Sales and a re-brand!

OMG - Little Scribbler has gone!

I picked the name fairly arbitrarily when I started blogging and, to be honest, haven't really liked it for a long time. To start with, there's nothing little about me (maybe my bank balance right now). And "Scribbler" inaccurately gave the impression of drawing which I 100% do not do well! So welcome to "champagne shoes, lemonade budget". I wondered whether it was twee, then thought, 'fuck it' - I'm a human who loves the shoes but who doesn't have endless budgets. I prattle about fancy designer shoes I'd like and occasionally find the means to procure a pair. And, beyond that, I often bag shoes that LOOK awesome but are actually quite bargainous. And so CSLB is born. Plus, it runs beyond shoes too, doesn't it? There's no denying I'm a bit of an over-shopper. A greedy, modern, consumer. I console myself that it means I'm totally contributing to the economy and helping the world turn. That said, I am a stereotypical stingy Scot and am always on the lookout for a bargain. So, fear not Scribbler fans (I'm sure there's at least one out there), the content of the blog isn't going to change as such but maybe I'll get more regular and be more focussed. Woop.

And, so to the sale shopping...I've read a lot of blogs this season where folk haven't had much luck with the sales. I've been the reverse - I got some pretty decent stuff! Here it is:

Awesome Chloe-esque boots from Office. I blogged my black ones from schuh a couple of posts back. But they didn't get them in red and sometimes needs must. So, when I swung by Office and they had them at £40, down from £85, I had to do it! If I wear them even half as much as the black, they'll have been well worth it. Plus, the Chloe version are still £850 on Net-a-Porter. Jebus!

These shoes from Topshop are a funny one. I saw them online and didn't think much of them. Then I saw them in a magazine and they looked AMAZING on! The toe shape is perfect, I love a chunky heel and the dusky pink suede is such a flattering colour. And the heel is like a disco ball! Best bit - they were down from £58 to £30 in the sale and I had a Topshop gift card. 

These dresses were £12 and £15 in the River Island sale. They did a galactic version of the rose one which I loved but which made my arse look like a giant squishy bruise. Now, I'm happy to break a fashion rule but that's a step too far. In the rose one, it looks looks like a big soft floral cushion instead. Much better. The other dress is so sunsetty that I could not resist it! I LOVE sunsets. I think it will serve me well in the clubs of Ibiza this June...

Zara shoes (as worn in my last post). I'm gonn' be a cowgirl! Isabel Marant style! I nearly bought these shoes about 7 times but always walked away/closed the webpage. However, when I went in to the shop last week and they were down from £60 to £30, I was sold! I'm off for a hoe-down.

Storing my shoe collection - it's complicated

My shoe collection is pretty big. I haven't counted the pairs but it's safe to say there are a LOT. Ideally, I'd love a giant walk in closet a la sex and the city where the shoes are all out of their boxes and lined up beautifully and somehow staying dust free. That's the dream. Being that we're a little restricted space-wise and that I've spent all my money on shoes already, that's not really an option right now. Or maybe ever. However, this weekend, driven by desires to actually see my bedroom floor again and to not break my neck falling over rogue shoes, I decided to get it all sorted out. Here's how they all (just about) fit in...

Apologies for the truly shite blurry pic. I took it and didn't realise how bad it was until it was on the computer. And I am lazy! Technically, this wardrobe is Mr Scribbler's. However, I have wangled a shoe rack and a couple of jackets in there. This "hangy thing" came from Ikea and is ideal for squishing in flats and, to be honest, shoes that are maybe a bit past their best that you don't mind not being in boxes. You can get a prettier version here. At this point I should tell you that piles of shoes in the bottom of a wardrobe makes me cry on the inside and feel a bit sick. It's just so wrong! Care for thy shoes! Which kind of goes some way to explaining this...

The tremendous shoe cabinet of awesomeness. AKA the home of my favourite and designer shoes. I update the contents fairly regularly cause I'm fickle and change my mind all the time about my faves. If you've been reading a while, you'll have seen the cabinet before, so proud of it am I. If you haven't you can check out it's transformation from orphan rescued (for free! FREE!) from a rainy street, to tremendous shoe cabinet of awesomeness -> here. It's a touching story.

Observe though, that the storage above does not finish with the TSCoA. Oh no. We also have stackable transparent shoe boxes. These things are genius: they're clear(ish) so you can see what's in them, they stack and slot into each other so you can pile 'em high, they're smaller than a lot of shoe boxes so save space AND they fold so if you have spares they stash away neatly! Just google 'transparent stackable shoe boxes' or similar and do some price comparison. I think mine came through eBay in the end but do make sure you look for the ridgy ones that slot together!

Along with the TSCoA, I also do actually have a walk in cupboard that has boxes of shoes stacked up in it. It is called the shoe closet. Like the normal person's version of the SATC scenario. The washing basket lives in here too so it is a bit of a jam but it keeps this little lot out of the way. Some of the shoes aren't in their original boxes but in smaller boxes I have, with their name/description written on the front. Every centimetre counts! And so does ease of shoe finding. There's a shelf on the wall in there too that takes a surprising amount of shoe weight:

My, so tonal!

One of my latest storage solutions is this over the door (hanging into the shoe closet) hanging thang with pockets from Argos. It fits 10 pairs of shoes in (mine are mainly size 7s) but you could probably get pairs of flip flops or smooshed up flats in one pocket if you felt the urge. I got it today for £6.99 (here it is - man I am helpful with my links) and am pleasantly surprised by it as a few of the reviewers said it only fit kids shoes in. It doesn't. Yay! You wouldn't get heels in or anything but it does the job for flats.

 

And finally, in a rare glimpse into the man side of my life, here are Mr Scribbler's shoes:

Yup, he's nearly as shoe daft as me these days (which makes my habit SO much easier to justify) and I finally had to get him some more rack space. The ones on the left we got today in Argos. It's actually two stacked together and they were £4.99 each. Bargain! They're nowt fancy but totally do the job. And, as I type this, he's actually filled them up.

So, now we don't have shoes lying about the bedroom and living room but we do have them on racks in the hall, in the wardrobe in the spare room, in a cabinet in the bedroom, hanging over a door and inside the shoe closet. Neat, non? If you have any space saving shoe storage tips, feel free to share them with me. Otherwise, I hope some of this was useful for you if, like me, your collection is somewhat unruly!

Inside the closet of a shoe obsessive...

I had a bit of a eureka moment today. Whilst having a pre-spring, spring clean, I had a wee rearrangement of my shoes. Normally, for me, a big spring clean involves a lot of fannying about making tea and looking at old cards and pictures I come across. However, today I managed to scrub the bathroom top to toe and GUT my clothes, shoes and make up which is pretty good going for me. Still a way to go with the whole place, but it's a start.

The reason I cracked on with the shoes was not because I want rid of any of them right now, more because the collection was starting to burst forth from the "shoe closet" TM. All my shoes were stacked in boxes of varying sizes and on a rack along the back of the closet (which they happily share with the boiler and the laundry basket) and there was just room for nothing else to be squeezed in! Plus, it was a job to get some of the out too. Angles. Anyway, for some reason, inspiration struck and it occurred to me that I could move the shoes to the side walls, creating a mini stockroom aisle if you will. Duh! And bingo bango, bish, bash, bosh, I now have room for about 20 new pairs! I wonder if this is my first step in acting aspirationally - like when they tell you in magazines to dress for the job you really want. I've prepared the "shoe closet" for the shoe collection I really want! Come to mama, little shoesies!

Here's how it looks now:

LOOK how much space there is to pile the boxes on!

 

I love these neat see through storage boxes. They open at the end so you can stack them as high as you like and easily access any of the shoes - yay! And, they're so much more space saving than a shoe rack. Important to a shoe hoarding sista like myself. Before I got them, I had stacks of busted old boxes with ripped ends where I'd tried to break the shoes free and snapped the lid in the process. What do you mean, if I was the sort of girl who got up early and/or planned her outfits, I might not having been rushing about like a headless chicken needing shoes in a hurry and I might never have had this issue? Huh, in your face early risers and prepared people - these boxes completely indulge my haphazard and last minute little self. Now, I can't remember where I got mine from - I just remember that the first set I ordered got lost in the post and the company were awful and I ended up ordering them elsewhere! However, if you're after some, just Google 'plastic shoe boxes' and there are a few places selling them - you can bag 'em on eBay too. Here are my favoured style with the front access - plus they lock into each other so that they stay neatly stacked and don't slide.

 Schuh, Irregular Choice, Office, Clarks Originals, Converse, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Nike 6.0, Red or Dead, Bronx, random no brand shoes from eBay, H&M, Dr Martens, Senso, Enzo Angiolini (nope, never heard of him either), Birkenstock, Havaianas, Primark, Matalan - there's all sorts going on in there!

My fantasy would be to fill the newly created space with Christian Louboutin, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, YSL and Miu-miu. And maybe some Chanel and a classic pair of Church brogues. That's not to say, if you're about to chuck some gorgeous designer heels in a 7 or 8, you shouldn't chuck them my way if they're not from one of those brands. Just saying...

Screw you weather! I am busting out my heels!

Uh-huh! You better frickin' believe it! I may be back in my DM boots again on account of the ice but, lordy, am I fed up wearing them all the time. They're nice and all but my feet live for variation and fouf and frou-frou! So frustrated I was wearing them all the time, that I went crazy, bought a new pair of shoes (heels, glittery) on an anarchic whim (anarchy against my bank balance, like) and I immediately wore them out to work (well I bought them Tuesday night and wore them Wednesday morning). I love that I can wear glittery heels to work. It's a beautiful thing.

 

LOOK! Rubber pom-poms! Rubber pom-poms! Feast your eyes. I love the person who decided that there should be a rubber pom-pom on a shoe. What a marvellous idea.

Anyway, if I've done my sums right (and I usually have. Smug, much?), this pair are # 42 in my 'wear all my shoes in a year' challenge and they're from (whispers it) Office. And they were reduced from £88 to £38. Now I don't like to look a gift horse in the mouth (I don't touch them either - I'm allergic) and, doing my sums again, I decided 50 quid off a pair of shoes I'd admired from afar already was too good to pass up.

Upside down, right way round, front, side, it can't be denied that they amazing. Here's why. Other than the pom-pom:

• Creamy white glitter - sparkly!
• Black patent platform - shiny!
• Black patent chunky-from-the-side, slim-from-the-back heel - foxy!
• Monochrome. It's chicer than me so raises my game a little - classy!

Here what I wore them with. Other than the "Violet, you're going violet, Violet!" tights (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the original. If by some oversight you have not seen this film, log off - I won't mind - and go watch it.)

vintage reproduction dress: Judy's Affordable Vintage fair, Edinburgh, cardi: Asda (!), necklace: H&M, tights: Primark, cocked pinky by: Gosh aren't I posh.

 Note that I have slight mental eye again. Darn the red eye, darn the red eye! And darn the demon inside me! Is anyone else finding that the winter weather is driving their skin demented? Mine doesn't know what the frig it's doing right now - it's oily, it's dry, it's hot, it's cold, it's inside, it's outside. I'm scared it might just all fall off. And with that unpleasant thought, here's my necklace and I'm off to make a healthy dinner to try to counterbalance all the booze and workplace chocolates that happen at this time of year.

tFi Friday!

It's Saturday now (weeekeeend!!) but it was Friday yesterday and that's when this outfit and shoes # 29 happened. Roll with it people.

I had free tickets to see a show called Blaze, a street dance affair featuring a couple of the dancers from last year's UK version of 'So You Think You Can Dance'. My friend Ian and I are forever talking about auditioning for these shows but my dance skills are, sadly, much like Colleen Rooney's husband choosing skills (girrrrrrrl you can do bettah!) and I don't want to offend anyone's eyes or accidentally whip them out with a badly timed kick. Mind you, fear of offending people's senses doesn't stop me wailing along to the radio or rocking out at karaoke. It also doesn't stop me wearing glittery peep toes with lurex socks. More to come on that...

 

 

Oop-there they are! So Blaze! It was pretty good - the dancers were brilliant and I never fail to be impressed by people who can break and street dance - I just can't imagine my body having that capability plus, if I try to dance anything remotely streety, I just look like an awkward arse. The music was a mixed bag from Michael Jackson to Ellie Goulding (I think, I think she's super cute - I'm yet to decide) via Missy Elliott and some old school funk and disco. Good times. I only got the tickets on Thursday so myself and my pal A decided to make a night of it and tank some wine too. Which we did at the Brass Monkey in Edinburgh, home to the world's surliest barman. Hey, I don't care too much if you're not up for banter but if we're polite and whatnot, hearing more than just "9 pounds" wouldn't go amiss. There's your tip back in my pocket PAL! Anyway, point is, I decided I should whap on some sparkle and lippie in honour of the weekend and the dance. If you were 'lucky' enough to be in Edinburgh last night, you may be aware that it monsooned it down and it was cold:

 

 

So I needed my big denim cosy parka: Topshop years ago - I got 10% off for a missing popper as I recall.

Leopard print bag: Accessorize a few years ago (another one of those things that was more than I'd usually spend but that I've used a million times and love!)

Glitter peep toe heels: Office Vintage collection, 99p on eBay! Bargain!

 

 

Dress: Urban Outfitter

Belt: Accessorize

Leopard scarf: Accessorize

Cardi: Topshop

Socks: Can't remember

My hair's a state by this point on account of running about in the pissing rain with the big hood up. Surprisingly my feet didn't get that wet. The shoes fairy must've been smiling on me. Thanks shoe fairies!

 

 

And finally, t shirt: Primark

Necklace: Accessorize. Oddly I really don't have much of their stuff (I love it but I'm too cheap/skint/spend all my money on shoes to buy loads of it) but I seem to have covered myself in it!

 

 

Too cute!

 

 

Sparkalicious!

 

 

And now back to the day job - the shoes. Firstly, wow, what a bargain these babies were! 99p and new! They're one of the things I love about eBay - there genuinely is the odd astounding bargain to be had in amongst all the shit that's on there now. I absolutely adore the fact that they're like old skool 'come dancing' shoes with their stumpy almost Cuban heel, little ankle strap and cute peep toe with pretty bow. I swoon for the fact that they're so sparkly (I woke up with some glitter in my ear this morning. No idea how that happened. I mean I'm pretty bendy for my size - I can get my big toe in my mouth and my little toe up my nose [don't ask] - but my shoes were nowhere near my ear. I think it just attests to the travelling and adhesive qualities of glitter). They're like foot mirror balls. And while I don't think I'd have thought to try it, I really like the silver and nude colour palette. I'm a big peep toe fan and the peep on these is as big as you can go before it's too big, in my humble opinion. Even if they do look a bit like giant fish mouths here:

 

 

I'm going to eat yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou!

Behind enemy lines

Aha! You got me - I'm wearing Office shoes. You may or may not know, I work for another purveyor of shoes which, technically, makes Office an enemy. Grr! Who am I trying to kid - I'm a total shoe slut. I like it, I can afford it, I don't give a shit where it came from! And these cuties were only £15 in the sale so, really, I sorta robbed 'em.

So it's pair #17 in the big shoe wearing challenge. Making good headway. Here's what's good about these shoes:

Peep toe
Pink Metallic trim
Ginormous pink plastic heart
Star print

A-MA-ZING! I bought the other colourway first (for my wedding! You'll see them soon enough) then, bazing, £15 for these.

They're worn with:

Urban Outfitter's dress
Forever 21 tee
Star print Uniqlo leggings
Accessorize rainbow belt
And shit hair - yeah it looked wack that day.

Peep-a-licious!

That's all...