Hot Cake's shoe issue for 2013

I have met a new friend. It’s not that often that you randomly bump into someone that you instantly ‘click’ with. We have been chit-chatting between hangers and sale racks at the local Billabong store here in Tauranga and there was a def.a common thing shared between us, the strong “love for fashion”, that’s one ‘clicking’ factor but after spending a good 3 hours over coffee and 2 big glasses of Summer Smoothies yesterday we found plenty of other things conjoining us further. Like backpacking and the excitement about seeing the world, dreams for the future, happy or broken relationships and the constant passion for wearing things odd and pretty. Wow, we had a great time but just as happily as it had started, just as brutal it all must end. My new found shop friend is leaving in two weeks, heading for a last trip around New Zealand’s, staking out it's rugged coastlines, inner lush valleys and finally the bright contrasts of south island mountains before permanently settling in Germany or Switzerland, two things we also discussed. Ah well, that’s were Facebook comes in, right?

I have now resided to my laptop again, after two weeks off DIY in the garden and lots of buy-ins for the growing shop of mine (which is exciting). Today I’m officially back, blogging in between grocery shopping, home decoring and raising a little girl while exploring different ways to use a hammer and print hang tags….

There's a new relation-ship taking shape, Isabel...awhh, Isabel...Marant that is for anyone confused and yes, it's a label and not another wordly backpacker that drinks crushed mixes of berries and banana. Marant stockes a soft slightly 'high-heeled' sneaker which is a clear favorite of mine, that and a million tie dye garments and chunky knit-wear that I would wear to death (but it would probably be the death of my wallet too).

If you are anything like me and on a budget (with a greedy eye on the high end labels) a similar option to Marant's suede sneakers would be a pair of Serafini Manhattan Indie shoes (on sale too). As for the high heels again, second best options here is either an open toe version from See by Chloe or the more pointy toe and elegant choice of Elizabeth and James'Sand metallic pumps', made in silver or black leather, and yes, they have just as much funk as the Isabel Gava Cotton Raffia Pumps…

Happy New Year (and may that come with a brand new wardrobe, new found friends and overall happiness to you as well);-!

xxx Alice