Fantasy Time

So you had a warning yesterday.  

SANDALS KLAXON.  All hate me now.  But this is worth it.  Snow, schmo (apparently it might snow this week.  If it does, I'm telling you, I am not leaving the house and shall be carbing out on the remainder of the Christmas party food which is languishing somewhere at the back of the freezer and washing it down with leftover - unopened - booze from the party.  Sounds like a plan eh?  Who's in.  If we're into Lent, that means it's nearly Easter which means I don't do snow).

And.... I've just rebooked our holiday for later in the year - Florida here we come and so I am officially in Holiday Mode (for today at least).  Like I said we will also have Ireland before then, so "obviously" that necessitates a proper sandal mooch. 

Now before anyone starts, I know I know I know, I should be buying "practical" sandals for Disney.  Well I won't be.  Over my dead body (which may well have blistered, gnarled feet adorning the bottom of my legs but they will have GORGEOUS sandals on them).  In all seriousness, I've been on lots of holidays where I have done excessive walking - I've tramped the streets of Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, Madrid, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, New York in searing temperatures and I've always got by just fine in normal shoes or sandals and not ones that look like I knit my own lentils.  We can agree to disagree on this.

Oh how I love a good sandal.  Oh how I find it really hard to nail the perfect one.  Thus there is even more sense (debatable I appreciate) in starting as early as possible. 

So firstly, I think it's always a good idea to start with the complete unaffordable.  This is a great place to fall in love with a pair and then spend the next six months scouring the high street for a less spenney version.  Hmm ok with hindsight, this isn't the best plan I've ever had as what *might* have happened in the past is that you fall in love with the super expensive pair and can never find another in the right price bracket that come close.  But hey ho, in for a penny, in for a pound, let's start with the big dreams.

Easing us in gently with a very classic, minimalist, not tooo eye wateringly expensive pair from See by Chloe.  I think I might be personally be up for something with a bit more chutzpah about them.  But these are a classic. 

Robin leather sandals from See by Chloe £195

Or these from Ancient Greek - adore the simplicity of these.  I love the nude although am vaguely terrified of them being too similar to my flesh and looking bleurgh.. although to be fair, since you can see me from space, I'm more likely to be the same colour as the white ons above.  Fake tan is my bestest friend ever come March. 

Agni Braided Leather sandals from Ancient Greek £185



There's me saying I like a bit more detail in my sandal but I am so so drawn to these. 

Balenciaga Leather Sandal £305 (ouch)



Or the Givenchy Chain Tong Sandals £485


Slightly more detail now at Saint Laurent and I'll be honest - these are lovely but nothing new from last year and there were a plethora of these at much more reasonable prices, so I have to say I'd purely take inspiration from these.

Embossed leather lace up sandals from Saint Laurent £470



Or do you prefer the Isabel Marant versions?  I love love love this colour. 

Alisa open-toe wraparound sandals £290




So now we've done the research with regards to brand new spanking beauties from S/S, it's time to (I promise this won't go on forever but trust me, it's worth it) trawl those sales remnants.

And starting with some completely amazing espadrilles which admittedly aren't sandals but are big big news for this season.  Why pay full price when you can get a designer bargain in February?

Leopard Pony Hair Platform Espadrilles from Manebi were £110 now £44




Red Leather Amazonia from Manebi were £110 now £44



And we're also going to be all over the flat mule.  I sit her smugly saying that with my Anthropologie ponyskin ones taking pride of place in my wardrobe.. from last year... *punches air pathetically*.  

These are a great cheeky sales buy from Whistles. 

Whistles Milla backless point toe flat mule sandal in nude was £140 now £73.50



These I am so so so regretting finding as I LOVE them.  Imagine the ease of packing - only take things which are black, grey or white and these.  Absolutely stunning in the evening as well with all black. 

Thakoon Addition Women's Taylor Two leather stripe sandals now £110 were £385 (a whopping 70% off)






A classic Greek style now - completely minimalist.. I have to say these would go with anything but personally the above ones are on the money for me. 

Ancient Greek Thalpori two part leather sandals now £55 were £110


Now these look comfy, don't they?  Perfect sport luxe gladiator sandals at a knock down price.  These will be everywhere again this season.

Paul Smith Shoes Poole white leather sandals Servo Luxe now £84 were £210


Bargain basement at New Look, not leather but still hugely on trend.  Studded ghillie.  Absolutely no one would ever know these weren't new season. 

New Look Studded Ghillie Gladiator Sandal were £24.99 now £12.99



Moving onto the slightly less practical for holidays but still, these would be perfect evening shoes and you'd get a load of wear out of them before you got there, for sure. 

By Malene Birger Avenno Mirrored Flat Black Sandals now £86 were £215


And I couldn't not fling these in as they are the most amazing bargain and I simply adore them.  Totally impractical for staggering around in but they're not *that* high so I think you could get more day wear out of them than you think.  Plus perfect perfect perfect for nights out.  

By Malene Birger Subki Eyelet Sandal was £295 now £118




However I have saved the best for last.  Well, if not the best, they're definitely the cheapest.  Leather for less than a bottle of wine.  Got to be worth a punt. 

New Look Leather Black Tie Up Gladiator Sandals were £22.50 now £6.50.  LESS THAN SEVEN SQUID.





Black cashmere jumper - Cocoa Cashmere
Black high waisted jeans - Boden
Black Edie boots - Seven Boot Lane
Khaki Alan cardigan - Acne Studios
Back Hazlemere tote - Village England

So have you even started to think about sandals or have I completely lost the plot?  

I had to cancel my trip to London today as I had to stay with my poor puppy.  What was I thinking that I could go?  Honestly, it's worse than having a baby (clearly I don't remember as that was a Long Time Ago).   Couldn't leave her with anyone today so we snuggled on the sofa all day and I got the sum total of diddly squat accomplished bar looking at flights to Ireland.  And sorting out hoodies for a rugby tour I seem to have agreed to go on.  Desperately trying to find out from the husband how much the deposit was and if we (ie I...) can swerve it.  Forks, eyes, spring to mind...  The things we do for our children.  Personally I feel I'm crossing a line here but there you go... Please tell me anyone who's been on a rugby tour, it's not that bad?  (lie if you have to).  I have tried to persuade them that I have no need whatsoever for a branded Tour Hoodie and have lots of other sweatshirts that will do the job just as well (dare I say infinitely better?).   Deaf ears.  Deaf deaf ears.  Sob.