INSTAGRAMING MY FEET

Bit obsessed with Instagram-ing my favourite shoes. Can you tell?

1. Miu Miu

2. Underground Creepers from ASOS 

3. Underground Creepers from ASOS 

4. Vintage Manolos 

5. River Island Brogues or Zara Slippers? 

6. Sigerson Morrison 

Manolo Blahnik at Liberty

I've got a new camera, which means I've been experimenting. These are my latest shoe purchases - Manolo's from the Liberty sale. The print pair are a Liberty exclusive using a vintage Liberty library print, the others are from his main line collection and totally fabulous - a cross between a court jester and village fayre. 

Manolo's feature heavily in Detamar Blow's biography of Issie Blow, which I got given for Christmas and finished reading the other day. It's quite an annoying account. It's very poorly written - if that's what private education does for one then bring on the state schools quite frankly. Detmar is the world's biggest name dropper, and it's hard to feel sorry for insanely privileged people that spend their whole time complaining about having no money whilst living fabulous lives full of travel, bespoke clothes, helicopters, yachts and houses where architects are involved and win awards. I know, I know, there's mental illness aplenty, but Detmar really pushed the limit and made everyone sound remarkably unappealing. Thanks Det! Reading books like this remind me why I have no wish to be part of that set (and why I would NEVER be accepted in the first place). 

Granny Not Included

There is something about the texture of this Whistles jumper that makes me want to dress like an old lady. I've been trying to figure out what to pair my stretch velvet maxi skirt with, and the granny knit seemed perfect, all I had to do was hoik up the skirt so it landed mid calf rather than on my ankle - this simple action made it look suitably old fashioned. I'm not sure what it is about maxi skirts but in the winter I just cannot bring myself to wear them with tights - the maxi and tights, ick! The concept makes me feel irrationally queasy.

Jumper - Whistles 

Skirt - Primark  

Tights M&S

Shoes - Paul Smith 

And once I was dressed like an old lady I finally felt like it was the right time to invest in the mid calf circle skirt that has been made the 'it' length and style by Mad Men and Mr Marc Jacobs. Of course, this skirt it not Louis Vuitton or Marc Jacobs, but Zara, however I think it's a pretty good stab at the trend. I've been um-ing and ah-ing over the skirt for a while, but trying it on yesterday cinched the deal - it fits really well, hangs nicely, has pockets (I love a pocket) and the fabric feels suitably voluminous and thick. 

Jumper - Whistles 

Belt - Charity Shop 

Skirt - Zara

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik 

The Random Outfit Post

It is pretty chilly in my house right now. The temperature outside is dropping and the central heating is playing up (why does it do this every year, no matter where I may be living?). No heating = wearing sweatpants in the non Alexander Wang way and lots of shawls / blankets to perfect my 'derelict' look. The derelict look also means no up to date outfits to post (unless you counted it as an early Halloween outfit), so here are some old ones that were worn in happier, sunnier times. Sigh.

Jacket - Kate Moss from Topshop 

T-Shirt - Acne 

Jeans - Topshop 

Mules - Manolo Blahnik 

Shirt - Second hand store in Melbourne

Jeans - Abercrombie & Fitch 

Shoes - Jimmy Choo 

Jumper dress - Topshop 

Belt - Oscar by Oscar De La Renta

Tights - T.K.Maxx

Loafers - Zara

Jacket  - Jil Sander from T.K.Maxx

T-Shirt - Topshop

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - Charity Shop 

The Business of Buying Shoes

When I tried these shoes on in New York it was a hot summer day a few years ago and I had just arrived from London. I had gone to the hotel, dropped off my bag and headed out to Manolo Blahnik. I usually just go to NY for a weekend (not even a long one) so I've become pretty adept at shopping with severe time constraints. If you want to see friends and get some new booty you have to be quick off the mark. This time I forgot that I was still wearing a pair of manky old flight socks and as I pulled my shoes off I realised they had dyed my feet navy blue. The shame. Still, a shopper must remain calm, so I ignored the incident in a very British way and went about the job in hand of finding the right Manolo for me. 

Jacket - Kate Moss for Topshop 

T-Shirt - Acne 

Jeans - Topshop 

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik

All Dressed Up...

I woke up early on Sunday and had a whirlwind dressing up session - I've been discovering things that I'd totally forgotten about in my wardrobe, and also fitting into things that I haven't had a chance with for the last couple of years...all I need now is somewhere to go! 

Top Pic 

Dress - 3.1 Phillip Lim (on sale in a boutique in Melbourne for a crazy $200)

Shoes - Christian Louboutin mini wedges 

Middle Pic 

Dress - Erdem A/W 07 or 08...I knew his sister so got a heads up on how hot he was

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik S/S 08

Bottom Pic (channelling the Moschino A/W 10 collection - I WANT IT ALL)

Dress - New Look 

Belt - Topshop 

Shoes - Chanel 

The Summer Shoe - 2008 Manolo Blahnik...Heaven

I now own the Manolo Blahnik Marimekko print shoes from Spring / Summer 2008! 


Found today in a second hand designer shop for only £60. I am hobbling around the house in them, because ohmygod, they are high. 

Christian Louboutin for Charity...If Only.

Last year I found a pair of Christian Louboutin for Chloe shoes in a charity shop for under £20. They have a dark red almost purple-ish sole, which makes me think they must be from very early on in his career. 


I know that heels have gone up and up in recent years, which is one reason why I love earlier Louboutin and Manolo shoes - the heels are much lower and the styling is now retro enough to feel ready to bust out again. 


As much as I was thrilled to find my pair - dusky blue satin mary janes with a embroidered flower on the side  (camera still broken...), I can't help but feel slightly upset it wasn't these babies that I found instead. If I did I might just hyperventilate so much I'd faint in the shop and someone else would swoop right in and buy them.