YSL Tributes - In The Pink

I am writing this post listening to The Pasadenas "Tribute" track as I thought this was fitting for my shoe post!

As you know, I am keen on pink (understatement I know!), so when I saw YSL had launched their Tribute sandal in petal pink, I actually thought I had died and gone to pink shoe heaven.  I planned on getting these shoes at the end of the month as a treat, however, as we all know, best laid plans and all that...!

So I was in Manchester for Manchester Fashion Week, and fortunately the shops were open after  the show had finished.  My plan was to go and look at the Alexander Wang Donna Hobo bag for my Sis' 40th pressie then pop to Harvey Nicks for a long overdue Serendipity cocktail (no longer on the menu so you need to ask for it!)

I had to walk past the shoe department to get to the restaurant - they do this on purpose don't they?! I had not previously tried on the Tribs, so was more curious than anything at this stage.  I had been trolling around Manchester for a little while now in high heels (naturally!), so my feet were tired, so this was a real test.

I was totally amazed how comfortable these shoes were.  They are 140mm high including the 30mm platform.  Even the male sales assistant said to me he could tell how comfortable I felt from the way I was parading around the shoe department.  I however relented and walked away.....

So on I went to savour the delish Serendipity upstairs, and who was to Whatsapp me but @Stylisa!  Lisa had just purchased the Chanel purse to match her classic bag so was sharing the occasion with me - we always do this btw!  I started to tell her about my YSL lust, and Lisa said I should just go and buy them.

Who was I to argue?!

So I told the barman to hold the ice, trolled downstairs and made my way to YSL Heaven.


With Flash

My heart did sink though when the Sales Asst showed me how scuffed they were, and then brought out another "faulty" box.  YSL have in fact recalled the Petal Pink Tributes due to the scuffing issues.  The ones I tried on though were hardly scuffed, so being me, negotiated some discount, made the purchase, then went upstairs to drink my congratulatory Serendipity!



No Flash

 The leather is really lovely with that really new leathery smell!  I think they will look great with a pretty white embroidery anglaise dress, or more funked up with my battered boyfriend jeans and pink t-shirt. Or maybe my (well I say my, but I bought it for my Mum, and reclaimed it!) Ferre lattice white shirt and jeans.  Either way, the options are endless I am sure!

I hope you love my pink purchase as much as me!
Fabulicious love
Kate xxx

Retail Therapy - new shoes!

I don't know about you, but after a rubbish morning, I thought the only fitting solution would be to go shopping!  Retail therapy doesn't half cheer us girls up!  So off I went into town.

Misson
A pair of nude and a pair of black patent slingbacks for work - about 4" heels.  So more summery due to the slingback but not toe curling freezing when it is not so warm.

Accomplishment
Nothing of the sort!

I wandered into Office, Schuh and Clarks (yes I know, it was on my way!).  There was nothing to be seen so I was getting disheartened.  I did see these Ted Baker (Svana) ones in Office but they were £120.  There were also peep toe which ideally I do not want.



Ted Baker Svana at Office - £120

 I did not want to spend that much as I had seen some in John Lewis for £75 each, so that was perfect.  Well, that was until John Lewis sold out!  So onwards I went!

I wandered into TK Maxx.  Now, I don't do rummaging, as frankly I cannot be bothered.  However, the shoes were on the same floor as the entrance and pretty neatly lined up.  Winning.

I was after some Birkenstocks as mine are on their last legs and they are my "put the bin out slash dash to the car shoes" so when I saw they had them in, I thought Charlie Sheen again - winning!  I'm always a size smaller in Birkenstocks than usual, and these pearlised white ones fitted perfectly.




Pearlised White Birkenstocks - TK Maxx - £24.99



Pearlised White Birkenstocks - TK Maxx - £24.99 - close up



So, when I saw the T-Bar ones in pink, I thought "it'd be rude not to!" So I got these too!

Pink Toe Post Birkenstocks - £29.99

So clearly, by this point, I had not bought anything I intended!  Though replenishing my stocks!  As I threw out around 40 pairs of shoes in January (I have a mahoosive annual throw out - will blog that in Jan 2013 - planning!) I continued in that vein, as I needed to replace by black peep toes I threw out, so I opted for these.  These will go perfectly with my LBD for Work (see that post from yesterday here).

BCBGeneration £29.99

So 3 pairs of shoes for less than £85.  Now, that is what I call a bargain!

I still do need my slingback patent nude and black heels, so be sure to keep me posted if you see any during your retail therapy travels!

Fabulicious love!

Kate xxx

Harrods

Everyone sing along now........

"Nobody does it better

Makes me feel sad for the rest

Nobody does it half as good as you

Baby, you're the best"

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaV-6qerkqI)

This Carly Simon song absolutely sums up Harrods' approach to Social Media. 

I joined Twitter in January 2010 and Harrods was one of the 1st accounts I followed.  Straight away they followed back.  So this just goes to show that this high-end luxury store absolutely understands the power of customer engagement.

For me, Harrods is the ultimate social media benchmark.  They follow back, they interact, they respond straight away (including weekends when most stores sign off, bearing in mind retailers take around 50% of their revenue on a Saturday and Sunday) and they tweet frequently about all store events without ramming it down your throat - without a full sales-pitch.  Their competitions, like them, are luxurious too.

They are not only the absolute leaders in Social Media, they are at the forefront of social engagement for all aspirational stores.

No other stores come close - whether high-end or not.

I remember back in September 2010, Harrods got wind it was my birthday (that may have had something to do with my "T Minus Birthday" countdown that lasted 2 weeks on Twitter!).  I was heading to London with my 2 sisters and my Mum to have a girly day and take arrrrfternoon tea at The Dorchester (adopt Tara PT type voice!).  Harrods invited me to store asking me to head to their customer relationship department.  There they gave me a £30 gift card as well as some other gifts in a giant green and gold Harrods bag.  I was absolutely blown away!  I think this was for always talking about them on Twitter and praising them for their Social Media skills.

On another occasion, I was on the hunt for a new bag.  I wanted to replace my Fendi one, so literally within hours, I had the Fendi department manager on the phone taking my requirements.  She then saved me the bag until I went to store at the end of that week.  It transpired that the Fendi bag was not to my liking (mainly because it was coated suede, and I wanted a robust leather one to use every day.) However, Fendi could not do enough for me. 




Fendi Big Mamma shoulder bag (I wanted the black one)


I decided upon the Mulberry East West Bayswater as this was more the style and material I wanted.


Mulberry East West Bayswater

(A "What's In My Bag" post to come soon!)

I was at one point pondering a Balenciaga City bag in pink.

Balenciaga City Bag

Straight away, without asking, Harrods sent me links proactively with all my style / design options.   This level of customer service and engagement is just unrivalled, and exemplary.

They also sent me pictures of the YSL tribs (in pink - of course!) that I was lusting after!

YSL Tribute Patent-Leather Sandal

Now don't get me wrong, Harrods clearly want me to spend my hard earned cash in their store. But with exceptional customer service like this, I would not want to spend it anywhere else!

What do you think about Harrods' Social Media engagement and other stores on Twitter?
Would love to hear your comments!

Sending fabulicious pink love,

Kate x

p.s. For the record, I do not work for Harrods, am not paid by them or affiliated with them in way.  I just thought that after 2 years of being exceptional at Social Media, they deserved a mention!