latter blog I know will be extremely helpful to the foreigners who always need to source a ticket at the last minute!

Finally, with Carnival fast approaching and so many "nekkid" costumes on offer to masqueraders, the time is now to start the diet and workout plan. Though I have been quite lapse with participation, if you need motivation, tips or general support to reach your fitness goals for 2008 please join the "Carnival's Biggest Losers" group on yahoo.