Booty Call

For quite a few years the shoe shop Charles Clinkard somewhat passed me buy. It’s a shop I had regularly walked past when at the Mall at Cribbs Causeway but it wasn’t until I met someone who worked there that I actually paid it any attention.
I’ve been having a browse recently as my boot affections are shifting from the ankle boot to a high legged style. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll forever love the ankle boot but for now it’s the longer the better.
Of course, there are also several hundered pairs of ankle boots I could share too, there always is, but today it’s about the long and lean. I do own one pair of longer length boots but seeing these makes me resent them a little bit for their lack of refinement and character.
I must stop window shopping on my afternoons off, I really must.

Tying the Knot with I Love A Lassie

I’m a bit like a magpie with an affection for all things shiney, so when I heard about I Love A Lassie on twitter I wasted no time in checking them out and falling head over heels for their Knotted String collection.
According to the website the collection isn’t just about a gorgeous design, it has meaning too:
“The old cliche’ “tying the knot” has been around for centuries and for good reason; around the world Knots symbolise love, loyalty, friendship and unity. Knots were used as jewelry in primitive times, and I Love a Lassie’s delicate designs are a salute to this tradition. Hand-cast in a range of finishes including 18K yellow gold, rose gold vermeil, sterling silver and black rhodium these unique pieces make the perfect gift for a friend or loved one”.
I’m even more attracted to jewellery with a meaning and so without further ado I introduce to you my favourite pieces from the collection:
Prices range from £35 for a pair of stud earrings and vary depending on which metal you choose. I’ve got my eye on the Black Rhodium Knotted Ring which costs £95. The simplicity and meaning of the design sits perfectly with the statement metal and it’s something I’d wear every day, therefore making it excellent value for money, right?!
P.S. I Love A Lassie is a Scottish brand born and bred, hurrah for supporting UK trade!

Salt ‘N Pepper

Dress: The WhitePepper | Boots: Irregular Choice
This dress had been on my wishlist for what felt like forever. I couldn’t justify spending £55 on something for myself when I had no reason to.
And then I achieved something, and rewarded myself with some money I had put by (which my wonderful Grandfather matched) and I knew instantly that this dress was one of the things I’d buy.
I was really unsure on the sizing and almost went for a medium but at the last minute popped the small in my basket which turned out to be the right decision as any bigger and it would have looked stupidly big instead of deliberatley oversized. The quality of the dress is amazing and it’s lovely to wear something that I’ve wanted for so long instead of my usual impulse buys (which are usually good decisions but don’t hold the same power).
Normal life is now resuming. Work is satisfying and my back is holding up. As much as I loved the festive period I’m glad to see the back of tinsel and decorations. All that remains is the mountain of biscuits and chocolates that patients bought us folks in the office.
I’ve a busy few days ahead with lots of appointments, I’m eagerly anticipating one with a neurosurgeon about my back- hopefully I can get some light shed on what went wrong and whether it will happen again. I’m itching for it to get better so I can get back to wearing heels for more than just outfit photos.
Have you ever wanted something so badly then finally treated yourself? It’s the best feeling!

M&S Introduce the Multi Way Dress

It’s January, payday is still three weeks away, I’m broke already and yet I still want to shop.
My wardrobe is bursting at the seams (and yet I have nothing to wear). I want quality over quanity. I really can’t shop right now,
or can I?
The clever folks at Marks and Spencer know times are tougher and that people are moving away from fast fashion (I’m trying to)
They’ve just launched a brand new dress to the market. Part of their Collection range the Slinky Multi Way Dress costs £55 and can be worn in an impressive 5 different ways- cap sleeved, halter, strapless, asymmetric and cross over back.

Also available in gunmetal and black this is THE most hardoworking dress I’ve seen and would be perfect for taking you from office to bar.
Available exclusively online here
xxx

All that’s faded into memory

Jumper: Pull & Bear | Jeans: Primark | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Jeans. Forever my nemesis. I bought these Primark ones during recovery so I had something that fitted for that interim phase. I assumed that once I’d got past a certain point I’d chuck them; hate how I look in them, and when they cost £9 I hadn’t really lost much.
I’m past that certain point now and yet here I am still wearing actual proper skinny jeans. When I’m no longer actual proper skinny. I don’t hate how they look on me, I don’t feel repulsed by my reflection any more. I realise I look fine. Normal. Healthy. Every girl needs skinny jeans in their life and I’m not going to let contorted thoughts make me miss out on that. This is a huge revelation for me, finally those last hurdles are falling in to place. Sure there are days when I do feel insecure and question what I’ve done, but everyone gets days like that. It’s not my life any more…and who knew a pair of jeans costing under a tenner could bring about such a light bulb moment?
On another note entirely I was beyond excited when I heard Pull & Bear were opening in Bristol. Ellie introduced me to them during our first Spain trip and I’ve loved picking up the odd bits and pieces since. This jumper caught my eye when I was wandering around with Ben one day. I wasn’t going to buy it because my card had been swallowed by a cash machine earlier that week but Ben loaned me the £19.99 it cost and I’m glad because it no longer seems available. I love anything with an owl on it although Mum claims the eyes on this one freak her out.
I can’t remember when I wore this, over a week ago? Probably during that interim phase between Christmas and New Year, which now feels like a distant memory or something I dreamt up.
Are there any animals or patterns that you just can’t resist on clothing? Between owls and cats I’m doomed to be forever poor, yet forever decked out in critters.