Chelsea, Zara & Studs

Why is it that when you are not supposed to be spending money you fall in love with almost EVERYTHING you see in the shops? I've been really good and haven't bought many new things for ages but from the 4 new things I have bought I haven't really pushed the boat out have I...


A quick browse in the Zara sale last week and I came home with these two dresses for a tenner each. They're the same plain dress with a low back and I couldn't decide between pink and green so I bought both because I didn't have the energy for the changing rooms that day. I still haven't made up my mind but I'm leaning towards the green which I promise doesn't look so dull in real life.


It's still sticky and humid outside but I think I'm always on the lookout for new boots, whatever the season. My sister bought these Chelsea boots from Tesco (£15) and I liked them so much I quickly followed suit. I've never worn Chelsea boots before and not too sure if they go with everything. My sis says I should wear them with my jeans rolled up? Seems like it's going to rain this weekend so they'll get their first outing.


Was initially going to name this post "stud love" though quickly reconsidered after thinking about the keyword searches. But I do love studs! I know that everyone will be wearing these Primark velveteen studded loafers (£12) but I could not leave the shop without them. I am usually a 6 in flats but had to size up and even the 7's are a bit snug. They have a green version too but compared to black they aren't so pretty. I also snapped up this studded clutch bag (£6) and this style seems to be everywhere at the moment. I think the Zara version is so much nicer/daintier so will probably get that to use as a purse. Topshop also has a suede studded purse but with silver conical studs. For once I think I prefer the gold version.

Are there any other studded things in the shops right now that I need in my life? By the way I know I've been the worst blogger ever but here are some sleepy kitty photos to make up for it xx

Black & Navy?

I'm attending a wedding in three weeks and have finally managed to track down a suitable dress today, this lace beauty from Next. It's now the most sophisticated dress I own even though I look nowhere as good as the model does in it (impossible task methinks). The only thing is that I've come a bit stuck on what shoes I should buy. I know a nude pair would go great with this dress but I spent the day in Zara cooing over all the gorgeous shoes and all my favourites are black!




Can you see a trend here? I do love a platform and a chunky heel.

Is it ever okay to mix navy and black? Normally I don't really adhere to certain fashion "rules" but it's a formal occasion and I want to look my very best. What do you think? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated :D

I love my...

Converses oh yes I do! No matter how many pairs of heels I lust over I always return to my faithful Chucks (my second favourite is the Bass kind *swoon*). I wear these almost everyday and in every season. They're so versatile and go with everything. I love wearing them with black tights and dresses so I don't feel so dolled up. But my favourite way to wear them is with a pair of skinnies. Simple!

I have about three pairs, these green hi tops, a pair of white low ones and a navy/white low pair but next on my wish list are some grey ones. How many pairs do you have and what colours?

Eid shopping

Eid Mubarak to those who were celebrating yesterday. It was my first Eid with my husband, away from my family and it felt really strange. However I met up with my sister yesterday afternoon for a wee shopping trip in Westfield. It was rammed as always so we only hit H&M, Boots & MAC.

Primark PJ's FTW!

I was spurred on by Laiqah's post and finally bought Impassioned. It's very bright so think I'll only whip this out on special occasions for now, but hopefully will get lots of wear during summer. As you can tell I also treated myself to a long awaited haircut. No longer do I feel bedraggled and boring, but light headed and like my hair is healthy again :)



As usual I loved nearly everything in H&M but I only walked away with these really comfy winter boots. They're not real leather but they're very sturdy and the insoles are sooooo soft. Can't see them online but they're £29.99. I only bought a pair of boots two months ago but I managed to ruin them. I got caught in the biggest rainstorm ever where the streets/pavement flooded and I unavoidably stepped in a puddle that reached mid shin. The boots took 4 days to fully dry out but they now stink to high heaven of dirty rain/drain water. I only managed to wear them twice, gutted!! Fingers crossed this pair lasts.

Anyhoo I'm now on my way back to my cold and internet-less flat (damn you Sky and your long activation date). Catch you soon! xx

Boot(ylicious) @ Forever 21

Behold my new boots that arrived in the post today! Saw these after paying the Forever 21 store a very brief visit last week and they didn't have any in my size so I had ordered them online. Delivery was frustratingly slow as it took a whole week and that was the standard option at £3.95. My super saver free delivery parcels from ASOS and Amazon never take more than 3 days! However I've been looking all over for some affordable brogue-boots and I paid £24.75 so I'm really pleased. I like the distressed look and the little 1 inch heel and most of all I like that it doesn't look too cheap/pleathery.

Although I'll be sad when sandal season is over, I can't wait to wear these!

Gladiator Style

I absolutely love Gladiator sandals, those Romans were a stylish bunch weren't they? I promised myself I wouldn't buy another pair of shoes this summer but I caved when I saw these in the window of H&M. These pleather lace up have a teeny wedge heel and are very "clompy". They were cheap at £14.99 and even though they make me look cankle-y at times I've been wearing them non stop. They're quite wide so perhaps they're not as attractive as they could be but they're so comfy I don't care!

Wedding update - I've bought my shoes!

Image source

Okay hold your horses I haven't bought a pair of Christian Louboutins, these are just my dream wedding shoes for you to perve on. Taking into account that a) I don't have £1,995 to spare and b) if I did, I would have to hobble down the aisle, these beautiful Swarovski crystal encrusted 4 inch heels were never going to be mine. Instead I had to find a pair of bridal shoes on the high street.

I'm not very picky but I had a few requirements: they had to be under £70, have a peep toe and a heel under 4 inches but most of all they had to be PRETTY. There are many wedding shoe specialists (like Rainbow) and I know that the shoes are very comfortable and all but to me, most of them look clumpy and generally unappealing, plus they can cost anything from £85 upwards. I didn't even care about the colour, I just wanted something affordable I could wear again.

Yesterday I found this Ivory pair by Dune! I finished work at 2pm and was browsing the sales in Debenhams when I spotted them for £45 down from £75. They didn't have my size so I had to go to 5 different stores on Oxford St before I found them. After dodging charity peeps and weaving in and out of slow walking tourists in the 31 degree heat, I ended up a sweaty mess but it was worth it because I do really like them. They're not perfect but they're a right bargain which will do me fine! The heels are rather thin so I'll have to get used to that and the right side which was on display is a bit grubby but I can get it cleaned.

If you've seen anything nicer, don't tell me because I can't return these!

Peep-a-boo

Peep toe shoes are my absoulute favourites for summer not only because they help keep my feet cooler than usual but also because I get to show off my brightly polished toes! These yellow canvas ones are from Primark and boy do they get grubby really easily, however I just pop them in the wash and they come out like new. They certainly won't last very long, especially if I keep washing them, but for £6 they'll serve me well this summer.

OOTD featuring Swedish Hasbeens for H&M

In H&M today I spotted these shoes which are part of the Swedish Hasbeens shoe collection for H&M. I know wooden clogs were a big thing last year but I wasn't a big fan so I don't know why I was drawn to these? They also come in white but I think the red ones are cuter.

They are a bit granny I admit, but they're really well made for £35 and they are real leather. Actual Swedish Hasbeens retail for over £150 so I was really impressed with these, they haven't skimped on quality at all. I only bought them today but from walking around my garden they're not uncomfortable, but it will take some getting used to.

You also get a cute little tote bag!

My skinny jeans are the Dorothy Perkins pair I keep raving about and also from H&M (men's section) is this Jimi Hendrix tee shirt. I feel a bit of a swizz wearing it as I only really like one or two songs, but in my defence this is my sister's and all my summer clothes are in storage. In future I think I'll get my t shirts from the men's section - they're not tight fitted and the sleeves are slightly longer (great for covering up my fat arms) plus they're SO comfy!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Easter holiday weekend xxx

Dotty P's and other things

Really impressed with Dorothy Perkins at the moment, especially their jeans. Obviously you can't see them properly in this photo but I'm in love with their "super skinny" jeans range. They're such good quality and not thin and elasticy as most skinnies seem to be these days. Best of all they're on promotion for £25 right now.

I also bought these flats as my New Look ones are now battered and the soles were so thin, I may as well have been walking barefoot. They were not made for walking as they had no arch support and my calves were really starting to hurt. This pair from Dotty P's has a thicker sole and a small (maybe 1/2 cm) square heel which makes a lot of difference. They have so many nice summer shoes in there, I just couldn't decide which ones to get. I'm still undecided on these, I may go back and exchange them, not sure yet.

In other news, it's been really quiet on the blog front as we have moved whilst our whole house is being renovated for the next 3 months. 5 people and 2 cats in a small 3 bed flat is no fun at all, I'll tell you that.

My cats have gone mental, especially Blanche (the deaf white one) who has hidden under my bed for the past 4 days and hisses at everything that moves. In his distress he also peed on the carpet directly under my bed!! :(

Harry on the other hand spends all day with his nose pressed up against the glass (hence the major smudge marks) looking at birds in the tree in our new garden.

I should start posting again normally once our internet reconnects later this week. In the meantime, God bless the dude who didn't password protect his WiFi!

See you soon xxx

Shoe Lust - The Zara Edition

Reason #14535 why I love Zara. They ALWAYS have beautiful, quality, on trend shoes which look more expensive than they actually are.






 1, 2, 3.
My favourites are the first multi coloured pair which I first saw on Canned Fashion.
Oh to be able to wear vertiginous heels everyday without the fear of being crippled.

I should probably make this a monthly feature as there's hardly ever a pair of shoes I don't want.

Shoe Lust

Image: my-wardrobe.com

I saw these Vivienne Westwood Melissa shoes in the shoe section of Topshop on Oxford St last week and I WANT. I love the multicoloured bow and the teeny peep toe - plus they smell like sweeties!

Now what are the chances I can rustle up £85 down the back of my sofa?

Get your wellies on

Snow may be pretty but is really difficult to walk in. Especially when it compacts and turns into ice, or disintegrates and turns into slush. Both have been wreaking havoc on my boots so I decided to get some wellies.

My first port of call was Asda, but obviously they had sold out as all the smart people had bought them a week before when snow was first predicted. Office was the only place I found with the widest range of "fashionable" wellies for under £30. I wanted these blue snowflakes ones but they didn't have any in my size so I settled for this gold flock printed pair.



They don't have as much grip as knee high wellies but they are comfortable and keep my feet warm and dry. Affordable at £15 too. I'm a size 6.5 and the 6 was slightly too big but nothing that can't be rectified with a thick pair of socks.



Here's a crappy phone pic of me wearing them, obviously looking full of Christmas spirit and cheer(!!).

The great thing is that they don't look like traditional green wellington boots and I can easily incorporate them into anything I wear (I do wear a lot of black). These biker style wellies actually look like a proper pair of boots!

I haven't worn wellies since I was a kid and it felt really strange walking in them. I did however take great relish splashing in a big puddle when no one was looking :D

What have you been wearing in the snow?

New winter boots from New Look

Five years ago I wouldn't be caught dead in boots like these but as fashion changes, so does personal taste (well mine anyway). My previous pair of winter boots were a much beloved calf length leather pair from Next, but after 2 years of constant wear they needed replacing. Each time it rained I silently prayed and hoped for the best but they finally gave way last month and I went home with wet socks/soggy feet.

I wanted a pair of workman/biker style boots but couldn't seem to find the right style until I met up with a friend and she was wearing these, which are from New Look. I hate being a copycat but I loved them so much and I had to have them. I only see her about twice a month anyway and I can wear other shoes! I deliberated over whether I should get the exact same black pair as she had, but decided to go with the brown version.

I have been wearing these everyday for the past month and they are yet to let rain in. They do, however, always end up getting small pebbles inside. How does this happen?! They can be worn with anything but I've been tucking my black skinny jeans into em - poor quality mismatched changing room pic here.

At £26.99, they're not real leather but you can't really tell and they're so sturdy that it makes up for it. However one of the (most stupid) reasons I love them, is because they make a satisfying "clomp" sound when I walk.

Things I've been loving this week (in photos)

1. Barry M's instant nail effects polish.
2. Big clumpy boots for winter.
3. Mac's Plumful lipstick.
4. Eldora lashes.
5. Black XS - my new favourite perfume.
6. Fuggs as house "slippers". My feet have never been so toasty!

(Ballet) Pump it up

I know, I know...lame title, but I couldn't think of anything else that wasn't boring.

Just showing off my footwear of the moment. These New Look flats are exactly the same as the ones I have from Topshop but sturdier and half the price (£8). I first saw these on Sarah's blog and rushed out to get a pair in black. Sadly there were none in my size so I settled for these gold ones.



Grainy photo courtesy of my phone.

They're still in stock online (not sure about instore) and come in 5 different colours. If you're looking for a simple pair of ballet pumps these are a great buy - even more so if you're lucky to be blessed with a student card.

Selfridges Shoe Galleries Competition

Tomorrow sees the launch of The Shoe Galleries in Selfridges, where there will be 4,000 pairs of shoes on display, showcasing 150 designers with 55,000 pairs in stock. Total shoe heaven!





Part of the inspiration for The Shoe Galleries was the idea that everyone has a shoe story and we have been invited to share ours via the website. By doing so you could be in with a chance of winning a new pair (one winner every week). Plus one lucky winner will scoop a year's supply of shoes from Selfridges!

I haven't entered yet but my entry would be about my beloved pair of ankle strap leather wedges from Zara. I couldn't find a photo but they look exactly like this pair from google:



They were the first pair of "proper" heels I bought and they make me feel so ladylike. It's like they were made for me as I can walk anywhere in them with ease and comfort. From the cobbled streets of Paris to the hilly roads in Sintra, Portugal, my wedges have not rubbed nor blistered and I absolutely love them. My only regret is not buying a backup pair as they won't last forever :(

Olivia Palermo, Anya Hindmarch and Daphne Guinness have already submitted theirs. Will you be sharing your shoe story?

1,2, buckle my shoe

 
Forgive me for the worst photos ever and try to ignore how stumpy my legs look. I don't wear my jeans like this but I was trying to show the new shoes I bought from Primark in their entirety.

These open toed buckled wedges are REALLY similar to the much lusted after buckled boots by Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony . ASOS had a similar pair on sale but I thought they looked too "plasticy" and were too high for me.

These are made from a faux suede material and don't look too cheap. They are also really comfortable to walk in as the wedge isn't too high. Another major plus is that they're only £15!

I know they're not to everyone's taste but I love them so much.

Shoes of pain and misery

As much as I love shoes, I hate wearing in them in and my new sandals from Schuh have given me nothing but pain and misery (as my title denotes).

My feet have been rubbed raw and are blistered but they look pretty right?? It's also my first time wearing the coral Misa polish I bought last year and I loooooooove it!

Colourful and comfortable flats all the way!

So yesterday I went out for dinner and decided to wear my new pair of heels that I had bought over the weekend. They pinched a bit but I thought it would be a good opportunity to wear them in and stretch them out..... bad idea! The first 45 mins were fine but after that, I swear they got tighter with every step. I managed to withstand the pain for another hour before admitting defeat - my squished toes couldn't take it anymore.

I made a beeline for the nearest shop which happened to be H&M. These beauties were the first shoes I saw and I promptly paid for them and wore them straight away.

These are from the Garden Collection, "made with environmentally adapted materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton and organic linen".  They are the prettiest and most colourful flats I own - all my shoes are black or tan!

Not bad for £9.99 right? They're slightly too big but nothing that can't be rectified with some comfy insoles. The only downside is that as they're made from fabric, they will probably get dirty quickly. However, looking down at them cheers me up on dreary days such as the one we had today.

You can view the rest of the Garden Collection on H&M's website.