Sunday shoe porn: somebody stop me!

This week, the shoe porn is all mine. Even by Llara standards, I've gone a bit shoe crazy in the last month or so. I've been too busy to blog them as they came into my life so I thought I'd round them up today. Ah, today. I'd describe what I've been up to today as "hunkering down". The forecasted "storm force" winds and driving rain landed in Edinburgh and it's been every bit as rough as predicted. So I cancelled thoughts of leaving the house and battened down the hatches. Quite literally in some areas - I have tissue paper stuffed around a point where a wire comes in through our window to hold back the leakage that happens when the rain pours!

And, so to the shoes. Last week, I showcased my beautiful Nicholas Kirkwood shoes. This week, all 6 pairs (yes, that does mean I've bought at least 7 pairs of shoes in the last month-ish. Some would be a bit disgusted by that. To them I say "bite me") combined cost less than that one pair so we're truly at the other end of the spectrum. And to really kick things off super bargain style, I picked up these shoes along with my grocery shop a few weeks ago at Asda.

I've always suspected that I was somewhat lacking on the snakeskin shoe front. That said, snakeskin shoes can often look really quite skankalicious and it's hard to find a nice pair that don't put me in mind of buckets of fake tan, too-tight shiny dresses and tranny style lip liner. However, the sweet almond shaped toe and mid heel on this pair struck just the right note for me: demure rather than manure, if you will. So in they went to my trolley. Want to know the best bit? They were £2 in the sale. That's a quid per shoe. 20p each per toe coverage. Insane. I can't walk away from a bargain that hefty. Powerless. So now they're mine.

Next up are these H&M stilettos. I've really gotten back into my stilettos again lately (and this time around, I will NOT sell them all on eBay! I will remember that fashion is cyclical and so is my taste and keep them for the future) and, once again had a sneaking suspicion. Which was that I likely needed a nice basic multicoloured glitter pair in my arsenal. So, imagine my joy when I stumbled across this twinkly pair for a tenner in the H&M sale. Woop! And I had a gift card - so, in fash-math terms, that means FREE.
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Next up, we have the most expensive purchase. My insane, sort-of-wedge-but-heel-less neon shatter boots from American site Nasty Gal. I saw a blogger wearing them some time ago. I can't remember where sadly. I'm sure I made some of sort of noise along the lines of "gnuarghhhhIHaveToHaveThem" when I first clapped eyes on them. Sadly, said blogger hadn't linked to them and could I find them anywhere? Could I buggery. But sometimes fortune smiles upon us. One of my colleagues was about to buy some shocking pink spiky efforts from Nasty Gal and asked if anyone else wanted to order anything and split the postage. Oh, and their shoes all had 25% off too. Donkey. Stick. Carrot. Other figures of speech that imply the ease with which I was reeled in. So, off I went, browsey, browse when: what should I stumble upon? Only the EPIC neon heel-less shoe boots that I'd seen on the blogger! I couldn't bloody believe it. And so, I was IN on the Nasty Gal spree! And on the off-chance that they're just SO your bag too, you can get them here. They don't call Little Scribbler helpful for nothing...

And so back to British shores. These shoes are from New Look. I'd admired them a few times but hadn't actually got as far as even trying them on. A plain black peep toe upper isn't really me (see the shoes above) but the watercolour-esque platform and heel caught me and I LOVE the shape of the heel - quite slim from the back but really wide from the side. It's got such a grace to its chunkiness which made me swoon every time I saw them. And, earlier this week I was in a New Look and they were down to £11 in the sale so it was rude not to at least try them. And they fit perfectly and looked awesome on. Done deal.

Next up, good old Topshop. Their shoes, by high street standards always feel at the upper end of the cost scale. That said, often they have really original stuff and you can see why they're pricier. I'd been eyeing up these stilettos for a good while but kept telling myself I didn't need them. I also kept not having £65 going spare so, really the conundrum "to buy or not to buy" was squashed right there. BUT (and spy a theme emerging here), they went in the SALE. Yay for sales! I was in my local store a few weeks ago and they'd gone down to £30. And then the ever so nice dude in the shop inexplicably gave me student discount too. I must have a studenty air about me. So I bagged them for £26, which I am most pleased about. The leather's so soft and glitter's so sparkly in such an understated way: it'll look a bit nothing-y, then the light hits and it twinkles like the night sky. Look at it twinkling away down there:

Lastly - yes, you're nearly at the end of this rambling and slightly obsessive collection of what now appear to be short stories. I thought the whole thing was going to be one short story. But no. I chattered on, as is my wont. Still, if you've made it this far, maybe you're enjoying the ramblings. And maybe, just maybe, you'll enjoy these shoes. I first clapped eyes on them in plain black in Urban Outfitters down in London. I tried them on but told myself to behave and that I didn't need spiked lace up creeper/flatform soled ankle boots. And I probably don't. But, I was online a week or so back and Urban Outfitters were doing 50% off their sale. Basically it was "please buy our dregs before the real winter sale starts". So it seemed rude not to take a look. Urban Outfitters' sale can be a magical thing. I got my neon pink Cambridge satchel from them last year for about £40 (they were still selling in Harvey Nichols for over £100 at the time) and one of my favourite pairs of ankle boots came from there for £20, down from £220. Yes you read that correctly - £20, down from £220. Insane. This time, I got a bra, a bumbag (no really. And, yes it will be up here at some point) and a hip flask. And these! £10, down from £55. That's 81.81% recurring, off, fash-mathletes! And they have leopard print on them! What in life is not improved with a splash of leopardy goodness? And, on that note, feel free to go forth and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Have a fabulous Chrimbo when it arrives!

I pledge my allegiance to SHOES!

Yay! Yay for shoes! Let's be clear, I work in shoes so I'm surrounded by them all the time and can't help getting obsessed by them. However, the wider shoe world must just see me coming and laugh gleefully, rubbing their hands, safe in the knowledge their tills will soon be ringing. case in point: these Jeffrey Campbells:

You may recall I blogged about them a while back. And, as you may be able to tell (if you're a foot pervert or just, like, obsessed with me or something), these are them on my feet. Oh yes, I found myself with a little spare cashola and I made the dream a reality. It's like freakin' X factor or something, isn't it? Without the sob story or looking like total freakazoid and having the voice of an angel stuff going on. I do enjoy a freaky person with an amazers voice. It makes you question all your preconceptions and judgements and that's a nice thing. Until you realise that you're judgemental and have all kinds of preconceived ideas and really you should probably wash your mouth and brain out with nasty caustic soap. Anyway, look how happy me and the shoes are. Woo!

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell @ Solestruck, Dress: Tesco, Shirt: Primark, Belt: H&M, Hairband: can't remember, badge: work

Jumpin'. So these are pair # 67. If you can't see what's awesome about them you're clearly blind. Or hate America so much you can't see past the design being like their flag. My feelings towards America are fairly neutral. Most people I've met there or from there are very nice and I shall judge it based on that. Ooh, except one girl who went out with a dude we knew. She was a massive douche. Still, see how I do not judge the rest of America on that basis #nonjudgemental. #noreally. Point being that I don't really give a crap about any flag and if you present me with a candy stripe heel and navy canvas upper resplendent with bold white star print, PLUS a fuck off platform and adorable t-bar all wrapped up in a totally comfy shoe, I am YOURS baby! Or you're mine. Whatever. Here they are again for your ogling pleasure. Brace yourself! I'm off to read some of my fave blogs!

Shoe Porn?

I got an email today that purported to share the delights of the new Christian Louboutin collection. Being a sucker for their gorgeous designs (and a major designer shoe coveter. Sin or no sins, if my neighbour was trotting about in a pair, I'd be coveting the ASS off them!), I was excited to take a peek. It didn't last long. There were a few pretties (loving the suede block colour platforms) and some weird and wonderful (hello yeti's foot) but, beyond that it was pretty dullsville - boring pumps, yet another studded stiletto, a plain stiletto with an ankle strap. I am sad. So much so that I'm just going to show you some high(ish)lights.

Amazing colour that goes with bog all, big platform and a dash of glitter? Count me IN!

You reckon you'd get on a flight with this. I LOVE the fierce shoulder. The bag is blah.

I love limes. I appreciate these lime flavoured shoes.

Because I am a fan of a classic platform and it would be rude to shout out the lime ones and not these.

I think I actually would if they weren't a slingback. I don't do slingbacks (she says whilst wearing a high heeled slingback clog effort). SO odd!

Speaking of odd. Yes, it's the aforementioned yeti's foot.

Longest day of the year, my arse.

It's little after 3pm and I have the lamp on cause it's so dull in my living room. Which is on the top floor of a tenement and usually flooded with light. (Did I ever tell you I love my house? It's awesome). Welcome to Summer Solstice in Scotland! Jeeeeeezuz!

So, to cheer myself up, I thought I'd whack up an outfit post from a night at the pub a coupla weeks ago. I say the pub: we did actually go for dinner rather than just boozes. Cos one is most posh, y'know? As you can probably tell from my too short, too tight get up:

Shoes: Schuh, Leggings and 'dress': Uniqlo, shirt: Primark, necklace: Lady Luck Rules ok, Skank attitude: The 80s.

Fuck yeah! In your face! At times like this, I'm glad of my ample thighs and behind. It just gives everything a bit more shape and interest, I think. The look I was going for here was slight 80's skank (short, tight, high heels), but grunged up and casualled down a bit with messy hair and a checked shirt. And no skank would be complete without a slash of red lippie. Am I right? Speaking of which, I treated myself (at Duty Free) to MACs Morange lipstick. It's bright orange! I've been coveting it for ages but didn't buy it, first because of fear of the colour, then because I became convinced I could find a cheaper alternative. I couldn't. It's a-may-zing. With a 'y'.

And so to the shoes. Embarrassingly, I haven't mentioned the shoe wearing challenge since my post of the 8th of May! For shame! And, in that, I was likening my weekend wear to that of a bag lady. For those who haven't heard me bang on about it (hello those!), the shoe wearing challenge is a bit of a use it or lose it approach to my massimo shoe closet. I have a year (ending in August) to wear all my shoes (not including all my Havaianas and rubber flip flops because a) who wants to see that over and over and b) did you not READ the first paragraph? I'm in S-C-O-T-L-A-N-D  and all the weather cliches are TRUE!). Those that aren't worn get sold, donated or chucked. I introduced you to this pair from Schuh a coupla posts back but they were just on the floor. Now they're on the floor and being worn! I give you, pair of shoes # 60!

Looooooook! The heel is so sparkly! Looooooooook! The suede is so soft and purple! The platform is so glorious, the heel is so deliciously chunky, they're GORGEOUS! And I'll let you into a secret. I can barely walk in them! Seriously - my 80's skank was verging on 80s bad tranny. Oh dear...

It shoe-dn't happen to one so pretty

Nope, not a typo, just some bad shoe wordplay. You see, there was a shoe death in my closet today. Well, the suspected death was actually spotted on the path outside work and was established sat at my desk two minutes later. Let's kick off with a positive though, shall we? Here's what I wore today (AKA a little frivolity to lighten the mood):

Dress: H&M, Cardi: Primark, shoes: Red or Dead at Schuh.

And because I, like, y'know, listen to y'all and read all your comments, here's a close up shot of the dress fabric for the lovely Gem who asked what it actually was. I kind of think, if you squint and look at the picture above, it could be parrots, which would be awesome (more positivity pre shoe death delving). However, it's actually little ditsy flowers - aww! Aren't they pretty?

At this point, I don't think the shoe death discussion can be delayed any longer. The shoes in question are these dreamy (in my star crossed eyes) Red or Dead shoes from Schuh which were a sale purchase, albeit not a totally bargainous one. I love them for many reasons - I'm a fan of a metallic and this pale, verging on silvery gold is gorgeous and basically is a neutral, thus it goes with EVERYTHING (although with my penchant for pattern and clashing, everything goes with everything). Plus they have a perfect round toe, a big chunky heel (good for height and balance) and a belting platform. And (yes there's more. I'm in mourning, alright?) the lining is beautiful bright pink. So beautiful I haven't taken any pictures of it in case it makes you cry. They tread the perfect balance between understated and show-stopping and should have been a work and party partner for some time to come. Alas, no.

No. As I walked along the path to work this morning, Mr Scribbler (yes, we work AT THE SAME PLACE. Not just at the same place but physically in the same office. And I'm kind of noisy. Poor man) noted that my platform was coming away as I walked. Concerned by his potential man inability to correctly identify areas of a shoe, I asked if he meant the heel (they do feel a wee bit funny to walk in) but, no, he was certain the platform was the problem. And sure enough, he was right. I sat down, slipped off my shoe and this is what I uncovered:

On both feet!! Chronic bonding failure. The platform is just popping away with every step I take! And, even worse, they shoes aren't available any more. Now, I could take the superglue to them or get them re-bonded at a cobbler, but years of experience tells me that, if these babies weren't properly and sufficiently attached at the time of manufacture, there's no saving them. Any adhesive now would just be a band aid, and the platform would probably drop off at a most inopportune moment. So, tomorrow I shall return them. For now, here's some final shoe pornery...

In these shoes? I doubt you'd survive...

Let's make love on a mountain top! No, I'm not propositioning you - it's also a line from the song (In these shoes by the late Kirsty MacColl) . That song makes me chuckle. And it's SO appropriate because there's bugger all I can do in these shoes. They're SO high, I can barely walk in them and they're pretty much guaranteed to turn my feet completely numb. Add to that the fact that they're nigh on impossible to get on, even with a shoe horn. They're the perfect little madam. But they're soooooooooooooo pretty!

Right? Look at that platform, the beautiful almond shaped toe, The vibrant colour, the sturdy yet gorgeous heel and the glorious hairy upper! *she weeps a little*

No joke though, they were an utter beatch to get into. I'm talking 5 solid minutes (they're supposed to be a slip on), one shoe horn, two pairs of socks and a sweaty wrestling match. I started with pink socks (you couldn't see them most of the time) but I could not get the left foot on. I switched to trying the right foot which I eventually beat - one shoe on - yesss! Buoyed by that success, I set about the left foot again, brandishing my shoe horn like the vicious weapon I thought it was. Uh-uh - the boot merely laughed at me. All I could do was switch the sock for a thin slidy pop sock and, after much ramming, wriggling, jabbing and stomping, the boot finally went on. Phew! If you look closely here, you can definitely see the odd socks.

Dress and leggings: Uniqlo, Cardi: Topshop, Boots: Senso at Solestruck

I figured the boots were so show stopping in there own right that they needed to go with a simple outfit. Comments the day I wore them included, "fuck me" (er, no thanks pal), "wow, they're visible" and general "wow, they're amazing"'s and "you're tall"'s. Well, put a slightly above average height girl in a pair of giant heels and whaddya expect?

See me rock ma fearsome jewels. Well as fearsome as a cameo and some roses can be. Er...

Cameo ring: Primark, middle ring: gift from Mr S, Flower ring: Accessorize

Necklace: Primark

Are you wondering how I've managed to get this far without mentioning the sheer leopard print-y-ness of the boots. I am.

They're pair #53 in my shoe wearing challenge and they're from US website Solestruck, by a brand called Senso.

I can't get no sleep

Honestly, at the moment, I feel like I should easily be as grumpy as my face to the left suggests I am (I've deliberately made the picture that small because I do look super ropey. In case you don't know or can't tell, I don't have a fancy camera and I almost always use the first picture I take so these images are always just pot luck! Yes, alright, I've been known to ai rbrush off a spot here and there). I've been sleeping (or not) so badly this week that it's ridiculous, and the last coupla weeks I've been fighting off impending colds and beastly mouth ulcers but for some reason I'm still feeling pretty perky! Yay me! If only I could bottle that feeling and have a wee swally any time I felt blue or couldn't be arsed with the gym.

Perhaps it's just that this week is good so far. I've done a zumba class and a swim, work is BUSY and engaging, I'm getting in some family and friend catch up AND my hair's not standing up on end anymore - thank the baby jebus! Plus, I'm going to treat myself to these summery little shoes from Schuh today. They're from a brand called Mel which, if you haven't heard of it, is a diffusion from Melissa who do the Vivienne Westwood rubber shoes and so on. The difference is that Mel are much cheaper!

Oh, they just make me think of summer! I can't wait for summer although, let me tell you, my feet are in dire need of some home pedicure action before they get themselves out in shoes like these! Too much information?

Anyway, back to things current, the shoes I'm actually wearing are pair # 50! 50! That's half way to 100! Although I do need to do a collection recount and see how many pairs I have now...

This particular pair are from Topshop but were actually a cheeky bargain off eBay - bonza! I have them in cream too (which I paid the Toppers price for) but the sole's beginning to crack and I loved them so much I couldn't resist picking them up again in gold! I'm such a sucker for a t-bar (so 'come dancing') and the immense ruffles on these made them all the more appealing. Add a platform, some metallic gold and a chunky heel and you've well and truly won me over!

Shoe layout craziness! I'm not at home and have very limited editing abilities right now so forgive the oddness.

"You look really pretty today"

Were the words that came out of Mr Scribbler's mouth this morning as we set off to work! He quickly followed it up with "not that you don't usually, it's just you really do today". Or something boyish like that. Bless him. To be fair, my dress had probably gone see through or something when he said it and I just hadn't realised. Kidding! He's a nice dude. By the time I took this picture though, I'd been to the gym and for a swim and was sans make up and the reason I'm mooching a big sexy hand on head pose is because my hair was at its Chuckle Brother best and I had to hold it down. Not cos I think I'm some kinda model all of a sudden. I'll be in a bikini pouting it up for you soon. Fnar.




dress: ASOS, cardi: Primark, leggings: Uniqlo, shoes: schuh

So what were the shoes at the bottom of the outfit that inspired Mr S's adoration?  You may well ask, as you can't really see them in the picture above. See they're black. I don't really do black shoes. Seriously, look back at my posts and you'll be lucky to find any. However, Schuh won me over with these ones. Why? Shiny. Patent. High heeled. Platform. Button. Bow. Polka dotty inside. Is that enough for you? They're getting to be a few years old wee bit vintage - they're circa around 2007, I think. And the probably-not-see-through-after-all dress is a wee ASOS number I got recently. It's a fine knit and is SO cosy! Plus, I'm loving all over Peter Pan collars right now and this one's just super cute.

Look at the cute round toe! Anyway, in case you're keeping up with my shoes wearing challenge, they're shoes # 45. I'll be hitting 50 before we know it! I'm thinking of doing a bit of a summary soon on what I've worn so far. Almost more for me than you, to be honest. I'm starting to forget what I have an haven't worn. Plus, part way through I realised I had some I was never gonna wear and I got rid of them. And on the other side of the coin, I've bought far too many a few new pairs since I started out too.

Here's a wee close up of my brooch. My lovely pal Bisto gave me it for my birthday - it came with a pretty little bird and a button too. It's from Miss Selfridge. Sadly it's not on site any more but they have a few other cute bits and bobs on there.

Time to head off. My colleagues and I are off to our on-maternity-leave colleague's house this evening and I'm hoping to get my first taste of Polish home-cooking.

Summer Lovin'!

I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait for spring and summer to start creeping back in. I hate the dark mornings and evenings, so I love it when the daylight starts creeping back in. Snowdrops are always the first thing that tells me Mother Nature's getting her freak on and waking up again. Plus, spring/summer equals new clothes AND rediscovering goodies squirrelled at the back of the wardrobe. Don't get me wrong, I AM in Scotland so I don't exactly prepare for tropical or anything but a little sunshine from time to time does us pasty sorts good. Don't forget the spf though peeps. Never forget the spf.

Anyway, why am I getting on my hobby horse about the joys of spring? It's actually because a) the dark winter afternoon view outside is so bleak and b) the lovely Matalan folks sent me through a copy of their spring/summer lookbook and there's some delicious stuff in there. Regardez:

Pretty cover, non? It unfolds and the inside is all floral. If you get a floral card from me any time soon, you better know it was recycled from inspired by the look book! I'm the first to admit, I haven't been down to my local Matalan in ages and I hadn't realised how fashion forward some of their stuff has become! I figured I'd start my lookbook summary with things I love but cannot wear: Jumpsuits and voluminous trousers. This jumpsuit is super cute and the model looks adorable in it - it's just got such a lovely laid back vibe. However, my pear shaped proportions just don't look good in loose fit jumpsuits like this. If you're willowy though or evenly proportioned, go forth, wear and look amazing! Now, I say both of these are looks I couldn't work but I am sorely tempted to try the trousers. They just look so breezy and comfortable. Again, there are issues on the thigh-age front (nothing looks good strained over a thigh. No it doesn't.) but hareem pants they ain't so they could be worth a bash - maybe I'll try them when they land. Again, if you're sleek of leg, I'd so recommend these with a pair of wedges (see below! Handy, eh?)

Anyway, let's shift on to something I can definitely wear - dresses! First up, can't afford Mui, Mui? Get yourself down to Matalan. Their cherry print dress is very reminiscent of Mui Mui's resort collection (they actually have an apple print playsuit too which is a dead ringer print wise) as is the casual striped sundress. I know where my print fix will be coming from (unless I win the lottery or summat in which case a wee Mui Mui treat could be on the cards). And, whilst I love the cherry print, you may have noticed by now that I am a SUCKER for a floral. And the dress on the bottom left is right up my street - 50's waisted styling, demure, floral, bows - what's not to love?! And just as a little departure from the others which, admittedly are all in a similar vein (type, me?), I had to pop in the gorgeous orange halter maxi dress. Let's assume I will make it on holiday this year. If so, you'll see me lurking about the bar in this, preferably whilst drinking a delicious cocktail! That's just how I roll baby!

As a general rule, I'm not a huge bag girl (yes, I know I work the bag lady look on occasion but that's an entirely different matter) but this little lot are definitely worth a mention. I'm all about a bag with a decent strap (impractical shoes, I love. Impractical bags just annoy me. I'm sorry!) and this little lot have summer written all over them. Again, we have florals and stripes - please do not co-ordinate these with your dress. Clash them by all means but no matchy, matchy. I'd suggest, you go for one of the pretty tan satchels with patterns - work the 70s look.

And speaking of the 70s look, I'm actually much more excited by it than I initially thought I'd be. I'm definitely more in the favour of the chilled out 70s vibe than the chic Chloe-esque lady (that look is killer but it's SO not me. I'm too messy and I'd only spill stuff down my wide legged camel trousers or pussy bow blouse) and the raffia platform sandals and buckle wedges both fit the look perfectly! In fact I think when I'm at the bar, in the maxi dress with the cocktail, I'll also be wearing the wedges!

Shoe-wise, my floral obsession is definitely catered for here. I love, love, love the cream tapestry effect platforms and will be stalking the website until they come in. I'm also enjoying the strappy platform peep toes (are you feeling my love of all things platform here? I actually am pretty picky with my shoes - I'm just bowled over by how many nice ones were in the look book and I struggled to edit them down!) and the ribbon brogues. Which do you prefer? Do you ever shop at Matalan? Will you now?