We all have those pair of leather beat-up comfy boots that we cannot dare to throw out. Even though we know cracking is inevitable, we finally found a way to extend their lifespan by revamping them with acrylic pastels giving them an impressionist style!  Instead of giving your old boots to the dumpster, Refinery29’s Chloe Daley, gives us an alternative by walking us through an easy do-it-yourself tutorial.  Originally inspired by Anthropologie’s Galaxy Inlay Booties, Chloe recreates these “Peter Pan meets Monet” booties by using plain black ones and injecting them with a boost of creativity giving her a new fashion statement to rock!

If you are ready to take on this challenge just follow the easy steps below:

Supplies:

leather boots, alcohol, tarp, assorted acrylic paints, primer, sealer, brushes, sponge, and container for water.

Steps:

1. Rub boots with alcohol to make sure there is no sealing already on the leather.
2. Mix paint primer with water using equal proportions and paint on leather.  Applying this primer will help the boots absorb the paint. Apply primer about 2 more times and flex leather while doing so (that way you don’t get any cracks).
3. Create a white base by painting on white acrylic paint onto the boots and let them dry.  Apply about 2-3 coats.
4. Paint boots with an emerald green color (use whatever color you want) and let dry for about an hour.
5. Take sponge and dab rose metallic and yellow accents on boots and overlay with green afterwards.  It is completely up to you what color you want to add accents with.
6. Use a sealer spray to coat boots.

So what are you waiting for ?! Click here to see full video.

We’ve already expressed our adoration for Bill Cunningham several times on The Habit, but another fashion icon that we put at the same level is Grace Coddington, former model and the current Creative Director of Vogue. We adore them so much, that we would actually think about wearing them.

With the help of illustrator Joana Avillez, style site Refinery29 has created drool-worthy tees donning two of fashion biggest icons. Stemming from Avillez’s commissioned series of fashion icon and fashion editor illustrations for the site, the shirts capture Coddington’s flaming red hair and platform shoes and Cunningham’s recognizable blue jacket, bike and camera in true form.

Are you a ‘Bill’ or a ‘Grace’? For true fashion lovers this question can be a hard one.  Still can’t decide which one is for you? There’s nothing wrong with supporting an artist and buying both!

Dree Harper, blogger of Create That Style and contributor to Refinery29, has been involved in the fashion industry for over 20 years now. From retail, management, styling to designing, Dree has done it all! Dree’s love for vintage stores and thrift shops eventually led to the start of her own vintage clothing and accessories website called theURBANcollection.com. Among everything she does in fashion, she is also a mother to her son while also being a “top pinner” – Dree was listed as one of Mashable’s Top Pinterest Accounts! The Habit was so excited to learn more about her in our 5 questions…

We usually start off with our New York or Los Angeles question. But, since you’re located in Florida, we wanted to change it up! Twitter or Facebook, and why?

Definitely Facebook simply because it’s where more of my personal relationships are. I mainly use Twitter for my business life so while it’s a fantastic tool; it’s part of my working world. Facebook gives me updates on my family and friends, and it’s where I’ll find all the fun photos of important (and not so important) status updates that make me feel like I’m a part of their life even if we’re not close in proximity. I will say, however, that I try to limit my time on the computer after work hours. It’s not healthy to always be plugged in! iPhones, too!

Give us a sense of your personal style?

I’ve called my personal style “collegiate gypsy” in the past because I’ve always been drawn to both a clean, almost equestrian look (blazers, riding boots) as well as bohemian/ethnic styling. But I’m finding as my style evolves, my tastes are drawn more to quality fabrics and details whether it’s about vintage or high design. I’d say my style today is both modern and bohemian. I’ll always try to throw some kind of tribal print or earthy jewelry in the mix. That’s always been me! Gucci & caftans live harmoniously together in my world.

You’re best known for being a writer, but what do you consider your greatest talent?

It’s funny because I don’t consider myself a writer! The Refinery29 gig is more of a creative contributing position although I do curate the Pinterest column. I like to pitch new ideas and have a part of Refinery29’s strong voice, but it’s more about finding new stories than writing. The staff of writers and editors have skills I can’t even touch…they’re amazing! My greatest talent? Gosh, these days I’d say my best talent is sitting in front of a computer in my pjs and pinning massive amounts of visually pleasing images onto various boards. Ha! But seriously, I’d like to think teaching and leading my soon-to-be three-year old son is my best talent. Maybe it’s not my biggest talent but it’s where my heart lies at this point in my life, that’s for sure!

What’s your daily habit?

I’m from Seattle so coffee is pretty much my second language. We understand each other very well. Especially since I’ve become a mother! I also try to keep on top of working out and eating right but the gelato shop down the street likes to interrupt that plan at times.

What’s one thing in your closet you could never give up? And what’s your go-to piece in the closet right now?

Never give up? Two things. A 70’s YSL Rive Gauche black blazer that my mother gave me. It’s the perfect fit. That and a 70s YSL leopard scarf that has actual leopards in the print. It’s huge! I may frame it one day. Go-to? Most days, I’m looking for my Soludos espadrille flats to wear with black leggings and an easy top that covers my bum. I’m a busy mom and I work from home! I can’t wear fussy things although 80% of my wardrobe is really for dress-up. I’m working hard on buying more basics. That’s kind of a new thing for me!

BONUS: Where do you get styling inspiration from?

Besides Pinterest, by way of runway shots, editorials and lookbooks. I’d also say through my love for vintage. I have a few clients that I source vintage for and it keeps me creatively immersed in styling. There’s nothing more exciting than finding something from the past that you can make relevant through the teaming of modern pieces and I make sure that’s part of the service. Having that business as well as shopping for my own closet keeps me inspired!

Dree is wearing our Alice Coated Skinny jeans in Licorice….we think she looks adorable!

If you consider yourself in the “older generation” category, you might be rubbing your head as we say that those old L.L. Bean duck boots are now considered hip. GQ and Refinery29 say the nearly century-old duck boots are back in style for men and women! We love that the boots are not only considered “in” right now, but also incredibly practical during these winter months. Your feet won’t get wet or cold, while you pull off the retro and utilitarian look at the same time – the best of both worlds.

And looking to brighten up your wardrobe with more color this spring? L.L. Bean says they are coming out with new bright blue and pink leather boots (probably not a style that was “in” back in 1912).