I rarely browse the clothing and shoe aisles when thrift shopping. It’s not fully intentional. I somehow always arrive 30 minutes to an hour before closing— in true “she’ll be late to her own funeral” fashion—, and browsing decor is my first and deepest love. But, I recently realized, or rather accepted, that my daily “today must be her laundry day” uniform can and must be shed in 2026.

So, during my last scavenger hunt, I left enough time to check out the shoe section. After trying on a few duds, I was about to call wraps on my otherwise successful trip when I spotted these boots. “That’s them,” I thought. “The perfect running errands shoes!” Laced-up leather at the grocery store is unexpected, I admit, but once the vision popped in my head, I couldan’t shake it. I held my breath as I slid my foot in: THEY FIT. In the cart they went, and to the moon my heart soared (yes, I was that happy lol).

Full transparency: I was nervous the first time I wore them. They looked great, were comfortable, and made me feel like a 30-something New Yorker conquering the boardroom by day and barhopping Tribeca by night. But still, I cocked my head in the mirror and asked myself if they were too much. Yes, I decided, they most certainly are… and I’m wearing them anyway :) Now that’s what I call growth.

<3 Taryn