Shoe Envy

Quite some time back I posted some stories about my architectural Finsk shoes that I had bought from an online sale site: a buff pair, and grey. The pictures roused some serious shoe envy in my friend Sapphire’s heart. She may even have made panting noises. I uttered commiserating remarks, but then finally managed to go one better: I told her when that same website (Ozsale) was selling more of the British imports. Very excitedly and promptly she visited the store and bought herself her very own pair – the very ones I had been admiring myself.

Here they are, a wonderful rendition of multicoloured straps of leather wrapping round the foot, in modern gladiator style. The wedges boast a lovely detail: little cutouts just under the heel of the foot. Sapphire says it took her a little while to accustom herself to such striking shoes, but now she wears them often. If she didn’t, I would be quite willing to take them off her hands. Or even off her feet.

Neck and Neck

Last December I went shopping for a farewell present for my cousin Amelia-Jane, with whom I worked at the theatre. Eventually I decided to buy her a piece of fun costume jewellery – we both have a fondness for humorous and bold pieces.

I ventured into the city and made a beeline for the jewellery store Lovisa. Immediately a necklace of golden galloping horses caught my delighted eye. How delicious! How priceless! Amelia-Jane would surely appreciate its whimsy. But there was only one hitch: I wanted it for myself. Perhaps I could find her something else?

And then I spotted another, equally enchanting gold chain necklace with a zebra head pendant suspending from it. The zebra was cast in gold and enamelled in white and black – with eyelashes, no less! Perfect. An equine-themed necklace for each of us. It was a win/win. 

Picture note: the zebra necklace appears on a Google image search, but does not link back to an active page on the Lovisa website. 

Earrings For a Song

It’s such fun on holidays to shop in markets and boutiques for inexpensive jewellery. These pairs of earrings remind me so much of my summer in Lisbon, and Essaouira – I first wore those blue ones dancing on a beach at a music festival in Morocco. I bought them at Bijou Brigitte, a veritable Aladdin’s cave of cheap and cheerful treasure.

Coco Chanel had the right idea when she told us to load up on costume jewellery. Who wants those horrid old diamonds and rubies after all? The bourgeoisie can have them! Give me enamelled tiers of blue, glass beads and cloisonné charms any day. And let’s make a song and dance while we’re about it. 

Christmas Trifle

Rather resembling a string of flat lollies, this necklace is made of shell beads – possibly dyed mother-of-pearl – interspersed with coloured seed beads. The round disc beads are just the size of an average sequin, and as reflective. One of my nieces gave it to me for Christmas and was spot on the mark: she must have known if it were shiny her aunty would like it. A tempting treat sans calories. Delicious!

Something Blue

I fell in love the first time I saw this vintage 1950s necklace on Etsy: sparkling rhinestones in a favourite shade of periwinkle blue, and a darling bow tie with dangles. But priced at around $75 – far too high for something only 60-odd years old I thought – I regretfully had to pass it by.

One day, after finding another much sought-after item at The Cat Eyes Vintage (a red beaded shell top), and looking through the seller’s other items, I saw another necklace exactly the same for only $16! And it had a matching pair of earrings too. It was really meant to be.