The EPIC cat t-shirt of awesome epicness

If you followed me on instagram (plug, plug @llarasnappedwhat. I'm bloody entertaining, as you'd expect) or Twitter (llara_has_2_Ls), you might already have met this chap...

It's a cat! With a crown, a red cape and a locket. I mean, he could be a queen, a superhero and a sorcerer all rolled into one by my reckoning.

But he's not real :(

He's just a print.

ON MY NEW T-SHIRT!

BAM!

cat t-shirt: eBay, coat: eBay, skirt: H&M, shoes: schuh

If I was you, I'd be so mind blown by its giant and immense epicness that I wouldn't bat an eyelid at the fact that Mr Scribbler's shoes are photo bombing me again or that I've barely a scrap of make up on, so drawn would I (as you, remember) be to the t-shirt. Cue pussy jokes.

I'd hoped it would be long enough to wear as a dress but it's not. And one pussy on display is quite enough, don't you think? I saw a picture of the t-shirt somewhere a few weeks ago and made it my mission to track it down. And track it down, I DID. It was only about £11 or £12, including delivery.

And, in the interests of not flashing anything inappropriate, I wore the t-shirt with a nice shiny silver mini skirt and stuck my belting H&M necklace over it:

And it seemed only appropriate to complement kitty with some interesting shoes. So I busted out these gorgeous gold wedges that I got for a song in the schuh sale last year. Stick on some socks (it's bloody freezing in Scotland, don't you know!?) and you are ready to rock and roll!

I think Mr Kitty approves...

Ego and Greed

I have been browsing Solestruck (awesome shoe website) again. Don't worry - my bank card is safely squirrelled away in my wallet and I am NOT buying. No, I am not. Through Solestruck I have discovered some amazing shoes and brands (Jeffrey Campbell, Senso) that I might otherwise not be aware of. Which may actually have left the aforementioned bank card less afraid of melting through potential over use. Thankfully, the prices are usually more than I can afford so I generally can't go splashing out. That said, they're also in the 'occasional treat if I save' arena. And, after a couple of recent emails, I've been compelled to check out a new (to me!) brand - Ego and Greed. It's a wedge-tastic collection with fierce platforms, neon brights and random prints. Google them if you have a mo' - their website's weird as fuck. Sorry - no politer way (for me at least) to out it.

In the meantime, here are some of their shoes that I love. And to think that I never used to wear wedges...

I don't know what kind of apples these are but there's no question they're apples. I've gone all posh lately and started eating those fancy pink lady apples. They're friggin' good. As I'm a through and through skinflint Scot, I only buy them on offer.

Miaow! Or miu even, as these babies are very Miu-miu circa last year. I'm all over these.

 A glorious little oxford with a pretty girlie twist. Flat, comfy, flowery and demonstrating a move away from onr-trick-pony territory. Good move.

 

Bazing! Kapow! And in yo' FACE! They come in a bunch of other equally neon-tastic colours. If you like highlighter pens, these are for you.

See, now, I just simply enjoy these. Neon bright against a neutral - it just works. If I was forced to choose one pair, it may be these. Hmm...

This one's a gem!

Warning. I am about to hop on my soapbox and wax lyrical about a pair of shoes. A PHENOMENAL pair of shoes. They're by Haus of Price (nope, me neither) on the lovely Solestruck website whose mantra "to rid the world of ugly shoes one pair at a time' always makes me chuckle. As we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I believe that I share my eye with a random magpie somewhere. Behold:

Look at all those stones and studs!

Wedge (my new favourite thing apparently), peep toe (an old fave), platform (of course) and H-to the-I-to-the-G-to-the-H!

The shape of the wedge is just perfect and the peep toe is exactly the right size! I hate an oversized peep toe.

The only problem is the $334.95 price tag. Time to get my DIY on I reckon. Pass me the glue gun! Did I ever tell you that I once superglued my finger and thumb together? This is going to be fun...

All images c/o Solestruck

Wedge you looking at?

I think I've discovered the World's Comfiest Boots*! Actually ridiculously comfy. I'd NEVER been a wedge girl. That is to say I've always liked them on other people and admired them on shop shelves but just never thought they were for me - I always thought they looked weird on my feet. However, having dipped my toe with my awesome leopard wedges (if anything was gonna reel me in, it was gonna be leopard print, wasn't it?!) I decided wedges weren't my enemy after all and the amazingly soft vibrant purple suede and £25 sale price tag on these Schuh beauties won me over.

They're pair # 52 in my shoe wearing challenge and, on account of their amazing wearability, I'm totally getting my money's worth out of them. The only things I can't do in them are swim and drive. Pretty good, huh? I could be Ziggy Stardust! Mind you, I'd wager that he'd have swum in wedges. But that's rock 'n' roll for you.

Look! The soles are starting to get all scuffy and manky already because I've worn them so much. Sadly (for you) there are none left online right now BUT there's a chance they will be back (insider tip!) in the next week or two. And they come in black too, if you're feeling boring a little less adventurous on the colour front.

I've mainly chosen to wear them with pretty casual stuff on account of their roaring fabulousness, hence the Uniqlo t-shirt dress (speaking of which, why can't I get nice basic t dresses in Uniqlo anymore? This bugs me. Their t-shirt dresses were one of my favourite things about them. Now they have the odd good thing and a load of crap.) and leggings and Primark cardi.

*The boots were put through a series of rigorous tests to gain this stature, including being worn on a sizable walk from the train station to my home in the drizzle, a full day's work on my feet and finally, and perhaps most conclusively, on a drunken run for the bus. They passed all tests with flying colours. I looked like Carrie Bradshaw minus the horse face, plus a few lbs stone, running for that bus.

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?

Take it to the max(i)

Yay! I'm back after my birthday hiatus. And, no, I'm not yet 30.  And I'm not well enough organised to have planned scheduled posts or anything while I was busy so, post last post, time simply ran away ahead of me and I'm just finding the time to blog now. However, I hope you'll agree this one was worth waiting for. Not because I've suddenly started taking amazing quality pictures. Or because this post is gonna be super funny. Or even because I wore the awesome giant leopard print wedges (though I do think you should spare a mo' to revel in their greatness). No, this post was worth the wait because I finally wore the gorgeous electric blue maxi dress I bought months ago from Miss Kitty Litter Vintage (which sadly closed down just after I bought the dress - I'm fairly sure it had nothing to do with me but who can ever really be certain?)

I wore it for my birthday night out to Electric Circus in Edinburgh. You walk in and you see a bar with some seating and a wee dance floor - it looks alright and on the cool side. However, the hidden cheesy genius of Electric Circus lies along the corridor off the dance floor. Seven rooms. Seven private karaoke rooms of varying sizes for between 4 and 50 people. Oh yes. I'm one of those losers who cannot help themselves when the karaoke cracks out and who gets more and more carried away and excited as the evening wears on. Therefore, this place was perfect for my wee party and, once you stopped smelling the sick-masked-with-bleach (mmm!) in the room, it was such fun! You program in the songs you want to sing and away you go. You even get waitress service to your room so you don't waste any singing/laughing time going to the bar. It's such fun! Plus after we finished with our room they had a wee indie nightclub going which suited me just fine.

Would you believe, this picture is from the END of the night and, if I do say so myself, I reckon I look in not bad nick, given the vigorous sweaty dancing I did and the fact that we walked most of the way home in the pissing rain (good old Scotland living right up to its weather stereotype).

Dress: Miss Kitty Litter Vintage, £12.50

Wedges: 20-ish quid from a saucy sounding shop on eBay

Belt: French Connection sale

Necklace: Lady Luck Rules OK

I'd decided the dress should be styled up in a Studio 54-esque disco style on account of the karaoke partying, which is why I went for the sparkly belt and wedges. There are a few reasons why I love this dress so much. I absolutely adore the colour. It's good for dressing up but I reckon it'll be cute with wooden/tan sandals and a tan belt in summer too. It was £12.50 and when it arrived it fit perfectly. How often does that happen when you buy something that's a good price and vaguely sized from a vintage site you've previously never heard of?! Almost never - that's how often. I reckon we all have plenty crappy eBay purchases to back that up. Plus, it's one of those items that, when you put it on, it's like it was made for you and it makes you feel awesome. And you gotta love a dress with that kind of power, right? I even looked graceful in it when I fell off my wedges on the dance floor (well I did in my head at least. In the same way that, dah-dah, dah-dah, I'm the greatest dancer). If you're gonna fall though, off your wedges on the dance floor seems to me to be a good way to do it. I must start being careful - I'm going to do myself a mischief with all this shoe falling off!

Here's the stag ring I wore. My very kind friend Lynsey, knowing my recent obsession with animal rings got me a set that included this little guy, a squirrel and a fox. Between them and my bunny ring, I'm one finger (or a thumb) away from a hand forest!

 

 

Before you go, I thought it seemed only fair, as blog pics are all too often all nice and posed, to share a pic of me maintaining my dignity while belting out a bit of Whitters. The moment was almost certainly topped by my rendition of the Jay Z section of Crazy in Love (seriously - that little Cher on X-Factor ain't got nuffink on my mad rapping skillz) but who can resist a bit of karaoke Whitney?

 

International Leopard Print day!

Woo! We decided at work that we would have a leopard print day. Partly because it's nearly Halloween and it felt suitably dress up (well, for everyone else. I felt kind of every day if I'm honest!) and partly because we had a discussion about our sadness at the lack of patterned and coloured legs on our website so we thought we should have a day of extreme pattern! And here we are - we even got the boys involved (well one of them):

 

 

I'm very lucky because my colleagues are as lovely as they are gorgeous and they're awesome to work with. Aw! And we have genius photographers who can edit out spots. Bazing!

I can't possibly give you a run down of all the outfits but I hope you agree that they're freakin' awesome and we made a good effort! Anyway, on to me, me, me! Haha! The cardi's a Warehouse one and the belt is from Urban Outfitters. My dress is an H&M one I got in the summer. I staked out H&M stores like a mad woman to get it after seeing it in a magazine, not realising that it was going to be see through. Oh well, I leoparded it up for today by wearing leopard leggings underneath to preserve my modesty and everyone else's blushes. It'd have been rude not to commit to the cause of the leopard too. Here's a close up of the very lovely neck detail:

 

The dress was a fairly bargainous £14.99 and, in spite of it's see throughness I couldn't resist it when I finally found it! Plus, I'm definitely the chicest person on the beach in it in summer!

And then it's on to the shoes (can you tell I'm short on time? I feel this is slightly lacking in my usual rambling/shambling style!). Number 31!! They're a new purchase and I'm ever so excited about them. Some people think they're ridiculous and small men fear them as they can't handle my height (not much shy of 6"2 with them on. Mr Scribbler is 6"2 though so it's fine - I'm slightly below him) but I do not care - I think they're all the more amazing for it. Lookee!

 

Woo, they're enormous!! E-N-O-R-M-O-U-S! And surprisingly squishy. I got them from the slightly sexual sounding 'Fashion Nights' on eBay on half price sale for £22.49. A relative bargain, I feel! Hairy, leopardy, wedge-tastic, peep toed, what's not to love?!

 

 

Right lovelies, I must rush! Got a girl's night in date and I believe I can hear the gin calling my name!!

Five Alive, 5 Star, 5ive and, perhaps best of all, High Five!

Yup, yup, yup, it's time for pair of shoes # 5 in my 'wear all 94 pairs of my shoes in one year' challenge. And after a day in scabby trainers yesterday, it's time to crank back up the glamour...

Yes, I'm pulling out the strappy leopard print wedges. Those words should tell you that these shoes are all kinds of stinkin' friggin' awesome! In fact, I've previously devoted a whole post to them, such is my adoration.

So what did I wear them with? Here it is:

Necklace: about 50p in the George Asda sale (did I mention I like tacky looking things?)

Amazing Leopard Wedges: £7.99 H&M. Have I mentioned how much I love these?

Bejewelled snake bracelet: around £3 from Primark (did I mention I like tacky things?)

Dress: Urban Outfitters
T-Shirt: Forever 21 - we so need these over here!
Leggings: M&S
Belt: Accessorize ages ago. I LOVE it!

Wild thing. You make my heart sing

When I was at school kids used to sing 'wild thing, you make my dick swing'. I don't have a dick and I've grown up a bit (tho it does still make me giggle a tiny bit) and these wild things are making my heart sing:



They're leopard print, strappy and wedged, with zip detailing adding to the fierceness. High enough for the glamour factor, low enough to be mega comfy, these sandals will happily see me through the rest of the summer. Check back to see them included in my 'wear all my shoes in a year' challenge. Oh, did I mention they're £7.99 from H&M. £7.99!