Cheap Korean Restaurant & Nicholas Kirkwood Sample Sale

It's rare that I get to hang out with girlfriends in London. Usually, it's just a mad dash as I try to fit everything in before hopping back on the train to come home. If it wasn't for the small community of moms here that pitch in to look after each other's kids, none of us will be able to work or get away. The press day was merely an excuse. We converged at Bond St tube station early afternoon to hit the Nicholas Kirkwood sample sale held at the Music Room, a stone's throw away from Selfridges.

We pitched forward into the den of shoes only to find out that.......it was oddly....quiet. This is my third Nicholas Kirkwood sample sale and I was expecting...perhaps....a crowd? Josephine and Wendy dashed off to different tables (they have normal sized feet) while I was one of two ladies circling around size 35/35.5 section. At times like these, I'm bloody pleased that I have small feet. I have a HUGE selection before me to pick from. Flats, mid heels and yes, the towering heels that were mostly untouched. I saw several pairs that came from the previous sample sale with the same price tag. Prices for the most part, were high. Some of the unappealing flats were £95 but mid heels were priced between £195 and £225. Please excuse my horrific pedicure. *cringe*

The white laser cut heels (£350, on the right) received a nod of approval from both friends. No doubt the heels were striking and out of this world gorgeous. They would've stayed firmly on my feet........in my alternate reality where I lead a glamorous life filled with caviar and champagne. Here in Winchester....where most ladies have been thoroughly mommified (no, not in the Egyptian way) with a kid or two (or 3 depending on how much you like kids), these heels would've looked out of place with Barbour jackets and sweatshirts. Sigh. Maybe in my next life......

The pointy snakeskin flats got the thumbs up from Wendy. BUT....having dueled with cobras before (a few made their way into my kitchen back in Borneo), I have an extreme aversion to anything scaly that slithers. Besides, creases had started to form around the toe box too. £225 was a bit steep for me. Unfortunately, neither friend had any luck since comfortable shoes in their sizes were slim picking at best.

So......we hung out at Fernandez & Wills over at the Emporium. If shopping was a big fat failure, comfort eating usually works. By the way, their gluten free lemon and olive oil cake is d-i-v-i-n-e. Next up, Selfridges where we checked out things we couldn't afford - £5000 jackets at Chanel. I got to try out the larger of the two Celine Trio bag for the first time. Sigh. LOVE. One day, you'll be mine.

The great thing about window shopping at high end stores is......food seems cheap in comparison. I dragged Wendy off to Centrepoint, the closest Korean grocery on New Oxford St, a few steps from Tottenham Court tube station. Prices are higher than most Asian supermarkets but what the heck....when you're desperate..... The owner is a stern and unsmiling chap. I've been back a few times and he's yet to crack a smile other than barking a few commands. We ended up trying his restaurant down in the basement. The man may have a scary demeanor but the food's good and cheap. The pancake was crunchy, packed with seafood and absolutely delicious. The kimchi jigae was punchy, spicy and full of flavor. It could do with a few more pieces of pork but hey, who am I to complain when it's only £6.50?? The price comes with free K-pop music blasting from the speakers and T.V. I think I may have horrified Wendy by naming a few girl bands out loud. Girls Generation, Miss A, IU (by the way, that's the singer's stage name)....... #wowIevensurprisedmyself #thethingsyoulearnwhenyouturn40

I miss the Korean restaurants in Auckland where the side dishes are free....... Oh well. Beggars can't be choosers. Now that my brother, his wife and kids have moved to the U.K, I'm going to persuade beg my Korean sister in law to cook for me. Back to Centrepoint korean restaurant, our total bill between the 2 of us was £22.80. It's definitely good value for money.