Boots are made for walking - so get them ready for slush, salt and snow.

I'm deeply in love with my new (used) leather sheepskin lined Georgettes. Angie calls these gems granny biker boots — I call them my “Gourgeous Georgies.” They're sleek and smooth, with a little bit of a ’60s mod styling. They also have the added bonus of having been made in Canada, which is a rarity these days.

I don’t know about you, but it’s been quite a long time since I’ve been this excited about a pair of boots. I saw them at UpsideDive while there on my weekly work fix (I help out when I can). These boots called out to me: "Psst … hey lady! It's me, the pair you've been looking for." Among the many other excellent pairs of boots, there was something special, and quite cheeky, about this pair.

I awkwardly wear a size 9½ to 10, with one foot slightly bigger than the other. As you might guess, this makes finding a great pair of boots or shoes even more of a challenge. So, to my surprise, when I tried them on they actually fit! Feeling like a modern day Cinderella, I snatched them up right away.

In the past two weeks I’ve been strutting my Gourgeous Georgies around, happily going about my daily routines with a clickety-clack in my step. But with the prospect of snow on the way, I realized I should hurry up and get some waterproofing to protect my lovely boots from the cold weather and the dreaded salt that will inevitably cover every sidewalk after the first big snowfall.

I looked through some of the shoe shops and drug stores in the city and didn’t find much in non-toxic leather protection. Many commercial products have toxic solvents, most of them petroleum-based. I was looking for an all-natural product, but is it even possible to find a non-toxic, all-natural leather waterproofer? Lo and behold, there are some all-natural products out there and online, products such as 'Harness Honey Leather Conditioner', 'Newfoundland Bee Company Leather Waterproofer and Conditioner', and 'Boot Rub' to name just a few. I was surprised to discover that the simplest option is also the cheapest and the most environmentally friendly and even vegans will love it. It’s a product called lanolin, and I've used it before — but not on my boots! Breastfeeding mothers of newborns know what I'm talking about here.

Lanolin, a natural oil found in sheep's wool is another alternative for an all natural repellent. It’s a wax secreted through the skin and contained in the wool that helps keep sheep dry when it rains. Lanolin can be extracted from sheep without harming them; it's removed from the wool during the cleaning process before it becomes a textile like yarn or felt. You can find it in your local pharmacies as “Anhydrous Lanolin.” It can come in a tube, a rich lubricating type of cream that can be easily rubbed into the leather or it can be found in some health stores in a liquid form, usually used for cosmetic purposes. The cost is very affordable and a little goes a long way. However, before applying it, make sure the boot is clean of all dirt. Use a slightly damp rag to wipe them off and let the boot dry completely before using the lanolin. I would also do a test patch on a small (not-too-noticeable) portion of the boot, just in case it darkens the leather. If you’re satisfied with the test results, then go for it and give those boots a good rubbing! Simply rub lanolin onto your boots like you would any other waterproofing treatment, let it dry for 24 hours and voilà — you’re leather is protected!

As for my Gourgeous Goergies, well, they’re getting the spa treatment tonight, a lanolin rubdown that will keep them looking good now and into the new year.

Elee*