… heels - you can just do one.
This is the year when I embrace the flats. I am no longer teetering around on spindly heels at every opportunity - nope, I shall be the one dancing into the wee small hours in her flat, practical BUT gorgeous shoes.
As they truly can be gorgeous. As I am going to show you now.
That's not to say I'm going to throw the baby out with the bathwater and never don a stiletto again but with maxi skirts and dresses and wide leg trousers - these are a complete no brainer.
Not only do they look better than heels (in my personal opinion and yes, that's easy for me to say at 5ft10...), they are more comfortable and certainly more practical when you're on your feet for hours. For parties, for drinks, for the pub, for Christmas Day, for New Year and for every occasion in between.
Some reasonable numbers if you do just want them for the party season - these from ASOS.
ASOS DESIGN wide fit embellished shoes £28
ASOS Madagascar Embellished Mules £35
And THESE aren't in my size,... but could someone else please buy them as they're simply divine.
Kurt Geiger Peacock Feather Flats were £129 now £58
Lost ink Red Studded Mules were £30 now £21
Velvet at M&S for £19.50
Or in black - also £19.50
However upping the budget BUT it's so worth it as these will get worn way into next Summer too.
Princely Camel Embellished Shoe from Kurt Geiger £129
In the black again £129
And the fuchsia which are in the sale...
Princely Pink Rainbow Embellished Shoes from Kurt Geiger were £129 now £89
Velvet shoe porn at Kurt Geiger... now I have checked and you can wear these out of the house, they're not slippers slippers but I would probably avoid rain...
Velvet Slippers Floral Velvet were £99 now £69
Or 
Or in the Silver Tweed... oh HELLO! Now £69 were £99.
But fear not! I have found some shoes. These are like proverbial rocking horse poo - it's all about the mules don't you know and as someone who very much prefers a mule, I apprciate I am in the minority so I do find it surprising. Maybe not everyone does like a full shoe? (I think they do though...) So here are some suggestions.
These are amazing from Kurt Geiger.
Noa Black Embellished Shoes £59
Or... yes, call off the dogs, I have found the leopard print versions, again £59 from Miss KG at Kurt Geiger.
Jasmin Black Embellished Flats from Miss KG at Kurt Geiger were £69 now £34
Finishing with some leather ones from Kurt Geiger, now on offer - ideal before Christmas!
Kingley Multi-Coloured Embellished Shoes from Kurt Geiger were £129 now £69
And here I am in some outfits from this week... wearing flats. Admittedly they are trainers...
Top - H&M (current)
Trousers - M&S (current and back in stock in some sizes....)
Coat - Helene Berman & Anthropolgie (aw17 but available again this year here....)
Trainers - Russell & Bromley (men's gift from press day AW18)
Bag - Hill & Friends (gift 2yrs ago)
Jojo Glasses - Alexis Amor
So it appear that December is racing towards us at a race of knots. HOW? WHERE? Oh my lord, please tell me that I'm not the only person who is totally disorganised.... I am trying but there just seems to be so much. Dropping the balls all over the place, even my lists aren't helping me. Can someone just put a brake on December for a day or two?!
Has anyone else noticed that they are wearing a lot more flats than they ever used to?
During the day - yes definitely - with the advent of trainers over the last couple of years, it's certainly much easier to adopt a flat look.
But in the evening??
This is something new. And blooming MARVELLOUS. Comfort. Ok so now I sound like a true geriatric but there is something deliciously decadent about changing up your look whilst essentially wearing your slippers to leave the house.
We're going to talk shoes and sandals... not necessarily sandals that you would wear to the beach although I might as I have totally bought into the "don't keep anything for special" way of thinking... go on.. try it!
So starting with the sandals.
CALL OFF THE DOGS! Who needs heels with sandals like these?
Flower appliqued sandals from Mango £49.99
Embellished sandals at River Island. Perfect combo of casual and dressy.
Black gem embellished mules £35
Full on glamour at ASOS.
ASOS Fairlight Leather Embellished Flat Sandals £25
Slightly more subtle.
ASOS DESIGN Fixing Leather Flat Sandals £22
Bow Leather Shoes from Mango £35.99
Staying with yellow.. I happen to think these are the most beautiful shoes I've ever seen.
Otter Yellow Flat Slip on Shoes form Kurt Geiger £120
There are white ones but it's the ones above that have won my heart...
Otter White Flat Slip on Mule £129 from Kurt Geiger
Embroidered Shoes from Mango £59.99
Sequin bow mules £59.99 from Mango The ultimate in out out shoe goals. That can also be thrown on with a pair of jeans, tee and blazer. Or a maxi dress. Or a midi skirt. Wear them every day.
Upping the ante with some jewels. A pair of these would transform a plain black outfit. For work. For play. Can you tell I am absolutely buying into this concept?
Pia Flat Mule in Grey £129 from Kurt Geiger
And then ALL THE JEWELS!
ASOS DESIGN Madagascar mules £35
Now I know I'm going very mule heavy today but it is the Summer and so there aren't that many shoe shoes around.
Kita Silver Flat Slip on Mule in Metallic from Kurt Geiger £139
And as if by magic.. here I am today and Wednesday wearing perfect flats - one pair of which I've had for about five years and are still going strong. And the other pair are new this season and have been worn more times than I can remember. During the day and out at night.
Skirt - & Other Stories (ss17)
Top - Zara (ss18)
Bag - Loewe at Matches (ss18)
Shoes - Anthropologie (4 or 5 yrs ago)
Skirt - Alice + Olivia from Selfridges
Top - Goat (gift ss17)
Shoes - Pretty Ballerinas (gift current)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (ss18)
Sunglasses - Victoria Beckham from Bicester Village (3yrs ago)
So I am off out tonight... in heels. DOH!
Tomorrow I am definitely going to be back with the tops with sleeves blog that I've been working on. Some absolute gems that I've uncovered. Not to mention tote bags.
I'm super, super sorry I haven't been around the last couple of days - we're limping to the end of the term and my 11yr old is in Yr 6. Anyone who's been through the end of the school shenanigans will know how totally and utterly life consuming it is. Plus, bless him, it's a whole new ball game if you have Asperger's BUT he's coping surprisingly well. However I'm sort of (very) broken....!!
Hope everyone has had a great week. I should also mention that I've been seeing some new season collections (yes... Autumn/Winter) and...dare I say it... I'm suddenly all about the sleeves? I think I'll probably do a round up of the dregs of the sales this weekend. Would be rude not to.. you never know what you might find!
So this is something that I thought I'd start doing. A little lookey likey blog post at how we can sometimes get a great designer inspired thing of beauty on the high street, an homage to its much more expensive counterpart.
And today, it's a brand I've had my eye on for ages and have ummed and ahhed many a time but haven't bitten the bullet yet.
It's the Malone Soulier shoes. What, I hear you cry? Well obviously they don't just make one kind of shoes but for me - there is one style of shoe that very much epitomises their brand.
The Maureen.
Hmm, it's hardly the most awe inspiring name is it? (It was also the name of my dad's first and third wife, except number three changed her name to Anne which amused me highly for years. As you can imagine it was a sort of *different* bringing up that I had!).
They do the same shoe in a number of different shapes. The two that are most popular (and the two that I personally like the most) are the high heel and the flat.
Starting with the backless flat aka a mule...
Metallic Maureen Flats £425
Maureen Backless Flats £425
Snakeskin versions were £475 now £322
Greeeeeeeen. £425
Now these aren't identical but they are very very much in the same vein. I fully expect these to be everywhere come September (well August..) and so I'd get ahead of the game now with these bargain versions from M&S.
Autograph Leather Cross Strap Mules £49.50
And in the nude...again £49.50
Flame Suede £49.50
Yellow Suede £49.50
And then the heels...
More utterly divine Maureens (yes it makes me giggle!) from Malone Soulier. With a not so utterly divine price..
Maureen Leather Mules £475
Higher in leopard (not these are high... warning.. high. I ordered them and am sending them back as they're too high for me!).
Maureen Snakeskin leopard miles were £522 now £365
With some great alternatives from the high street. Not M&S this time, but Kurt Geiger.
Stratton Black Hight Heel Court Shoes were £149 now £69
Or in the blue again now only £69
Slightly lower now and I think I might prefer these... well, they're definitely more practical with this heel height.
Berkley Black Mid Heel Court Shoe was £139 now £89
Nude Suede was £139 now £69
Or this one which is similar....
Lexington Khaki High Heel Mule was £149 now £49
So I will say, I'm not sure how much wear I would get out of the heels. But I really really think that the flats are a great purchase. I have LOVED my flat mules this Spring/Summer. Am definitely planning on wearing them well into the Autumn... (she says knowing there is a LOT of Summer left!!).
Today though, in the heatwave we're having.. yes I am still checking all the weather apps like a crazy loon, praying it won't end but wondering if I'm going to run out of high summer clothes shortly! The holiday wardrobe is definitely earning its keep this year.
And speaking of summer clothes, this is a top I've had for a couple of years and is the PERFECT Summer throw on. Washes like a dream - works with shorts (not for me - I'm leaning to embrace knee exposure but am not quite brave enough to take the cut off plunge just yet...).
Loose trousers, sandals, hat, perfect for a day which wasn't quite as scorchio as it's recently been.
Trousers - Current Elliott from Quattro Rish (2yrs ago)
Top - hush (gift 2yrs ago)
Sandals - Zara (current)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (ss18)
Hat - Penmayne (gift ss17)
And yes, I was today at... drum roll... a GARDEN CENTRE! I think it's the second time I've been to one (to actually look at plants and not just take the children for cake - even then, I haven't been since they were toddlers!). The 11yr old (ASD/ADHD) had a respite day today (car crash end of term, end of school time) and so we went to look at new pots for the patio. We took photos, we did some research, we bought a watering can, an ash bucket, a small brush, a random scooper thing and a new door mat. As you do.
I've come to the conclusion they're very relaxing and therapeutic but the shopping experience is along the lines of Ikea/Costco/Primark. You go in, spend a fortune, come out with *stuff* but you're not sure how useful any of it actually is.
However the 11yr old was in his element. He then came home and spent three hours putting together a new hose and Karcher and washed the cars. And THEN cooked dinner!
All hail Hello Fresh. I had tried it before and absolutely loathed it. Thought it was the biggest waste of money ever and the recipes weren't even that nice. When I was away last week, the husband ordered it as apparently "we waste so much food". The 11yr old asked if he could cook. Second meal that he has done ENTIRELY on his own. AND cleared up. And they were both absolutely delicious. I asked for people's opinions over on Instagram and most people said they preferred Gousto or Mindful Chef, so we will definitely be trying out both of those too.
But at the minute, I have to say, I am a convert to Hello Fresh (so long as someone else cooks it mind you... !!).
Hope everyone is having a good week and surviving in the heat. We are burning the candle at both ends here but have a quiet weekend planned. Actually it was quiet until a certain football team have ensured that Saturday will be one massive PARRRTTAAAAYYY!!
Because it does actually feel a teensy bit like the of Winter, doesn't it? Yesterday and today, how lovely was the weather? Ok so all of two days of sun a season does not make but details schmetails... I am going for a pedicure on Saturday (my first since I put my Summer feet away last October - yes, my trotters go into hibernation during the Winter months) which means I am plotting and planning what to shod my hooves in this season.
I will acquiesce that it's slightly too early for full on sandals yet. We are off somewhere exciting and hopefully warm for a couple of days during the Easter holidays and then we are off to our beloved Suffolk for a week.
Which I did get all "OOH HOLIDAYS" about.. and then I sort of realised that, err it's Suffolk in April and the chances of me donning wellies all week, are high.
So we need an interim option. Historically I am going to hold my hands up and say I'm not very good at this sort of footwear. I know, I know - who I am to refuse a purchasing opportunity but honestly, if I look at my shoe rack, it's a sea of ankle boots and trainers. With a couple of pairs of sandals for the full on Summer. And then the heeled sandals.
And a couple of pairs of loafers/mules. That's it.
The interesting thing is the one pair of mules I have - a pair of ponyskin black and beige polka dot ones from Anthropologie - are 4yrs old. They have had a LOT of wear .
The good news is that this year - there are LOTS of these around. We are talking mules with attitude. Mules that make an outfit. It just takes one pair of shoes - a classic suit, your favourite jeans and a blazer, a maxi dress or skirt and a pair of WOW shoes and instant wardrobe update.
Let's see what's on offer.
Moira from Miss KG were £59 now £39
So that's the only subtle pair I'm going to do I've decided. These are statement shoes. I will be back another day with ones that are more pared back but today - our feet are going to be doing the talking.
And these are probably the best entry level I can find. They're basically only a shoe and a tassel (albeit a quite sizeable tassel but still JUST one tassel...).
RAID Karen Black Mule £24.99
A subtle(ish) stripe now...
Kita in Silver from Kurt Geiger £139
And then full on, wham, bam, thank you ma'am.
Kita from Kurt Geiger £139
In for a penny in for a lobster.
YELLOW! Otter Yellow Flat Slip on Mules from Kurt Geiger £129
Multicoloured Otter Slippers by Kurt Geiger £129
These look positively vanilla compared to the above but they are now in the sale.
Otter Navy Flat Slippers by Kurt Geiger were £129 now £79
If not a lobster, can I tempt you with a bee? I think these look a lot more expensive than they are... but I do also think they look like they'd be quite difficult to walk in.
Gorgeous Pointed Mule in Green £30
Pineapples anyone?
ASOS DESIGN Mauritius Mules £22
Embellished at ASOS.
MOONFLOWER mules £32
And more embroidered..
Glamorous Mules £30
Stripes, which are essentially a neutral..
Stradivarius Stripe Twist Front Mule £99
Fuchsia at Pretty Ballerinas in the Ella I Love You £139
However THESE... oh these are just sublime. Dare I say, they are the sexiest flat shoes I have ever seen? Worn by Olivia Palermo. Which means that if you buy them, you WILL immediately look like her. Obvs. Ish. Maybe.
Ella Pretty Ballerinas Black Polka Dot part of the Olivia Palermo Collection £119
So here I am last night and those spotty ones above would be AMAZING with this dress... I did wear my Ganni cowboy boots which I liked but I'm not going to say I loved with the outfit. Maybe it was a step too whacky.
Yes it was a little bit Mary Poppins with a lot of Laura Ingalls Wilder thrown in for good measure. I have to say I quite liked it - it was for a Press Dinner given by House of Fraser to launch their SS18 Collection (which is gorgeous, can I just say - embroidered sequin jacket anyone? Toucan print dress?)
Dress - Zara (current)
Belt - Topshop (ss17)
Jacket - Zara (aw17)
Bag - Chloe at Bicester Village (ss17)
Earrings - Alice's Wonders (gift current)
So can I tempt you with a mule? Oh and one thing I will say is that yes, with tights, super difficult to wear as they're super slidey. BUT with bare feet - easy peasy pudding and pie. I promise.... Tomorrow I will be back but I can't decide whether to carry on with the personality purchases or would we prefer something a little more refined? Over to you...
And the fuchsia which are in the sale... 
Finishing with some leather ones from Kurt Geiger, now on offer - ideal before Christmas!
And here I am in some outfits from this week... wearing flats. Admittedly they are trainers...
