Dark Blue Ankle Boots

If you've spend any extended time with me this winter, you'll know I've been in pursuit of some dark blue ankle boots.

Inspired by the chick who gave the PR talk at Elle's careers night, I rushed her at the end - where did she get those boots? That was months ago and still no luck.

I only have to type 'D' into my Google search bar and 'Dark Blue Ankle Boots' pop up. I've searched the sites of brands, department stores, fashion aggregating sites (where they list items from masses of retailer sites) - everything.

The original boots (Acne) maybe weren't quite high enough for me - and also globally out of stock :(

Then I found these! A bit expensive, but on sale and gorgeous. I ordered them. I could hardly sleep! The next day I got an email saying my order had been cancelled - WTF?? I called America. They actually didn't have them in stock :(

Disheartened and desperate, I found these. Frankly, not quite expensive enough and from one of the aggregated sites for manufacturers in China. Still, I ordered them. They looked pretty good and I was out of options.

And here's what turned up! These are NOT dark blue - they're PURPLE!!

I have complained and requested I return them. 'No can do, most valued customer. These are as advertised and same as picture - dark blue.' They bloody well are not.

I did that test on Facebook to see if I can spot colour differences - you know the one -  and I got 'Eagle Eye'. So I know dark blue from purple peeps.

(And yes, those are the frickin' boots in the top left hand corner because I've looked at them so much, they're now haunting me (or re-targeting as we say in the biz) whereever I go...)

So, here we are. Almost September, weather defrosting and still no dark blue boots. Just purple :(

The Price of Dodgy Oysters

It was a Saturday and we weren't going out. So while I was at the supermarket late that afternoon, I thought, what the heck, and bought a dozen oysters.

I've only been eating oysters for a few years, having been patiently talked through the process on a small specimen, doused in fresh lime at the races one year. I wouldn't say I'm hooked, but I do enjoy one or three and Geoff and the kids are also quite fond of them so I lashed out.

It was about wine o'clock and I retrieved said oysters from the fridge and took off the plastic wrap and.... ewwww!! The smell was disgusting. And they were slimy. YUK!!

I'd only bought them less an hour ago, so I headed straight back. To dispose of the little blighters as much as anything - but also to let them know their oysters were less than fresh and to get my money back. The experience had left all our nasal passages emotionally scarred, so oysters were definitely off the menu for the night.

I arrived at the service desk, oysters in hand, and explained the situation to the lady in charge. She was extremely empathetic and we consumers LOVE it when people agree with us when we're complaining.

Oh that's terrible! she gasped. And whisked the nasty molluscs away - I assume to march them down to the fresh seafood counter for a word.... actually, they could probably have marched down there and spoken for themselves they were so ripe!

Anyway, customer service lady is still apologising profusely, and of course she'll refund my money. I had handed her the receipt, indicating the time of purchase being a mere 57 minutes prior. In fact, she says, it's so bad, she's also going to give me a store voucher.

Now that, I wasn't expecting.

That's very kind of you, I said, politely. (In fact, I was polite the whole time just FYI! Except that I was probably wearing ugg boots....) She went over to her register area and prepared the voucher. I waited in anticipation. She handed it over suggesting I use it next time I was there shopping. I thanked her again and glanced down.... $2. That's right, two bucks.

Now I know in a pinch, 7 Eleven does $1 coffee, but around these parts $2 is half a large latte. 

So, the price of a dozen dodgy oysters? Half a latte.