New Shoes - ZARA Patterned Ballerinas

I purchased these shoes last August and since then I have been waiting in earnest for the Spring to arrive. Soon  I will be able to wear them with my linen trousers/skirts, and summer dresses. These are Spring shoes in every sense of the word, from the delicate design, to the materials and colours used. 

Green Patterned Ballerinas

Purple Patterned Ballerinas 

                                     

Come on its tradition, lol. 

Be happy my lovelies.

xx

The Replacements

My Miss KG Lotus Black Pointed Ballerinas passed away to shoe heaven in September. In addition to that the Office Term time Loafers did not work out. I had to exchange the brown pair twice because the soles kept splitting. The black pair didn't do me the honour of splitting, one of the soles just fell off one day when I was at work. Suffice to say replacements needed to be drafted in.

The irony of this is I ran away from purchasing these Dune Laino Penny Loafers because The Office Term Time Loafers were cheaper, not by much but still cheaper. Now after all the the rigmarole, I had to buy the Dune Loafers anyway. If I had bought them in the first place I could have saved myself the trouble and the blisters. 

LAINO Black Leather Penny Loafer

I had a look at the Nine West Jowhona3 Black Flat Court Shoes in Debenhams while on my shoe hunt. However after realizing  the composition of the Jowhona3 Black Flat Court Shoes were synthetic just like the Faith Patent Bow Pumps I went with the Faith ones. I have 3 bows on my shoes instead of 3, making me a very happy bunny. 

Faith Patent Bow Pumps 

Love the 3 bow detailing

The life and times of a shoe-a-holic in training.
Happy New Year my lovelies 
xx 

The Flat Shoe Is Making a Power Play

Miss KG flats

The flat shoe has been the ugly step sibling of fashionable footwear everywhere for years. They have long been loathed by the fashionable women in society. Skyscraper heels, wedges, sandals and various stiletto beauties have always taken up the forefront of  fashion magazines, advertising and even tv shows. However the flat shoe is fighting back, not content to just sit in the corner. The tides are slowly turning and the arena for fashionable flat footwear is drawing more and more spectators. Flat shoes now are not only limited to the Clarks ballet flats I wore for 2 years, though comfortable they were in no way comparable to their fashionable counterparts now taking up the runways. Top brands such as Charlotte Olympia, Mulberry, Miu Miu, Gucci, Tory Burch  and Marc Jacobs are increasing their efforts in relation to flat and near flat footwear for women. Forget the "Power Heel," for 2013 it has been all about the "Power Flat." 

River Island Bordeaux Flat

Ballet flats are out!!! They have been banished from the workplace, offices and boardrooms. Instead they have been replaced with exquisite textiles and embellishments added to other classic shapes such as smoking slippers, loafers, brogues, to create truly fashionable flat master pieces.  Not to say that the Ballet Flat does not have its place. Where as in the 90's tv show Sex & the City had  droves of women queuing up to purchase Manolo Blahniks Offerings. Tory Burch has built a cult like following around her Reva Ballet flat, google the Reva Ballet flats and you will generate pages of suggested blog posts and you tube videos.

River Island Navy Flat

 Why the rebellion on the heeled shoe? There are several reason: Health  - as I have mentioned before the appropriate heel height for a heeled shoe which will be worn over a long period of time is 3 inches. Wearing heeled shoes over 3 inches high for a prolonged period of time (years) causes strain on your pelvic muscles which could lead to a prolapsed uterus.  The constant need to balance on the thin stiletto heel (the preference of the power set) causes strain and sprain on your ankles, bunions could form and also displacement of the bones on your feet.

Time - wearing high heels slow you down. There was no fancy way to explain that.

Options - as I said before footwear options of the flat variety have increased tremendously. There is something for everyone and for every occasion. Flat shoes are no longer limited to the extremely casual events which occur in a woman's life.

 "Long stuck in stuck in the purgatory of casual wear, flats are suddenly being promoted for polished occasions. Flats sleek enough to dress shoes were paired with the tailored suits and even with evening wear on the spring runways from Marc Jacobs to Giorgio Armani." - WSJ

I am a Black Girl in the Ring and I wear flat shoes. YOU should too. 

River Island Black Loafer

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This was an original piece which first appeared in Black Girl in the Ring Magazine

New Shoes - Office Term Time Loafers

I recently had a little clear out and I had to regulate 4 pairs of my flats to the rubbish bin. They had been loyal and trustworth servants over the years, but alas they had to go. With space now in my shoe cupboard I decided to stock up on some new shoes. I had been stalking the Office Educated Loafer ever since they launched online/instore. On several occasions I had tried them on, but I never liked walking in them. The  soles are too hard, and they just felt like I was walking with two pieces of board attached to my feet.

Enter the Term Time Loafers, these had be sold from the first time I tried them. They fit well on my feet. Plus they have a great insole, which is nice and soft. I am big on comfort, the Term Time Loafer offers style and comfort, what else could I possibly desire? Oh yes a bargain of course. The Term Time Loafers were on offer at the time I purchased them, saving me £10 per pair. I bought the Term time Loafers in black first, then 2 weeks later I purchased a pair in tan. I like the loafer style of shoe because it is a classic, therefor it is versatile enough to wear all year round, from the cornershop to the office. I will waterproof them before wearing them out with the rain and colder weather approaching. Overall I am very pleased with my purchase. 

Black Office Term Time Loafers
The classic colour, their is something which is just serious, almost business like, about glossy black leather. 

Tan Office Term Time Loafers 

Tan, whiskey, cognac, brandy, rum these are the new games given to brown leather, making them sound as great as they look. No matter the name or the hue, there is something  luxe about brown leather. Also the older it gets the better it looks. 

                                     

Totally unrelated - but here is a song called NEW SHOES by Beyonce.

Have a great day lovelies. 

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What to Wear to Work - Black Low Heeled Court Shoe

My current work shoes are coming onto a year old now. They might be aging but they are still full of life. However I would like to add a new work to to my work wear wardrobe. My browsing has lead me to an amazing discovery. A great pair of court shoes, suitable for the office and well as an alternative pair. I am calling it the look for less ---> the shoe edition. 

Whistles Cassini Black Heeled shoe £125

- Made with a soft suede upper

- Classic slip on styling

- Pointed toe

- Slim sole

- Low point heel

Office Vital Court Black Microfibre Shoe £15   

The Vital Court is made up of a black microfibre upper, Leather lining, Leather sock, Synthetic sole and a 6.5cm heel height. 

These shoes both meet my requirements for a functional work shoe. 3 inches or less, leather and a neutral colour. The Whistle's Cassini courts  are pricey,  work shoes just like bags are one area of your work wear wardrobe, where it is worth spending that bit extra. I consider them a good long term investment. My Dune courts were £75 and apart from replacing the tips they are still going strong.  If you are a new graduate/young professional/city girl I would recommend picking up a pair of either shoe. As for me I will be counting my sheckles to purchase the office pair asap!!!! The Whistles pair could be acquired after the implementation of a longer term saving plan. 

"Fashion fades but style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

What to Wear to Work - Green Structured Dress

 Last week we had to Blue draped dress, this week it is  the Green structured dress. A simple design with small pockets on the sides. This dress can be easily styled this with a cardigan (white/yellow), a blazer or short jacket with rolled back sleeves, a necklace if wearing the dress on its own or a wide belt to accentuate the waist. 

 The fit of the dress is neither tight, nor clingy. so no worries about it splitting or bursting seams if you have to make a mad dash or two across town on your lunch hour. 

look at me now

stand up straight, shoulders back

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

caio ma bellas

xx

Little Black Dress ft Black Blazer

Rounding out the Little Black Dress series is another daytime work wear look.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Blazer - Zara

Shoes - Dune 

What to Wear to Work - The other LBD

The "other" LBD or the Little Blue Dress (we do not discriminate on colour around here) is another stylish piece one can add to the work wear wardrobe. Navy, Azure, Cerulean and my favourite Cobalt are just a few of the hues available from the Blue Palette. A little Blue Dress can be worn  with a cardigan as shown above or further styled with a blazer or lightweight jacket.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan - Primark

Shoes - Dune

earrings - Pia

Bracelets - Thomas Sabo/Links of London


"Fashion fades, but style remains eternal." Yves Saint Laurent

Little Black Dress ft Navy cardigan & Black pump

Another LBD and cardigan combo for Spring, remember no back of the closet for the little black dress.  A good combo for work, and windy days or afternoons. Get out and enjoy the  sun. 

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan - H&M

Shoes - Dune 
xx

Little Black Dress ft The Classics

Fierce!!! ---> yes I just described my own picture as fierce.

This is my little black dress styled  to suit a Spring day with a few other classic wardrobe pieces. Classics include the trench coat, the black pump, the neutral bag, the Jackie O shades. 

pondering

walking

mid step

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Trench - GAP

Shoes - Dune

Bag - Longchamp (I know you guys are tired of seeing this, but I love!!!!!! this bag)

Shades - Emporio Armani

Fashion fades but Style remains eternal. - Yves Saint Laurent

stay stylish my lovelies 

xx

Review: Joules Print Wellies - Navy Stripe

What Joules Say:

     From festivals to farmyards, Joules wellies have making a splash all over the land for years. For women’s traditional wellington boots with a twist, look no further. If you’re after a bright, printed patterned welly, you’re in the right place. Our prints include floral prints, stripes, flying pheasant prints, dog prints and many more. All are classic, practical and made for you to stand out from the crowd in style. Our new Premium Welly Collection includes glossy wellies, zip back wellies and even lace-up wellies, all truly individual and in a handcrafted shape for ultimate comfort and flexibility. They all have a new tread pattern for enhanced grip and a new rubber lining for extra strength and durability. Our new Premium Wellies also come packaged in a beautifully crafted box. Our famous Wellibob ankle boots are also brilliant for keeping feet covered in style. 

What I say:

If you live in England or any of the British Isles you should own a pair of Wellies. In between the rain, hail, sleet and snow I must declare my love for my Joules Wellies. These are my second pair of all weather boots and though I have had Hunter wellie dreams. I am in love with my Joules Wellies. I was trying and trying to hold out from purchasing new wellies but after my last pair of wellies split in the back after 2 years of good service (I literally wore them every day between december 09 - March 10) I decided to take the plunge and just buy these since office had them of offer for £25 reduced from £45. Well my wellies did not come packed in a "beautifully crafted box," but they did come with a plastic draw string bag. At first I was a bit stunned at the bag but then I thought this bag would be quite useful even more so than a box. If there ever is a time where I need to carry my wellies I do not have to worry about getting mud, dirt, snow or water on my clothing. 

All in all my only complaint is that the draw string bag be a little bit stronger. I have not worked my way to committing to a welly bag as yet, therefore I would like a few ore uses out of my drawstring bag before it starts splitting. 

Would I buy full priced? - Yes
Would I repurchase? - Yes 
Would I recommend? - Yes

Stay dry my lovelies