Welcome

Welcome to the official website for the modern fiction novel, ‘The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy’ by Emma Bowd (Bloomsbury, 2009).The novel follows the misadventures of thirtysomething first-time mum, Jane Meadows, who has more than a passing passion for shoes.  Another central character to the novel is The Shoe Princess and her daily musings on a website called ShoePrincess.com (from which this blog takes its lead)….once you read the book, all will become clear!

As any wise Shoe Princess knows, ‘It’s always best to try on a shoe for size before you buy’, so please click here to enjoy the First Chapter from The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy .

Bravo Melbourne Shoe Princesses

I know I’m supposed to be locked in my writers cave, but…..Congratulations to all of the Melbourne Shoe Princesses and Princes who took part in the annual Warwick Foundation’s High Heel Race…a 100m dash in heels to raise money for young adults (18-40yrs) with cancer.

The runner-up received a  bottle of Moet and a signed copy of Emma’s novel The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Much thanks for kicking up your heels in support of the wonderful Warwick Foundation . xx

Back to the Cave…

My darling Shoe Princesses

As SP Emma Bowd disappears into her writers’ cave to commence her next novel, she leaves us with this truly lovely little Shoe Video - High Heel Confidential – jam packed with fascinating shoe ‘goss’ for the shoe enthusiast and interviews with the likes of Manolo Blahnik and Stefano Ferragamo.

The video’s quite long, at 40 plus minutes…so find a quiet moment, put your feet up and enjoy!

Petite Shoe Princess Extraordinaire

This weeks ‘Top of the Class’ award, goes from one Aussie SP to another…

SP Emma Bowd has great pleasure in crowning the darling divine SP Kylie Minogue ’Petite Shoe Princess’ extraordinaire, thanks to her unwavering dedication-to-the-cause. Truly inspiring!

Here’s Kylie’s latest Twitpic: Louboutin of course! xx

What type of Shoe Princess are you?  Could you be Pernickety, Common Garden Variety, Practical, Politically Correct or Cinderella?  After all, there’s a little bit of Shoe Princess in all of us, my darlings.  Lots more shoe-talk in SP Emma Bowd’s The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy (UK/AUSTRALIA).

Petite Shoe Princess

Very high heels are a way of life for this SP…even her slippers have heels.  Her partner has never seen her barefoot, and she could easily run a marathon from lofty heights.  Her mantra is: ‘Why go to the gym when you can wear platform stilettos!’

Shoe Temple To-Die-For

Clever + Practical + Beautiful = BaBooShoe Booth The ultimate Shoe Princess accessory

Oh how I do love it when two Shoe Princesses put their heads together!

SP Emma Bowd was delighted to hear from the divine Aussie mother-and-daughter design team of Lesley and Amy at BaBooShoe (that’s short for Bags, Boots and Shoes) about their gorgeous new shoe booth, recently launched at the Australian Shoe Fair.

It’s no secret that I love a shoe temple, and thanks to Lesley and Amy’s ingenuity (borne from personal frustration at constantly fossicking through shoe boxes to find their precious jewels), Shoe Princesses can now store their shoes in stand-alone shoe booths - protected by (and of course admired through!) glass doors.

24/7 viewing is a must-do thanks to remote-control back lighting with two sizes and two finishes (gloss black or white) to choose from.  Heavenly!

Heart and Sole – Making Education a Reality

The Shoe Princess's Guide to the Galaxy author, Emma Bowd, leading the winter collection of clothing and food for the children's education charity Ardoch (Melbourne Weekly, June 2010)

Heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of mums who helped SP Emma Bowd collect many, many vanloads of clothing, shoes and food for her Shoe Princess Ardoch Winter Appeal over the past 4 months.  Word quickly spread amongst her gorgeous Shoe Princesses well beyond Bayside, with families and schools from all over Melbourne participating.  All of the donations were gratefully received by the grass-roots education charity and put to much good use during this, our coldest winter in many years.

In fact, SP Emma Bowd is extremely proud and delighted to announce that the food donation was the single largest ever received by Ardoch…all thanks to the generous and wonderful families of Loreto Mandeville Hall.

I always knew that my Shoe Princesses were gorgeous and fashionable on the outside AND with a magnificent social conscience on the inside! 

Thank you! xx

Manolo meets Liberty

My Darling Shoe Princesses

There’s much to be excited about for the next three and a half months, with our Patron Saint Manolo Blahnik sprinkling his magic dust at Liberty of London.  (Incidentally, his very first retail foray outside of his Chelsea headquarters.)

Not only has he designed the most divine selection of shoe-inspired gifts baring his signature drawings, but he’s also made exquisite shoes exclusively for Liberty – having painstakingly researched their magnificent fabric catalogues for inspiration.

For those SPs lucky enough to be London-bound, have fun!  For the rest of us, click here for the full range in Liberty’s World of Manolo.

By way of consolation for SP Emma Bowd not being able to get to London to see her beloved Liberty, I thought I’d share with you some of my Top 10 Manolo Blahnik Moments of Madness from The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy (Bloomsbury, 2009):

1. Full marks for initiative to junior SP of Hong Kong, aged 9 years, who sawed off the 9cm heels on her mother’s Manolos so that she could wear them.

2. SP of Paris only ever wears skyscraper Manolos and drinks champagne during long-haul flights. Vowing that it prevents jetlag and always makes the destination city look more interesting.

3.  Go sister!  A Spanish nun was sentenced to community service after embezzling school-library funds and spending them on 30 pairs of Manolos.

4. SP of St Petersburg highly recommends Manolos to inject spice into the bedroom - ever since her boyfriend started wearing them.

5. It must be love! Cape Town model and SP put 200 pairs of Manolos up for sale on eBay after her boyfriend refused to move in with her unless she halved her shoe collection.

The Great Aussie Shoe Drop

    

My darlings,

I hereby decree Sydney and Melbourne STAR Shoe Princess City status!  All thanks to the divine Shoptilyoudrop Shoe Drop.

Simply follow the clues on Twitter @ shoptilyoudrop and weave your way through the CBD of Australia’s two premier cities to snare a pair of free designer shoes…the likes of YSL, Balenciaga, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Terry Biviano to name but a few…..truly!  In all, 50 pairs of shoes are up for grabs.

Little wonder author SP Emma Bowd of The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy calls Melbourne home!

The shoe hunt runs from Wed July 14th – Friday 16th July.

What are you waiting for….hop to it! xx

See Shoes Shine

Shoes @ Sadler's Wells, London, September 3-11

London-bound Shoe Princesses book now for Shoes @ Sadler’s Wells for a world-class revue of song, dance, music and film celebrating the highs and lows of life through none other than our beloved SHOES!!  

Composed by Richard Thomas (of Jerry Springer the Opera fame) and supported by award-winning collaborators, it truly promises to be an evening of unrivalled and utterly unadulterated Shoe Princess bliss.  xx

I’m Turning Japanese…

…I really think so!

All thanks to exquisitely beautiful shoes handmade from antique kimono fabric.  The brainchild of Amanda at Dames & Divas, and one of SP Emma Bowd’s most exciting finds from the Australian Shoe Fair!

Amanda will be showcasing her divine one-off shoes, handbags and accessories at Magnolia Square boutique market in Sydney Friday June 4th – Sunday June 6th.

All Hail Queen Danielle

H O T   O F F   T H E  P R E S S

My darling Shoe Princesses, it is with immense pleasure that I can announce Danielle Steele of romance novel fame as Monsieur Louboutin’s ‘supertop’ customer! With more than 6,000 pairs of his designer shoes in her closet – mostly garnered from personal shopping trips from her home in the US to Paris.

Ooh la la!  I think we have a new Queen of the Platinum Shoe Princesses.  Sorry Oprah, you have been dethroned!

(My humble author SP Emma Bowd can but dream….xx)

Shoe Exchange

A delightful tale told to SP Emma Bowd today, of a meeting-of-Shoe-Princess-minds to solve a tricky situation…

Divine Melbourne Shoe Princess and up-market hairdresser, Angela, is now the proud owner of 20 pairs of beautiful designer shoes (all unworn)…received in-lieu of money for salon treatments, from a rather well-heeled SP facing slight, err… cashflow problems. 

Such a civilised outcome.  Bravo, my darling Shoe Princesses! xoxo

Oprah’s Shoe Closet Cleanout

Our Favourite Platinum Shoe Princess, Oprah (Photograph: Ruven Afanador)

My Darling Shoe Princesses

Our favourite Platinum SP, Oprah, is having a Spring cleanout of her shoe closet!

She’s nominated dozens of shoes (and clothing items) which will be auctioned soon on eBay to benefit her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Though I am pleased to note that her Shoe Princess credentials are still firmly in place, with the declaration that there are some shoes she’s simply not prepared to put under the hammer!  Like her favourite pair of (unworn) ivory lace knee-high boots that she describes as a work of ‘sculpture‘ and ‘closet jewelry’.

What are you waiting for SPs?  Skip on over to Oprah.com for all the details in aid of a very worthy cause.

And who knows, you may be walking in the footsteps of Oprah – quite literally. 

Good luck! xx 

Platinum SP 

Money is no object and expensive shoes are amongst the many fine possessions in her life.  This SP loves having gazillions of shoes in her colour-coordinated designer wardrobe as a sign of her self-made success and financial independence. She’s often quoted as saying that she still has her feet on the ground – but just in more expensive shoes! (Think Oprah.)

Connect2Mums

 

Warm congratulations to the lovely SP Candice of Western Australia, who is the proud new owner of a copy of SP Emma Bowd’s novel The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy!

All thanks to winning a competition run by the divine mums over at Connect2Mums - the perfect cyber-place to meet like-minded mums with a love of bubs and fine footwear! xx

Heels to Highchairs…and beyond

Looking for a lunchtime treat?

Why not pop over to the lovely EssentialBaby.com.au for an exclusive excerpt from SP Emma Bowd’s The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy!  

Enjoy xx

Shoe Princess woos Canada

Bonjour and a very happy 2010 to my darling Shoe Princesses.

I’m so thrilled to welcome the divine Canadian book reviewers, Jonita of Book Chic and Tina of Bookshipper to the Shoe Princess fold.  And of course SP Emma Bowd is delighted and humbled by their glowing reviews of The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy…certainly makes those hundreds of hours at the coal face worth it! 

It seems the international languages of shoes, motherhood, friendship and love know no boundaries…

Jonita’s Review (Dec 15, 2009) @  The Book Chic (even making her ‘favourite reads of 2009′ list!)

‘…an absolutely enjoyable read…exciting…couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Left me wanting more.

‘A great gift for the new-mom, chick-lit lover, shoe lover or just a fabulous present for yourself.’

Full Book Review and Author Interview

 

Tina’s Review (Dec 29, 2009) @ Bookshipper

4 Stars

‘absolutely everything that I love in a great chick lit book..funny, strong and witty main character…shoes…storyline that had me hooked from the first second.’

International Dorothy Day

The Shoe Princess formally decrees that all loyal subjects in her shoedom shall wear sparkly red shoes this New Year’s Eve.

In exchange for donating money or time to any charity working hard for mums, dads, babies and their families.

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my darling Shoe Princesses.

Until next year, au revoir.

xxxx

 SP Emma Bowd and moi have proudly supported the following charities in 2009:

           

Shoe Princess School Shoe Drive

 

Oceans of thanks to the darling little junior Shoe Princes and Princesses of Bayside Melbourne, who polished and buffed their end-of-school-year black leather shoes and donated them to SP Emma Bowd’s Shoe Princess School Shoe Drive for the Ardoch Youth Foundation. 

A staggering 80+ pairs of shoes were collected.

Thank you! xx

   

Hats off to MOPS

 

My Darling Shoe Princesses

Every now and then SP Emma Bowd needs to remind me (with a subtle jab of her stiletto!) that her gorgeous little novel The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy is not just about shoes!

Indeed, shoes provide quite a lovely window-dressing for her tale of transition from career-girl to first-time-mum… and all the fun and games that follow.

Heartfelt thanks to the utterly divine Brighton MOPS for having SP Emma Bowd talk about her novel.  She was truly overwhelmed by the warm welcome and absolutely enjoyed the questions and discussions that evolved. 

Hats off to MOPS…a glittering gem of a lifeline for mums and their children and families.  Bravo! xx

Practical Parenting, May 2009

 

‘…a good read. Be entertained and enlightened’

Practical Parenting Magazine

(Aust, May 2009)

Step Out in Style

My Darling Shoe Princesses,

Christmas arrived early this week with the delivery of my gorgeous shoe-emblazoned luggage from the divine Robyn and Paul of Luggage with Looks….yes, another of my discoveries from the Australian Shoe Fair!

Am now the proud owner of the funky, aeroplane cabin-friendly, wheeled duffel bag (above) featuring vibrant and pretty shoe-prints taken from hand-painted designs. 

The perfect travelling companion for a Shoe Princess! xx

Shoe Love

Congratulations to the 10 divine Shoe Princesses who won a copy of SP Emma Bowd’s perfect summer holiday beach-read, The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy (AUST; UK) from Jane Debster shoes. 

For more special treats exclusive to Jane Debster see Club JD.   

Happy reading my darlings!

PS.  Before you pack the sparkly sandals and beach tote, may I suggest a quick peek at the black, patent leather ‘Pontiac’ peep toe stiletto.  A timeless addition to any shoe collection with a clever (and comfortable) platform, and ultra-flattering dip-sided silhouette. xx

Shoe Show

 

Shoes by Phong Chi Lai (photo Richard Brockett)

 

Indulge your senses Melbourne Shoe Princesses and hot foot it down to Flinders Lane and Craft Victoria for their Shoe Show - a visual feast of contemporary shoes and boots from up-and-coming bespoke shoemakers.  

Be inspired! 

No excuses – until November 28. xx

Top Tips

With the Spring Racing Carnival well underway in Australia, and Derby Day and Melbourne Cup soon upon us, I feel it my Shoe Princessly duty to pass on some tried and tested Fashions in the Field advice for Shoes:

1. Bling it On – Another wonderful discovery from the Australian Shoe Fair – the divine and oh so clever Shoe Bling. Delectable little hand-crafted accessories that clip onto your shoes.  The perfect way to reinvent a favourite pair of shoes or coordinate with your hat and race day outfit.  My personal favourite is the leather black and white flower (pictured).

2.  Dress to Impress – If, unlike myself, you won’t be ensconced in the VIP marquees all day and need to traverse grass, I strongly suggest a wedge heel ahead of a stiletto to avoid that sinking feeling.  A closed-toe platform-wedge is ideal to halt mud-encrusted grass creeping into toes…eeuch.

3.  Style and Stamina - Do NOT wear new shoes to the races.  Ever.  A race day is a marathon not to be run in towering spikes fresh out of their box – especially if you’re used to flats. 

Equally, I beg my SPs NOT to wear flip-flops at the end of a long day’s frolicking at the races.  Opt for something a little more glam but comfortable like the adorable fabz (pictured) - which not only look absolutely fabulous, but are heavenly on tired feet (with lovely padded leather soles) AND fold-up neatly into a handbag-friendly pack! 

Have fun my darlings! xx

 

Foot Note

Christian Louboutin Stiletto

Bonjour My Darlings

Some words of wisdom from the utterly divine SP Catherine Logue, who I recently met at a gorgeous girlie soiree (along with her stunning satin lime green Louboutins):

“If you can’t run in heels you don’t deserve them!” 

A wise woman indeed!  In honour of my kindred spirit I’ve found a fun little video, on the Neiman Marcus website, of an interview with Monsieur Louboutin in his Paris workshop. 

Enjoy! xx

Princess Sparkle

My darling Shoe Princesses, Oh how I do love a sparkly glittery stiletto!  Imagine my excitement upon discovering the Nine West delicacy (left) for The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy book display at Angus & Robertson Camberwell.

Oceans of thanks to the lovely Juanita (who also brought in her own fab heels) and her team for letting me take over their store! xx

Indulge. Shop. Shine.

My thanks to the lovely Kate and her gorgeous team at Borders Westfield Doncaster for looking after SP Emma Bowd so well at her book-signing today! 

Glorious spring sunshine added an extra shimmer to a sparkling afternoon amongst shoe- and book-lovers. 

Thank you! xx

 

Kindle Dazzles

AmazonKindle...the perfect way for a Shoe Princess to surf the galaxy!

My Darlings

I’m so very proud to announce that, as of yesterday, SP Emma Bowd and moi officially became part of modern 21st Century history.  All thanks to the international launch of The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy on the absolutely amazing and stunningly beautiful wireless Kindle by Amazon.com.

With a book download taking less than 60 seconds, Shoe Princesses with a Kindle can now delight in The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy anytime and anyplace on the planet (…with wireless access!). Oh, and you can also read newspapers, magazines and blogs.

Savour the moment SPs…this is the future!

Happy e-reading! xx

What to Win!

     

My Darlings, Click on the divine Whattowear.com.au for a chance to win copies of SP Emma Bowd’s ‘The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and ‘A Passion for Shoes’! Not to mention all the snippets of fashion news and views to be enjoyed on SP Catherine Harry’s gorgeous site! (I’m constantly amazed by the lovely creatures SP Emma Bowd brings to my salon from her forays out of her darkened writer’s cave!) 

Fingers and toes crossed…I very much look forward to the winning ‘shoe story’! xx

Shoe Stopper

Bonjour My Darlings

I’m in holiday mode at the moment and enjoying the fruit of one very clever Shoe Princess’s labours…feast your eyes on the utterly divine and incredibly well-crafted Shoe Stoppers!  The brainchild of SP Jane Brown who, literally, came up with the idea for the lovely little pieces of gorgeousness one evening over a glass of red.  (I’m privy to all the inside goss thanks to SP Emma Bowd’s jaunts at the Australian Shoe Fair!)

I can also vouch that they work a treat…as SP Emma Bowd craftily bartered a copy of her novel The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy for the black and white polka dot stiletto Shoe Stopper!  (They are quite weighty and come in a cute satin-lined gift box)

The perfect gift exchange from one Shoe Princess to another! xx

Shoe-in

    

My darlings, mountains of thanks to the divine Beck and her staff at Angus & Robertson, Eastland, for such a gorgeous reception at SP Emma Bowd’s book-signing today!  Indeed, may I award Beck a special Shoe Princess Commendation for preparing such a pretty book display – resplendent with her very own heels and even a matching handbag (a gift from her adorable boyfriend…top marks Shoe Prince!!).  With more than its fair share of Shoe Princesses to chat to, I had a simply lovely morning amongst kindred spirits. xx