Today I am pleased to be introducing you to Lotus, a small UK based shoe brand. Until they got in touch with me, I wasn’t aware of them. As you know, at the moment I tend to rely on Boden, Marks and Spencer and occasionally Clarks for my everyday shoes and Jigsaw for the special ones. It’s always good to add a new brand to your arsenal, especially when it’s an affordable one.
A little while ago we talked about the difference that a pair of statement shoes or boots can make to a simple outfit. For someone like me who doesn’t like pattern, it’s a crucial detail that lifts simple outfits. Somehow, because my shoes are not in my sightline, I am not irritated by fancy footwear.
So, let me show you how the new boots I chose brightened up what would otherwise have been a rather sombre outfit on a dark and windy day.
Lotus leather ponyskin leopard boots
This is how I’m planning to wear them, with colour blocked outfits to add a ‘pop.’
Jeans (50% off but low stock); Jacket (this year’s version); Tie neck blouse (past season)
They will work with indigo jeans and, because they have a smart (i.e. not a block) heel, they can be worn with more formal outfits too, such as 7/8 trousers for work. Lotus also sent me this leather handbag which is smaller than the ones I usually carry – a good thing for my painful shoulder.
As you probably know, smaller bags are making a comeback. I will continue to use my large totes for work when I need to carry a laptop but using this last Saturday made me question why I have been using such big bags at weekends. I didn’t lose my purse in the depths of this one once!
The prices at Lotus are very reasonable although you do need to check the materials, some shoes are made from leather and others are not. Not all of the styles appeal to me but there are some real gems. I’m not going to mention Christmas (oops, I just did) but I want to plant these party shoes in your mind now. One of our erstwhile favourite brands sells almost identical glitter shoes for twice the price of these and they always sell out. These are navy…
…and they also come in bordeaux.
I have two pairs of glitter shoes like these and as well as wearing them for black tie events, I find them great to pop on when you’re not quite sure how dressy an occasion will be. I simply wear skinny jeans and a blouse but then add my glitter shoes. Lotus have a whole section of their website dedicated to party shoes.
International delivery
Lotus deliver up to 10 pairs of shoes internationally for a flat fee. Beware though, returns are at your own cost. Details are here. I found the shoes to be true to size.
Midlife lately
When I left home for London on Thursday it still felt like late Summer so I was surprised to see the burnished leaves when I arrived in the South. The park keepers were out with their leaf blowers whereas our trees are still green and I think they will be for another 3 weeks – one of the small benefits of our very wet Summer.
I had a brilliant time with my pal from school who lives a very different life to mine. Despite the fact that we began our lives on the same path, going to the same school and then to the same university, we have since taken very different directions. Whereas I returned home to the North, she is a doctor in the City of London married to a city lawyer. Their boys are at boarding school and they are living in their lovely pad in Chelsea whilst they build their dream house in the country. It was amazing to be able to step out of the door straight into the hubbub of London Fashion Weekend – such a great spot for people watching.
We did our bit and had a quick photo by the posing wall. I know she would want me to add that we were looking as though we had stayed up too late the night before, chatting and drinking wine – which may have been the case.
Even though it was tempting to go and see the fashion shows, we decided that our time together was too precious so we mooched around the shops, stopping for coffee when it took our fancy. One thing that was really interesting about living with a doctor for a couple of days is that you notice how well they integrate health into their lives. It gave me a lot to think about – more on that soon I suspect.
It also reminded me how easy it is to spend time with old friends. Despite the fact that we have only seen each other about 4 times in the last 25 years, we just slotted straight back in. Even if your lives have moved in completely different directions, when you know each other’s backstories there is no artifice and no explaining to do, so you can just carry on where you left off.
As you know, timing this visit for a few days after my eldest son went back to uni was a deliberate ‘Project Happier’ move on my part. It’s left me feeling uplifted and I also feel I have reconnected with the girl I once was. So I’m going to finish today by challenging you all to get back in touch with an old friend – someone that you have known since childhood – and make a plan.
Have a great week.
Current offers
Hush – 10% off until Sunday 2nd October here using code AW1610 – very rare!
Boden – mid-season sale, I have added the discounts to the pieces I recommended in my last post
Boots – 15% off when you spend over £60 on beauty using code BEAUTY15 here (NB you can only use this code once, expires 27/9/16)
Great Plains – 20% off using code AWGP20 here
Clarks – 20% off full priced adult styles 29th September – 3rd October here using code B2016
Recent posts you may have missed
A review of Boden’s latest collection
Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo
M&S – must buys and an outfit for less than £200
Disclosure: this post was in collaboration with Lotus on the condition, as always, that I was able to write an independent review.
This week I’m linking up to: 40 Plus Style and Not Dressed As Lamb
