Festive facial massage.

Your best weapons for fighting ageing this winter are simple: A good facial oil and your hands. Massage makes magic - I can’t stress enough how this DIY technique delivers a natural facelift, not to mention a spa-worthy glow. One of the UK’s leading celebrity facialists, Nichola Joss, famously incorporates massage into her signature treatments and agrees it's ultra-important at this time of year: “During the winter months I recommend massaging a skin boosting facial oil into your skin every evening before bed to replenish and repair skin.” So, spare a little evening time for yourself and let us know how you get on this festive season!

The Only Shoe You'll Ever Need and How to Wear It: 1 Black Bootie, 6 Ways Since the days of wearing open-toe shoes are starting to wind down (just like the temperatures), weather-appropriate footwear is on the forefront of our minds at the moment.
Now is the time to stock up on staples you can run around town in—through rain and snow—and still look good doing it. The classic black bootie is the perfect option. Here, we show you just how versatile this look can be, using layers to transform it for every need.

For the Office For an unfussy look with high impact, pair a few black basics with a well-tailored skirt in blush pink. Score extra cool-girl points by swapping out your usual shoulder bag for a luxe backpack

For an Interview Several of our favorite designers layered camel-on-camel pieces at their fall runway shows. Slip into a cashmere sweater and leather mini in the shade and a matching oversized coat.

For the Museum Pick your favorite tartan number and add in another bold print. Balance things out with a basic T-shirt and leather accessories.

For Cocktails This look can take you to the office and straight through to your evening plans. Throw on a pullover and a cozy jacket for an outfit that is effortless and ultra comfortable.

For the Weekend When in doubt, go with a blue-on-blue combination and an army parka, a look that’s de rigueur among the fashion set. Whether you are setting out for brunch or to go shopping, it’s instantly chic.

For a Night Out Give the boot a haute edge by pairing it with a statement-making graphic print dress and gilded bijoux.

The World's Best Makeup Artist Demonstrates How to Create a Bombshell Smoky Eyes

The Fashion Moments That Define Us From Age 2 to 29

Everyone sees themselves as strangers in old photos — strangers in really terrible outfits. What the hell were you thinking? Good thing you've got it all sorted out now. (Or at least, until five years from now.)

Age 2: You don't need your mother's help anymore. You're big now. You're ready to dress yourself. Today is your Independence Day! You meant to put your shirt on backwards!

Age 3: Halloween was the greatest day of your life. You want to feel like that every day. They can't get that costume off you if you lay down on the floor and start kicking and screaming

Age 5: You love your sparkly _______. It goes with everything. It even matches that fluffy little gremlin on the end of your pencil. You're look is not complete without it.

Age 8: You met a horse (pig, kitten, whatever). You're in love. Horses on everything. And Unicorns! They're horses, but even more magical. You wish Lisa Frank made clothes.

Age 9: Some fifth grader tells you what you're wearing is for babies. You take it off in shame. You go home and realise you have nothing to wear.

Age 10: You show up at a sleepover with a fleece onesie, but everyone else is in tee shirts and shorts. When did this happen? Why weren't you told!?!? It's time to fake a stomach ache until you can get some sleep separates.

Age 13: You're in middle school now. Picture day is no joke anymore. You need a whole new look. These pictures matter. Like a lot.

Age 14: That rich girl in your class has the coolest ________. You hate her. She's mean. You have to have one! Everything else is ******! Two other people get it. Oh god, now you're the only one NOT wearing it. Maybe you can convince your mum to buy it for you as a joint birthday/Christmas gift. You'll never ask for anything else ever again.

Age 15: The new shopping centre has an Abercrombie. What other stores do you need? You start carrying stuff around school in the shopping bags with the hot naked boys all over them until your head calls it pornography and threatens to send you home.

Age 16: Your first real, serious, legit prom. You tell your boyfriend the color of your dress so he can coordinate his vest and shirt to match, but he's not sure what mauve looks like. He shows up in orange with a red rose corsage. The night is ruined!

Age 17: Senior Prom: No mistakes this time. You show your boyfriend pictures of your dress and make him run all outfit decisions by you first. You're sharing a limo with a bunch of your friends, but prom dressing is a competition and you intend to win!

Age 18: You get to college. These guys are hot! Every night is a new opportunity to go out and hook up. It's freezing outside but your sexiest top has spaghetti straps and really only looks good with a mini skirt. You drink more so you won't feel the cold. Cant remember the rest....

Age 19: You realise you can wear sweatpants to class. You're never putting on real clothes again. Shoes are starting to feel optional as well.

Age 22: You've graduated from college and it's time to look for a job. Damn! You have nothing to wear on an interview! You go to Primani.

Age 24: You're making your own money now. You work hard. You decide it's time to buy a really nice bag. It's an investment. You'll have it forever. You want Chanel. The black one is too expensive, but the taupe one is doable. Sure, you'll be scavenging raven in the break room at work and living without SKY for a few (8) months, but it's worth it.

Age 24 1/4: This bag is too damn small! It always looks like it's about to pop, but the next size up was like an additional £1500. What the .....? Is that a pen mark? Is that a *&%! pen mark on your Chanel bag!?!?!?!?!? Blackout.

Age 25: Your friends are starting to get married. You have so many cute dresses you never get to wear anymore and now they want you to buy some hideous bridesmaids dress you'll only wear once? Well, it is (named). It's not so bad. You could wear that again. (You never do.)

Age 26: Flash sales are taking over your life. Those deep discounts on Gilt are too good to pass up. Something new comes in the post every day. You have so much stuff you forget what's there. More a than a few things go unworn. Ever. Your credit card bill comes and you can't bring yourself to open it. It just sits on the table and stares at you.

Age 29: You thought you'd be making more money by now. Clothes are too expensive. If you can't wear it to work you're not buying it. Period.
......they say life begins at 40! ROLL ON!!

REMEMBER to share us with your friends - click the social links! www.poppybees.co.uk Get access to our brand new designer shoe catalogue, online store AND FREE "Essential consumer guide to perfect shoes".

Worn Out Shoes Are Just As Dangerous As Bald Tires

I am always amazed – but not surprised – when people complain about foot pain that won’t go away but don't even consider it could be due to worn out shoes. Yes, I know we all get busy. Yes, I know shoes can be expensive. However, let me point out that you only have one pair of feet and the long term damage you are doing to them will probably cost a lot more than buying new shoes in the long term.

One 'complainant' experienced increasing posterior tibial (instep) pain for more than three months. She regularly does a considerable amount of pavement walking, and it never occurred to her that her worn out shoes were contributing to the problem.

Similar to tire treads, the outsole of a shoe is designed to prolong wear and protect the less durable midsole. Once the outsole is worn through, the midsole breaks down, changing the way the foot strikes the ground.

Another customers shoes showed not only excessive forefoot and rearfoot outsole wear, but actual splitting of the forefoot outsole/midsole. This caused increased weight bearing across the forefoot, and pinpoint callous build up due to the lack of shock absorption and shoe protection in this area.

If your shoes are worn, it’s important to replace them and buy quality sensible, comfortable shoes. You do not have to give up style for comfort. Try a personal fitting and experience the most stunning and comfortable shoes you'll ever own with PoppyBees custom ordered, made to measure Italian designer shoes!

This is too important to ignore.

REMEMBER to share us with your friends - click the social links!

www.poppybees.co.uk

Get access to our brand new designer shoe catalogue,

online store AND FREE "Essential consumer guide to perfect shoes"

Halloween Fashion!

Halloween may be more than a week away but with goth and grunge style making the autumn catwalks a far spookier place than normal, the dark side has lured us in sooner than planned. Of course, we all know that black clothes make for a perennial fall-back for any girl when the temperatures start to plunge, but this season’s dark offerings are full of luxury, too: spider-webbed lace, Victoriana collars and full velvet maxi skirts make for just a few of textural treats you can unearth.

Classic vintage goth looks aside – and there are many of them to choose from - designers like Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy or Jonathan Saunders have reinvented gothic and fetish tendencies into something decidedly more modern: Givenchy’s moody florals, unravelled leather bikers and sheer maxi skirts lead a new charge for eveningwear whilst Jonathan’s perky, sculpted patent pieces have inspired a thousand and one copies. 

 

Jonathan Saunders [Rex] Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci [Jason Lloyd Evans]

It’s not just the new runways where we’re finding inspiration, either. Cult witchy flick The Craft has reignited, as popular blogging fodder. Winona Ryder’s alabaster skin and dramatic makeup circa the Johnny Depp days has returned as a jumping off point for a fresh look. Chokers seem like a good idea. As does excess amounts of velvet – and that’s outside of the party-dressing realm.

The Craft: a gothic must-see for fashion inspo

Should novel be your thing, you’ll find literal pieces from brands like YMC, who have embroidered skeletal bones onto a LBD, while Charlotte Olympia’s pumpkin pumps and fang clutch bags make for a very haute Halloween.

If you fancy stepping over to the dark side today, then the 40 buys in the gallery above will awaken your inner goth. Just leave the purple hair dye at home.

Should you wish to extend the same courtesy to your footwear PoppyBees latest Autumn/Winter collection of Italian designer-wear, from Internationally celebrated designer to Royalty, Daniele Berdini, can add boost to any party. 

All with an added twist of "choice" - not something we see much of in the designer ranges at typical shopping centres. What is on the shelf is what is available. Not here! Any size, colour, material or heel height, yours for the picking to boost the party season and your friends something to be envious about!

REMEMBER to share us with your friends - click the social links!

www.poppybees.co.uk

Get your FREE consumer guide to perfect shoes,

Brand new designer shoe catalogue and

access our private online store now!

Waist Not, Want Not

The mid-arch portion of a shoe is called a waist. In general, the waist of a shoe should 'hourglass' only minimally.  The picture below shows a Puma shoe with a ridiculously narrow waist, even for a normal foot. 

If you excessively pronate, or have any conditions associated with excessive pronation (plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis - all of which are very painful long term conditions if you don't treat them effectively!), then wearing a shoe lacking support in the waist (midfoot) could prevent you from getting better.

Next time you find yourself shoe shopping, in addition to checking the price tag on the sole of the shoe, also check the width of the waist. Having a wide waist is good for shoes, bad for cardiovascular health.

Of course, getting a shoe that is the perfect size and shape for your foot is also essential. Do not accept second best when it comes to your feet. You only have one pair and they can suffer long term damage from suffering cheap shoes. 

It always worth having a pair or two made specifically for you, yes I know it is a little more than the average purchase but its true what the say, "You do get what you pay for!". In fact with PoppyBees and Daniele Berdini it is surprising what you can actually get for your money. Unlike similar brands (Jimmy Choo for instance) you can save more than 50%. And with our Diamonds card you can make small monthly payments then order anything you want, when the amount creeps up. No strings, interest or catches, just great savings. AND, join now before Christmas and we'll match your first two payments for FREE!    www.poppybees.co.uk/diamonds 

REMEMBER to share us with your friends - click the social links!

www.poppybees.co.uk

Get access to our brand new designer shoe catalogue,

online store AND FREE "Essential consumer guide to perfect shoes".

Shoots and shbandals' anyone?

So designers have been tinkering away, cross-breeding boots. What with? Backpacks? Bikinis? Tomato plants?

Nothing so exciting, I'm afraid. We're just dealing with small modifications, and all within the footwear genus. Thus we now have shoots (shoe-boots) and shbandals (shoe-boot-sandals).

Not the shbandal! I hope you're not advocating boots with peep-toes again. The whole purpose of a boot is to keep your toes warm and save you money on a pedicure, is it not?

Could I interest you in a peep-heel, instead? Asos, for instance, has a punky patent buckled style called Auckland (£55, asos.com) with a cutaway heel that's perfect for those days when your toes are chilly but the backs of your feet are just too hot. Happens to me all the time you know!

How terribly practical. Try another one on me…

OK, slightly less bonkers and decidedly more elegant are the ever-so-slightly sparkly, slash-fronted "Blythe" shoe-boots from Danish label Ganni (£185, plumo.com, above). More delicate than your usual ankle boot with the deep V-opening, they'll keep both toes and heels toasty. No, don't say anything… you're welcome.

Of course, for an altogether more sensible, timeless style that does not seek to smash new frontiers, look no further than the Berdini Autumn/Winter catalogue, where you will find the quintessential Italian shoe range from these designers to Royalty.

No need to set shocking, bizarre new trends when timeless, fashion and quality speaks for itself. See them here, and yes, they are well under £300, in case you wondered. 

For access to our online store, brand new catalogue (with voucher) and "Essential consumer guide to perfect shoes" click here now.

Fashion at Work

Pinpoint your image

Regardless of whether you've been in the job for one week or 30 years, stop and think about the image you're really hoping to project at work.  'Do you want to be seen as professional? Dynamic? Approachable? Authoritative? Knowledgeable? Now try to identify how this would look - but think beyond the obvious. For example, being seen as "professional" doesn't necessarily mean wearing a suit - but will entail some kind of tailoring, so that could be a jacket, smart dress, tailored trousers or pencil skirt.'

Adopt and adapt

Successful workplace dressing is a subtle combination of 'fitting in' and 'standing out'. So the trick is to adhere to the accepted dress code, but find tricks and twists that help you project your own personal image and identity. 'While the banking and finance industries are traditionally formal, for example, a tailored suit wouldn't necessarily be the right look for the creative sector, where you can be a little more adventurous with your look,' 'But above all, it's important to dress to suit your personality and feel comfortable in what you're wearing.'

Think long-term

One final piece of advice before we move on from the basics: 'Remember that 90 per cent of people will form an opinion about you within the first 10 to 40 seconds of meeting you. Always to dress for the job you want, rather than the one you're currently in.' Or, to put it another way, don't allow yourself to get complacent about the way you dress for work. Always make an effort with your appearance and people will react towards you accordingly.

Mix and match

Even if you're obliged to stick to the strictest of dress codes, you can still find ways to add variety and personality with that old fashion staple - a capsule working wardrobe, livened up with carefully chosen extras. Not sure where to start? 'A neutral tailored jacket or blazer in navy or mid-grey is a great staple - then you can lift the look with shirts and accessories that show off your personality and enhance your skin tone,'. As for workplace outfits? 'Try an Empire-line or shirt dress that can be teamed with a cardigan and patent court shoes; black boot-leg trousers teamed with a shirt and jacket; or an A-line skirt with a smart top and peep-toe shoes.'

Know what colours to wear

The colours you wear send out subtle - and not-so-subtle - signals. 'An understanding of colour psychology can give you a great advantage when you're planning what to wear. So consider who you are meeting and how you would like to be perceived. For example, wearing just black is easy, but can be seen as aloof and distant, so not great if you want to build up a rapport with someone. Grey is the colour of neutrality, so fantastic to wear in conflict situations or when negotiating. It helps you feel calmer.' And the best colour to wear in an interview? Blue: 'Navy helps you assert your authoritarian, but warmer blues will also be well received.'

...and what colours not to wear

So how can you inject some brightness into your working wardrobe without looking too desperate, attention-seeking or unprofessional? By adhering to the simple rule, less is more. 'If you want to be taken seriously, dazzling head-to-toe brights are not the way to go. Instead, wear one colourful piece - a scarf, a shirt or even a dress - but keep the rest of your outfit neutral. A red scarf or top will suggest power and assertiveness. But too much red could be deemed aggressive. And one final no-no: never wear pale pink in the workplace. It's fine if you want to appear innocent and girlie, but not if you want to get your point across effectively.'

Don't lapse with the weather

It's natural to adjust what you wear to suit the climate - but don't be tempted to reinvent your working wardrobe just because there's a heatwave. 'If you've spent all year building a consistent image that projects a professional elegance, the last thing you want to do is spoil that image by coming to work in a strappy top, short skirt and flip-flops. 'Instead of baring your legs, try good quality linen trousers or a plain maxi-skirt. And remember, bare legs and dark court shoes rarely work - so try peep-toe courts or smart wedges.' Likewise, don't suddenly dig out your novelty jumper for the office during a cold spell: layering is key, so you still look as smart as ever when you get to work.

Choose your shoes wisely

There's a whole host of considerations to take into account when choosing workplace footwear. Yes, you want to look smart and stylish - but your shoes also need to be practical, comfortable and professional-looking. 'Heels will always give you some gravitas - but not if they're so high that you end up having to totter. Our advice? Take the safe option - smart court shoes with a manageable heel. But look for something that's just a little bit different - a contrast toe cap, patent leather uppers or subtle cut-out details, for example - to give the look a hint of personality and individuality.  Check out our new Autumn/Winter catalogue for a number of classic examples, then choose the colour to match your outfit and with made-to-measure service, you are GUARANTEED comfort AND style!

www.poppybees.co.uk

Get your FREE consumer guide to perfect shoes,

Brand new designer shoe catalogue and

access our private online store now!

Stop impulse-buying

Why? 'It's a waste of time and money unless you know the item you're buying will fit into your existing wardrobe, there and then.

What usually happens is that the impulse purchase sits unworn in your wardrobe while you ponder what to wear with it or have to splash more cash on something new. Before making any fashion purchase, ask yourself the "magic three" questions:

1.  Can this be accessorised in three different ways? 
2. Can I wear it to three different events/occasions? 
3. And, most importantly, does it go with three things I already have in my wardrobe?'

Which is also, by the way, is the single most important reason to pre-plan when buying shoes. Aim to have three core colours that are transposable across your wardrobe and ideally three differing styles i.e. heels, flats and sandals etc.  That way you can more easily swap, change and accessorise your outfits. 

It also stops that last minute panic buying when you get an unexpected invite to a fancy do!

Buy in haste, repent at leisure. 

So, well before you need to do so, get your feet measured (we all change over time), decide on a style, colour, heel height and material that best suits your wardrobe then scour the globe for months trying to find the exact match - OR  just come to PoppyBees, tell us what your criteria is and your custom made shoes will be with you in six weeks, made to order. (You simply cannot get this type of designer customisation anywhere else in the UK unless you pay £500 or more!)

If you prefer, spread the expense with PoppyBees Diamonds Club, its an easy 'no-strings', way to squirrel away a few pounds per month and get stunning, designer shoes, every year without feeling the pinch. 

Bye for now. 

Perfect fit? It's all down to your designer.

Every item of clothing you see gracing the pages of Vogue magazine or strutting down the runway has been tailored and customised to fit. Having a tailor alter your garments can make a world of difference, and it isn't necessarily very expensive. Every woman desires to always look her best when it comes to clothing and fashion. Styles and trends from Los Angeles to Milan really do matter when choosing the right clothes.

Finding clothes and shoes that fit requires very careful thought as to your clothing preferences and what your body size is. Whether you are a man or a woman, you need to evaluate certain things about your body to get the right clothes for you. Some clothes may look good on the hanger, but will they be as good when you are wearing them? Almost every garment will look perfect on a model, but would you look perfect in them as well?

Determining your body measurements and shape will make it much easier for you to get the "ones" that fit. It is necessary to get the measurement of the neckline, the shoulders and chest, the sleeve, the bust, the back, the waist, the hips and the leg circumference to detail your body size. However, when shopping, sizes may differ depending on the manufacturer. Sizing is not consistent from one boutique to another and it may take you longer in the dressing room to get the right fit, but it is better to take your time than it is to suffer from discomfort in the long run.

At PoppyBees you need not worry about sizing ever again.  Whether you are a diminutive size one, or more stable size 12, narrow fit or extra wide, or anywhere in between in fact, then we got it covered. 

Small heel, killer heels or flats? It is up to you. Our designers have been making shoes for over five generations and have been proud suppliers to Princess Diana, so you know you can count on one of the best in the business. 

No one wants shoes that look great on models on the catwalk but bring you to tears after only 30 minutes on the street. Nor would you want shoes that fall apart after only a few trips out.

Daniele Berdini are the makers of high quality, exquisite shoes that wow. They are by far the most trusted because they only value the quality of their products and customers satisfaction. Expensive, yes compared to High street shoes, but at half the price of Jimmy Choos they can provide you with exactly what you are looking for.

For those who are meticulous and very sensitive to designs, you may spend months searching for that perfect shoe. But, not here. Browse the catalogue, select a design, choose your colour, heel height and materials for the perfect shoe, first time, every time.  Each shoe is made just for you. 

No stock is held. Every single shoe is made to order - that's how we know and guarantee it will fit and be comfortable. 

Daniele Berdini don't just create stunning shoes they create 'works of art'. So, if you want your shoes to make you look professional, suave, sophisticated and gorgeous, you have come to the right place. No matter what, there is no other way to look great than to have perfect shoes that fit. Confidence and elegance will chase after you.

Autumn/Winter Catalogue available in store on Saturday 5th October  -  see you there!
Go HERE to register and get all our future, promotions, offers and events. OR
Go to www.poppybees.co.uk for further information.

Please leave me a comment or share your experience  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Do not miss out on THE shoe event of the year at PoppyBees!

Do not miss out on THE shoe event of the year at PoppyBees! 

In 7 days time, yes next Saturday, we will be launching our new Autumn/Winter Catalogue!

"Why is this THE event of the year?", I hear you ask. Well let me tell you,

• we are THE ONLY IMPORTER of Daniele Berdini (designer to British Royalty) in the whole of the UK,
• we will not be beaten on comfort OR style, you get BOTH with these exquisite shoes,
• every shoe is painstakingly made FOR YOUR FOOT, sizes 1 to 12 including half sizes,
• choose alternative colours, materials and heel heights to suit you and your outfit,
• HALF THE PRICE of comparative Louis Vitton and Jimmy Choo,
• join our Diamonds club and get further discounts,
• feel the luxury as you wear THE most unique, made for you, shoes in the UK today,

And that is just to mention but a few reasons you should join us next Saturday.

Personally my favourite reason is the  FREE cheese and wine party and 20% discount voucher for your first order.

Just call in for a quick glass of bubbly, nibble and a 20% discount voucher!

Click here to reserve your voucher now!

We look forward to seeing you then......

Wear the right shoe for the right occasion!

Wear the right shoe for the right occasion!

 Buy your shoes before your outfit – your shoes will stay on longer than your hat, and will be worn far more often than your clothes. Comfortable feet will keep you smiling for the photographs! 

Look out for the PoppyBees new Autumn/Winter catalogue, and FREE cheese and wine party on 5th October! Just call in at our shop (20 Darton Road, CAWTHORNE, S754HR, as though you didn't know!) for a peruse of the new Catalogue and a launch day 20% off voucher for all those who attend.   

***Yes even you Karen N !*** ;-)

There's plenty to do in the village including a garden centre, Museum, Country Hall, Antique Centres, Traditional Sweet shop/Post Office, two pub and Village store with adorable Tea Room where you can treat yourself to afternoon Tea and perhaps a good dollop of our "PoppyBees" Italian Ice Cream?

http://ow.ly/oSyaB

Au Revoir for now....

Foot FUN

Reflexologists believe that our feet map the up’s and down’s of our lives and general well being. At differing times in our life, our feet and ankles suffer from aches and pains, and you may be well advised to do some foot exercises to strengthen and relax your muscles.

For children, you need to make this fun, so here are some enjoyable exercises that will benefit both you and your family. Whether you need to correct a problem or help yourself relax…why not give them a go?

Lose your Marbles…

Pick up the marbles with your toes one by one and pop them into a container – not as easy as it sounds!
Different sized bottle necks or jars, makes it a skilful game.

Move over Monet!…

Choose a subject i.e. animal, fruit etc. and holding a pen or chalk between your toes, see what masterpiece you can create.

For younger children, take them outside with a bowl of water-based paint and an old roll of wallpaper and watch them make footprints and patterns with pieces of sponge.

Picnic blanket…

Lay a towel under your feet (sitting or laying) then gradually ‘claw’ it into a scrunched up heap.
Find the corners with your toes and smooth it back out again. http://ow.ly/oSyiG

Autumn/Winter Catalogue out 5th October!

With Christmas on the horizon, YES it will be 11.5 weeks when our new Catalogue launches on 5th October, we will be holding a Cheese and Wine party throughout the day to celebrate, and anyone who calls in can claim a massive 20% off their first order from the catalogue. 

You don't need to pay there and then. You don't even need to order there and then. You just need to come and claim your voucher! Simples!

Remember we can supply mens shoes too, so if you have worked hard all year and deserve a treat for yourself or your 'other half', we have exactly what you need.

No more ill fitting, "settled for second best", Primani shoes. Only beautiful, stylish shoes that will fit you perfectly and make a statement from 50 yards. From the manufacturers to Royalty, Daniele Berdini these shoes are exquisite in every detail and UNIQUE in the UK. 

Go on, treat yourself. It's only Christmas once per year!

Click here to start saving now!
Remember to call in on 5th October to see our new range and get your 20% off voucher!

PS
We also have our very own range of Italian Ice Cream across at the village store, so if you have to make a special journey to see us, why not make a meal of it with strawberries  and an ice-cream at our newly refurbished village store?

Suzanne's warning

Guest blogger Suzanne writes;

I made a huge mistake last week. One of incredibly epic proportions. And there’s no going back from what I did, mostly because I bought the shoes on sale and there’s a no return policy where I bought them.

Last year I needed black flats in a hurry and I bought them from a cheap random store I found walking home from work. They were £15 and I thought I would keep them around until I found another pair of basic black flats that I loved and as they were black I kind of thought they will go with most things. But being the stingiest person ever, I’m still wearing them a year later and they’ve gone from “ooo, are those from Primani?” to “ooo I didn’t know they sold shoes where only your big toe pops out the front. Trendy!”

In the interest of not looking homeless all the time, I went shopping last week and found a pair that I loved. Cute, classic, brand-name. The only catch was that the elastic back, which I know from previous experience, can really hurt. But I walked around the store in them for 5 seconds, felt no pain and immediately purchased them.

Enter my mistake.

If I wear them for more than 30 seconds, they dig into my heels so much that I get indents in my heels. While there’s a 25% chance fashionistas with personal style blogs will declare “heel indents” to be in this season, I don’t know if I can handle the pain that long. Yes, pain. It’s the equivalent of walking 15 miles to work and having someone shoot arrows into your foot every time you take another step. I cry when the water gets too cold in the shower, so I don’t really do “pain” well.

Which means that I’m wincing as I walk. Maybe in a small town people would take pity on wincers. But here in Sheffield, people just look down on wincers. And they move away in case you’re carrying a weapon or a contagious disease (two things I never leave the house without throwing in my bag).

So now I’m stuck with these horrible wincing shoes that make me look like I have scurvy. And while heel indents might make a comeback, I don’t think scurvy will. It’s just too 1890s sailor chic, you know?

No surprise then that I'm really looking forward to seeing PoppyBees new Autumn/Winter catalogue which is released on 5th October.

As a complete contrast, I bought a pair of Daniele Berdini's from Sean a few weeks ago, the cream leather with black toe and ankle strap. I have a wide foot so getting nice shoes that offer style and comfort is a constant source of frustration to me. I can tell you, these are by far, the best shoes I have ever bought. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. Perfectly fitting, as comfortable as old slippers AND, compared to other known brand names, very competitively priced.

Just to be on the safe side I signed up for the PoppyBees Diamond program, so I can be sure to get at least one more pair next year, and the year after, and the year.....

So hope to see you at the launch on 5th October 0930 - 1530

Suzanne.

(Guest blogger)

Autumn/Winter Catalogue launch 5th October!

It’s always exciting when something new happens isn't it?  Its an opportunity to explore new ways, ideas and thoughts. An opportunity to improve and progress. I love it when a promising new brand comes about and starts doing things a little bit differently, yet still maintains a bit of classical elegance. Daniele Berdini does that for  for me. Although they have been around for five generations they are new here to us in the UK, having done perfectly well for themselves in Italy, there was no need to explore beyond the borders much. Until we uncovered them, that is!

 The only problem is that whilst they hold the prestigious title of designers and manufacturers to Royalty (having made Princess Diana's bridesmaid shoes) I don’t feel that we are yet doing them justice. A combination of being new to the industry and having a lack of funds available to do mass marketing,  is making for slow progress. Fortunately, word of mouth is getting round and we see more and more customers coming in through referral than ever before. The proud new owners of our 'made-to-measure' designer wear couldn't be happier with the exquisite product they have purchased, leaving raving reviews and testimonials for us. Great, we love that! Thank you!!

 For some there is often a combination of fears about high-end designer shoes i.e. "can i justify spending x on shoes", "I cant afford x", or "when would I ever actually wear them".  The answers to these questions are easy to find, firstly our shoes come with a cast iron Guarantee that if you don't absolutely LOVE them you don't pay us a penny. Secondly, you CANNOT find another pair of Daniele Berdini's in the UK today as we are the ONLY supplier, we are UNIQUE. Third, everyone deserves a treat now and again. We don't spend our whole lives working our fingers to the bone for fun, do we. We all have birthday's, anniversaries, parties, Christmas and so on, where we want to look our best, be different and stylish. (So having a bonus 'kudos' to wearing shoes made by designers to Royalty is a REAL talking point too!). Finally, everyone can afford designer shoes with our PoppyBees Diamonds scheme, created for those (like me) who want to squirrel away a few pounds per month to accrue in return for our shoes, or indeed anything else of ours, at any time. £15 per month (£3.75/week!) will see you receive one pair of Daniele Berdini designer shoes, every year, for the rest of your life! I mean, £3.75/week!! thats cheaper than my car insurance.

 I have always admired designer shoes, not only for their beautifully shapes and styles, but more so for their amazing quality. I know that with Berdini's fresh ideas of design and detail will set themselves apart from the masses where drab and monotony rules, and thus become major player in the industry. But I guess that today is a new day, full of companies trying to do just that: set themselves apart, so until our marketing budget grows and word of mouth spreads a little further - its just us few in this special little club!

Look out for the launch of our new Autumn/Winter Catalogue out on the 5th October, only in our store, and with 20% off your first order, if you come to store and collect your voucher!  FREE cheese and wine too.

Look forward to seeing you there.

PoppyBees weekend

Well that has been a great weekend and I'm not referring to the turnover.

It been hit and miss in terms of customer footfall.  Friday afternoon we happened t open open as I had an unexpected day off work so opened 1230 - 1530. It was quiet up to 13:30 then we had three or four people come in together followed by a a bit of a rush just before closing.
Saturday was relatively quiet all day but this was true for the Village shop too, unusually so we take some solace from that. And, Sunday was steady but saw the biggest sale of the weekend to my friend Lesley from the Barnsley Harriers running club.

Lesley promptly posted on our Facebook page, commenting on how excited she was with the three pairs of shoes, a necklace and a bracelet she had bought. Her husband was similarly excited by the surprisingly small amount on the receipt. Thanks Lesley!

I have been grateful of the quiet times too as I have just joined a local business group and the amount of stuff I have been researching and digesting, not to mention streamlining and updating my online presence/social media has been enormous.

Oh well that's going to take care of all my spare time for the rest of this week and beyond. Lets hope all this hard work pays off!

If you cant wait to see and learn more visit our website www.poppybees.co.uk  or join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/poppybees

Until next week, see you later.