Maybe I should have bought...

sushi slippers.

My Mary Janes (no I haven't bought a bong off etsy)

I bought these slippers off etsy. They're exactly the shade of gray I wanted, and Fernando (who knows his knitting/crocheting) says they're really well made.


But as I feared the heel part is shallow and slips off my heel. Well they're not exactly shallow, but they need to be stretched upwards to cover the heel.

The Mary Jane strap isn't in the right place to keep the heel on. So I wound it through the heel and up to the button, and that holds the heel on well.

And still looks cute. So this might work. If not, Fernando--of course--wants to take them from me. But I think we should order him his own pair in a bright fun colour, don't you agree?
Mind, I'm still yearning for these.

Of course Queen Hal is predictably disdainful:
"MY slippers are far superior, Mahmmy. ...
- they're softer than your slippers
- they don't fall apart when cleaned
- they never slip off
- they have leather pads on the bottom and are made of real fur, but not cruel to animals (riddle me that, so-called vegan!)
- and they come with Wolverine snickety-snicks. Can your slippers tear a man's face off? I thought not."

Unfortunately I'm becoming an etsy addict.

So here's the wallet I bought a few weeks ago--a 1960s Lady Buxton with secret compartment! But Fernando fell in love with it and now its his. The change part was a bit small so I let it go.


Here is the new one I ordered. (Well not new, but "vintage.") I love the colour and style.

I found the perfect use for my little wristlet, made by a staff member with an etsy store. My mp3 player is tiny, but I use bulky headphones, so they're a big mess in my bag. Now I put them in my wristlet!
Here is the second purse organizer. I tried it out this weekend. It fits almost all my stuff, and stands up well in the purse, and would fit better in smaller purses or when my backpack is full of groceries. But...
...I've grown so fond of my bottom-one. (The top one is a strip of fabric that you curl up. This one is a bucket.)
Because the big things that don't fit in the pockets, you put them in the middle, so when you change purses you hardly have to transfer anything. I move the bucket, my headphones, and umbrella. I also, Quite Brilliantly, added a clothespin upon which I can hang my keys. It's like having a really big wallet.

Whereas with the top one I'd also have to move my wallet and book and maybe sunglasses. So I'm using the top one for the little basket of things I keep by the couch - gum, dental floss, pens, scissors, cat nail clippers, measuring tape, etc. and I put a little purse full of my nail polishes in the middle. It's perfect!!
Sigh. I do so love organizing things. I highly recommend a purse organizer. Digging out a stick of gum has never been so pleasurable.

I went looking for cheap earrings, but only bought one pair ($2.50 + shipping.) The thing about etsy is that it's either greener purchasing, if you're buying vintage or upcycled items; or it has value if you're buying artisanal wares (value re supporting small business, craftsmanship); but when you're shipping things from Thailand, or even just the States, it's certainly not green-local! So I'll probably limit my earring buying. Though there's a nice pair of Frankenstein earrings, and a Hanuman necklace, and Oscar Wilde locket, and an octopus necklace giving out free hugs.


I also bought this little scarf-ee, I love it's kind-of china-dish pattern. I love this handmade scarfee but it's a bit too cher pour moi.

And finally, I went on the Great Slipper Quest. I really liked these, but no one makes them, it's just a pattern. And I can't make them. And these look well made, but less cute. And these are cute, but more expensive, and made of wool which I don't really buy anymore (vegan-wise.) These are a lot of fun, but will have to wait for a $50 slipper day, not a $15 day.

Anyway, as we speak someone is hard at work knitting these for me, in gray. And now, time for an etsy break. Money doesn't grow on trees you know!! Or on etsy.

shoes for the masses! (or at least 4 me)

I had a good shopping experience when I bought my rain boots and sandals online from zappos. They both fit great, the rain boots resist the rain, and the sandals are comfy. But, while shipping was $10 flat rate, I paid $33 in duties. Ouch!

I need to find a Canadian source. Cause I'm mildly addicted to the selection available online. More choices in my size, as well as more styles in general. Did I add that I'm too lazy to go out shopping, especially further afield where there might be more selection?

I'd like a pair of slippers, because Fernando is making me wear slippers/sandals around the house, which I am Very Unhappy about. Trying to console myself with imaginary shopping.

Here's what I've found so far: (though none of these places have the great and v. useful customer reviews, re. sizing, comfort etc. OK for slippers, but I'm not sure I'd order regular shoes.)

[I think you allz should be real appreciative that I enjoy researching online products as a past time. If I was a shopping addict then I could start a review site! But I really don't shop enough, or at least not widely. Music and books.]




Quark: free over $50

- they carry comfort brands, including my fave Danskos, so that's worth knowing (since i already know which size I take)
- boring slippers, except these



Aldo: Standard shipping: $5 (3-6 business days)
- free shipping over $75
- but we're talking cheap cutesie shoes, not slippers, and not quality-don't-ruin-your-feet shoes
american apparel: $8- free over 75
- but they sell, like, 8 shoes


sears: starts at 4.95, and maybe free to your local Sears if not too remote
- I might get ballet slippers in the end. I like slip-ons, but they slips-offs when you put your feet up on the couch, and then they creep under the couch so I can't find them when I stand up!



softmoc: Free over 75, and on some items, but I can't find the shipping price otherwise.

- usual blah selection


browns: $5

- but no slippers, and the shoes are probably cheap


feetfirst: $5

- brand name shoes, but no slippers


shoe company: free after 75, otherwise 9.99
- some of these places have free shipping on in-store pickup, but there are a lot of chains that don't operate in Quebec because of the language laws.
- they have a big selection so I'm surprised -> no slippers


fluevog: best discovery of all!
Not that I can afford such shoes, cause this is the Real Deal when it comes to fashion shoes. (The customer reviews say they're comfortable, though.) These shoes totally rockit. So of course these folk are in Montreal--definitely our market. Much of their stuff is eco-friendly, and I would guess well made etc. ...I may need to own a pair one day.

Do go browse around. The shoes below are just a drop in the bucket of beautiousness. It's like a shoe candy shop!


I should mention that I haven't really explored my etsy options yet. If I decide to get ballet slippers, this might be the way to go -- something cute and creative, and I haven't experienced the same Duty Issues yet. Just don't remind Fernando that knitted or crocheted slippers may not keep me from getting slivers (he got a glass sliver embedded in his foot this week). Shhhh!