The 42-year-old actress was spotted halfway around the world in her hometown Sydney, Australia:

Nicole Kidman arrives in Sydney with husband Keith Urban and daughter Sunday Rose

Nicole decided to skip all the hullabaloo of the Oscars this year. Instead, she chose to kick it back in Australia and spend some family time with her husband Keith Urban and daughter Sunday Rose.

Nicole Kidman almost always looks icy on the red carpet so it’s nice to see her smiling and looking relaxed in these pictures. And after all the work she’s done and what she’s put up with in Hollywood, she deserves this time off!

Her all-black military-inspired ensemble consisting of a shoulder-padded jacket, black jeans, and riding boots is also the perfect down time outfit for an A-list celeb like her. It’s not too dressy but not too casual either.

I love riding boots like Nicole Kidman’s. They’re tailored and streamlined, but they’re very comfortable to walk in too. Here are 3 Frye riding boots in classic styles that will be wardrobe must-haves season after season:

Frye Veronica Slouch, $328.00

Frye Harness 12R, $218.00

Frye Paige Tall Riding, $348.00

Where was Nicole Kidman During the Oscars? is a post from: Boots 4 You

So I headed on over to the online shoe store where I know I’ll find some of the swankiest boots, booties, and ankle boots around – Heels.com. Just a quick search already yielded some very interesting results, so I kept on truckin’ until I got this crop of 7 very promising Oscar-worthy ankle boots. My only requirement? They’ve got to be very high-heeled.

#1 Fergie Rylee Bootie

Sparkle and glitter to catch people’s attention on the red carpet? Check. On sale for $115.19.

#2 Rocawear Sigrid Boot

They may not be brand name, but these ankle boots have got the expensive-looking monogram style down pat.  $89.99.

#3 Guess Shoes Iola

Who says these are strappy sandals? Those are actually cutouts on these deceiving booties. $119.99.

#4 Rock and Republic Jolene JLEWAF009

This list can’t be without an ankle boot in luxurious black and grey plush suede. $309.99.

#5 N.Y.L.A. Culver Bootie

Boots can bring on the shine as well as pumps and platforms too. (That’s actually white mesh fabric covering the cutout parts on these ankle boots – makes it dressier doesn’t it?). $129.99.

#6 DV by Dolce Vita Carly Heel

If you’re going to be fighting for the best-dressed award, then better do it in some gladiator-inspired booties. These are also available in dark silver. On sale for $89.09.

#7 Kelsi Dagger Rosabella

Sweeten your look with this delicate aubergine bootie with a metallic leather rose. Now only $175.49 down from $194.99.

Although we’ll probably never see these actual shoes at the Oscars as that’s reserved for haute couture, wearing these shoes would certainly make any regular old day feel like a red carpet event.

Add some glamour and elegance to your wardrobe! Purchase these Oscar-worthy booties and ankle boots at Heels.com.

7 Booties Worthy of the Oscars is a post from: Boots 4 You

These were the photos of early designs that were leaked late last year:

And these were what were released into stores and online boutiques just very recently:

House of Harlow 1960 Maddie Beaded Suede Moccasin Booties

House of Harlow 1960 Misha Beaded Moccasin Boots

Clearly, we can see that Nicole stuck to her boho chic roots. The whipstitch detail on the back of the pumps, the tribal embroidery on the black booties, and the beaded Native American moccasins all tie beautifully with the existing hippie-inspired House of Harlow jewelry line and Nicole’s own style. Nicole said it herself: she won’t design something that she herself won’t wear and these shoes look like they were just taken from her own closet.

I say that Nicole Richie has a hit with this collection. She’s given us a wide range of choices (from flats to booties to sky-high heels), and they’re not in the usual style that we typically see from other celebrity lines. Nicole’s own preference and taste are very apparent in this footwear collection and for a clothing line whose success lies in the people’s interest in what Nicole Richie wears, that’s a very, very good thing.

The stitched-on soles, the intricate beading, and not to mention Nicole Richie’s name could very well put this shoe collection in the range of other expensive celebrity clothing lines, but House of Harlow is surprisingly reasonably priced. Prices are between $150 for the flats to just under $400 for the boots and booties.

Purchase the moccasin boots and check out more of the House of Harlow 1960 shoe collection at Shopbop.com.

Nicole Richie’s Native American Boots for House of Harlow 1960 is a post from: Boots 4 You

So on with the fashion show.

Sportmax, a label under the Italian fashion house MaxMara, showed a lot of easy-to-wear clothes in high-end fabrics at the Sportmax Fall/Winter 2010-2011 fashion show last February 26. Casual pieces like wrap dresses, anoraks, and checkered shirts got the luxury treatment as they were constructed out of materials like crepe de chine, silk charmeuse, and glittery knits:

Sportmax Fall/Winter 2010 – 2011 fashion show

Nearly all of the models had these femmed-up alpine hiker boots on their feet to complement the sportswear clothes in the collection:

Hiker boots with heels

Now I know some women have issues with athletic shoes turned heels because they defeat the athletic purpose of the shoes. Like on these Sportsmax hiker boots, adding the heel makes them look good on the runway but that pretty much ends any future these shoes may have in actually being used for a hiking trip. So all of the hiking boot features are there: the steel lace tabs, the leather and suede uppers, and the rubber sole traction, but the 4″ heel reduces all those great hiking boot features to nothing but decoration.

These Rockport Eldridge Lane aren’t hiking boots, but they’re in a similar hiker-boots-with-heels style. But because the stacked heels are square instead of stilettos, these could be much more comfortable than the ones in the Sportmax fashion show:

Women’s Rockport Eldridge Lane

No wait – according to one customer who bought them, they are more comfortable:

“… I thought the heel hight might be a problem, but it has such a nice fit, it doesn’t bother my feet at all, and I usually can’t wear high heel much.” – Liz from Maine

Maybe we can actually get some function out of all the decoration? What’s more is the Rockport Eldridge Lane has a rubber outsole, leather sock lining, and adiPRENE for foot cushioning. So even though they look like athletic shoes turned fashion heels, these boots are a lot more than it appears to be.

Get the Rockport Eldridge Lane boots for $149.95 at Shoebuy.com.

Hiker Boots with Heels at the Sportmax Fall / Winter 2010-11 Fashion Show in Milan is a post from: Boots 4 You

From construction workers, to concrete layers, to hiphop artists, to movie stars, men turn to Timberland’s Classic 6″ Premium Boot not just for its durability and dependability, but also for its tough and rugged looks.

Kanye West performs in Timberland boots, a Timberland PRO Series ad, and Mark Wahlberg in Timberlands spending QT with his family

When you’ve got a company that’s known for their rough-and-ready premium men’s work boots, you can bet that their women’s boots are just as sturdy and well-built too.

Timberland doesn’t let us down and gives us the Timberland Charles Street Waterproof Lace/Zip for women:

Sometimes, a gal just needs a dependable go-to boot. Who else can you trust to make dependable boots but a company that has been making them for over 40 years like Timberland?

The Timberland Charles Street Waterproof Lace/Zip boots are made of leather with shock-absorbent rubber outsoles and slip-proof treads. Don’t let that stylish outer appearance fool you – these boots are 100% waterproof. So feel free to test them out as much as you like in the rain or in the snow. Don’t be afraid to scruff ‘em up!

The best part is, these boots are currently on sale at Zappos.com. Get them for just $109.40, 50 dollars off the original price.

Timberland’s Famous Men’s Work Boots – for Women is a post from: Boots 4 You

One of those times was when she visited a Presbyterian church last Wednesday in Santa Monica. Sarah Michelle Gellar wore an all-black outfit consisting of a t-shirt, a leather jacket, leggings, and fabulous thigh high boots:

Sarah Michelle Gellar heads to church

Now this is how to wear thigh-high boots, ladies. Sarah Michelle Gellar managed to tone down the boots enough to make them appropriate even for church. Despite Sarah’s small frame, the tall, loose boots do not overpower her petite figure.

Proportion is key to copying Sarah Michelle Gellar’s look. See how the top of the boots stop just right above her knees? That highlights the smallest part of the legs thus making Sarah look taller and leaner. Also, the way the boots don’t cling to the body and the fact that they don’t have heels keep the boot far away from the kinky fetish that always seems to be attached to thigh high boots.

Here are 3 flat thigh high boots to experiment with. Remember, your height will determine just how high you can wear over-the-knee boots. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the taller you are, the taller your boots should be. For comparison, Sarah Michelle Gellar herself is only 5′2″.

Dolce Vita Crosby Suede Above the Knee Boots, 30% off, now only $224.00

Chinese Laundry Women’s Tripin, $99.00

Volatile Women’s Tourney, $89.00

Sarah Michelle Gellar Shows Us How to Wear Thigh High Boots to Church is a post from: Boots 4 You

Here are pictures from the day Hilary went searching for DuBois:

These were taken when Hilary Duff went out of her house to ask photographers to help her look for DuBois. If this is what she wears as house clothes, then whoever says celebrities live just like us average people can’t be “just average” themselves.

For one thing, Hilary’s boots alone are 270 dollars. They’re the Erika Tall Boots from Koolaburra:

Koolaburra Erika Tall Boot

These boots are part of Koolaburra’s La Boheme collection, designs that are “inspired by winged birds”. But while the other fringed boots in the collection have feathers, beads, and tribal-patterned woven ribbons, the Erika boots have an edge over them with a line of studs running down the sides. These tall boots are also available in short, which retail for $240.00. You can purchase the Koolaburra Erika Tall Boot or the Koolaburra Erika Short Boot at Shoesgotsole.com.

Oh, if you’re wondering about the dog, Hilary eventually found him hiding somewhere inside the house. That must be some big house because Dubois is no small dog:

I guess this was one of the times it paid to have photographers camping on your front yard – you’ve got people to keep an eye out for your dog in case it goes missing!

Hilary Duff Looks for Her Dog in Koolaburra Erika Tall Boots is a post from: Boots 4 You

But as they say, even too much of a good thing is bad for you. And we have to draw the line somewhere, especially when UGG Australia themselves come out with these, um, creations:

Classic short UGG boots with a metallic sheen

UGG boots monogrammed with the UGG logo

UGG boots monogrammed with the UGG logo WITH a metallic sheen

Wasn’t being anti-fashionable the whole point of wearing uggs? That’s how they became popular and a phenomenal success in the first place. So why are they coming out with these um, trendy ugg boots?

Maybe I’m being a purist, but I like my ugg boots plain, simple, and sturdy. I want them to do their job of keeping feet warm and doing that wick away moisture thing. A lot of people think they’re hideous enough, so there’s really no need to call attention to them with the excessive logos and shiny finishes.

This marbled metallic treatment is a little easier to stomach though, only because if you get your uggs dirty, it won’t be as noticeable:

UGG Classic Tall Metallic

It already looks scuffed and dirty, so that’s going to save us on a LOT of cleaning time. Even the fur lining looks like it has the same marble treatment!

Do you like trendy uggs or classic uggs?

Purchase these new UGG Australia boot styles at Zappos.com.

UGGs Try to be Fashionable is a post from: Boots 4 You

1. The coupon “GUESS15” will give you 15% off all GUESS shoes.  All US orders get free 2nd day shipping, but cheap international shipping is also available! This coupon expires at midnight on March 3, 2010.

2. The coupon “FREEINT” provides free international shipping on all orders over $250! This offer is valid for a limited time only.

15% Off All GUESS Shoes or Free International Shipping is a post from: Boots 4 You

Okay, so the last isn’t really an example of clothes that are stuck together, but this one sure is – the Annabel sweater bootie from Luichiny:

Luichiny Annabel in tan

Is it a sock? Is it a boot? Is it a mary jane shoe? No, it’s all of the above!

Why bother with putting on socks when you can just slip your feet into these babies? You can roll the socks down to turn them into ankle boots or pull them up the calf to turn them into full boots. Keep people wondering about exactly what type of shoes you have on!

Luichiny Annabel in black

Now for the hard part: Wouldn’t the socks get dirty eventually? So how are you supposed to wash these things? You can’t really just throw leather shoes into the washing machine.

The cable knit socks are lovely, but what if you want to change the color of your socks? Are they interchangeable at least? Or does Luichiny suggest that we buy all colors of the Annabel sweater booties?

So many unanswered questions.

If the whole point of adding socks to shoes was to keep them from scrunching down – and we’re already sewing clothes together anyways – then maybe sewing the top of the socks to them hem of shorts or skirts would be a better idea hmm?

Oh and the Luichiny Annabel is available in coffee color too with what appears to be the same mary jane shoe as the tan color:

Boots and Socks – Stuck Together? is a post from: Boots 4 You