The obvious blog post in January is...

... about sandals. 

For sure, no?  We don't have any snow yet so this has to be the death knell for everyone who has vaguely clement weather right now and we'll all be knee deep in snow by Monday.  I apologise now but we've done the skirt, we've done the top and we now need to do the shoes. 

And cracking on and getting this outfit sorted seems like a pretty good plan for a freezing Friday.  From the pics online at LK Bennett, I think a strappy sandal is what is going to look best with it.  Plus, I've managed to find some great sandal bargains which it would be foolish not to have a look at if we are considering any. 

Believe it or not, some (clearly less nesh than me) people choose to wear sandals in the Winter.  On reflection, one of my favourite and much worn (in the Spring/Summer mind you) pair is from Reiss and I did buy them a couple of years ago in the sales in January. 

And it did make me think - why don't I wear them more in the Winter.  It's hardly as if I'm tramping for miles in the snow.  I mostly go from the car - 100 yards at the most - to a house, restaurant, party, pub. 

But I think I might have worked it out.  It's because I'm too lazy to get a pedicure.  That's pretty much it.  I have suede shoes and boots so I certainly can't use the rain as an excuse as I wear them (ergo clearly it doesn't rain that often).  

I need to simply get my trotters an MOT, in what I usually term the hibernation months and then Winter sandals can be back on the agenda. 

Which means you can wear them now with trousers, both skinny and cropped.  Personally I'm drawing the line at shorter skirts and dresses as that then involved lots of leg maintenance which, frankly, I don't contemplate until at least April.  But a long midi... ok I'll give you that. 

It's sandals time then and what better place to start than LK Bennett where the amazing ones with the skirt the other day were from.  Not these though and I think I like these better.  I certainly love the fact they're an amazing reduction in the sale. 

Tamia Buckle Suede Sandals was £275 now £110

And in the berry again £110 down from £275



These are the ones that are featured with the midi skirt and they look amazing. (and not too high).

Lucia Peep Toe Sandal from LK Bennett £250






It would be rude not to look at the dregs of the Matches sale where there is sandal porn a plenty.  At this juncture, in the interests of solidarity, I should possibly point out that my Burberry sandals that I paid a lot for - more than I've ever paid for any pair of shoes - have been my must have shoe for coming up to four years now.  They have been amazing and if you get them right, a fabulous pair of sandals will last you for years and years.  Interestingly, I've found the more expensive the shoe, the slightly less high they are which I have to say, I do find more versatile (and.. gimmer alert... a hell of a lot more comfortable.  The.  Shame.)  I'm just gutted that I haven't been wearing them in the Winter months as well.  You live and learn.

Should also add, they have the ability to elevate an average high street dress onto another level.  The magic of amazing shoes.

Fetish (not my description) multi strap leather sandals from Saint Laurent were £590 now £354





Maxine Suede Sandals from Gianvito Rossi in grey were £770 now £385



Lacey Sketch Camo Leather sandals from Sophia Webster were £525 now £262  If you have lots of black, camel, cream or khaki in your wardrobe - these will be your life saviour this year.  I am sitting here, literally talking myself into them.  Black leather leggings, white shirt, black scarf, black blazer and these.  Black pleather skirt...  OR the off white and black spot skirt from LK Bennett.  Shove on a red fine knit jumper.  How have I Iived without these?




Malone Souliers Savannah Lace Up Leather Sandals was £485 now £194  This outfit is pretty close to perfection (sits on hands not to see if the dress is still for sale... not to mention the bag.. and obviously the shoes.  Imagine the bag and the shoes with boyfriend or cropped kick flare jeans, white shirt, blazer... DARN THE SALES)




But I have secret weapons in my sandal arsenal.  This is one thing the high street does really really well.  Yes you have to be discerning as there is a fine line between designer tribute and hooker shoe but if you look closely, there are some complete gems to be had. 

Take these for example.  I think these are amazing.  (albeit very high.  The high street loves a vertiginous heel).

Beige suede tie up shoe boot £65 from River Island.  Yes.  River Island. 



More sandal boot style at Topshop.  I love these.  I love the idea of the chunkiness of the body of the sandal with the stiletto and a super feminine midi skirt.  All so wrong it makes it right (in my head anyway....!) 

Robyn Ankle tie sandals from Topshop £56


I am bereft that these are sold out in my size.  Bereft.  

Reveal Cutaway Sandals from Topshop were £56 now £30  Leather.  BEREFT I TELL YOU.  (I am going to have to try and track these down.  They are simply perfection in a sandal.  Even for the original £56.  Let alone £30).  If I had said these were Gianvito Rossi, I bet you would have all believed me.  *ponders how much her boys actually want to do football first thing tomorrow morning and tries to work out if she can go to Bluewater instead....*



And some more in the sale. Yes these are rather out there but they're a bargain and will make such a great difference to an otherwise plain outfit. 

Black suede lace up tassel back heels was £75 now £35



Full on tassels which again, are quite out there, but again, I love. 

Black Strappy Tassel Heeled Sandals River Island £70



Slightly less strappy but an amazing colour - again to add interest to an otherwise neutral outfit - perfect for a party. 

Blue Strappy Tassel Sandals from River Island £65


But bargains of the day have to be found at ASOS.  The brand Public Desire.  Which I've never heard of but if you're looking for a treat shoe for an outfit, these are possibly the most reasonable I've come across in ages.  For this price, they've got to be worth a try, especially if you're not sure. 

Public Desire Romana Black Ghillie Lace up Sandals £29.99



You know sometimes you want a pair of shoes for a specific dress but don't want to spend loads on a coloured pair you're not sure you'll wear again?  Look no further.  So long as it's a magenta pair you want... 

Public Desire Venus Magenta Ghillie lace up sandals £29.99



Or red... Public Desire Shane Bordeaux Lace up sandals £29.99



So hopefully there's something there for all budgets, if not necessarily all tastes.  I am fully aware that lots of you will much prefer a full on shoe stiletto - something I love and find super useful so will be looking at those shortly. 

My skirts both arrived - the 10 and the 12, so I shall be trying them on and deciding which size works better.  And obviously what sort of shoe... I'm sure there is an occasion for both a stiletto and a sandal.

Finishing with outfits from yesterday and today.  

Yesterday, best day ever at Harry Potter Studio Tour with the children.  Which they LOVED.  Which we all loved.  Made rather more poignant hearing the news of the death of Alan Rickman whilst we there.  RIP Snape.  Can't recommend it highly enough.  



Champagne cashmere Off Duty jumper - Boden
Porridge waxed jeans - Boden
Khaki Alan cape - Acne Studios
Brown Suede ankle boots - Eileen Fisher
Brown Suede bag - Coccinelle 

I was due to be out tonight with school mums but the husband is out and the babysitter called earlier sick.  So I was supposed to be mostly dry January, but a small glass of red is very much called for.  One a week is definitely an improvement on December.  Tomorrow night - healthy dinner and back to the sparkling water but tonight, I reckon I shall be making a dent on the remainder of the party food which is crammed into my freezer. 

Am I the only person who previously hadn't contemplated wearing sandals in Winter but is planning on giving the industrial sander a wipe down and getting her feet vaguely sandal worthy?  I think I've stumbled across something here.....