Footglove Leather Lace-Up Shoe Boot €60/£45

M&S Leopard Pointed Court Shoes (€20/£15)

*Every year I like to get myself a birthday present from myself, because if anyone knows how much I deserve a gift, it’s me! Plus I had some winnings from a wedding speech bet.

Leopard print shoes are totally self indulgent and wonderfully suited for this birthday girl. I have wanted booties for, like, ever but haven’t found any that are comfortable. The stack heels on these will work for when I’m at work. My husband is totally anti-booties, but I’ll convert him yet. Looking at the prices in Sterling, I wish I’d gone into M&S while I was up North.

PS: This is yet another reason why I won’t being q-ing up for the Jimmy Choos at H&M. €60 is about the maximum I want to spend on shoes. And if I do, I better be able to wear them a lot.

Check out Ertsthwile Style on Etsy and Ertstwhile Style on Market Publique, just don’t buy anything I want! Here are my top three favourite items in the store.

1. Jumpin Jumpsuit

The jumpsuit craze is all over the summer festival and beach scene, but this classic culotte style will take the trend into the fall and into the office. The wide legs will work with my curvy figure much more than the little jersey numbers on the high street right now. I could actually see myself wearing this because it looks like a well tailored dress.

2. Dotty for Dots

Simply a great  top. I love the Lichtenstein-dots, the interesting tie hem and of course the dramatic cowl neck collar. I could definitely wear this top with jeans, skirts or even under a blazer.

3. Hot and Pink

I used to have some patent hot pink heels that looked great, but fit terribly. I wore them on the occasional night out when I knew I’d do much more sitting than walking, dancing or standing. Shame. These shoes are lovely. A bright colour balanced by a classic style means they’ll get oodles of wear both inside the board room and out on the town.

I still have a soft spot in my heart for sneakers. When I saw these on the Thrush Etsy site, I said to myself, “Self, there’s no way these will be in your size. Go ahead and look at them, you know you won’t be tempted.”

But wouldn’t you know it, they’re in my size. Damn. Now what do I do? I’d love a sweet pair of vintage kicks. But I can also hear the disapproving tone in my husband’s voice as I bring home a pair of shoes that I can’t wear to work. The price is great. You’d pay as much, if not more, for a new pair of  Adidas.

I don’t think I can justify this purchase (not when I’m preparing my argument for new summer shoes). A younger, more sporty self would have snapped them up in a sec. Think I need to get some cute wedges to make adulthood more bareable.