Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Footwear
Summer Sandals from Shusole
1Though I have an ever-expanding collection of shoes, most of them are black, and most of them just don’t cut it for every day summer wear. As such, lately I’ve been on the look out for some lighter, and more sunny-weather-appropriate shoes, and the latest addition to my collection is this pair of Ciara Flatform shoes, from online women’s footwear specialists Shusole.
I’ve spotted two big trends on the highstreet this season – pastel brights and platforms – and these beauties tick both boxes. The sandals fasten at the side with a buckle, and have a strappy design reminiscent of ’90s-style jelly shoes, but with an open toe. The platform is around 4 inches high, but despite the height they’re incredibly comfortable as the sole is cushioned, and they’re flat so very easy to walk in.
I absolutely love the colour of these shoes. They’re a gorgeous bright pink that adds a perfect pop of colour to my (mostly) black wardrobe, but the pastel element gives them a dusky hue, rather than an overwhelming fluorescence, which I prefer. However, if pink isn’t your thing, they’re also available in black, white, green, orange, or yellow.
These sandals are so easy to style too. I’ve paired them with leggings and a long top for a casual day look, but they also look really cute with a strappy sun dress, a skater skirt, or even skinny jeans! I’m sure they’ll be featuring in some style posts in the coming months, so keep an eye out.
These Ciara Flatform Shoes cost just £13.49, which for a good quality pair of pretty, versatile sandals is an absolute steal. And even cheaper than Primark and suchlike too! Check them out here.
Naomi x
*These Ciara Flatform Shoes were sent to me by Shusole for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
On Trend Trainers
0
7 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Over the last year or two a throwback trend has been creeping back onto the fashion scene, and it looks like it’s here to stay! Whether it’s a pair of retro-style hi tops, or a more modern pair of sleek running shoes, trainers have been popping up all over the place lately, and they’re no longer just for wearing to the gym.
Spotted in fashion magazines around the world, it’s now the in thing to be teaming a pair of eye-catching trainers with not only casual daytime looks, but also chic and smart outfits that wouldn’t look amiss at work, or in a fancy restaurant. Trainers are definitely becoming more versatile, and are set to be a big trend in 2014. My 1990s inner child is really rather pleased, I must say!
I’ve recently been browsing the net for trainers to see what’s out there, and there are a LOT of styles, colours and even patterns to choose from. Here are just a few of my favourites…
Clockwise from Top Left:
Nike Air Pegasus+ 30 Running Shoes / Lacoste Marcel Mid Purple Hi Top Trainers / Adidas Supernova Solution 3W adiwear Running Shoes / Vans Sk8-Hi Suede Inca Trainers / Puma Suede / Converse All Star Two Fold Hi III Trainers / Nike Zoom Vomero+ 8 Running Shoes / Nike Air Pegasus+ 29 Running Shoes
My star pick of this bunch has to be the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30 Running Shoes from Millet Sports. I love their stylish shape, and the colour is just beautiful. Imagine how cute they’d look with a classic black skater dress and some colour matching jewellery!
Will you be investing in any trainers this year?
Naomi x
*This post is a collaboration.*
Kindred Sole – Shoes for the Soul!
11
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Ladies, allow me to introduce you to an exciting online shopping experience and the only shoe shop you will ever need – Kindred Sole. Kindred Sole is run by two lovely girls named Beth and Lizze, who both recently graduated from the same university that I used to go to, and who decided to follow their passion for shoes and set up business together. Kindred Sole sell their large selection of shoes exclusively online, in a wide range of sizes, and specialise in seeking only the best, high-quality footwear from talented new designers, as well as established brands. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of warm boots for the winter, a gorgeous pair of killer heels for a party, some pretty sandals for a sunny holiday or some funky flats for the office, Kindred Sole will have a unique pair perfect for you.
Earlier this week, Kindred Sole kindly sent me a pair of shoes to review so that I could experience their amazing shoes and service for myself, and I wasn’t disappointed. Yesterday morning there was a bang on the door and I was presented with a nicely packaged pair or brand new shoes. Needless to say, I was very excited, and also massively impressed with Kindred Sole’s quick delivery. The company aims to please its customers and they go out of their way to provide fantastic customer service by offering FREE, trackable next day delivery on all orders within the UK, and they also offer Saturday and worldwide delivery.
The shoes I received were these – a pair of Mel Tangerine Bow Caramel Shoes. Aren’t they beautiful?
Mel is a Brazilian company and these Tangerine Bow Caramel Shoes are made of recycled PVC and are Vegan friendly. As a Vegetarian myself I was pleased to discover the ethical nature of these shoes, but my happiness didn’t stop there…
As soon as I opened the box and saw the shoes inside, I was instantly taken by how cute and stylish they look! The bright, glossy yellow colour and large bow detail on the front are so fun and playful, and the shoes have such a nostalgic essence of childhood about them as they are reminiscent of the plastic jelly shoes that all of us 80s/90s kids used to wear. However, Mel’s shoes are rather more grown up!
The shoes are lined with a soft, cushioned sole, so they don’t make your feet sweat like some jelly shoes do. Rather, they are VERY comfortable. When I first put them on I actually couldn’t believe how amazingly lovely they felt on my feet, and they’re also warm and waterproof so your feet can still look pretty even on cold days.
Mel Tangerine Bow Caramel Shoes look fab dressed down with skinny jeans, or even teamed with a girly dress and tights for an Autumn evening look. They are available here from Kindred Sole for just £31.99, which is a fantastic price for such a high-quality pair of on-trend shoes, and they also come in a lovely nude shade. However, you could get them even cheaper if you take advantage of Kindred Sole’s Birthday offer…
On 31st October Kindred Sole celebrated their third birthday, so as a special thank you to their customers, new and old, they are currently offering 33% off ALL shoes, which is an extremely generous discount! The offer runs until Sunday 4th November, and can be used by entering the code ‘HAPPYB33‘ at the checkout. Amazing, right?
To get you in the shopping mood, here a few of my favourite shoes and boots from the Kindred Sole website…
Ugly Duckling Hand Made Shoes
£59.99 (£40.19 with discount)
Beyond Skin Sirene Peacock Glitter Shoes
£130 (£87.10 with discount)
Redfoot Folding Patent Black Welly Boots
£29.99 (£20.09 with discount)
Love From Australia Tibetan Cupid Caramel Sheepskin Boots
£189 (£126.63 with discount)
Redfoot Cheryl Damson Fold Up Shoes
£34.99 (£23.44 with discount)
I hope you enjoy your vibrant Kindred Sole shopping experience! To keep up to date with all the latest Kindred Sole news, you can follow them on Twitter and on Facebook. They are currently running a Facebook competition to win your favourite pair of shoes from their website, so get liking!
Naomi x
The Beauty of Dr Martens
20
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
You may remember that just over a week ago I posted about some of my August purchases, one of which was a pair of boots by Blowfish. Since that post I have only had them on my feet a handful of times, and already both boots are splitting at the sides. I paid over £40 for those boots and I am not impressed – needless to say they are going straight back to the shop for a refund! Though I regret buying them, I must also thank the Blowfish boots for being so terrible, as they have reminded me exactly why I usually wear Dr Martens boots (which I love) religiously throughout Autumn and Winter.
I have been wearing Dr Martens footwear since my childhood. People always say that you never forget your first pair of Dr Martens, and they’re right. I got my first pair in the early 1990s. They were bright red shoes with yellow laces and big, colourful flowers printed all over them. They were garish, but I loved them, and my love for Dr Martens never went away. I currently have five pairs of Dr Martens in my collection, most of which I wear regularly, and these are them…
The styles you see above, starting at the top and going clockwise, are:
- Regina Heeled Boots
- Purple Triumph 1914 Boots
- Black Triumph 1914 Boots
- Purple 1460 Shimmer Boots
- I’ve had this pair for so long I can’t remember what they’re called! Anybody know?
My favourite pair is definitely my purple shimmer boots, which are the latest addition to my collection and my only pair of classic 8-hole Docs.
So, why do I love Dr Martens so much? Allow me to share my reasons…
1. They’re ‘Made in England’
Dr Martens’ air-cushioned soles were invented in Munich, Germany by Dr Martens and Dr Funck, but it was in England (Northamptonshire, in fact) that Dr Martens leather boots were first made for the high street, in 1960 by the Griggs family. Dr Martens soon became popular within youth subcultures and this popularity has grown tremendously over the decades, giving Dr Martens’ boots an iconic image. Dr Martens still manufacture a lot of their boots in England, which makes me proud to be English as they are a brand I have always held very close to my heart.
2. They’re Comfortable
I’ll admit, Dr Martens can cause you some pain when breaking them in (I suggest wearing anticipatory plasters to stop them rubbing), but if you’re willing to put up with a few days of sore feet you will have a pair of boots so comfortable you won’t even know you’re wearing them. The insoles and leather soften, shape and bend with your feet and the air-cushioned (or ‘bouncing’) soles make them light and easy to walk in. As you can probably guess, the specially designed soles contain air which makes them extremely durable and comfortable as they reduce the impact on your feet and ankles when walking.
3. They’re Versatile
Many people still hold the misconception that Dr Martens’ shoes and boots are all black, bulky and worn only by labourers, with the exception of cherry reds, but this is not the case. As you can see in my photographs, and on the Dr Martens website, their range is vast and adorned with many different colours, patterns, styles and designs. There’s a boot there for everybody’s needs, and they can be dressed up or down as you like. I often wear my Dr Martens with girly dresses and tights, skinny jeans and slouchy jumpers or full on hiking gear when I’m out walking, and they look (and feel) good with everything. You can really make a pair of Dr Martens your own, adjusting them to fit your own style and thus making the statement that you want them to make.
4. They’re Long-Lasting
Dr Martens boots are notorious for being hardy, and they really do last a very long time. I’ve been wearing a few of my pairs for over five years, solidly so for two seasons a year, and they’re still going strong. They haven’t split at the sides at all, there are no holes in the soles and they show no sign of giving up any time soon. In fact, with a quick clean and polish they’d probably all look as good as new, but I prefer them to look a bit battered. I used to know somebody who had owned some of her Dr Martens for over twenty years, and she was still wearing them. Amazing!
Many people think that Dr Martens are expensive (mine cost between £75 and £110 each) but for the reasons above they are well worth the price you pay for a pair. Cutting corners and going for a cheaper boot isn’t always a good idea as they rarely last as long as a Dr Marten boot will, so it’s worth investing in one good pair, rather than wasting money on several pairs of lower quality boots! Whether you like them scuffed up like I do, or looking neat and new, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Dr Martens and never again will I stray from the beautiful, trusty brand – I’ve well and truly learnt my lesson!
Do you own any Dr Martens?
Naomi x
