I have too many shoes

A year ago, I decided to do something about getting healthy and making time for exercise.   I'd tried a gym and managed to fall off  a treadmill, my attempt at Zumba was one spin too many and trampolining keep fit resulted in painful knees and a struggle to get up off a train seat. But I've caught the running bug! This time last year I started to go running, after seeing an online post about starting up a small running group.  My early running days were a struggle, barely able to jog let alone run for a minute.  But I stuck to it and can now run for ten minutes nonstop, actually run! The beach promenade is my gym, a early morning run on a Saturday morning is my work out and I am ready for more.  Instead of a new years resolution, I set myself challenges for this year including running my first 5k and by spring I aim to do this. It does mean that some of my footwear choices lately haven't been about the height but more about comfort and speed, but it do...

Do you use the expression 'save for best' ? So all your lovely shoes, clothes, make up or jewellery are saved for a special occasion and currently residing in your wardrobe waiting for its moment to shine? That moment can take weeks or months to happen, right? It definitely does for me.  I've got new clothes and shoes that haven't been worn yet, I'm saving them for something, some event or reason to wear them and they are just going to waste. I'm taking inspiration from a lady in my office who was rocking an amazing outfit for work, which included these gold loafer mules.  Her thinking was 'why save for best, wear it now!' Rather that restrict gold to nights out with cocktails, I'm thinking of adding that bit of sparkle to an office outfit.  So its time to re-think my wardrobe, dig out those shoes and stop waiting for 'best'. Shoes from Next , saving them for best?  The choice is yours...

Its been a long time since I blogged about anything.  The last time I posted was May 2016, since then I've got swept up in a new job and struggled to get that all-important work-life-balance. So. this year I've set myself a new goal togged back on track and start blogging again.  Easing myself back into the blogosphere, here are the shoe purchases that I've indulged in during 2016. I will blog again soon! Snake print, perfect for a clashing prints wedding outfit Kurt Geiger sales purchase, need to wear these more often January sales purchase, just because I needed that sparkle in my life Blue velvet sock boots, perfect for the in-between season outfits The red shoe 'gap' in my shoe collection has been filled! Bargain from St Johns Market, Liverpool after I spotted a girl wearing them on  a Friday night out I've discovered my city breaks require more sensible footwear

I love the colour... I love the quirkiness... I love the chunky heel... I love the sixties vibe... I just love, love, love these shoes. Shoes from  Topshop

Over the past few years, I have got myself into a good, organised approach to shopping. I no longer sweep up armfuls of clothes while pounding the shopping aisles, I resist the urge to splurge when I am dazzled by the newest nail varnish colours or the latest shade of lipstick, even though they look like they been made just for me. It might sound boring and no fun whatsoever but it works for me. Gradually,my cupboards were becoming  overfilled with things I don't really need and I had too much choice so this is my way to try and make my life much simple.  So I create lists of things I need and I stick to it.  The things I need could be the regular necessities like deodorant , cotton buds, shampoo or something missing from my wardrobe like a dress for work interviews or a replacement pair of nude heels (one of my wardrobe staples).  Then there are moments when I fall of the wagon and sticking to my list goes completely out of the window.  This is one of th...

There is something about the warmer weather that puts a much needed spring in my step.  I want to put away my berry tone  heels, store my boots on a shelf and plan some perfect pedicures. These gorgeous Tabitha Simmons heels just sum up what hazy days, lighter evenings and not having to wear multiple layers is all about. Time to get those winter warmers ready to pack away!

I love using Pinterest to get ideas for our home improvements, planning outfits, drooling over cupcakes and discovering cocktails that I need to try. With an trip to New York planned in the next few months, I'm using it to research ideas for outfits that are a combination of chic yet casual, perfect for a city break with a nod to style by adding a statement necklace to a t-shirt and jeans or a pop of colour.  My current colour of choice is  yellow  to add a bit of sunshine to my capsule holiday wardrobe. These heels from Zara will give me that much-needed Carrie Bradshaw approach to my city style.

I've recently started a new job and I don't seem to have time for anything, My fashion choices feel limited to office appropriate outfits and sensible heels.  With a trip to NYC planned for later this year, I also need to keep my spending to a minimum.  Not great when the need to have some retail therapy is increasing.  So magazine articles like these are giving me a quick fashion fix, hopefully kick-starting my fashion thinking to take me out of the office while using whatever I own to meet the current trends.    Now these yellow peep toes will be getting their moment to shine in the spring.   

I'm hoping this recent purchase from Simmi Shoes will help me find my inner showgirl. I'm ready to shake my tassles on the dancefloor! 

  Sometimes, there are no reasons behind my shoe of the week choices, Sometimes its just because... I need them in my life! Heels  from Aldo.

If you've read some of my blog previously, then you'll know that I love a shoe with a buckle and I like a bit of vintage.  The details on these shoes , tick a number of items on my shoe checklist, so they just had to be my shoe of the week . Currently in the sale at Aldo. :)

I've been extremely restrained from making any shoe purchases over the past year.  I'm not sure if its because I've been busy in the first full year in my job, that I've had to choose practicality over a high heel or I just haven't felt inspired by the choices on the high street but I just haven't felt that urge to buy.   And I love shoes, they are the one thing that I would buy before anything else, I just haven't had that impulse to grab a pair of shoes of the shelf and pop them at the counter to pay.  So, I'm easing myself back into a love affair with shoes with this little sales purchase from Matalan

So its my first shoe of the week for 2016. As its awards season, I like to nominate these River Island shoe boots for the best supporting role; for providing the perfect complement to a date night outfit, adding the funkiest style to that cute leather shift dress you've been saving for cocktails with the girls and providing general sass to any outfit.

There are days and places where heels just aren't suitable and you have to find a compromise between style, comfort and the dreaded word...practicality! Some forward planning for city breaks in 2016 (New York, we are coming back!) resulted in a birthday purchase of these Stan Smiths for me. Perfect for a casual look while exploring the city while saving your feet from exhaustion ensuring those precious hours available for retail therapy are not wasted!  But these are also great to dress up a bit for night and looked great with turned up Levis and a classic white shirt.  The best excuse to swap my heels for trainers during the rubbish weather this Christmas,

Just a couple of shoe purchases from earlier in the year, haven't had chance to post them before because of my IT problems - no hard drive meant limited blogging chances. 

Just a couple of pictures from my Instagram account, I seem to take pictures of shoes, my dogs, drinks or food, what are you instagramming? My boy Jasper sad because its a rainy day Inspired by Dirty Dancing, 'nobody puts the Louboutins on the shelf!' Jamie Oliver's ultimate steak sandwich - made by my husband...not Jamie Harvey Valentine - the destroyers of slippers and socks Jasper loves his bed from TK Maxx just as much as he loves his treats! Random Star Wars moment waiting for a train from Manchester to Sheffield Most recent shoe-related purchase to start me on the way to a new fitness regime

There are a couple of things that I love about shoes...they need to be high,,,they need to be bright...and I love a buckle detail. These shoes from Aldo tick all my boxes and the red makes me feel a bit festive.  Perfect for Christmas party planning!

Buying sandals in the autumn sounds like a crazy idea and I have definitely not made plans to wear socks and sandals in the colder months.  These are a sales purchase from Clarks that I am putting away for a planned trip to New York in May. My lists for the trip have already begun! 

I'm looking for a shoe that will be perfect for the in-between seasons stage. Do you think these would do?

Bring on the summer! There is something about this time of year, when you can finally shed the tights or socks, release those toes and pack away your boots.  It's time to put some fun back into your shoe collection, whether its a bit of sparkle or a pair of shoes with a feathery touch added.  These would be perfect for the May Bank Holiday weekend.