Goodbye summer, hello new shoes

New season shoes have been entering the shops, I think as they give up on the idea that we'll actually have a summer and pack away the sandals.

These are some of my favourites in the shops right now...as usual, there seems to be a lot of studding, glitter and animal print amongst them.

Next tassel point loafers - £30

Aldo Rise Preen Giffee shoes – £67.50 (down from £135)

River Island red platform ankle boots - £85 (which I love but would never be able to walk in)

Dune Lyton leopard print shoes - £65

Asos Laguna suede ballet flat with metallic heel – £38

Massimo Dutti glitter toe court shoes – £89.95

F Troupe tiger print wedges – £58 (down from £145)

Topshop Krush studded patent flats - £65

Topshop Millicent stud back boots – £40

Clarks Medal Charm boots in dark blue - £69.99

Asos Hello heeled sandals - £50 – possibly the best party shoes ever! Not that I'd make it to a party in them without paying for a driver to take me there...but just looking at them makes me want to go to one!

Leopard print in the office

Mr W finally got the camera out last week...so here are some long promised outfit shots.

I went to Beijing recently with work...my first trip away from Laney May and my first business trip in a long time.

I faffed around for a long time beforehand trying to decide what to wear! I'm definitely out of practice and couldn't decide what would be smart enough but still retain a sense of me and my style.

Mr W had to intervene when I tried to pair a leopard print dress with some rubber, multi-strap, bubble gum scented (!) Vivienne Westwood for Melissa high, high heels. I think he may have had a point when he said they didn't quite convey the 'should be taken seriously businesswoman' look I was aiming for!

But it can be tough to get the balance right. I really don't want to go down the route of neutral skirt suit with dull accessories.

Eventually, I opted for a simple navy dress, bought recently in a Cos sale, teamed with slightly heeled leopard print ballet pumps and some chunky jewellery from Lola Rose.

So serious, classic navy, with a chic shoe style but the print gives it all a bit more character.

My gorgeous Topshop sale leopard print
ballet pumps...I think bought for around £20!

Chunky Lola Rose ring, which I seem to wear almost every day

And I also opted for yet more leopard print, with this Twiggy for M&S blue and grey leopard print dress (featured on Edna when I was gearing up to going back to work).

I know I'm probably the wrong demographic for the Twiggy range but I'm definitely of the opinion of shopping everywhere and anywhere and buying what you love and what suits you. And I love this dress! The colours tone down the leopard print, along with the on-the-knee length, and make it a little more sedate and serious meeting appropriate.

I again wore it with the chunky Lola Rose jewellery. And in this photo I am wearing the dress with my beloved, new black wedge multi-strap sandals from Clarks (again which have made an appearance on Edna already). For my Beijing meetings, I opted for some navy, multi-texture, high heeled Mary Jane shoes instead...a bit more toned down!

My new, beloved strappy wedge sandals from Clarks

Do you wear leopard print at work? How do you wear it to keep it professional and suitable for the office?

Edna's end of sales round-up

Mr W has promised me that tomorrow night we’ll get the camera out and do a few outfit shots. I have to confess to ‘enhancing’ my work wardrobe over recent months, so I've a few new things I want to show you!

I’m home alone this evening, so instead of modelling the new additions to my wardrobe (and there are some beauties!), I thought I’d do a round-up of my favourite end of sales offerings.

I could honestly just include most of the Mary Portas range at House of Fraser, as the sale there is immense. But I’m going to do a separate Mary Portas blog over the next week or so, as that’s where I’ve done most of my purchasing!

There are some great sales on the high street right now...and these have all caught my eye...

M&S Limited Collection animal print elliptical hem dress - £24 down from £45 (looks better in the flesh than online)

Oasis scarf print trousers - £27 down from £65

And the shirt that I was lusting after in Oasis is down to £35 from £60

Zara piped fantasy cardigan - £39.99 down from £79.99

Clarks La Wesley - £35.99 down from £89.99

Other Clarks favourites are also on sale, including the La Peep shoes from the Mary range and the gorgeous surf gala sandals which I'd never have bothered with just seeing them in store but my sister had them and they look amazing on (and I now own them too!)

Lulu Guinness enamel lips/lipstick necklace - £22.50 down from £75

Lulu Guinness confetti print large Annabel handbag - £88.50 down from £295

Vivienne Westwood for Melissa skyscraper court shoe - £75 down from £128

Mary Portas no brainer dress in red, purple or black - £40 down from £135

Mary Portas pleat front dress - £45 down from £150

Mary Portas jersey wrap slinkly drape dress - £66 down from £220

p.s. my little girl, Laney May, turned one last week. One! I'm still stunned that we've reached the one year anniversary already. We had a lovely little party...and I celebrated in one of my new Mary Portas for House of Fraser dresses. Here I am, with a hint of the dress, with my lovely friend Lisa (in a gorgeous feather print frock).