Rough Sketches

The last few days have been filled with doing last minute things before my trip to Hong Kong and Japan. But I managed to grab a couple hours where I could sit and roughly sketch out some of the ideas I've had for shoes the last few days. Often when I get the urge to sketch, though it can be very rough I tend to go to my screenshots in my phone of shoes I've loved while scrolling through my social media. In some cases sketching can be for me a way of refining my drawing style (which I have been working on a little more everyday) or about conveying an idea that I don't want to forget. So here is what I was able to quickly sketch out while I had a couple hours spare! 

The Book Review: 8/12 August Edition 

Choose Yourself

by James Altucher

When I reflect on the life and career I have taken on, most of the time I'm very grateful to be able to do the things I love but sometimes this comes at a cost - i often find myself feeling like the hard work isn't always paying off and end up lacking in motivation. So to tame those feelings I have learnt to appreciate the small successes and remember that my big dreams can only work or happen through those small successes. At the same time my confidence and patience are also always being tested, and ultimately the ineveitable happens - I go on the hunt for the best thing in self help. I love reading and since its something I do at least once/twice a day a daily affirmation for motivation are supremely helpful. Now I know self help books have a lot of taboo surrounding them and the normal reaction is to think they are filled with positive/spiritual mumbo jumbo, which in all honesty sometimes it is, but most of the time I do feel through all of the text there is a message/moral to be learnt from them. In a nutshell this is what this book is about, I agreed with almost all of it, as most of the book is about your frame of mind and ways to help you get out of a negative rut about your dreams. This book should be seen as a tool to help you get out of old habits and finding new ways of thinking about your dreams, ambitions and goals. I don't believe any of the self help books can make you millions but i believe this book could provide you with some ideas on how you could possibly get there. Give it a read and if your not convinced by a couple pages in then I'll eat my hat! (well i wont but you know how the saying goes - ha!)

By the way my next book is called Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

BBC's Inside the Factory

Season 2: Episode 6 - Shoes

When you're a shoe maker its very easy to become obsessed with every part of the making process for whatever style of shoe you are making. The only conundrum I seem to continually struggle with is the trainer simply because the sole unit (even though they can be purchased) is usually attached by machinery therefor making them that extra little bit difficult to make if you are a shoe maker using the traditional shoe making equipment ( it needs its own machinery) . The machinery that deals with attaching the sole unit to the upper is something that I have only come to understand by description so this documentary that aired on BBC2 yesterday was SO interesting, I was able to see the very machine that shoe makers had only ever been able to describe to me. I often love seeing the shoe making process simply because the process can differ from one shoe maker to the other and from design to style. I was totally buzzed and motivated to get back into the studio - a definite must see for shoemakers and trainer enthusiasts! Its available on BBC IPlayer for the next 29 days.

Handmade Sliders X 2

So this week I have been keeping busy, I have managed to finish off two pairs of shoes, a pair I started a week ago and a pair i started a couple months back that I never had the chance to finish off. I love them both! One thing is for sure I'm improving and learning new tricks as I make more and more shoes, which is great and a fab new shoedrobe too - wooop! Since we've been having a wonderful couple days these sliders I'm sure will see a few days out before we hit Autumn. The next few pictures show my last few steps for the tassel sliders and the completed gold acid splash leather sliders.

Katy Perry's New Shoe Line

So Katy Perrys new shoe line is sooooo SASSSY! I love it! of all celebs to release a new shoe line this is the one I have been most excited about. Katy Perry made an appearance at her launch in Vegas last Monday and the shoes were an absolute crowd pleaser (I watched a snapchat story). Im in love with the designs and styles and I cant wait to see more when they debut in Spring. Im sure we will soon see them featured in magazines and worn on the feet or A List celebs. I've only been able to source a couple sketches and images so as soon as I have more I'll do an update on this post for you guys!

Handmade Leather Slider Update

so last week i promised a post on Monday, but lets just put it this way it was my sisters birthday on Sunday and there was lots of alcohol - enough said, so I apologise for the lateness. Todays post (I hope delivers!) shows the rest of my slider process and the almost finished pair of shoes. Enjoy!

The Book Review: 7/12 July Edition 

Freakonomics

by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

This book has been an eye opener, to say the least. Its difficult to pick out the chapters of the book that shocked me most or rather taught me more about the world around me. Its pretty safe to say I was never a numbers person so I met this book with some apprehension (I was scared I was going to get lost in a world of numbers and the economic history of the world) but in fact once getting past the first few pages I quickly realised this book would teach me more about about life and economics that no amount of high school education could have taught me. Steven D Levitt an economist by profession explored economics in every walk of life which is exactly what this book is about; how we work with incentives and making sense of certain situations statistically. This has to be one of the most thought provoking books I have read in a long time, also refreshingly smart and easy to read.

Gold Acid Splash Leather Sliders

So I've embarked upon this weeks shoe making project with some trouble simply because sometimes i have to wear flats but i love designing and making high heels. So designing and sketching became challenge especially when the profile of the design is so different. I have decided to go for sliders, since they are so in at the moment, and have also opted for thick straps that cross over because the leather is a such a shoe off piece. I have only got as far as designing and making patterns for this project and since this is a simple design Im hoping to have this made and finished by Thursday so stay tuned for the finished pair for Mondays post!

Matchy Matchy

Once a big fashion faux pas the new season trend is matching footwear with your clutch bag! So I have put together a few of my favourite matching accessories for you to feast your eyes on.

JIMMY CHOO

Shoes: £995

Bag: £3,295

Zara

Shoes: 29.99

Bag: 19.99

Sophia Webster

Shoes: Layla £495

Bag: Claudie Pom Pom £525

ASOS

Shoes: £65

Bag: £35

FENDI

Shoes: £790

Bag: £1,950