Jimmy Choo for H&M - Worth the wait (and sleeping on the street in the rain)? Part 1 of 2

Jimmy Choo for H&M launched this past Saturday to hordes of anxious shoppers.  I am lucky enough to live in Central London (aka we pay a lot to live in a studio the size of your pantry) so I was within walking distance of a H&M store.  I had distinct plans to wake up at 6 am only to fall back asleep in my warm, oh-so-comfortable bed.  I finally got up and out and was in line a bit before 8 am (the store opened at 9 am).  At first I saw the line and thought "Whoa, is this really worth it?"

I mean, this looks kinda scary at 8 am right?

But I decided to brave it because I was already up right?  I also decided to stay because the H&M people told me I was among the first 160 people to arrive so I would definitely get in (whether I would get what I want was of course a different story).
They gave out this flier listing our shopping procedure and I got the blue wristband so about 100 people were in front of me.

The flier lists the times each color band was allowed to go in the store.  You could only shop for 10 minutes and get 1 of each style.  So it somewhat baffled me when I heard staff saying that someone started lining up at 5 pm the day BEFORE to be the first in line.  I talked to the 10th person in line and she said she was there at about 3 am.  It was raining in London that night and the morning of the launch.  Hmm, I just like my bed and my husband too much to sleep on the streets.

So how was my first possible mass-hysteria hyped up shopping launch experience?  Pretty good actually.  I was impressed by how orderly H&M ran the process.  The 10 minute shopping rule and abundance of staff (80 were working in that small branch that day to accommodate the crowds) really kept things moving along quickly.  They even gave out free umbrellas when it started raining in the morning.  A lovely Swedish girl covered me before I got an umbrella.  The bonding is also another funny thing I didn't expect.  People in line were pretty friendly .  The teenage boy behind me was there to get his mom a pair of shoes.  She bribed him with a new Macbook.  Nice.

Why yes, that is a Macbook plated in GOLD.  Chic indeed.

After we got our bracelets, we also took turns taking a break from the line and quite a few sweet people offered to get me coffee as well.  Instead I  went back home and snuggled with my husband for 10 minutes.  When I went back to the line, we were up next and all the girls around me welcome me back and said they were worried I'd missed it!

We were let in a little early (at 10:35 am) and raced up the stairs.  Of course a lot of the good shoes like the gladiators and boots were gone.  I got a pair of shoes I ended up returning and a few accessories.  Overall I was able to get some things, but the selection wasn't awesome.

Up next my tips for the Jimmy Choo for H&M shopping and a lookbook!

Alternative shoes under a wedding gown and a Bliss FitFlop discount ending 26 Oct!

What shoes can you wear under THE dress?

Previously, it was thought that we should wear satin shoes with embellishments under a wedding gown.
Something like this Badgley Mischka shoe.  Still kinda cute with the over the top rhinestones - kinda love the art-deco, bling factor of that.

These days, a woman can wear what she feels like - pumps, sandals, boots, whatever!

I wore pewter strappy Judith Leiber sandals I had previously worn as a bridesmaid to a friend's wedding because they totally matched my dresses and were pretty comfy.

I really love the concept of wearing some practical (as in can wear after the wedding) or comfortable (see my picture later).

Take the lovely Dawn and her peep-toe Jimmy Choo Mary Janes - fun and functional to so many other parties!

Is it going to be rainy or do you just love your rain boots (I have the same ones from Target!)  Wear them then like Lori did!

 

 How about cowboy boots so you can just kick up your heels and run around?  As seen here.

Or do you just want comfortable shoes?  Wear Fit Flops like I did! When we did out first look pictures and had to walk around to different spots, I had these on.  Hanako first told me about the Bliss sale on Twitter a few months ago.  I got them and LOVE them. 

They're on sale again at Bliss - up to 50% off most flip flop styles.  I want boots as well, but will probably wait until there's a bigger discount. Sale ends 26 Oct.  Enter code 119908 and get free shopping if you buy over $50 .

Since buying them, I've found other friends (1 with a chronic back problem) who laud the comfort and support of these shoes.  I'll admit that they aren't the cutest flip flops out there, but they're pretty basic (so can be worn with quite a few outfits) and the shock absorption is so worth it.

I've had a pain in my right foot sometimes and find that these are the only pair of shoes that help my feet even after walking for hours.  I'm sure I look pretty funny while wearing them around South London though.

This is also one of the funniest and one of my favorite photos from our day.  I was running out of the Echo because we were starting to run late for the ceremony. 

Anyhoo, happy shopping!

Luxing it on the cheap (LOTC)- Jimmy Choo/H & M (new pictures)

In a very London-inspired (and generally Chic 'n Cheap) moment, I've decided to add a regular section called "Luxing it on the Cheap" or LOTC.

London is indeed fab. But it is also not cheap.

At first London prices scared me because I was coming across items like choi sum vegetables for£7.5/kilo (seriously) or 6 eggs for £1.5. I was pretty bummed. But there are bargains if you look around (Thank you, Tesco for reasonable grocery prices). In terms of fashion, I've come across wearable/affordable pieces from Next, TopShop, and even Marks & Spencer (besides the standbys of H&M and Zara of course).

So in this first feature, I'm actually covering a designer collaboration we covered before: Jimmy Choo collection for H&M. I found some great new pictures from blogger Bags, Shoes & Beyond and wanted to pass them along. Prices for the handbags, jewelry, shoes, and clothing will range from £40-£200 so it certainly puts Jimmy Choos within reach. Definitely checking it out on Nov. 14 (participating stores will be listed starting Oct. 15)

Here are some faves:

ooh, what an acessory with a LBDLove that it's just a small touch of a print, simple edginess

Ok, I finally got into Gladiator sandals - are they still in?! Either way, love the straps

Great with some tights or a cute dress