#SecondHandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

I wore this week's Fluevog thrifty find, the Evers, on Friday.
Maybe I'll wear them today too.
We're having a welcome "cold spell" (SoCal version, 70F).

Another eBay score.
I admired these when they were still available from Fluevog.
Pounced on them when they came up in my "Fluevog 7.5" watchlist. $299 retail/ $60 used.

The socks are new, by K. Bell. Purchased at The Sock Man, NYC.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday

#SecondHandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

And what is this week's second hand Fluevog? It's one that I didn't buy!

Here is the listing on eBay (link):

Yes, I have remained on the Fluevog 7.5 watchlist. This beauty came up on Wednesday morning.

I liked this but wasn't entirely sure. My "western style" mules don't get worn that often.
I made a counter offer, and the seller countered back.
I was this close to hitting Buy It Now

and then

I thought to check the Fluevog site to see what they originally sold for.
And guess what?
NEW ONES are currently in stock and ON SALE for $119.!!!!!!

I know this is not in the spirit of #SecondHandSeptember, of buying only second hand, but hey, with shoes, new IS better than used, if possible. Sorry, not sorry.

So far, I've done no buying of these at all. The heel height is a little beyond my comfort zone and I need to go to my local Fluevog shop and try them on, or try on a cousin in the same family.
Such as:

(insert drool emoji) (fortunately for my pocketbook, unavailable in my size) (unless I require an 8)

So the "thrifty" find this week is in the sense of saving money thrifty, not thrift store thrifty, and learning the lesson of "research the Fluevogs before spending over $100 on used"

Lastly, here's a link to an older post, regarding a previous western style mule thrift store find that was perhaps my most thriftiest find ever!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

#SecondHandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

It's another Fluevog Thrifty Find!

The Fluevog Tate

All my September Thrifty Finds will be Fluevogs. I've found that many!
Because of the lacing, I can get my foot into this Fluevog style. His slip-on boots? Not a chance.
Believe me, I've tried!

With Grunge/90's styles making a fashion return, these are perfect, toe scuffs and all.
Thank you, eBay!
Now I just need SoCal winter. I will not wear boots in 80-90F weather.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #ShareAllLinkup

#SecondhandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

Since I'm trying (and already failed at) a #NoPurchaseSeptember, my "thrifty finds" will be second hand items that I've recently rediscovered amidst my clutter.

Its easy! All I have to do is go through one of my boxes of stuff! And maybe put the item where it belongs! Haha.

I didn't even do that. I looked at my shoe shelf at all the Fall Fluevogs I've amassed off eBay and put on a pair.
(They're "Fall" Fluevogs because it's been too hot to wear them).

I got these in June for $49 and they're NEW! Absolutely no wear on the soles.
I love all the detailing. And they're super comfy!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

It's All About Me: Eleven Questions

1) Why blog?

My first blog was started for a drawing challenge. I was immediately addicted.

My first-ever blog post -- 5.26.2008

I started my seventh (!) to learn WordPress before changing my art website to that platform.

I really like blogging as a way to communicate. Pictures and words — win-win!

2. What is your favorite pastime (aside from blogging)

My creative endeavors are too weighted to be pastimes so I’ll have to say, doing things with my love Severo! Or eating. Or both:

3. How do you overcome your fears?

Powering through. But some? I have some deep fears (heights) that I can’t lick. It is what it is.

4. What motivates you?

Deadlines

My Top Secret project, procrastination is setting in.

5. How do you define success?

Feeling excited and engaged in whatever project(s) I’m working on.

6. Who do you admire?

All the people who follow their passion, no matter the cost.

7. What is beautiful to you?

Honesty. Nature. Lurid sunrises and sunsets.

Phoenix Sunset II, oil on canvas, 48 x 30", ©2001

8. What are two things you like about yourself?

I am a creative force!

I love my legs

Legs. Banned on Tumblr.

9. Favorite style era?

1920s

10. Heels or flats?

Clogs and Fluevogs (2” heel and under)

11. Favorite season?

Ramp season! “Ramps are a wild onion that grow during the spring in Eastern Canada and the U.S. They're sometimes referred to as wild leeks, and taste like a balanced mixture of garlic and onion. They're pungent, to say the very least.” (From HuffPost)

That time I discovered ramps in my mom's woods -- May 2014

This was inspired by the questions issued to Shelbee for her Sunshine Blogger Award

Linking up with
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #ShareAllLinkup

The Fluevog Dress Visits Fluevog Manhattan

I just returned home from a wonderful two week trip East.
Many, many different meetups and museums -- eventually I hope to write about them all.

Today, it's all about The Dress and its debut at Fluevog Manhattan:

Photo by Paul, who sent it to John Fluevog, who responded: "Does she do those drawings herself?"

I posed with the Investigator, as it's one of the styles sketched in the repeat.

From the 2017 Fluevog Sketch series. See the entire set on Pattern Recognition

To commemorate this auspicious occasion, I (finally) made an individual Investigator sketch that's available on Redbubble (I get a commission for purchases):

Fluevog website Investigator link

In addition, I wore The Dress yesterday to an event that I chauffeured Ruth to in Pasadena.

My Fluevog Peacemakers pair perfectly with The Dress.
I obtained them on Fluevog Day at the Abbot Kinney store.
Here is The Dress link.

Don't forget -- I've got a Summer-long Link-up Party happening.
Link as much as you'd like. The more the merrier.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Fluevog Time!

Severo and I had a mini date to Abbot Kinney and the Fluevog Store to try on some shoes and get entered in the Win 10 Years of Free Shoes contest. (See more about that here, on Fluevog).
By the way, this is not a sponsored post. I just adore Fluevogs.

The Tiger print display. Sigh.

I happen to have art that I created in the '80s while a freshman at Otis available on Society6 that coordinates so nicely with that tiger print:

Society6 link for tote

We'll get back to the Tiger stuff.

First, I tried on the X and O print Receptive
Yeah, cute:

Cute, but not an "I must have these now" situation.
Plus not the correct size.

Next up was Cleo. Cleo I could not get over my high instep. No photo.

Then I took off my socks and tried Dede.
I coerced Severo into trying on Chalky for the photo op possibilities.
Plus if he wins the contest, he'll buy me shoes!

Stylin' but WAY too painful for both of us.
The gals in the store had a good laugh at Severo's loud groaning over the pain.
"Now you know what we go through ALL THE TIME!"

My Wishlist and Scorecard:

I didn't try everything because the poor Fluevogists have to run upstairs to get the pairs.
The store is tiny.

Then, on a whim, I tried Sugarsnap:

They are SO CUTE! I am in love!
Why oh why are they on Mini heels?
Why can't they be on the lower Enneagram heels?
I will be obsessing over these for a while.

They have entered my Wishlist, despite the heel height.

And, speaking of Fluevogs, I'm almost finished with an A-Z blogging challenge of Fluevog Art. (Third year).
Mosey on over to Pattern Recognition and take a looksee.
Or check the #fluevogpattern hashtag on Instagram.

Linking with
Patti's Visible Monday
Cherie's Shoe and Tell
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week

I Pity the [April] Fool, April 2019 Linkup

Last year, while corralling links for my 2014 road trip journal, I came across this April Fool's Mr T linkup from 2014.

One of the many Mr T images/things that I found in 2014.
Click here to see more! Totally worth it! 

For April 2019, instead of dressing like Mr T, let's reveal and linkup some foolish things that we've done in the past (or currently, you fool, you).
I certainly have a few, how about you?

The gallery of foolish Poshmark purchases, shoe division.
What is it with the brown shoes, Anne? [only the Keds remain unsold -- yay]

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking this up with
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup

#100daysofsole and Me

I've been featured!

100 Days of Sole is a project comprising of "daily stories told from the intersection of footwear and identity". I was all set to include the site in a post about "my latest Instagram crushes" or "my many obsessions distractions" or some such. And, while I was busy at a handwork workshop, it transpired that Kelsy contacted me to be a part of it! WooHoo!

After great deliberation, I decided upon the above hand painted Indian Buffalo Sandals, which I photographed on my block printing experiments and collaged over the paisley block printed on striped cotton lawn. To read my story, you'll have to go to Instagram!

Then it was time to conjure up an outfit for this post.
On a whim, I tried on a pair of golden baroque lounge pants from work.
(I was involved with working on this print, but not this version of it).
I had them in one of my "to repurpose" boxes. How many months have I been walking past them?
They're work's sample size small, and I assumed that they wouldn't fit.
Well, as long as my stomach and butt are covered, they are fine!

I can't wait to wear these to a summer pool party.
Oh yeah, I attend those all the time!

I tried hiking up the pants to show the sandals without much success.

You can see how the layers of the sole are starting to separate.

Close up, highlighting Patucci's painting.

How did I discover 100 Days of Sole?
Through Richard Haines, the fashion illustrator who inspired me to take up fashion sketching again!
The Instagram algorithm gods smiled on me yesterday.

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Forgot to mention! Post #1000 for SpyGirl!

Blogger Meetup at Poshmark Live LA

On Thursday, March 22, I met up with Rena of Fine-Whatever.
We attended the Poshmark Live party at the SLS Hotel. It was a low admission fee ($10) and we went hoping to learn some new tips for selling out of our Poshmark Closets.

Small bites were offered on trays, we made a toast with these guacamole-filled trumpets:

There was going to be a pep talk with Poshmark's founder, Manish Chandra, in one of the ballrooms.
I planted myself in a chair (still freshly gimpy from my vacation fall) and passed the time sketching.

Most of my muses are in the blurry background!

[photo by Rena]

The talk was very, um, peppy. (Yes, I'm a jaded ex-corporate worker bee).
Was it worth it? Well, I guess it was worth $10.

Spending time chatting with Rena was, of course, priceless.
We both admitted guilt of impulse buying off the site -- there are flash sales that encourage this sort of thing.
Here are some of my failures (mostly fit issues) that I'm now reselling:

Don't ask about the Brown Shoe Obsession. I have no explanation for you!

It's not all bad buys, I HAVE found some great items on Poshmark --
shoes (Fluevogs even), scarves, Lularoe items.

Links to our Closets (sorry, US purchasers only) (you may have to sign up to see items):
I sell lots of weird vintage garments and accessories, many that I got from friend Larry's stash.
I also have a boatload of earrings and necklaces yet to list that I made in the '80s, from vintage glass beads.
Rena's Closet (Finewhatev) is more practical (like Rena herself!).

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday.

Are you on Poshmark? Leave your Closet Name in the comments!

Fantasy Tights

This is what I wore on Thursday for my teaching gig [Digital Fashion at Otis].

I lack decent legwear to coordinate with the burgundy/navy dress and had to resort to boring black tights. Despite that fact, I got my Fluevog Enthusiasts captured by the roving Otis Instagrammer @designschoolshoes Woohoo!

I coordinate so nicely with the wall.

I recently made a print for this week's Spoonflower design challenge that would work perfectly:

Alas, custom tights have yet to appear on either Redbubble or Society6, so they are only a Photoshopped fantasy. (Yes, I've had custom tights made before, but there's a minimum order of 6 pairs and I still have inventory left from that endeavor. Not something worth repeating).

The print IS available on all the Redbubble things in the original Black/Red colorway [I get a commission]. 

AND the Navy/Burgundy up for voting in the Spoonflower Challenge. May I solicit your vote? Voting is open until 2/20, 3pm EST. Keep scrolling until you find my submission!

Linking up with 

Patti's Visible Monday

Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike

Is It Wrong To Match Your Shoes To Your Dress?

I say no!

I'm a titch disappointed that Redbubble printed the sandal graphic on shiny fabric (I don't think my other Fluevog Dress is shiny but I forgot to check this morning). Every lump and bump shows -- I guess I should be thankful that I sized up to 2X. Sigh -- I need more undergarments -- a slip would smooth things out a bit.

The dress, and MANY other Fluevog Sandal Clog items (for which I get a commission), are available here.

See better, up close photos of the sandals here.

Linking up with

Patti's Visible Monday

Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike

Cherie's Shoe and Tell
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

The Fluevog Sandal Clog Has Risen

Oh how I love these sandals!
On Saturday, they were sprung from Repair Jail. On the advice of Petrea at Fluevog Abbot Kinney, I took them to Miracle Shoe Repair in Playa Del Rey. I wanted a gentle touch -- these treasures are 25 years old! They needed new soles, front and back, and the back of the heels required a little rebuilding.

You can see two strata of heel repair: the dark upper layer was added in the 90s by Zinke's in Pasadena

To try and inspire myself to do some work on Repair Mountain, I pulled all the garments that coordinated with the sandals:

I found a lot of items! Did I do anything? No, not yet.

Remember this photo? (from this post)

I've been using the bottom skirt portion to cover the broken sewing machine.

Today's outfit -- the one I went out into the world in, not the staged one I posted on IG:

I had to make a run to Egg Slut for some VERY IMPORTANT taste test items and to Staples for printer ink.
Doesn't my dotty shopping bag coordinate nicely? Severo bought me three of them!
The little bit of walking I did gave me incipient blisters, so if I wear these tomorrow (highly likely), I'll need to wear socks.

I'm now supposed to be looking for missing art prints but instead I'm going to join Mr Lou on the couch.
It's how I Monday!

Linking up with:
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Cherie's Shoe and Tell
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week