Tuesday, Shoes Day

I had a conversation with someone at work today about shoes and I mentioned that when I was little one of my favourite things was getting new school shoes at the beginning of term. I loved shoes so much that I even sabotaged a pair id only had for a few weeks so I could get a new pair because I decided that I didnt like them any more! I wonder if my mum knows that?

I think my shoe obsession is in my genes, both my grandmas worked in shoe shops when they were young ladies and I have a very distant relative (according to my family tree) who was a shoe maker so I really cant help the fact that I LOVE SHOES!

I love heals but you with very rarely see me wearing them since im already pretty tall and I dont like feeling like a giant, I just think that sometimes heals are just to pretty and painful to wear.

When I was 13 I saw a pair of shoes in a shop called "Shoe City" looking back now they were hideous, they were blue trainers with a massive rubber wedge on them and the logo of the shoe make looked like a sperm/tadpole but everytime I went to the mall I would head to shoe city and try them on until my parents came and found me and told me to put them back and stop running off!!
I eventually got the shoes after much persistance (my dads a right push over) and wore them for about a year with EVERYTHING even if they didnt match, I was obsessed!! Recently i've been on the hunt for some black smart flats I can wear for work but ive become pretty picky and I just havent found that pair that i've fallen in love with yet! (Anyone would think I was buying a house, I am fully aware they are JUST shoes!)

Here are some of my favourite sites to shoe shop on, some are far too expensive and I would never buy them but I love to browse anyway!!

www.frenchsole.com
www.tods.com
www.office.co.uk
www.dune.co.uk
www.kurtgeiger.com
www.asos.co.uk

Also check out the blog "sea of shoes" its one of my faves!

French Sole India Patent Ballet pumps

Kurt Geiger Matilda Orange sandals

Friendship

What is friendship? according to aristotle "Friendship is a single soul, dwelling in two bodies" Ok, so I wouldnt say ALL friendships are this way but im sure that the majority of people have one or two friends who can finish their sentences and know exactly what they are thinking.

I often re-evaluate friendships, not because i'm untrusting, but just because I dont always agree that "friends for life" is possible. I choose to be friends with people because of the people they are and the fact that we have a mutual respect for one another.

During my twenties i've definitely learned that having really good quality friendships takes effort. I dont agree that you shouldnt have to make an effort with your friends. I believe that if you want to spend time with someone you should pick up the phone or knock on their door, like we did as kids!

I dont believe in holding onto friendships because you have memories, I believe that friendships, like people, can change, whether it means seeing someone more, or maybe not seeing them as much.
 My friendships with my close friends change all of the time, im at that age where they are getting married and having children, I may not be quite ready for that yet, but, friendships that are worth keeping are friendships worth adapting and I think that embracing the change is the key to friendship longevity.

I invest alot of time into people that enrich my life and add something to my journey, I enjoy meeting new people and finding common grounds which develop into brilliant friendships.
"A new friend is like new wine; you do not enjoy drinking it until it has matured" —Ben Sira

In a couple of days i'm moving into a new house with 3 complete strangers, and the thing im most excited about is creating some new friendships and finding that common ground with each of them as individuals and seeing how we are going to work as a team. I'm sure i'll keep you updated on that little journey but for now I will leave you to ponder on what friendship means to you :)

*The photos are just a collection of some of my favourite people :)

"Champagne lifestyle on Lemonade money"

A few weeks ago my friend told me that she wanted a champagne lifestyle on lemonade money, I loved this little phrase so much it really got me thinking about what my idea of a champagne lifestyle is and how much lemonade money i'd need to achieve it!

I can't say im one for being lavish, dont get me wrong, I like to own nice clothes, drink good wine, dine at good restaurants but its not usually at a huge expense.

These days its pretty easy to wangle yourself a fancy meal at an affordable price, with all of the vouchers that are available via websites like groupon, vouchercodes and living social (to name just a few) I dont know why anyone would pay full price anymore!! I definitely dont think that using a voucher or coupon has the same stigma attached to it as it might've done 10 or 15 years ago, infact it's all the rage to see what bargins you can get these days!!
www.vouchercodes.co.uk www.groupon.co.uk www.livingsocial.com www.vouchercloud.com

Being wealthy isn't something I am overly familiar with, however I have exprienced life within wealthy circles and i've experienced times with people from less fortunate backgrounds and I think whether you have it all or have very little the only wealth you need is happiness and a smile on your face. (CHEDDAR ALERT) Im fully aware its not possible to be happy all of the time, but I embrace it when I feel at my best and try to remember that feeling when I feel at my worst.

Spending money can give you a thrill, make you feel happy and give you a boost if you are feeling down, a bit like in the films when the girl gets dumped so she gets the biggest tub of icecream and eats it whilst crying over a romcom (foolish)

Did we learn these tricks from films or does shopping and spending money really make people happy?

So in conclusion to my little thought, i've decided my champagne lifestyle on lemonade money is simply doing things that make me happy, walks, bike rides, dinners with family and friends, holidays and laughing, and if I have a voucher, my lemonade money will last even longer!

Trips to the seaside

I really cant remember my first trip to the seaside and I very much doubt our little friend Maisie will remember her first trip to blackpool yesterday but she giggled alot so im assuming that she enjoyed it! The day was filled with sugary treats and of course the obligatory portion of chips loaded with salt and vinegar accompanied by a long walk along the seafront and the piers, to take in the sea air.

I loved little holidays by the sea when I was a kid and when I visit places now, I wonder whether children still get the same simple pleasures from tuppeny nudgers and sandcastles as I did, and to an extent I still do!

After a spontatneous trip to Blackpool yesterday it's left me wondering whether these seaside resorts have had their day and whether, what used to be a family holiday spot, is now, just a cheap and fun place for tacky stag and hen dos?

I love the nostalgia but I doubt you'd catch me booking a week away on the north west coast any time soon!

Lovely day out though, a great spot for people watching! :-)

x

Nail Polish

I love painting my nails, the main reason I do it though is so that I dont bite them, as soon as I take nail polish off I find myself nibbling!
No matter how hard I try I can never get them quite as good as if I go for a file and polish at the nail bar but its cheaper to do it yourself and if you have time you can always start again as many times as you like!

Ive recently discovered an affordable 5 in 1 Nail treatment which you can use as a base coat and a top coat, I love a bargin! Its from Rimmel and its super

Today i've used Barry M Nail Paint, 295 Pure Turquoise, very summery and bright :)

Whats for tea?

One of my favourite parts of the day (mainly at work) is when I ask everyone what they are having for tea! So feel free to comment and let me know what you're cooking, buying or rustling up in your kitchen!

Tonight I am going to griddle some vegetables and make a warm salad to accompany a warm chicken wrap :) yum

x

Chapter 28

Hello,

Welcome to my new blog, I used to have a blog called MuttersMutterings but since I havent updated it for almost 2 years I decided to start a fresh and start with Chapter 28!
Im 27 and in my 28th year, sometimes I think I should've accomplished a bit more than I have by now but most of the time im just happy being me, plodding along and enjoying the beauties of life :)

So far i've learned that im not a planner, im more of the spontaneous type, I find that planning is stressful and when something doesnt work out it will hit me hard, so to avoid that feeling i tend to do things on a whim and go with the flow a little more than I mightve done a few years ago!

First of all I want to share with you a few of my likes and loves, peruse these websites and you'll get the jist.

www.youmeandcharlie.com
www.hellogiggles.com
www.prettydandy.co.uk
www.made.com
www.modcloth.com
www.sweetapolita.com
www.appetitefordiscovery.com

As you will probably guess, I like lots of lovely things, furniture (chairs mainly) clothes, food and travel.

Back soon x