About Muddy Stilettos
Muddy Stilettos tottered into the world in Summer 2011, initially just as a bit of fun to amuse myself and my friends. As an ex-Londoner struggling to find my kicks in rural Buckinghamshire, the idea was simple – to write a witty but indispensible guide to the very best restaurants, walks, boutiques, day trips, hotels, interiors and events I came across in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (and spitting distance beyond) and in doing so, perk up my own social life.
I knew immediately how I wanted to write Muddy Stilettos. No random listings. No PR guff. Everything checked out by me personally, with the focus on the exceptional, the interesting, the quirky.
Happily, I do know what I’m doing! I’m an ex magazine editor at the Independent on Sunday, former deputy editor at Red magazine, and freelancer for the likes of The Observer, The Sunday Telegraph and Marie Claire. I was fashion expert at handbag.com for 8 years. These days I’m also a copywriter for ad agencies and direct clients. (I’d also love to say I’m a novelist, but I’m not sure four chapters and a synopsis at the bottom of a drawer really counts…).
This is the Muddy Mantra, so you know what to expect…
1. I try everything out myself so that you can fully trust my opinions. On the occasions that I haven’t been somewhere myself (for example, an event that hasn’t happened yet – hey, I’m not a miracle worker!) I let you know about it.
2. I don’t write advertorial. This means I will never accept payment to write about something I don’t believe in.
3. I accept tickets to free shows, festivals, restaurants, events etc with the purpose of reviewing or publicising them for Muddy Stilettos, as I’m sure you appreciate it’s pretty expensive zipping around trying stuff out all the time. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars – if you want me to try you out, please get in touch at hero@muddystilettos.co.uk or via twitter @muddystiletto.
4. I’ll never write a bad review. I’m not into trashing people, brands or companies. But if you’re not good enough, I won’t write about you in Muddy Stilettos, regardless of whether I have paid for the experience or not. This gives me the editorial control I need and the trust that my readers demand.
I hope you love my blog. Please tell your friends about me, and sign up for my splendiferous free posts delivered to your inbox!
Hero x
PS Thank you to super-talented photographer Paul Wilkinson for taking my ‘official’ Muddy Stilettos pic (above)!
Sarah Ainsleigh Jones , January 19, 2011
I moved out of London recently and frankly I need some help to cope with all this mud and the darkness, I never realised how much I loved street lights. Been wanting to check out that restaurant in Dinton and also keep thinking about getting chickens so thank you. Just a thought we went to a pub in Oxford a couple of times recently The Magdalen Arms on the Iffley Rd, fantastic food and great atmosphere may be worth a look. Keep blogging!
Muddy Stilettoes , January 19, 2011
Hi Sarah
Thanks for the Iffley Road pub tip – I’ll definitely check it out. And glad you’ve found Muddy Stilettoes useful. More to come later this week. Where do you live now? Hero x
Charlotte , January 19, 2011
What a great blog Hero, well done on such a great start. I’ll definitely be following regularly. Sarah, you’ll get used to the darkness, I’m from London too, and wouldn’t live anywhere else now but the sticks!
Sarah O , January 24, 2011
Hero – You might just be saving my sanity here! Like many other Sarahs (it would seem), I have just moved here from London. So after 20 years of knowing where to go and what to do with my life, I am certainly feeling in need of inspiration/salvation. Particularly as I wander the dark streets of Haddenham at night having got lost on the way back from the pub. So thank you and keep up the fantastic blog.
Muddy Stilettoes , January 25, 2011
Hi Sarah
Glad you think it may be of some use! I’m in Haddenham too as it goes (and an ex Londoner too). Where abouts are you? Hx
Sarah O , January 28, 2011
I’m on Station Road, on the way out of the village – although not metaphorically.
Megan , February 10, 2011
Hello. Wonderful, wonderful Hero. Congratulations and have signed up for more. Thanks for the info on the cinema – didn’t even know it existed. Keep at it. Meg x
Sue Topp , November 16, 2011
Hi Sarah
Loved your Well hellooooo, Amersham!
Lots of lovely shops, eateries and pubs.
Some great beauty places and hair dressers.
We are new in the Old Town but well established
Medical Aesthetics clinic under the care of
Mr Coleridge Smith a world expert in the diagnosis
and treatment of venous disease, mainly varicose veins.
We now do all aesthetic treatments and ultra fast laser hair removal.
As you did not visit on your last trip do pop in and see us on
December 1st at the Turning on of the Lights in Old Amersham for
mulled wine and minced pies.
Adsum Aesthetics 24-28 The Broadway
Muddy Stilettos , November 16, 2011
Thank Sue. Pleased to meet you and thanks for taking the time to comment. Hero x
Sara , July 2, 2012
Hi there, I’ve just stumbled across your brilliant site! I’ve moved out of London to outside Wendover, having worked in fashion and have just set up a travel wear collection with my old boss from The Cross in NottingHill. I’d love to be added to the Bucks/Oxon MS info!
I also used to work at Red Magazine (set up Red Direct with Jo). Best wishes Sara x
Jess garmon jones , August 16, 2012
Love to take home my prize of the velvet brown rug if you would contact me? Thanks..Jess.
Muddy Stilettos , August 18, 2012
Hi Jess, I’ve passed your address onto Velvet Brown so you should receive your picnic blanket early next week. Happy picnicing! Hero x
Charlotte , August 26, 2012
I love your site. We live in Great Missenden having moved out from London 4 years ago. We love getting out and doing things so will be reading your site for lots of great ideas. xx
Muddy Stilettos , August 26, 2012
Thank you! Glad you’re finding it useful. Great Missenden is lovely. Are there any places you really recommend around where you live – great restaurants/bars/walks etc? x
Sara , August 27, 2012
A MUST try pub has opened in Butlers Cross (outside Wendover) called the Russell Arms. Excellent food and amazing wine list!
Muddy Stilettos , August 27, 2012
Hi Sara, yes I’ve seen that’s just opened. Will check it out deifintely. Thanks for the tip x
Muddy Stilettos , September 5, 2012
Hi Sara
Would love to write about you guys for the blog (very slooooow in getting back to you, sorry). Would you be interested in doing a competition through it? That gold bangle would generate masses of interest. I get 30,000 hits in Bucks/Oxon now – all women who love to spend!
Quite a lot of ways to collaborate actually. Email me at hero@herobrown.co.uk. Maybe we should meet for a coffee – at the Russell Arms?!
Hero x
Nasir , September 2, 2012
I just stumbled across your blog and I’m so glad I did. Sometimes it’s hard to know what interesting things are going on in Oxford and your blog is just the ticket. Thank you! Definitely check out St Giles’ Fair after dark.
Muddy Stilettos , September 2, 2012
Hi Nasir, you’re welcome. I took a look on your site – cool photos, particularly the punting ones. If you can, please subscribe to my blog – it’s totally free and it helps me to grow.
Janice Issitt , September 26, 2012
Hi from another ex londoner who has inappropriate footwear. I moved to Aston Abbotts 4 years ago and have become expert in finding fab vintage in and around Bucks for our new interior styling business. Nice to meet you on twitter from Janice at The Dandelion House
Muddy Stilettos , September 28, 2012
Nice to meet you too!
The Table of Zekki , October 3, 2012
Excellent idea. A colleague, Clare Croft recommended your blog, as we’re looking to move out to Bucks – well, back out for me as I’m from Amersham/Beaconsfield area originally. I’m Linda, this message is through my bloke’s blog.
Muddy Stilettos , October 3, 2012
Hi Linda. Good to meet you. Clare Croft is a reprobate and an all-round guilty pleasure of mine! Where are you moving back to?
The Table of Zekki , October 8, 2012
Well, fingers crossed, it’s between Wendover and Princes Risborough – should hear back tomorrow. Handy for me from work, and closer to my mum, who’s 89 this week.
Muddy Stilettos , October 8, 2012
Fingers crossed this end too. If you’re like Clare you are probably lots of fun!
Beth Johnson , October 23, 2012
Hi Hero,
I attended a the Just So Festival with my children this summer http://www.justsofestival.org.uk/ and it was amazing!!!! I know you can’t blog about things you have not done…but you should definitely go next summer. It was a wonderful mixture of crafts, music and relaxing (yes i said relaxing in the same sentence as children!). Well worth a look….
Lizzie Hurst , November 15, 2012
Hi Muddy Stillettos, I’ve found out quite a lot about what is going on in Bucks & Oxon through you. Thank you. Maybe you would like to write about an event that is coming up very soon and is free to enter? The Oxfordshire Craft Guild is having its annual Christmas Selling Exhibition 2012 in The Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock. This show starts on Saturday 17th November (PV 11am to 1pm) until 2nd January. Open 10am-4.45pm Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday 2pm-4.45pm. Closed on national holidays and Mondays. I am exhibiting my hats and other textile items there. Would be great if you came and had a look.
muddystiletto , November 30, 2012
Hi Lizzie
This was on my list of things to write about and fell off. Just came across your email here now. So sorry, will try to fit on next week for you.
Kindest, Hero
Caroline Taylor , November 26, 2012
Hi I just came across your blog about the new baby shop that opened in Banbury (Twinkle). Having moved to Deddington, Oxfordshire some 14 years ago from Bristol I know it seems that you cannot get things locally but then find it in the least likely places ! I started selling baby clothes when I arrived in Deddington and then took a unit on TwyfordMill Estate in Adderbury (where Fired Earth Factory shop and Trade Secrets furniture discount store is). Now my business has grown and I import baby clothing ranges from Australia, Fair Trade from South Africa, nappies from Canada and lots more. I have a factory outlet shop attached to my warehouse where I sell my ‘past season’, ‘end of lines’ and trade samples at wholesale prices. I also have a website for our current stock http://www.merrygorounduk.co.uk It really is surprising what you can find when you look !
best wishes
Caroline
Derwent Walsh , January 31, 2013
Hello Hero,
Lovely to meet you the other day. I love your site and will keep looking in to ensure I stay ahead of my kids!
Regards
Derwent
muddystiletto , January 31, 2013
And you. Happy reading!
Lauren , February 26, 2013
Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and detailed information you
provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information.
Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
My webpage – Lauren
muddystiletto , February 26, 2013
Hi Lauren, I really appreciate that, thank you. I’m dedicated to it, that’s for sure! x
Bex Hall , February 26, 2013
Hi –
I really love this blog
I’m a student in Oxford, and am almost the opposite to you having moved from rural Cumbria into the middle of the city – a culture shock for me!
Thanks for always being honest
I’m actually coming to the Word of Mouth event tonight – looking forward to hearing you speak!
Bex
http://www.bexceptionalonline.com
muddystiletto , February 27, 2013
Hi Bex, lovely to meet you last night. Keep in touch and keep reading the blog (and writing your own!) x
Robyn , February 27, 2013
Hi Hero, Happy to have found your blog, with lots of ideas on where to go and what to do in the area. I am new to Haddenham and in fact to England! An Aussie always looking for adventure, great to have some local knowledge, thanks
muddystiletto , February 27, 2013
Ah, welcome to the sunny shores and to the muddy pleasures of my blog! x
Chintan Gupta , May 3, 2013
Landed here through page-6 of the 2013 yearbook for writers! For some reason am very happy to find your blog. I will continue with the book for now and come back for further reading.
http://chintangupta.blogspot.com
muddystiletto , May 5, 2013
For some reason against all your better judgement? lol! Yes please, come back to Muddy Stilettos Chintan, whenever you’re ready x
Ruth Rackham , May 9, 2013
I’ve just discovered your blog and have been living in Bierton, Aylesbury since 2008. It’s a breath of fresh air. I’m from London and my work will always take me into town so I get my ‘kicks’ where and when I can. My husband’s a country boy and he’s happy in his home but I miss the buzz and social life of a city where I can find and meet with like minded working women and mothers like me. I’ve dug around the best places Hero, but it’s the social connections I’d like to find. Have we thought of setting up a supper club/lunch/social event to get us all together, maybe it could lead to new things ? yours presumptuously, Ruth, oh and btw thanks !
muddystiletto , May 9, 2013
Hi Ruth, that’s so kind of you to write – I sympathise with your plight lol! A Muddy Stilettos supper club is a mighty good idea. Maybe I should think about that in the Summer. You are full of good ideas! Do you think many people would want to come? It’s all a bit nerve-wracking isn’t it?! Please spread the word about my blog – I hate to be Buckinghamshire’s best kept secret.
Hero x
Ruth Rackham , May 9, 2013
will do !
..give me a group of MS bloggers and we’ll sort a supper club. My husband has become the world’s best cook to appease me and at least we’re not short of great local food suppliers – Parrot’s Butchers of Whitchurch we love you ! have a great weekend x ps Red magazine is the only magazine I have subscribed to since it first launched in 90s. love it.
Ali Cox , May 26, 2013
Dear Hero & Hartwell House
Huge, heartfelt thanks for the marvellous prize of 6 months joint membership at Hartwell House. Feel like I’m going to pop with excitment now I’ve been for a viewing (so to speak). Absolute gorgeous luxury. We’re going to kick off in November. Can’t wait. Thank you. Thank you.
muddystiletto , May 28, 2013
You’re welcome. Enjoy it!