I have always loved my feet. They're tiny, a nice shape and people are always telling me how pretty they are. One ex-boyfriend used to say he had a foot phobia - he hated summer and the inevitable onslaught of strappy sandals - until he saw my feet. At the risk of sounding smug (not to mention a tad pervy), every time I look at my feet, they make me smile. As a rule, I find summer fashions far too unforgiving, but when it comes to shoes I can't wait to strip off.

After a whole winter in pointy boots, though, not to mention killer heels, even I can't expect to make the move to open-toed goddess without a little help. As soon as I find myself window-shopping for strappy sandals, I book an emergency pedicure.

This week, I put my size threes (I told you they were small) in the hands of Miranda Auty, nail technician at Pout in Covent Garden, London. "People forget about their feet, especially during the winter," Auty says sweetly, before giving my feet the kind of attention they deserve.

Auty massages and exofoliates my feet, before setting to work trimming and filing the nails. If you have neither the time nor the inclination for a regular pedicure, the Body Shop's Peppermint Feet Treat and Sole Survivor from Lucky Chick (available in House of Fraser) are great DIY kits.

Colour-wise, natural, soft pinks are the way to go this season, which is great news, as these look pretty against dark skins. For something stronger, try bright pink or silver. Stay away from pillarbox reds and bright oranges - they look great on white skin with a tan, but garish against black skin.

And why stop at colours? Flowers and jewels are big news on toes, says Auty. After painting my nails a baby pink (Fed Up), she gives each big toe a diagonal row of three diamanté flowers (red, pink and blue). They are shamefully girlie, but what the hell. On the tube on the way home, two women ask me where I had them done, and at a friend's party the next evening, my toes are where they belong - at the centre of attention.