No images in emails from one source (SOLVED)

[#1]

For some while now I've been unable to see any images in emails from Hotter Shoes*; in fact I can't remember whether I ever could. All images appear as an X in the top left of a grey-lined white box. All other promotional/marketing emails are fine, so I initially thought there must be something 'different' about that sender.
However, if I forward a Hotter Shoes* email to a couple of people also running XP Home SP3 and OE6, one with IE7 and the other with Firefox, they have no problem viewing them, so now I'm thinking it must be something at my end. If I click where it says If this Hotter email is not displayed properly click here to view it online the X is replaced by the symbol as shown in attached jpg.
It makes no difference whether IE7 or Firefox is set as the default browser, and I've checked all the settings in OE6. I've updated the graphics card drivers, and I'm not blocking any ports.
I've run out of ideas now - any advice appreciated.
* Other online shoe retailers are available

[#2]

No problem here - see attachment.
The images are remote hosted on a website, not embedded in the email - I think that blocking these is an option in some mail clients - have you checked if you have that on?

[#3]

Thanks for the input jelv. No, there's no blocking in the email client.
As you say, the images are remote hosted, as is the case for most of the other mailshots I get - yet it's only the Hotter ones where I have the problem. 

[#4]

What are you using to display them Thunderbird doesnt load the images and normally has a button to load them if needed. A lot of email wont load remote images as its a security risk as it can recorded that the mail has reached a live address so ideal for spammers who know they have alive one

[#5]

In what sense would you say that "Hotter Shoes" could be described as Hot? 

[#6]

Quote from: samuria

What are you using to display them Thunderbird doesnt load the images and normally has a button to load them if needed.

It does load them if you have added the sender to your address book and ticked Allow Remote Images in HTML mail.

[#7]

@ jelv & smuria
Thanks guys, you got me thinking along the right lines i.e. remote hosting & all that. Found 'chtah.com' and 'cheetahmail.com in the HOSTS file - removed them and all is OK now.
@ axisofevil
I wouldn't, but SWMBO buys all her shoes from them.