Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Shoes
Harvey Nichols Ankle Boot Wishlist
4This year I have developed a real thing for black heeled ankle boots, my collection of which is rapidly expanding. Over the last few days I have spent some time browsing Harvey Nichols’ range of designer shoes online, and their range of styles and designers is incredible. I spotted so many pairs of ankle boots that I would absolutely love to add to my hoard, so I thought I’d put together a little Harvey Nichols wishlist to share with you all, featuring some of my favourite pieces from the site.
ACNE Cypress Leather and Suede / Rag and Bone Classic Harrow Leather / Valentino Studded Leather / Chloé Folded Leather / McQ Alexander McQueen Pointed Leather / Ash Hello Wedge Leather / Tod’s Suede and Patent Leather / Camilla Skovgaard Flame Leather / Lanvin Lizard Effect Leather and Neoprene
Leather boots like these are just so versatile as, as we all know, black goes with anything, and the unusual details and designs featured here would make any simple outfit that little bit more interesting. My particular favourite pair are the McQ Alexander McQueen Pointed Leather Ankle boots, which are the ones in the very centre of the grid. Alexander McQueen is one of my favourite designers as his pieces are always so edgy and chic, and these are no different. They’d look amazing this Autumn/Winter with tight black leggings or jeans, and big faux fur jacket. Want!
All of the above ankle boots are available to buy on the Harvey Nichols website. Which one is your favourite?
Naomi x
*This post is a collaboration.*
Clarks Liberty Chorus Voice Shoes
23I know I’m not alone when it comes to loving shoes, especially new shoes, so I was a little bit excited when I received a pair of shoes from the Clarks Liberty Chorus Voice range to review! Chorus Voice are part of Clarks’ SS13 line featuring luxe Liberty Art Fabric linings, and they are a fine example of a beautiful court shoe.
The first thing that grabbed my attention when I took the shoes out of the box was how they felt. The uppers are made from lovely soft suede which feels so luxurious to the touch, and the quality of the suede is obviously very high. I also really like the colour of the suede, which Clarks call Heather – a nude grey with an undertone of lilac which is quite unusual. As my regular readers will know, purple is my favourite colour and a lot of my clothes are purple, so these beauties are a perfect match for my usual colour palette.
The Liberty Art Fabric lining is full of pattern and colour, predominantly purple and lilac, which contrasts with but also compliments the neutral suede. The lining adds a finishing touch to these shoes that makes them so unique and majestic, and they look just as good off as they do on.
It’s not just good looks that these Chorus Voice shoes have, they’re impressively comfortable too. I’d even go as far to say these are the most comfortable pair of heels that I own. As is common with heels, the balls of my feet usually end up very sore after a short period of wear, but I haven’t experienced that with these at all. In fact, I always forget I’m wearing heels when I have them on. The shoes are lined with Clarks Plus insoles and have ‘dual density cushioning’ which is incredibly soft, and they almost mold to your feet as you walk, making them very easy to wear. I find that the lining doesn’t rub either, even when new, so I didn’t suffer any pain when breaking then in. What also helps is the sizing. Clarks’ shoes come in a wide range of half-sizes and different widths, so you can almost guarantee you’ll get a pair that fits well, which is great for me as I myself take a half-size!
Being 5’10” I’m not a fan of ridiculously high heels, so these are the ideal height for me. They come in at around 2.5 inches with a slight concealed platform in the front, which is just enough height for a look of sophistication, which is accentuated further by their elegant shape. The front of the shoes are extremely feminine, featuring a sweetheart topline which I think looks so lovely, and a classic rounded toe which I find far more flattering than a square or pointed toe.
Clarks’ Liberty Voice shoes go with anything too. I’ve been wearing mine during the day with skinny jeans to dress up a casual outfit, which works really well, but they also look great teamed with smart clothing for the office. They could even be carried through to the evening with a cute dress and a clutch, but whatever you choose, they’re definitely versatile and a wardrobe staple.
Clarks’ range of Chorus Voice shoes are available online and in store, and the Liberty shoes are also available in a stunning bright orange shade, which you can view here. They cost just £49.99 a pair, which is amazingly affordable for such a high quality shoe. I was expecting them to be a lot more, so if you’re tempted to get a pair then don’t hesitate – you won’t be disappointed.
Naomi x
*These Clarks Liberty Chorus Voice Shoes were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
January Sales Haul
3Since Christmas it has been January Sales galore, both on the high street and on the internet, and I (along with millions of other shoppers, I’m sure) couldn’t resist a browse. My main aim was to hunt out a couple of pairs of shoes suitable for Spring/Summer, as well as a few items of clothing. I prefer to relax with my family on Boxing Day, rather than go shopping, but on January 27th I braved it and went into town, but soon gave up as there were far, far too many people for my liking. So, that evening I sat down with my laptop, a box of chocolates and a cup of tea and browsed the web to my heart’s content. I must say, I wasn’t that impressed by the quality of the sales this year, but luckily I succeeded in my shoe and clothes buying mission! I managed to resist binging on make up and perfume gift sets in the Superdrug and Boots sales, but I did get a couple of beauty accessories.
Donnay Purple Canvas Ballet Pumps – £3.50 (£3.49 saving) – SportsDirect.com
Skechers Sunset Pink and Black Canvas Shoes – £20.00 (£14.99 saving) – SportsDirect.com
Dr Martens Aldgate Floral Canvas Shoes – £30.00 (£15.00 saving) – Dr Martens
Purple Metallic Manicure Set – £0.99p (saving unknown) – Superdrug
Unwind Cherry Stone Relaxation Pillow – £0.99p (saving unknown) – Superdrug
Purple Heart Knit Dress – £10.00 (£4.99 saving) – Store Twenty One
Blue Paisley Print Top – £5.00 (£4.99 saving) – Store Twenty One
A rather humble haul I know, but I managed to get everything I wanted! What did you get in the sales this year?
Naomi x
6 Fashion Trends I Wish Would Fizzle Out
39
4 years
by Naomi in Fashion
I’m not usually one for caring about what other people are wearing, but this year there seems to have been an influx of fashion trends which, for various reasons, I find really irritating! I have tried my best to ignore them, but they are everywhere, and have been for months now. My sister backs me up on most of these too, so I don’t think it’s just me being irrational. So, without further ado, here are six fashion trends I wish would fizzle out…
1. Toms Shoes
There’s something about Toms shoes that disturbs me, especially when worn by a man and paired with ankle grazers, and it’s the ability to see the veins on top of the feet and, as my sister’s boyfriend put it, ‘the outline of the big toe’. I’m funny about feet and I have the same issue with flip flops – I just don’t want to see those shapes, it’s obscene! The fold in the canvas at the toe looks ridiculous too, like a pair of slippers or something. Not only that, Toms are horrifically impractical and an absolute rip off. £35 for a piece of canvas which, quite frankly, won’t last 5 minutes in the UK, what with all the rain. I don’t think so…
2. Moustache Print
At first I thought the trend for moustache print was quite quirky, but now that it’s everywhere it has lost its charm rather quickly. Okay, it’s alright for Movember, but it’s gone a bit overboard now. Last week I saw a mannequin in a shop dressed in moustache leggings, a moustache top and a moustache cardigan – a bit heavy on the moustache methinks! I just don’t get it, I mean, you wouldn’t walk round with a beard or a goatee emblazoned across your chest, so why a moustache?
3. Nerd Glasses
Whenever I’m in town I seem to be surrounded by teenage girls wearing nerd glasses. It wouldn’t be so bad if they actually needed them for poor eyesight, but most of the glasses I see don’t even have lenses in! I’m sorry, but it’s not cute and it’s not clever – the only person that can pull them off in my eyes is Johnny Depp, so please let’s all leave him to it.
4. Tiny Shorts
It’s now almost winter, the country is flooding and it’s freezing cold, yet there are STILL people walking round in tiny shorts, so short that they might as well be denim underwear. Chafing and potential hypothermia are not good for your health, so girls, for your own good please stop wearing them!
5. Leggings as Trousers
Don’t get me wrong, I love leggings and I wear them myself with long tops or short dresses, but leggings should not be worn as trousers. They’re in the same realm as tights I reckon, not skinny jeans. There seems to be a trend at the minute for wearing leggings with a thong underneath, and a short top and jacket on top… Believe me when I say that clearly seeing someone’s bum cheeks through stretched leggings is not a pretty sight!
6. Nude Shades
I don’t actually have an issue with nude shades – I quite like peaches, creams and pale pinks, they just don’t suit my skin tone. I am a big lover of colour, so whilst this trend for nude tones exists, I am finding it extremely difficult to find new clothes in colours I want to wear. Boo hoo.
So, there you have it, six fashion trends which I hope will disappear soon! Sorry if this post is especially ranty – it’s meant to be a bit of fun and isn’t intended to offend!
Which fashion trend would you love to see fizzle out? Do you disagree and think any of these trends should be here to stay?
Naomi x
Kindred Sole – Shoes for the Soul!
11
4 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
4 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
£100 Asos Blogger Challenge: Summer Gothic
8
5 years
To celebrate reaching (nearly) 1000 followers on Twitter, The Discount Coder Blog is running a giveaway, and to enter, you must complete the £100 Asos Blogger Challenge! So, today, I will be sharing my entry 
The rules of the challenge are as follows…
- Head over to ASOS.com
- Put together the hottest outfit you can for £100 or less (no student discount or Asos discount codes allowed)
- Blog about your stylish ensemble over on your blog
- Leave a comment below with a link to your post
I spent a good while over a couple of days browsing Asos for the ideal outfit for my entry. I wanted to put together a fairly basic but daring outfit that I would wear myself and would be great for summer, and this is what I came up with: Summer Gothic! The picture is clickable if you want to see it in more detail.
My starting point for this challenge was the main outfit. I love dresses and I love black, so it seemed only natural to look for something along those lines. I thought a sleeveless maxi was the way to go for a summer look, so when I saw this Maxi Dress with Dipped Hem I was sold. Dipped hems are very trendy at the minute and I like the floaty look they give. In my teenage Goth days I wore a lot of long flowy clothes so I think this is very suitable as a starting point for Summer Gothic!
My next choice was the shoes… I was hoping to find a pair of big, black, stompy boots within my £100 budget but unfortunately that didn’t happen, so I went for my second choice – a pair of heeled TERI Platform Chelsea Show Boots to give the look a more elegant feel, whilst remaining edgy. I mean, who doesn’t feel edgy in heels? The platform makes them look quite chunky too which is what I was after.
Accessories wise I wanted to keep it simple but make a statement. I thought skulls were ideal for the Gothic look, and when I came across the Skull and Floral Scarf I couldn’t believe how perfect it was! I really, really want to buy it for myself – the print is stunning and it would add layers and depth to the simple dress. I wanted something chunky but interesting for the wrists which is why I chose the River Island Bracelet Pack. The skull detail matches the scarf really well and the different beads and materials add texture to the outfit. The bracelets were in the men’s section of the Asos website, but who says women can’t wear ‘men’s’ clothes and accessories?
We all know an outfit isn’t complete without the right make up, so to match this simple Summer Gothic outfit, a simple Gothic make up look is needed. Heavy make up in summer is a no-no, so I think classic red lips and nails, and smokey black eyes are all that’s needed! Illamasqua’s branding screams classy and Gothic, which is why I chose Illamasqua SS12 Human Fundamentalism Lipstick in ‘Liable’, a beautiful bright red. For strikingly bold, black eyes, Barry M Supersoft Eye Crayon is ideal, and to add an extra splash of colour I added Rimmel London I Love Lasting Finish Nail Polish in ‘Double Decker Red’ to the mix.
The total cost of this outfit is £98.49, so you’d even come away with enough change for an ice cream – the summery icing on the fashionable cake!
Naomi x
