A plea to the blogosphere (will pay money)

You may remember me fawning over these Chie Mihara sandals, or the sandals worn in the Liza Rietz and Emily Ryan photos. Sadly, both of these are leather, so I've been on the hunt for a more animal-friendly option. Last night, however, I was informed by Google that I've missed the boat on an extremely affordable fabric option, made by Sugar (above). I'm quite devastated by this. I assure you this is not just out of want for another pair of shoes (I honestly rarely buy shoes), but these would be perfect to mask my recent hideous development on my ankle, and would make me feel confident wearing non-floor length skirts and pants again.

So, if anyone out there has seen these shoes in a shop somewhere or has a pair they no longer want, please please please let me know! I will pay full price plus shipping plus a finders fee if you can get me a pair of Sugar Navajo Mosaic Floral Gladiator sandals (a.k.a. the all black ones). Alternatively, I could do a trade for something in my shop. I would be a size 9.5/10 US, 39.5/40 EU, 7.5/8 UK. I only found them on one site in my size, but they ONLY ship to the UK (UK readers!!!).

Seriously, I would be forever grateful.

Information bulletin

1) You may have noticed my name has changed on the side by my picture, and below each post. My name is still Steff in fact. However, to match my URL, Etsy user name and ebay user name, my blog name is now Buffy Leigh. Not far off from my real name, however. When I was very young, I apparently did not like 'Stefanie', so I named myself Buffy. No relation to the Slayer. And Leigh is my middle name.

2) My blog name is a play on the words 'cacophony of silence', a name my husband made up for an uncreated band. I've adopted it for my future clothing label (if I ever get the motivation), and re-spelled it using only letters from my actual name. The capitalized letters (SKO) are my initials (with my maiden and married name). The more you know...

3) I love love love this. I have a lot of fun oogling the quite frequent new listings in the Attila Design Etsy shop. Everything is so elaborate and the shop as a whole is incredibly diverse in the pieces offered. However, a lot of leather is used in her pieces, and so I rarely find something I could buy unaltered.

But this is gorgeous, convertible in length, leather free, AND feeds my love of Renaissance art. Pretty affordable too, but such is life...

Oh! And I've extended my sale in my shop until Monday, just to match up with my work schedule. Cheers!

Ahh...

Finally, a better header for my blog and my shop. What do you think? I loved the gate picture of my last banner, but this just makes me breathe easier somehow.

Unlike this piece. This just makes me heart go a-flutter. Sure, it confuses me a little, but that could be the lack of sleep this week. All I need to know is that it's ArtLab...Truth is, I've been rocking the skirt-over-pants look since I was 16ish, so it's not hard to please me with a short skirt that features a lovely window to bare my trousers to the world...

Emily Ryan

Okay Emily, I'm just a tad bit overwhelmed here with all your new listings this morning! I know you gave me the heads-up, but I was definitely not prepared. All those muted colours, hoods, loose/draped fits, and a good helping of jersey! You're a designer after my own heart...

I shall restrain myself from being photo-upload-happy and only post my two favorites, the Jersey (!) Butterfly Tunic (above) and the Pleated Wrap Jumper (genius! - I mean, below). Again, why don't I live in Portland? I could at least go try these pieces on then, even though I'm not allowed to buy them...Sigh. Double sigh actually.

Hey, haven't I seen those shoes somewhere before? Oh how I'd love a vegan pair...That hood just makes the most adorable illusion of tiny cap sleeves when it's worn down. I may have to forego the Ruffle Bustle Wrap Pants and go for this cutie instead when the money gods deem me worthy of some spending cash.

Epic music

Oh goodness, I love my city's university radio station. I pretty much hate the radio except for when the dial is at 88.5 FM. On my evening shift the other night, I was fortunate to hear a gorgeous song on a program called 'Necrotechs Unite!'. I didn't actually catch the band's name, so I had to email the radio station. And now this band shall be my playlist for the remainder of my evening shifts this week. Nightwish not only agrees with my love of metal, but it has a female vocalist with a lovely operatic voice and a great sense of style. Are you seeing that skirt/top and glorious lionhead belt? And the band is from Finland, which pretty much guarantees that it'll be good metal...

Dulce goodness, but not for me...

Here's a second piece that I am coveting from July's collection at The Shop over at Not Just a Label. This tunic by Mich Dulce (what a great name!) looks so utterly versatile, is 'One size fits all', AND isn't overly expensive ($221US). And do my eyes see my good friend, jersey? But of course such a great piece only comes available once my purse strings have been tied into 20 different boy scout knots. Sigh. Oh, remember I have a sale in my own shop! ...

This is just another blow to my shopping soul, closely following my discovery that the Gemma Degara dress I've been drooling over is now on sale in her Etsy shop. Why, oh, why?!!

A letter

Dear Coat with Large Tie by Jiwon Jahng,

Please post yourself to my address at your leisure. I would very much like to meet you.

Alternatively, please let The Shop at Not Just a Label know that I am open to receiving free clothing.

Sincerely,

Steff (a.k.a. Buffy Leigh)

Makool, I love you

Oh, let me count the ways I love Makool. Many of her dresses have been known to prompt me to say 'Oh how I wish I could have another wedding ceremony' or 'Oh how I wish I lived in England so I could dress up for a proper tea party.' And this morning's listing is no exception. Created as an after ceremony dress, 'La Carmaux' (below) has so many details to fall in love with: a very low cut (which I would pair with a gorgeous coloured vintage cami/slip), cotton eyelet, layers of silk, and raw edges. I personally would love this dress in an olive or a light grey colour (I don't do well with white). Gorgeous.

And why don't I live in Portland? There must be something in the air or in the water to produce such a great creative (and bicycling) community.