Monday, June 30, 2008

Outfit: Holiday Monday



The young man and I have this week of work, so today we had a day out. We headed for the coast and stopped off in Pickering for a walk round and some lunch. Then we drove through Dalby Forrest and stopped off there for a walk too. We eventually made it to Whitby and had a wander round then got fish & chips for tea (well you have to when you’re at the seaside!).

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Blue tank – Topshop
Jeans – Gap
Blue flats – Ethel Austin

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Weekend Recap



Friday night was youth work as usual. The weather had turned rainy and chilly (it is June after all), and so I donned a long cardigan over my outfit from earlier for warmth. I decided I would start to break in my new black flats too.
So, outfit as earlier on Friday
Black flats – Priceless Shoes
Blue/grey long cardi – Firetrap (charity shop)

Saturday there was a bit of a school reunion going on in one of the pubs near my old school. My friend & her husband came over and we left the lads to go for a ride on their motorbikes and headed on over, picking up my sister en route. I wore the same turquoise cami, blue cardi & beads as last Saturday, but wore longer length Gap jeans and these New Look heels.

Sunday is shaping up to be a lazy day around the house. I have laundered the bed sheets and sorted out a few items to go to the charity shop tomorrow.

Grey top – Topshop (eBay)
Black cardi – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Gap
Silver belt – Primark
Silver shoes – Faith

Friday, June 27, 2008

Also From My Stats…


I notice a bunch of people are still Googling ‘how to stop shoes rubbing’. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again people: Compeed Anti-Blister Stick! Boots, £4.99 ish.

Packing A Capsule Wardrobe

I noticed on my referral stats that someone had found this site by Googling just that, packing a capsule wardrobe. This is something I aim for each time I go away and it was only last weekend that I felt I had truly succeeded. So I’ll share with you the list of what I took and the combinations I wore in case it’s of any use to you. Now bear in mind that this is outerwear only, clearly you will have to add the appropriate number of undergarments for the length of your trip. This list was for a weekend away in a city, leaving Friday evening and returning Sunday evening.

To Pack/Wear to Travel:
Teal beads
Teal shrug
White tank
Skinny jeans – for flats
Blue coat
Blue metallic shoes
Black shrug
Black/silver cami
Dark jeans – for heels
Black trousers
Turquoise cami
Silver flats
Flared jeans – for flats
Blue cardi
Grey tank
Blue beads

The Outfit Combinations:

Friday night – travelling down
Silver flats
Flared jeans
Blue cardi
Grey tank
Blue beads

Saturday Day – wandering around city centre
Silver flats
Skinny jeans
Turquoise cami
Blue cardi
Blue beads

Saturday Night – meal/drinks out
Dark jeans or black trousers
Black/silver cami
Black shrug
Blue metallic heels
Blue coat

Sunday Day – brunch & walk at the coast
Flared jeans or skinnies cropped
Silver flats
Teal shrug
White tank
Teal beads

D’oh! New Bag Too


I was in so much of a hurry to post my new shoes so I could show them off to the girls on Shiny, I totally forgot to write about my new bag. Also from Priceless shoes, this clutch was £3 and is every bit as shiny as it looks here. I didn’t have any clutches before and have been wanting one for a while. A great payday treat.

Lunchtime Shopping


Priceless did not have any of the styles below in my size except the silver. But they were the last pair and somewhat dishevelled so I left them. I did however get these black flats for £9. I have been looking for some black flats for a while as I figure they will be very useful.

Priceless Shoes – Online Shopping!

When did that happen? How did I miss it? Anyway, I was planning to head up there at dinnertime hence my Googling of them. The site is very similar to the Barratts one (same company) and carries some of the same stock, but you can search by size on the Priceless site and that can only be a good thing. They go up to a UK 10 which is fab for me! I know what I need to look out for now but if they don’t have what I want at the store, I always have the online option to fall back on.

Blue peep toes £13
Silver Courts £8
Yellow wedges £6

Thursday, June 26, 2008

All About My Boots

Well I couldn’t leave out my favourite form of footwear, could I?

Arturo Chiang Black Knee High
I bought these in New York at Century 21 in November 2003. I went on a short trip there with my friend. We went to Century 21 twice in as many days. The boots are leather in their entirety.

ASOS Brown & Black Knee High
I was on a quest back in April for some over the knee boots as they would actually reach all the way up to my knees. The only reasonably priced ones that came up on Google were these for £20 in the ASOS sale.

Bertie Pink Knee High
I was in Dublin in 2004 with the same friend who I’d gone to New York with. We’d looked in the shoe department of Brown Thomas and it was all fairly expensive. So we crossed the street and went into BT2, the younger, funkier, sister store. And staring at me on the sale shelf were these fantastic boots for 99€. We went out that night I got all kinds of attention for my footwear, peeking out from under my jeans.

Priceless Shoes Blue Slouch
£15 in summer 2006. I bought these boots on the hottest day of the year that July because I saw them and knew that such a fabulous colour would sell out quickly in my size.

Brantano Brown Ankle
These cost me £30 as I got a 10% discount on account of a loose thread on the stitching. The heels are 4” high and at the time were about the highest I had. I got them on a trip to Bristol in about 2001 or 2002.

Faith Brown Knee High
I loved the stitching detail and buttons on these boots when I saw them in the Faith sale. They cost me £50. At first I thought they were too pointy but once I tried them on at home with various jeans I decided I would keep them.

Faith Teal Mid Calf
These were bought at the same time as the brown pair above and were £40 in the sale. I love the colour and how they magically make my legs look slimmer.

River Island Green Suede Boots
I saw these on the sale table during a shopping trip with my Australian friend last summer. She was in the changing rooms at the time so I thought I’d try them on. I didn’t hold much hope as RI shoes have not fitted in the past, but these boots did. My friend came out and said ‘those are hot’ and as they were only £15 I got them. They are super long as they are supposed to fold over at the top, but unfolded they reach my knees. I think it was the bright green colour that attracted me to them. I must really get a better picture of them.

Ethel Austin Grey Ankle
Faux suede & faux leather, these had been reduced to £8 in Ethel Austin. They are super comfy and surprising waterproof too.

Faith Tan Knee High
£50 in the Faith sale. I should wear these more but because I associate boots with wet weather, the colour is not good. I will have to wear them more on cooler days this summer as the colour is better than black for ‘summer’.

Nine West Dark Brown Knee High
I really should get a picture of my own boots. I have these in dark brown. However, the red is good as you can see the detailing on the sides. I got these for £40 when Allers was shutting down in Leeds. They are comfy for their heel height and I can walk around the city centre for much of the day in them with minimal pain.

Next Black Shoe Boot
These were full price. I got them around 2001 I think, just after I had started working. They were £54.99 and I had to order them from the Next Directory as they don’t stock size 9s in the shops.

Nine West Red Ankle
These were also from Century 21 in New York. I got them either the day before or the day after the black Arturo Chiang pair. I go through phases of liking these and not liking them.

New Look Black Knee High
My latest boot acquisition. I got these on eBay a couple of months ago because I already had them in brown and they were pretty comfortable. There is a fold down flap at the top, but when it’s turned up the boots reach right to my knees. They cost me 99p.

New Look Brown Knee High
Bought on eBay for about £5. Exactly the same as the boots above.

Faith Navy Shoe Boots
I should eBay these really as I haven’t worn them in ages, and have only worn them about four times since I got them. £20 in the sale.

Tall Girls Flat Knee High
I really needed some flat knee high boots for winter and finally splashed out on these from Tall Girls. The leg is extra long so hits at my knee. £65 in the sale.

Splash Turquoise Fur Trim Mid Calf
One of my first eBay purchases in about 2003. Faux suede with a faux fur trim. They came from America and cost $24.99 so about £12.50 now. I don’t know how much that would have been back then. They are just fab – the fur, the colour, everything.

All About My Shoes

I was asked last week by Fabulously Broke to do a post about my shoe collection. So, here goes: I’ll tell you a little about all the pairs I have pictures of.







Barratts Red Point
These were bought for £8 in the Barratts sale about a year or so ago. They are a brighter red than the red pair I already owned and were such a bargain that I couldn’t leave them on the rack. The style name is ‘Bananarama’, a group that I still like all these years after their 80s heyday. I will admit here to owning their Greatest Hits CD and a vinyl album.

Ethel Austin Black Platforms
No, I don’t really need platforms but for £3.50 when Ethel Austin was shutting down, they were a bargain. I think these are my latest shoe acquisition. They are the plainest pair of black shoes that I own and will be very useful when the winter comes and I am back to wearing trousers and long length jeans.

Ethel Austin Blue Flats
I was bored with my options of flats in red, beige or silver and spotted this blue leather pair for £5 in the EA sale. You have no idea how pleased I am that EA is no longer shutting down!

Clarks Pink MJs
These are suede and leather and don’t get worn all that often. A possible candidate for eBay I think. About £18 in the sale.

Faith Pink Round Toes
These were purchased in September 2006 with a 20% discount from Company magazine. They are leather and have stretched out a little so that they are a bit big for me now. Something that does not often happen!

So Danca Black Dancing Shoes
Bought February 2008 for participating in the show. They are currently residing in their box ready to be brought out again when dance rehearsals start again next year. Hands down they are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. Perhaps I should have worn those today!

Dolcis Black Brogue-Style
These were £20 I think in the Dolcis sale. I am still disappointed that Dolcis has shut down as they stocked size 9s in their stores. However, some of the brand’s styles still live on through Barratts.

Dorothy Perkins Red Patent Flats
I know that Dorothy Perkins make some of their shoes in a 9, but for some reason this fact is never advertised on their website. Occasionally there is the odd pair lingering in the sale and these were £7 last summer.

Evans Ribbon Bow Round Toes
I bought these along with 2 other pairs in a fit of excitement at finding somewhere new that stocked size 9s. They don’t get worn very often because of their pale colour. I must try to rectify that this year. £10 I think, in the sale. The young man doesn’t like the colour of them.

Evans Brown Suedette Wedges
In the sale with the above pair. Pretty comfortable because of the flexisole. I don’t know why I don’t wear these more often – possibly because they are not so good in the rain.

Faith Silver Flats
One of the few pairs I actually paid full price for. (Actually, they may be the only pair I have now as I sold my other full price pair on eBay recently.) I may be a shoe-a-holic but I hardly ever pay retail price for them.


Faith Beige Heels
Again, I don’t wear these so often because of the colour but they are very stylish. £25 in the sale.

New Look Bronze Glitter Shoes
£4.99 in Oxfam. I saw them and left them on my first visit but when they were still there a few days later I knew I had to have them! I wear them when I’m going out but not walking far as the glitter can dig in to the side of my feet.

Bridesmaid Shoes
These are now a deep shade of red, they were dyed to match my dress. Bought for £70 (oh there you go, that was full price) in August 2006 for my sister’s wedding. They are satin with leather soles and are possibly the most expensive shoes I own. They are very comfortable but I now regret not getting more of a heel as they are a bit flat to be glamorous in my opinion.

Matalan Burgundy Patent Bows
£2.50 in the sale. Need I say more? Bought last summer.

Matalan Teal Faux Suede Wedges
These are my only teal shoes so I love them. They are pretty comfortable considering they were only £10 (full price – whaddaya know, I have more than I thought!).

Matalan Black Patent Lace Ups
These were a bit of an ‘it’ shoe for a while last year and a few of the Shiny girls have them. £14 (full price again) in Matalan in September 2007.

Moda in Pelle Blue Almost-Flats
These are almost-flat as they have a teeny tiny kitten heel on them. They are one of my favourite pairs and have been worn to death – literally, as they are now starting to fall apart. Reheeled more times than I can remember, and resoled, they have lasted well since about 2002. £40 I think, full price again.

Magrit Navy Patent
These were £22 from a local outlet mall, bought in July 2006, just as I was starting this blog. They are leather all over, including the soles.

New Look Grey Suedette Round Toes
£4.99 in a charity shop at the seaside. They were like new and fit me perfectly. Again, they are not practical in the rain.

New Look Suede Shoe-Boots
I paid £25 for these. Full price I thought but the picture from the website says £30 so perhaps not. Again, a bit of an ‘it’ shoe within the Shiny community – a number of us have these as they came in grey, black and blue. They are real suede. Bought September 2006.

Next Black & Cream Shoes
£5 in a charity shop, Oxfam I think. They were in good nick and a size 9 so I had to have them. The sticker on the underneath says they were £44.99 new.

Nine West Pink Strappy
I can’t remember how much these were but they were in Debenhams sale so about £18 I think. They have padding under the ball of the foot to improve comfort.

New Look Black Peeptoes
£4.99 in the St Martin’s hospice shoe. They were just sitting in the window, looking at me. What could I do?

New Look Blue Patent
£5 in the sale. Bright blue. So me. These were bought on the same day as the red Barratts ones at the top of the list. I had £12 to spend from my ‘saving for shoes’ money box.

New Look Brown Round Toes
These were bought fairly recently from eBay for about a fiver I think.

New Look Leopard Print
Yet another eBay find. They are faux suede. I wasn’t sure about leopard print when it first had its resurgence a few years back, but inspired by Londyn and Allie, I think it has become a classic.
New Look Turquoise Peep Toes
£2.99 in a charity shop. I bought these at the end of last summer but never really got to wear them because of the rain. One of my favourite pairs this year.

Oasis Black & White Strappy
I don’t wear these very often so I think I will eBay them. I got them in Dublin in 2004 in the sale.

Oasis Green Peeptoes
£4.99 in Oxfam. I think I have worn these once since I got them last year but they are occasion shoes and are waiting for the right occasion to be worn.

Office Blue Metallic Point
My favourite pair of shoes, hands down. I love them! They are comfy enough to wear for a night of dancing and look fab with everything. £20 which I think was full price. I spotted these on the Office website when I had clicked through from Shoewawa to look at another pair entirely. With my love of all things blue and shiny it was love at first site and I had to have them. That was in December 2006.

Ethel Austin Pink Patent Flats
I have some pink flats from George at ASDA that I got in 2004. But they have become so scuffed and scruffy that they have been relegated to driving shoes some time since and I had been on the look out for a replacement for a while. So when I saw these for £5 in Ethel Austin’s closing down sale I got them.

Primark Brown Peeptoes
£2.99 in a charity shop. This is the only pair of Primark shoes I own (excluding the flip flops I have on today).

New Look Red Wedges
£4.99 in the British Heart Foundation shop. I do love me some New Look shoes!

Next Red Points
Another full price pair, but only £16.99 and real leather. I got these in August 2006 and wore them constantly. I still love them now.

Roberto Vianni Brown Ankle Strap
£19 in the Debenhams sale but I had a gift voucher so they cost me nothing. They look nice but don’t walk far in them – as I learned yesterday!

Brantano Silver Heart Sandals
Bought at Christmas 2005 to wear for an evening event on Boxing Day. £12 but I think that was the sale price. They have a low heel so are a good alternative to flip flops for work on a hot day.

New Look Yellow MJs
Another eBay purchase. I don’t wear a lot of yellow but I am slowly incorporating these into my outfits.

Ks Shoes Grey Courts
I have decided that I like these and am keeping them. I just haven’t figured out what to wear them with yet. Any suggestions?