Shoe challenge #83: Neon

Old photos, again. A week or three ago I was lucky enough to catch one last day of (tentatively) sunny weather and I immediately whipped out these Not Rated peep toes, which, having light fabric uppers and it being well into September already, were in dire need of saving.

These are exactly the kind of shoes that I love. Elegant, in a totally-in-your-face kind of way. Without the neon, these would just be pretty (very pretty even), but with it, these are amazeballs. I implemented my usual tactics: if the shoes are too much, pile on more on top!

Obviously I also love the attention they get from people on the street. And I'm pretty sure these could save lives (well, mine at least) in traffic, seeing as they're so bright, it's impossible for drivers to miss me on my bicycle!

dress Folter (seen before) / cardigan Mango / watch Kipling / shoes Not Rated

T-Rex

A friend posted these on my Facebook wall, and I couldn't keep them all to myself, now could I? They must be the perfect start to the weekend! Sadly, there's not much known about these awesome T-Rex shoes, but if you know where to get them, please leave me a comment because I would rock the hell out of them!

Damsel

Sometimes you run into a pair of shoes that catch you by surprise. As did these Jeffrey Campbell Damsels. I didn't expect to like them, but I guess the chart print won me over in the end. And they remind me a lot of my Asos Ablaze boots. If you're rather keen on these however, you can get them here for $190, but only if you happen to be a US 6, as they're completely sold out in all other sizes

Pixelate

How awesome are these? That heel is insane! It doesn't hurt that they look more McQueen than Topshop either, even if the price tag (£90) is a little steep for high street standards. They are real leather though, and they'll surely earn you a few stares.

When Shoeperwoman Amber showed them last week in metallic pink, I wasn't very enthusiastic, but now that Topshop has launched a toned-down black version, I'm all aboard this train!

Leafs

Honestly, how could I not show you these McQueen peep toes before the weekend? These have a very bridal feel to them, being ivory satin and all, so they wouldn't get much use in my life, but if you're a bride-to-be with shoe size 40 and an excellent fashion sense, I'd suggest you run over to The Outnet and snag up a pair at 40% off.

Just look at that back detail! Totally worth €630, no? No? Uhm...

Quilted Lita

The strangest thing just happened: I figured this version of Jeffrey Campbell's infamous (you either love them or you hate them) looked sort of Louboutin-esque. I guess it's because that fierce toecap reminds me so much of Louboutin's Asteroid. I'm still not a fan of the Litas, but if you're going to wear them, at least make them crazy-ass. These are currently out of stock, so you will not be able to spend your $185 on them, but perhaps you can still find them elsewhere.

Shoe challenge #57: Do the peplum

I don't often jump on the bandwagon of trends (I think), but I was very curious to try out the peplum. I've been seeing it everywhere online (not (yet?) in the Belgian streets though) and I figured it might be flattering on my kind of curvy bod. And I know you just saw this red lace skirt recently, but I try to mix and match my clothes, and not wear them only one time on the blog. After all, this is real life blogging here yo! At least now you get a good peak of the intricate detail of the lace.

For some reason I'm always scared about wearing these. Maybe it's because I know that it would be so hard to replace them if they ever got "injured". Apparently they are going on eBay for as much as £130! I believe I only paid €80 or something for them, and they're the real deal, so I'm very careful not to ruin them in the rain or on uneven pavements. They're very ladylike, but also very vampy and vixen-y. For sure I felt like a million bucks today.

I did accidentally flash my belly button to some strangers while I rode my bicycle to the train station this morning though. The wind got a hold of the peplum, and whoopsiedaisy, there was my bare midriff for everyone to see! Oh well, it was worth it! I'm already thinking about buying another peplum top in a colour or a print.

PS: These photos were the first ones I took with my new tripod. Obviously it was still an experiment, but I can't wait until my remote control gets here, so I can really venture out.

Top and belt New Look / skirt Mango (seen here) / shoes Zara (last year's challenge)

Shoe challenge #53: Red lace and cherries

I thought of this outfit as my "grown-up" look. You see, my boyfriend always jokes that I dress too young for my age. Apparently, it's because I wear so many colourful things. Well, what does he know? I try to explain again and again, that just because a lot of people dress mainly in blacks, blues and greys and I prefer pinks and purples and yellows, it doesn't mean that I dress too young. I exactly don't consider myself "mutton dressed as lamb" just because I love bright clothes. I don't think you would find my typical style in the wardrobe of a 16-year old. They dress in a much more casual way. While part of my personal style is the tendency to be overdressed. I'm almost always in a dress and high heels. I'm almost always match my shoes to my belt and the rest of the outfit. That outfit just happens to be colourful most of the time. So whenever the boyfriend says stupid things like that (still love him though, obviously), I tell him that it's not that I dress too young, but that my look is just a bit more cheerful than what people are accustomed to.

That said, my "grown-up" look. I call it that mainly because the combination of a button-up with a pencil skirt makes me feel like a proper business lady. (not that I'm into business, mind you) It makes me feel professional. And then I have to ruin the credibility by pairing it with plastic cherry shoes and a leather motorcycle jacket. Because that's just me, that's what I do.

My cherry Lady Dragons must be one of my favourite pairs of shoes ever, not only because they are majorly pretty and smell nice, but because they were truly a steal. Thanks to what can only have been an error on the Asos site, I scored these for a mere € 45 or something. I saw the strange price drop in my wishlist at just the right moment, and I pounced on it. Only minutes later, the price was back to the way it was before, about five times as much as what I had just paid. Score!

Skirt Mango / shirt Zalando / shoes Vivienne Westwood x Melissa (last year's challenge)

Scalloped

I stumbled upon these shoes on someone's blog (sorry, can't remember where exactly), and I couldn't take my eyes off these stunning Oscar De La Renta numbers. I'm drooling over that luscious mustard colour and the scalloped edges, and they look so comfortable too! That bow kind of reminds me of pasta, which, sure, I'm obsessed about, so that's actually a good thing for a shoe.

 It's a whole lot more expensive than a plate of pasta though, €570 to be exact.

1071

Me, I'm seriously in love with my Blade peep toes from Casadei. And I wouldn't exactly say no to these babies either. I guess Casadei knows how to rock my world. Again they excell with the heel, be it an entirely different one.

Isn't that amazing? I'm not completely convinced about the general shape of the shoe itself, but the hollow wedge-like heel pulls me over the edge. Too bad these puppies still cost £279, even after a hefty discount. They won't appear on my shoe shelves any time soon, but they're still pretty to look at.

Cage

I adore the detail on these. The gold cage toe and the precious little bow give such an edgy yet sophisticated look to this plain black ballet flat, it truly elevates them. I love, I want!

Project 5

Finsk is one of those brands that I really really can't imagine wearing myself. Even when they try to do "normal", the shoe will still be unlike everything you've ever seen before. They're "out there" with their designs, and they'll charge you for it as well. Take the curiously named Project 5. Looks like a plain black boot (a quite pretty one, I might add) that's placed on top of an ornament of some sort. Now how in the hell would you walk in these? I usually love their ideas conceptually, but I can't imagine them selling enough shoes to keep afloat. Because seriously, who in the world would be spending $1000 on these?

Djaldos

At first glance I would've never guessed that these were Louboutin. Which they are. Which is one of the reasons why I love Louboutin so much as a designer. Even though he is most known for his elegant stiletto classics, he still knows how to surprise us from time to time as well. With a studded pointy ballerina shoe for example. Or this magnificent wedge.

First up, I really dig the structural shape of the wedge itself, with the narrowness of the heel that is almost like a stiletto, and the way it creates a little overhang under the ball of the foot. This wedge is edgy, and looks a even a little dangerous, in spite of the girly colour scheme.
Secondly, it's those colours that I love. The bright pink suede and the red metallic straps look like they shouldn't work together, but for some magical reason they do. If you want to be part of the magic, and I can't say that I blame you, you better hurry up, as these are only available in a couple of select sizes anymore.

Biggest. Haul. Ever.

Dorothy Perkins, New Look, Amazon... It seemed like they all had packages to get to me this week! Or maybe that's because I went a little shopping crazy. Because I also seem to have gone a little overboard in H&M a couple of days ago. So I thought I'd whip together a little haul post with all the new things that will soon be appearing in my shoe challenges.
First up, H&M. I was actually on my way to the cobbler's, who turned to be on his annual vacation, so I walked into H&M thinking I needed some new basics. Two black tank tops (which I wear all the time underneath all too revealing dresses, as they offer more "support" than a cami), a heart print tank, plus a black and a white plain T. The extras I ended up with: a pair of mint skinny jeans (I'm a slave to fashion!) and a chartreuse embellished shirt.

I had all three dresses in my browser favourites for a couple of weeks, when suddenly I noticed that all three were marked down. At the same time. You see how choosing was not an option. Especially not since they all came with little belts. Among which this pretty pink one. They're the same style as this one, so I'm sure I'll get tons of wear out of them. After they get a good ironing, that is.

Also: these pony hair leopard print ballet flats. Real leather and also reduced in price, so again no hesitation on my part. They do make my second pair of leopard print ballet flats, but I'm guessing the other ones, which are satin, won't last forever.

I also got a huge package from New Look, which included this amazing turquoise skirt from Red Label, a purple cardigan, a striped T (I just love the chiffon bow!), a striped sheer shirt and a black peplum top. With bonus belt!

I finally decided to get myself a black petticoat for my Hell Bunny dresses as well, but it is very wrinkled and will make its appearance soon the way it should be: underneath said dresses. I will show you la pièce de résistance though: my new polkadot peep toes from Not Rated. I'm loving the effect of the grey polka dots and the neon yellow platform and heel, as well as the embellishment on the toe, just as I did when I first laid eyes on them a couple of weeks ago. I figured I deserved them, since my order with Boohoo fell through. I was seriously bummed out by that, but that's a different story.

And now, the challenge of transforming all this stuff into outfits! En garde!

Ilene

Sometimes all you need is a really simple shoe, sophisticated and timeless, and not overly frilly or absurdly high. Enter these gorgeous Miss Sixty sandals.

I especially love that low cut vamp and the surprise detailing in the back. Sparkly!

These are currently 40% off, so grab a pair for €89.

Mayter

Just like Ted Baker's Keanah, these Mayter pumps excell because of their bows. Sure, the shape itself is lovely as well, but it's the folded bow that gives it its added value. Asos also has a red version in satin, but personally I'm quite taken by this silver glitter one. I know it's still a long time until the holidays (aka. the best excuse ever for glitter overload!), but it can't hurt being prepared, right? Sadly, this particular "preparation" would set you back €142, which is not within my own budget right now...

Lively

In the spirit of showing you some shoes that are not 4 inch or higher, but still cute: these very pretty cork wedges. Combined with the small platform, I'd say these are a nice and summery midheel alternative for those of you that don't go wild over stilettos.

Personally I love the blue and yellow combo, and even if I can't get a really good look, I suspect that lattice detail on the toe is beautiful. Get them here for $80.

Thumbelina

Love the name, hate the shoe. I'm crazy about fairytales, but these shoes are not the stuff dreams are made of. They are just plain bizarre. The cut-outs, the crooked heel, that weird flap at the back, it's too much! If you're going bezerk over these Heavy Machine sandals though, be prepared to part with a whopping £470.

One two three

This is what happens when I have a couple of days off from work: I arrive at my desk, only to be greeted by lots of packages. I can think of worse ways to start the day! I'll keep it short and sweet, and will let you enjoy the photos of my latest purchases. All sales, obviously.

First up: blue slingbacks (avec bow, of course) from Rocket Dog. They're a bit snug, even if I was convinced that my Rocket Dog booties are a size 4 as well, but they fit, so no problems there. The electric blue is stunning though.

Also: leopard courts from Blink. I had my doubts about these, as they're a bit too shiny up close, but they look fine when they're a bit further away. By which I mean, on my feet.

The grand finale: the biggest score ever. They are pure dynamite. Sheer perfection. I might just display them in my living room...

I just have to be careful that I don't accidentally drool on them. Now all that's missing is a pair of Loubs for them to make friends with!

Minx

At first glance, I was sure these would be Jeffrey Campbell. I was wrong though, as they are actually Dolce Vita, which I would probably never have guessed. Regardless of the brand, I think they're ace. The cutwork on the wooden wedge is unique, but not impractical, and the rest of the shoe isn't overworked. I love the simplicity of the nude suede uppers with the black piping (contrast always works so well on a shoe), and I'm pretty certain these would look marvellous with a floaty summer dress. I bet you would even feel like a... (wait for it) minx in these.