SICKA THAN AVERAGE

A good friend described MTV's "Run's House" as the modern-day, reality TV equivalent of The Cosby Show. Now, that might be a bit of stretch (Rev Run us funny, but he's not exactly Heathcliff Huxtable), but I can see why she would make the comparison. After all, the show focuses on the daily life of former Run-DMC member Reverend Run and his family: wife Justine, daughters Vanessa and Angela, and sons Jojo, Diggy and Russy. Every day, the kids are up to some form of mischief, the girls are convincing daddy to support one of their newest plans, and Run has to maintain order in the household. Daughters Vanessa and Angela were crowd favorites from the very beginning (they're like the Denise and Rudy of the show) — and, as the series progressed, audiences got to see the girls take their Pastry clothing line from a vague idea to a thriving business. And what else can you expect from the nieces of Phat Farm founder (and Def Jam Records co-founder) Russell Simmons? And lest we forget, their dad is part of the reason why hip-hop lovers so fervently embraced Adidas sneakers. For them to be fashion designers, then, wasn't that much of a stretch — and getting such an early start, well, that's a family tradition too.

Personally, while I've always admired the girls' resolve, I've tended to find their designs a bit too juvenile for women in their mid-to-late 20s and beyond. Really, it's more of a juniors' line — and, as such, it's adorable an entirely age appropriate, offering such pieces as vinyl handbags and backpacks with camo, plaid, and color blocked prints in contrasting neon hues; bold sneakers in colors worthy of a Barbie set; and hooded sweatsuits and tees with cupcake and ice cream cone graphics.

Every so often though, the Simmons sisters will create a pair of shoes or sneakers that speak to a more wide-ranging audience, one that that also encompasses a slightly older crowd. And the Sasha boots (pictured above) definitely exemplify footwear with mass appeal — from their cone-shaped heels to the heart print along the knit shaft, these boots will keep your feet warm and will add a dose of cuteness to any outfit.

In the giving spirit of the holidays, we're having a giveaway with Pastry and offering readers a chance to win a pair of these lovely Sasha boots, regularly priced at $99. To enter, simply visit LovePastry.com and leave a comment here describing the designs you most like. Then, send an e-mail to contest@lovepastry.com AND celia@sickathanaverage.com with "Sicka Than Average x Pastry Giveaway" in the subject line and, in the body of the e-mail, describe why you love any pair of Pastry shoes. You must complete both of these steps to enter the giveaway. The contest is open to U.S. residents only, and the deadline to enter is December 28th at midnight EST. Good luck! Hope you get some Pastry sweetness in your life!