...A TRIBUTE TO THE TRIBUTES...

I'm still in love with the Yves Saint Laurent Tribute pumps... I was out the other day and spotted these knock-offs by Wittner. Actually, I'm not sure if these are actually called the Tribute pumps - I think that's only the peep-toe version... these, I think, are just the YSL Platform Pump. Whatever it's called, I love it.

At only $189- the Wittner Sassy heels are much more within my price range than the YSL version at US$795!

Now if I can only find a knockoff of the YSL boots that made it to my lust-have list in Feb I'll be happy...

...FIRST LASTING...

This is my first attempt at lasting a shoe (i.e. shaping it around the last). We didn't design this shoe, so again it's kinda ugly. Apologies for the shit photos, I'm housesitting and have no camera other than my mac...

The counter (the piece that stiffens the heel) is a bit dodge because our teachers don't give us access to anything even mildly expensive until we can actually make a shoe. So we used pieces of leather. We used pink floral fabric covered in Clag for the toe puff (the piece that puffs the toe between the lining and upper). 

In the last photo you can see the underside (it was just an exercise so there's no sole...) You have to put tacks all around the shoe (but they only stay in around the heel) and my thumbs are completely ruined from all the hammering and pulling and stretching and screw ups where I hit my thumb instead of the tack. Nevertheless I am loving that I just made a kind of shoe. 

I called my shoe Fred. My friend called his shoe Nancy. Everyone else in class thinks we're weird, but it makes sense because the lasts have really cheesy names. The shoe I'm working on at the moment is Margo.

...NEW TILLY ROSE BOOTS...

Just put these boots on lay-by... the photo doesn't do them justice at all and as soon as I pick them up I will take a better photo.

I've been looking for a pair of mid-calf, motorcycle-esque boots, and these are so comfortable! I'm now trying to convince myself that I do need another pair of black boots...

They're by Tilly Rose, an Australian label that I don't know too much about...

It was either the boots above, or these boots from Mimco (I can't find any bigger picture...). They grey was working for me, but they just weren't as comfortable as the Tilly Rose ones.

I also tried on these futuristic flats at Mimco. I need more flats in my wardrobe, kinda desperately! But these were very strangely designed - the top ankle strap sits right on top of your ankle bone and is hugely uncomfortable... so a no-go. In theory though, I like them a lot!

update: just want to add that I do think Mimco shoes (actually most things at Mimco) are ridiculously overpriced and the quality is not great (I got given a bangle not so long ago that broke after one wear!) but I know someone who works there and they get 70% off shoes which makes them pretty cheap (obviously no-one is spending $500 ^ on their shoes... why would you when you can get designer shoes for the same price?) Still didn't buy anything though...

...THE UNIVERSE OR THEMSELVES...

If you're interested, check out The Universe or Themselves

A blog of my writing...

The photo is from The Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, Lithuania.