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Showing posts from February, 2011

Shoe of the week

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These shoes from Topshop just caught my eye during my weekly research for the shoe of the week. The shoe is called Glacier, seems a bit of a strange name considering how hot the shoe looks.  Which makes me wonder what the decision-making is behind a shoe's name and whether anyone takes notice of it when purchasing high street shoes.  I must admit I used to like browsing the Faith site and checking out the shoes named Betty, Muriel and Florence but I can honestly say I don't take much notice of what my shoes are actually called but I will do for future purchases. The Glacier shoe is also available in purple and black but the mustard would definitely be my first choice.

Looking for inspiration

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I'm at home, its the weekend and I've developed a cold and sore throat.  Luckily the latest Glamour magazine sailed its way onto my doormat so I'm spending time indoors planning my spring and summer wardrobe.  Now I understand this year that the 'future's orange' this year so I've had a browse round to spot any shoes that might fit the bill.  Now I spotted these peep toe pumps by Chrissie Morris on the Matches website. These would definitely be on my shopping list if I had a limitless budget. Isadore python peep toe pumps available on Matches  However these cork heels from Dorothy Perkins meet my high street budget. Plenty of choice on the high street   But before I spent any pennies updating my wardrobe, I checked my shoe collection to see if I have anything already suitable and I do! I bought this coral suede shoes from Dorothy Perkins last year, so I'm sorted for a key trend this year, now I need to address stripes and florals!

Shoe of the week

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Now my shoe of the week is ticking a couple of season trends - prints and brights. As this time of year, ladies are planning outfits for a wedding or a day at the races, this shoe would be the perfect complement to stand out in a crowd!

unplanned blog break

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I unofficially had the weekend off blogging this weekend: a combination of shopping for necessities, forgetting to take my camera out, my first night out in months requiring a full day of recovery and power naps and the trauma of a lost dog. Minor rant here about how people have no consideration for other peoples property or rights to privacy.  My dogs were staying with my mum on Saturday while we were out.  At around 8 o'clock the next morning we heard the phone and you know when you get an early call that something is wrong.  Well my dog Jasper was missing and had got out of my mum's garden as someone had entered her garden and left the gate open.  My mum has then found out that when children have been playing football in the street (which is I believe illegal) they have been in and out of her garden constantly. A fellow neighbour questioned their right to access my mum's garden, they have lied and said they've had permission to do so! Please don't get me wrong,

charity shops, chinese and meeting the fishes

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I need to get organised, I really should have written, reviewed and posted this days ago! I had a really nice day last Friday in Preston  which is about 15-20 miles from Blackpool.   The main focus of the day was to take a browse round the charity shops with my friend Sylvia as we'd done a similar trip a couple of years ago to source jewellery to create my vintage wedding bouquet. here's one we made earlier Things have changed, I'm not sure if you've noticed with your local charity shops but a number of those found on the high street have really increased their prices.  Now, I'm not saying that its not important to support the shops and help raise much-needed funds but at the end of the day, they are still selling secondhand goods so this should really be reflected in the price.  I do think that they can put off potential customers.  One shop actually had primark and Matalan products for sale at a higher price than they would have been brand-new instore! I d

Shoe of the week

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be seen in green On my first foray onto the high street in 2011, I popped into River Island for a bit of a browse around the shoe department and spotted these .  I love the shape of the heel, the overall design of the shoe is retro made modern. They're available in pink, grey or green with a contrast between the suede and (I think its) snakeskin effect on the heel and ankle strap.   They are priced at £69.99.

Jealous!

All the blogs are buzzing with the news that Blake Lively (Serena from Gossip Girl and a up-and-coming movie star) has had a Louboutin shoe named after her! On sale in a couple of weeks, the shoe is multi-coloured with cute little buttons. How nice is the official Louboutin site !

Spotted on the street

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plaid out in purple Now Jo from our office, is definitely a bargainista who doesn't believe in saving anything for best! - she looks fabulous 24/7.  I spotted her in these purple heels from Matalan and plaid tights from Primark (both purchases over 12 months old) which she teamed up with a layed LBD and purple belt.  24/7 glamour What I love about Jo is that she always manages to make Primark and similarr store purchases look more expensive and wearable. She's also a dab hand at finding high street treasures at reduced prices.

Getting creative

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seeking inspiration I've often struggle with writers block and my creativity fizzles out from time to time so I made a creativity board for work and I'm going to create one at home for my blog.  My work one is a mixture of positive sayings, media articles I like and tips on producing communications, with a couple of shoe images stuck in there. I need to get more organised for creating blog posts (there is never enough time in the day) I have a pile of magazines to read and loads of cuttings to put into a creative board but I will prevail.  How do you get creative or what inspires you?

Shoe of the week

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these shoes were made for walking This week's shoe , I hope, mixes fashion with practicality.  Addressing the Spring/Summer 2011 trend for block heels and identifying shoes I can walk to work in, these Zara shoes really tick the box for me (especially the buckle details).  Fingers crossed we actually get the weather this year as if its anything like last year I'll be in wellies rather that these lovely sandals!

Where does the weekend go?

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I would like to make it official and sign up to a petition to make weekends officially three days long! There is just not enough time in a two-day weekend to do all the things I want to do, Saturday and Sunday are simply too short and time flies without having enough fun.  Since the start of this year my husband has worked the majority of weekends either day or night shifts so we haven't been able to really plan anything to do.  Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely lucky that we both have a job (it was a different story nearly four years ago) but weekends are meant to be fun and not pass by without something interesting occurring! [cue Great Escape music] I did manage to finally get out of the house this weekend, dressed up and an alcoholic drink passed my lips, my first since New Years Eve!  I went on a hen night to a local village, one of those places with quite a few bars and restaurants that are basically a hop, skip and jump away from each other, perfect as it was raini

Feeling inspired

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Last year was the first time that I actually bought something I could wear from a charity shop.  I paid £4 for a pair black peep toe shoes that had never been worn and I use them as my summer go-to shoes for work.  Previously my purchases from charity shops was limited to brooches but I've been inspired by the My Style Blog to reconsider charity shops and car boot sales as an alternative choice to the high street, no VAT is an added bonus, while supporting a charity.  My nearest shop is about 10 minutes up the road and supports a local hospice.  I've started to pop in on a regular basis to check for bargains.  This weekend I had my first successful purchase was this Marks and Spencers jumper (never worn and tags still attached)  helping me towards the Spring/Summer 2011 trend for stripes.  I did also spot a Max Mara polka dot jacket for sale at £25 but sadly not my size but the fact I had recognised a quality jacket made me chuffed as I have been taking notice of all you

Still getting a tan in winter

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tan shoes from Matalan circa 2007 I think What is it about tan shoes that just really make an outfit pop or warm up a winter ensemble? There's something I really like about the richness of the colour especially with dark blue jeans. . My sister gave me these never-worn platforms from Matalan a couple of years ago. I love them and they have a bit of a retro seventies feel to them.  I call them my 'four-hour' shoes because, to be honest, that's about as long as I can actually wear them! Unfortunately they are really uncomfortable, I'm not sure if its the wooden heel and platform that aren't really that flexible but after a couple of hours wear my feet are ready to set free.  I just like them so much that I can't bear to part with them.  I guess I'm living up to the saying that fashion is pain. I think I'm in need for a tan

Goodbye January, Hello February

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getting nearer to Spring I'm so glad to see the back of January, its been a long, long, dark and dreary month.  I haven't had a drink since New Years Eve or even popped to the shops for a bit of retail therapy.    Don't get me wrong that's not such a bad thing but I'm ready to change things up a bit.  I feel that, apart from going to work, I've been living in my pajamas for a month and I'm getting a bit stir crazy.  I'm worried that if I don't break out of this rut that I will los e my social skills,  which will result in me not being able to tell the difference between a mojito and a milkshake and the realisation that there are two 12 o'clocks in a day! I've been doing bugger all since Christmas, but luckily salvation is around the corner (or arriving this weekend) with the first of the events I've been invited  too, I have something planned for every weekend in February!  The excitement is just too much! So roll on the weekend!