SHOES - Shoesday Pick: Alberto Gozzi Heels

I am a big fan of the chunky heel, especially when said heel isn't too high as well. The trend for chunkier style heels has been a godsend for me because finally being able to walk in your shoes doesn't mean you can't also look super stylish. The latest on my list of most-wanted shoes are this green pair from Alberto Gozzi - £254.99. The delicate straps and cut-out upper make for a great contrast with the bulkier heel making sure these are still feminine while being fashion-forward.

Alberto Gozzi is an Italian brand, as many of my new shoe favourites seem to be. Since the '70s, Gozzi has been creating timeless and luxurious footwear using a mixture of sophisticated production technologies and traditional shoemaking techniques. Prices start around £100 and go up to around £400, so these might be an investment but there are plenty of styles that I would wear. If these green ones aren't quite high enough for you, then the beige Nocciola sandals could fit the bill for example, with a extra few cms in heel height.

A signature through the current collection is the metallic inner heel section which is subtle but stylish. If you're looking for some summer sandals they've also got a great range.

*Post written in conjunction with Spartoo shoes as part of an ongoing partnership.

SHOES - Shoesday Top Pick: DVF Neon Heels

Top of my Shoesday wishlist this week is this pair of sunshine bright, neon sandals from Diane Von Furstenberg, £225. I'm pretty much obsessed with this colour at the moment and it stems from homeware. I recently bought some Zara Home velvet cushions for my bed in this shade and I love how it brightens up the place. Who wouldn't want to get that same colourful lift when it comes to their shoes? 

I'd wear them with bright orange or pink painted toes, skinny jeans and a little black top with statement neon necklace. Simple, but stylish I reckon. I do also love My-Wardrobe.com's outfit suggestion of printed pants and a white shirt too... just not for my figure.

SHOPPING - Bridesmaid Dress Shopping, Vintage Style

My sister is getting married in July, so this weekend both she and my other sister came to visit so we could have a look for dresses in London. It was pretty much a one-time chance as trying to get us all together during May was going to be difficult apart from this one Saturday.

We had quite a specific brief. 1950s style, navy blue with white polka dots. There was one place on the list we knew would have this style and that was Vivien of Holloway. But, we started our search in Camden just in case we could get a bargain... it turned out no. Plenty of styles that fit the bill but nothing in the right colour unfortunately.

It was my first trip to Vivien of Holloway and it was memorable. The shop is laid out more like a bridal shop with racks running down each side of the shop with rows of fabulous dresses, skirts, tops and cover-ups. We found just the style we needed, in just the right fabric... the navy polka dot halterneck circle skirt dress, pictured below. We'll be teaming it with the 2inch white belt and a white petticoat which makes the dress fluff up so you feel like a total princess. Not cheap by any means, but it will fit the theme of my sister's wedding perfectly.

My sister blogs too and polka dots and 1950s style really is 'her thing'. This probably isn't something I would wear again (as pretty as it is) so she's going to keep it after the wedding. Can't wait to see her in it too.

If you are going to the store be prepared for your trip to take a while, especially if you are visiting on  Saturday. We waited around 35 minutes to try on. The service is good though, and I advise you definitely get measured before you start choosing dresses. The sizing is vintage as well as the styling so you're very likely to need a bigger size than you wear in today's high street.The good thing is though, once you know your size you're probably good to order straight off the website after that as the styles are very similar in shape.

My next mission is to find some shoes and accessories for my sister and I to wear. Neither of us are 'towering heel' sort of people, but I was thinking peep-toe wedges or sandals could be cute like the ones below from Sarenza...

CLARKS Selena Jemma - £44.99

   CLARKS Sinitta Bahama - £44.99

GEORGIA ROSE Inayah - £55

This day out reminded me of a campaign that's going on now called #springsmiles with Oral B. Oral B sent me a little hamper including some 3D White toothpaste and new electric toothbrush heads. To be honest, this summer I have so many events, having a great smile for the photos is definitely a must. There's a hen-do and christening in May, a wedding and my summer holiday in June (not booked yet but oh-so-close), my sister's wedding in July, another wedding in August and one final wedding and my birthday in September. Next on the list is what I'm going to wear to all these events! I may have to do some recycling in the interest of not being completely broke for the whole summer.

SHOES - Shoesday Pick: See By Chloé Boots

See by Chloé shoes frequently catch my eye, but this week's pick really suits my style perfectly. Summer may be coming, but you can always make use for an immaculately-designed, black shoe boot. Add an on-trend twist and you've got the ideal accompaniment to an LBD. These shoe boots have a petrol-colour effect toe cap and side panel which really reminds me of an iridescent beetle. I saw some Cavalli beetle earrings a while back that would be the perfect accessory, or go for Models Own Purple/Blue beetle nail polish on fingernails to tie the look together.

The trend for a pointed toe in a different material is not only stylish, it's practical too. In suede shoes, the toe is the area that's most likely to see wear and tear which will make your shoes look less than their best. A patent or leather toe will look newer for longer which means you'll wear them again and again. Justification for the £256.99 price tag? Perhaps not, but I can at least put them on my wishlist.

Feeling flush? Buy them at Spartoo.

* Post written as part of an ongoing partnership with Spartoo shoes.

FRAGRANCE - See By Chloé Review

I was recently sent a bottle of the new See By Chloé fragrance to try and have been spritzing it for the past week to give it a test-run. When it comes to fragrance I am pretty open to all types of scent. My favourites , though, do tend to be stronger, sexier scents and my least favourite are overly-floral, talc-like scents.

First impressions are good. The bottle reminds me of classic perfume bottle designs that would have adorned a glamorous starlet's dressing table. It's the multifaceted lines or 'glass pleats' down the bottle that give it this classic feel I think. The ring at the top almost makes the bottle look like a vintage birdcage, which I love.

Now on to the scent. I'd definitely consider this a fragrance for everyday. It's soft, subtle and features bergamot, apple and jasmine. The jasmine is probably the scent that I picked up on most and it's really quite pleasant. When sprayed on the skin the fragrance seems to warm and develop, leaving me with a youthful, care-free sort of impression. All in all it's a great scent for day-to-day and one I would consider buying. I'd also consider the body lotion or shower gel to layer up the scent. It's got a comforting smell that would work just as well before bedtime as at the start of the day.

Buy the fragrance at Boots.com

Products available: 
Eau de parfum 30ml, 50ml, and 75ml
150ml body lotion
150ml shower gel
100ml deodorant. 

Visit the official website for more info and a movie-making competition.

SHOES - Lady in Red (Haute Couture) Courts

Florence Welch appears in the May issue of American Vogue, out 23 April, photographed at her new home which she has purchased in London. It's filled with family treasures and vintage finds and definitely feels like it really has a personal touch, unlike some celebrity homes. You can read more over on the Vogue website.

She's pictured wearing a fabulous cream dress and red Dior Haute Couture shoes. The architectural heel really caught my eye, but, also, a red pair of pointed courts is pretty much a shoe-collection staple. I realised I don't actually have any myself. I've got a peep-toe floral corsage red shoe... but it's not quite a classic. A simpler court is definitely a style for the shopping list.

I've picked out a few red pointed shoes from Sarenza in either suede or velvet for that red-carpet, luxe feel below. Obviously I'd still rather have the pair that Florence is wearing, but these are much more in my price range.

Delianna by Guess - a simple shape with just a touch of a platform.

 

Cepital by Guess - the studding adds a touch of rock-chick and the fabric reminds me of old cinema seats.

Gemma red shoes by Georgia Rose  a slightly more sculptural platform a good heel shape and height.

Loletta by Belmondo - a slightly lower heel and more pointed toe for a grown-up look.

The Florence Welch article appears inside the May issue of American Vogue, below.

*I am one of Sarenza's blog ambassadors