Sale Shoes & SS13

I completely overspent in the run up to Christmas, more so than usual. My present shopping seems to follow the pattern of 'one for you, one for me' which as fun as that is, it's never a good thing for the old bank balance! I think the changes to my income this year (a LOT less money) has just hit me and so I need to seriously look at spending less (which would help if I didn't have an eye for expensive thangs)! Anyway, sale time was a no-buy zone for me, although I did allow myself the one purchase; something I'd been prepared to pay full price for but waited on the off-chance it would be reduced. A few days before Christmas and that was the case, lucky me!

The shoes are called 'Sophie' and are from Topshop. I first saw, well actually my Mum saw and pointed them out to me in the Dundee store when we'd popped in at the beginning of December. There was one pair only; a size 5 (my size), fate you might think. Except these shoes are crazy vertical, so my regular size felt like hell to stand in, as my toes were curled under and there was no way to straighten them. They definitely didn't have any other sizes, so I said I'd look for them online and knew I'd have to order the size-up. I'd actually already seen them online before but for some reason they hadn't completely appealed to me-in the shop that day though, they just looked beautiful (I was wearing black tights at the time and they looked fantastic with them).

They came in nude or black, but I fancied the nude for a little change. They have a little face on the front with little gems, a beautiful pearl ankle strap and are very much like the flats Topshop did a while back that sold out everywhere. As much as I wanted a high-heeled equivalent, this heel is a whopping 6" and like I said, your foot is completely vertical in them. There's no room for your toes or at least nowhere to push them to, because your foot is at that vertical angle going into the shoe, it's almost impossible to slide the foot horizontally to allow the toes into the proper area or to straighten them if they've curled under, hence the need to size-up. Even the size 6 felt a slim fit. I love them regardless. Just not sure I can walk in that massive heel and platform as I can almost touch the ceiling in them! They were £62 down to £30, so I was glad I waited and they sold out by the time the Topshop sale 'officially' started. I do have my eye on a Very dress and Accessorize clutch (which has since sold out); but other than that I'm avoiding sales!

I wanted to look ahead to SS13 though. I wouldn't say it's premature considering I got a press release about Valentines Day then Mothers Day back in October/November (whaaat?) and ate my first Creme Egg of (next) season at the end of November! So this is a little selection of items I have my eye on already. First up are the new colours of Lady Dragon slingbacks from Vivienne Westwood & Melissa £120 (£140 at Selfridges). The looped bow we last saw a few seasons ago, is back and the shoes are available in four new colours all with contrasting trim. I think the sheer nude are perhaps my favourites as I love the bright pink bow.

There's a pale pinky nude with navy bow...

...black with white bow...

...and green with pale pink bow. This is a tricky one because from the few website images I've seen the colour varies greatly. In one it is both called 'mint' and definitely looks it, it's very pale. Then there's a mid green and even darker green on the Vivienne Westwood site. Personally I like the mint, I'm not so keen on the others though (as much as I like green). I think those greens would be difficult to style in my wardrobe.  The green is the only shade not available on ASOS, but you can get them from Nonnon, Toad Footwear and the VW shop.

The shoes I absolutely couldn't live without and must get though are 'Flopsy' by Irregular Choice (no price or launch date yet). They feature this amazing bunny shaped heel and the rest of the shoe is pretty cute too. I'm blown away by their amazing-ness! I'm so, sooo excited about these!

I think they would look great with this dress from Primark. It seems to be a regular spring/summer thing that Primark produce one stand-out dress and for me, this is definitely it. It's due instore on the 8th March priced £20. It reminds me a little of the Vivienne Westwood one Dita Von Teese wore a couple of years ago.

You know I'm a huge sunglasses girl, so I am keen to add these two pairs to my collection and at just £2 each from Primark, it would be rude not to! The lace pair are due instore on the 1st February and the other pair on the 25th.

For oodles of fun, what about these 'Ooh La La' platforms (£65) from Office? They scream Charlotte Olympia and I could definitely see Office fan Paloma Faith wearing these; I love them!

Now, I got an email from Look magazine this week regarding new season buys; I really liked the looks of the dress in the email, but when I clicked the link I couldn't find this specific dress, grrr.

By sheer luck though I managed to find it the next day when I was browsing new stock at Very. It's from the Holly Willoughby range and is out now at £59. I love the lace detail on the collar and cuffs but am not completely sold on the pleated skirt section. It looks fabulous on Holly on the site though (although I'm sure it's pinned at the back like crazy to give that defined waist), so it's still a possibility on my wishlist. It's got a touch of Pearl Lowe at Peacocks about it doesn't it?

Finally an item just as whimsical as the Flopsy shoes; this Moschino Cheap & Chic teacup handbag. Isn't it just fabulous? ASOS got one in stock which sold out within a few days, but it's still available from Galante, Brugge through FarFetch. I think it's the right amount of quirky and absolutely glorious. Anything take your fancy here?

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Very.co.uk Holly & Fearne SS11

I completely forgot Dancing On Ice was on the telly last night. I can't say I'm usually a fan of the show, but since Christmas the TV has been dire, so watching some Z-lister fall over and see what Holly Willoughby is wearing is better than nothing. I was browsing her latest Very collection last week. I'm impressed again, lots of lovely prints, tea dresses, flattering cuts and Holly looks fabulous (as always).
I'm getting rather worked up over a couple of dresses from Fearne Cotton's range on the site though. This lilac one (£59) in particular. Absolutely to die for! I love the colour, the war-time vintage feel-it's just totally me and unlike the black and white polka dot one I loved last season, it's not backless (yipee). I really, really want it!! Like really, really!
I also like this little peplum number (also £59) below, it's quite unusual isn't it? Not as much as the lilac though....please be mine....pretty please....!