Shoes and more shoes

For me the best fashion accessories are definitely shoes and bags. Of course I do love jewellery, bangles, necklaces and earrings but I really love bags and shoes.

In my world no outfit is complete without a suitable bag and shoes to accessorise. Occasionally I would wear a hat but only for a very special outing, but I would never go without a suitable bag and shoes. I usually try to match my bag in shoes, if not in brand they definitely in colour. Never listen to those who say a black bag and shoes will do, there are so many variations of black and so many styles to choose from. I have been known to spend more time choosing my bag and shoes that the actual outfit. For a special day out I will look for a designer label but for ordinary outings or going to work I opt for a good high street label such as the designer ranges in Debenhams, John Lewis or Marks and Spencer.

A girl can never have too many shoes or bags, and very often the accessories are more important, they grab attention and show that I care. Attention to detail is crucial it shows that you have made the effort.

Getting Fit with Fitflops

Fitflops have been on the scene now for a few years and are set to be the must have wardrobe item for spring /summer 2009. When Fitflops first appeared the marketing was quite specialised aimed mainly at the health and well being markets rather than the fashion scene. However, Fitflops are now an established fashion ensemble with women ordering a pair in every colour. Celebrities have even been seen without their usual high heels and have embraced Fitflops as the fashion footwear accessory for the new season.

The 2009 Fitflops have been given the full fashion treatment. They still maintain the original technology but now appeal to all the trend setters and followers, with some fabulous new colour and quirky designers. The new season’s Fitflops not only look good but are also great for the wellbeing and posture of the wearer themselves. They help tone the muscles in the legs, thighs and bum, aid posture and there are claims that they can even help relieve backache. Fitflops have inbuilt “micro-wobbleboard” technology and have a multi-density inner core that helps to stimulate the muscles to work a little harder with every step, the wearer is receiving an excellent work out of the leg muscles without having to make any extra effort.

Fashion footwear is not normally known to be good for the feet, however Fitflops are comfortable to wear, aid slimming and look good, a case of the gain without the pain. Fitflops can be worn with any outfit they are lots to choose from, different colours and finishes such as sequins. Fitflops are comfortable and versatile and can be worn as beachwear, everyday casual wear and can even be worn as evening wear, colours and styles are available to suit all occasions and outfits. Hemlines are set to rise this Summer so it is very important to have slim, shapely, healthy looking legs and Fitflops can make this possible whilst also letting the wearer look fashionable.

Designer Shoes – A great investment

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but designer shoes are a girl’s true weakness, there are very few females who do not aspire to own a pair of Jimmy Choos. Why do women love designer shoes, perhaps because out of all the designer accessories or clothing designer shoes are the most accessible and attainable? Designer shoes are expensive but not totally exorbitant in price, a beautiful pair Gucci sling backs can be bought for a few hundred pounds at various outlet and online boutiques. This amount of money is viewed today by most women as an achievable amount to save for.

Designer shoes have a great appeal. There is a designer shoe to suit every foot, whether you are tall, small, fat or thin you can still purchase beautiful designer shoes and they will look beautiful when worn regardless of body shape, and sure to make you feel a million dollars. Moreover, television programmes such as “Sex in the City” or films like “The Devil Wears Prada” all serve to perpetuate the myth that all females love designer shoes. Most people have heard of designers such as Christian Louboutins or Manolo Blahnik, and these are perhaps the must have names in designer footwear but more modern designer such as Kurt Geiger have been very prominent on the catwalks. Latest shoe designs have the emphasis on detail, whether it is fringing, laces, straps or buckles, styles include very high heels, flat pumps and a return of the platform high heel.

Designer shoes indicate taste and hint at affluence, designer shoes are now easy to purchase with many online stores specialising in designer shoes. Many of us would love to have wardrobes filled with racks containing designer shoes, few of us attain this but many of us can reveal a pair of designer heels from the likes of Prada, Fendi or Dolce and Gabbana that have been purchased from an online shop or auction site… After all who’s to know how much you paid for the perfect pair of Audrey Hepburn style Gucci’s!

Puddle jumping in wellies

My little girl, her name is Holly, loves going and out about with me, she is very much daddy’s little girl. Sometimes, she can be quite a girly girl, but normally, she is quite happy to get her wellies on and get a little dirty, wet or just absolutely manky and covered in mud from head to toe.

As we live on the edge of some fields, her wellies are on more often than not during the winter months and this time last year our favourite past time was to go and walk the dog and see how much of a splash we could make in the various assorted and very muddy puddles.

We would do the puddle long jump championship and the puddle high jump championship and then there was the largest splash category which was my personal favourite. Such sports are hazardous and the dreaded muddy eye, wet bum and puddle foot are all very serious complaints for us athletic types.

Returning home would also be an adventure, as this time we would be cold, wet and muddy. She would ultimately be sitting on my shoulders making me equally as cold and wet and getting home to a warm fire side would be just as good as the splashing fun. Its and old saying, but entirely true, that kids having fun don’t ever feel the cold. I am of course just a big child at heart and I’m not one of these parents that tells my kids to walk around puddles or don’t kick through the autumn leaves as long as they are dressed appropriately for the occasion.

I would be a little upset if she did this in the nicest party dress, but a pair of wellies, old jeans, thick socks and an old coat, thick scarf, hat and gloves are just what’s required for our dog walking shenanigans.

Naturally, as you will understand, her mother didn’t think that our puddle jumping escapades were quite as funny as we did. Trying to sneak in the front door, leaving a trail of muddy clothes and foot prints over the wood floors proved to be more risky than the puddle jumping.

A hot shower and a change of clothes later and its all good, but it’s these daft little moments that you remember as your children grow older. If I ever have grandchildren, I think that I will definitely take them puddle splashing and risk the wrath of the mothers and hope that they remember the days when they did it too.

In the words of Billy Connolly, there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.

Wet weather wellies

Healthy children are active and boisterous by nature, even in the worst weather. They need footwear that can stand up to the rigours of rough and tumble play and keep their feet protected.  Wellington boots have been around for ages. Commonly known as ‘wellies’, they used to be produced only in black rubber. They were very inexpensive and so affordable by all.

Nowadays, besides being manufactured from vulcanised rubber, they are also made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which makes them quite cheap to produce.  They are not designed to be worn as an everyday shoe so come in a very basic one-shape-fits-all style. They are easy to keep clean, requiring just a quick wipe over with a damp cloth, and they never seem to wear out; for this reason, they are great to hand down from one child to another. With prices today starting at around £5 for a pair, they are extremely good value for money and guaranteed to keep the feet dry in the heaviest of rain.

These days wellies are still cheap but the choice of design is huge.  Besides still being available in black or khaki, they also come in bright colours and patterns.  Some of them have faces on the tops of the toes; a popular one looks like a frog.  Some of them have a cuff at the top that can be turned over to cover the top of the boot. They have thick hard-wearing soles and reinforced toes.

Wellies are ideal in wet weather and great for splashing about in puddles and streams. They are made from hard-wearing but flexible rubber which makes sure they are comfortable, and they have plenty of room inside to be able to wear a thick pair of socks.  It’s very important to remember that wellies do not provide any warmth to the feet so they are not practical to wear in really cold weather. Some of them have an in-built lining but these will still not protect the feet from the cold.

Wellington boots were first popularised in the time of the 1^st Duke of Wellington; he wanted his everyday 18^th century boots to be made waterproof and hardy enough for battle, yet comfortable to wear when relaxing.   Wellingtons, as they came to be known, were the height of fashion at the time, especially amongst the aristocracy.

Wellies are quite lightweight so are ideal for those days when the journey to school has to take place in heavy rain. They are easy for children to carry and, because they are so flexible, they are easy to squash down to fit inside a school bag. Wellies are also fun – children find it irresistible to jump up and down in puddles when they are wearing them, knowing that their feet won’t get wet. All in all, they are great for children and good value for their parents.