More new shoes

Still on the trail of a few new pairs of shoes for my wardrobe, I came across these in the Zara sale. I love the colour - so bright and perfect for the sunny weather. These are also super soft and comfortable on.

I also tried on a pair in a lovely pleated-finish nude leather which were sadly slightly too small. But coming home from a very quick visit to Dundrum with another new pair of shoes was still a good outcome.

New shoes

I've been living in Converse (one pair of charcoal high-tops and one pair of pink low-tops) for the last few months and much as I love them, I decided it was time to add some actual shoes into the mix. I came across this pair in Massimo Dutti and while it was the sparkly gold-ness of them that caught my eye, it was the buttery softness of the leather when I picked them up that made me fall in love.

I have incredibly delicate feet which blister and bleed at the slightest resistance provided by a shoe, but these slip on like kid gloves and are as light as a feather. The style is a bit different to what I usually wear, and Himself has wondered aloud whether I'm about to break into a solo tap routine from time to time, but I love them.

Massimo Dutti also has another beautiful pair in the softest mushroom suede. I thought the sparkly gold finish would be slightly more forgiving of the inevitable scuffs and scratches they'll develop over time, but I still find myself day-dreaming about the beautifully soft suede...

Camper A/W 09/10

I have become slightly obsessed with these lovely boots from Camper's new Autumn/Winter collection. In reality I'm not sure how well they'd suit all but the most gazelle-legged among us, but until I try them on and rule them out, I'll continue to dream.

Dreaming of summer - Next silver sandals

Yes, I realise it is freezing cold again outside, but in my head I'm planning for the fantastic summer which must be in store for us. And aren't these sandals just the thing for sunny summer days? Flat and practical, but pretty too, I particularly like the silver ones. I haven't set foot inside Next for years, but if this is indicative of what they're coming up with these days, it might be time to pay them a visit. Priced at £25 on the UK website, these will probably be marked up to around €40 here. Still not bad for 100% leather uppers and insoles.

An Early Valentine from Pretty Ballerinas

It's still a month away, so I apologise for invoking the V word already. I've never been that into the whole concept, but that might change if I was presented with these, rather than a cheesy Hallmark card and a bunch of over-priced roses:



Made of soft black suede and decorated with a handmade grosgrain heart in red, these beauties can be pre-ordered now from
Pretty Ballerinas for €169. Not cheap, no, but longer lasting than two dozen red roses...

Hot on the heels of the big brands

If you and your bank balance have been idly wondering what the It Bag for Autumn/Winter 08 might be, then wonder no more, for the It Bag, it IS. NO. MORE. But fashion being fashion, this doesn't mean we can put our credit cards on ice. Oh no. The It Bag, she has been replaced by The Statement Shoe.

What to do if your cashflow is more M&S than Manolo (soon to be opening a concession at Brown Thomas!)? Well, don't automatically jump to thinking "granny shoes", but Clarks is the place to be this season...

Just take a look at some of these beauties up above? When Balenciaga brought out their very architectural wedges last year, little did we think this was a trend that would make it to the high street. But there they are, and in Clarks of all places. And if those wedges are a little bit too much statement for your liking, check out the red patent peep-toes or the black patent courts - the pretty almond-shaped toe and solid heel make these a practical as well as pretty choice.

Most styles are priced at €100 or below, so if you want to add to your shoe wardrobe without making your bank manager cry, Clarks might be the choice for you (but not if I get to those heeled patent Oxfords first...).

Pretty Ballerinas Cherry Patent Rosario

It was a difficult decision to make, but I finally settled on the cherry patent Rosario from Pretty Ballerinas. The colour is so pretty and will be perfect for Summer. I ordered these at the weekend, so I'm dying for the pretty pink shoebox to be delivered!

Pretty Ballerinas can be ordered online and are also available from Arnotts and Seagreen in Ireland.

Camper Spring-Summer 08

I wandered into Camper yesterday and fell in love with half of their Spring Summer collection on the spot. But these shiny red ballet flats have stuck in my mind and I suspect I'll be going back to try them on soon. Pretty and practical shoes are my downfall, and with their glossy finish, rounded toe and practical rubber sole, these hit the mark on all counts.

Check out the Camper website to see more of their fun Spring-Summer collection.

Pretty Ballerinas Summer 2008

It may still look like winter outside, but March is only around the corner and thoughts of new Spring/Summer fashion are on my mind. Perfect timing, then, for the launch of the Pretty Ballerinas Summer 2008 collection! The collection includes a rainbow of bright, summery colours and various finishes, from shiny patent to edgy snake-print, with prices ranging from 99 Euros for this stripy fabric finish pair to 169 Euros for this white patent pair with silver buckle.

I have my eye on the super-summery yellow patent pair above, but am hard-pressed to choose between those and the turquoise and green colours in the same style. Maybe I'll just order all three and take advantage of the refunded postage costs for customers who order three pairs or more before the end of the month...

Pretty Ballerinas shoes can be ordered through their website and are also available from Arnotts in Dublin.

Pretty Ballerinas Autumn Collection

They may be based in sunny Spain, but that hasn't stopped Pretty Ballerinas from noticing the sad excuse for a summer that their more northerly-based customers are experiencing. And so they have decided to launch their Autumn shoe collection early! Admittedly, ballet flats wouldn't be the best choice of footwear in a flood, but if the lack of sunshine has you feeling down, the purple satin pumps with ribbon ties (pictured above) will certainly put a smile on your face! And if you're an optimist and refuse to believe that the current weather is here to stay, then how about these cheery sailor stripes, or these funky zebra-patterned pairs.

I am the proud owner of one pair of Pretty Ballerinas already (the Isabella style in metallic champagne leather, which is not currently available), and can highly recommend both the shoes and the speedy delivery service. Delivery is €10 to Europe and €20 to the rest of the world. I will definitely be adding to my collection in the near future...