Cowboy Boot Collection

Anyone who knows me (or sees my ebay items for sale!) will know I live in my cowboy boots. I have huge man size feet so narrow little heels don't fit me, not to mention making me look like a cross dresser as over 6ft 2 in heels. My discovery was made over 5 years ago while travelling round Mexico.

After ending up in Chetumal which is in the South of the Yucatan region it was hardly describable as a tourist destination. Pawn shops/banks/jewelery stores had policemen in bulletproofs and guns sat outside 24/7 and I was about 5m away from a guy getting jumped in an attempted kidnapping while on my own-little bit scary. However did find a real authentic cowboy shop, selling spurs, machetes-the lot! There I found the boots that would be surgically attached to my feet for the next 5 years (cost 460 pesos= approx $50)

THE Mexican Horseshoe Cowboy Boots

So here they are-softest leather, fit like a glove and honestly cannot leave the house without a compliment. I worn them once to go put the rubbish out and a cyclist going past said 'Great boots'! I paid nearly twice what they are worth to get them resoled over here, as the bottoms had pretty much disappear which was annoying when it rained.

Mexican Steer Head Embroidered Boots

Never seen anything like them other than finding these on a real auction in Texas and I managed to win them and get them sent to me. Not as soft, and not as awesome as my ones but I still love them-these are the ones I can get a bit muddy at festivals.

Fringed Tan Cowboy Boots

Next up for a bit of a colour change is my tan fringed ones with nice little cuban heel-cowboy boots have to have a woodstacked heel and must be leather, I hate plastic copies.

Eagle Inlay Cowboy Boots

As I needed some inlay ones these are my 'smart' boots with colourful inlay. It has little white inly stars over back but forgot to photograph!

Colourful Cowboy Boots

Colourful cowboy boots are next on the list-just won these on ebay, they dont send out of the states so hope will actually get them! The red ones are my size and the cutest kiddy boots in the world come with them! Tiny inlay cowboy boots-I love them!

Cactus Pony Hair Tipped Boots

So these are the ones going on ebay-a tiny bit too small to be comfy for me too wear. Also the reason of getting inspired to do this post. My mum just broke the news that she has wanted cowboy boots for around 10 years but the leather is often hard and difficult to get a perfect fit. So I am determined to save up to buy her some very posh ones (see below) so listing several pairs of shoes from my personal collection to raise money for it!

MOOSE-O-LODGE Cowboy Boots by ROCKETBUSTER

Checkout these stunning things- if you like cowboy boots you have to check out Rocketbuster Boots, they have the most amazing array of boots and these are what I want to get for my mum. I know it seems expensive but if find it hard to get comfortable shoes, a hand made pair will fit like a glove and last a life time. Just think how much money you have wasted on shoes that just end up rubbing a little too much and you will never wear them. My handmade heels have been with me for 12 years and will never get rid of them!

21 Eyelet Lace Up Leather Boots

These are just so trendy right now, just again sucks my clown feet dont fit them right-so off to ebay they go for some lucky trendy young thing to enjoy.

1990s GUCCI Lace Platform Heels

Anyone a size 39? I am pretty sure these are from the 1996 Summer collection. I have the exact same shoes which I bought on holiday in Milan when I was about 16 I think. Technically I just ordered mine rather than buy them as they didn't have my size. These are a smaller pair I got for a photo shoot but now going to be a sizeable chunk of my mums boots fund!

Limited Edition Sailor Jerry Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars

They are the first lot of Sailor Jerry Converse ever released, limited edition number 456 of 2500-I wish I could wear these, they are just so cool in the best colours.....
....................................................and just check out the soles!!!

I have always wanted to be cool and grungy enough to wear converse, but just too tall and lanky and make me look daft-even these which are a size too small-which is why I have worn them once and just enjoyed staring at them the rest of the time-I feel mean and selfish stopping someone who could rock these to perfection from wearing them, but it pains me greatly to be putting these up for sale. but again, stare at these, or a happy mum with awesome boots? Mum wins each time on that one :)

Of course once mum has her boots I am saving up for a pair of my own!

The Posh AUSSIE Op Shopper!

Well this weekend have been picking up lot of Australian vintage including an amazing piece from Vivian Chan Shaw, a legendary knitwear designer in the 80s. First ever find of hers and its a beauty. Its a 2pc with amazing long cling maxi skirt and layered top to make a dress, however the pieces are so striking its great to wear as separates I love the skirt!

1980s Australiana: Vivian Chan Shaw Purple 2pc, Dickie Ney Kookaburra Jumper, A-HA Floral Strapless Dress

I love the cute little Kookaburra Jumper and a classic floral strapless party dress with boning in it!

1950s Rockabilly CHERRY Knit Cardigan

My favourite find of the week, I love this cardi! Covered in cable pattern and big bobble red cherries over front arms and neck. Just so cute!

Stunning 1950s EMERALD Velvet Party Dress

Love this dress too, really bright emerald green and its in mint condition (dirty mirror again not dress!) I love the shaping to the bust-very bullet style with pretty check pattern over skirt.

1980s/90s Vintage Silk PARIS Dress

This dress is just so well made and fit perfectly, have to look up brand later but is very well finished and just feels expensive, my theory is if you can afford to have a Paris address you cant really afford to make crap clothes.

Vintage 30s? Crocodile? Bakelite? Purse

I found this, and its in very good condition with what looks like crocodile leather and a bakelite clip, could be wrong about this-no bag expert, any ideas anyone? Would guess early 30s from art deco style clip.

50s? Rhinestone Metal Purse

Again no purse expert, but seen so many things like this, but this was different. Inside looks hand sewn silk, very good condition. No label but the whole bag is very heavy and you can tell there is layers of fabric between inner and outer, rhinestones look similar to 30s/40s buttons with a surround to each on, nice working clip too. only about 4 missing rhinestones overall, easy fix I think. Any ideas on age? It looks to be of pretty high quality but no labels or anything to help.

1970s Italian Leather Platform Heels

So so pleased with these! I cant believe I found some vintae heels in my size, and they are groovy 70s platforms!!! I love the square toe on the, make my feet look dinky from above, plus they go well with my every growing collection of hand knitted socks from mum!

Thanks for stopping by, and for all your nice comments, I really love reading them, thanks so much!

For more finds and to join in the flea market finds head to Sophies page!

Cinderella shoes for the ball!

Its been one of those weeks, I think the stress of Christmas is making everyone a little on edge and once again a case of Chinese whispers gone bonkers has made my working life a little stressful. Some women can be really mean, and I fell a little like the lamb being taken to slaughter because I tend to speak up, I probably need to learn to shut my mouth on occasion but thats easier said than done. However after having such a great morning on my vintage hunt it was hard to drag me down to the school girl level so have given up reasoning with the unreasonable and decided to rise above it all as around here karma seems to win over. So just looked forward to getting home and having a good look at my finds from the morning.

Although these will never fit my big feet, they are just a piece of art! 1950s Cinderella shoes-looks like they where actually nicked from Cinderella herself and just look so pretty and girlie! Maybe I will go to the ball this year (although not currently aware of there being one) but maybe will go bare foot and just carry these around instead.

Next up found a heap of gems-firstly a long blue 50s dress, and a patterned 50s dress both with metal zippers! I also loved this lacy pink number with huge sleeves. One of the best vintage stores I have been to had a garage sale so had lots of goodies. The guy that runs the store tends to end up with all the awesome mens shirts that my partner turns down and he appreciates them more anyway. I am always so amazed with his stock, its in Mullumbimby down an ally from the main street, called Retropolis although its small, its packed with colourful, eccentric, interesting things and a must to visit if in the area.
My next find was from a cult British designer-who dressed Kylie! I always love being able to get good info on the labels I find, you get to learn something new each time, its just such a shame there is so little information on the Australian fashion labels.
Next this is the cutest vintage jumper covered in terry toweling seagulls! Ticks all the boxes when I want to look a bit nautical!
This is one of those really cool maxi dresses,that would be actually wearable if made it into a shorter dress. I am thinking of getting the bottom half and gathering it into a second layer. I don't usually like altering vintage, especially with labels but the silver fabric is just so amazing and think it will really look nice as a mini. If I do alter stuff I try and do it well and use blind hems etc to try and do the clothes justice.
Next something I have wanted for long time-some 60s knitted short shorts! In black too-such a bonus!
and more terry cloth fun with this little 80s top with cute pink buttons.
Well now I can be a little bit at easy as not many work days left till my mum gets here! Its so much more exciting than my Christmas and birthday combined and am counting down the days. Although she has still sent me a few boxes of goodies so excited to see whats in there!

Got all my auction items all ready to go for Jan so can have a few weeks off which is the first time in a year I have done that! Ready to start fresh with new strong garment rails and spirit to match-roll on 2011.

Box of Vintage Treasures Discovered!

Fun fun fun this week with my bank account being wiped out by a dodgy ebay buyer from the US, meaning I have to take harsher measures for future customers-which sucks. Trying to pick myself up after being stuck rentless and eating cornflakes all week and for the foreseeable future I decided to get stuck into organising my store room. When I moved house I lost my little box of vintage treasures and thought they might be lost forever, however they where hidden at the back of a self so here is the contense of my treasure box-all op shop/market finds from my days before blogging. It made me pretty happy, not as happy as not being scammed but thats life, karma will do its job I am sure
Anyway this is one of my favourite finds, a box of 50s hairs combs in original box, seperated by layers of tissue. There is 12 in all, not one missing-I just love the pckaging and the fact its all together!
Next up my collection of vintage zipper pulls, I can do up all zips but hate the struggle in a hot changing room so when I am feeling lazy these come in very handy! Why dont they make them any more?

The little gold one is so cute and you can hide the chain away in the box!

These came from an old laundrette that closed down, I want to frame all my little bits and pieces like this one day and these will be the perfect addition. Some of the labels are from super expensive gowns so I guess someone has some amazing dresses out there and don't have a clue!

Some random other things including the cutest little 60s comb and mirror set! I love my London bus keyring too, reminds me of home!

Finally cutest little toy koala, he was only $1 so couldnt turn him down, and I found the instructions that came with my vintage rollarskates! I was so chuffed to find these, and in my size too-a very rare thing for someone with my huge feet, and about having big feet:

When I was a young teenager (15) I had a hard time finding shoes big enough to fit my size 8.5 uk feet and everything in my size was very ugly. My mum took me too London (I think for my birthday) and had found a 'special' shoe shop that would have 'nice' shoes to fit my feet. Off I go dreaming of bespoke footwear in fine Italian leather to my choice of design. Nope..... I was taken to a drag queen shop with not much choice of anything than perspex thigh highs and glitter stripper heels. Although I can see the funny side now I was in tears for half the day over that.

Sunday Markets-Something for everyone!

What a fantastic day-great finds at the markets. First of all 2 amazing 80s australian fashion books, and after flicking through them have proven to be a wealth of knowledge and elightened me on many items in my collection, my best find as I love a good book! That was the big spend of the day at $30 for the 2 books! Next up some escada flats, spice jars, 2 egg cup trays, some victorian glass/french mother of pearl buttons and some vintage snaps and hook and eyes for my dress repairs and a cute little sewing unpicker all for a few $$!

Next up, some AMAZING dresses, I got heaps of things and all for $10, I got a few silk shirts as am obsessed with them and a few other dresses not picture but these ones are my top picks, technically one of them was more but she gave me a discount for buying so many things so worked out the same!

STUNNING green and gold sequin 50s dress, great fit and the 1st of 3(!!!!) circle skirt dresses I found today!!!

Next up this pretty blue number with matching belt, the thing I love about dresses like this is the metal zips, something about a metal zip that just makes something feel of better quality!

Loose fitting original 60s/70s caftan-unfortunatly label has faded but can tell its a pretty old one, the print is just fantastic, vintage italian magazing print, so unique and comfy a perfect dress for when I am feeling a bit lazy.

And last but not least another 50s dress-print is fantatic but does not show well in picture-very atomic in cream, burgandy and forest green with pretty pleating in the top, buttons on one side and a full circle skirt. This one is being stored in my mums cupboard. She lives in the UK but is visiting me in January and has an entire wardrobe of my vintage finds to try on when she gets here! I also found this little pixie batwing t-shirt at a garage sale and just think its really cute!

Cant wait to see what everyone else has found at Sophies, so thanks to everyone who posts and happy hunting!

Salvatore Ferragamo Bow Heel Shoes

Salavtore Ferragamo bow heels in black leather, coral nubuck, and some slingbacks in snakeskin print with pretty woodstacked heel.

These 3 gems where found together! And at $4 (one cost $5) thats quite a saving on retail price and in brilliant condition!