ballet flats

Sorry. Another photo-less blog entry. I have, however, included a image from the web. It's my wardrobe staple - ballet flats. Not just ballet flats, and not the ridiculously over-priced French Sole flats - H&M ballet flats (at £7.99 each pair).

I buy at least one pair every year and I wear them almost everyday during the summer. This is how I got my feet tan lines in Summer 2009 - I wore these flats whilst watching the epic Federer-Roddick Wimbledon finals at the big BBC screen at Exchange Square and five hours in the sun resulted in embarrassing and odd tan lines on my feet. As soon as I wear them out (with holes in the heel) I throw them away and get a new pair. Things got a little difficult in Japan 'cause the H&M in Shinsaibashi didn't sell shoes (I know!) so my temporary alternative last year was Uniqlo's flats, but they were more expensive and didn't last as long.

I usually get one pair in black and another in this pale pink colour. The black ones would go with jeans/trousers/tights, and the rosey pink ones would go with skirts/dresses/bare legs. As an unfortunate girl who has serious problems with bunions, hammer toes and callouses, these ballet flats are a wonder 'cause I can wiggle my toes easily in these flats and run without the fear of tripping or losing my shoes.

H&M Opening in Osaka

It's official - 6th March at midday, the 2000th H&M store worldwide, and 1st store outside the Kanto region in Japan will open at ラズ心斎橋 (Luz Shinsaibashi) in the Ebisubashi area of Nanba, Osaka.

According to the H&M Japan website, the first 2,000 customers are going to receive a canvas bag and a t-shirt as presents. In addition there'll be 2,000yen jeans on sale that weekend.

Hmm...is it worth queuing up (from early that morning, or possibly overnight?) to quench this thirst for H&M? I've been planning to go off on the 10-day Honshu exploration on the Thursday or Friday that same week. Should I put that off for H&M? or should I just forget it and stick to my original travel plans?

H&M x Jimmy Choo

A preview of the much anticipated H&M x Jimmy Choo collection, which will launch globally on Saturday 14th November. (From ELLE Japon, October 2009 issue)

For H&M stuff the collection is quite pricey (the magazine pages show Japanese prices), probably about 50% off of the original Jimmy Choo (UK prices). I'm still pondering on the thought of whether to venture to Ginza (or Shinjuku, or Harajuku - a new store opening on the same day) for the collection. Or should I just save up a bit more and buy a real pair of Jimmy Choo?

From the pictures the heels look like sky-scraper height, which could pose a problem since I'm not so familiar with wearing impossibly high heels. And all the shoes (except for the fabulous-looking thigh high leather boots) have open-toes; I've never had a pedicure and I have bunions so my feet don't look great. Tamara Mellon has designed some fabulous bags though, which I'm more inclined to buy, including the zebra print clutch, and the studded hobo. The collection includes clothes (a first for Jimmy Choo) as well, but I'm more interested in the accessories.

h&m

in the dressing room...




(bottom right: what I was actually wearing yesterday - stella mccartney for comic relief t-shirt plus uniqlo jeans)