These things are sent to try us..

... and no heating will do that. 

Yes, these things come in threes (to be honest, I've stopped counting) and there's nothing left to do but laugh at the situation.  Brand new underfloor heating and the timing box thingy on the wall has died.  The electrician has said something to do with a circuit board - frankly, I don't care what it is, I just want it fixed and I want it warm again.

I am off tomorrow (not quite believing it will all go to plan at the moment but you've got to stay positive, haven't you?!) leaving my mother and my children here in what appears to be plummeting temperatures.  With, at the moment, no heating. 

So, let's do the Plot Twist thingy again (it's not remotely getting tiresome.. not at all.  A bit like the smile that's currently plastered on my face isn't at all fake.  Again, not at all.....).  Another day at (very cold) home whilst waiting in for the electrician to come back to fix the heating (plumber has passed the buck) and no lovely day perusing the lovely new season collection at Hush.  Fingers crossed I'll be able to go and see them when I get back as I can't wait to see what they've got in store for us this S/S.

I could so some hoovering (I've already done some more washing - Rock And Roll.....) or I could ignore the lashing rain outside and the fact I'm struggling to feel my fingers and get my determined jiggy on and focus on brighter, nicer things. 

Shoes.  Oh yes, let's pretend Winter isn't going to arrive with a vengeance next week (I'm holding out for them getting it wrong like they got the NY blizzard wrong....) and think about baring our ankles to the world. 

I will actually say that I did this the other week - armed with a woolly hat, scarf and gloves and honesty, they weren't cold!  Go figure. 

I am so over thinking about my thigh high boots (the levels of confusion between Stuart Weitzman for R&B Lowlands and plain old Stuart Weitzman Lowlands boots which you can only buy here at Selfridges & probably Harrods et al - a staggering £100 difference between the two.  Is there really that much difference between them?  I decided that I didn't care in the end) and am now all about the new season. 

I'm going straight into shoe mode.  So I do have my heart set on a pair of navy Stan Smiths (I might just go original - still shuddering over the disaster of the New Balances though so am shelving that thought for a while) but more importantly I know that I loved my skater shoes and for years I have been the hugest ballet pump fan. 

I couldn't quite get my head around the full on slipper thingy that has been popular in the last couple of years, but this year, there seems to be a real mix up of footwear.  It's as if they've thrown all the shoes up in the air, the rule book out of the window and just blindly made up a mix of classics.  (along with quirky ones thrown in)  Which make for a very divided set of opinions... one man's meat and all that....

But let's start with something more traditional.  For me this is classic cross between a ballet flat and a slipper style pump.  And a pointy toe.  Like I say, a mishmash.

Did I mention that I am all about the pointy toe.......??  (for today at least.  Fickle?  Moi?)

Jigsaw Cecile Flat Ballet flat in silver £69

However I may have found another option at a more palatable price point. 

The Albert Flat pointed toe pump from M&S £45



They also do them in a black suede for £45 These are made of magic suede apparently.  "Stain away"......it's not just any suede, it's M&S suede.  So of course it's magic. (I don't care, I love them and think they're amazing for that price and I've tried them on and they're super comfy.  I would say if you're in between sizes, then size up.) 







More suede back at Jigsaw and they're in the sale - a perfect Spring colour. 

Jigsaw Cecil Flat Ballet pumps were £69 now £55




Other pointy black flatties. 

Suede upper and heel ballet flats £85 at Uterque. 



Now some strappy versions. I can already tick the box with my Delphine pumps from Hobbs and I therefore have no need to jump on the Irish dancing-a-likes - sorry, I mean Aquazzura inspired lace up pumps.  I do love them though, I really do but it does make my feet twitch when I look at them (you can take the girl out of her Irish dancing classes but.....plus The Husband nearly bust a lung laughing when I showed him) 
Dune Hobra Lace up shoes £85




These are another strap version - very different and not nearly as on trend but for some that may not be a bad thing.  I would say these are a cross between my Delphines and the Aquazzuras.  With a lot taken out.

Aldo Civitate Strap Point Flat shoes were £50 now £35




However now let's move on to the proper bonkers.  The real Bob shoes, that I know most people will vomit a little into their mouths on viewing.  I can only imagine what The Husband would say (I can see the pity in his eyes and the mirth on his lips as I type)

I LOVE these.  


Fur slippers (yes they actually call them that - I'm sure it loses something in translation..) from Uterque were £89 now £39 




To be fair, I am more than prepared to be chomping on humble pie at the rate of knots after a couple of wears (the ghost of the New Balance haunts me still...)  However clearly the shopping gods are conspiring against me as they're sold out in the my size.

Therefore in for a penny, in for a pound.  

I've found cheaper ones at ASOS. 

ASOS Dance with me Suede Pointed pumps were £28 now £25 (and they're leather!) 



(still prefer the Uterque ones though - penguin look or no penguin look.  Yes someone mentioned that when I posted a white lace up pair months ago and DARN THEM, I can't look at them without thinking penguin.  Am determined to get over it)

A much easier to wear pair with not a penguin reference in sight are these from the new Spring Collection at Seven Boot Lane.  These are perfection.  Love them. 

Dakota Charcoal Suede loafers £120 



And finishing with a bonkers pair that I have a soft spot for.  If I squint, these have a hint of the Marc Jacobs about them.

Swiftheart Slippers from Topshop £26


As I type, I'm watching the weather forecast which is saying it's going to snow tomorrow.  Here.  You couldn't write it.  I'm going to bed before anything else goes wrong!  (but my heating is now working.. Whoop whoop)