Friday night shoe porn goes S&M...

Yup, it's Friday night and I'm feeling alright (dinner cooked, rose poured) and it felt only right that we should take in some shoe porn. And, being Friday, I'm in a slightly rock 'n' roll mood: thus I am upping the sexy, fierce ante on the pornorific shoes. Ladies, bend over and brace yourselves because we are talking studs and spikes. Oh, alright, I'm not really going to whip out a studded spanking paddle or indeed hit you with a studded shoe. Some things are just a step too far...plus, I sure ain't getting backside all over these babies.

The studded shoe love was started for me by Christian Louboutin. I've always admired people brave enough to rock a studded biker or a spiked denim waistcoat and I love the punk look. It's just totally not my look (too many skinny leg trousers). Stick the spikes on a shoe though and I am all over it. Here are the Loubs...

Yum bitch!

 

Yes, I know they look like studded pimp slippers but I like 'em!

Now, Loubly (oh, do you see what I did there? Mega lolz) though this lot are, the £1k plus price tags make them somewhat out of my price range. Just somewhat. So when these beauties from Solestruck started dropping in my inbox, you know I took a second look. Sadly they're mainly still out of my budget but not in ridiculous style a la Christian's creations. I'm going to start with the ones I plan to blow the budget for when they're back in my size...the Lita stud.

Swoon! How bitching are these?! That's right: bitching! They have the things I love: a platform and chunky heel but, minus the studs, would actually be kind of plain for my tastes. But the studs are there. Oh, they're there. All of a sudden, a plain, albeit stompily high, boots goes from OK to oh, oh, oh!

Spikes on the Lita too fierce for you? Presenting the pimp slipper's pimped up cousin, the Lee by Matiko (nope, me either and I couldn't be bothered to read about the brand. This is all about visual pleasure), with a smaller more subtle spike. Again, it's in possession of some of my favourite things. No, no aphids on roses or dangleberries on kittens: leopard print and hairy! Duh! Yes, the spikes are the only subtle thing about these little winners. Now, where did I put my rhinestone studded smoking jacket?

Uh, huh, huh! I like to think that, when the King grows tired of blue suede shoes, he slips on these bad boys. Definitely more studded than spiked, I suspect his right royal Elvisness would be totes partial to the star shaped studs in particular. Ah, the wonder of shoooooooooes!

Time to ramp back up the fierce factor again. Well, you didn't honestly think I'd crack out a hairy leopard print flattie and not show you a heel too? Did you? Come on. These Sam Edelman heels first captured my attention a wee while back. At nearly $300, I've always resisted them but I definitely have hot, special feelings for their lusciousness. The only thing (aside from the obvious dollah) is that the reviews of the style seems to suggest that the spike weight make them a bugger to keep on your feet AND folk have been receiving them with cheeky missing studs too. So, for now, I am lusting but steering clear. Like one should might when it comes to a bad man.

 

You so cannot touch this. You cannot! I love the fact that these shoes need to be seen from more than one angle to give full appreciation of their hedgehog-tastic proportions. Spikier than your average cactus, they're a winner for many reasons. There's something so camp about their overt pinkness, yet something so fierce about their vicious barbs. Basically they're a drag queen. And I'm not gonna top that.

Sugar and spice and all things nice...

I do love checking out vintage shops 'n' sites that I haven't come across before and a couple of weekends ago I visited Molly Sugars Vintage pop up shop in Portobello in Edinburgh. I'd heard about the shop through a friend who'd bumped in to the owner in a nightclub and complimented her dress - it's like real life social networking. If you don't like to talk to people in real life, there's a Molly Sugars Vintage Facebook page, so you can keep it strictly virtual. Plus, there are plans for a Facebook shop if you can't make it the pop up events or if you really seriously don't want to interact with humans. You totally should though - people can be, like, totally nice in real life. No joke. Plus, when it comes to buying clothes (especially vintage), I'm definitely a fan of being able to touch (I'm weird), inspect (for quality) and try on (I'm a pretty special shape) the clothes.

Here's what I picked up:

This sexy pencil/wiggle dress which, despite my aforementioned special shape, looks awesome on! I'll be wearing it 80s style with ankle boots or with some slutty shoes. Brrrrap!

B-E-A-utiful strapless prom style dress with boned, ruched bodice. There's so much fabric in this and it's gorgeous and swooshy. Here's what it looks like with flats and a funny face. It think it's going to look so much better with heels and a non funny face and maybe a skinny belt...

And finally, out of the £3 bargain box this can't-decide-if-it's-so-bad-it's-good-or-just-so-bad batwing beaded top. The beading gives a slightly poncho vibe and, when it's on, I can't help wanting to just keep quickly turning 180 degrees back and forth like a fool. There's a part of me that never really grew up. Llara Pan.

Here's the label - I can't find anything on it other than that it might be a mass fashion producer in India. It might not be. Let's assume it's a totes expensive designer piece...

Awesome vintage dress. Definitely see through.

Some of you asked to see my recent vintage purchases in situ on ma body! Well, your wish is my command! And it's only seeing these pictures that I realise, like a celeb caught with their nips out in a sheer black dress (we can see them you skank bag!), that this dress is rather see through. In saving graces, it was clearly designed by someone who favoured a boob over a leg and considerately lined the skirt. Which is a relief because I have better boobs and legs anyway so, really, what's my gripe?

Look! There's my bra! Dress £21 Godiva Vintage, shoes: £65 Red or Dead at Schuh, Belt: H&M, necklace: vintage

Do you know what though? Even in spite of the funny neck tie detail, I love this dress! The colour is gorgeous and the lurex sparkle brings out every magpie tendency in me. Plus, I didn't think it would fit me, so the fact that it did is a double Brucie Bonus!

And so to the shoes! Oh, the shoes. I bought these Red or Dead shoes from schuh, then returned them because they were too small. Then um-ed and aw-ed over them for a few weeks, then couldn't get the bigger size, then the bigger size became available, I bought them and I can honestly say they're one of the best pairs of shoes I've bought in ages. The first time I wore them was for a day travelling away from the office and they didn't hurt my feet at all. I've worn them loads since and it's all the same. Winner. I am a fan of the masculine styling, which allows me to indulge a little in the androgynous trend I usually can't touch (I'm far too woman shaped to make nice slim trousers etc work), I adore the shiny patent finish and the burgundy/cream colour way is surprisingly versatile. It's not quite the all rounder neutral of, say, leopard print but it's doing a pretty cracking job - hence the pairing with this pretty dress. Whatchoo think?

By the time you read this, I should be in Tenerife enjoying a gin/cocktail/glass of wine (delete as applicable) in the sun. Don't abandon me in the next week - I shall be back soon! xx

Swoon! It's my new shoe cabinet!

You may remember that, a month or so back, I rescued a free cabinet from outside a junk shop up my road. It was dirty (complete with spider corpses) and rain soaked. But it was FREE and exactly what I had been looking for, for ages for glamorous shoe storage purposes!

That's Mr Scribbler's bulging collection on the right.

No really.

The first thing I did was get a nice bowl of warm soapy water and a sponge and I gave the thing a darn good clean. When it was dry, I hoovered up the spider corpses. Then it was sanding time. I didn't want the dark finish - it's too oppressive. And this was when I discovered that sanding is a bitch. A massive bitch. I sanded free hand, then sanded with an electric sander. I sanded until I could sand no more and got the worst of the varnish off. Then I did what any self respecting, if slightly lazy person, would do and said 'fuck it' and started slapping on the paint! (after re-hoovering, wiping down with a damp cloth and letting it all dry again)...

Scratchy, sandy and partially painted...

Then...

Voila!

The finished piece.

Yes, that is a picture of me on the Log Flume at Alton Towers - awesome!

 I went with a nice pale greeny blue (B&Q eggshell in case you're interested) and the light, brightness of it means it feels less imposing than it might otherwise have.

And now...

More importantly...

Here it is STOCKED WITH SHOES! YAY!

For the beady eyed, yes there are plenty of shoes in there that haven't appeared in the shoe challenge yet. I've, er, invested a bit in my shoe collection lately.

It's like my dream. But in real life in my own bedroom. Gosh I'm shallow!

In less shallow news, I am typing this on Friday but have scheduled it for Sunday and, while you're reading this, I'm probably mid way through a 50ish mile sponsored bike ridge for Maggie's Cancer Centres (www.justgiving.com/LlaraGeddes if you're feeling flush!). If you're reading this later on Sunday, I bloody best be finished and well wired into a bath and bottle of rose! Please all cross your fingers that Sunday's weather forecast is wrong and that it doesn't rain heavily and blow a gale.

The shoe challenge is over!

Yup, 31st August saw the end of my year long challenge to use or lose all my shoes. It's been an interesting year. I started with a 94 pair strong shoe collection and a mission to wear every pair within the year. Any that hadn't been worn get sold, donated or binned. I got off to a strong start, racking up 41 different wears by the end of November. And then it snowed. And these were all I wore for approximately two months:

DM Triumph shearling from schuh

My trusty DMs. They saved my arse (quite literally - I didn't fall once! They're like glue on the ice!) this winter. And they're back in stock again at schuh after selling out last year. However, I think I shall invest in some more cosy, weather proof boots for this winter so that I can expand my sartorial repertoire should the weather become limiting on that front again. I'm looking at you, 10 foot drifts of snow!

So the challenge was slowed down through winter and, even when the snow and ice let up a bit, it was a 3 pair boot rotation for quite some time. Now that it's all over, the most recent pair I blogged about wearing were pair #67. That makes a discrepancy of 27 pairs unworn. However, it's safe to say I've accumulated a, er, fair number of new pairs over the challenge. Plus we've had deaths and leavers. Part way through, I realised I had shoes I was never going to wear and, in the interests of refreshing/adding to my collection, I eBayed a bunch of stuff. And bought a bunch of new stuff. The upshot is that my currently total is, at this moment, unknown!

Here's what I can tell you:

These guys died...

 

You haven't even had the outfit shots of the blue ones yet! Two pairs broke in quick succession so a refund it was.

This lot weren't worn at all during the year:

 

The zebra print Red or Dead just aren't me. The Faith are bridesmaid shoes that I wore to my very good friend's wedding - they're gorgeous but just not 'me' outwith a beautiful wedding setting. The tan boots look good with jeans. However, I don't wear jeans that often anymore and they just went unused. The pink and purple shoes were much loved at the time of purchase but just aren't really me anymore.

Then this lot were worn during the year but I'm getting rid as I know I won't wear them again:

I do enjoy most of them (especially the Office pom pom shoes which just hit my ankle at the wrong height - I have oddly sensitive ankles!) still but, I know if I won't wear them I should set them free and let someone else get enjoyment from them. Coming soon to an eBay listing near you.

Then there's these:

They look passable but, in fact, they stink and the sole's falling off so it's time for them to go!

Currently I have a large bag of shoes for the repair shop too, some of which I haven't worn but am giving a lifeline to because, for most of the year I couldn't afford shoe repairs and since I could I haven't had time to take them in!

So that's that folks. I shall have to dig deep for content now! Don't worry though - my next post will be the unveiling of the free shoe cabinet, newly revamped and freshly stocked...

Good Godiva

Godiva is an Edinburgh Vintage shop based on the West Port, just off the Grassmarket. It's one of those shops I always mean but never get round to popping into. Yes, despite Edinburgh being one of the world's most beautiful cities, I often just can't be bothered going up town and fighting the crowds! However, I follow them on Twitter and after seeing a couple of gorgeous vintage dresses, I knew I had to make it my mission to go check out the shop for the first time in aaaaages! Ordinarily I'd have just done the online shop but the dresses sounded too small for me so a real life visit was needed. And it was well worth it...

Godiva's super cute homepage

It's a great shop for a few reasons. First, it has a great, nicely edited range of  vintage clothing at really reasonable prices. When you compare it to other Edinburgh vintage stores, it's definitely favourable price wise. Plus, I didn't spy a single piece of Primark tat in there! As well as the vintage clothes, they have lots of great stuff by up and coming and small designers, some brillo jewellery and their own made to measure service. The icing on the cake is their totally top notch service. They were ever so helpful on Twitter and the chick in the shop was amazers too. Call me an old fart but it really does make a difference! I'm telling you lot about them now, aren't I? And so to the nitty gritty - I'm sure you're dying to know the important thing - what did I buy!? Well I'll show you!

Awesome tropical palm tree dress. I love this (I'm wearing it as I type) for many reasons. The pattern's just the right side of bad-Hawaiian-shirt, the shape is super flattering, it makes me feel summery when it's anything but plus it's comfy too which is a winner.

Squee! Lurex threading, electric cobalt fabric, an adorable, removable collar, a slim waist and perfect length skirt, poufy sleeves. Literally, what is not to LOVE? Nothing, that's what. I wore this with a lurex cardi too, just to really rock that Christmas-bauble-out-for-an-early-jaunt look. It's a winner girls.

And finally...this adorable canary confection! I love yellow and adore yellow clothes but find them very hard to wear - it's my Scottish pallor you see. However, I'm off on hols a week on Thursday and I figure this might look swell with a wee tan going on. Alternatively, I shall wear a black vest and tights with it and be a lesser-spotted-polka-dot-bumblebee. Or more spotted as the case may be here. Either way, it was gorgeous, sounded like it would be too small but in fact fitted perfectly so it came home with mama!

I'm off for a bath now to wash away my, frankly, grumpy as a bear with a sore head, in the heat, with no berries mood.