“Shine, shine, shine” is an expression one of my daughters uses.
Along with every grammatical derivation – verb, adverb or noun – to describe pretty much everything great within and about life. I love it when I hear her say, “Let’s shine” or “How are you shiny?” It is one of her expressions I have adopted and it’s come to have a heap of meaning.
And if nothing else we all need a little “shine” in life right now. Oh, come on; don’t we need some shine all of the time? Feeling “shiny” can be as bright as feeling like you have won the lottery of life or as small as a compliment from a stranger.
It never matters what makes us shine, as long as we do.
Dressing up and feeling self-confident in how I look adds to my shine.
Sure it’s on the less important side of what makes me happy and content but it still counts. Discovering or re-discovering a style I like and adapting it to suit me is a sure-fire winner in the feel-good stakes.
Re-cycling my summer wardrobe – Yes, I finally sorted through my cupboards and gave away a mountain load of redundant pieces to make way for some lightweight salvation. My London wardrobe is winter heavy, formal focussed and hardly useful with summer temperatures as they are in Europe and more stay at home time. Finding my “relaxed” self is not easy; I have always been a lover of the tailored and classic.
So, I have re-engineered. Skirts, dresses and blouses have shifted to the front of house and suits (those I haven’t deleted) are in the back.
There is something else I have decided to bring back.
Patent leather ballet flats to be precise.
I dumped these in favour of sneakers; ballet flats were once my version of the sneaker. I wore them with everything and every day. Suddenly they went out, or at least it felt like that, and loafers and trainers took their ground. It’s time to add them back into the mix and why not patent leather? It’s a little old school but I like it.
These with a slightly elongated and square toe, reminiscent of The Row, are perfect.
If a more Chanel style shape is your go, then what about these?
We could “shine” in these all weekend long. xv
arissa square toe ballet flat || eddie ballet flat || serene flat
P.S
Sales are ramping up right now and especially The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale; their biggest and probably best of the year. If you have early access it’s worth a browse and there a couple of pieces worth watching.
I’ll make my edit for you when the sale opens up but if you can see these now, run don’t walk.
madewell camo jacket (my favourite) || scalloped lace blouse (so pretty) || pleated mix media dress (this is the best shape)
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image, peter lindbergh, nycb
