New Shoes

Here are the new shoes that i ordered from Ebay, i got them in the mail yesterday.
Im very happy about these shoes, i cant wait to start using these :)

I really have to start packing now. My mom is picking me up in two hours and i have lots of stuff that i have to take with me. Im also taking my computer with me, hopefully their internet works this time. :)

What are you guys doing today?
What do you think about my new shoes? :)

Simple & Earthy Wedding

Yet another wedding that had me at the florals!  And those shoes...to die for.  LOVE.

See the full spread over at Grey Likes Weddings.  Photos by Photo Orange Photography.

mine at last!

I've coveted these bad boys since I first saw them months ago, but at a whopping $225, I just couldn't justify laying down that kind of cash for ballet flats; Halston or not. But as it turns out, patience is in fact a virtue, because the other day I scored these little lovelies for a mere $85!! Let's just say I'm a very, very happy girl...

Gladiator Sandals. The "frenemy" of the shoe world.

A few weeks ago I went out and bought my first ever pair of Gladiator Sandals. (Excuse the rubbish photograph and my thunder thighs, I just needed a photo to show the happiness I felt at the thought of my new shoes)

The trend has been around since 2008 which makes it ancient in the fashion world and because of this, they are now deemed by many fash mags as "a wardrobe staple."
The only reason I jumped on the bandwagon so late was because of my freakishly-fat-duck-feet which made it near impossible to find a pair which fit. But then I found a pair. Simple brown and metallic gladiator heels and as a bonus; they were less than a tenner. I was buzzing.

Then the next day in the Guardian Weekend I read that Jess Cartner-Morley (the fabulous fashion editor at The Guardian, and a woman who always talks sartorial sense) said this about Gladiator Sandals and Clogs (you already know how I feel about them)

"The only positive benefit of the return of clogs to fashion is that, by comparison, they make gladiator sandals seem both flattering and comfortable. Gladiator sandals are, of course, neither flattering nor comfortable: they make all but the most photogenic of feet look like slabs of undercooked meat, and the law of averages states that if you crisscross a hot pair of feet with 14 leather straps, then at least one of those straps is going to rub. But the alternative, this summer, is to wear clogs. Oddly, there is nothing that accentuates a tree trunk leg quite like attaching a log to the sole of your foot."

Ouch. "Undercooked meat." Really Jess?
But then surely enough I looked down at my newly clad feet and indeed they did.
The next day I went for a walk to the park in them. Mine have 5 straps across them and just as wise Jess predicted it gave the seemingly harmless sandals a gazillion opportunities to rub my now absolutely battered and bloodied feet.

I now can't wear the Gladiator without bandaging them up, not unlike a lady from Imperial China by covering them in plasters, which I think you'll agree isn't exactly the chic and on trend look I was aiming for.

Then I read last week on Lourdes' new blog (yep Madonnas daughter has a new blog and she actually sounds like a perfectly normal young teenager) said:

"OK but no joke gladiator sandals are OUT. They came out in summer 2008 and I was like, ok those are really cute. Then 2009 comes around and people are still wearing them so I’m like, ok whatever it’s just a phase. BUT NOOOOO. Because good old 2010 is now coming along and people are STILL wearing them, and then I was just like OK NO! It’s been three years people COME ON!!!!!!!!! I’m just like what????"

Now I don't know whether I can trust the opinion of a girl who apparently likes "My Chemical Romance... for realzzzz" and over uses punctuation marks but she may have a point.

So people of the blogging world, let me hear your thoughts!

Shall I put away my blood stained, uncomfortable Gladiator Sandals? Or continue to wear what may be a "fashion staple" but just by the pool with a bikini?
They have to be the ultimate "frenemy" of the summer sandal world. You don't know whether you love 'em or hate 'em (just like Simon Cowell and Marmite)

Beth Ruby xoxo

ps) I just have to dash off now and check on the numerous Nigella recipes I am making as part of my Summer Challenge 2010 list which includes "Cook 3 course meal."
I don't want it to burn like my epic fail batch of brownies earlier. Follow me on twitter here if you want to see my Summer Challenge updates (and also photos from the disaster that I now refer to as "Brownie Gate")

DESIGNER ENVY- My soft spot for gimmicky heels

It has been awhile since I have had a full on designer shoe envy (probably due to being locked up revising in my room and spending less time on Style.com and Sea of Shoes if anything else)

But once I laid eyes on these DSqaured shoes which have a SPINE FOR THE HEEL (!!!) I fell a little bit in love.

"It's just such a genius idea!" I cried.
And then after getting a major deja vu I got thinking about the sheer amount of times I have said that after seeing a rather cool pair of heels.
After trawling the extensive albums of photos of shoes which are knacking up my computer hard drive I realised just how many gimmicky heels there are out there.
Shoe designers love a good novelty idea to get people talking and buying. (If this was a power point I would add the cheesy *KERCHING* sound effect here)
It makes sense really, I mean I know a girl can own a lot of shoes but there are only so many plain black sling-backs someone can have before they crave the crazy.

And I know I would rather have a pair of fierce, eye catching, compliment attracting, fabulous shoes than a pair of plain. fabulous shoes (remember my rant at the beige schmeige and boring ol' Celine's "Wardrobe Staples" ?)

So here are some more gimmicky heels I found.
I'll shut up now and let them do the talking:

Dolce and Gabbana 'Face' shoes- photo from Sea of Shoes

The Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte 'Melted Wax' heels (which I thought looked like the Wicked Witch of the West melting...) Source unknown

The legendary Chanel 'light bulb' shoes (source unknown)

And the lovely new 'Chandelier' heels from the Prada collection.

Can you think of any more shoe gimmicks?

I could go on but I really must go back to revising Vietnam and Womens rights for my exam tomorrow. Exciting I know.

Ciao!

Beth Ruby xoxo

ps) Happy fathers day!

Summer 2010 Must Haves: Trendy Shoes

For this year's summer, we must put our best foot forward by grabbing at lease a pair of the summer 2010 must have trendy shoes. Check out the rest of the list that will surely complement your summer's hottest looks.


Left: Studded suede flat with ankle cuff by Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain
Center: Leopard-print ponyskin sandals with ankle ties by Christian Louboutin
Right: Rhinestone T-strap flat by Gap


Left: Denim lace-up wedge by Mango
Center: Metallic lace-up wedge by Bebe
Right: Mesh and karung-stamped leather lace-up platform by Rochas


Left: Leather lace-up yellow pump with cut-out detail by Pour la Victoire
Center: Embroidered leather sandal by Lanvin
Right: Woven leather sandal with neon trim detail by Jimmy Choo


Left: Pony fur leopard-print mule by Alexander Wang
Center: Peep-toe wedge by Steve Madden
Right: Perforated leather platform by Prada


Left: Floral-print ballet flat with bow detail by J. Crew
Right: Graphic-print canvas shoe by Toms


Source: Elle.com

Pretty Pink Wedding from Erin Hearts Court

When I saw this wedding over on 100 Layer Cake, I fell in love.  The beautiful photos by Erin Hearts Court, the pink cardigan, and that bouquet...so many pretty details that I just had to share.  Enjoy!

And those gorgeous shoes?  They are from J.Crew with clips from b.poetic.  Genius!

Shoe Fashion Spotlight: Balenciaga's Bauhaus Sandals

Hello Fashion-O-Lic visitors! I would like to share to you this pair of shoes from Balenciaga. I hope they will capture your fashionable hearts just as what it did to mine. This Balenciaga's Bauhaus leather sandals comes in two tones and costs $1,495. It's perfect for the Spring/Summer season and you can wear it during daytime or night occasions.

Simple Accessories For Spring 2010

Accessories Spring

Accessories Spring

Accessories Spring

Accessories Spring

Although it may not feel like it right now, Spring will soon be here! This season, soft pastel shades are making a come back, with key colours such as cream and light pinks a great way to refresh winter wardrobes. Team with light greys for elegant workwear options and add punches of colour with simple accessories.

Came Up With LV Monogram Musette

Last week daughter one, Chloe, came up with her LV Monogram Musette and asked OH to put it in the Royal Exchange City branch for repair. One of the straps had come out, and looked as though it would need restitching. OH thought it would be a good idea to just go to a local Shoe Repairers, but I was having one of it, saying that it would devalue the Bag.

We had bought this for Chloe almost 6 years ago for her 14th Birthday from the Bond Street Branch and although it has been used a fair bit, it hasn't been used everyday. I can remember times when she has pinched bags of mine and used them for months on end, Celine Boogie Bag and Mark Jacobs Stam and I have had a hell of a job prising them off her for me to sell on ebay! Also bear in mind that one of my Boogie Bags, the large brown one, she still has and uses, even though it now looks almost as tatty and old as me! She was at school until she was 18, so the bag didn't get a great deal of use in its first four years.

OH took it to work with him and rang me from the store and said "It will be £42 for a new strap" I said "No thanks, we do not want a new strap, the leather will be pale cream and will look stupid on an old bag (trust an old bag to know) we just want that one restitched".
So he left it with them and trotted off.
Today he got a phone call from them saying "Sorry but the bag has been sent to Paris and they can't restitch it as a chunk of the canvas has gone". WTF?
To say I am furious and want to smash their heads in, is an understatment. So now with all the worry of Daughter 2 having an operation in Central London next week, whilst she is in Theatre, I shall cab it to Bond Street and have a bloody fit, instore, if they don't sort it.

Miley Cyrus with her Musette

I remember my first LV bag, an Alma. I was so pleased and proud and walked around the City of London as if I was the Dogs Bollocks, I went out for lunch every day, just to show it off, even if it was just to walk to Kossoffs for a Bagel (I used to love their cream cheese and always followed it up with a buttered Rock Cake! Does anyone know if they are still in Middlesex Street?). Anyway, I digress. The first day I walked into the office with it, my boss said "That bag will last you a lifetime" and it would have if I hadn't sold it! but why hasn't Chloe's lasted a lifetime. More shit for me to sort out next week, as if I haven't got enough on my plate!

Celebrity Shoes With Vertiginous Heels Evoke As Much Interest

Promise HELLE Women's Studded Sandals

Think Jennifer Lopez, think shoes with vertiginous heels !! Few other celebrities' shoes evoke as much interest as Jennifer's for hers are as stylish as they are impossible to walk in, except for the seasoned fashionistas.When one needs to be picky about what one buys these days, rethinking a thousand times whether something is really necessary, this could be the one pair of shoes that you would want to add to your shoe closet, this season.However I would prefer these shoes in a glammed up golden color to effortlessly wear with the many black or shimmery dresses that one ends up grazing the evening in.If you concur with me, then go ahead and indulge in one of the most happening shoes of this season.

Here some Jennifer Lopez shoes and sandals she used :

Designer Leather slingback fashion trend

Designer Leather slingback fashion trend

Patent leather and mesh slingback, Bebe

Leather slingback, Nine West

Python wooden wedge, Gianvito

Patent leather platform Maryjane, Barbara