Review: Next sole survivor shoes

One of my favourite tines of the year is immediately after Christmas, I love the thrill of the January sales.  Roll back five or ten years ago and it was literally the pinnacle of my year - get Christmas over and go shopping with my Mum. I am glad to say that my addiction has subsided with age and now my sale shopping is just part of a suite of enjoyable activities over the festive period.

I think any avid shopper will know that Next has probably the best sale of all the high street stores. I love going along and bagging a bargain and when my children were younger I just shoped twice a year for their clothes and that was always in the Next sale. At half price their goods are phenomenal value and wash so well, then better still they resell on ebay and hold a good value.  You have to make the most of your money once you have kids after all.

I am not one of those who turn up at 4am on Boxing Day to queue for 6am entry and then fill a huige bag in a frenzy to grab the best half price deal but I will admit to you that I was there at 2pm on Boxing Day for a sneaky hour out with my Mum after we had cleared up from dinner.  The kids were happy playing with Daddy and Grandad so why not?  There was not too much I needed to buy this year, the kids are all kitted out and dh is never fussed about new things. So my shopping was just for me and boy did I pick up some lovely bargains.

I suffer with footache if I stand or walk for too long, so generally I have to wear flat and very comfortable shoes but seeing as I am not even 40 yet (yes, yes I know it is this year) I want to look stylish and not old before my time. The main shops I end up in for shoes are Clarks and M&S but this time Next did me really proud.  I have not come across their Sole Surivor brand before but after just a couple of weeks wear I am a convert.

My bargain hunter Mum was looking at the shoes (in the hope of picking some up for herself) when she showed me a pair of maroon leather pumps and commented they were nice, and yes they were realy nice, cute little patent shoes and mock snake skin. Not boring, nor average but with a low rubber heel and supersoft, deep cushioning inside. Beautful, the right size and reduced from £36 to 14, how could I say no to that?

Imagine my thrill when I spotted a pair of black patent pumps with a big bow, again in the right size and from the same range and yes with that bargain £14 price tag. I have proudly been wearing my two new pairs of Next pumps every day for the last couple of weeks and had so many comments about how nice they are. I'm also pleased to report that they are as comfortable as I hoped they would be.

I'll definately be back to Next for when I need to purchase some shoes again, these ones look set to last me for a long time yet though.

How about you?  Did you pick up any great sale bargains?


Disclosure:  I received a £40 voucher for Next for the purposes of this review.

Review - Hotter Leanne Casual Shoes

I have reviewed some Hotter boots before and my Mum has Hotter shoes and we both agree these are the most comfy shoes we have ever had, so when Hotter asked me if I would like to try out some shoes, how could I possibly refuse?  My first thought was to go for some smart work shoes, in my job as a trainer I am often on my feet for the whole day and high heels become tiresome for me, so something like these Darcy shoes are just perfect.  I still look smart, I feel on trend and most importantly my feet are happy the whole day long.

I didn't end up going for work shoes though, as much I would loved to have.  My sensible head kicked in and I remembered that I am off to Ethiopia in just a few weeks and that I need some practical footwear for when I am out there.  Something I can do lots of walking in, something to protect my feet, something really comfortable and nothing too showy.  What did I find?  Well, I decided that the Leanne casual shoe was perfect.  They are like a trainer but much more lightweight with a cushioned and contoured sole and looking at the customer reviews on the site they appear to be perfect for what I need them for. I think breathable fabric has to be high on the list in the African sun hey?

 

I went for this bright and fun colourway but there are much more subdued blacks or neutral tones if that is your thing. I was thrilled to find they have a removable insole so you can re freshen them, I hate to admit that I have manky feet but I do. These shoes retail for £59.00 and having received the shoes and worn them a few times I feel the pricing is about right.  Yes, these are not a bargain pair of shoes but for me a pair of shoes has to represent value and these certainly do.  I am pretty sure in a  couple of years time I'll still be wearing them and they will be in fantastic condition.  My Hotter boots from last year were won in puddles, the snow, mud - literally everything and they are still fantastic.

 

When I am out in Ethiopia I'll make sure I get some good shots of me sporting these new shoes and I'll pop them on the blog so you can see them in action.

 

Ohh and I forgot to add that my Hotter shoes have always arrived in good time, been perfectly boxed and when I have changed my mind a few times and returned them it this has been fuss-free and free of charge to exchange. I would highly recommend Hotter shoes and recommend you go and take a peek now but be careful you'll become hooked!

 

 

Disclosure:  I was sent these shoes free of charge for the purposes of this review. I have not been instructed what to write and I remain honest.