Is it better to have loved and lost...

....than never to have loved at all?  Even if the "loved" bit means only having worn a pair of shoes once for a mini photo shoot?

Have you ever tried on a pair of truly luxury shoes and then had to go back to your high street version?  If you haven't, don't. 

Givenchy sandals.  Who would have thought they would create a pair of sliders that make you feel like you have angel wings attached to your feet.  And the thought of putting on your Zara looky likies would be the equivalent of strapping barbed wire to your feet.  Ditto with the "most find super comfortable" Birkenstocks.  Move over all other wannabe sliders - these Givenchy sandals are a thing of beauty - shoes of dreams.  Pictures don't do them justice, my pathetic attempts at fawning descriptions don't come close to the reality of how truly amazing they are in real life. 

However all this is slightly redundant as the pair over which I am lusting are last year's and are now sold out.

Even this pic doesn't demonstrate how divine they are in real life.  The temptation to do a runner in them from the Me+Em shoot was large.  Not large actually - massive.  To be totally frank, if I hadn't had my car keys in my handbag, I would have given it more serious thought that than the very serious thought I had already given it and legged it sans handbag.  And in these shoes, I could have been Forrest Gump.  Running for years. 

Ignore my hideous feet.  For shoes this beautiful I don't care.  Oh and I appreciate there are loads amongst you who think these ming (the shoes, not my feet.  My feet officially ming, no contest)  This is fair enough.  It took me years to come round and I am now clearly making up for lost time.  I am though just going to mention the angel wings once more.  Complete with clouds......

But sold out they are (thank the lord as otherwise I couldn't be trusted with a laptop and a glass of wine) so I have been forced to delve elsewhere to see if there are other options that can still my beating heart. 

And randomly for £28, I don't think these are too shabby at all.  Especially as they're leather as well.

Gold Leather Double Strap Textured Slider £27.99 from New Look




And in the black - again how fabulous for leather and less than £30 



If we're looking for full on bling however, these should go straight to the top of the list. 

Steve Madden Rivitt Rhinestone Sandals in Pewter £69





If you are a dyed in the wool Birkie fan then fear not, they've added some glitz to their repertoire as well. 

Birkenstock Sydney Suede Sandals £68.95




However if we do have money to throw at the problem and you are a Marant fan, you may have your eye on these.  For me, slightly too much going on but give me till July and you can guarantee I'll be salivating all over them.

Isabel Marant Gail leather sandals £295




However opening up the brief here and I think I may have stumbled across another gem.  If metallic doesn't float your boat and to be frank, now that I've had my head turned by the Givenchy numbers, I'm not sure any of the others stack up - it's over to an animal number. 

These are too gorgeous for words. *sits on hands, hides credit cards and pours wine down the sink* (clearly that last bit is a total wind up)

Senso Ida Leopard Ponyskin Buckle slip on shoes £135 


And there is of course the amazing still on my wishlist, Clarks Netrix Rose in Snake £50


Which they also do in a metallic - hmmm silver anyone?




Now these are exactly what I was looking for last year and couldn't find anywhere.  

Collection WEEKEND by John Lewis Grenoble Leather £55



Plain now (oh how I love black) and if money were not object...... let's go through that cost per wear persuasive argument one more time..... 

Leather Sandals by Alexander McQueen £395






If you are a purist (although not purist enough to buy Birkies...!) then it may be the more traditional style you prefer - although these are all leather.  

Double Buckle Footbed Sandals £26 in neutral from Next (in black and in pink online)




There is of course the option of the single strap birkie alike.... and staying with the bling...

Shimmer Buckle Footbed Sandals £24



And they also do them in a less bling navy version £24 from Next.  Also available in white and in pink online.




Or the more traditional white version for only £20 from Next (also available in black) 




Now moving slightly off piste here - some similar sliders but without the buckles.

Black metal panel sliders from New Look £19.99



However these have grown on me hugely.  Whilst I didn't love these at all at the beginning of the season, I'm now not sure if I can live without them.  Black or silver is my only dilemma.....

Whistles Haldi Leather Cleated Sole Sliders in black £115




And in silver 



So there we have and I'm sure I've seen loads more that float my boat, but suffice to say I'm not sure any of them come close to my love of the Givenchys.... ok maybe the Senso ones.. or should it be the Clarks Netrix Rose.... Thoughts?  Or are these the stuff of nightmares for you?!

Outfit from today - getting my money's worth from the dungarees.