by Candice DeVille | Mar 30, 2015 | Accessories, Shopping, Travel
Travel Wardrobe Ideas
I have finally hit upon the perfect minimalist shoe combination for all my travels!
After spending far too much of my luggage allowance on shoe weight in the past, I’ve taken a very analytical and practical approach to finding the best options that can handle my style of travel.
I needed:
Occasions:
- Business meetings and public speaking engagements
- Dinner dates and dancing
- Long walks and shopping days
Basic Requirements:
- Hot and cold weather
- Suitable for long dresses, skirts or casual jeans
- Incredibly comfortable and well fitting
Left: Clarks Carousel (now on sale!) Right: Clarks Azizi Immy (now on sale!)
As someone who not only has a specific shoe cabinet complete with it’s own showcase lighting, I also have around 130 plus pairs of shoes in rotation. The concept of being able to pare down this huge selection to only two for the next two months, was incredibly daunting. Shopping for shoes has become such an ordeal. It seems that the more fabulous shoes on offer, the less there are that actually meet the comfort and style factor.
While I’m okay with shopping for shoes online, it is still a bit risky. This is one purchase that I’m happy to trawl the malls to make; and trawling I did for these two pairs. After exhausting all the usual haunts I spotted the Clarks store out of the corner of my eye. I can’t say that I was drawn in by anything other than desperation at this stage, but I was in for quite the shock.
Gone was the old sensible school shoe type of store, and in it’s place I found such a great selection of beautiful new heels it was difficult to narrow down my choice to only two pairs. I’ve read lots of other bloggers in the UK and USA having fantastic finds in Clarks, but until recently, these had not hit Australian shores.
The sizing is slightly different to what we’re used to in Australia, so I highly recommend asking the sales attendant to help fit you properly. My choices? The classic black ballet flat takes me everywhere and is something I’m decidedly picky about. There are too many poorly manufactured options out there, offering no support and creating more problems than they solve.
I went with the “Carousel” in black patent leather and they have taken me everywhere. From Dubai to New York, around Melbourne and back to Philadelphia. These are the sorts of shoes I buy as many (in as many colours) as I can afford at the time and put away for back ups. They are that important to have in your shoe wardrobe.
The black “Aziz Immy” heels are a suede and yes, I even wore these on the cold streets in early New York winter. With a few good coats of waterproofing spray, they have handled the conditions admirably. No stains, no stretching and not even any scuffing. The gold detailing makes them the ideal blend of fancy and chic, allowing me to wear them with cocktail dresses and business attire. The footbed is so well constructed, with padding in all the right places, that I can wear these all day without the usual crippling effect of high heels.
These two simple pair of shoes are taking me everywhere for the next two months as I journey around the USA.
by Candice DeVille | Jun 19, 2012 | 1960, competitions, daily outfit, HANDBAGS, Modern Chic, sponsors
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This is one special daily outfit today. As a part of my role as a Mercedes-Benz Championship blogger for The Race Around the Web, I had the opportunity to spend the day driving around in the hot off the boat, brand new B Class! I think I may have finally found my perfect car with its seriously luxe glam factor. We went a little crazy taking outfit shots for this one because it just felt like the perfect synergy between my own style and how gorgeous this car is.
I fell in love with the sleek curves, glossy red body and plush pale leather seats; but mostly I fell in love with the pure drama of it!
If you want to be in the running to WIN this absolute stunner of a Mercedes-Benz B Class, amongst other amazing prizes, check out the Race Around the Web and the Super Kawaii Mama Championship track now! And make sure to use that “Share” button at the bottom of the post, cause I’ll bet if your best friend wins it, they’ll take you cruising in style too!
Outfit Details
Dress – Original 1950’s vintage lace cocktail dress Similar vintage style lace dress.
Scarf – hand rolled silk vintage scarf
Earrings – Lovisa.
Pastel studded bracelet – Lovisa. I’ve also just bought this pastel two tone studded bracelet to wear with it – so cute!
Gloves Kid leather driving gloves
Tri-tone pastel shoes – Betts new arrivals. These gorgeous Versus multi pastel heels would be a killer match too.
Blush pink bag – Forever New
Sunglasses – 50’s style catseye sunglasses Luella
*All original images by Helen McLean for Vintage Current – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest, Tumblr etc…*
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by Candice DeVille | Sep 17, 2010 | competitions, Shopping, sponsors
I love shoes. And I love shopping. But put these two together and it often results in a heck of a lot of post shopping complaints, tired legs and a box of pain killers.
Yes, I have been told to wear sensible shoes, but its tough when there are so many beautiful ones on offer. I am adding to my collection of more flat-ish shoes, but nothing beats the wiggle inducing stiletto for me. The problem is that you pay for it.
I have arthritis in my knees and suffer from edema.
Without a doubt, the OSIM uSqueeze has made a monumental difference to the amount of pain and swelling I suffer from.
I’ve been trying all sorts of things to help my legs return to their normal selves after a big night out; foot spas, hot towel wraps, even lying with my feet up the wall at 3am after a particularly big night out. None of this has been working very well really, but I the OSIM uSqueeze does such an incredible job the the swelling is almost gone after only 20 minutes!
You’ll remember last month as part of Relaxation August, OSIM sent me a special something to help take away the Hunchback of Notre Dame cramps in my shoulders? This time they suggested a solution for my legs and feet that I just couldn’t resist – the uSqueeze Warm.
This arrived in a great big box on my front doorstep, (which has also proven to be a very handy children’s play thing) and promptly found a home in my living room.
First off I have to say how awesome is it that this model matches my living room furniture?! And given that my furniture is retro-tastic, what are the odds? Anyway, this heavenly piece of kit is a deep red leather with a sort of pouch arrangement at the front to slide your aching feet and legs into. Like so…
Yes, I am in my pyjamas and rollers. This is a proper relaxation effort here.
It has a few simple selections which create a vibration, heat and the most intense massaging rollers you’ve ever felt! Seriously, this is no fairy fingered machine, this is the business. The rollers actually roll and squeeze the entire tops and bottoms of your feet, while another set of rollers squeeze and roll the length of your calves.
It focuses on muscles and pressure points, working them in a kneading motion helping improve lymphatic drainage. The warming feature is so toasty and snug it is even better than having the puppies sit on my feet.
The inside bit where your legs go is a fabric cover that can come off for washing, and opens up with a zipper if you just want to put your feet in and not your whole legs. The whole unit can tilt to different angles depending on how you want to sit, what part of your legs you want to concentrate on, or even tilt all the way around to be a foot rest when it isn’t in use.
But warning – this could very well send you straight to sleep!
Total bliss….
Knowing how much I enjoyed this, and just how many of you are also shopaholic shoe fiends, OSIM has kindly offered to give a special exclusive 10% discount to all our readers yet again!
And do you know what else… after the uPapa hug was such a hit with you, they have offered one of these uSqueeze Warm machines to give away to you too! (Seriously, I’m amazed how much cool stuff I can share with you, it’s the best!)
So here is what you need to do:
GO – to the OSIM site and register your details to enter the draw
WRITE – me a comment with a link to a picture of your favourite shoes (they don’t have to actually belong to you, they can just be wish list shoes)
You have until Friday 1st October to register!
And while we’re talking about winning cool stuff, CONGRATULATIONS to Bianca Gaetani who has her very own uPapa Hug turning up any day now!
** THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**
