On Saturday morning, I was awakened by construction going on right outside my window at the ripe hour of 8am (groan) and as such, was forced into my day a good two hours earlier than planned. The good news? That meant I could beat the crowds in SoHo, which my friend Lauren refers to as The New Times Square. I had an hour to kill before my Shobha brow threading appointment with Saroj (she does an excellent job, BT dubs–make an appointment if you’re near SoHo) and then a facial at Amore Pacific with Sylvia (also fab–stay tuned for a devoted post on it).

So I did what any girl not trying to spend any money post-vaca would do–I popped into Forever 21 and partook in some on-the-cheap retail therapy. In the form of these Monet Boots* ($33). They’re only eight inches high, so they provide a nice switch from my usual knee or OTK situations. They come in four shades, but I just felt things deeply (the way C.C. Bloom of Beaches fame feels things deeply) for the grey iteration. I love the gathered effect and the tiny buttoned tabs. I don’t love the fact that they’re faux leather, but as a complement to my boot collection, I’m letting it go. But really, for $33, can you get more useful, faux or not?

Exactly.

Forever 21 Monet Boots are available at Forever 21 stores and forever21.com.