Shoe fund 2012 cashed in

It’s been more than two years now – I finally stopped going on about it – but I could not be happier with my shoe fund – it gave me beautiful decolleté in 2011 and I wanted to share (better late than ever, I suppose) the fruits of the 2012 fund. I shall never look back.

Nude was on my mind. And throughout the whole year I was set on a classic pair of nude shoes. However , at the last minute I saw red. Literally, I just had this urge to buy red shoes.

Given the colour choice, I thought I’d go for another designer, and not cave into my usual Louboutin obsession, as red on red seemed a bit odd. Blahnik and Choo were head to head – or toe to toe, if you prefer a foot based comparison for this post’s illustration purposes.

But then I fell in love (and as you know, I go totally blind when I fall in love) and the shoe fund 2012 materialised in the shape of the lovely patent, pointy-toed and needle heeled Christian Louboutin Decolleté. Red on red never looked so good to me. I cannot even believe that for a moment I thought it wouldn’t work.

What a beauty – they have already been worn. Now, nude probably got bumped to next year. May be. Shoe fund 2013 is already growing….

Shoe obsession update

A few weeks ago, I talked openly about my shoe feelings and well… as any woman in love, I made possibly the wrong decision and succumbed to something that could potentially hurt me (ring any bells?!). Ok, maybe this is a bit dramatic, but, hey…

I couldn’t stop thinking about the shoes since I tried them on, so I bought them. Even if I never get round to wearing them out. Sad, I know, but I just had to have them. I never felt like that about a pair of shoes – NOT wearing is never an option. Obsessed much?

Ironically, I twisted my ankle wearing FLAT boots about ten days ago, and am healing (almost there!) so haven’t had the chance to wear them yet….

Mine, all mine!

Talking about my (shoe) feelings

When agonising about something, the best thing is to talk abut it, right?

For me, comfort is probably the last thing in my mind when I am buying heels. Really, I accept that I may have to suffer a little bit to look fabulous – not that I like suffering, far from it, but in my head, there is no choice to be made between feeling amazing and feeling comfortable. Beauty sometimes has its price.

For the first time in my life I was met with the dilemma between being in love with a pair of shoes and knowing deep inside that the chances of breaking an ankle (or both, who knows!) is rather high.

I tried these spectacular Gaga-esque shoes from Aldo (actually, there are quite a few with those heels popping up in the high street at the moment) and was almost literally head over heels (when I almost fell in the shop). The curves in the irregular platform which replace the heel compliment the curves of the back of my legs beautifully – it just looks stunning!

They are much more comfortable in terms of fit and height than I thought. It is not even that weird to walk on them. However, the shoes’ sides stability is really rubbish – one step you take without carefully thinking about it, and it turns. Badly. In 5 minutes wearing them, it happened three times. And I am a proficient heel wearer.

Now, all of my heels, with no exception are for real wearing. Dancing. I like dancing. I love dancing on heels. I don’t buy shoes just to look at them. Those Benetts don’t really look like they were acquainted with a dance floor.

So, just as in life, I am faced with a heartbreaking (shoe) affair: I adore you but you could really, really, reaaaally hurt me.

Impossible love story, anyone?

Viviela London steps into London Fashion Week

Foot up!

I was delighted to receive an invitation to attend a show on which the gorgeous Viviela shoes were making an appearance – any excuse to see them in action!

After launching their first collection back in July, they bagged a London Fashion Week collaboration with MIMI.C. The demi-couture brand, which was founded in Lithuania and is currently based in London, chose three different models of their shoes (Piccadilly, City and Bromley) to strut their new collection down the catwalk at the Rose Club in Mayfair, London. It was great fun to sit with the partners at Viviela and find more about the brand and their lovely selves!

: Ela and Vivi

: Pre-show posing

: Piccadilly takes to the floor

: Close encounter with Bromley

: Bromley steps

: A closer look at the Piccadilly booties

: Piccadilly walk

: City stroll

: More from Piccadilly

: City close up

: City girl

: Vivi shows off her Piccadilly

: Vivi, Milda and Ela’s post show chit-chat

: Vivi, Milda and Ela

I do, once again, wish Vivi and Ela, the hearts and brains behind the heels, the best of luck with the shoes, and I hear they are working round the clock on their next collection – and I cannot wait to see what is coming up!

Read about the launch party in July and my views on the collection

See Viviela’s current collection

Vogue Fashion’s Night Out 2012 – London

Yesterday I went to a few places taking part in Vogue’s Fashion Night Out and I had an amazing time.

Last year, I was a bit disappointed, a couple places I wanted to go were invitation only (and didn’t mention it on the guide – cheeky!) so I was a bit disheartened. I sent Christian Louboutin’s boutique an email but it was too late – they said they will add me for next year (I think it is fair I get invited, after all, my Louboutins were purchased at that boutique!)

So, I tackled it a bit differently this year – I checked the guide a few days ago and chose places which were offering things that might interest me. Cocktails, of course was one of them.

I made a list and tackled it by proximity to the office. River Island started at 5, earlier than most places, so I headed over for a glass of pink fizz, had eyelashes applied and bought a skirt, which earnt me a goody back with a pair of lashes, a sample size St. Tropez Every Day moisturiser (which I love), a set of three cute stud earrings, popcorn and a drink. Nice, eh?

I then moved on to House of Fraser, which had lots on offer. I entered their new beauty hall and was offered a back massage by Decléor. I then waltzed towards their Mahiki bar and got myself a cocktail in coconut. I hoped on their photo booth and had 4 nice shots to take away (twice!). Then I had my eyes and lipstick applied at the Dior stand, with bubbles on offer…. Downstairs, at their shoe lounge, there was plenty of bubbly on offer and also martinis and other cocktails made to order, and a “Shoe Box” photo booth, which I also took advantage of, amongst other activities!

I swiftly moved to Liberty, but before reaching it, I walked past H&M and they had live models on their windows. The bigger window was a photo set; I was given a number, props and posed for three shots, which will be on their Facebook page and four winners of £250 voucher will be chosen. Nice!

At Liberty, I went straight to Manolo Blahnik’s Victorian photo booth, with the cutest props ever – and got picture with a lovely pair of silver stilettos! By uploading that to Facebook or tweeting it could get you a signed book.

I then managed to run to Burlington Arcade, which had a Victorian fun fair theme… think popcorn and candy floss, performers, burlesque girls…all very pretty; but I went straight for Lulu Guinness shop, to take part on their promotion by being picture with one of their bags a tweeting it. I chose the red lips, of course!!!

Overall, I had a lot of fun. So a few things for my next year’s FNO: plan ahead, list the places I want to see but be sure and not disappointed I will not to actually make it to half of them; don’t just look for goody bags, as they usually only come your way when you make a purchase and remember to email Louboutin earlier!!!!

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Have you been to FNO this year? How was it for you?

What I wore

So, with the weather oscillating so much, and looking a bit grim at points to say the least, I went a bit crazy on the autumn/winter 12-13 items that can already be found in the shops. It is a sad thing; it is not even the pinnacle of summer and I am already thinking about buying warmer clothes…

I started the week with love on my mind, favouring the heart print two days in a row, with two girly dresses I love!

Then I went a bit darker, and yes, I wore trousers, a very rare occurrence; and I closed the week with a very autumnal blouse.

This week I gave in to the big necklaces. Oh, I am loving them and cannot wait to acquire a couple more.

Monday

Navy and nude heart print dress (Little Mistress), red patent court shoes (New Look), heart ring (Forever 21), nude round and large over the knuckle rings (H&M), above the knuckle ring (eBay), MAC lipstick in Lady Danger.

Tuesday

Black and mustard heart print ring (Primark), tricolour court shoes (Zara), rings (big heart – Forever 21, small D heart – Miss Selfridge, mustard – H&M, black bars – Primark), bracelets (mix of Topshop and New Look), Lancome lipstick in Hot stuff.

Wednesday

Black sheer shirt (Primark), black trousers (Zara), black peep-toe wedge booties (New Look), rings (skull – shop in Paris, gold knuckle – H&M, resin – Sobral, above the knuckle – Lovehearts and crosses), bracelet (New Look), earrings (News Look and ear cuff – Topshop), necklace (Primark), MAC lipstick in Odyssey.

Friday

Floral blouse (Primark), black pencil skirt (H&M), taupe gold captoe shoes (Viviana), rings (mustard H&M, star – Primark, gold knuckle – H&M, resin – Sobral, above the knuckle – Lovehearts and crosses, bars – Primark), necklace (Primark), Kiko lipstick (it was bought on their sale, has no number, or name, it is quite orange and matte, I put a little bit of Vaseline on top).

Have you started buying Autumn/Winter items yet? What trends are you going to be adopting?

Viviela shoes launch party

Stop press!!! Shoe alert, shoe alert!!! Recently, I attended the launch party for new shiny London shoe brand, called Viviela, fruit of the work of Brazilian artist Viviane Leal de Melo and Lithuania-born architect Ela Meneghetti Rocha.

Barnes, my favourite!

The chosen venue said a lot about their first line, the autumn/winter 12-13 collection: classy. Set in the Vertillon bar at Hotel Verta, next to the London Heliport in Battersea, the evening was a delightful combination of a few of my favourite things: shoes, bubbly and a river view terrace with lovely weather.

The shoes were beautiful, I would wear at least a good seven from the collection. All different designs are named after London neighbourhoods – quite a cute tribute to the brand home city. My favourite one is, without a doubt, Barnes (which is quite weird, as I lived in Barnes for quite a while) – the little “wings” it has at the back are just adorable.

Hand-made

In leather, of course, they are all hand-made in Spain. I touched all the shoes on display and you could feel the quality. I tried on the Barnes in brown and orange suede (absolutely gorgeous!) and they were very comfortable, I could really feel the cushioning inside, and there was no tightness. I even tried another pair that was a little bit small for me and they felt ok. The heel, although high, is not thin, and offers good support when walking.

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Most of the shoes in the collection are high-heel courts. The lines are simple and elegant and most shoes are sky-scrapers! Suede features quite a lot and black predominant, and overall, good neutral colours, suitable for all time wear in the coming season. However, splashes of colour are present and the attention is on the small details which usually run on the back of the shoes: a funky heel shape, colour contrast, visible stitching, different texture, studs or fringes.

The ankle and knee-high boots are fierce, with some of the latter having “boat” shaped toes. The black Ealing mid-calf and the Mayfair ankle boots have a fabulous bright pink detail at the back! The forest green Camden ankle boots have a beautiful shape and studs at the back. Lovely.

For me, Kensington, City, Bromley, Piccadilly and Westminster are more demure and a bit more serious, in lighter, natural tones, but are equally enchanting, especially City. They strike me as perfect work shoes that can transition through the evening social events without looking too “office”.

“We wanted to create a brand representing a style for ‘grown up’ confident women. For women who know what they want and who want to look and feel great. For women who keep an eye on the latest trends, but who refuse to compromise on comfort and quality”, said the designers. Well, from what I see, they have succeeded, with a well rounded A/W collection to fit into many different women’s styles.

The whole Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection – image from viviela.co.uk

At the time of the event, the prices weren’t advertised; I am really curious to find out the price range for this collection.

I wish the designers the best of luck on their new venture, and I will be keeping my eyes open for when they go on sale as I am afraid I have fallen for Barnes!

Viviela London

What I wore – 21/07/12

It really feels like every week, when I show you what I wore, I mainly moan about the weather. Well, I do. I cannot take anymore. All the tought and effort (and a bit of frenzy) that went inbto building a lovely summery wardrobe are totally in vain. Oh, well….

It feels like my tights are glued to my legs. My only attempt not to wear tights last week was aborted in the middle of the day; I didn~t wear them on Tuesday, but I brought them in my bag. By midday had to gie in… just not warm or dry enough.

It had been a while since I wore leopard print, so I decided to start my week in it; and I closed my week confronting the grey weather by going all colour with a bright pink playsuit.

And on Wednesday, I wore I dress I bought a few years back in New York; so pretty, inspired on the Prada collection at the time, it seems to keep giving!

Here are the details: