24. Your favourite pair of shoes
It's my birthday on the weekend and I'd love a new pair of shoes but there's not that many chunky heeled options out there! My favourites shoes are hands down the Forever21 Mary Janes which I got on eBay US, and the F21 UK site has been taunting me with the black floral version for months. Sadly they seemed to have never arrived so the option is to hunt maybe the plain black pair on eBay US or search for some new heels, as these are looking a bit worn now. Do you find that you see a fab pair of shoes but they always have a bad heel? I just don't buy stilettos because I'm worried I'll slip on cobbles or spilled drinks. I was quizzing Fritha on Bordello shoes at the Brum Blogger Meet so I might have a look into the alternative shops in Birmingham to see if there are any I can try on.
If you're a long time reader, did you think my favourites would be the Miu Miu Tea Cup shoes that I got reduced to £100 in about 2009? That post is so old, I can't even find it to link to it! I got them at the Manchester Flannels outlet in the Northern Quarter but I don't wear them enough to be favourites! These might have been good graduation shoes but I didn't want to wear heels and they are fine perched below my mantle piece (that also displays all nail polishes!). It annoys me that the gold curls are plastic and one broke off the first time I wore them, but the Miu Miu shop sent them to Italy to be fixed. Then they snapped again! There's just no way you're not going to knock the back on something so I'd only wear them to somewhere I'd be sitting at. If I'd paid £400 for these, I'd expect maybe metal curls?
I bought lots of makeup and hair bits on Thursday and did record a video haul, but I have a red hair video to put up before that if I can get my Mom to email it to me. Today I had a really lovely day wandering around town as I wanted to go to Poundland or Wilkinsons to get some house things. I'll have to go back to get the mini ironing board from Wilkinsons but I got 12 hair rollers, a Disney Princess bowl and a cute lunch box from Poundland. I also went by the better H&M in town with the Trend and Divided ranges and picked up the floral maxi dress that's been haunting me in the sale for ages! I picture it with a flouro coral lip and either no jewellery at all and just really long hair, or loads of tangled bracelets and big feather earrings. I got MORE feather H&M earrings too and two pairs of flats for every day work. I also picked up a little waist belt from New Look with a gold rose clasp as I only have plaited belts that I have to tie because they're too long, and some jegging from Miss Selfridge. The ones I have worn constantly this year are still super tight but quite worn-in now. They don't seem to have that style and they were only £22, so I got some that I hope are similar. I really want some coloured jeans and tried on a dark green and burgundy pair, but they didn't fit at all!
I almost forgot, I also went to the cinema by myself! I had lunch/dinner at YO!sushi as, if you fill up on the limitless miso soup and only get a few dishes + 25% student club discount (hehe), it's really reasonable. It was still the afternoon and it was one of those lovely relaxed Sundays, and the cinema is right by the Cabot Circus restaurants, so I just thought, 'Ah wouldn't a nice movie be great right now?', so I went! I very nearly saw Harry Potter alone but the lovely Leah invited me to go with her, but after discussing solo cinema with Fritha and Lil, I was confident enough to buy a single ticket (whilst also using my feminine charms to get a student ticket, even though I very much am not!), get some popcorn, and walk in alone. Horrible Bosses was starting in 5 minutes so it was perfect, and it was lovely and relaxing to just enjoy a movie. FYI, if you liked The Hangover, you'd like Horrible Bosses. It's that kind of 'average men go on a crazy adventure' type of film, and Jennifer Aniston is fabulous.
I have no idea what I want to wear in the Autumn so I'm not making any big clothing purchases yet. September Elle landed through my (huge) letter box this week so I'll have a flick through that now. I know all the tribal stuff it going to be a transition trend as I got a thick black knitted poncho in the Topshop sale, which sounds random but it's lovely and I thought it would be great thrown over things! I'll have to show you. I also have lots of other treasured coats but I'll need to be buying up some thicker maxi skirts and trousers/jeggings, and I really want a felt floppy hat. I tried on two today in H&M and New Look (both were identical but H&M's was cheaper), and loved them but I'm not sure I'd wear a hat. However that's just because it's so hot right now; I might snap the H&M one up tomorrow in case I regret it later!
So, so SO jealous that you own ANYTHING from Miu Miu you lucky thing you...
Posted by: Rachel | July 31, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Those shoes are too cute for words! I think I would just like to have them on a shelf in my room to look at! Your new dress is lovely too!
Eeek, I don't know what clothes to buy for the Autumn/Winter months yet either! All the new stock is in the shops and it keeps drawing me in! I must resist!
Hope your new job is going well!
Kathryn Xx
Posted by: Kathryn | July 31, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Solo cinema-ing is the way to go! Mainly cause my friends always faff about loads and I can't be bothered organising everyone! I might go tomorrow actually to see Captain America.
I know what you mean about not knowing what to get for winter. I've got a couple of random pieces but I need to do one of my trend dissection planning posts and make a list! It feels weird thinking about it when it's this warm, but I guess all the AW stuff is coming into the shops now so we need to be prepared!
I love your mary janes so much, might start an eBay hunt for the plain black ones myself!
Posted by: fritha louise | July 31, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Those tea cup shoes are amazing, definitely want those!!
Posted by: River | July 31, 2011 at 11:50 PM
As I was scrolling down I was thinking "hmm I would think her Miu Miu's would be her favourite", then you said the exact same thing! haha! I love those mary jane's too though, I remember looking for them when I visited a F21 in the states a while back but no luck.
On a similar note, I know you are pretty informed about companies' CSR policies and was wondering where you stand with Forever 21. We only just got one in my city and I haven't bought anything from there because I've very VERY conscious about everything I buy and where it's coming from. It's obvious that Forever 21 isn't the best quality, but I'm sure they can't have the best ethical production standards with the prices they sell things for (not sure about the UK but in North American F21's prices are dirt cheap, ridiculously so). Sorry this is long-winded, I just know that you are one of the only bloggers out there who has voiced your opinions on buying from ethical companies (like not buying from Primark, for example), and I'd like to talk more about this kind of thing on my blog so I'm trying to research as much as possible. Feel free to email me any comments you have! nice_and_shiny@hotmail.com
ps- I remember that tip you gave me about filling up on the soup at yo!sushi, haha!
<3<3<3
Posted by: Kylie | August 01, 2011 at 05:56 AM
I know what you mean about going out shoes! I hate wearing the same shoe all the time but if you can find a pair that allows you to dance the night away you really have to stick with them.
I wish I had the guts to go to the movies on my own lol I bet in my small town they'd be like "did you say one ticket?!" and I'd feel lonely! Ive missed so many good films though because of this irrational fear of being socially awkward, maybe next time I want to see a film I just will!
Maria x
Posted by: Maria | August 01, 2011 at 08:30 AM
those shoes! Serious envy over here! haha xx might pop and see horrible bosses xx
Posted by: Little Bookworm | August 01, 2011 at 09:49 AM
I wish I could walk in really high heels because these are gorgeous!
Maria xxx
Posted by: Maria | August 06, 2011 at 03:17 PM
As I was reading this I was so proud when I read you went to the cinema alone! After our conversation I'm so happy you did it! I love a relaxing solo cinema trip :) loving those F21 heels. Xx
Posted by: Lil | August 07, 2011 at 06:55 PM