When I say tassels and fringes...

....you would be forgiven for thinking that I had perhaps lost my mind to the rain, cabin fever and children and had decided a blog on pole dancing outfits was on the agenda but no. 

I'm in shoe mode.  Partly shoes on the brain as I have yet to subject myself and my credit card to the horror that is School Shoe Shopping for all three kids (I genuinely feel slightly sick thinking about it.  There really is absolutely zero upside to that escapade is there?) 

Clearly I'm not talking sandals here.  Nope I am talking full on shoes - yup we are firmly cemented in all things Autumnal as I sit here typing listening to the rain lashing down.  Even the iPhone weather app has given up and just thrown in 100% chance of rain.  All Day.

And apparently it's going to do the same tomorrow.  Well - after nearly three weeks of 24/7 with my kids, as much as I adore them, with not even 10 mins on my own, I will admit I can't WAIT to send the two small boys off to football camp tomorrow morning.  One on their own is as much as I feel I can handle right now! 

In the meantime however, I am absurdly and unjustifiably smug with myself that I haven't bought anything.  However, I have itchy fingers to say the least and planning on my A/W wardrobe is a great distraction (from me screaming at a child as another nerf bullet/foam football/trashpack small creature smacks me on the head)

And I was looking back through my photos on my phone and hey presto, I had totally forgotten (fickle, moi?) about these shoes I had papped from a Grazia in the hairdressers yonks ago. 

Now I got a lot of wear last year out of my loafers and Oxford lace ups and it seems that flat shoes are THE shoes to be seen in this season - or at the very least ones with a demi heel (do you like my made up heel height?  I think it works...) 

I'm not entirely sure I can justify a pair - I can tick the tassels box (things you never thought you'd type) with my navy Chester loafers from Russell & Bromley and the bargain sales leopard print and black patent loafers from Zara (I would not have paid full price for plastic - no way jose). 

Anyway, these are what has got me all of a flutter and put the cat amongst the shoe pigeons.

I've never heard of this brand before and no, they're not cheap but boy do they have some gorgeous shoes.  Here they are online.

Primo Amore White Studs from Portamento store £179




Primo Amore Taupe £179 from Portamento  Also love this colour.



Or another gorgeous option in white and gold £179.99




I had mentioned before that I like the idea of white shoes with darker Autumnal colours and if you're thinking of trying out the look then these from ASOS are perhaps a better bet than the more expensive Portamento ones.  No they're not nearly as nice in my opinion but they're an amazing buy for the money and certainly look a lot more expensive.  A real classic actually with a fringe and a tassel - two for the price of one.  When you see what the others cost, you realise what a great bargain these are.

ASOS Marathon Leather loafers in white £35


They also do them in a grey which may be slightly less out of our comfort zones....£35



Tasselled Moccasin loafers from Zara £49.99 in navy (although they're not leather.... Zara, come on... £50 for non leather shoes?)



We can however rely on Clarks to come up with a classic and love the twist here with the dark green. 

Busby Folly in Dark Green £69.99 (is it me or have Clarks put their prices up...?)


They also do a rather striking black patent leather, again £69.99


My favourite flat shoe from Clarks though, has to be the Hotel Chic which sold out last year - yup, totally sold out, so if you like it, nab it.  

Hotel Chic in Interest Leather (someone got bored of thinking up exotic names when it came to describing leather here...) £65




If you're looking for heels than there are some in the sale now at Portamento.  I absolutely love these.  Perfect for work and play (if you don't mind tottering around in heels for play - certainly great for a lunch or date night!) 

Portamento Camilla were £189 now £151.20





But the surprise of the season so far for me, is the from Clarks in Oxblood.  I honestly think if you said these were from Anthropologie or Plumo, or even my newly found Portamento - I'd believe you. 

Blues Melody in Oxblood leather £79.99



And they also do it in a Black Combi leather too.  Love the contrasting heel on these.  In fact, I prefer these to the oxblood ones. 





So how do we feel about manly shoes?  I know you're either a yay or a nay and never the twain shall meet, but they do seem to be more prolific every season.  The choice this A/W is endless - classic loafers and those with a slight twist above, to your traditional brogues and those that have just a nod to the original.  Pointed for example - ooh now pointed shoes.  Well that's a whole 'nother blog for another day.  Oh wait, I'll have to go and look at more shoes?  Gutted I tell you, gutted. 

For the time in forever (yes I have been listening to Frozen on loop.  Actually I will confess, this may be by choice now - even the kids have started saying - oh mum, no, not Let it Go again....) it was too wet to even contemplate trying to stand outside to take a photo so I resorted to bribing, this time the 6yr old to sit on a stool to take the photo.  Hence the blur.. bless him.