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Sole mates.

Every girl remembers her first time. The nervous excitement when you know it’s about to happen. The way it feels at first touch, and for every moment thereafter. It changes you forever. You’re a woman now. You have arrived.

I am, of course, referring to the first time you buy a pair of Christian Louboutin heels. For me, it happened today. While on the surface it seemed like pure chance, a part of me feels like it was meant to be.

The perfect pair of black patent peep-toe slingbacks by the King of Sole himself. But wait, there’s more. These shoes are not new. They were not an impulse purchase from Brown Thomas. They are pre-owned, (from Siopaella, where else?), hence my reasoning that this must have been destiny.

You see, as much as I love shopping in vintage and second-hand stores, there’s one major downside to it all, in that I can never find shoes that fit. I’m a UK size 8, and while this isn’t an uncommon shoe size, the range is definitely limited, even in current seasons. Stores generally only stock a couple of pairs of these larger sizes, which is why I can never find shoes in the sales, either.

But these. These are the exception to the rule. There they were, in perfect condition, and in my size. For €250. Which, considering this style would normally cost almost twice that price when new, is a bargain. How could I let this opportunity pass me by? I simply couldn’t not buy these shoes. It was like my very own Cinderella moment. I mean hey, if the shoe fits!

And what’s even more fitting (no pun intended), is that 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of Louboutin’s famous red soles. To celebrate the occasion, the legendary designer has released a book, designed a capsule collection, and held a retrospective at the Design Museum in London. What may seem like “just a shoe” to most people, is in fact an international icon of style, and a symbol of innovative design in and of itself.

So there it is. Be it fate, luck, or pure coincidence, something brought these shoes into my life. As corny as this sounds, it just reinforces the philosophy I live by through any event in life: everything happens for a reason, and when it does happen, all you can do is put your best foot forward. (And if it just so happens that your feet are in a fabulous pair of shoes, then you surely can’t go wrong!)

Neon and on and on

It’s the weekend! And what better way to celebrate than with a new piece of clothing. I picked up this Pinko knit yesterday from my favourite vintage store in Dublin, siopaella. I first spotted it on their Facebook Page and immediately fell in love!

I’m not usualy one for bright colours, let alone neon, but I think the combination of the geometric shapes, the beaded collar, and the neon/neutral colour scheme really hooked me in.

No jewellery required! I love the embellished finishing, and the shape of the neckline is very flattering to my collarbone, I think.

With such a statement piece, hair and makeup can stay nice and simple. A flick of mascara and some lipgloss, teamed with bedhead hair, and I’m all set!

There are hook and eye fastenings all the way up, so it can be worn as a closed top, or more like a cardigan, cinched in the waist with a skinny belt.

Pairing it with a simple LBD and black pumps really makes the colour pop, don’t you think?