This week I want to introduce you to two sisters who originally hailed from California but who now ply their trade in New York.

notice the little rose pull on the zipper - LOLLI Patent leather laces with 14k rose gold plating detail $395,-

Satu and Celeste Greenberg have been inspired by vintage jewelry since they were in high school. They would frequent the many local vintage stores and rework the jewelry into modern and versatile pieces. When the sisters eventually moved to New York city and started working for some of the world’s premiere fashion magazines, and word began to spread of their impressive vintage collection and designers, creative directors and editors began approaching them about using their archive as a source for their own design inspiration.

First footwear collection

However, their vision did not end with jewelry as you may well have expected. This spring the duo launched their first footwear collection. These shoes although edgy, are full of feminine details and certainly have elements of the jewelry Satu and Celeste are famous for.

Little things that make you smile, you know, finally finding the perfect nail polish colour you have been looking for, for weeks, the laughter of kids playing outside after the many weeks of relentless rain or that comforting cup of rooibos tea after a long day at work.
Well this weekend I was looking around on Etsy and found some things that made me smile.
Etsy is a fabulous worldwide on-line market place for artisans of all media and all levels of artistry.
Almost any fine crafted piece of leather makes me weak in the knees and to top if off, these items also brought a smile to my face.

"...fine crafted pieces of leather make me weak in the knees"

They are sweet, feminine and just honest craftsmanship.

Leather roses

From the beautiful hand "Mano Bello" of Cyn in Florida, come these leather handmade shoe accessories. She has made two straps, each adorned with a luscious, supple leather rose with curled and slightly ruffled petals. Not only do these straps instantly transform your plain pumps or boots they are gorgeous enough to wear around your neck.  Starting at $116.00 USD.

I was recently introduced to Baldinini shoes and boots by Winston at R-A-W shoes blog.

toupe nabuck - frontal embroidery metal hardware €575,-

I would suggest you are careful going on this site, as it is full of the best and the latest in the shoe world. It could potentially consume hours of your day!

Back to the Baldinini's.
This Italian shoe brand was established over a hundred years ago and is now a name recognized world-wide. Initially the factory made only made to measure products, however, in 1970 the third generation of the Baldinini family took over the business and introduced Baldinini to the world.
Their first success was a clog that had a production of 500 per day! Not a minor feat considering they were made entirely by hand!
Baldinini shoes have now developed into fashion footwear that strives to bring perfection with each shoe they produce.
As the Baldinini designers call them, 'they are dreams you can wear'.

Today the second instalment of independent designers who also make fabulous handbags.

Fluevog Operetta Petite in burgundy $369

If you have been reading my posts on any regular basis you know that I am an ardent fan of the Vancouver designer John Fluevog.
I am not the only one. In the past 40 years of business, he has attracted an international cult like following. The Facebook site alone has 16500 followers!
However, his handbags have almost gone unnoticed. We are about to change that that today. Here are three beauties to feast your eyes on.