FLYING SAUCER

May Fashion Blogger Challenge Day 20

    20th. Shoes you love but hardly wear

Evening all! Gosh it's hot isn't it? Boiling! I have to dry my hair in about half an hour which won't be too fun! I've just been on a veeery cheeky shopping trip as I needed to pick up another hair tint from Superdrug and they didn't have my colour. I popped into River Island and had to try on the shoes I'd blogged about yesterday, and then had to buy them! I tried on the floral pair but they were a bit too *much* for all the patterned things I already own, so I got the nude/taupe pair. The hidden platform really elongated your legs and improved your posture, and I got £8 off as they have a mark on the front which I'll try to remove!

I tried on these aztec flatforms too which were fab but would have sealed the deal if the platform was really oversized. I couldn't decide so I tweeted my dilemma - thank you for all your help! I thought I could the new trainers with: neon, Riding Pants, my pink Circle Skirt, high waisted denim shorts, my leather rucksack, a sleeveless polo neck, and I'm wishing I owned a neon green, rolled-up sleeve sweater/top from the H&M Trend section that I spotted last weekend. Why Bristol doesn't have H&M Trend, I really don't know.

As for shoes I don't really wear, I've only worn the River Island beauties below a handful of times as they need a certain sort of outfit and occasion. They're definitely one of a kind and a really unique shape, with lots of straps. I wish I had more occasions to wear them!

 

New buys & Litas!

I dashed into town this evening to return my Litas! My second pair of Litas that is! Haha bet you're thinking WTH?!

Basically, you know I've been eyeing Jeffrey Campbell Litas for so long and I'm sure anyone who reads blogs or Tumblr will too! There's just no way you could have an aversion to them, it's like I'm brain washed. They're sort of like gold dust in the UK if you don't live in central London as there's nowhere to buy or try them and I've been watching various shoe sites for months to no avail. Also it's not often you just decide to splurge, but I've been after some 'smarter' heels for work dos and the like where you want to look 'put together' but still fashionable. The timing before just hasn't been right.

But a few Fridays ago one of our fab Motel interns and fellow Lita owner (American flag pair!) told me you could get Litas in Harvey Nichols in Bristol town! For only £95!! Considering they're £120 in Office and beyond that online/with international customs, that is a great deal. They also has the taupe version which were the ones I specifically wanted! So after ringing to reserve them to go at least try them on, a very helpful man told me they didn't have them but you could buy them over the phone from any store in the UK and have them delivered! So in an hour my Litas were on the way from Glasgow and I was excited!!!

 

However, they were too big! Nooooo!! I swear my feet have shrunk over the years as in heels I'm now a small 6, but the Harvey Nichols UK 6 is a US 9, which actually directly converts to a UK6.5. Once laced up they were fine but I could fit my finger down the back of the shoes right to the sole so really they didn't fit, and you don't want to be spending loads of money on something that isn't perfecto! So I rang around again and had a smaller UK 5 pair shipped from Manchester and they are spot on!!! So if you're a small UK 6 or UK 5.5, go for the Harvey Nichols 5 (or 8M on the actual Lita shoe). I now have two pairs as Harvey Nics wasn't open after 6pm today for my return so ring up on Friday morning and the Bristol store should have a size 7! Or I've spotted them on their website again with only a 7 left here. I'm afraid I won't sell them on here as Paypal is so dodgy nowadays! Eeek I'm so excited to join the world of Litas and they will get their first debut at the Company Blog Awards tomorrow! I'm so surprised I was nominated after everything that happened in the past few months when I didn't really blog at all but the boost the nomination has given me is enough, I love blogging!! I'm going to be strutting all over the place, can't wait to get these on my feet!

I'm quite worried as I usually come home from clubs with atrocious shoes so I'll have to buy some strong shoe protector spray. At least these are slightly distressed to begin with! Also in person, Litas look MASSIVE when you hold them but on they don't feel high because of the platform as your foot isn't very arched. I like dancing in super high heels as you sort of tip-toe though so that will be different. *Prays Motel Rocks will be getting Jeffrey Campbells in soon... ooo did I just type that? Hehehehehehe look out!*

I also had a little raid of New Look to get a few fresh things for my wardrobe as sure, I have lots of clothes, but they do get a bit 'old' after a few months of wear right? I hate it when tees go stretched in places and jumpers go baggy. I picked up some flats to walk to work in and was looking for a new bag so I plumped for this clutch and will put some holes in it for a strap! Also they have a big range of lace socks in all different pastel colours so I got some pastel peach ones for my Litas, only £1.99! Then I raided the teenage section, which is my secret shopping tip! Their kids clothes are all oversized or cropped so anything between age 12-16 will fit me if it's a top or jumper (lol forget about jeans!). I got this cropped lace vest and neon knit for super cheap, and you just have to roll up the sleeves a little so they seem cropped on purpose! They also have the jumper in neon yellow which I'm eyeing... ooo! Very nearly bought MAC Viva Glam Nicki lipstick too as the makeup artist insisted it would suit me loads but I'm pretty sure she said that to everyone that day!xx

It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!

I haven't watch SATC in SO LONG, this post title was a must! It was a toss up between that or "I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!". The title is quite fitting though as I mean single as in a woman off winning the world rather than being a single lady; being in a relationship doesn't matter on this blog!

Basically I have a few Motel and non-Motel events coming up where I want to look super cool, profesh, stylish and on the ball. Yes I did just write profesh, but hey, this is my blog! I don't have any amazing super heels that are just cool, as the ones I wear clubbing (lol as if, I hardly ever go out anymore!) are just a bit too... dressy? They just look better with a dress rather than an 'outfit', if that makes sense. Now I do have my Miu Miu shoes above and these bejewelled River Island copies of another Miu Miu shoe, but I really want a new pair of shoes! I especially want a pair of bright wedges! I'm crushing all over these Aldo ones.

 

The teal, lime, lilac, nude or pink please! However my heart will always be set on Litas but I fear Nasty Gal customs fees! Also I'm wondering if there's a next new hot thing around the corner? Will Litas ever be 'over'?

Ahh I'm not sure, really I should save the pennies and wear something I own! Also I do know you can get rip offs of all these shoes on eBay and other cheapie websites but I have a sort of self-rule not to buy rip offs from cheap places where the manufacture is questionable! I've seen too many rip offs of Motel designs and it's so not fair on designers and brands!

Monki Pastel Flatforms <3

Evening all! I was just snuggling up in bed and getting ready to watch Skins (Nick is my new ultimate fitty!!!) when I got distracted as usual and browsed a few shops. Well hellllo lovers - I found the cutest shoes!! These stacked flatforms from Monki are the sweetest ballet pink and have a patent platform!! Seriously cute and not too scary for those fearful of creepers. The ribbon laces are the best things I've ever seen! Remember Monki is owned by H&M too so the quality is great. They're only 40 euros but I'm not spending at the moment as I'm trying to save for some holidays (if my friends and I can ever arrange one!). However if you do decide to get these beauties, remember to get a Monki teddy too as they are super soft and perfect cuddling size. I'd love to go back to Sweden!

Creepers Take 2

OK slight change in my creepers! My leopard ones were just that bit too big so I formulated a plan and sold them on eBay and got a new pair with the Paypal money! If you're worried about buying creepers, mine sold for £60 on eBay in less than 24hrs so you can always resell if your size isn't right. I realised I'd got a UK men's 6 which turns out to be a UK women's 7, and I'm a 5.5! Definitely make sure you're ordering ladies. It's really hard to find small sizes but I ordered mine on Sunday here in a UK 6 and they came today on Tuesday with free delivery, amazing! They are a bit big too but that's because they're so stiff and my ankles aren't very big, so I'll just wear some socks. Also the 101s are reeeeally heavy; I was worn out after 20 mins of walking! Can't wait to wear them with Riding Pants! Check out this great video for outfit ideas too x

Extravagant Purchases

Hi Dolls! So I received some exciting thing in the post this week, veeery exciting! First was some American Apparel Riding Pants! I had my eye on the suddenly-super-popular Disco Pants but when trying them on at the Bristol store, they sort of flattened my bum and gave me a big bum-to-ass hybrid which looked the size of Brazil! I'd grabbed a pair of Riding Pants to try out of curiosity and they were much better, and it's so great to find something truly high waisted! I was going to borrow the discount of a Motel girl who is also a stylist but American Apparel randomly emailed out some 30% off codes so it was fate! I know they have a reputation for taking ages to deliver things and mine came in 6 working days, which is OK but I don't see why they can't have faster delivery options. While working in e-commerce now, it's quite interesting to monitor other brands, as I probably got that discount email because that week I had been checking out this expensive item on the AA website - websites are veryyyy clever that way!

Also I bit the bullet with an Amazon voucher that I had for Christmas and got some creepers! I don't think I've ever seen creepers in the flesh before even but they appealed to me for a couple of reasons...

1. Tumblr pics like these.

2. They are flat shoes that won't fall apart like ballet flats, and as I travel further to work nowadays, I want to wear something that support your feet in some way! We'll be a generation of crippled feet with all the cardboard flats around today.

3. They are a 'special' shoe that aren't heels, which is hard to find.

4. They wouldn't wear as quickly as normal ballet flats/loafers.

5. They are so big and ugly so they would be perfect with my extra girly wardrobe. I'm kinda feeling unattractive, clumpy things right now, maybe because I'm so over worrying and maybe want to appear a bit tougher.

Even clomping to the supermarket to break them in tonight made me feel like I could stomp anywhere! I wouldn't recommend getting anything off Amazon as it's so confusing to buy from and you don't know exactly how the shipping will be (mine came from Germany?!), and I was worried about sizing as many places advised to go a size up and I was ordering in men's sizes. I'm usually a 5.5/6 and I got a 6, and they're definitely too long so I'll have to get heel grips and wear thick socks! They fit fine but because they are heavy, they slip off a bit. And they are SO heavy! I assume the ones with thinner soles are lighter but mine are the real Demonia deal and super thick. Love! Cannot wait to get some super frilly, girly socks and wear them with skater skirts and crop tops when the weather cheers up a bit. I would have ideally gone for plain black but they didn't have any in my size and I didn't know when they would, and I do have a huge leopard collection so I went for these! 

 

Monki for the UK!

With shipping at  €6, I am SO EXCITED that Monki now has an online store that ships to the UK! They're part of the H&M group so I shopped at Monki loads when I lived in Sweden as it's the most amazing shop. Everything is sweet but edgy, great quality but oversized and comfortable, and totally unique but not too 'out there'. Here is my current wishlist, clockwise from the top left:

Johanna Blouse: I'm looking for a lovely printed blouse and this merged geometric pattern it almost right! It has a gorgeous batwing fit too which would look great with more fitted bottoms and block ankle boots.

Patricia Top: This lace crop top is the sort of thing I know I will WEAR, it would go with everything!

Siliva Blouse: The peter pan collar shirt would be fab with a colour pop skirt and black tights for a bit of a '60s look.

Mona Boots: These are the ultimate '90s boots! So clumpy and chunky, they would make any outfit 100 times cooler.

Cara Top: Ah how cute is this top!!! I'm not sure how it would look with your actual hair over it but I love the idea.

Katy Top: I love the Monki family so this tee would be an ode to those cute critters!

Oki: If you are placing an order, you have to get one of the giant Monki teddies! I made sure I brought Oki home even though I had £80 over baggage fees when I left Sweden, but it was worth it as he's so cute and velvety soft!

Fran Top: I love a cropped top with long sleeves! A super flattering fit and perfect with high waisted skirts.

None of these things are quite amazing enough to place an order although they are damn good prices. However I can't think of Monki without thinking of it's edgier twin shop Weekday, and when I had a browse of their site, I spotted these amazing boots! I'm obsessed with navy/grey at the moment but nude looks so great with black, and they are only 50 euros each! I have the sudden need to order them through Filippa's shopping service from Sweden but I can't decide! I love the slanted heel of the grey middle pair but the higher pairs go that extra fabulous mile. Decisions decisions!

It's a yes, Mary Jane!

I have today and Friday off so I came home to Birmingham last night! Today I had a record set of beauty treatments, getting a haircut, new gel nails, and my eyebrows threaded. Feels so much better! I don't know any good salons or hairdressers in Bristol yet and don't really want to chance anything and be disappointed. I had a browse around the Bullring too and got a few things which I'll show you next week, but after mentioning I was having a hard time finding some new going-out shoes, I actually found some! I was browsing in New Look as they are my sister's go-to shop for heels and I spotted racks of these gorgeous Mary Janes. They are super similar to the Topshop ones I bought and returned a few months ago as they were insanely high. These shoes are definitely 5-6inches high but the platform covers more ground surface, as the Topshop platforms were slanted so didn't have much base. Also I think these heels are a teeeeny bit wider. They are fab! They aren't as chunky as my usual heels so I'm a bit worried I'll fall and break my neck *touch wood I don't!*, but they're good for my floral dresses as my floral Forever21 heels were a bit much with a floral outfit too! And these are only £25, yay!

I tried on the brown/tan pair too which were a gorgeous change but I don't wear many colours other than black on a night out and don't wear heels in the day! I wore a pair of wedges to work one day and it really annoyed me that I couldn't walk as fast as normal so I haven't worn them again! There's also a red/burgundy pair but they only have the brown on the site, but in the Birmingham Corporation Street store they had lots left of all colours; snap them up fast! Also the sales assistants in New Look are always so friendly, I actually miss working as an SA in River Island!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 25

    25. Shoes you love but hardly wear

Were you thinking I'd say I wear my Miu Miu shoes the least? Well I've worn the tea cup shoes to a Girls Aloud concert (haha!), London Fashion Week, and I think somewhere else that I can't quite remember! But I have only worn these River Island shoes to my Nan's 80th birthday meal and a club. In that said club, the whole load of gems on the inside of the left shoe must have been scraped off! I'd still wear them as you can't tell too much, or just sew on some more gems, but they are not very secure shoes so I'd wear them to somewhere that I was staying in, rather than a night of bar hopping. 

After a lovely, relaxing weekend, on Sunday night the fire alarm was set off at about 2am as one of my housemates had some people round (Dirty Sanchez guy included!). It's like living in student halls again as the alarm went off in every room, and there's a lot of rooms here, and loads of random fire doors automatically shut over the normal doors. Not great for Monday morning haha! I just braved my first ever exercise class though and it was great! I went to a Zumba class (thank you Hannah for all the tips!) and didn't realise how uncoordinated I am as I couldn't keep up with anything! But it was really fun so I'll be looking into classes that are nearer or as part of a gym.

Finally got hold of the studded shoes

I included these River Island heels in a Work Wishlist ages ago and had an inkling they would go into the sale, which they did! After I handed in my dissertation after 25 straight hours perfecting it (eeek!), I went up to town just as the sale started and spotted a coral pair too. Both are gorgeous but I tried them on and woah, they are not so lovely to walk in. I'm quite good at not buying things to I decided to leave them reduced to £25, but when they were further reduced to £12.50,  snapped them up!

I usually wear chunky, straight heels with a platform so I wouldn't wear these to dance in, but maybe to a restaurant or bar. I've got to find some sort of graduation outfit soon which is weird as I'm not too bothered! I don't think the day will be that pleasurable as it won't be fun walking across a stage in front of loads of people and I don't like being the centre of attention, despite being a Leo! I know you're meant to wear a 'posh' dress maybe but I'm not keen to buy something I won't wear again and maybe it's not a good idea to wear heels in case they contribute to falling over on stage, the worst nightmare of all!

Anyway, I love the way these shoes are almost pointed but the sides are curved so it's not as harsh, and of course the studs on the back! Just have to be careful they don't get splashed as they'd be hard to clean, which won't be hard during the lovely weather we're having here lately.