Style Inspiration from Kate Middleton's shoe rack!

So far during her visit to Canada with her husband, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been seen sporting a pair of Sebago boat shoes on two different occasions. If you fancy getting your hands on her style, why not snap up a pair by the New England based brand for yourself?

These Felucca Lace shoes are very similar to those that Kate wore:

Or you could go for the more iconic Docksides:

If you prefer Kate's smarter side, why not try out her other favourite shoe brand, Nine West:

She's been spotted in their wedges at least twice already in Canada. Here are a couple of options:

These Lazar wedges are practical and, presumably, easy to walk in:

And these Sadock wedge court shoes are elegant and chic:

Which look do you like best of the Duchess?

PS. I have added a little poll in the top of the right hand column, if you have a spare second - please choose your response. Thank you.

Shoe Search: Brand love

I have recently discovered a new shoe brand that I cannot get enough of: Blink. Not only are they affordable but they make on trend comfortable footwear for every taste. Or so it would seem.

I've been searching for some new shoes for work for a while now. After a summer in sandals, I needed some cute court shoes without the high heel. And I found them:

Not only are they the perfect heel height but they also fit like a sock - now that I have worn them in. Do you find that? That some of your most comfortable shoes are those that were the least comfrotable the first couple of times you wore them?

Tip: if at first your new shoes make your feet scream for no more, persevere. They might just become your most comfrotable shoes after a few wears. If not, give up.

These little court shoes are currently on sale. So I couldn't help myself but grab another pair in blue too:

But Blink don't just offer great little court shoes. Oh no. They also make boots. Perfect for the ensuing cold weather.

I had a lovely pair of over-the-knee suedette boots last winter that I lived in but they are starting to look a little sorry for themselves. Probably due to the overwear. So when I saw these boots, I knew I had to get them:

Now, I am lusting over these uber-cool and of-the-moment (as all of those fashion mags tell us) workwear boots:

Yes, I am sure there is such as too many shoes but I don't think I am anywhere close to having to worry about that. (I'm sure my mother, my boyf and many more people might disagree with me on this.)

Have you discovered a must-have brand recently? Which is your go-to brand for all things shoes?

SHOE SEARCH: legs, bums and... trainers!

As the summer leaves this fair land of ours and sandals and flip flops are banished for another year, why not invest in a pair of new trainers for the cooler weather? This year has been the year of the tone-up trainer and there are a number of trainers on the market now that claim to help you tone your legs and bum as you walk.

Earlier this year, I trialed Reebok's Easytone trainers and can vouch that I certainly felt the burn after wearing them, even for short periods.

Get a pair of these trainers now and by next summer, you'll be bikini and shorts ready - without breaking a sweat!

First up are Reebok's Easytone trainers: Reebok's patented muscle-toning balance pod sole technology creates a slight instability, much like walking on sand. This instability encourages toning through increased muscle activation in three key areas of the leg. Up to 28%.

These trainers are recommended only for walking. But Reebok have now created RunTone trainers for those who want an increased work out from their run: Compared to a traditional running shoe, RunTone's 8 pods of moving air encourage more activation in key leg muscles like calves and quads and also helps to reduce overall body stress.

Reebok have also created their TrainTone trainers which boast to help you get a better butt and better legs with every step of your workout:

Of course, Reebok aren't the only trainers on the market that aim to help you tone up. Skechers have also got in on the act with their Shape-Up trainers: Thanks to their unique kinetic platform heel and dynamic rolling sole, these revolutionary trainers from Sketchers call upon your muscles, allowing you to strengthen without any additional effort.

For me, however, Skechers Shape-Ups have come up with the best option for toning up this autumn. These cute boots will go with almost everything in my wardrobe AND tone my legs and bum as I go about my daily duties, like shopping!

What do you think of these toning shoes? Will you be investing this autumn? Have you already? Tell me, tell me!

Shoe Search: For a rainy day

The weather here in the UK has been so undependable. One minute the suns out as I'm getting dressed in the morning and the next it is pouring as I'm walking to work. It is virtually impossible to find a pair of shoes that are appropriate for sun one minute and rain the next. Well, I have discovered a rather fabulous brand - Melissa. Melissa make plastic fantastic shoes and boots perfect for every occasion come rain or shine:

Low boots Melissa ASHANTI Grey

Shoes Melissa BLACK Magic

Shoes Melissa TEMPTATION Red

Ballerinas Melissa ULTRAGIRL Violet

Now I can't wait for another rainy day! What do you think of the shoes?

Shoe search: A/W 2010's offerings

With all this talk of Autumn/Winter 2010 I decided to get some A/W footwear inspiration.


Over at Asos, masculine brogues were teamed with floaty lace dresses. These aptly named - Garcon - brogues are currently in the sale at Spartoo:

Try something different with these by Parisian shoe designer, Stephane Verdino:

Or, go for these sophisticated heeled brogues:

At H&M the focus was on smart tailoring. Next season, team tweed trouser suits with heeled loafers, like this patent pair from Clarks:

Work site-style boots are on-trend for next season. Go traditional in a pair of Dr Martens:

What will you be wearing on your feet next season?

Shoe search: clogs

Thanks to Karl Lagerfeld and his offerings at Chanel, clogs were all over the catwalks and the high street for Spring/Summer 2010 and, if you're quick, you can still get in on the action. You can even save yourself a few pennies, with these which are a twist on the traditional clog and currently have 50% off:

If you'd prefer something more traditional and maybe easier to walk in, why not go for one of Birkenstock's styles?

Have you been rocking the clog this season?

Wedge, anyone?

I am a huge shoe lover but often they don't love me. Heels and in particular stilettos are my favourite but after less than an hour in a pair I am usually in agony, so I tend to stick to flats. Until now.


Wedges have been regulars on the catwalks for many seasons now: wedge boots, wedge shoes and, of course, wedge sandals. I never really bought into the trend but as the weather warms up and the sun comes out I have been starting to hanker after a pair to wear for summer nights by the beach.


Spartoo have a wide and wonderful collection of wedges to suit every outfit:


For summer beach holidays, I think woven wedges like these are perfect:

♥ No Name JUANITA

♥ Pare Gabia Tarden

For a smarter look, why not try these?

♥ UGG Hazel wedges

♥ Buffalo Sapezal

♥ Atelier Voisin Pico

Last week I decided to take the plunge and order a pair. I didn't choose any of these, however. Instead I chose:

♥ Rocket Dog Goofup

They arrived today and I put them on straight away and haven't taken them off since. I even walked home at lunchtime and back to work again in them and no rubbing or pain so far. I even managed to snap a couple of photos of them on when I was at home:

Have you tried the wedge trend? What do you think?

Shoe search: summer shoes #2

After this selection of sophisticated summer shoes, I thought that it was only fair to provide you with an alternative collection of what to wear in the warm weather when you're not at work.


Spartoo have a wide range of Havaianas, including classics like these:

♥ Havaianas BRASIL ♥

And more practical versions (these would be better for me for cycling than my other Havaianas!):

♥ Havaianas FIT ♥

If you require something more sturdy but still summery, why not go for a radient red pair of Converse low tops?

♥ Converse CTAS CORE OX ♥

What will you be wearing this summer to the park or to the beach?


PS. After the last post about summer footwear I just couldn't resist getting myself a pair of the One Step Gwen. Aren't they perfect?

One Step Gwen pumps from Spartoo and Chanel Nouvelle Vague Le Vernis

Shoe search: SALES picks

The summer sale has started over at Spartoo and I have chosen my best picks for you to save you the time searching for them:

After shoe boots for the last two winters, their summer equivalent, cuff sandals, are everywhere this season. Why not follow the trend with these bright and sparkling sandals? Were £45.00, Now £31.50:

They also come in blue.

Also on trend this summer are wedges and this neutral pair tick two trend boxes in one go. Were £55.00, Now £38.50:

These also come in black and brown.

These gold gladiator sandals are great for daytime sight-seeing on your hols and the metalic colour means that they can be dressed up in the evening too. Were £39.90, Now £27.93:

Other colours are available but may not be on sale.

Happy sales shopping ladies!

Shoe search: summer shoes #1

Summer is here. Or for a few days, at least! As soon as the sun comes out I start to dream of bathing on the beach, soaking up the sun with a glass of sangria and burgers on the barbie!

As a sucker for shoes, I often find myself in a quandary over what to wear when the sun's shining. During the cold winter months (that seem to last forever here in the UK) I live in smart boots and chic ballet pumps but the minute the weather warms up all I want to do is chuck on a pair of flip flops. Not so chic now, eh?!

So I have put together a little selection of sophisticated summer shoes from Spartoo, just for you:

 ♥ Cosmo Paris Tasha ♥       ♥ Fornarina SLY ♥

♥ Ravel EMELDA ♥  ♥ One Step GWEN ♥

What do you wear on your feet for summer days?

Shoe search: the perfect ballet pump

I am a serious flats girl. Ok, so there are times when I stray a little from the comfortable path trodden in flat shoes but I am quick to realise my mistake and return to the familiar.


But even flatties aren't always comfortable. I have had pairs that have rubbed my heels bare and taken the skin off my little toes. But then there is always that one pair that fits perfectly and that you live in until they are completely worn out because you can't imagine anything else feeling quite like it ever again.


I tend to dress quite demurely - in my collection of LBDs - and so often find myself drawn to brighter shoes.


I have just discovered Spartoo's online store and have fallen in love with the Bloch pumps:

Aren't the purple ones fabulous?! Just not in my size at the moment. Sad.

I do also love a pair of sensible Audrey Hepburn-esque black pumps and currently have a pair that have been worn almost to their death which I desperately need to replace. So I decided to check out Spartoo's collection:

I think these might be just perfect. And they are a steal at £38.


The brilliant thing about the Spartoo website is that delivery is free! I always hate it when delivery charges are added on and what looked like a bargain is suddenly transformed into a bit of a splurge!


What do you spy that you would treat yourself to?