If the shoe fits...

As regular readers and my close friends, ok most people who know me, know - I like shoes. No, that's not right - I LOVE shoes. I adore shoes. Shoes are my friends and my passion.

Or they were until recently, that is. This past year, my shoe addiction has been somewhat stifled - I've hardly bought any pairs, and those that I did buy have been (gasp!) flat! This is so entirely unlike me that I confess I've been a bit worried. Even more worried when the pair of shoes that I was most excited about buying were my first pair of proper running shoes. Clearly there was a purpose and a reason for investing in them, but they were still functional flat shoes, and effectively trainers.

What had I become?! Where was the shoe diva hiding?

To be honest, I'm still not entirely sure. She's not quite returned yet, but what I am finding is that some of the shoes that I used to wear with ease - well, maybe not ease, but without too much pain - are now virtually unwearable. It's as if my feet have grown and my shoes no longer fit. I'm not sure if this is real or imagined, it seems to happen to barefoot runners, but I can't find anything to say that it's a common complaint/effect for shoed runners.

But whatever the science of it, my shoes just don't seem to fit as well anymore. And a number of them are getting to the end of their natural lives. So, I guess that means I'll have to go shoe shopping again sometime soon - what a hardship!!

Woo hoo! I sense a return to addiction coming any time about .....NOW!

Shiny new shoes

I am being sensible as a mark of respect to my forthcoming running challenge and only wearing flat shoes between now and 2nd October. And I don't even mean flat for me, I mean completely flat.

Those who know me well will realise what a sacrifice that is for me. But you will also know that it can only serve as an excuse to buy myself new shoes. Which I did and here they are!

Good old Clarks and their next day delivery option!

Just because I'm wearing flats, there's no reason not to be stylish or just that little bit kooky.

Journeys

Well, dear readers, I'm off on an adventure! Currently I'm blogging from my train seat - now arriving into Wigan - and making a mental note NOT to travel by Virgin Pendolino trains again. There's nothing wrong with the service or the comfort, other than it's making me feel incredibly travel sick. I think these are the infamous tilting trains, and my reaction is apparently not uncommon.

But the real adventure isn't the train journey but what's waiting for me at the other end. Or rather who.

Much against my normal reticence, I am heading off for what could be construed as a blind date. A friend of a friend has a friend (keeping up?) who needs a partner for a formal dinner tonight. So, I'm obliging. Not only is it someone I don't know, it's in an environment and company that I've not experienced before so I'm not quite sure what to expect.

But the big bold Bex decided to take life by the horns and say yes to this adventure. So that's why I find myself swaying (damn!) my way down to London, with a posh frock and a new pair of shoes (of course) in the case above my head, wondering what it's all going to be like. Another stage in the journey to a brand new me.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

New shoes

I finally got round to buying some new shoes today. Not these ones though. Sadly they don't seem to make Leli Kelly in my size. But shoes all the same, even if they were a scarily sensible pair!

Art for art's sake

At a friend's suggestion I popped into the Royal Scottish Academy today while I was in Edinburgh instead of spending all my time shopping.

And I'm glad that I did. There was some amazing new art on show, including 3 pieces from a rising star of a new artist by the name of Ross Brown. His paintings (one of which is shown here) of the now derelict St Peters Seminary in Glasgow are stunning. A worthwhile detour indeed.

But don't worry I did find some time for shopping too and am now the proud owner of a pair of proper dance shoes for my tango. And I get a chance to try them out at tonight's Milonga.

And for the fashion stalker

Look what turned up in the post today. Celebration shoes!

This means I now have 6 pairs of Hard Hearted Harlot shoes to my name.

Bliss!

How cool are these babies?

Patent leather high heel Dr Martens boots. Alexei Sayle would be spinning in his grave - if he wasn't still alive that is.

Just bought today and as you can tell I'm very pleased with them.

I never thought saving the economy would be so much fun!

(Sorry for the blurry pic, but the light wasn't very good and I was so excited I had to blog straight away!)

A girl needs good shoes

But bad ones are even better!