While supposedly running errands and keeping my eye out for Christmas gifts for others, I slipped into Topshop and made an impulse buy. Haven’t done that in ages, with it being my preference to ‘stalk’ an item first for a few days, weeks, or sometimes months, to ensure it definitely is the right choice. An impulse buy is just so much more satisfying though, so unexpectedly gratifying because you didn’t know you needed it in the first place! I felt suitably smug as I left with my delicious new purchase swinging casually in my hand.

The item in question? A pair of soft brown leather hobgoblin ‘witch’ shoes, lace ups, with an unusual faux belt round the heel which ends in a gold tipped buckle at the side. They are soft and comfortable, and will tick the fashionable-but-practical box for walking to and from the train station through the mountains of autumn leaves. And beyond. I can wear them with funky tights and a skirt, with jeans, with trousers, with my pyjamas…

But that’s not where it ends. Two days later, on a quick sweep of Princes Square for lunchtime inspiration, I noticed a sale on at Ollie & Nic. Not a shop I go in often, but lured by the temptation of mid-season bargains, I pounced on a perfectly proportioned brown leather item with a vintage-esque textured pattern. My mind was 99% made up when I decided to check inside and noticed the lining. A bright turquoise delight with fuchsia florals and lots of handy pockets, complete with a little matching flat purse, attached. Divine! A great shape, a detachable strap, pretty lining and £25 off. Perfect pick-me-up for a cold weekaday lunchtime.

And don’t they go nicely together? What are the chances of that happening, if I had actually been searching for the perfect new shoes and bag combo? Not that I try to co-ordinate ever, but still. It was fate.

No Comments | In: Shopping, Trends | tags: autumn, bag, belt, brown, buckle, hobgoblin, impulse buy, leather, ollie & nic, shoes, topshop, witch. | #

Now, wedding shoes, are super-important. They have to be stunners, obviously, but also check the box for comfort and dance-ability. Now I’m not a satin-sandal-wearing bride, no way. I had my heart set on some Victorian-style wedding boots. Oh yes, funky, lace-up boots that I might be able to wear again, and definitely none of the square-toed varieties that seem to fill wedding mags either.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to actually find a shop to try out any wedding boots (or any boots of suitable ilk/criteria) so had to try online. There are plenty of sites selling the sought-after boot in ankle or full length varieties, but then there is the whole ‘what size?’ debacle, especially when like me, you fluctuate between a size 7 or 8 in shoes/boots, depending on the shop or brand.

So I did nothing. Which is what I always do when I get overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) by choices. I sat back and thought about it, deciding that the perfect boot would find me, when the time was right and the stars were aligned and the moon was blue.

Then, I happened to stroll into the shoe department of my favourite store and see The Shoe on display. I tried her on, and she fit like Cinderella’s glass slipper (size 7 and a half!). She is a creamy white patent court with a decent and sturdy heel for maximum height impact without any of the uncertainty or wobble of a stiletto (I am not great in heels, being a bit of a clumsy giraffe, so reassurances of sturdiness in shoes are welcomed).

There is a striking gold buckle over the toe, which will perfectly tone in with the gold/cream theme of the dress. The leather on the sole was stroke-able, and inside the lining was cushioned and springy. It was then I realised The Shoe was none other than a Gucci number – oh the delight! I have never had a proper designer shoe before, and before I even had time to check the price, I knew The Wedding was the one occasion where splashing out was allowed. So I proudly handed over my card and purchased The Shoes that will see me into married life, (and that I will be dying to wear again after!)

That isn’t the end of The Shoe story. When I got them home, I found to my delight that a shoe bag for each shoe is provided for safe storage, with the Gucci logo embedded in the soft material. There was also a booklet all about the brand. That’s what I call a pair of stunning shoes, fit for a wedding!

1 Comment | In: The Wedding | tags: boots, courts, cream, giraffe, gucci, heel, patent, shoes, stiletto, wedding, white. | #