Cool, Chic & Comfortable Summer Sandals £60 and under

Personally, the BEST thing about blogging is not about the events that I've been invited to or the number of hits I get per day but it's the friends that I've made. They keep me going on days when blogging becomes a chore (let's face it, few of us make enough to justify blogging professionally), inspire me when my "deep" well of ideas run as dry as the Sahara, celebrate my success or secretly nominate me for an award (yes, I'm talking to you, Avril. You know that I know that you did it). I want to thank Vanisha for the touching post she wrote about me over the weekend which made me teary eyed along with Sooae (of the Haute Cookie or should I say Hot Mama) who'd left such a sweet comment.

Clarks Sharna Balcony (enter "bright" for a discount)

I've now decided that the best way to go shoe shopping is to covertly stare at women's feet. No, seriously! Women shoe shop a lot. Since they've practically edited the entire world's shoe collection on your behalf, why go to all that trouble yourself? I go to a function and I check out the attendees' shoes. I shoe watch when I'm at a cafe. I don't have a foot fetish, just a tad obsessed with sandals after having boots permanently soldered onto my feet for more than half a year. I mean....it's not like staring at someone's groin or boobs. That would be totally wrong. And disturbing.

I was talking to a chic PR lady at a fashion event when I zoomed in on her shoes. Ankle strap? Check (can you tell I'm still addicted to ankle strap heels? My excuse is I'm channeling Sofia Coppola. So there). Chunky heels? Check!
"Err....." I interrupted her mid-speech. "Where did you get your shoes? Marni? Chloe?"
"Clarks", she whispered in my ear. "But don't tell anyone!" Poor lady looked remarkably uncomfortable. After all, we're surrounded by designer clad women.
Cue jaw dropping moment. Clarks?! That orthopedic....chunky....old ladies shoe shop on High St that I avoid like the plague?? NO! "You're kidding, right?!"
"Erm.....no."

Clarks Sleepy Dust (or here)

So I came home and checked out...... C L A R K S (sorry, I still have trouble saying that word). Insanely cheap and comfortable shoes. They're not going to win the designer of the year award and the quality is a little inconsistent but hey, for 30 something quid, I think I can put my misconceptions away for the moment. I spied a pair of gladiator heels that look Givenchy -esque. Another has the flavor of Roberto del Carlo wedges. While you're at it, do check these gorgeous flats from Boden. I spied them on a friend's feet at a party and I just HAD to find out.