Designer Shoes: Are you afraid to wear them out?

Christian Louboutin 'Fifi' black spikes

I sit down, heart racing and excitement increasing. I slowly lift the lid to the box, exposing, crisp, white tissue paper. I pull back the tissue paper revealing the most jaw dropping pair of shoes.

Peeking up at me, is a pair of beautiful, black patent leather pumps, embellished with black studs and the thinnest stiletto heels, I have ever seen.

I pick up the shoes to admire them closely. I slide my hand over the smooth, red lacquer sole, admiring the craftsmanship of the shoes.

Intoxicated by the smell of new, fresh leather, I can't resist the urge to giggle and jump around in glee.

These are my first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes.

My pride and joy.

It was love at first sight. The black spikes and thin stiletto heel, were my undoing. I had to have them. To me, they are a piece of art. They are beautifully designed and exquisitely hand crafted.

But, almost 18 months on, I still haven't worn them out. I'm too afraid to ruin them and the red lacquer sole is way too beautiful to scuff. And, not to mention, the money factor, if I ruined them!

Shoes take a major beating. Walking on cobble roads, through the weather and the general wear and tear. Can you blame me for being afraid to wear them?

So please help me!

How do you get over the fear of ruining your designer shoes?

Read the full story of my first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes here.

Currently Trending: Going Nude

My current season nude of choice is the Tatiana pump by Nine West

Spring is in the air!

The flowers are beginning to bloom, the weather is warming up and everyone has, that little spring in their step! So what better time, to start building, your 2014 Spring/Summer shoe collection?

And, why not kick off your new Season collection, with my favourite and most popular trend for the season... Nudes.

Nude shoes seem to be the colour (or neutral) of choice for the Spring/Summer season. Everywhere I look, I am bombarded with an array of styles, in varying shades of cream, beige, tan and everything in between. Who would have thought, there was so many shades of nude available?

So, what makes nude shoes, so amazing?

The main purpose of a nude shoe, is to elongate your silhouette. If you find the perfect shade of nude, close to your skin tone, your legs will appear so much longer (amazing, right?). There are so many shades of nude available and it can be daunting, but have fun, every girl loves trying on shoes and you'll find the perfect pair eventually.

Nude shoes are the perfect accessory for statement outfits. They complement bold colours, prints and patterns, without drawing too much attention away from your outfit.

Tony Bianco 'Aliyah' Heels and Samantha Wills jewels

Not only are nude shoes perfect for Spring, they are great all year round. They complement brights and pastels throughout the Spring/Summer season, but they are also great for breaking up the blacks and greys throughout Winter. Who could say no, to the perfect trans-seasonal shoe? These are a definite 'must have' for every wardrobe.

The possibilities are endless, when it comes to styling your nude shoes. Below are my top 3 tips:

1. Find a clutch or handbag, in a different shade of nude. This season, is all about contrasting different shades of nude, so it doesn't matter if your bag isn't a perfect match, to your shoes. Just make sure the tone of nude is similar (pink tone, grey tone, yellow tone etc).

2. Add nude shoes to a bold, statement outfit. They go well with printed, patterned and coloured outfits. They will complement your look, without drawing too much attention away from your ensemble.

3. For a fresh, Spring/Summer outfit, add a nude pair of shoes to a simple white dress. This look is super feminine and effortlessly chic. The perfect outfit, for lunch with the girls.

Nude shoes are popping up online and appearing in shops all over the city, so get hunting, for your perfect nude shoe. This is one particular trend you need to get your hands on quickly.

For more tips on styling your nude shoes, see my popular blog post, How to Wear Neutral Heels.

Be sure, to check back next week, for more of the latest Spring/Summer trends and styling tips.

Shoe Addicts Anonymous

I have a problem... I'm addicted to shoes!

No matter how many pairs of shoes I buy, there are always many more, that I need in my life.

I want to introduce you, to one of the newest members of my shoe collection. Meet, the super girly, super fashionable 'Unicorn' by Zoe Wittner designs.

What can I say, except, it was true love at first sight. I was on the hunt for a pair of shoes, that were different to anything else I had in my wardrobe. And once I spotted these shoes, I knew I had found that 'something different'. I realised that I do not own anything pink in my wardrobe and I figured, why shouldn't I? So naturally, they came home with me!

I love everything about these shoes. The touch of pink makes such a statement against the black leather. These are the perfect addition to your little black dress or your favourite skinny jeans.

I especially love the pointed toe on this style. Pointed toe shoes are making a return this season with a vengeance! Everywhere I look, I am bombarded with so many colours, cuts and prints to choose from. Pointed toe shoes are feminine, classic and easy to wear for any occasion. How could I say no? 

And, have I mentioned the heel? As many of my loyal reader's know, stiletto heels, are by far, my favourite kind of heel. They are feminine, classic, super stylish and just, fun to wear. Not to mention, they give you great calf definition, that would make any runner, jealous. 

The 10.5cm heel is the perfect height. They are just high enough to wear out and feel glamorous but still a practical height for everyday wear.

These leather shoes, are fast becoming one of my favourites in my collection. They add a touch of glamour and femininity to simple ensembles. And despite the name, I assure you, there is nothing mythical about these shoes, they really are, that perfect!

How to Wear Pointed Toe Shoes

Straight to the Point...

I was starting to stress out...

Panic was setting in...

My pile of discarded clothes was increasing, leaving me, with very few options.

And then, I had an idea.

I threw on my black tapered pants, white silk blouse and stepped into my favourite black, pointed toe shoes. I finished off with my red Chanel lipstick and black mascara, before rushing out the door.

Working in a shoe shop, I am surrounded by beautiful shoes, all day, everyday. And, I can't help but notice the latest trend.

Pointed toe shoes.

And, we are seeing an abundance of them. Pointed toe flats, boots and pumps, all in an array of colours, cuts and prints. And, I am in love with them all.

So, what's the point?

Pointed toe shoes can transform a basic look, into an instantly chic and stylish ensemble.

Pointed toe shoes are a 'must have' for every shoe wardrobe. They are classic, sophisticated, feminine and fun to wear. Not to mention, they are extremely versatile.

You can style them with dresses and skirts for an elegant occasion or wear them under trousers for corporate attire. They are also perfect to 'glam up' your jeans for fun.

This is usually 'the point of no return' for most.

So, why would you say no, to instant glamourfication?

You may be one of the lucky women, who have been graced with long legs and above average height. Which means, you will probably be well balanced and have slightly larger feet than average. Which means, pointed toe shoes, may not be your friend. They do elongate your feet and unfortunately, do make your feet look bigger.

My tip to you... Find a pointed toe shoe, with a slightly rounded tip, or a pointed toe shoe, with a shorter toe box. This will help reduce the length of the shoe, which will make your feet look smaller.

If you are the lucky percentage of women who have small to average size feet, you can wear whatever pointed toe shoes, your heart desires! So, wear them constantly, they are fantastic.

There is one major fault with pointed toe shoes, that most women complain about. They hurt. It is true. They can hurt, but only if you buy the wrong size shoe. If you have a slightly wider foot, opt for a pointed toe shoe, half a size bigger than your average size. Having the extra half size, will give you extra width and more room for your toes. You can always add a heel grip or gel cushion to take up any excess space in the shoe.

Also remember, as Christian Louboutin once said, "a woman carries her clothes. But the shoe carries the woman,"so be confident when you step out in your pointed toe shoes, they are fabulous!