Never Enough Shoes

Shoe Of The Day: Spiky Lita by Jeffrey Campbell

2012-01-25T10:00:00.000Z

The Hairy Drummer is off on tour in March with his band to support The Answer and The Union. Naturally, I'll have to go along to at least one of the gigs to show support. And quite clearly, I need to be wearing these bad boys from Jeffrey Campbell with the skinniest jeans I own. Silly haired metalarian nonsense requires back-combing and leather and spikes and leopard print. A walking cliché? You bet your life it is but frankly, when walking in boots this awesome, clichéd never looked so good.

Lita spiked platform boots, £145 by Jeffrey Campbell at Office

Shoe Of The Day: Primerose by Georgia Rose

2012-01-24T10:00:00.001Z

I know it's still January but I've found my dream Spring/Summer shoe. Crazy? No. There is no harm in planning ahead when it comes to future footwear especially as I start most of my outfit choices from the shoe up. And when they're as gloriously springy as this, why wouldn't I be dreaming of these adorning my feet?

Sorbet shades are going to be all over the place when the weather starts to warm up and I want these Georgia Rose shoes to be on my feet when they do. They're perfect for introducing a little pep of colour and will go with pretty much every trouser shape out there as well as looking library chic cute with a knee length full or A line skirt. I'm picturing some French Riviera chic with lots of pistachio gelato. The gentle sea breeze in your hair and some witty repartee with a handsome debonair suitor. Delicious.

Need them as much as I do? They're £126.65 at Sarenza.

(This post would've been written regardless but has been submitted as part of Sarenza's Shoe Ambassador competition - details here. Wish me luck!)

Golden Globes WIN! Claire Danes

2012-01-16T14:45:00.000Z

So not only did Claire Danes win an actual award, she was also, as far as I'm concerned, the best dressed. Her monochrome J. Mendel dress may seem a bit 'So what?' at first glance but look at the back.

Pretty, n'est-ce pas? She looked comfortable but stylish and effortless and that is always, always a win.

Golden Globes FAIL! Andrea Riseborough

2012-01-16T14:11:00.000Z

Poor Andrea Riseborough. Madonna wouldn't let her out of her talons the whole night. And she looked like an 18th century doily thanks to Vivienne Westwood. Points for hair and lipstick though.

Madonna? Reem Acra, too tight across the bust, still pretending to be British but also rather funny and disarmingly charming.

Golden Globes WIN! FAIL! I Can't Decide! Dianna Agron

2012-01-16T13:45:00.000Z

Oh dear reader, I am so conflicted over this dress. On the one hand I love the colour and the detail but on the other I can't help but be reminded of those shiny Christmas garland decorations. By Giles Deacon, it manages to look classic and modern which certainly works in its favour and is perfect for Agron. She has a very classic Old Hollywood beauty but that shouldn't be matched with stuffy clothes.

I think the more I look at it, the more I like it. Maybe. Who knows?

Golden Globes FAIL! Prada

2012-01-16T13:14:00.000Z

Yep, a whole designer fail. Whilst other designers played it safe so we could spot them a mile off (hello Marchesa and Reem Accra), Prada were trying to do something different and.... well it didn't quite work. Look at teeny tiny Frieda Pinto.

And look at how enormous her dress makes her. On the plus side, the colour is amazing and the fabric is different and interesting. It just looks badly made and unfinished. Kinda like when you were a kid and wrapped a sheet round you to make a dress and you ended up with bunches of material all over the place.

Also wearing Prada, the lovely Zooey Deschanel.

This dress was custom made for her apparently so why doesn't it fit properly? I'm not sold on the bodice either. Neon green? Really? We're going there? Overall it just didn't suit her and that's not a good thing. At least this picture doesn't show off quite how bad her wig was though.

Maybe Prada are just saving the best stuff for the Oscars. They must be. Please?

Golden Globes WIN! Evan Rachel Wood

2012-01-16T12:45:00.000Z

This is one of my two top dresses of the night. Feathers! Sequins! Drama! Appropriate hair and make-up! The dress is by Gucci and was definitely different from the meh of blush and nude. So much so, it made me do an actual out loud 'Wow!'.

It also works because Wood knows how to stand properly. Seriously, never underestimate good posture.

Golden Globes FAIL! Lea Michele

2012-01-16T12:00:00.000Z

You know how Rachel Barry is one of the most annoying TV characters ever created? I have the feeling that Lea Michele isn't that much different from her and her red carpet appearances never do anything to convince me otherwise. Like showing up in this Marchesa dress and having hair and make-up to make you look 25 years older than you actually are. If it only had the see through bits on the sleeves, I might've been more forgiving. But it doesn't so I'm not.

Golden Globes SWINTON! SWINTON!

2012-01-16T11:45:00.000Z

SWINTON! Loving the top half but left wishing she'd gone for a cigarette trouser for the bottom half. But just look how FIEEERRRRRRCCCCCE her face is. And that is why this is made of win.

Golden Globes FAIL! Piper Perabo

2012-01-16T11:30:00.000Z

Yes, you are looking at this. This dress is apparently a thing. A thing by Olivier Theyskens. Yeah, I don't know either. Piper wasn't sure either as she was pulling all sorts of cracked out faces to try and make it seem like a jolly time for all. I mean, it's kind of a nothing colour AND see through AND huge but tight at the same time. What can it all mean????

Golden Globes WIN! Sarah Michelle Gellar

2012-01-16T11:00:00.000Z

I know what you're thinking and you're wrong. I'd only had two glasses of wine before deciding that I loved this Monique Lhuillier dress. Ok so I'm not too sure about the pouffy bit at the waist but overall this just works. I like the swirliness of the pattern and I like that SMG looks so damn pleased. I did not like how she claimed her toddler picked it out for her so much. Leave the cutesy stories at home - we know you have a stylist for these things.

Golden Globes WIN! Jesse Tyler Ferguson

2012-01-16T10:30:00.000Z

It's hard for the boys at these award shows. There's not a lot that you can do with a tux. Top marks then to Jesse for rolling up with this three piece velvet number. The wide lapel is a nice retro touch compared to the streamlined looks that have dominated mens suits for the past few years.

Golden Globes WIN! Nicole Richie

2012-01-16T10:15:00.000Z

Remember when Nicole Richie used to hang out with Skank Hilton and had nasty roots? She looked like this? Thankfully, that is far behind her and she rarely looks anything but chic. And here she manages to remind us that Julien Macdonald can actually make nice clothes. A win all round. Thumbs up as well for ace face and hair.

Golden Globes FAIL! Amanda Peet

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000Z

I can't even..... Insert joke of your choice concerning net curtains/table cloths/70s toilet roll covers.

Golden Globes SNORE! Angelina Jolie

2012-01-16T09:45:00.000Z

When I was watching the red carpet coverage, I tweeted that I wish Angelina wouldn't try so hard to be Angelina. We get it. You're a statuesque beauty with great bone structure. You make babies with Brad Pitt. You want to save the world. You only wear neutral colours. Blah blah blah.

The only positive thing I can say about this is that there's a smidge of colour in there which makes a change for her but otherwise it's so predictable, I could've designed it myself. I didn't though, it's Atelier Versace in case you're still awake to care.

Golden Globes WIN! Sofia Vergara

2012-01-16T09:30:00.000Z

I was initially unsure about this Vera Wang dress on Sofia Vergara. She looks amazing up to the fishtail and then that's when I wasn't sure. Then I kept looking at it and I can't help but love it. I think it helps that it's Sofia wearing it - I have a total girl crush on her. The colour is a breath of fresh air considering all the blah blah blush and nudes that wafted down the red carpet. Yes, the shape for her is a bit predictable but it fits perfectly and that can never be ignored.

NES Talks About Shoes!

2011-10-27T16:36:00.001+01:00

Not a surprising thing I know but the lovely people at Javari asked if I'd mind chatting to them about some of my favourite shoes. Well not at all! You can see what I had to say here:

And if you want to see what other shoe lovers they spoke to had to say, check their videos out here!

Shoe Of The Day: Patent Block Heels by New Look

2011-09-14T12:30:00.000+01:00

Well aren't these a lovely thing to behold? I think they manage to feature nearly everything I love in a shoe - shiny patent, block heel, T-bar strap AND a bow - but stay the right side of Too Much. They are crying out to be worn with very thick mustard tights and chunky knitwear and then maybe taken dancing with a dapper gent.

They're £29.99 from New Look - stock's a bit low online so keep an eye out in your local store for them as well.

NES Picks.... 5 Winter Coats

2011-08-24T12:49:00.000+01:00

As soon as I get the September Issues, I immediately start dreaming about layers of knitwear and tights and snuggly socks and scarves and coats and the sheer joy that is Autumn/Winter fashion. Seriously, A/W beats S/S down like a mofo.

One of the biggest purchases you'll make is the winter coat. Choose wisely and it can last you for a good few years, especially if you clean and store it properly in between seasons. These are the ones currently catching my eye and testing my self-control.

Navy Contrast Princess Coat, £85 by Miss Selfridge

This coat is pretty and practical. It has a touch of the 'back to school' about it which is preppily cute. A princess shape is a constant when it comes to winter coats purely for the fact they are feminine and flattering. I think the trim and colour combination toughens it up a bit.

Leatherette Trim Coat, £95 at Warehouse

If you like the contrast trim look but think the Miss Selfridge coat is too prissy, maybe this sleek grey number from Warehouse will tempt you. I love the simplicity of it. It means business.

Carolina Checked Fur Cape, £69 by Louche at Joy

Maybe you want something a bit more casual, in which case this cape from Joy will do the job. It satisfies my need to still have Angela Chase as my style hero [which I am far too old for but never mind] and it looks super cosy. It'd be ace for long walks on the beach or a short walk to a pub.

Minimalist Gold Button Coat, £100 at ASOS

Let's not forget the awesomeness that a pop of colour can provide on a bleak winter's day. I'm totally in love with the colour of this coat from ASOS. The simple, clean shape means that it's not too much and imagine how fab different coloured accessories would look with it. It comes in red too but that's a bit too 'military chic' for my liking.

70s Belted Camel Wool Mac, £95 at Oasis

A camel trench coat is timeless. This is why you see them year after year. This one from Oasis will look perfect with all the 70s inspired wide legged trousers that are around. It's a good investment piece.

Seen any other coats you like? Let me know!

Shoeper Shoe Challenge Save #2!

2011-08-23T10:48:00.000+01:00

Oh lordy. I am SO rubbish at remembering to take photos of my outfits for Shoeperwoman's Shoeper Shoe Challenge. I'm either going to be getting rid of a lot of shoes or you'll suddenly have a glut of posts like this as I try to save as many as I can.

Anyway, I remembered to get a photo for my beloved Miss Selfridge purple bow peeptoes. Et voila:

The occasion was my very fabulous friend Vicky's 30th birthday party on 6th August which involved eating more meat than was humanly possible before dancing the night away to a selection of random 80s tunes.

The top's from Topshop and the skirt's from Zara. It's my absolute favourite going out outfit at the moment. How about a close up of the shoes though?

Yes they hurt a bit by the end of the night but they are totally worth it!

Shoe Of The Day: Glee by Topshop

2011-07-27T10:00:00.000+01:00

I'm a little bit obsessed with colour at the moment. These suede courts from Topshop are nothing if not colourful and so, with a little predictability, I have fallen in love with them.

Pink and orange is an ace colour combination and one you shouldn't be scared of. The easiest way to wear these would be with some black skinny jeans and a contrasting top - maybe bright blue or green. Or how about adding them to a totally colour blocked outfit if you're feeling daring?

Like them? They're only £46 which is a bargain for Topshop.

Glee suede court, £46 at Topshop

Shoe Of The Day: Apple Pie by Poetic Licence

2011-07-26T09:30:00.000+01:00

Although I'm getting excited about Autumn [I know we've barely had Summer but Autumn/Winter fashion is so much better and you know it], I love, love, love these Apple Pie Mary Janes from Poetic Licence. They live up to their name in that they are completely wholesome but very tasty indeed. Perfect for skipping. Or coyly flirting with nerdy boys. Who doesn't love that and want the right shoe for it?

Got a nerdy boy to flirt with? Get yourself over to Poetic Licence and buy them. They're only £39.99.

Sale Shoe Of The Day: Windy Wedge by Office

2011-06-21T12:06:00.000+01:00

I know it's mid-summer and the weather isn't exactly holding up its end of the bargain but that shouldn't stop you from indulging in some summery shoes. Like these:

I wrote about why wedges are the shoe for the summer for Style It Light and these platform wedges from Office are the perfect example of why. Not so high that you'd get vertigo or risk damaged ankles and the perfect summery blue make them very lovely indeed. Imagine the nail polish colours that would go with them - corals, pinks, sorbet goodness! They're also now only £22.50 reduced from £45.

Right, I'm off to the shops...

Windy wedge, £22.50 reduced from £45, by Office

Sale Shoe Of The Day: Bethany by Carvela

2011-06-20T10:30:00.001+01:00

A golden rule of sales shopping is to ask two questions before buying. The first question is "Do I need this?" as in an actual need rather than a needy want. And the second question is "Would I have paid full price for it?". I find the second question negotiable. There can be things I see that I need and want but would baulk at paying the full price for, mainly because I don't have much money. And surely if you would've bought it at full price AND you needed it then you'd have, y'know, bought it already.

Anyway, the point to all of that is sometimes you can buy things because you need them but you wouldn't have paid full price for them because you didn't have the money. Or you didn't think they were worth the money. Like I'd buy these sleekly stylish slingbacks by Carvela.

They were originally £95 but have been reduced to £32. £32 is much more affordable. I'd be tempted to buy them in this pretty coral colour too.

Though for some unknown reason they're now £35. Still you could buy both and they'd still cost less than one pair at the original price and that is why sales shopping should sometimes break the rules.

Bethany slingback by Carvela from Asos, reduced from £95 and £32 for the black and £35 for the coral

Shoe Of The Day: Sculpted wedges by Alexander McQueen

2011-05-18T10:34:00.000+01:00

When I first saw these, it was love at first sight but I can well appreciate that they will be a love or hate thing. There can be no half measures with these shoes. Mainly because they are so fabulously over the top. Look.

Embodiment of a statement shoe, no? Check them out from the back.

Love, love, love.

Of course, they're waaaaaaaay out of my price league but if you have a spare £2095 then they can be yours.

Sculpted wedges, £2095 by Alexander McQueen at Net-A-Porter

Shoe Of The Day: Deus by Dune

2011-05-17T10:22:00.000+01:00

I went to a charity fashion show last night [my inner Miss J was DYING] and these caught my eye. Mainly because they're very twinkly. I like twinkly.

Despite the fact they are my Shoe Of The Day, I'm not entirely sure I'd buy them except to look at them and maybe twirl around my bedroom. But they're pretty. And twinkly, did I mention the twinkly? *sigh* I'm probably going to end up buying them...

Deus twinkly wedges, £79.20 down from £99 at Dune

Blooming Lovely: Meadow Dress by Monsoon

2011-04-08T12:49:00.000+01:00

I spotted this in the window of Monsoon the other day and immediately wanted to be wearing it, wafting through some sunlit promenade on my way to quaff gin and Pimms'.

True, it is £95 but it's the kind of dress that can be brought out of the wardrobe summer after summer and can be worn everyday or for weddings, christenings, whatever. Think about it in terms of Cost Per Wear... I think it'll work out pretty cheap in the long run.

Meadow Dress £95 from Monsoon.

Shoe Of The Day: Galenka by Kurt Geiger

2011-04-04T11:14:00.000+01:00

I've decided that I really need to vary the colours and textures that currently reside in my wardrobe. Thankfully, there's a lot of colour around at the moment. I saw this skirt in Zara the other week and completely fell in love with it. Trust me, it looks better in the flesh.

But what to wear with it? Why, these, of course.

While the skirt has a bit of a 60s feel to it, these platforms from Kurt Geiger would add a 70s twist which is apparently very a la mode right now. I just love the colours and the chunkiness.

Unfortunately, they're not cheap though at £180 but they serve as a good inspiration point for now!

Galenka, £180 by Kurt Geiger

Sale Watch: 20% Off Shoes at Dorothy Perkins

2011-03-21T11:29:00.000Z

As a Monday pick me up, why not treat yourself to a pair of shoes from Dorothy Perkins. There's 20% off until midnight tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd March).

I'd buy these. They're £35 full price which'd mean only £28 with the discount:

Go, look and happy shopping!

Shoe Of The Day: Dvea by Versace

2011-03-18T11:00:00.000Z

I have nothing but unconditional love for these.

On the face of it, they're the classiest stripper shoe you will ever see. But look closer. See the colours? Perfect summery sorbet. And the actual structure? Look.

It's like a feat of structural engineering.

There's nowhere you could wear them expect on your yacht moored on the French Riviera for the summer before hopping over to Miami for some end of summer partying. That's EXACTLY what I'm doing this summer.*

If you fancy doing that too, then they'll set you back £675 from Net-A-Porter

* It's exactly what I'm NOT doing this summer. Don't think you could wear them camping in Devon. More's the pity...

Shoe Of The Day: Rendezvous by Office

2011-03-16T11:56:00.000Z

Well aren't these lovely? Sometimes you want a flat shoe that isn't a brogue but isn't all over plain either but you also want it to be classic and stylish. Which is where these would come in.

What would I wear them with? Definitely this skirt from Asos:

but maybe with a navy top of some sort.

Rendezvous flat, £45 from Office

Shoe Of The Day: Eve by Kate Kanzier

2011-03-07T11:35:00.000Z

These are so cute, I can barely stand it. I love the colour combination, the shape and the dinky but substantial heel. They fit nicely into that Librarian Chic thing I've been coveting.

They come in different colours too so if you're not particularly keen on this, there's bound to be one you like. And only £35. Bargain.

Eve heel, £35 at Kate Kanzier

30% Off Shoes At Asos

2011-03-07T10:49:00.000Z

Good news for a sunny Monday! Asos have got 30% off selected shoes at the moment!

There's a good range of styles and prices so there should be something there that you like and can afford, including the Picasso heels that were a former Shoe Of The Day (now £31.50 down from £45). I've also got my eye on these:

They're a bit pricier at £66.50 (down from £95) but I like them. Lots.

So, if you can afford it, go! Go buy shoes!

Shoeper Shoe Challenge #1 - Asos Heels

2011-02-28T14:30:00.000Z

Saturday was a momentous occasion - The Hairy Drummer and I went out together for the first time since The Hairy Baby was born. True, it was literally only round the corner to a friend's house for a bit of a birthday party and a Just Dance-off but out is out. I took the opportunity to kick off my Shoeper Shoe Challenge and saved my first pair - these heels from Asos.

I got them last year in the sale and had never worn them. At the time when I bought them, I think I had a crazy pregnant lady bout of just needing to buy SOMETHING that I liked and looked a bit glamorous. I wore them like this.

Ignore the cheesy smile, I was a leeetle bit tipsy....

This is one of my favourite outfits at the moment because it's effortless but looks casually glam. The top is from Topshop, again in the sale. I'd had my eye on it from when it first came out though I could never justify the full price tag. When I hunted it down during the sales, they only had a size 16 left but it's the kind of top where bigger is better I think. The vest top underneath is from Primarni and the super skinny jeans are from New Look.

Oscars 2011: CRAZY WIN! Sharon Stone

2011-02-28T11:17:00.000Z

I was disappointed with Helena Bonham Carter. She told us she was going to look a hot mess and she didn't. It was like the Baftas. It made me yearn for her mismatched shoes from the Golden Globes which seems so long ago now. I was mourning the lack of crazy.

Then Sharon Stone turned up. POW!

Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

I don't even know why she was there (is she a member of the Academy?) but boy, am I glad she was. Her hair was BOUFFANT. Her dress was tight then tied together and FEATHERY. The buttons down the side looked like a really bad seam.

And she STARED. In a FIERCE way.

Amazing.

Oscars 2011: WIN! Melissa Leo

2011-02-28T11:01:00.000Z

To tell the truth I couldn't tell you an awful lot about Melissa Leo other than I know she ran her own 'For your consideration' campaign which I admire. She made it damn clear she wanted to win without simpering and hiding behind "Oh but I won't win because I'm in such ah-may-zing company" whilst secretly hoping all those bitches come down with a 24 hour bug so they can't be there and then you'd have to win because no one likes someone collecting an award on someone's behalf. And she swore in her acceptance speech which apparently NEVER happens which is surprising in itself. Or maybe I'm more potty mouthed than Oscar nominated actors.

Anyway, her dress.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Although it's by Marc Bouwer, it looks like Melissa made it herself at some arts and crafts day. I like it. The gold underlay is subliminal, all "Hey Academy dudes! You KNOW I want to win and I AM golden like an actual award. AWARD ME!". And I like her shoes - they are certainly not made from a doily.

Oscars 2011: FAIL! Anne Hathaway

2011-02-28T10:45:00.000Z

John Shearer/Getty Images

Why is she always in red? Why is it always Valentino? Why is it always a dress that would've been amazing except for the random bouffy bits? Why won't she do anything different??

Oscars 2011: WIN(ish)! Cate Blanchett

2011-02-28T10:28:00.000Z

I'm erring on the side of WIN! for Cate Blanchett in Givenchy here but it's a close call.

Matt Sayles/AP

I thought the dress was white when I first saw it but it is in fact lilac. The detail at the hips is, unlike Nicole Kidman's, flattering although I'm not sure that Cate Blanchett needs to frame her boobs. And the shoulder cape type thing going on is.... I just don't know. But if anyone can carry it off, it's her, right?

Oscars 2011: FAIL! Scarlett Johansson

2011-02-28T10:12:00.000Z

I'm afraid there's nothing about this that I like. NOTHING.

Matt Sayles/AP

The hair? Looks unwashed and undone. The make up? Way to make it look like you've not had any sleep for a week. The dress? Dolce and Gabbana raiding the bedspread cupboard of an old lady.

Oscars 2011: FAIL! Nicole Kidman

2011-02-28T10:10:00.000Z

Matt Sayles/AP

Let's start with the positives. Her shoes are a pretty colour. And her hair is back to being red which suits her much better than blonde. And her necklace is nice.

That's it. Because we can't but help look at the dress and wonder what went wrong. On paper it seems perfect - Christian Dior, Nicole Kidman, the Oscars. But it doesn't. It's too long in a bad way and the weird sticky out bit at the waist looks unnecessary. It looks a bit like a table cloth that was hastily stapled together in some kind of Changing Rooms nightmare. Wait, did Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen dress her? Is that what the problem is here?

Oscars 2011: WIN! Natalie Portman

2011-02-28T09:49:00.000Z

Ok, so it's no secret I totally love Natalie Portman anyway but seriously, just look at her!

Matt Sayles/AP

She stuck to Rodarte for the dress which has left many people struggling to say nice things apart from "Well, she has a lovely pregnancy glow". Look, she's quite pregnant. Frankly it's almost impossible to wear anything that doesn't make you feel like some kind of ginormo freak so what if it isn't as edgy as some of their other designs? She looks comfortable but glamorous which is exactly the kind of look you want when you stagger up to collect an award.

Shoe Of The Day: Keanah by Ted Baker

2011-02-22T11:15:00.005Z

I love these. I've had my eye on them for a while in the pale/dark pink colour but it's the grey and yellow that really tugs at my heartstrings. They're cute but sassy, fashionable but classic. Yes, they're £80 but that'd be £80 well spent in my opinion.

Especially if you wore them with this dress from Awear.

'Keanah' by Ted Baker, £80 at Asos

Quick! 15% Off Dresses At Dorothy Perkins 3pm-10pm

2011-02-15T15:04:00.000Z

Ok so buying a dress or two isn't in the spirit of Frugal February but if you want to buy something, dorothyperkins.com have 15% off all dresses today only from 3pm until 10pm.

I'd buy this one....

NES Takes The Challenge: The Shoeper Shoe Challenge!

2011-02-14T10:00:00.000Z

So I've already locked my bank card away in the name of Frugal February. It's going well, I haven't bought anything unnecessary. Mainly because I really don't have any money to spare at the moment.

I wanted something else to keep me occupied though so I signed up to Amber The Shoeperwoman's Shoeper Shoe Challenge. You can read the full set of rules here to see what I'm letting myself in for. Basically, from today until this time next year, I have to try and wear every single pair of shoes I currently own plus any others that I buy. At the end of the year, any shoes I haven't worn must be got rid of.

Sounds easy right?

These are my shoes. Well, some of them at least - I think I've got about 29 pairs altogether:

Shoes, shoes, pretty pretty shoes.

There's shoes in there that I have never worn. Ever. And I've had them for a while. There's also shoes I've had for years and not worn for years. It's a good way of shaking up my wardrobe. I'll admit that for convenience, jeans and a tee with some Cons slung on has kind of become my Mummy uniform. But that's boring. It doesn't give me much chance to wear any of my other very lovely clothes and shoes. I'm looking forward to it.

Swallow Coin Purse by New Look

2011-02-07T10:30:00.000Z

How cute is this?

As part of Frugal February, I'm trying to only use cash if I have to buy stuff. It's a good way of keeping track of exactly what you're spending but you do end up with a lot of pennies. This coin purse from New Look is one of the cutest ways to store them.

And it's only £3.99. But wait until March to buy it...

Frugal February

2011-02-01T10:02:00.000Z

As it's the first of a new month today, all my bills have gone out of my account. What's left made me cry. The knock on effect of Christmas and the long, long month of January doesn't seem to stop. Which is why February is now Frugal February.

The fabulous Gemma from Big Girls Browse came up with the idea to avoid all unnecessary spending during February. As she quite rightly points out, we're all guilty of buying those little things to make us feel better - a new lipstick, a magazine, a coffee on the way to work - but those little things add up. And we're also all guilty of having clothes that we never or hardly wear yet still buy more.

So, why not join in? Say no to all the unnecessary spending! Think about what you're going to do with the money you save! Allow yourself to indulge in a bit of smugness at your willpower!

You can read all the rules (not that they're very strict!) and see who else is taking part here

Shoe Of The Day: Crochet Panel Boot by Matalan

2011-01-27T11:15:00.001Z

I'll admit that sometimes I forget about Matalan. Mainly because my local one is just that tiny bit out of the way and when I do bother to go, it's always a mess. Then I remember they do online shopping and so I won't miss out on hidden gems like these boots.

The fake work boot thing has been done to death a bit and their ubiquity is almost as bad as fake Uggs. But they are, well, useful. They go with everything and that shouldn't stop just because the weather's supposed to get nicer at some point. The crochet panel on these means that they make a viable alternative to sandals or other warmer weather footwear.

And they're only £15 reduced from £20. See, even at full price, they're still a bargain.

Crochet Panel Boot, £15 from Matalan

Shoe Of The Day: Picasso Block Heels by Asos

2011-01-25T14:00:00.000Z

I decided recently there's not enough librarian chic in my wardrobe. These shoes from Asos would be the perfect starting point, don't you think? I'm a big fan of block heels - they're so much comfier and easier to walk in than stilettos and the platform sole helps even further.

The mock croc pattern adds a bit of interest as opposed to a plain brown. I'm picturing them with this kind of outfit

Cardigain - The Outnet, Skirt - Topshop, Socks - Ruche

Lovely.

Picasso heels, £45 from Asos

What The Fug? Wilderness Ankle Boot by KG by Kurt Geiger

2011-01-25T11:15:00.002Z

I don't even know what to tell you.

You know I love leopard print perhaps more than I should but this? This is Too Much. Never mind the pattern clash, what's with the tassle nonsense? And the chunky sole? And the ruching? And the price tag?

The price tag? Yeah. These will set you back.... £140. I need a cup of tea to recover from the shock.

Shoe Of The Day: Furry Ankle Boot by River Island

2011-01-17T11:00:00.002Z

Although I'm still unsure about the majority of River Island's clothing output, I am impressed by their shoes and handbags. Like these faux fur lined ankle boots.

They look snuggly but delicate at the same time - like the best of an Ugg and an ankle boot. I'm picturing them with chunky tights and socks and a pretty dress or peeking from under a maxi skirt.

Fur lined ankle boot, £44.99 from River Island

Shoe Of The Day: Sindy Suede Platforms by Topshop

2011-01-14T10:30:00.000Z

These are going to be the first of many suede shoes that I'll show you this year - there's lots of it about. These are the first ones though to make me overlook the impracticalities of the material and instead think about how I can save up my pennies to buy them.

Topshop have, in my opinion, turned themselves round since last year and these lovely peep toe platforms are one bit of proof. They have it all - platform, peep toe and a huge bow. Plus the colour is lovely even if Topshop do describe them as grey, they look more nudey blush pink in the picture. If you want them, they're £75 from Topshop.

Fancy A Trip To The Oscars? Design A Dress For Charity And You Could Go!

2011-01-13T10:00:00.001Z

Ah, The Oscars. We know they're supposed to be about films and stuff but let's face it, all anyone cares about are the dresses. And James Franco being the host. Wouldn't you like to go? Well if you've got a creative bent then you could enter a competition to design a dress and get the chance to see it on a red carpet.

Red Carpet Green Dress is your chance to design a dress made from eco-friendly materials and support education for disadvantaged children.

The main things you need to know are:

The Red Carpet Green Dress Contest is an international fundraising competition. This aid provides many children from under-privileged situations an opportunity to receive an education, which might otherwise not be possible. Because it is a fundraising competition, there is a $75 (about £48) entry fee.

The closing date is 2nd February 2011. You need to be able to make the dress (or have it made) by 21st February 2011. (If you win, you get $2000 towards the cost of making the dress).

You get to choose your model so you can design for your mum or your best friend or Great Aunty Dot, whoever you want!

If you win, you and your model will get flown to Los Angeles on 21st February from wherever you are IN THE WORLD for 4 days and in this time get to meet the judge who picked your design Suzy Amis, who helped to found the MUSE school program and her husband, Actual Oscar Winning Director James Cameron.

Although you don't get to go to the Actual Oscars, you do get to go to the Global Green Pre Oscar Party and walk the red carpet with your model as the guests of Suzy Amis and James Cameron. That is pretty exciting. Don't forget to practice your walk though.

So, what are you waiting for? Get designing! Oh and let me know if you win!

Full T&C's are here. You can read further information on the MUSE Schools project here.

Sales Roundup: Shudoo

2011-01-07T11:25:00.001Z

Shudoo have still got quite a large sale going on at the moment. The shoes that appealed to me most though are these ones that fit into the librarian chic thing I'm quite taken with at the moment (mainly because it's cold and heavy tweed skirts look fabulous with chunky tights, boots and cardigans - toasty!). The Miss L Fire and Red Hot shoes fit perfectly into this look.

The exception is the Annie by Shudoo. I couldn't not bring this to your attention as £25 is a bargain for a shoe that will be a goto when nothing else will go. It also comes in nude which is equally as useful.

Miss L Fire Truman shoe - £32.70 down from £69.95

Shudoo Annie peeptoe - £25 down from £65

Red Hot Lucy - £12-16 down from £40

Sales Roundup: Schuh

2011-01-07T10:30:00.001Z

It's a flats special from Schuh's sale. Mainly because I didn't especially like any of the heels that they had on offer - there was a lot of oddly shaped heels happening, none of which were just right. Anyway, there's nowt wrong with flats is there?

Floral Cameo Brooch - £14.95 down from £24.99

These are very pretty and very Spring/Summery. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing wrong with using winter sales to add bits to your summer wardrobe. Money off is A Good Thing. These would be perfect with full circle skirts.

Keira strappy sandals - £14.95 down from £39.99

I'll be the first to admit that on first glance, there's nothing exceptional about these sandals but look at them. They'll go with everything you wear as soon as the sun comes out and the temperature goes above 18 degrees.

Shilo knot - £16.95 down from £29.99

My love for red shoes is no secret and these are just too cute not to want. Shiny, velvety, lovely!

Sales Roundup: Office

2011-01-04T10:30:00.001Z

Office currently have up to 75% off online. Here's my pick of the crop....

Point and Square - £25 down from £75

On the face of it these are pretty inoffensive, unremarkable shoes. Which is why they are perfect. They can take you to work and out afterwards. Plus, the square toe is far sassier than a pointed or rounded toe.

Chained Up boot - £40 down from £108

Knee high boots are always useful. These ones offer something a little different to standard black. The chain detail isn't too much and so avoids looking cheap.

Eternal Love velvet boot - £20 down from £105

Sometimes you just need a shoe - or boot in this case - that you KNOW you'll NEVER wear but that you WANT and COVET all the same. For me, this is that boot. Ok, part of the appeal is the huge discount but knee high velvet boots?! ~~NEED~~ WANT.

Dream Dayz leopard print flat - £12 down from £36

I love me some leopard print and these are super sexy whilst being super practical. They'd work best with an ass hugging pencil skirt and pussy bow shirt. Miaow.

New Year, New Shoes.

2011-01-04T10:00:00.001Z

So, I've been away for a while having a baby and whatnot hence the APPALLING lack of posts. Rather awful isn't it? I think having a baby is a good excuse though. Maybe.

I've also been secretly beavering away on a bit of a makeover as you can see. Pretty isn't it? I think so. It's still a bit of a work in progress so there'll be little changes here and there over the next month or so as I figure out techy things.

Most of all though, I absolutely promise to bring you (almost) daily doses of the pretty and the fugly that catches my eye.

Britain's Next Top Model: The One With The Ishoos

2010-07-28T18:44:00.005+01:00

Previously on Britain's Next Top Model, there were haircuts and tears and meh.

This week, we start with a go see challenge (a bit early, no?) for Miss Sixty where the girls go in one by one and strike a pose (apparently there's nothing to it). Everyone is predictably... rubbish. But for some reason, Julian from Models 1 (the agency that gets the winner) picks Susan out as "not being right". Amba got her knickers in a twist that people had copied her pose. Bitch, please - it wasn't a pose to be proud of in the first place.

Next to William Tempest. This at least involves some walking as well. Which they all still suck at. PRACTICE! How many freaking times do you have to be told?!?!!??

The girls get home to Charley and Grace waiting up for them like chastising parents. And to get rid of one of the girls based on the decision of the guys from Models 1 - Susan. Quite why she got picked out above some of the others is unclear given that there are other girls who were worse.

Anyway, onto a shoot with ElleBot with some RED products. ElleBot switches into HHPOF! mode to coach the girls through the posing and to get a better look at them as potential models. She doesn't seem very impressed by any of them which would be a fair assessment.

Yay house fight! Kirsty cooks a roast for everyone except Harleen who's a veggie but doesn't complain and Amba who's... difficult and complains a lot. Most of the girls seem to have a problem with her because she whinges a lot and comes across as aloof. There's always one....

Oh god now they've stolen the idea of posing for an ishoo - this time it's anti bullying. And whaddya know, they've all been bullied and want to raise awareness. Of course.*

Nicola Roberts pops up and is confronted by Delita telling her that they're related by friendship or something. To Nicola's credit, she smiles sweetly while clearly thinking Delita is a mental.

Tiffany's still bitching about her hair and uses that as her inspiration for her pain and anguish. Delita is apparently the only one who hasn't been bullied but she's still as rubbish as ever. Amelia gets told to stop moving and is a bit confrontational about having been told that before. Nicola didn't look impressed by such attitude.

Amazing how they all get matched to something that has affected them huh?

Judging now with Nicola as the guest judge. I bloody love her by the way.

ElleBot tells the girls that Susan's departure was a lesson in the cut throat nature of fashion... I'm still not convinced that it was done in the best way though.

Alisha's photos were fabulous. I'm liking her more now.

Julian accuses Nicola of being boring in a kind of bullying way. Way to understand the ishoo, Julien...

Charley picks up on Tiffany hating her hair.

Joy has a fab picture again.

Personality void Amelia is told again what she needs to do.

And total non surprise, there weren't that many good pictures this week.

Delita's not even in the bottom two?!?!!? What kind of crazy ass shiz is this?!?!?!! Instead it's down to Amelia and Harleen. Harleen gets sent home. This doesn't make sense in any sort of way.

Next week, chocolate! Carnaby Street! Beyonce!

Britain's Next Top Model: The One With The Makeover DRAMZ!

2010-07-20T10:45:00.006+01:00

Makeover Week. We all know this is the only episode that is guaranteed to provide the necessary drama.

It started off tamely enough with a challenge from "style icon" (since when?!?) Miquita Oliver to create an outfit from Rokit's warehouse. Oh to be able to rummage through there, right? I'm not entirely sure where this idea that models have to be able to put outfits together to be successful has come from. Surely that's what stylists are for? And no, don't think for a moment that Kate Moss does it all herself.

Delita rendered Miquita speechless. She's amazing in her ridiculousness. Anyway, Amba won the challenge with a fairly safe look, winning 5 extra minutes for her and 5 minutes taken away from Kirsty in the photoshoot.

Next the girls got to see ElleBot do a shoot for Marie Claire before she sent them on their merry way to Daniel Galvin to be transformed. We were promised less hair, more hair and blonde hair. Marvellous.

Kirsty got the blonde, Harleen got the length and everyone else got something in between. Tiffany got the chop. Know how we could tell? She spent ages saying how much she hates short hair and cue tears! ElleBot tried to justify it with bone structure and cute pixie-ness. You can tell this is her first season doing it as she's still being nice and patient. HHPOF! Miz Tyra has got to the the stage of just telling them to get on with it. Alisha got her ratty weave chopped out.

And oh my but isn't Charlotte beyond annoying. Harleen and Joy look much better. Tiffany looks fab - she has a rare face that can rock short or long hair. Though obviously she can't see that yet.

Post makeover and a shoot for Links of London. Delita and Joy failed to deliver variety. Charlotte may be annoying but she did think about what she was doing.

I'm so undecided about Susan. She's really bouncy and.... nice but I'm not convinced she's a model.

And so to judging. Which is really far too tedious. Julien either needs a new insult writer or to learn to read the autocue better. He's more wooden than his Cuprinol Man twin.

And so Rachelle was dismissed. Curious. There was no stand out bad photo this week though. Apart from Delita. Really what is she all about? What info does she have on them?

Next week, go-sees and SHOCK! AND DRAMZ! with an unscheduled elimination....

Britain's Next Top Model: The One With Male Models! And Flesh! And Lingerie!

2010-07-12T20:37:00.009+01:00

Previously on BNTM.... Seriously, the dramz are out in full force with this series already despite nothing really happening.

The lucky 14 have been sent to London for a pose off with Charley Speed. Posing with props. Mmm. So that means thinking about what you're posing with and holding it and arching apparently. Poor Charley, he ain't no Benny Ninja. And the girls ain't no posers. Apart from Susan, who I want to like but kinda want to slap at the same time because she is quite clearly A Drama Student.

Delita is deliciously deluded (no I will not stop with this until she is gone!) about her ability, insisting she was like La Moss.

Julien MacDonald woodenly wanders into view and proffers some gold catsuits for the girls to catwalk in. The amount of bad posture and bad walking is horrifying. Amelia was good but not because her and Julien are Welsh like she seems to think. And why do so many of these girls not know how to walk in heels?!?! Does no one understand that you have to practice these things?

Joy continues her bizarre displays of attitudinal problems. If someone says you need to work on something, you need to work on it. Not just dismiss it out of hand as irrelevant. Contrary to what she believes, she does not know everything.

Amelia and Kirsty were picked to walk at London Fashion Weekend and were pretty good to be fair.

Ugh pigeon chested male models. Who bizarrely invoke squeals (again, maybe it's contractual) And you know what half nekkid boymen mean? Nekkidness! Or rather more specifically a lingerie shoot for Fred and Ginger. The one goo thing about throwing them in at the deep end is that they have to get to grips with it. Despite all of them saying at the audition stages that they have absolutely no issues with nudity, when it comes down to it, nearly all of them do. Models spend a lot of time with not many clothes on so you kinda have to be ok with it or you don't work.

Joy and Kirsty had to lez it up which Joy couldn't quite get to grips with. Harleen worried about what her mum and boyfriend would think about her rolling round in her undercrackers.

Oh Delita... even with a mountain of instruction, her poor brain can't cope with more than one instruction at a time. Tiffany looked lovely - very sultry 60s.
I love Hannah. She's not a model but she's fab. Especially when stood next to the personality void that is Amelia. I don't like Amelia.

Susan and Amba had fab pictures as did Tiffany. My favourite overall though was this one from Joy and Kirsty

Hannah got down to the last two with Delita. And gallantly quit while she was ahead. Elle was simperingly nice about it. HHPOF! Miz Tyra would've cut a bitch for taking the place from someone who really, REALLY wanted it.

Anyway, next week..... MAKEOVER DRAMZ!!!! You know it's the only episode that counts.

Britain's Next Top Model: The One Where There's An Actual Top Model

2010-07-06T19:55:00.008+01:00

So Britain's Next Top Model starts with some kind of weird film trailer type effort with platitudes from such press luminaries as The Telegraph, OK! and Grazia which I'm pretty sure were used to describe ANTM and not BNTM but still, it's all POW! POW! POW! ELLE!

In case you were under any illusion that the pretenders to HHPOF! Miz Tyra's crown were mere also-rans, think again. Elle Macpherson's introduction (complete with Executive Producer credit) shows that it may well have taken 5 seasons to get here but now they're really actually rather ready to find a top model. Obviously though in that grand tradition of Top Model antics from around the world (a top model from any of them? Anyone?)

In case you weren't sure which version you were watching, the 25 girls that are to be further whittled are in The Countryside, waiting at a bus stop curiously emblazoned with a TfL logo. I didn't know Zone 40 existed. First sob story - Kadian. Not only a single mum but run over! With a metal plate in her arm! And a scar! She's a SURVIVOR!

Charley Speed and Grace Woodward are introduced as new judges - good call. Grace is pretty aces at her job and we can now look at Charley instead of Jonathan Phang.
As per their contracts, there's a lot of shrieking at every statement and then even more for - lo! - there is Elle! An actual freaking supermodel!

(I'm just putting this out there now but Elle MacPherson has squiffy eyes. How has this never been noticed???)

First task to whittle the girls down was a head shot with Grace. We already get our first reference to smiling with your eyes though clearly this girl hasn't learnt properly from HHPOF! or she'd know it's just SMIZING now.

And because we're all about diversity (except when it comes to anyone over a size 8) look! A lesbian! Who reminds me of Lluvy from Season 4 of ANTM.

Joy is the current one who thinks she knows it all, complete with "Whatever bizatches" attitude.

Obviously next we have walking. And why for the love of god can none of them walk properly!?!??!!??! Will they never learn?!?!?!?!?? It's not just a case of Pow! Strut Pow! Only Amba admitted to having practised walking. Except for cute but useless Hannah. Oh bless her. She couldn't walk in heels, she couldn't walk out of them. I love her. She's a klutz, not a model.
Simone (token plus size?) had a Naomi fall but got up and got on with it which was the right thing to do.

The new format is a lot closer to ANTM now with the swimwear interview with the panel and all the talk of wanting it more than air/life/water/food/a kitten.

Bwahahaha! Julien Macdonald, Fashion Designer! New judge! Didn't appreciate his comments about plus size models but he was fab on Project Catwalk - he's kinda like a woodenly scripted Janice. Only less fabulous.

Time for a photoshoot and the obligatory group them together to make it easier to weed out the ones who don't 'pop'.

Joy has a hissy fit about her outfit. Oh my.... apparently they'd styled her like that on purpose. Uh-huh.

So then it got down to the nitty gritty of the final 13. And I have to say I'm surprised. Oh but twistaroo! A 14th! Oh my!
So, after 90 minutes of being assaulted by all the newness, these are my current top three:
Joy
She may be a whiny bitch but she takes a good picture and quite frankly, what more do you want?

Tiffany

Sultry and kooky and hella cute.

Amba My current tip to win. Which means now she probably won't.

If you need more BNTM goodness, and quite frankly who doesn't, then check out their website at www.bntm.tv

Shoe Of The Day: Festival 2010 Boot by Hunter

2010-06-14T10:30:00.000+01:00

Seeing as I'm not going to any festivals this year thanks to growing The Hairy Baby, the idea of spending £145 on a pair of wellies doesn't seem as ludicrous to me as it would do were they competing with cider goodness for my monetary affections.

Yes they are a bit pretentious and ridiculous but I rather like them for it. They're like the WAG of the wellington boot world - overdressed for the purpose but ultimately ready for a good time.

Hunter Festival Boot, £145 from Asos

Fugly Shoe Of The Day: Ruched Ankle Boot by Maison Martin Margiela

2010-04-21T10:30:00.000+01:00

Dear Shoe Designer at Maison Martin Margiela,

I cannot, and will not, tolerate such abominations to pollute my eyes. What were you thinking? Did you want me to cry? Did you know I wasn't wearing waterproof eye make up and thought it'd be fun for me to end up looking like The Joker? And to charge £625 for them?

For shame, for shame.

Never yours if you continue to design such things,

Never Enough Shoes

Shoe Of The Day: 'Giggle' by Office

2010-04-20T10:30:00.001+01:00

I was striding past Office the other day, on my way to something important like finding food or meeting The Hairy Drummer, when these cute things caught my eye and reeled me in, coaxing me to take a closer look and maybe fondle them.

They're a little bit 1980s does 1940s which somehow makes them rather timeless. They also come in orange, black, gold and silver but it's the light blue that I love the most. The heel is a lovely shape and not so high that you can't wear them all day and night.

'Giggle', £58 from Office

What Would I Wear With These.... Sash Cowboy Boots by Faith?

2010-04-19T14:30:00.000+01:00

So you see a pair of shoes you like then wonder what the hell you'd wear with them. Happens to me all the time. Sometimes I'll buy the shoes then wander round the shops and internet finding something to go with them. Sometimes I'll just spend a long time staring at them in the shop until I can think of something that would go. And other times, I wonder how on earth I survived without them for so long when it's so obvious what they'd go with.

Here's the first WWIWWT.
At first glance, ankle cowboy boots only seem like a good idea if you hang out at a rodeo. Which I do all the never. Look at them again though. Now imagine sunshine, a field, good friends, cider and some live music. Looks good doesn't it? Would you be wearing these boots though?

How about it you were wearing this dress from Asos?

Tie dye not your thing? How about this patterned dress from Warehouse?

Shy about uncovering your legs? Maxi length skirts and dresses are back with a vengeance so there's no need to show off anything you don't want to. I'm liking this dress from Topshop (still a touch overpriced but will last for years if cared for)

Especially if it was worn with either of these belts from Faith (both in the sale!)

See. Those boots suddenly seem a must have don't they?

Bag Of The Day: 'Lola' by Irregular Choice

2010-04-19T10:30:00.001+01:00

I know! A bag that I like! It's very rare that I fall in love with a bag that I can afford (hello Mulberry Bayswater...) but this very cute, very kitsch frame bag from Irregular Choice has stolen my heart! It's perfect for the summer - summer bags should definitely not be serious. And at £79.99, whilst it's a little more than I would normally contemplate spending on a bag, it's not so much that I wouldn't say no.

Lola frame bag by Irregular Choice, £79.99 from Tinfish

Oscars 2010 FAIL! Kate Winslet

2010-03-10T11:15:00.000Z

So last year she could do no wrong. It was obviously way too much effort for her to replicate for this year (and she wasn't going to win anything) so she turned up in what looks like the skirt of a sateen dressing gown from the market topped with the body from her children's home-made cardboard and kitchen foil robot. Except she didn't whip it up herself in a gin soaked frenzy. Salvatore Ferragamo did. Not necessarily in a gin soaked frenzy either.

Points for hair and make up? Um.... I guess but it's Winslet Safe Mode isn't it and so it imbues me with an over-riding sense of meh.

Oscars 2010 WIN! Maggie Gyllenhaal

2010-03-10T11:00:00.000Z

In a troubling world where her brother Jake is slowly slipping away from the hotness, Maggie just keeps knocking it out there. Maybe she's stealing it from him in some kind of weird sibling rivalry thing, sick of him being the pretty one.

Anyway, despite the fact her Dries Van Noten dress is a little bit too long, the colour and pattern made it stand out amongst the sea of wishy washy pinks, nudes and silvers. The shape is simple and flattering and dammit, it just works. One of my very favourites.

Oscars 2010 FAIL! Miley Cyrus

2010-03-10T10:45:00.000Z

Oh Miley, Miley Miley. On the plus side, her hair is cute and the skirt of her Jenny Packham dress is divine - proper floaty old school glamour.

It's the bit in the middle. The tan lines. The bodice that doesn't quite fit. Or looks like it's finished. Seriously, it looks like she's forgotten to put a top on. I know underwear as outerwear is supposed to be "on-trend" (a case for being off trend if ever there was one) but really?

But then you see her mother:

and suddenly it all makes sense.

Oscars 2010 FAIL! George.... [is this a mistake? No? Oh.] Clooney

2010-03-10T10:30:00.000Z

Going to show that we all have our off days, ladies and gentlemen, George Clooney. I think it's the hair. His and Elisabetta Canalis'.

It may also be the fact that he was swigging from a cheeky lil hip-flask the whole time.

Actually, that pushes it into win doesn't it.....

Oscars 2010 WIN! Cameron Diaz

2010-03-10T10:00:00.000Z

Well, well, well! Cameron Diaz hey? This year she got absolutely everything spot on - hair, make up, dress. Beautiful.

But ah the dress. Princessy without being completely over the top, the Oscar de la Renta gown was one of the best dresses of the night. Bravo Cameron! Bravo!

Shoe Of The Day: Bow Front Raffia Heel by Irregular Choice

2010-03-08T10:30:00.000Z

Some of you may think I've lost my mind. It is entirely possible I have. But dear reader, these Irregular Choice heels have stolen my heart completely and absolutely.

Is it because they're made of raffia which is solely a sunny day fabric? Is it because they exude a slightly tropical promise whilst retaining the shape of a Versailles court shoe? Is it because I just really like sturdy block heels?

Who knows? It's likely to be all these things and more. Sometimes you can't explain love.

Bow front raffia heel, £65 from Asos

Sale Shoe Of The Day : 'Snippy' by Rocketdog

2010-01-06T10:30:00.000Z

I love leopard print. I love trainers. Therefore, c'est un fait accompli that I love these trainers from Rocketdog.

As that's all fairly self explanatory, I'll leave you with the fact they're £15 down from £25 and available from ASOS.

Sale Shoe Of The Day : 'Saturday Job' by Office

2010-01-05T10:30:00.001Z

I had these as a possible Shoe Of The Day way back when I first saw them. Then completely forgot about them until I had to start looking for work shoes in the sale.

And what a bargain they have turned out to be! The burgundy ones (pictured) are down to £15 from £58, while the black ones are down to £25.

I love the retro styling of them and the block heel means that they shouldn't hurt too much by the end of the day. Very important when you need to concentrate on your work rather than how much your feet hurt. The square toe adds a twist to a shoe that would otherwise be fairly ordinary with a rounded toe. Don't be swayed by 'trends' on toe shapes. Trends are too fickle to be relied upon for work.

Saturday Job, £15-25 from £58 at Office

Sale Shoe Of The Day : 'Lawed' by Faith

2010-01-04T13:00:00.000Z

I know, I know. Party season has only just ended so why the hell am I proposing a party shoe as Shoe Of The Day? Because of these reasons:

a) It's never too early to plan pretty party outfits
b) There's always a need for pretty shoes
c) They're £25 down from £55

As for the shoe itself, it's a fairly classic choice - black, sparkle, satin, shaped heel. But don't think that means it's boring. No, no my friend, rather regard it as the versatile classic it is.

Lawed sandal from Faith, £25 reduced from £55

NES Is So Over Topshop And This Makes Her Sad

2010-01-04T10:30:00.000Z

Dear reader, it is a sad day indeed when I can no longer face walking into Topshop. But I am afraid to say, with a heavy heart, that that day has come.

Let's go back some 15 years to when I was a gawky, slightly pudgy teenager who wouldn't know what fashion was if it came up and mocked her relentlessly (which I'm pretty sure it did). It wasn't until I started browsing through the delights Topshop had on offer that I thought properly about my clothes. True, I did embrace the grungy Angela Chase look for most of my teen years but it was that or looking like a Spice Girls backing dancer, resplendent in electric blue spandex and Lycra and I couldn't do that to myself or inflict the horror on the rest of the world.

So remember, this was around 15 years ago. The hot way to wear your tops was as a body. Denim was light and velvet was in along with plaid and florals. Also bear in mind I was like a fat Lisa Loeb and you get the picture.

I know fashion constantly recycles itself but even so, it was a shock to wander in to Topshop recently and see clothes that I am fairly sure I bought all those years ago. Who'd have thought it? Topshop making me confront the twilight years of my twenties and shining a spotlight on the impending new realm of 30-something.

It's not just that though. Frankly, I'm not enough of a navel gazer to allow my frivolous shopping habit to be dictated by the ravages of time. It's the quality and the prices which have made me decide that, unless they do something really bloody spectacular, Topshop isn't really worth my time, effort or money any more.

Take this dress.

A fairly inoffensive velvet skater dress, right? Indeed it is. Except I had one exactly like it. From Topshop. It cost me the princely sum of £20. Now even taking into account the bizarre economic shenanigans like inflation and all that jazz, the same dress today will apparently cost you £38. And be poorer quality.

And then there's this dress.

When I saw it on an in-store mannequin, I was actually intrigued. I liked it. It seemed new and different but wearable. Then I felt the fabric. Apparently it's made from Cupro, which is effectively a posh name for viscose. It feels cheap. But it isn't. £70 for this dress, if you please.

That's just two examples, there are many more. I won't abandon Topshop completely but it's safe to say it's not the essential place it once was. Not that Philip Green will lose any sleep over that!

NES Picks Her Top 8 Dream Party Dresses

2009-12-07T10:30:00.000Z

As we all know, December should really be renamed 'Month Of A Million Parties' and as such is all about the show stopping dress. So in the name of research, I've pored over countless fashion magazines and blogs and websites and random people in the street and compiled my Top 8 Dream Dresses. Y'know, the ones with the price tag that takes your breath away and makes you cry for a million pounds to magically land in your account just so you could have all of them because you can't possibly choose between them and the postman hates you because he has to deliver so many invitations to your house.

No? Just me then. Right. Well anyway, these dresses are the ones that if I could afford them, I'd have them. Even if it was only to do the housework in. I don't really get all that many invites to glitzy parties.

1. 'Carla' satin gown by Erdem

Words cannot express how much I NEED this dress. The effect of being covered up in an age when you can't move for over-tanned plastics falling out of a 3 inch scrap of cloth masquerading as a dress is phenomenal. If you swept into a party (preferably down a sweeping staircase, accompanied by nothing except a discreet diamond laden bracelet, a martini and a cigarette in a holder) wearing this, it would afford you the sheen of femme fatale not seen since the 1930s. There would be swooning and wooing. Those are Good Things.

2. Floral Maxi Dress by Just Cavalli

Now, Roberto Cavalli isn't normally a designer who makes me want things that he has to offer, especially via the Just Cavalli diffusion line. But this, this is different. It's subtle. And pretty. And versatile in that 'can be worn at any point in the year' kind of way to any kind of event. Which would mean it justified its price tag on a cost per wear basis if nothing else.

3. 'Carmina' by Diane Von Furstenberg

How cute and fun is this?! When a lot of people go for black or other darker colours, this would make you pop at any party. Best accessorised with bare tanned legs and some fabulously golden or jewel coloured heels. And a beehive.

4. Hooded Sequin Dress by Alexander McQueen

Sequins! A hood! Long sleeves! Red! Black! Glamour! This is the Cruella De Vill of all the dresses. In fact, if I don't see a picture of Glenn Close wearing it, I'll be very disappointed.

5. Red Shift Dress by Valentino

This isn't the most obvious choice for a party dress. But that's the beauty of it. Red is a damn festive colour and a shift dress in this style is pure Joan Holloway. And what is more devastatingly sexy than that?

6. Strapless Silk Chiffon Gown by Marchesa

It's because of dresses like this that Marchesa is a Hollywood star favourite. The flowingness of the silk chiffon and the beading make it incredibly romantic but the colour gives it a bit of edge. I'd expect to see Eva Longoria-Parker or La Lopez rocking this one.

7. Drape Front Jersey Gown by Roberto Cavalli

Another Cavalli dress?! I know, I could hardly believe it myself but, well, just look at it. It's like the slightly more overt cousin of the Erdem dress. The cross front is very flattering and the diamante detail at the waist completes the old school glamour cocktail. This is a dress that demands Veronica Lake waves.

8. Ruffle Halter Gown by Valentino

This dress is simple but dramatic all at the same time. The colour makes it stand out more than it would in black. Of course, it also benefits from having a touch of the Audrey about it.

NES' Boot Quest: Flat Boots

2009-10-14T13:25:00.000+01:00

I rather like flat boots. To me they seem so much more practical and subtly sexy compared to their somewhat in-your-face heeled compadres. They say "You know what, we may be flat but that means you won't slip over on slush/ice in front of that really hot guy who catches your train/bus/tube in the morning. And you know what else? He'll still be checking out your leather clad legs and thinking inappropriate before the watershed thoughts. And you'll be comfortable. What more do you want?"

Well exactly. What more do you want? Oh, maybe all of these please....

'Manfred' by Faith
See? They even have dependable names!

This particular Manfred is a rather simple riding boot. And is all the more lovely for it. He's multi-functional too - dresses, skirts, skinny jeans, leggings (if you must) - he'll cover all of them. And what price such versatility? Why only £90 which is Not Bad At All.

'Callous Stud' by Office
Now I don't know if they intend it to be called 'Callous Stud' but doesn't it sound very Jackie Collins? And that, reader, can only be A Good Thing.

The current vogue for studs will more than likely be dead by the time you read this but on these boots, they're understated enough to provide a bit of interest and a mild rock chick edge. At £115, they're not cheap but would never go out of fashion.

'Banner' Biker Boot by Office

Another boot from Office, this time a bit more biker but with the features of buckles and straps. It looks sturdy but sexy, non? And you can make it as tough or as feminine as you like. I'm seeing it in a haze of grungy 90s glory with a silk slip, floral dress, brushed cotton plaid shirt and chunky hat and scarf. All for the rather bargainous £85.

'Cate' by Christian Loutboutin
You didn't think I'd have done a trawl without finding some beautiful Louboutins did you? Why of course not!

And the beauty of these is the simplicity and concealed wedge heel. Worth the investment and care because these are what your gran would call "Timeless" and "Classic" and do you know what? We should all take more notice of what our grans say when it comes to Stuff Like Fashion. How much of an investment though? *whispers* £845. Wowee.

NES And The Quest For The Perfect Pair Of Boots

2009-10-14T09:55:00.003+01:00

Dear reader, it's the same every year. The weather starts turning a little chilly, August suddenly becomes Winter and I still will not have found a decent pair of winter boots.

In my head, I like to think that I'll do it differently next year. Perhaps be super organised and get the perfect pair in the January sales so they're ready and waiting for when the leaves start falling off the trees. But no, because if I waited until the sales then the perfect boot would already have gone and then I'd have to go through the same tribulations and heartache all over again anyway.

So, seeing as the very lovely Alex pointed out this morning that we're already half way through October, I've decided I best get a shift on. Meaning that I'll be scouring THE WORLD* in my quest and sharing the fruits of my labour with you because you are lovely and you obviously appreciate good shoes and boots.

If you see anything you think worthy of note, let me know!

* Obviously when I say 'THE WORLD', I mean a whole bunch o'websites and not an actual physical jaunt around the world though if someone would like to fly me to New York, that'd be fantastique!

NES x x x

America's Next Top Model Season 12 Episode 4:

2009-10-05T22:30:00.000+01:00

Natalie has set herself up as being the bestest model evah. Which is of course annoying the other girls.

Time for Runway 101 with Miz J. who was rocking a finishing school look.

Allison's walk was abysmal and she was given the book on head trick and told to get home and practice. Miz J brought in Bianca and Chantal from Season 9 to show how it should be done. Is it bad I couldn't remember them at all?

Truth or Dare? How deliciously high school! Nijah does a good Carlton dance. Natalie offends Tahlia which seems to be a pretty easy thing to do.

Teyona got re-madeover before joing the girls to walk for Jill Stuart. In front of Ann Shoket from Seventeen - who seems to being introduced earlier and earlier as each season passes.

Natalie did a weird turn in the middle. Nijah and Tahlia got headshakes from Miz J.

Poor Allison just looked terrified but in the end won people over. Fo did a good walk and had taken Miz J's advice.

The winner was Natalie who won some clothes from Jill Stuart despite her turn.

This week's photoshoot was on a tourbus going round NYC. Fo and Aminat were Wall St bitches and absolutely fab together.

Kortnie and Nijah were supposed to be Soho artists. Kortnie was looking rather lovely. But Nijah was dead in the eyes again.

Sandra and Celia were Upper Eastside nannies while Allison and London got to be the Gossip Girl/Olivia Palermo socialites.

Natalie, Teyona and Tahlia were tourists in Times Square with Tahlia leading the way. Mr Jay isn't convinced by Natalie.

Time for judging.

Kortnie and Nijah were up first. And didn't get it - mainly thanks to Nijah's meh.

Fo and Aminat - Fab!

Celia and Sandra - Sandra stands out but Celia also looks good.

Tahlia, Teyona and Natalie - Tahlia looked great and lit up the picture. Teyona has a lot of teeth!

Allison and London - Not a good shot really...

Best photo was Sandra.

Then Aminat.

Then Tahlia.

Bottom two: Allison and Nijah. With Nijah going. Nijah doesn't SMILE WITH HER EYES which is pretty much one of the worst things you could ever do. Like ever. Really.

Next week, the fabulous whirlwind of fierce, Benny Ninja. Pretty.

America's Next Top Model Season 12 Episode 3: Makeover Dramarama!

2009-09-29T19:59:00.003+01:00

It is what should be, in my opinion, THE best and most important episode of the series.

Makeover Dramarama. Hair, tears, tantrums, Mr Jay holding back on the "Bitch, please!"

Eeee! Crazy Charlie's Angels/spy intro! Femmtalian? What IS that?! For Fierce Eyes Only? MI6 wish they were as fabulous as that.

Sandra's been bleached and looks a bit like Amber Rose.

WHAT DID YOU DO TO ALLISON??????? They turned her into a crazy ass Barbie.

Fo has been pixied and looks even more fabulous and storms to the top of my favourite list.

Celia starts crying but her new short do looks "fashion".

Aminat finds her afro weave being modelled as a shrug by Miz J - they can watch and learn from him hi-jinxing around. She's not best pleased though.

London has been Aggy'd

Natalie started crying and fussing and then NOTHING happened to her which prompted a bit of jealousy.

Mainly from Fo who keeps crying. Oh Fo, this is not attractive honey. Stop it.

Jessica is so full of herself that a fall is not far away.....

Anyway so the first Cover Girl challenge to go out onto the mean streets of NYC in teams to get girls to buy into the Cover Girl thing and model for them.

Team 1 consisting of Celia, Aminat and Sandra won even though Sandra hardly said anything.

"Keep it cute or keep it on mute" - Fabulous. Love Aminat.

On to the photoshoot then with.... NIGEL!!!!! Noted Fashion Photographer and The Sex!

So the shoot is about finding the light with a bit of a rock chic edge with the girls directing themselves and holding their own lights. Which should be interesting.

Nijah was dead in the eyes.

Celia started upstaging Aminat. Kortnie failed a wee bit and on the whole completely underwhelmed Nigel.

London and Teyona pulled it off. Fo is being intimidated by her hair. LET IT GO!

Nolé Marin is back!!! LOVE it! But.... could maybe.... Janice... No, don't think about it... you'll only be disappointed.

Fo is up first and HHPOF! brings back the point that if a girl gets her hair lopped off, it's because she has great bone structure. Her picture was good though her attitude was a big turn off.

Nijah looked awful and wasn't SMILING WITH HER EYES! Seriously, has she NEVER seen ANTM before?!? HHPOF! commented it was almost like she'd never heard it before and seemed a bit disgusted at the failure to follow what should surely be the first thing you ever learn.

Allison - fabulous. Nolé loved her. I love her.

Sandra lacked tension. Which prompted a lesson in tension from HHPOF! These little lessons are priceless. Suck up the knowledge.

Celia is FIIIIEEEEERRRRRCCCCEEEEE! She's like a less fabulous Lel.

Jessica looked wrong in her picture - almost ugly and non novella as Nolé put it.

Natalie is wearing doilies according to Nolé who rounds on all of them for having no fashion sense whatsoever. Luckily her picture is great though.

HHPOF! is not happy with Teyona's hair but loved her picture. I'm not entirely sure why. It didn't look that great to me.

Aminat looked broken and didn't light herself properly at all.

Best picture of the week is Teyona.

Then Celia.

Then Allison.

Bottom two..... Fo (NO!) and Jessica.

Fo's tears have proven her downfall rather than her photo whereas Jessica isn't bringing the pretty to the photos and gets sent home.

HHPOF! drills into Fo that short means fabulous face.

So what have we learnt? That Makeover is less dramz filled than it used to be which sucks and that Nolé should be back for good. Possibly with Take That serenading him. He'd love that.

NES Recommends.... Emu Boots

2009-09-24T12:05:00.001+01:00

When the very lovely people at Fitness Footwear sent me a very lovely email asking if I'd like a pair of Emu boots, I was worried at first that they were a) psychic or b) stalking me as not two days before, I had been very seriously contemplating buying a pair.

Luckily they saved me the hassle and a pair of Bronte boots (the high Chestnut style) were duly sent to me the day after.

And I've hardly taken them off since. It really is like walking around with your own personal carpet and they are neither too hot or too cold.

Emu boots also seem a lot studier than their flashier counterpart, Uggs and at half the price, they make a very attractive alternative.

I would recommend going up a size as they are fairly snug fitting but that just makes them all the more wearable, especially now winter is making its move.

Emu boots from Fitness Footwear start at £69.95 with free UK shipping

Shoe Of The Day: 'Lana' by KG Kurt Geiger

2009-09-23T10:30:00.000+01:00

Glamorous flats have been sneaking their way in over the past couple of years as a perfectly viable evening option and when you get pretties like these, it's easy to see why.

Capturing all the glitz of something you might see on a heel - the oversize sparkle, the peep toe, the colour - but in the practical and (whisper it!) comfort of a flat, they suddenly become a lot more value for money when you consider they can be dressed up or down. And at £110, you want as good a Cost Per Wear as you can get!

Lana by KG by Kurt Geiger, £110 at Kurt Geiger

Shoe Of The Day: Stella McCartney Pierced Over The Knee Boot

2009-09-22T10:30:00.000+01:00

If I were a million foot tall, with legs up to the moon, I would so be stalking around in these babies. The whys and wherefores speak for themselves. Regardez.

They are simply the sex.

Stella McCartney OTK Pierced Boots, $1595 at Neiman Marcus

America's Next Top Model Season 12: Moving Dramz And The First Proper Shoot

2009-09-22T10:15:00.001+01:00

The one thing that strikes you first about this season of ANTM, is HHPOF! Miz Tyra's jiggling bosom. It is immense and all kinds of hypnotic... maybe that's the secret of her Inner Fierce?

Anyway, here we are, moving day in N Y Freaking C. Obviously there's LOADS of squealing and shots of Times Square just in case you forget where you are and to further push the point home, the girls are sent to the Empire State Building.

According to Kortnie, the Empire State Building is like 80 floors high or something which she knew from her ears popping. Bless her!

At the top is the best present ever - Noted Fashion Photographer (TM) and Generally Quite Easy On The Eye Nigel Barker! And Paulina Poritzkova with bad make up!

Celia/Michelle Off Of Season 4 gets the keys to the house and her choice of bed. The hosue is lovely and as always is decorated with the prerequisite photos of HHPOF! and the past winners, as well as having it's own catwalk which will be criminally underused.

Sandra is clearly angling for the bitch role of this series. Which isn't doing her any favours. Except she can count and has discovered there's only 12 beds but 13 girls. Quelle horreur et surprise. You know what that means - Who. Will. Be. Eliminated. To-NIGHT-AH?

So Isabella is our resident living with illness (in this case epilepsy) girl. And now we're all sharing issues. Blah. Get back to fighting bitches.

London, she ain't dim - you know something's going to happen when you see Mr and Miz J?! No way!

So up they go for their first runway. And there's strobe lighting. Do you know what that means for Poor Isabella?! She might DIE! Or y'know, just have a fit or actually be just fine with it. What it means for the rest of us we have to endure some really awful walking.

Tahlia wasn't happy with being covered up and stomped up and down like a donkey.

Sandra only got halfway down, did a crazy weird leg kick back and wandered off again, leaving the judges all kinds of surprised.

The rest were just meh. I'm going to say it again, if you're going to try out for ANTM, for the love of fierce, practice your walking!!!!

MR JAY LOOKS FREAKING AWESOME in his weird lil superhero outfit! If all workout outfits were like his, I would consider actual exercise.

Anyway, the theme of the shoot is good girls retaining their innocence in a world where girls grow up too fast or some such Worthy Cause Close To Tyra's Heart. Christian Marc and Sutan are back in hair and makeup - love them two. Their eye rolling is beyond compare

There's no one outstanding during the shoot but then no one who seems totally awful either.

As an aside, thank goodness they got rid of that awful scrolling Tyra Mail nonsense.

Judging! (A brief rundown)

Rules to own your inner fierceness? AMAZING

Celia gets a snap for her weird ass top thing.

London looks fab in her photo.

Paulina's hair is MASSIVE

Jessica has a wonky eye.

Allison looks cute - she's like a doll.

Natalie proved why those stupid hairbands should be banned (ahaha!)

Nigel again proves the voice of reason and reins in TyTy's crusade for Tahlia - her photo was only ok.

And best photo of the week is.... Allison! Yay! Love her!

Bottom two - Isabella and Sandra..... ain't so cocky now are you bee-yatch? HHPOF! tries to crank up some tension but it's fairly obvious that....

.... Isabella goes home. She was too nice and unnoticable.

Next week..... MAKE OVER DRAMZ!!!!

Fugly Shoe Of The Day: Silly by Carvela

2009-09-21T10:15:00.002+01:00

Well, at least they got the name right.....

I'm not entirely sure why Carvela thought this would be a good idea. Who on earth would think "Ooh let's take a non-descript man shoe boot and put a heel on it for the ladies!" and then have the cheek to charge £120 for it?!?!

Heathens, that's who.

Shoe Of The Day

2009-09-18T10:30:00.000+01:00

Well again, it's a boot rather than a shoe but when I saw these in Office yesterday, my heart soared and my hand reached for my purse.

Until I saw the £110 price tag. Then I sighed and almost cried. So why are they awesome? Well for a start, black leather and studs are nothing if not, for me, an eternal staple. And they look a bit piratey and everyone knows pirates are awesome. The fact that they're flat and can be dressed as sexy or as casual as you please also helps.

Hm, maybe that £110 could be justified after all (though as always, all donations are gratefully received!)

Catraz leather boot, £110 at Office

Shoe Of The Day (And NES' Latest Purchase!)

2009-09-17T10:30:00.000+01:00

My only problem with Red Herring shoes is that there's so many that I like and they're so affordable, that I am always in severe danger of buying them all. Which is why I wasted The Hairy Drummer's lunch hour the other day making him help me decide which one pair to buy.

In hindsight, these were a complete no brainer for me. Red? Check. M-J strap? Check. Bow in contrasting fabric? Check. Cute polka dot interior? Check. Almost all the things I love in one shoe? Check. Less than £30? Check.

I also like that they're cute enough to be casual but not so cute that you couldn't wear them for work.

Red suede bow court shoe, £25 by Red Herring at Debenhams

Embracing My Eternal Inner Angela Chase

2009-09-16T11:45:00.000+01:00

It is no secret that My So-Called Life was the best TV program ever. It is also no secret that when I was 14, Angela Chase was my, and most of my friends, ultimate hero. A lot of us went through the ritual of dying our hair pillar box red (a habit I haven't quite got out of sometimes), finding our own Jordan Catalano's to mooch over and of course matching our wardrobes to a hybrid of those of Angela and Rayanne.

So obviously, I felt very old when I wandered into H&M the other day and realised that almost everything in there would've been something I'd have bought at that crucial time in my life. Then I had a crisis. These are clothes that I would still buy and yes, while I wouldn't go for the whole look now, would I look like I was tragically trying to recapture my youth?

The key now is to make it a bit more grown up but to never lose the essence of what it was to be a gawky, awkward teenager. Because let's face it, how many of us have any more of a clue now than then?

Shoe Of The Day

2009-09-16T10:30:00.000+01:00

Ted Baker isn't a place I'd normally associate with wantable shoes but they have drawn me in a bit with these Hania heels.

They're a fairly standard shape but the beauty comes from the rolled bow at the back and the rounded point. I prefer them in the pink/purple combo but they do come in black too which I guess is a little more versatile.

Ted Baker Hania courts, £90 at ASOS

America's Next Top Model Season 12: Vegas Baby!

2009-09-15T10:45:00.000+01:00

Vegas! Faux centurions! Mr Jay! Miz J! Squeeeeeeeee!

That's right bitches, the most gloriously demented of all the Top Models, the original and best is back. The anticipation of seeing how big Her High Priestess Of Fiiieeeerrrcccee! Miz Tyra's hair is is almost too much.

The premise for this opening menagerie is Greek Goddesses. Not content that the Ancient Greeks didn't have a Goddess of Fierce, HHPOF! has taken it upon herself to anoint herself as said Goddess of Fierce. See? Dementedly brilliant.

There's a lot of squealing and shrieking and crying as Mr Jay and Miz J try to tell the girls what they have to do. I love that they still look bemused at all the squeals.

Having shoved all the girls into skimpy faux goddess dresses, it's time for photos in profile which is slightly different to the usual I guess but unfortunately not really flattering to most of them.

Having gone through that with Mr Jay, it's on to walking with Miz J. Dry ice, catwalk. Brilliant. EXCEPT WHY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HAVE NONE OF THEM PRACTISED WALKING?!?!?!? The rage at this simple omission makes me go all Kanye and I don't really like being that angry. I worry I might get an ulcer.

But no matter. It's time for the unveiling of HHPOF! And by goodness is she bringing the awesome. Gaze in AWE at how BIG her hair is!

There's more squealing and crying before they have to pull it together and go in to the interview.

The highlights being....

Celia is like Michelle from Season 4's sister!

London claims to be a street preacher but Mr Jay sees through her wacky act of crazy.

Tahlia has an amazing face and almost makes HHPOF! cry with her story of her burns. Well played to be there in her bikini but you can see Mr Jay mentally calculating the cost of retouching and make up.

Aminat is fierce. But this means she'll either go far or fade early.

So Angelea has a dead child, crazy ass nails and crazy ass fake hair. And slept in the freaking Port Authority for the call back??! That's a lot of back story right there which may just swing it for her or result in her coming back in a future season.

Allison has a very modelly face but she's a wee bit crazy what with her love for blood. Actually, she's probably not crazy but is trying hard to be kooky to make up for a lack of personality.

Which was the mistake Kathryn made with her pen collection. Which consisted of five pens. To be fair to her, while she struggled with naming working models, she knew her designers which seemed to make up a little bit for the pen insanity.

That's another thing that makes me go all Kanye - LEARN YOUR COMPETITION AND WHO YOU MIGHT BE WORKING FOR!!! It's not hard.

You have to give the producers credit for not letting little things like a lack of goddesses of stuff get in the way of a good photoshoot premise. Each of the girls had to embody the spirit of one of these goddesses with the usual mix of good and blah.

Meanwhile though, just off set, Angelea and Sandra were escalating their face off which culminated in the Best Insult Ever.

"Yeah well, you got ugly ass corns."

Pure poetry. But seriously, fighting on set does you no favours.

So. We get the final 13 and my personal top 3 are:

Allison - yes she may be pretending to be kooky but there's something very fabulous about her face.

Fo - very pretty and I love the freckles.

Aminat - Sassy, slinky, fierce.

Next week we have moving in dramas, first photoshoot dramas and more squealing.

Shoe Of The Day

2009-09-15T10:30:00.000+01:00

It's been too long since I've indulged in some Louboutin Love. Alors, behold these lovely almost shoe boots.The 1920s styling could give the impression of being a bit unworkable but I reckon they could be worn with a multitude of outfits - trousers, jeans, skirts, dresses.

Which is a good job really as they do cost £620 so you'd want to get your money's worth really.

Christian Louboutin Esoteri 120, £620 at Net A Porter

Are You Ready For The Return Of The FIIIIIEEEEEEERRRRRCCCCEEEE?!

2009-09-14T16:59:00.004+01:00

Oh it's on bitches! America's Next Top Model is back tonight and as always, I'll be bringing you my thoughts and observations. From my mum's house...

ANTM will be returning here to Never Enough Shoes as Watch With Lel And Sel is on hiatus until I move back into a house with a gazillion channels and Lel finds some spare time in between learning medical stuff.

Be sure to let me know what you think during the show on Twitter (@NeverEnoughShoe)!

You stay FIERCE readers!

NES x x x

Shoe Of The Day

2009-08-14T11:30:00.000+01:00

I know it's maybe a bit early to start thinking about Christmas parties but if you started saving now then by the time December rolls round, you could have these fabulous Miu Miu glittery darlings adorning your feet and making you the belle of the ball.

With a 5-inch heel and 1-inch platform, peeptoe and velvet bow, they tick every box of fabulous you could think of.

So, start collecting those pennies to the sum of £320 and then go buy!

Shoe Of The Day

2009-08-10T11:30:00.000+01:00

As summer seems to have given up on us, it's time to start looking forward to all those yummy winter boots. Let's face it, winter boots and shoes are sexier than summer sandals.

Like these Fendi ones. Military styling is always a popular A/W trend but the muted grey suede and black patent toe cap also hint at a touch of Victoriana, which is again also popular.

At £694.99, they're definitely an investment buy but I'll be looking out for the inevitable high street alternatives to share with you!

Fendi Multi-strap boot, £694.99 at Net A Porter

And Now, Back To The Shoes...

2009-07-23T12:34:00.003+01:00

You may have noticed there's been a bit of a hiatus here. Well that's because my house burnt down.

Dramatic excuse non? You can read all the sizzling details here - which is where I shall also be documenting all the ridiculous things that prevent me from doing useful things like writing about shoes and pretty things.

Normal shoe (and fashion) service will be resumed with fervour from next Wednesday when my laptop has finished rising from the ashes. In the meantime, I suggest that you check out the sales, grab yourself a bargain then show me your pretty purchases.

As always, I'm hovering on Twitter so come say hi!

NES Writes For Shudoo

2009-06-23T15:57:00.002+01:00

The lovely people over at Shudoo asked me recently to say why I thought shoe blogs are all kinds of awesome.

So I did. And then they put it with musings from the ever fabulous Queen Michelle from Kingdom Of Style, stylist Rebekah Roy and Telegraph fashion editor Hilary Alexander.

So go and have a look for yourself and let me know what you think!

NES x x x

Looks Familiar: Stuart Weitzman Purple Bow Peeptoe

2009-06-09T16:16:00.003+01:00

So Megan Fox caused quite an unsurprising stir at the Japan premiere of Transformers 2 dressed in slinky purple and with matching shoes.

Shoes by Stuart Weitzman that look an awful lot like today's Shoe Of The Day from Miss Selfridge. Miz Fox's shoes though are suede and the bow has different shades of purple in and look equally as lovely and, were my bank manager to allow it, different enough to justify purchasing as well as it's cheaper counterpart.

If you want them, they're $365 at Zappos

Shoe Of The Day

2009-06-09T10:00:00.001+01:00

When I walked past Miss Selfridge the other day and saw these, The Hairy Drummer had to drag me away before I rushed in, tried them on, fell more in love then cried when I realised I couldn't afford them.

But then I found out they were only £35 and that that makes them very affordable indeed. Especially as they look a lot more expensive.

The solid heel, peeptoe and oversized bow as well as the luscious purple all contrive to a huge amount of win. You can buy them instore or online here.

FINALLY! Something By Kate Moss For Topshop That I Actually Like!

2009-06-08T12:49:00.003+01:00

Even though I still wouldn't fork out £90 (yes, really. £90.) for it, I do love this maxi dress from the new Kate Moss collection at Topshop.

I saw it in store the other day and was immediately drawn to it, cooed, found out what it was then looked at the price and wanted to cry a little bit. It's double layered which means it felt quite heavy and although there's a lot of fabric in there, it's only polyester which makes the price tag all the more galling. I'd expect it for cotton, not polyester.

I doubt I'm tall enough for it as well but still, for all the drawbacks, I can finally say she and her team have come up with something I like.

Shoe Of The Day

2009-06-08T11:52:00.007+01:00

The sun is struggling to make an appearance today but that doesn't mean that summery shoes are forgotten.

This floral canvas MJs from Topshop are the perfect in-betweeny shoe. Pretty and summery but also practical in that your toes won't get cold through ill advised exposure. And for only £22, they'll go nicely with jeans or dresses and skirts which makes them Cost Per Wear Fantastic!

VIVA2 floral print canvas shoe, £22 at Topshop