The Perfect pair Of Statement Shoes!!

Cash flow a little unforthcoming after the Christmas spending spree? Afraid to splash that cash with the government threatening to raise taxes, interest rates liable to go up and the price of food rising weekly?  Sometimes, life seems a tale of doom and gloom and spending those hard earned pennies on yourself can seem like a frivolous act of self indulgence. Yet, let’s face it, when all is not quite as rosy with the world as we may like......this is the time we need that little boost...that little treat to keep us going and keep us smiling. Thinking about this and how best to utilise that minimal justifiable spare cash.....I have found the perfect solution......A pair of shoes! If you buy a dress or jumper...its limited...one maybe two outfits but with a pair of statement shoes that can be worn with jeans, dress, skirt, trousers and dressed up or down depending on the occasion or your mood.......you have a sure fire winner. A pair of statement shoes will enhance so many different outfits and looks and take you right through the coming season and give you style, fashion and a whole new look for a small one off price. Better than that...when you take a look at the shoes below....it will also put a huge smile on your face and a spring in your step......so let’s find ourselves that perfect pair of statement shoes.

Just a few ideas...

A Tempting Thought

Okay...we’ve all had enough now haven’t we?  The post Christmas “being good” is now wearing extremely thin and let’s face it....it’s boring. We’re bored! Bored with being good, of counting the pennies, of denying ourselves those little treats and only purchasing the necessities of life!  But ladies, we deserve those treats, they ARE necessities in our lives – they make us feel good, they cheer us up and let’s be honest – they make us far more bearable to live with.

Who says expensive face creams are no better than the cheaper versions – we are not stupid – we do not expect a miracle in a jar – it’s not always down to the ingredients within that tempts us – somehow if it costs a little more, it makes us feel a little more special and is an acknowledgement that “we are worth it”.  Each time we spy that little jar on the dressing table, it brings a smile to our face and who can deny that smiling does lift the complexion and gives us that “glow” and reminds us that we are “deserving”.  Worth every penny.

Still keeping to that diet to lose those few extra pounds piled on at Christmas? Still waiting to be that smaller size or for curves to respond to those hours of sweat and toil in the gym? Ladies you have been good, you have done well enough and now is the time to embrace the shape and size you really are and SPLURGE.  Hours of pedalling that bike, walking up those mountains, lifting those weights and all the while, partially starving yourself should now end – enough is enough. All that activity and pain should be rewarded, with a little treat. Doesn’t have to break the bank....just a little something to acknowledge your efforts and reward your pain and discipline. Go on....go for it.....is it really going to make a big difference to the family budget? And after all, you can always remind those disapproving few, that this is you doing your bit for the flagging National economy....what a selfless act.

As women of today, we are expected to work hard in our careers, to raise a family, to keep a nice home, to be financial wizards with the family budget, to be taxi drivers for our offspring, to juggle our lives to accommodate such events as our children’s sports days, special assembly’s, to have the in-laws to stay, to be comforter and mentor to both family and friends, to have a social life and always ensure the P.E kit or his work shirt is clean and ready for when it is required or wanted – we are strong, dynamic and powerful......okay and possibly a little exhausted!  So do we not deserve small treats, to help us shoulder our burdens and get us through our daily lives....they are as vital as the air we breathe (perhaps that’s a small exaggeration). These little treats make us feel good about ourselves, they make us feel valued and put a smile on our faces.  Not forgetting that another of our expectations is to look good.....how can we possibly do or feel like that with a jar of “value” face cream and wearing that dress.....that yes may still look good on us...but we know is six years old!  Style and fashion help us define who we are, they allow us to make a statement about ourselves to the outside world and give us that inner “glow” in our own recognition of our personal value.

So ladies....handbags and purses at the ready....because we deserve to treat ourselves to that something special and we are so bored of being good...after all we have done it now for over a month...and if we continue...heaven help us, it may become a habit and then it will not be appreciated and aren’t we always told that habits can be hard to break. Resist no longer......hit the stores. Indulge a little and spoil your very deserving self before it is too late.

A New Year, A New You

So, this is the time of year that is traditionally “out with the old” and “in with the new” and this applies no less so than to ourselves......no not just those annoying habits we promise we will break in the new year that is dawning, or those extra pounds we have piled on over the festive period, but also to our wardrobes and in turn, the way we present ourselves to the world at large.

If that item of clothing was bought in last year’s sales and you still haven’t worn it yet...believe me...you won’t. Saving it for just the right occasion....who are you kidding...no one but yourselves!  Admit it, it was an impulse buy...it was cheap.....and  there was probably a good reason it was in the sale in the first place i.e very few people will ever look good in it.  Charity sack at the ready....first items go in.

 Now look closely at those items you’re saving for the day “they fit again” or the day after you have religiously gone to the gym for six months and are now body beautiful and all these clothes you have been saving suddenly make you look like a goddess....ladies I hate to disappoint.....but it is unlikely this is going to happen.  But say it did...you are now just the right size for these solitary items of clothing in your wardrobe....who have been waiting for just this day.......chances are though.....they will no longer suit you and your new “to die for” body shape and if you have been harbouring them for many years....they probably no longer even go with your skin tone or hair colour and their fashion heyday has long ago disappeared from the fashion pages of those coveted women’s magazines.  Charity sack at the ready......second items go in.

Okay now give yourself an approving pat on the back...as hard as this is, you’re doing well.  Now for all those items of clothing that are lurking in the dark corners of the wardrobe and which haven’t seen daylight for at least six months, let alone been worn. Time for a reality check here....why haven’t you worn them? If they fall into either of the above two categories...they should already be in that Charity sack and if there not, pull yourself together and grab those hangers and get them deposited without a second thought.  For the remainder, consider, why haven’t I worn them...possibly they never did suit you in the first place...but hey they cost a lot of money.....no, straight in the sack...and console yourself with the thought you are donating them to charity.  Other items.....possibly they no longer fit and flatter your ever changing body shape, skin tones or hair colour....in the charity sack and also remember fashions change and for some of those more exotic items.....they are unlikely to good on you now in the current fashion climate.  Any remaining items?  Old favourites? Let’s face it they probably have  buttons missing, are frayed and faded and are no longer your fashion statement items – they are clogging up space and are no longer your best friends...do yourself a favour.......charity sack.  And if any items remain in this category that you love, suit you and you can’t bear to throw out.....well now you can see them because you have already created some space in this wardrobe......then start wearing them!

Anything unworn any longer than six months ago needs no discussion does it....be ruthless, liberate yourself.......put them in that charity sack this minute.

Now you have space to treat yourself to some wonderful new purchases.....you can go shopping and this time of year is ideal with all the sales around......but there are rules...you mustn’t buy just because it’s been reduced...remember what we said earlier...with a lot of items there is a reason it’s in the sale and sometimes that’s because there are only a few women who can pull off this particular item of clothing...and sadly...it may not be you.  Take stock of what clothing you have remaining in your wardrobe...co-ordinate and try things on, or if you buy on line and when that shiny box arrives full of goodies, try them on and if they don’t look good.....send them back and don’t hide them in the recesses of your wardrobe for next year’s de-cluttering session.  Be bold and be brave with colour, shape and line but be clear what suits you now...not six years ago and not after you have that body beautiful you are going to get by punishing yourself at the gym. Fashion should be fun but more than anything, the clothes that you wear should make a statement about you as a person, and enhance the way you look, should make you stand out from the crowd and make you feel fabulous, feminine and flatter your body – everyone of you deserves to feel like this, no matter what your age or your body shape.......so come on ladies...let’s go to work on creating that fabulous new you for this fabulous new year ahead of us.

It's all about the Shoes!!

Its official Christmas is on its way and with all the excitement comes one crucial question... What am I going to wear to the Christmas Party?? Now no need to worry or panic just yet as there is time - but decisions need to be made soon!! Now usually it falls on the dresses job to take you through the festive season feeling fabulous, however this year I’m letting the dress take a step down and putting all my energy into the shoes!! The Perfect party shoes that will get everyone asking you where you got them from!! Now with so many fantastic shoes about these days it’s time to get creative and through searching and searching I have decided the only way to go is by Irregular Choice!! Not only are their designs so outrageous and imaginative, but their shoes are also genuinely comfortable too. And generally, with most things us girls covert, it’s not just about the shoe itself but also how it’s presented... now let me walk you through the Irregular Choice experience....

You walk into the shop and there looking straight at you, are what can only be described as a stunning, eye-catching, incredibly beautiful pair of heels and as your eye wanders down you take in the red sequins...then the metallic bow.. and you imagine it with  that ever faithful black dress. That LBD, the one where your bums looks good- your curves are evenly distributed and you not only feel rather slim but your lumps and bumps are all working together in unison to provide you with a dream body!! Ok, so imagine that dress with that body and as you eyes slowly look over the outfit, taking it all in and as your eyes now lower past those silky smooth legs  your eyes land on those ruby slippers and instantly you are not just wearing a LBD because its convenient, or its all you could handle after hours of trying on and quite frankly your stress levels are at all time high- you wore this dress because yes you do look good but the real reason is you needed something that didn’t distract too much because on your feet is your real outfit...

Now I know I don’t need to continue, as we have all established that these shoes are now ours and with the weekend coming around we are going to be hitting the shops or going online to buy these little beauties. But indulge me.. they have a round heel which is quite chunky, enough so they are wearable and more importantly strutable (all about the entrance and exit). The heel is made out of Perspex so it has that wow factor and the lining is velvet so even your toes are spoilt in these slippers of pure splendour...the sole is decorated with mini bunnies in tea pots so even as you lift your foot to walk there is a surprise below and as for the box well let’s just say you will have it proudly stacked in your bedroom waiting for the day (payday that is) when you can have a second box to go next door!!

Oh and one more thing there name...There’s No Place Like Home... enjoy ladies and allow your feet to sparkle this Christmas.

Red Ruby slippers not for you take a look at www.seentobedifferent.com for many more Irregular Choice shoes and boots and some fantastic party dresses!!

New A/W Collection By Jam

Now that the chilly season is upon us it is time to dedicate a bit if time preparing our winter wardrobes... and although the nip in the air means wrapping up warm it doesn't mean we have to abandon our sense of style. The winter months provide us with the ability to wear more... meaning we need more clothes to start with so ladies go out and invest, believe me you will thank me :)

Here at Seen To Be Different we have fallen in love with Jam's new A/W collection combining vintage inspired knits with tailored trousers, to floral dresses and even their simple cream t-shirt has a twist with a vintage collar, we just want it all. Every piece is also customised with ornate buttons which are all completely different, turning simple pieces into more statement items that not only have the wear-ability but also that edge that means you won’t see them everywhere!!

All available to buy online at www.seentobediferent.com

Seen To Be Different's New Online Fashion Shop

Finally after all the tears,tribulation, hair pulling and teeth grinding we have arrived online with our fashion boutique www.seentobedifferent.com. This has been a huge learning experience and now with fingers crossed, we are sitting here (in our boutique in Bath) hoping and praying we have made no major blunders and that we actually attract customers. When the button was pushed to make the website 'live', a kind of mad mania and euphoria crept in all at once and since that time, we haven't taken our eyes off the screen. However, so far, so good and we thank all of you who sent kind wishes and praise for our products, website and endeavours-it has been appreciated, raised a few smiles and calmed a few nerves. The website will be updated often with new stock, so if you don't see what you want this visit, then come back soon- we'll be waiting :)