Cydwoq shoes

I have owned a much-admired pair of these gorgeous, handmade, ergonomic and uniquely stylish Cydwoq shoes for many years. That's one beauty - they last and last!

Available worldwide and still made by hand, using in-house vegetable-dyed leather, in a large factory in California, the Cydwoq company is a fine example of staying true to self. The founder Rafi Balouzian comes from a line of shoemakers and continued his family tradition out of his simple passion for walking and nature... and every foot deserves to walk in utter comfort and style!

http://cydwoq.tumblr.com/ (blog)

Nutsa Modebadze

Thanks to one of my favourite blogs, Simply Olive, I discovered the stunning work of Russian designer Nutsa Modebadze, who makes my ideal leather bags and shoes. Goody, now I don't need to make my ideal bag!

paper delights and fruit

I have just been out in the deep snow (well, at least 10cm or more) for a photography wander around our local church place... and finally I had time to enter a boutique which I have looked at longingly many times on my way somewhere.

It's a beautiful paper & bookbinding atelier, called Atelier Tiemeyer, run by Ria Tiemeyer, pictured. It is full of temptations to woo the paperlover and booklover. Her hand screen-printed paper envelopes, wrapping papers and books are divine.

I also fell for the work of artist Miriam Schmid, who makes beautiful paper fruit in a basket...

Pariser Strasse 15
10719 Berlin-Wilmersdorf
Mon-Fri 10 - 18.30
Sat 11-14

Roeckl Gloves

Blogging has been lower on the to-do list of late due to my impending wedding, but I can't help wanting to share some of the treasures that will play a part in the big day/s.

Roeckl is a very well-respected German glove brand - a family business dating back to 1839 when Jakob Roekl had a vision "to make the finest gloves possible". Today it's run by sixth generation Roeckl family member Annette Roeckl (pictured).

The leathers used are divine and the designs range from absolutely classic to contemporary beauty and sexiness, with stunning attention to detail. I have splurged on a pair of cuffs for my wedding and will also enjoy wearing them after the wedding day.

Ladies and Gents, get your gloves on!

Daniel Heer

When I was working at the wonderful Bless shop this lovely shy stylish young man Daniel Heer came in one day, and hankered after one of my favourite pieces too... but the thing I first noticed about him was his gorgeously simple bag. I asked him about it and lo and behold it was his own creation - so he's another Berlin treasure. His bags hit a nostalgic spot in me for an old 1950s school satchel that I found in my French grandmother's apartment when we had to clean it out after she died (a long while ago now)... they are beautiful, practical and artisanal.

Isaac Reina

Contrary to many women I am not much of a bag girl, however also in Paris I discovered my ideal bags a few years ago... A Spaniard who calls Paris home, depuis longtemps aussi, Isaac Reina makes such beautiful simple, minimal, functional bags and wallets... Highly recommended! I love his design philosophy on his site too.

http://www.isaacreina.com/