Kingdom Of Style

Rain, Reefs and Rabbit Hutches...

Last night it was the birthday celebration of a dear friend of the Kingdom, the inestimable Craigy B. I eventually got in to town late and had to park the car miles away from The Rock Garden. As I walked round, the heavens opened and I got soaked. But by the time I left to get back to the car to head down to the club, it was a torrential downpour. I don't think I have ever seen rain so heavy and go on so long. It took me about 30 minutes to get back to the car, I was completely soaked and my feet were sliding about in my sandals. I then had a horrible night where I started to dry out in the clammy heat of the club, all the while having my ear bent by various pests. To tell the truth it was a pretty wretched night and when I got home I felt really down.

When I got up this morning and went into the kitchen to make some tea, it smelled like a rabbit hutch. That kind of grassy, damp and slightly yuck smell. I then dozily sniffed all round the kitchen to see where the smell was coming from. It was my freakin' sandals! The rain has made them smell really really peculiar. In despair, I launched them into the gardens, where the rain continues to piss down on them.

Rain rain go away...

Queen Marie

Blue Suede Shoes

Time spent at the Duchess' palace is time spent doing very little at all. The Royal hounds had the pleasure of roaming a large garden whenever they pleased whilst your Queen idled away her time taking photo's of the Duchess' many beautiful flowers.

The one day my Prince and I did take leave of the palace was to visit TK Maxx. And what a treasure it gave me! Well, gave the Prince's credit card actually. Whilst inspecting their shoe wares I happened upon the most delicious pair of blue suede shoes. Not any old blue suede shoes, oh no, these are Scorah Pattullo for Marios Schwab blue suede shoes! Major scoop.

Misleading high, the shoes will surely be kept for very special occasions. The beauty of these, other than their appearance, is that they are all leather (uppers and sole) for a grand sum of...£49.99. Thank you very much, don't mind if I do! Young Prince please hand the man your fine credit card and I shall be on my way.

Queen Michelle

Big Problem Small Solution

My feet get blisters so easily. It's the bane of my life since my large collection of strappy shoes look best worn with bare feet. However, needs must and mines is to find a pair of socks that looks decent enough to wear with strappy shoes when I'm wearing them with cropped trousers.

A very specific problem to be sure. Shoes with skirts is no problem because tights or knee highs work perfectly, but trousers that show some leg are slightly more problematic, especially since the reason they look good is because of that little glimpse of ankle and leg. So ankle socks seem the way forward.

After much thought and general hunting around for socks that are interesting but still heavy enough to stop any potential blisters/general rubbing, I conclude that what I really need are some of these Emilio Cavallini socks.

I love that they are so graphic looking. Some chunky black strapped shoes would look amazing worn over these guys. Would I wear them with white stiletto's though? Highly unlikely.

Queen Michelle

Get To The Point

For many seasons now our toes have had it relatively easy with the plethora of open top, peep toe and round toe shoe styles dominating the high street and the high end designers. But quite frankly, I'm bored of easy. I want the full on return of the super pointy toe.

It's been ages since I've seen a decent pair of pointy toe shoes in the shops and I hope that will change really soon, because there are few things in life more satisfying than looking down at your feet clad in sharp angles.

As is my want, I have been drooling over shoes I shan't ever be able to buy,. However it's still useful to have some idea of the kind of styles I'm hoping to find for a tenth of the price. Currently the two styles rocking my world are provided by Balenciaga and Chloe.

Balenciaga
Setting the benchmark for futuristic. Delicious.

I'll eat my Lariat if Kurt Geiger don't produce some kind of variant of this style.

Chloe
Utterly hands down my favourite. Leaf and flower embellished ankle boots and shoes? Don't mind if I do.

What I wouldn't give for the grey shoes and purple ankle boots above. I don't hold out much hope of a cheap version of these being produced, but I could be wrong. Office may do a half arsed attempt but Topshop, if you are listening, please create some kind of flora and fauna shoes that us mere mortals can afford? Thank you.

Queen Michelle

Call Of The Cheyenne

I am desperately trying to cut down on my shoe purchases but of course all I can think about is shoes.

I have been in love with Tashkent by Cheyenne for a few seasons now.

Her strangely alluring designs balance between being completely ugly and completely interesting. I, flying the flag for all things ugly, say it's the ugliness that makes them so interesting, as with life in my opinion. Those things which make you wonder if they are exquisite or hideous are the things that I find most compelling. Sometimes blindingly beautiful can be ever so dull. I think my whole life would be complete if I had the black wedges. Nope, no exaggeration here!

On a side note, I always wanted to be called Cheyenne. Such a pretty name.

Queen Michelle

White Shoe Shuffle

Firstly I must begin by retracting my initial statement regarding the comfort level of these Topshop Unique shoes - after wearing them for a few days, it seems they are very comfy indeed.

1/ Jean Pierre Braganza top; vintage leather skirt; AA leggings
2/ Vintage lace top; school boy's trousers

1/ All Saints dress; Tabio tights
2/ Maaike Mekking PVC high waisted skinnies; Ann Demeulemeester vest

I have literally been throwing them on with pretty much everything and they just seem to work. I knew they'd be versatile I just didn't realise how much. And, even though I personally usually struggle to walk in stiletto's, these are easy because they aren't all that high and the wide width of the sole means balancing isn't as precarious as some stiletto shoes. A welcome surprise indeed.

Although the heels keep going in between my wooden floorboards which is not so good!

Queen Michelle

White's Alright

The strappy Topshop shoes came and they are magnificent. More eye candy than practical it must be said, since they aren't particularly comfortable and the white nubuck will get filthy within minutes outside. However, never for letting practicalities get in the way of a good shoe, I am thrilled with them none the less.

They have already sparked several outfit ideas and will be more versatile than one might imagine at first glance.

On a side note, I got an email from Underground telling me the white winkle pickers I ordered are out of stock in my size. This is the second time I have tried to order from that shop and on both instances I received the same email - I'm beginning to wonder if the shop exists at all! I shall attempt to have my poor old ones repaired however and make sure I create my own version of my rogue-ish uncle Billy's look.

Queen Michelle

Not that she needs them...

But when I saw these Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Mesh Sandals, I thought immediately of Queen Michelle!
Granted! showing her more shoes, won't exactly help with her 'little problem', but what the hell, it's the weekend...

You can find them at the very wonderful my-wardrobe and at £273!

Queen Marie

Re-Invention? Priceless

Queen Marie told me, quite seriously, I had a shoe addiction which I really needed to get under control. She claimed I had spent no less than £2000 in the last 6 months on shoes. It's good to know that dramatic exaggeration is alive and well in her palace! I, of course, corrected her Queenly error since I actually spend under £500. Please understand that I do buy alot of shoes, but I consider myself a smart shoe shopper as I rarely buy expensive shoes because I realise they will only get trashed. £500 goes a long way on the high street if you choose wisely.

In my head, I have also rationalised this expenditure away by assuring myself that it's much better than buying stupidly expensive handbags, which was my previous addiction, and one I'm pleased to report I'm completely over. So all things considered buying shoes doesn't seem quite so bad after all.

The thing about shoes is that a pair can spark a whole sartorial direction for me. A single pair can be the foundation onto which many different outfits are built.

Since the ruffles have indeed escaped me, I pacified myself by caving into these superb Topshop Unique sandals.

This is not my most practical of purchases for sure; they have a dangerously thin stiletto and they are white, neither of which are plus points in a shoe for me, yet when I saw them I already planned a multitude of outfits with them playing the starring role. Of course, as is usually the case with these things, my outfits are often made up of things I don't actually own, but I shan't be deterred. The stirrings are there, and it's the stirrings that are the most exciting part as ideas form and collate around my head, which leads to fun and frantic thrifting trips to try and fulfil the idea for much cheapness (that's much cheapness in the good sense, not the bad sense).

You see for me, the humble shoe can re-invent old clothes and give them a completely different slant. Therefore for £85 many items in my wardrobe, which have perhaps been languishing unworn for some time, are now at the forefront of my head, ready for their re-appearance into mainstream closet circulation.

So really, when you break it down - for £85 I'm actually getting a whole new wardrobe! Bargain!

Queen Michelle

Marks Hit The Mark

Marks & Spencer is one of those shops that's a bit like Tiffany's in Breakfast at Tiffany's - nothing bad can happen to you in M&S. It's the glamourous mum of shops. Queen Marie and I love a right good rifle about because with M&S, even though you are unlikely to come out with armfuls of bargains or, more often than not, anything at all, it's so filled with nice wee grannies it's a very pleasant experience all round.

I nipped in today to buy the Prince some Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak for his tea and I popped into the shoe department on my way out. My, my, lookey here! The Limited Collection shoes are a bit special! We have studded gladiator sandals, some bright pink Chloe-esque ones and gorgeous platform gladiators.

The Limited Collection started off being really promising, with some pretty fashion forward gems to be had, then gradually it seemed to kowtow to the average M&S customer and became somewhat 'safe'.

Could these shoes hail the return of the Limited Collection as being the unexpected fashion jewel in the M&S crown? Possibly, but even if it isn't the shoes are really well priced, ranging from £19.50 - £25. I personally am eyeing up the pink ones - very Chloe and very mid-height!

Queen Michelle

Heels To Get High

I eventually caved and bought me some full on stripper heels. I couldn't get my paws on the Carvela shoes I initially wanted, but Office came across with the goods and for £30 cheaper.

I really am not the biggest fan of stiletto's since our Glasgow pavements rip up those babies in mere minutes (I lost a pair of boots on Friday to our pavements - they snapped one of my heels in half, and it was one of the three pairs of mid high heels I own!), but as usual if I am going to do them then I'm really going for it. I will be honest though - these shoes have only seen the safety of my office with it's nice even floors, and not the cracked and broken concrete outside. However, should the opportunity arise to wear them clubbing (no, not to that  kind of club!), where Queen Marie and I park as near to the club as possible, then I shall indeed go dancing in them as they exceptionally comfortable.

Queen Michelle

The Finnish Have Faith

Ok, ok I take it all back. There are good looking mid height shoes out there. Namely Finsk. Yup, those lovely shoes that were stocked in Topshop not so long ago have moved into Faith's online store. Beautifully crafted heels underneath quirky designs make the mid-height heel hot.

I eat my words.

Queen Michelle

Middle Of Nowhere

If you haven't noticed before, I'm pretty much an all or nothing kinda gal. I don't like doing things by halves. Queen Marie will tell you that my most repeated mantra is "If you're in, you're in". It's for this reason my shoe addiction has become rather problematic. If I do heels, then I have to really do heels - they have to be as high as I can possibly get away with.

You see the problem is I basically hate flats. Hate them. I like Converse and other assorted plain sneakers, but ballet pumps et al are a major no go area for me. I can do flat gladiator sandals, but of course they have to be super strappy, not just a little bit strappy. The problem with this is twofold:

• Flats are pretty essential when you have to be zipping around town quickly (ie to get to work on time or to get home on time to stop the dogs peeing on the hall carpet).
• A shorter boyfriend means super high heels cannot be worn at times when we are in the same room at the same time. Ever.

Therefore I am often at a loss as to what to shove on my feet when heels just ain't gonna happen. I have been pondering this for several weeks now as a recent shoe check revealed my absolute lack of mid-height heels. Mid height heels, which I deem to be about 2-3 inches, are perhaps the best compromise for days when I will have to be rushing around (which is pretty much most days) but still want my outfit to be topped off with some decent shoes. Nothing puts me out of sorts more than having on an outfit I think is pretty rocking then having to put on shit shoes. It messes with my mojo, man. So mid-height heels are the obvious answer. But I have a mental stumbling block when it comes to actually buying them. I see them, I know they are there and I know I should be buying them as it's sensible, but my brain is always drawn instead to their higher, scarier sister.

It really hit home this morning as I fumbled about the closet trying to find some mid height heels so I didn't have to carry my high shoes in a bag and wear flat shoes until I get into work, but I literally only found 3 pairs. I eventually settled on a very old pair of slouchy ankle boots but it served to highlight my need for sensible shoes.

Ho hum.

Queen Michelle

Nine Are Fine

Yet another pair of Nine West shoes which are set to totally rock my world. Again, a nod to Givenchy SS08, they have everything this Queen luurves in an accessory: straps and hardware. Come to mamma!

The shoes will lend themselves to having grosgrain or leather/PVC ribbon looped through the rings and tied up the leg in a haphazard manner. Even though I don't actually do stiletto's, for these I shall make an exception. Yum.

Queen Michelle

Take Me, But Please Don't Hurt The Shoes!

So this afternoon I came home to walk the dogs. I also came home to a sight that made me want to cry. A chewed shoe.

Amber has taken to chewing things when the palace is empty of humans, and today she graduated from old crisp bags in the waste paper bin to shoes. Of course, she had to choose my lovely Ash all leather brogues, not the snidey old canvas Converse that were sitting next to them.

The crime scene:

The criminal:

I take this personally - of all the things she could have eaten, she picks the shoes! Good god, not the shoes! She is now officially banished from the bedroom.

Queen Michelle

Put some soul in your sole...

El Naturalista is an ethical and natural footwear company who put their money where their ethics are...

They commit a percentage of their profits to an orphanage project which they run in Peru for disabled and homeless children which they run in conjunction with a local NGO. It is not simply a case of donating money, as each member of El Naturalista's management take an active part in the project. In addition ElNaturalista's production process is carried out naturally so that it has a minimal impact on the environment.
These are proper summer holiday shoes, for scrambling up sand dunes and taking long walks ( Queen Michelle and Lady Lisa will now be prostrate with laughter at the thought of me walking anywhere, but if I did I would be lighter on my loafers knowing I was helping a good cause)

Queen Marie

When good wedges go bad...

It was a quiet Easter holiday weekend and the Clergie wedges were relaxing at home

You're very quiet today, is there anything wrong?
Don't be silly, I'm fine, stop fussing
*growing more suspicious by the second*
Look me in the eye right now and tell me exactly what the hell is going on...

I don't know how to tell you this, but I've met someone else and we're in love
Who is she? where did you meet her?
You don't know her, she's not from around here
Oh hold on! you're not talking about that cheap cut out patent leather tramp are you
Don't you dare call her a tramp, she's not cheap she's $495

The next day...

The Gucci platforms have been phoning all day and are starting to get worried. They go straight round to the Wedges house and are just in time to stop her doing something stupid

What in the name of God do you think you're doing! get your head out of that oven
I can't believe this is happening, we were so happy
Oh wake up and smell the leather honey, he's a two timing slimebag

What will I do now?
Take him for everything he's worth honey and make sure you keep the house

And the moral of the tale is- just remember there are plenty more wedges in the shoeboxes of life

The End.

Queen Marie

Shoe Eye Candy

How many of you have admired Marios Schwab's collection of shoes for Scorah Pattullo? Yeah, me too. Well if you have a few hundred quid burning a hole in your pocket, they are being sold online right now.

The cutaway heels are quite extraordinary.

Queen Michelle

Caving Into Carvela

I admit it. I like a stripper shoe. Hi, my name is Queen Michelle and I like stripper shoes. There I said it. The one thing that stops me from caving in to full on stripper shoes is that they usually come with a stiletto heel, and I really can't do stiletto's - Glasgow pavements are not thin heel friendly. But sometimes there comes along a shoe that I may have to make an exception for, and in this case it's in the form of a satin and leather platform by Carvela.

I have stalked this shoe at Kurt Geiger for quite some time and always resisted. It's 5" inch skinny heel would be a dangerous impulse to give into to....on many levels. Yet today, of all days where I nearly choked upon discovering my bank balance is currently at £6.47 with still over a week til payday, I have decided that I will probably buy them.

I can only hope I am rescued by Queen Marie who will talk me down from such a ridiculous purchase, that will most likely never see the light of day. In my head however I see them with a pretty white dress, which I don't yet own, and some thick navy tights.

Queen Michelle

Spring may not have sprung...

But I have!
Sprung for new spring feet!
How could I not, when they look as good as this...

They are as comfortable as they are beautiful, so I have decided to wear them out dancing tonight. I will do so, knowing full well, I will be bitterly regretting my decision at about half past one in the morning, as some half ton half wit lands right on my poor little bare feet!

Yeah yeah you say, but get to the good part, where did you get them, how much were they?

Guiseppe Zanotti? No!
Marc Jacobs? No!

You better all sit down for this...

Ethel Austin, £12!!!!!
£12 freakin' quid.
I know! it's a miracle on the high street...

An enchanted Queen Marie
x

Neon Feet

Neon is back on the radar again for Spring which will please many of you no end. Thankfully the 'nu-rave' take on it has fallen by the wayside and instead it's being paired with clean, structural sheers and is all together more grown up. Even I have been swayed by this way of wearing it, and rather like the idea of a hint of neon green under a sheer white vest.

Should you wish to take it a bit further and add a bit of sportswear with your neon then you can't go far wrong with these Vagabond rubber shoes.

They definitely require a certain type of girl to carry them off, but some young, funky creature could team these with pretty sheer ankle socks and some Richard Nicoll-esque gauzy, nude layers on top.

Queen Michelle

At Your Request...

A photo of the ASOS shoes and The Cages.

Teamed with white tights (although my legs aren't far off that colour!) the look is quite, well, it won't be for everyone let's just say that!

Queen Michelle

When In Roman

My thirst for gladiator, strappy style shoes shows no signs of letting up, and when my ASOS ones arrived they merely added fuel to the fire.

I have been wearing them all day today and they are the most comfortable freakin' shoes ever! Best £55 I ever spent.

Queen Michelle

put a spring in your step...

With all the shoe talk, my mind is turning to sandals...
Not strappy, high things but jewel like, pretty pretty pretty things to go skipping through the flowers...
(this is of course if it stops snowing, pissing with rain, blowing a gale, but you get my drift)

You really can't find a better selection than at net- a -porter
For me the King of bejewelled flats is Giusseppe Zanotti. I don't just like what he does, I LOVE what he does.
Behold...

Stone Applique £375

Satin Rose £300

Bejewelled Flats £365

I am also a big fan of these little metallic flats by Marc Jacobs, a super scoop at £147. Yes I have a hundred
pairs like this already but I fear I may succumb to these before the weekend is over...

Are you feeling all spring like yet? good!
I'm just away to put my wellingtons on to go and meet Queen Michelle.
BAH!!!!

Queen Marie

Bow Down Before My Shoes

OK, so it's yet another post about shoes. I'm in the grip of utter madness I tell thee! The madness of Queen Michelle! Such is my utter, complete and pure lust for my All Saints strappy shoes I recently acquired, I have found myself unable to imagine any single outfit being complete without them caressing my feet. It's gotten so bad that all my other shoes are getting an inferiority complex.

So, in the name of fairness, I had to try and expand my outlook without crippling my bank balance (£330 in All Saints shoes over a couple of days has meant that my Prince and I must live on chips for the next month). I hunted and I looked and I could not find a suitable alternative...until the trusted ASOS gave unto me the beauties you see before you. Behold the platform gladiator loveliness.

Feast your eyes on the little stud details, the strapping, their  Givenchy reference and general black fierceness. I also have had an idea to create some sort of leg strapping/spat device which I can wear with these. Once I have created said, 'device' I will be sure to post the results. Until then my dear subjects, bow down before these shoes. I command thee!

Queen Michelle

Juicy Heels

I think we all have guessed by now that I have a wee bit of a shoe obsession happening. This is primarily in view of my no longer buying extravagant handbags, so I have substituted much of the expenditure on shoes. In fairness I don't buy expensive shoes, I generally stick to high street as I can be sure they will be trashed...plus you get more for your money!

Every day I pass a shop called Cruise which I work next to, and in the window sits a stunning pair of Jimmy Choo platform sandals with a bright pink heel. I stop and peer at them every day, debating as to whether or not to go in and try them on because they are just so delicious. This has had a knock on effect of making me slightly giddy whenever I see shoes with coloured heels. I've become vaguely magpie-like! If a shoe has a different coloured heel to the rest of the shoe I am drawn to it all wide eyed and come over all touchy feel-y (with the shoe, not the SA I hasten to add).

Observe.

The Jimmy Choo; Pied A Terre

Bertie

A flash of colour on the heel is just so damn cheery and is an ideal vehicle to match/clash your tights. The taupe Bertie shoes are most definitely on my list as I have just taken the plunge and purchased a pair of fuchsia tights, which would look amazing with them. Pink tights will not be a big deal to any other bright legwear aficionado, but since I have previously had a very iffy relationship with pink in general, this is a big step for me! I have also delved into pinkness in another way, which I shall post about next week...suffice to say Ms Bubble is to blame.

Queen Michelle

Best foot forward...

You would need to have memorized every word of Queen Michelles 'How to walk in Heel's post and even then there would be no guarantee that you could handle these suckers...

These are the heeless shoes by Antonio Berardi.
£1800 and 5 and half inches high.
Berardi said he had been inspired by Latin American music and 1980s post-modernism - "When you walk, it is almost on tiptoe. You look really dainty."

A spokesman for his Paris-based fashion house said: "The shoe has a bigger platform sole which stretches back further than normal and gives support under the arch of the foot.

"When walking though, you have to put your toe rather than your heel down first and you cannot wear them for very long. "They are not dangerous because you would have to lean quite far back before you fell over."

If you have more money than sense, you can order them at Browns.
Me? I think I'll just walk on by...

Queen Marie

The High Heel How To

I get asked rather alot about how to walk in high heels. For some people it's second nature - I have always worn heels, even as a kid I insisted my shoes have a heel. But some people need a little help. So here are my tips on conquering heels!

Slow And Steady Wins The Race
The sooner you accept the fact that you will never get anywhere fast when wearing heels, the better off you'll be. Wearing heels effectively means you must build in an extra half hour for going anywhere. You might not exactly win the race, but at least your reach the finish line in one piece!

Make Like A Horse
And trot. Many a girl has fallen victim to the totter, under the misguided belief that she will get to her destination much faster if she takes lots of small, quick steps (see above). This can be a costly error in judgement. Not only does tottering look beyond ridiculous, you are dicing with death because by concentrating on taking small, fast steps this means you are not able to negotiate your surroundings for topple potential. No, you must trot. This involves taking larger strides, in slower motion and you lift your foot slightly higher than normal. Imagine the street as a catwalk and you are a model. Trot with your head held high. Not only will you look graceful, you posture will mean you look much taller and leaner (obviously the heels help!).

Know Your Enemy
It's true that any surface that is cobbled, broken, cracked or uneven could spell complete disaster for you, but a much stealthier enemy awaits you, ready to take you by surprise and take you down! The side sloping pavement. The SSP is one of those pesky traps where the slope is not the length of the pavement, but the width (so it is essentially higher at one side that the other). This tricky beast has caused many a high heel soldier to be wounded in battle. You rarely see the SSP coming, it's only once you're on it do you realise your error, but by that time it's too late to go back, you just need to press ahead. Should you find yourself on an SSP, then the best thing to do is walk along the bottom end of the slope...slowly.

Know Your Limits
This may seem rather obvious but many a girl has been seduced by a pair of 5" stiletto's only to be reduced to tears after wearing them for 20 minutes. Whilst heel height limitation should be always be considered, you must also consider the heel type. A pencil thin stiletto may look gorgeous, but unfortunately they are the most lethal of all heels. I  have come to realise that most heights can be accomplished providing the heel is reasonably thick. A thick heel will provide you much more stability for negotiating uneven terrain. Platforms are also a godsend. Not everyones cup of tea, but it's worth noting that a platform shoe not only affords you the ability to go higher, it also makes your legs look thinner. That can only be a good thing, right?

Don't be fooled by wedges though. You may think that because there's a whole lot of sole there that you will be most steady on this type of shoe - that is not always the case. If you find yourself on an uneven surface then a wedge will mean that you can only rock over the surface, whereas on a heeled shoe the heel can find itself steadied by pressing itself in between the offending uneven surface, which will give you more balance.

Call For Backup
Whilst I simply love high heels, I know that as long as I have rushing around to do I will always need to have a pair of flats handy. Back in 2007 BD (Before Dogs), I would wear flats going to work and carry my heels in my bag. I'd then change into my heels at work and just take them off when I was heading home (rushing to catch the bus). I could wear my heels when out for lunch because I knew I wasn't walking far. Now I have the dogs I have to rush home every lunch time, so my heels are confined to wearing in the office.

Well, that's pretty much my heel wearing advice. Everyone will have their own ways and how-to's but these simple rules have always worked for me. Good luck soldier!

Queen Michelle

Nice But Not So Naughty

The Finsk shoes at Topshop are indeed lovely aren't they? But they don't suit everyone's budget, let's be honest. However, and I'm sorry to say this is applicable to UK peeps only, but Office have a rather nice shoe which I've been eyeing for quite some time, that has a similar architectural spin as the Finsk shoes.

Made from suede and leather, they have eyelets (very Givenchy) which has a lace threaded through it. It's these little details that make these shoes quite special, and the £65 price means they're not quite as naughty as the Finsk shoes.

On side note - whenever you see text in bold and purple that's a link. I get a sense not everyone realises that we put links in the posts wherever possible. I just hate underlined links.

Queen Michelle

Frisky For Finsk

Hurrah for Topshop! Why? Because they have collaborated with Finnish Julia Lundsten to bring Finsk for Topshop. Her architectural shoes have won her the Manolo Blahnik Award for two consecutive years and rightly so. Her designs are quirky and unusual. I love how she incorporates birch wood from her native country into her designs. They are so clean and simple, yet they somehow look like little bits of furniture for the feet!

Queen Michelle

With Hindsight I Lust

It's usually after I have come home from visiting London that I begin to think of all the things I should I have looked for. Clearly the excitement of actually being there overwhelms all my Rational Shopping Receptors and I just can't think straight. Suddenly I'm in London and I can't think of a thing to buy!

These Martin Margiela shoes are a fine example of such an occurrence.

I'd been lusting after them for some time now, but I know they need to be tried on first, as I have not yet worn my Margiela leggings out since since I feel they are actually somewhat unflattering on me, now I've had time to reflect on the purchase - I wasn't able to try them on first you see. School boy error.

I suppose they shall remain on my lust list until I can actually get my paws on a pair to try on. In the words of Enc - Dang!!!

Queen Michelle

There's Nothing Saintly About These Shoes

No, no, nothing at all. With all their buckles and strappiness, these All Saints shoes are rather the opposite of saintly, so naturally I was instantly drawn to them. Also, the fact that I spent money on them when the royal coffers are well and truly empty is also rather unsaintly. (must remember to raise those pesky taxes!)

Whilst on a whole I am somewhat tired of wooden soles, I had to make an exception for these. They also come in black leather, but for some strange reason the taupe suede called out to me. And it would have been rude of me not to have listened - it's my royal duty! I intend to paint my toenails a fine shade of purple to compliment the taupe.

I absolutely loved the AMAZING Givenchy strappy gladiators. But at over 1K, they are slightly out of my price range!

Every magazine has hailed the gladiator sandal to be the style for the Spring/Summer season (and do so pretty much every spring/summer), but having always had a weakness for multi-buckled shoes, I wear them regardless of whether they are "in" or "out", and these specimens will see me through both summer and (dry) winter days.

Queen Michelle

Springtime in Paris...

Jil Sander and whimsical - two words I never thought I would use in the same sentence.
But as I always say, it's fashion, never say never!
I am a wedges not a heel girl, but my heart skipped beat when I saw these...

They make me think of the Eiffel Tower in Springtime

They will be available in time for, uh! duh! spring...

Queen Marie

phew! it's feiyue...

More feet for boys, and girls too for that matter...

When it comes to feet, less is more and simple is best of all.
It absolutely, positively has to be sneakers...

I think these puppies tick a lot of the boxes and would be a fine addition to your wardrobe come spring.

These are FEIYUE shoes.
Much in the way we have converse, china has these.
Born in Shanghai in 1920. It has been a reference among all Chinese social categories from the countryman to the politician, from the captain of the national soccer Team to the famous Shaolin masters...

It became famous during the 30's for its robustness, its flexibility and its comfort later becoming an essential tool for Chinese martial arts masters.
Relaunched in 2006 , now you can buy them here

Queen Marei

Will you go for the wallabee?

One for the boys!
My brother Prince D,and perhaps G.Ape, will be particularly interested in this...

Clarks Originals have teamed up with the cult graffiti artist Futura to create a remake of the classic Wallabee boot, which as we all know was originally introduced by Lance Clark in 1965. True to form, Futura has deployed his trademark Atomic Ring tag, laser embossed into the chocolate leather and topped with abstract camouflage laces, a motif the famed NY artist has returned to repeatedly since his days in the military. Staying true to the shoe’s heritage, it retains the customary crepe sole and is presented within its own custom designed packaging.

Avaialable from this month as a strictly limited edition of 200 pairs in the UK, you better move quick...

Queen Marie

Nine Are Mine!

Hurrah! the Nine West shoes finally arrived!

They are fabulous indeed. They are also slightly too big. I just saw that they have made an appearance in the shoes and bag supplement of UK Elle, wh