Have I shared my love of leopard with you yet? Well, be prepared to hear lots about it, for my affair with feline fash is long standing and definitely not set to dwindle with so many great pieces out there.

On this note, I wanted to share with you my new pumps, which, needless to say, I adore!!

These beauties are from Boden, whose footwear has long been a favourite of mine. They come in a variety of patterns, but for me it was leopard or bust.

Well, I say that… the truth is there were times when I thought me and these beauts were not meant to be at all: we’ve been through some hard times already.

First, I ordered online and whilst the obligatory striped Breton tops arrived swiftly, no sign of the shoes – a little shy I thought? Weeks later, I had still received no shoes, no signs, no messages and it was only when I called up that I was told they had in fact sold out of these pumps after all, result: me not a happy bunny (or should I say kitty…?)

After endless mediation emails with the eponymous “Susan Salmon” (could they have thought of a more ridiculous customer service pseudonym?), I was eventually rewarded £10 for my troubles and, trying to be reasonable, settled on the Pony print pair instead (although of course, my heart was really with leo…).

Anyway, the lovely “Susan” then got in touch to let me know that the Leopard pair might be coming back into stock. Hooray: “Pony Schmony; size 40 please”.

When, finally the spotty package arrived, my instinct about the pumps’ supreme beauty was confirmed, but alas, so were my suspicions about our difficult relationship: why couldn’t they just fit?  Prepared to make a final move for reconciliation, I immediately checked online to see if they were showing in stock in a 41 (absurd, right?); they weren’t. But, as a last ditch attempt to save our relationship, I made a final call and then, there they were, in my arms at last!

And I love them; our relationship is very much back on track and I have learned some valuable lessons:

• Never take an online “no” for an answer, always call too
• Beware correspondence with fishy-sounding, alliterated ladies
• And finally, LOVE LEOPARD, NEVER LET IT GO!