Western Jewelry is Big News this Summer

Summer jewelry in 2008 is definitely going to make any outfit.  Summer 2008 is here in full force and so are the summer trends for western jewelry.  This summer, jewelry is all about big and colorful, with the color blue being the leader of the pack.

Summer Jewelry’s Got the Blues

Colorful jewelry is one of the hottest trends this summer and anything that is blue seems to be the hottest.  One of the coolest blues going this year happens to be turquoise; and we at Allens Boots know turquoise.  For years, turquoise jewelry has been a popular staple of western wear and we carry a large selection of some of the turquoise around.

Check out our line from Vogt jewelry, especially the turquoise cross necklace, its individually crafted and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Summer Jewelry is a Big Deal

The other trend in jewelry this summer is big, and we definitely know the meaning of big in Texas.  Let me tell you, nothing says big and bold and beautiful in jewelry than Montana Silversmith’s Bold and Beautiful Bracelet.  Silver and gold electroplated with precision engraving and measuring 2” at its widest point, Montana Silversmith’s cuff bracelets are sure to capture the eye of any fashionista.

Our line of Montana Silversmith and Vogt necklaces also fit the trend of big summer jewelry.  The Montana Silversmith Bold Round Silver Concho Necklace features a pendant with a hammered silver finish and cubic zirconium accents, as well as a chain made up of three different styles of beaded chains.  Our chunky necklaces will make an excellent accessory to your favorite summer dress.

Summer Jewelry is the Star of the Show

Celestial designs also take a front seat in jewelry trends this summer; so put away your necklaces and bracelets with your name on it and put on ones with your horoscope sign, stars and moons on them.  Now, while we can’t help you out with the horoscope signs, we definitely have your stars covered.  I mean, Texas is the Lone Star State after all.

Calgary Stampede is here! Calgary Stampede is here!

The Calgary Stampede has arrived. It is by far the biggest 10 days in Canada, well at least as far as rodeo enthusiasts and the city of Calgary are concerned. The annual Calgary Stampede turns downtown Calgary into one big salute to the cowboy. You will find everything that you are looking for from the rodeo itself to a midway and from chuckwagon races to free pancake breakfasts.

Calgary Stampede Rodeo

The rodeo part of the Calgary Stampede involves some of the finest cowboys in the world. They will be competing for glory and fame in such events as Bullriding, Barrel Racing, Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling, and Tie-down Roping. You can even watch the little cowboys and cowgirls compete in wild pony racing.

Calgary Stampede is more than a Rodeo

There are so many other activities at the Calgary Stampede to enjoy besides the rodeo. If you are looking to catch a good show full of music and wonderment, then you are going to want to catch the Grandstand Show. The Grandstand show this year is based around a Dream Catcher theme to honor and recognize all the people that came to Canada full of hopes and dreams. The Grandstand Show is described as Broadway … Western Style.

Calgary Stampede Brings Big Music

If Broadway shows aren’t really your style, then you can always catch a great musical act at the Pengrowth Saddledome or the Coca-Cola Stage. This year brings many popular acts to downtown Calgary. So grab your cowboy hat and your dancing boots and come and catch the sounds of Sugarland, The Judds, Kid Rock, Natasha Bedingfield, Dierks Bentley, Finger Eleven, or the Plain White T’s.

Calgary Stampede Brings Big Screams

Finally, if you want to try your luck at the Calgary Stampede midway; there are plenty of games for you. You can do everything from target practice games to the ring toss to Whack-a-Mole. Now, if you are more of a daring cowboy, you can climb on into a seat on one of the many rides. The midway brings many adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing rides this year.

Forget all of this talking about the Calgary Stampede, we are grabbing our best pair of jeans and our boots and heading north. See ya there, eh?

*Photo by Calgary Stampede

Straw Cowboy Hats are a Summer Favorite

Straw cowboy hats are useful for more than just wrangling cattle.  They are the perfect hat for when the weather gets warm.  Not only are straw cowboy hats very functional in the summer; they are also quite fashionable.

Straw Cowboy Hats Keep You Cool

Straw cowboy hats provide a great way to protect your face and your head and keep you cool during in the strong summer sun.  The wide brim of a straw cowboy hat provides for ample shade from the hot summer sun to your face and neck; while the loose weave of a straw cowboy assists in keeping your head cool by letting air flow freely throughout the hat.

The Fashion of Straw Cowboy Hats

As far as the fashion side of straw cowboy hats goes; let’s break it down into genders.  For men, the straw cowboy hat looks good on the golf course (just ask “the shark,” Greg Norman, about that); as well as on the lake or beach.  Not to mention that many country music stars where straw cowboy hats, such as Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, and Kenny Chesney.  And, finally, if your horse steps on your hat during a summer ride never fear.  Just reshape your hat and go.

Women and the Straw Cowboy Hat

Now for the women, straw cowboy hats are a wonderful addition to the summer wardrobe.  Straw cowboy hats go with everything from your favorite sundress to your best pair of jeans and other western attire.  Straw cowboy hats also look fantastic while you are riding on a boat or lounging on the beach in your favorite swimsuit.

Straw Cowboy Hats in all Shapes and Sizes

At Allens Boots, you will find a large selection of straw cowboy hats to fit your summer wardrobe needs.  You will find pink hats, black hats, natural hats, hats with elaborate bands, and simple straw hats.  We carry only the highest quality of straw cowboy hats from top brands like Stetson and Montecarlo.

Come on down to the store and let us outfit your head for summer.

Purses Go on a Diet

Purse trends this summer are all about the size.  According to all the fashionistas out there, the purse is shrinking this year.  It is all going back to the smaller purse versus the larger purse of past seasons.  Even though in the Lone Star State, we believe that everything should be bigger, we actually have given in to the purse trend and have taken them down a size or two.

Purses, Purses Everywhere

As the distinguished purse shopper that you are, you will find a variety of designer purses, leather purses, and our personal favorite, western purses, when you walk down the aisles of Allens Boots.  We also did a little research on the purse and found out that purse is derived from the Greek word for oxhide; so it is fitting that we have more leather purses than anything else, don’t you think?

Purses by Ariat

Ariat, a manufacturer of the most advanced boots and leather goods, carries a large selection of leather purses perfect for this year’s summer trend.  From the Ariat Saddle Flap purse made of full-grain leather with printed leather accents with credit cards slots and pockets for your cell phone and cosmetics; to the Ariat Rodeo Round Up Mini Hobo bag with detailed embroidery and rhinestone appliqués as well as an internal leather snap key ring holder; there is a small Ariat purse to fit your unique style.

Matching your purses to your footwear is another big trend this summer; and Ariat has that covered as well.  All Ariat purses are made to coordinate with Ariat boots, such as the Fatbaby and the Heritage Western styles.  What more could you ask for?

Purses:  Stock up for Summer

Now that you know where to find all of your purses for summer, head on down to Allens Boots and start stocking up.

Summer Camp for Summer Break

Summer Camp is the perfect way for you little cowboys and cowgirls to spend all that free time during their favorite break … summer break. There are several cowboy and cowgirl summer camps throughout the country. One of the cowboy summer camps that we know about isn’t too far down the road in Humble, Texas.

Cowboy City Texas, founded by Mike and Mary Wall, is home to six cowboy and cowgirl summer camps a year. The summer camps are offered to boys and girls ages seven to fourteen and are chocked full of cowboy boot wearing activities.

Summer Camp Teaches Horsemanship

Summer camp at Cowboy City Texas is all about fun for the beginner and immediate horse riders. But don’t you worry; Cowboy City Texas provides the horses for all summer camp participants.

Cowboy and cowgirl summer camp is centered on horsemanship. Summer campers will learn and work on horse grooming, riding, barreling, cutting, roping and many other rodeo type activities. In fact, there is a summer camp rodeo at then of the summer.

Summer Camp Chocked Full of Western Fun

Other activities summer campers will enjoy while at summer camp are western theater, nature awareness trails, mud fights (be prepared to wash camper’s jeans every night), archery and more.

Attendees of cowboy and cowgirl summer camp also have the opportunity to learn western arts and crafts, play sports with other cowboys and cowgirls, go swimming (make sure you take off your cowboy boots and cowboy hats first), and even go shovel surfing. Now, we aren’t quite sure what shovel surfing is, but it sounds pretty fun.

Western Gear for Summer Camp

Before you take your little cowboy or cowgirl off to summer camp, whether at Cowboy City Texas or another western summer camp, swing by Allens Boots and we will make sure your summer campers have all the western gear they need.

*Photo by Cowboy City Texas

Mules in the Hot Sun

So it’s hot outside and you really want to wear your cowboy boots with your new jeans or your new skirt or dress; although the mere thought of having all that leather on your legs in 90 degree weather causes you to instantly break out into a sweat.

There is an answer to having the boot look without all of the boot … Mules! And we aren’t talking about the four-legged kind.

These Mules Were Made for Walking

Mules, by definition, are backless and very often close-toed shoes. The open-toe version is called a slide. They are very popular among women and are believed to have gotten their start back in the 18th century. Mules gained popularity in the 1970’s as clogs, but re-emerged in the 1990’s and haven’t looked back.

Mules, Mules, Mules

Mules come in all sorts of colors and styles, they can be dressy or casual and they are extremely comfortable. In fact, Allens Boots has yellow mules, red mules, black mules, multi-color mules made by Charlie 1, Old Gringo, Frye and Ariat. You name it; we have it to go with all your summer styles.

Mule Rules

Now before you run off with your mules, there are a few things you should know about proper mule fit.

• You need to make sure that your heel fits on the back of the mule properly. Take care that your heel isn’t hanging over the edge, sitting right on the edge or not close enough to the edge. Just a little edge showing is perfect.
• Make sure you get up and walk around in the mules you are interested in buying. That way you know they stay on your feet and that they look right with your legs.
• If you are planning on wearing socks or hosiery with your mules, make sure you bring them with you when you try them on.

Cutting Horse Adds Spice to CEO Life

There was an article in Fortune Small Business Magazine today about a woman who is CEO by day and a Rodeo Queen by night. Yes, you are reading this correctly.

According to the article, Anita Lind Janssen spends her days as CEO of a company that handles asset management for large firms in the middle of transition. This is a job that requires conservative decisions and very little risk. Wanting to add a little spice to her life, Anita put on a hat, polished up her boots, and became a cowgirl.

It also appears that cutting runs in the Lind Janssen family. Ryan Lind, Anita’s son, placed in the top ten of the youth division at the National Cutting Horse Western National Finals this past weekend. I am sure that his mother couldn’t be more proud of her cowboy son.

Cutting Horse: What is it?

Cutting is a western riding style event where a horse and rider are judged strictly on their ability to separate a calf away from a herd of cattle for a certain period of time.

Cutting, which is becoming quite a popular equine sport these days, is special in that once the calf is separated from the herd, the cowboy or cowgirl loosens up on the reigns and the horse then takes over in keeping the calf separated. These horses are known as a cutting horse.

Cutting Horse Queen is One of Many

After reading about Anita, we did some poking around into the careers of the members of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. We found out that Anita isn’t the only corporate big wig that likes to compete with their horses for stress relief. We found an owner of a women’s western store, a President/owner of a drilling company, a ranch owner, a Chief of Staff of a state assembly, and a CEO of a golf construction company.

Who would have ever thought that participating in adrenaline pumping rodeo events could be so relaxing?

*Photo by Mike Murrow

Cowboy Museum’s Annual Memorial Day Event

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, located in Oklahoma City, will be celebrating its 18th Annual Chuck Wagon Gathering and Children’s Cowboy Festival this Memorial Day weekend. The festival will run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on both Saturday, May 24th and Sunday, May 25th.

Dressing like a Cowboy More than Alright at Cowboy Museum

Grab your kids, put on your jeans, boots and cowboy hats and head on down to what the American Bus Association has named one of the Top 100 events in North America. You, your family and more than 10,000 other Old West fans will sure to be pleased with all the exciting activities and food planned for this jam-packed weekend.

Chuck Wagons Circle the Cowboy Museum

There will be authentic chuck wagons present offering up some of the finest wrangler food from Oklahoma and Texas. Festival goers even receive their very own tasting bowl to fill up with cowboy favorites such as brisket, biscuits and gravy, stew, and cobbler.

Children’s Cowboy Festival Events at the Cowboy Museum

There will be plenty of good ‘ol western entertainment for the family at the festival. Little Cowboys and Cowgirls can get pony rides, stagecoach and wagon rides, learn how to make a rope, design a bandana, and even pet a Longhorn steer. For the older cowboys and cowgirls, there will be entertainment from the likes of Don Edwards and Red Steagall.

There is even a cowboy bootmaking demonstration, which we here at Allens Boots are the most excited about.

Cowboy Museum has More to Offer than the Festival

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum was founded in 1961 and is considered an institution of Western history, culture, and art. More than 9 million visitors a year come to see the Cowboy museum’s collection of Western art and artifacts and to garnish an insight into the Old West.

*Photo by National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Japan Loves Cowboy Boots

The Japanese have always been lovers of western world fashion, so it should be no surprise that this includes cowboy boots. Cowboy boots can be seen all over Japan from the casual hang-out spots of the teenagers and young adults to the high-rise office building full of professionals in their late twenties and early thirties. The Japanese seem to have fallen for the fact that cowboy boots add a casual touch to skirts and dresses, but can also dress up a pair of jeans. It is the flexibility of what you can wear with your cowboy boots, according to Japan Mode Extra Edition, that have made especially popular with the women of Japan.

Japan Buys Cowboy Boots by Way of the Internet

With so many stores in Japan having problems keeping cowboy boots on the shelves, its pretty great that people in Japan can order cowboy boots online from us here at Allens Boots. We try to make it as simple and convenient as possible to buy cowboy boots, and even our western wear, online. Our shoppers in Japan can find all their favorite cowboy boot brands, like Justin Ropers, all in one place. We strive to make the Allens Boots’ online shopping experience almost (and we stress the word almost) as good as actually coming into the store.

Buying Cowboy Boots in Japan

Who knew we’d be selling cowboy boots in Japan? We sure didn’t. But hey, now that we are, we think it’s pretty cool. Then again, if you really think about it, with our amazing selection of men’s cowboy boots, women’s cowboy boots, cowboy hats and western wear it makes complete sense that the fine folks in Japan would come to Allens Boots. Now the next time you find yourself traveling in a land far, far away and you realize that you need to order cowboy boots from Japan, just hop on our site and shop to your heart’s content. By the way, shopping on our site works even if you just live down the street.