The Giant Shoe Clearance

I'm so sorry for the disappearing act this past week or so. Time has just got away from me every single day and last week I was super busy trying to tackle the multi-pile shoe mountain that has developed over the past few months in my bedroom! It's no small task, but I'm desperate for both space and money; so the time came to sell as much as I could.

I always find it difficult to let go of my belongings and try to do so before I become too 'attached'. I still struggled immensely with this lot though!  I've sold sooo much over the past couple of years, that I'm really down to the items I love and treasure. Anyway, last week I snapped away, took measurements and listed as much as I could fit into one day! There are tonnes of shoes, a couple of handbags and some cosmetics, all ending tomorrow (Sunday). You could snap up some brand new Irregular Choice shoes including the gorgeous So-Yeon Sarah platforms, the red glitter shoes that still remain one of the most 'googled' pairs from The Shoe Girl Diaries, some pretty rare 'chess' heeled Michael Lewis slingbacks, PPQ for Office striped bow platforms, Miu Miu inspired daisy boots, gorgeous green wedges by Terry de Havilland and even my Jeffrey Campbell Night Walk! Yes I so struggled to part with many of those!

PPQ for Office Autumn/Winter 2011

The new PPQ for Office collection is out and I'd say it's very much split in two or actually maybe even three categories. You have the sleeker, more 'ladylike' styles of the Isabella shoe-boot in black or pewter and the Temperence courts in red or black. It's a pity they hadn't used coloured sections on both pairs, rather than all-black.
Then you have a complete contradiction to that with with the Aurelia creepers (black or purple), Millicent wedge boot, clumpy platforms and 'almost wedges' like Comenius (pewter or black), Palantine (purple or black) and the fabulous Demetrius boot with pirate style buckles.
In between those contrasting styles are a bridge in the form of the clumpy but girly Oriana platforms and Patience courts (red or black), which wouldn't look out of place on Gaga in her Judas phase.
Personally I like Patience, Oriana, Demetrius and Millicent as well as the Isabella and Temperence, although they're probably not unique enough to purchase. As you know I avoid red shoes because they clash with my hair but Office are calling the 'red' pairs 'pink'. So maybe it's my monitor or we disagree on the definition of colour. So which category do you fall into or are you similar to me and like a bit of it all?

I'm Almost Back

Hi! Still no computer and I'm starting to want to strangle the guys in the shop-no joke! It feels like we're being held to ransom though, because we've already been charged for the initial work they did and now our computer is sitting in bits (with them), so we could take it back and lose the money we've already paid and have a computer in pieces or wait until they properly fix it. Not much of a choice really. They assured me it would be ready on Saturday afternoon, but I've been hearing the same story for weeks. My parents are on their hols now though, so nobody can pick it up this week (I can't carry it by myself). So it'll be another week, I'm afraid. I thought I could try blogging a little in the meantime. I don't have my camera installed on my sisters laptop and both my camera memory cards are now full of photos I've taken in the past few weeks anyway-but I figured I could at least blog items that don't require 'real' photos. I do have limited time on this laptop though, so it may not be every day. I'm trying to keep everyone updated on my facebook page-it's been easier to use that during this, so you can find that link to the right. I've been missing you all!!

So, it's sale time and rather than bagging myself some half price fashions, I end up buying twice as much as usual and therefore buying more and although technically saving money in reality I've spent just as much (if not, more)! My room is like crazy messy, shoe boxes and dresses hanging everywhere. There's going to need to be a serious cull to find room for all the new purchases. I've been buying some lovely vintage inspired dresses from Jasmine Guinness at Very.co.uk
Tonnes of Florence & Fred dresses in the Tesco sale. I already owned most of the collection anyway, so just stocked up on those I didn't already have. That latest package is actually still sitting unopened-I haven't had the chance to try them on yet.
Some New Look and Dorothy Perkins dresses again...can't quite keep up with exactly which DP ones as I've bought so many and returned some and kept others! Here's the NL ones though. I did also get the cherry print prom dress, but it was insanely tight, so that had to be returned.
I actually had a rather unpleasant 'sales' trip to Dundee last Thursday. It was super busy and I hate when it's like that with long queues and people not looking where they're stepping (hello! I'm down here!). So other than a cute monkey necklace in River Island (they didn't have any of the shoes I was looking for in my size, damn the 3's and 8's!) and a ring in Topshop, it was pretty unsuccessful. So I decided a quick trip into Schuh was required and picked up the glorious Irregular Choice Abigail's Party in the pink bunny print. Honestly they look like size 3's, such a dinky little shape but fit perfectly (just go for your usual size). I'm holding out for loads more IC pieces...keeping an eye on sale prices!
Oh I almost forgot I bought the Can't Touch This t-bars from ASOS too. Really cute!
What else? The peachy coloured Croco by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania & Melissa also from ASOS. Stunning in the flesh, much better than the online pics you see, highly recommend them. I also ordered the lilac skull Lady Dragon slingbacks last night from Hervia and I don't believe you've seen the mint pair that I purchased a couple of months ago too?
I've also got a couple more dresses on order from the new Barbara Hulanicki range at Asda. Not having constant access to a computer meant I missed out on my size though...I was holding out for a free delivery offer and by then the 18's and 20's had gone in the polka dot. I have another dress from the BH range and it was generous in size, so I've ordered the 18 in the floral one (as they are similarly shaped) and seeing as the navy dress is a wrap, hopefully an exact fit isn't as essential and the 16 will do.

When I got my computer back briefly a couple of weeks ago, I quickly ordered these PPQ for Office shoes, called Menna. Really great for summer. I'm sure there have been other items, indeed there has been, I recall buying some jewellery from Miss Selfridge and a couple of animal rings from New Look. I have my eye on some AMAZING shoes right now, so more about them later.
It's so nice to be back, even if the blog isn't back to it's full capabilities. Unfortunately The Shoe Girl Diaries will not be updated, as it's impossible without a camera and my computer. So, let me know if you've been buying some sales bargains or have got your eye on some of the new season stock that's already filtering into the shops (gets earlier each year doesn't it?).

PPQ For Office

I hope you're all very proud of me-I haven't purchased anything online for over 2 weeks! I've even paid my sister back for all the money she lent me last year. I'm still repaying Mum, but getting there. Only problem is, this week sees the release of so many fabulous collections. I've been avoiding MAC like the plague in preparation for Wonder Woman and Viva Glam Gaga 2. Then there's Glamour magazine with their 10th birthday issue and a free Clinique item with every issue (10 different types to collect)...the mag is only £2 a copy, but £20 if you're wanting all 10 like me! We have the Pearl Lowe/Peacocks range in April and a hot new designer/high street collab...in the form of PPQ for Office.
The black and gold embroidered heels and wedges (above) were first spotted on the PPQ SS11 catwalk. They have a definite Moroccan feel, as most of the collection does. The wedges in particular have such an unusual design, with an almost 'cut-off' feel along the top. The giant platform and 14.5cm heel on the peep toe sandals will have you walking tall, but the rubber sole should put to rest any worries about toppling over!
These Tiziri sandals in either red, green or black may look simple in design, but upon closer inspection you'll note they were created from one piece of suede with no seams-pretty impressive. Again they have a towering heel with the large rubber grip sole.
Another stand out piece from this range for me, was the Amina platform court or Amina pump, if sky high heels scare you. They're instantly recognisable as PPQ with their colourful harlequin embroidery accented with sequins and jewels.
For an unmistakable, classic summery feel, go for these Menna bow sandals. In either pink/orange or green/blue stripes, I love the little bows and am definitely adding them to my wishlist.

There's another 4 styles in this collection which I haven't shown here, so if you'd like more details pop over to the Office site now, where all items are available for purchase.