Shoesday Tuesday - a spot of DIY - got some shoes you never... use? Turning some unworn "glove" shoes into a wearable leopard classic pump.

I loved these shoes when I first saw them! But I quickly forgot about them as you do... 

Then one day I spied them ON-SALE at Topshop and just HAD to have them...

However, the Vamp is cut so high it's unflattering so I never wear them. I figured I had nothing to lose and decided to take to them with my sharp sewing scissors...

It was almost too easy.  I think they look a little less grandma now.

Joseph | Everlane | Celine

A few brands have picked up this silhouette, I like it on other people but for me it was just too granny-ish and un-wearable.

I think they look much better now.

What do you guys think?

Obviously if these WERE Celine I would never cut them but as they were not being worn I thought I'd try some DIY.

Would you guys attempt to redesign any of your shoes?

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - Just a little shopping list - Now I'm trying to be conscious about any purchases.

 This insanely cute necklace from Les Nereides which I first saw in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, Australia. It's sweets! On a necklace!

This window display is EVERYTHING...

I've decided the statement necklace is my thing.

Kinki Gerlinki.

A silk Shirt!

A must have - I want one in black too but first, a white silk shirt.

Silk living | Witchery | Fable

 And while no, I don't need any shoes... I would LOVE a pair each of these from Mi Piaci

The block heel and point toe is so wearable and chic plus the slingback means less bothering from blisters? I had a pair of leopard print pumps that I fully wore till they fell apart, so I'm REPLACING them?

I did want some leopard print Chelsea boots too but I just can't find the right ones... maybe because I don't really NEED them.

These are cute from Gorman

What about you guys?
Anything in particular on the shopping list?

I never used to MAKE shopping lists, just bought any old thing that took my fancy.
However, after cleaning out literally (not figuratively!) 95% of my wardrobe I've come to the hard realization that less is definitely MORE.

Have a great Shoesday Tuesday!

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday: Downsizing - Going from maximal-ism to... a lot less: A new Minimalist outlook. Culling at LEAST 85% of my wardrobe, gradually - Part i: Shoedrobe

Before / After

Warning: May contain disturbing images of 

items no longer needed and therefore sold!

 Only 2 shelves of shoes now

Bottom shelf is now for hats&beanies, purses, scarves. 

And nothing lives underneath!

So how did I manage this most-zen of tasks?

Over a long period of time - we're talking at LEAST 2 years.

I am a super fan of those shows about people building a/house hunting for Tiny Houses, these people seriously have to DOWN SIZE and I get annoyed at them dithering about getting rid of half their stuff - that they appear to not need. Which got me thinking about my own situation.

Here are some tips I've learned along the way to help the cull:

1. If you love it - but never wear it: you know the shoes with the ridiculous heel that you can't really walk anywhere in so you end up wearing something else?  If you never end up leaving the house in it, or WORSE, you do and have mega blisters or are a SUPER pain to your companion/s because you wore them.
MOVE THEM ON

2. If you love it - but you already have one very similar: I had 4 pairs of sneakers. I really only wear sneakers when we travel (we walk a LOT when we travel) so I sold my blue Converse Allstar hightops. I LOVED these shoes... but I've only got one pair of feet. I don't miss them either. Plus I still have 3 pairs.

Remaining Sneaker Collection: Vans cupcakes, Zara Embroidered, Converse Allstar Crossword.

3. I love it - but it's mega hard to style: You know that pair of fancy trousers you bought but can't really pull off wearing? That dress that you HAVE to wear: heels/tights/a jacket - insert rule here. If it's not working for you, don't be afraid to MOVE IT ON.

4. If you love it - but you just bought something new and awesome: You know the one in, one out rule? It's really good! Rather than hanging onto the old ragged one, move it on and enjoy your new shiny one*
*Before purchasing is a really good time to consider if you NEED a new shiny thing? Maybe the old item you never wore will do just fine, fall in love again people!

5. If you love it - but: When you go to look through your closet you're looking looking looking through ALL YOUR CLOTHES and still have nothing to wear! Like I said: try to make your closet work for YOU. If all your bits and pieces aren't working, ask WHY?

6. If you love it - but: It's a polyester disaster in that it clings/sweats/static attacks you. Natural materials will always trump plastic! Plus lately a lot of polyester material shrinks in the wash! HATE THAT*

*One thing to remember with natural materials is they do tend to stretch out and then contract again upon washing.

7. You don't necessarily love it - AND you NEVER WEAR IT: That "beach-bag" that you forget exists, even when you go to the beach* That pair of jogger bottoms that makes your butt look like cottage cheese/is too hot for all but the very most niche occasion* That velvet cross-body bag you're holding onto but smells weird* That summer dress you have that you can't wear in summer because it's polyester and therefore TOO SWEATY/CLINGY*
*These are literally all things I culled and sold.

Things I never wore and therefore SOLD: Ruby shoes: cool, just never left the house. Witchery Bag, loved this bag, just didnt need more than 4 bags. Shoes, all nice items, just didn't need in the grand scheme of things.

Things I love and therefore kept: POM POM shoes from ASOS: love. beanies, beret, hat, love all of them. Two pairs of Topshop heels I bought in the sale, love a block heel. My Oobt Ryn Fluffy bag. Kinky Gherlinki Platforms - so 90's. Glassons Rose Gold Mules: $12.50 = Bargain. Topshop studded boots and some western style boots - staples. My cupcake Van's - ridiculously comfy!

Cheers everyone that's made it to the end!

I hope you find a gem in among my ramblings...

I've watched a lot of YouTube videos about cleaning out wardrobes and everyone does it in one fell swoop - which could work for you but personally the gradual method was a much easier way for me to let go and be truly ruthless, as opposed to saying, "Oh I'll hang onto this just in case"

I have honestly cleared AT LEAST 85% of my original wardrobe, including clothing, nail polish, hats, shoes, necklaces - you name it. 

It's a work in progress too - if I buy anything now it's because there was a gap and as that piece moves in something has to follow it out - one in one out.

For example:

Just moved these River Island Leopard-print loafers on for these blush pink flatforms.

What do think guys?

Do you do the wardrobe cull?

Or are you a hold onto things kind of gal?

No shame! Share...

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - Shoes too small? Pinching you in all the wrong places? Never fear - I have the solution for you... Shoe Stretching!

How cute is this fluffy bag...? Shoes - David Lawrence. Bag - Ooby Ryn

Arancini - Bag: Witchery

I love me some leopard print and these shoes are no exeption - they are however, half a size too small...

Do you ever try on shoes and they feel good, then you get them home and they've sudenly shrank!? These shoes were great when I bought them but the first tie I wore them, OUCH! I googled: "How to stretch shoes" there were a few results including: fill a small bag with water, push into toe of shoe and pop shoes into freezer. I tried this trick on my boots and it did work. Would be a good step if you have wide feet!
I then searched "shoe stretcher" on Trademe (New Zealand's answer to Ebay) and I picked up these puppies:

The front piece splits in two to stretch the toe, the plastics blobs are for strategic stretching if you have bunions. The end piece stretches your shoe length ways to accommodate your heel.

.

I used these stretchers on my boots too and stretched them a whole size - they're now my go to piece for cooler days. Boohoo.com have heaps of great over the knee boots at the moment, have a look. Coincidentally I find Boohoo shoes run small so I always size up.

Speaking of shoes, I am selling some. I'm trying to keep my collection down so this way as I buy new shoes I have to sell old ones!

I Love all of these shoes but I'm trying to be a bit more minimal in my shoebsession 😊
Do you guys like to cull every now and then or are you collector/hoarders?

Have you guys ever tried shoe-stretchers?

I can really recommend them - especially if you're an online shopper and cannot return ill-fitting shoes.

Happy shoesday everyone.

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - Things you didn't know you needed - SALE edition - D&G Turban? Pink grape crochet earrings? A pink velvet mini backpack from Rebecca Minkoff? Or some divine fluffy slides

This Dolce & Gabbana Appliqued polka dot Stretch silk turban

now only $1749 (!!!?)

These earrings from Rosie Assoulin... apparently they're grapes...

BARGAIN - at only 120 pounds. Grapes are NOT what I see when I look at these.

In keeping with the vaguely-genital-looking theme - this Rebecca Minkoff Back pack.

It's so tiny - for the tiny price of only $178 US

♥ ♥ ♥ 

But the ultimate sale bargain this season....

These divine pink fluffy slides!!! Sorry, super limited sizes left :'(

Only TEN POUNDS!

SO, everyone is doing sale roundups which is awesome, but I'm not really in the market for any more stuff, don't wear half the stuff I already own. Instead I thought we could have a little fun with the slightly less practical items in the sales. *I cannot recommend any of these purchases except the slides - they're a total must have.

Click on any of the images to see and buy the products - they're not affiliate links :-)

Happy shopping everyone.

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

If the Internet was my closet - Shoesday Tuesday edition: Aquazzura & de Gournay collaboration - Antique wallpaper inspired embroidered shoes

These Flats are total lust haves...

In an exclusive collaboration for Matches Fashion between Aquazzura and de Gournay come these DIVINE antique wallpaper inspired embroidered shoes. I swoon over the pale pink combined with the tropical flora, fauna and birds. They're sold exclusively on Matchesfashion.com and they're not cheap so get ready to punish the plastic - or you can just stare longingly at them like me, I'm on a shopping diet!

My FAVORITE You tuber Lizze Hadfield introduced me to these beauties and I just had to share them with you.

Are you a fan of these shoes? Would you buy a pair? Or are they a bit loud for you?

All images link to the product - they're not affiliate links.

Happy Shoesday everyone!

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - Shoedrobe, where I store my shoes. Painted antique cabinet with hand painted wallpaper lining

Hello shoe fiends!

I thought it was about time to introduce you to where I keep the family jewels, aka: my SHOES

*Winter edition - summer sandals are on the top shelf of my closet.

Bottom shelf - Left to right: beanies, purses, scarves.

This was an old walnut antique China cabinet that I painted white, added a green trim around the outside of the doors and made my own hand-painted inserts to go in behind. Still have to buy handles!

Before

Spray painted this candelabra - it was nice, now its NICER.

"The right pair of shoes can change your life" Cinderella. 

I used to own A LOT more shoes, the cabinet was messy and I just didn't wear HALF of them.

Now all of these I wear regularly, they're all reasonably comfortable and they FIT. Less is more on this journey we call fashion.

How do you guys store your shoes?

Have I inspired you to shake up your own collection?

Happy Shoesday everyone!

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - some things I've learned through my shoe fiendery - quality vs quantity/comfort vs pain.

♥If they're not right - send them right back.
I purchased 2 pairs of platform heels online and they were WAAAY too high!

These red beaded heels were beyond lovely - but once again the platform made me a giant

and the under sole was so slippery you WOULD fall over - even on carpet!

♥

These wedges however, from Roc boots Australia were an online purchase I really agonized over that really paid off. They have the platform for comfort but they're not ridiculously high.

♥ 
These Kathryn Wilson's - I purchased in store. I'm a total sucker for zebra!

They're SUPER comfortable and I get so many compliments on them.

We even spotted them in the Auckland Museum (right pic)

♥ I like wedges with a bit of a platform - They're comfortable and the arch isnt too high, so you can wear them all day without getting sore balls... of your feet that is.

These above are from Kinki Gerlinki

I saw them in the shop and walked away, only to return later that day to snap them up!
I walked around Melbourne all day and not even one issue - super comfortable - and rose gold 😊

My parrot is also from Kinki Gerlinki - Nailed this pose

♥Cheap ballet flats will hurt you and fall apart - Very quickly! They may look cute - but the more you can invest in higher quality the more you feet will thank you.
My pop-art ballet flats in the first image don't carry any branding - I bought them from an online sale store, but they're amazingly comfy, I've had to glue them back together!

♥ I'm not a stiletto person, I just don't feel stable in them. I probably have 3 pairs now. Stilettos are super sexy and so nice on some, but they're just not me.

♥ But the ultimate thing I've learned as a seasoned shoe fiend...  your most 'boring' shoes will most likely end up your most worn. Fun shoes are all good... but you still need the comfy basics.

♥

Aahhh, so much shoe heaven in one collage.

What do you guys think?

Do you suffer in your Louboutins or revel in your Birkenstock's?

Happy Shoesday Everyone!

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.