Someone Went Shopping

Dear Readers,

Please remind me EVERY year to have some faith in end-of-season sales, and to take just a little while out of my shopping spree to thoroughly peruse the aisles, as I may just find something really, really nice that's a really, really good bargain. Take today, for example, I've found a pair of black leather, scarily vertiginous ankle boots. Bear in mind that I'm 5ft 8", and I have a fear of heights. Add another five inches to my soles and I tend to buy platform shoes with a sense of trepidation. However, these shoes were £80 (too much for them I'd say, as I find is often the case in Topshop) reduced to.....

wait for it...

TWENTY SEVEN POUNDS!

Twenty seven pounds! You can buy far worse shoes, for far more than that!

The only issue I have with them is that they are incredibly hard to get on. Seriously, I've never gone through such a hassle getting a shoe on. It actually got me out of breath. That could largely be to do with the fact I haven't exercised in a few months, but I'm sure the fact that they have no zip also contributes greatly. My foot is a size 6, and today I have learnt that it is no easy thing getting a size 6 foot into a hole that is ankle width. I had to try them on in the store barefoot, but tried with socks when I got home. Well, safe to say I have no chance whatsoever with socks. Does anywhere still sell those little 'popsocks'? The last time I saw them was when I was being fitted for some rather fetching, velcro school shoes. It's going to have to be that or something like baby oil, because my feet actually looked like they'd been through a small massacre when I took them back out!

The reason I went shopping was to find a dress for The Boyfriend's graduation. Consistent readers will know I was feeling pretty inspired by Victoria Beckham's chic little red GOAT number, and one of the outfits from Rag & Bone's collection (find it here) not so long ago. However, to my memory, I've never owned a red dress. I changed this today.

Plain Bubble Sleeve Dress £40

It's the most vibrant red material I've ever seen. It ties at the back and has a 'V' back as well, and it will do nicely with a bit of styling. Any ideas on what shoes to wear? And no, the new boots won't be appropriate.

I also decided to test out the new Topshop make-up range. I wasn't actually intending to, though I've heard only good reviews about it, but I saw this lipstick

Lipstick in Desert £8

A couple days ago I watched one of Lisa Eldridge's make-up videos, and she used a really different, orange/peach lipstick. Hers was from Illamasqua for £15, but this Topshop one was a close enough match for me to just try out to see whether it suits me for a mere £8. I haven't tried it yet, but when I do I'll let you know what I think.

So! All in all a pretty successful day.

The sun is shining, I've got the latest issue of Grazia to read and later a film featuring my beloved Matt Damon - perfect!

*Tried the lipstick. Verdict:
Pros: Really creamy texture, and feels really moisturising. A bit like a luxurious lip balm.
Cons: The colour is nothing like the little colour tab they put on the packaging. The label is a sorbet orange with white undertones, which was exactly what I was looking for. The actual colour is quite a brown colour with vague orange undertones. It's the colour of a dark tan.