Pony Up

(Image via Clarks)

I have not been overly tempted to go shopping recently. For a number of reasons. I don't have a job. It is too hot to be in the shops when you can be under a tree reading a book in the shade. I'm not going on holiday and so am not in the market for racks of sale clothes that are only suitable for Marbs. The autumn and winter collections are starting to come in and I have absolutely no interest in thinking about that yet. I am happily sweating and working on my tan right now, thank you very much.

But the tide might be starting to turn because I have seen these Clarks shoes and I love them. Not quite enough to wish that it was suitable whether to wear them, but enough to dream about snapping them up and then taking them out and stroking the faux pony until such a time as I might be able to wear them at a suitable temperature. It is always this time of year when I start lusting after things that are wildly unsuitable but that you just have to have in case they are snapped up before you can buy them and then you live in regret all winter, knowing that item would have made your life 100% better. Hmm, do I put too much importance in clothes?...!

Cheap Date

I am currently unemployed. So generally speaking my shopping days are on hiatus. And very definitely any shopping in any but the most reasonably priced shops.

Thank goodness for Marks & Spencer flats which are super cute.

 They will keep my happy in hopefully the short interim before I am back in gainful employment.

(Images via Marks & Spencer)

Top Marks

I am trying to save my pennies at the moment, but of course I still want to shop. So what's the solution?

The cheaper shops that I used to patronise just seem way to young and trendy for me, old trollop that I am.

But what's this? Marks and Spencer you say? A Peter Pilotto-a-like geometric patterned dress and adorable patterned and bow-bedecked pumps?

Fabulous, no? I might just have found the answer.

(Images via Marks & Spencer)

Stud-U-Like

Yay! It has finally happened. Russell & Bromley have an online shop. And I have fallen in love with this pair of studded brogues. Swoon!

Slippery Slope

I know that the slipper style has been around for a while, but I am getting more and more obsessed with them. They are elegant and grown up, definitely more so than the ubiquitous ballet pump.

My favourite pairs comes from Chatelles and Charles Philip Shanghai.

Are they delightful?

 

 

 Chatelles

 Charles Philp Shanghai

(Images via Chatelles, Net a Porter)

Hi Ho Silver!

 French Sole

 

 

I am warming, increasingly, to the idea of a flat silver shoe for autumn. Far more interesting than black, wouldn't you agree? But also still reasonably neutral and minimalist. So I think they would suit my purposes.

 

I would also like to draw your attention to an anomaly for Cute or Not Cute, I am recommending something from Next. I know! And no, hell hasn't frozen over, not quite yet. But if it happens again then something seriously wrong is going on and you probably should go for help. But not only do I like something from there I think I might like them more than any of the others.

 

Will I actually be able to go and purchase something from Next though? We will just have to wait and see. I'll keep you posted, fashion fans...!

 Kurt Geiger

  Miu Miu

 

 

 Miu Miu

Next 

Ted Baker

 

(Images via Asos, Next, Net a Porter, Kurt Geiger)

Little Bow Peep

 I have been looking for a flat shoe just like this. But I haven't had that much success with Dune shoes. The never seem to fit me that well. And I am slightly distrustful of cheap flats because they do like to fall apart on me after a few wears. But they really are just like what I am looking for (although I might have been able to do with an ever so slightly higher heel) so maybe I'll give them a shot. They would look very nice with the slim leg cropped trousers that I also need to track down.

(Images via Dune, House of Fraser)

Flat Foot

 I could really do with a pair of ballet flats. Something practical for work.  But what I really want is this bright pink suede studded pair by McQ.

(Images via Kurt Geiger)

Don't Sweat It

(Images via Kurt Geiger)

I think these shoes are adorable and would be a great pair for work this summer. So why can't I get it out of my head that all they would bring me would be sweaty feet and blister based misery for the warmer months? Maybe it's because they nude patent leather looks a bit like plastic, but they aren't, they're real honest to goodness leather and shouldn't be any worse than any other leather pair... (clutching at straws...).

Cold Comfort

It wasn't that long ago that the thought of comfortable shoes made me shudder. But I have come to the point where I have to admit defeat and say that when I buy shoes the comfort factor makes up any important part of the appeal.

Particularly when it comes to a shoe that will be worn for extended pedestrian jaunts in a warm country. You know, like when you are on holiday. Because there can be nothing more miserable than sore feet en vacances.

I have just about come round to the delights of Clarks (at least their cuter ranges) but have yet to be converted to other comfort over style brands.

That was, until this weekend.

My lovely friend Kate, the doyenne of comfortable feet, was in town and encouraged me into Hush Puppies. And do you know what? I was very pleasantly surprised. They have some real treats. Seriously, I do not tell a lie. In fact I bought the top pair and am now considering the sandals below them too. They could be cute, right?

And these adventures in comfort didn't stop there. Admittedly my style over comfort is still very firmly in place and I proved to myself that no matter how comfortable it is if I look like a four year old in sensible crepe soled sandals I will not be swayed. But on venturing into Ecco (not somewhere I ever thought I would admit to shopping) I realised that comfort does not always equal hideousness. Which makes me exceedingly happy because I am not ready to tip the balance. Not quite yet.

(Images via Hush Puppies, Ecco)

All Hands to the Pump

I really have a crush on these flat strappy pumps from Kurt Geiger. I think I might want them quite badly. Particularly the Neopolitan shade pair below.

It might be ever so slightly anaemic, but I think I would like to pair them with this heavenly dress from Jigsaw. I am very nearly at that point where I am ready to bid adieu to winter woolens and opaque tights for something more light and breezy.

(Images via Kurt Geiger, Jigsaw)

Flat Out

(Image via Clarks)

Jeez Louise! I know I wanted a job, but I don't think I was prepared for this.

I am so busy that I didn't even get an opportunity to eat my sanger at lunch today. And while I know that there is a huge amount of unemployment I'm not convinced that this is the job for me.

Not least because I have to wear flat shoes. I am up and down stairs all day with arms full of legal files. If I carry on wearing heels I'm going to go over on an ankle.

And I haven't been earning for a couple of months so I didn't want to splash out. So instead I went and spent £20 in the Clarks sale on these montstrosities. Aren't they hideous? Seriously, the things we do to earn an honest crust.

Flat Out

I am feeling the masculine flat shoe. Even though I can't really rock the masculine look. But a shoe? A shoe is a little bite sized amount of masculine, and I think I could deal with that.


(Via Kurt Geiger)

But I draw the line at brothel creepers. Because they're gross.


(Via Daily Telegraph)

Tell Me About it, Stud!

I was looking for a pair of flats seeing as my black ones are so slippy I nearly end up going arse over tit every time I'm on anything other than carpet. I find the task excrutiatingly boring. Flats are inherently sensible and inherently boring, wouldn't you agree?



So imagine my delight upon finding a pair that are not only fuschia, not only faux-python, but are also rocking some enormously mean looking studs. Aaaaaoouuuuwwwww! (Rock hands gesture, sticking tongue out a la Gene Simmons, etc.)


(Via Kurt Geiger)

And after some to-doing where I had to order them in because they had all been sent out to the press and they only had them in a 4 or an 8 I finally got to take them home with me last night. Truly I think I might be the happiest girl alive. Plus it is nearly the Easter break. Life is good indeed!

Another String to My Bow

I had hideous tooth ache today after having a wisdom tooth out last week. And so I went in search of something to dull the pain. While I was venturing about in the wilds of Covent Garden I found myself without a shoe. My right foot decided it was time to move on while the shoe decided it was a charming place to rest and take in the view. They have become so relaxed that it is only through faith and the pure determination of my toes gripping that keeps them on at all. Gah! Time for a new pair.

And these are they.


(Via Kurt Geiger)

Aren't they delightful? With a great big stonking glittery bow.

Not sure they are quite adhering to the minimalist vibe, but hey-ho, they are pretty and that's good enough for me.

Flat Out

(Via Net a Porter)

I suspect I am not alone in spending considerably more money on shoes for best than shoes for every day. So while I have numerous pairs of very high heels that I teeter about in once in a while for a few hours, when it comes to a practical, smart shoe I not only have very little to show I also tend to spend very little money on them.

I suppose I should find it shocking that £180 on a pair of ponyskin six inch platform ankle boots doesn't make me raise an eyebrow yet I am horrified at the prospect of parting with more than about £50 for a flat that I will wear significantly more often.

So, finally, I have decided to address the imbalance. I have found a pair in R&B that are quite grown up without being fusty, suede rather than patent leather, because heaven knows that no grown woman actually wants to be wearing shoes that shiny, and with some serious hardware on them. They look comfortable. Like they will last more than about three months. Like a suitable shoe for a 31 year old with a proper job. And yet they are £165. And there is something just sticking in my throat about that. But the same amount for a heel so high I will only be able to comfortably wear it for about three minutes while being escorted down stairs by a burly companion a la Gwynnie and will only get an outing for a wedding and occasional party? Well, that seems entirely reasonable...

Hot Lips!

(Image via ME)

They are majorly cute old girl. And considering the sole is flapping about perilously on your current pair, may I suggest you hop (literally darling, I worry you may trip) over to KG and proffer your credit card toute de suite?

I have provided an artist's impression of how these pumps may look a year down the line when they too have developed a little mouth of their own, and I think you'll agree, they still look rather pretty. So yeah! Do it!

Flat Out

(Image via Kurt Geiger)

Goodness, I think I might have found my perfect summer flat. Aren't they a delight? I just wonder if the big whole hunk o' diamonds (I bet they're real) on the front is a deal breaker or not.

What say you oh, oracle of oracles?