If there’s one fashion thing I really love, it’s shoes. My room knows I have so many, and I can’t seem to have enough. Yeah, girls can never really have enough shoes, it’s crazy.

shoes!

Well, my shoe craziness actually made me want to make one for myself. However, I didn’t really know where to start. So, when SoFA Manila offered their Shoe Design Workshop for Nov 2011, I immediately jumped at the chance to enroll.

SoFA Manila's Shoe Design Ad

During the first day of the workshop, our professor, Sir Alex Ng, introduced us to the art and science of shoe design. Yes, there’s science! And math, too, apparently. Well, anyway, those are advanced topics already. This particular workshop was mainly focused on the technique of shoe designing. If you’re gifted with the creative talent, I think you’ll breeze through this workshop.

the work area

As for me, I have been accustomed to typing and photoshopping that I can barely draw. I won’t bother showing my first attempts as they are unremarkable. Anyway, after the 2nd and 3rd class, I think my shoe designing skills improved. Watcha think?

one of my many attempts in shoe designing

Aside from teaching us the techniques in shoe design, our instructor also discussed the shoe whole production process and told interesting things about the Philippine’s shoe making industry. It’s really amazing how much work is done in creating just one pair of shoes. I really gained a whole new appreciation for shoes afterwards. To further immerse ourselves in the ins and outs of the shoe making business, Sir Alex arranged a mini-field trip to the different shoe suppliers and factories in Marikina. I’ll be sharing that experience in another post.

School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA Manila) is located at Ground fl. Enzo Bldg, 399 Gil Puyat Ave, Makati City, Philippines. For more info, visit http://blog.sofafibre.com/

Guess what I got last Sunday? Based from the pictures, I obviously got the camera necklace I’ve been raving about a few posts ago. A special someone gave it to me. Thank you so much! Love love it! *mwah*

Isn't it pretty?

I was walking around the mall yesterday and found that almost all of the stores are on sale. Imagine the temptation to just swipe away through the nice clothes and shoes that are almost half the price. While checking out the clothes at The Ramp, I found these laced-up boots that almost look like these. I tried it on and it’s actually comfortable; however, I haven’t bought it — YET. I’m still “thinking” about it. Dumdumdum.

Does it almost look like the real thing?

After oogling at the items at The Ramp, I decided to just STOP looking and go home. I had to pick up my mom anyway. On the way to the parking lot, I passed by this accessories / jewelry shop. They were selling funky necklaces and bracelets with this vintage look to it.

Charm braclets!

Here are two of my favorite pieces – the guitar charm bracelet and the multi-chain charm bracelet. I really wanted to buy the multi-chain charm bracelet (see I’ve already tried it on) but budget, budget, budget was running around my head. Bah! It’s almost like a Shopaholic movie scene, where Rebecca asks herself, “Do you need this?” every time she’s tempted to buy something. *sigh*

Necklaces galore!

My eye also caught several of the necklaces they’re selling. I want 1) the camera necklace and 2) the gun necklace. Again, I can’t get them YET. Time to save up. I think I need another job, eh?

I have fallen in love with these buckle boots. Found it at Jak and Jil’s blog. Isn’t it lovely ??

Buckle Boots love!

Unfortunately, I don’t know where I could get them. Drop me a line if you know! So far, I’ve only seen Garace Dore wearing it.

Picture Credit: Jak and Jil

I have been online “window” shopping lately. Not only is it convenient, it also prevents me from impulse buying. Online shopping subjects the buyer, yes me, into several processes before actually getting the item. There are a lot of hoopla and things to consider such as payment and shipping details. With traditional shopping, it only takes a few minutes – or seconds even – of touching, holding, smelling, and trying on an item and you’re off buying it. And well, knowing myself, I always get into the impulse buying mode especially when it’s all done with a swipe of the credit card.

I Love Photography Necklace

Anyway, I have found this online shop, named Dumask,a few weeks back. Dumask offers limited pieces of vintage handcrafted fashion jewelry. Most of the time they sell only one piece of a particular design. That’s how unique and one-of-kind their pieces are.

Black Flower Bracelet

While going through their shop, I fell in love with two pieces, the Black Flower bracelet and the I love Photography necklace. Too bad both are sold out. That hasn’t stopped me from visiting the site often and “window shop”. I love looking at their designs and keeping on the look out for their new collection.  I’ll never know I may find something similar to the sold out items I’ve wanted.

When they finally released their July collection, the Victorian lady and key charm necklace caught my attention. I have been eyeing this particular piece since then. If I had found this through traditional shopping, I may not have controlled myself and bought it right there and then. (Un)Fortunately, it’s not. I get to really think about this purchase especially since I’m on a tight budget. So tell me, to buy or not to buy.

Victorian lady and Key Charm Necklace