ONE OF THOSE POSTS

By the title, and the length of time since I last posted, you can probably take a guess at the talking point of this post. It's been a while, and I could reel off tons of excuses like the stress of sixth form, juggling a part-time job and having more responsibility than ever it seems, (not to mention it getting dark early - no time for picture taking sessions these days), but I will spare that.

I'm hoping to get back into the swing of posting soon, and maybe switch up my content a bit, but I just thought an apology and brief explanation was needed to put myself (and maybe you) at ease with my absence.

BLACK LEATHER CONVERSE STYLE FLATS

Although I don't tend to make it very obvious nor scream and shout about it, I am quite a fan of Kanye West, and sometimes his clothing choices really appeal to me - mainly the all black outfits he sports, and when I spotted these black leather converse esque shoes in New Look for £12.99 I thought they were so Kanye that I couldn't put them back down.

First off, the price of these was nothing that needed serious justification, and for something short of 15 quid for a pair of stylish flats, you can't go wrong. These are very comfortable too, and I already know these will be a staple for the Autumn/Winter. With ripped jeans I can imagine these will look pretty darn good, and being all black they can slot into pretty much any outfit I own.

I literally have no regrets buying these shoes, and prepare to see them featured in numerous outfit posts to come. Now, I have my eyes on the  all white pair...

SHOE COLLECTION 2014 - THE BASICS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cfO-Ej9zCk (video widget wasn't working, sorry!)

Everyone loves shoes, so I thought 'why not put them on a strut around in front of a camera in my front garden and make a video?'. I was stumped for posts so I thought rather than forcing something out I'd give you all the chance to check out my new Youtube channel and hopefully gain a few subscribers from it.

By shoe collection is pretty condensed and small with just the staples and basics in there, so the video isn't all that interesting, but in the future I can see multiple minutes being added to the video as time goes on.

YET ANOTHER SUMMER SHOE

Shoe hauling, again? New look, again? New Look have really been winning on the shoe front recently, and as I am off to Madrid very soon, I thought it'd be a wise idea to get something a little more open in case I don't want to be stuck in my Vans all day long.

I was looking for these for a long time, I originally found some in River Island but Megan got them and I thought I wouldn't copy her (although I do for the majority of other things) and after seeing similar in New Look for £19.99 I was determined to buy them . I saw them in a size 5, stupidly didn't buy them and then they went out of stock everywhere in a 5 and I kind of gave up on them. But... my mum managed to locate some on a trip to the town today and I haven't been so happy about shoes for a while now.

I went for black as I thought they'd go with all of my wardrobe, and I love that they are some sort of sandal-shoe 'cage' hybrid, as I can get away with them when it isn't too warm as well as in the hot weather. I also like that it covers the toe as well, I just seem to like the way it looks, as well as a tiny bit of a heel to make them look more dainty.

I can tell I'll be getting a lot of wear out of these shoes and if I do I may have to pick up the white pair as well...

A GO-TO CASUAL SHOE

CLASSIC VANS £45

For this weekend's fashion post, I thought I would give my Vans a mention. I got these a while back and have gotten so much use out of them that I want to buy so many more pairs. I recently got some Primark dupes in black which has tempted me, but I think I should put a cap on the spending for now.

When I first got these, I wore them to school on a 'mufti' day, and ended up tripping up the stairs because I was so unaware of the thick sole at the front and back, but I learnt my lesson pretty quickly as I laughed it off. I do quite like the colour of these, I sometimes wish I could wear them with tights but the blue/black contrast doesn't quite work but other than that these go with 90% of my wardrobe.

I particularly like these with frilly trainer socks and shorts, which has been my go-to combo recently as the sun has been peeking out. I also went for a run in these the other day which I know they aren't designed for but they served me well.

Who knew I would opt for such a casual shoe offering? This could be the start of something new...

DRESSING UP THE MOM SHORTS

MOM SHORTS: NEW LOOK

BELT: PRIMARK

LEATHER JACKET: SELECT

JUMPER T-SHIRT: H&M 

SHOES: NEW LOOK 

NECKLACE: FOREVER 21

SUNGLASSES: FOREVER 21

In the same way as my best friend Megan, I think after adding a pair of 'Mom' shorts to my wardrobe (at a pretty good price of £19.99), I will be doing a few of my weekend outfit posts dedicated to them, from dressy, to casual, to summer day wear (and if any other suggestions, leave them below). 

I think the leather jacket, shoes and sunglasses really finish off the look, adding the monochome touches I have in every outfit I sport. Even though the sunglasses are very oversized they were such a bargain and I am determined to make them work. 

A NEW WARDROBE ADDITION: CHUNKY HEELED SANDALS

NEW LOOK CHUNKY CLEATED SOLE GLADIATOR SANDALS £24.99

Since Megan has been wowing me with her sense of style these past few weeks, (as well as Lily Melrose), I have been determined to build up the staples in my wardrobe, and the prime place to start for me was a pair of shoes - and in particular, I was after some chunky sandals with a heel.

I ended up going a little higher on the heel than I was anticipating, but the inch of platform at the front kind of levels it out. As a teen, I haven't had much experience with heels but I have no problems walking in these which is a massive plus. For £24.99 I feel like these look so much more expensive and I'll definitely be getting my wear out of them.

They are so simple, and I can dress them up and down (trust me, I have been experimenting - as you will see from the upcoming outfit posts I have planned), and I even went as far as trialling them with frilly socks - is that still a sin? I am actually tempted to buy myself the same pair in white - I might as well complete the duo...?

All I need now is to build up the rest of my wardrobe with basics and staples. I am planning to make an outfit post a new feature on weekends - how would you lovely people feel about that?

PRIMARK'S CHUNKY PATENT BROGUES

Like them or loathe them, I have bought some new shoes. Patent esc. brogues to be precise. From Primark. I have been outfit planning for the Clothes Show Live 2013 (it is still a month until I go..), and I decided I needed a comfortable, chunky soled, closed up, shoe which would match with whatever I decided to pair them with - dresses, jeans, the lot.

I found these chunky looking ones in Primark, no shame - although there may be a little of it, as my entire outfit will probably be from Primark, at a rather big fashion event - wild. But, if I saw someone wearing these, I would most certainly think they were darn expensive, and not from anywhere near Primark - result. The best part? These bad boys were £12. WHAT?!

They don't make my feet look like canal boats, and they look smashing with jeans or dresses, and there was no staggering price. Although I will be sporting Primark based attire for the day, I will feel pretty good about it. I also bought the big, black oversized furry/fluffy/hairy cardigan they have out at the moment, and that will be getting an outing on the day too.

Love them or hate them, these could be up there to be my new favourite pair of shoes, and I haven't even worn them out yet.