Living on a Shoestring

 

It’s towards the end of the month and I’ve put a new meaning to living on a shoestring.  How do I manage to fritter away my money so fast that I’m contemplating doing an eBay clearout of my wardrobe (it was so painful the first and only time I did it…I have not considered it since….).  I have barely enough to feed myself for the next few days (which supposedly is the point of fashion week.  Someone was overheard at the Gareth Pugh show saying ‘I haven’t eaten all day.  Isn’t that fabulous?’), so buying jewellery/accessorising is the least of my priorities.  So I string up my old ballet slippers on a purse chain necklace to make a hanging ‘feature’ as opposed to necklace (too delicate a word to apply in this instance).  It’s a nod to my poor history as a ballet dancer (taught me nothing as I have the worse posture ever…) and my love of watching it, along with the flesh coloured knee socks and the white ruffles I attached to my Primark jacket, which looks like an contemporary interpretation of a Swanlake costume.  I didn’t get to do fashion week Monday or yesterday but in the spirit of designers taking flight (is it me or is the off schedule trumping the on this year at LFW….) prancing around town in this outfit in a light and sprightly way.  Or that could be the empty feeling in my stomach… 
Where is that can of chick peas….?

When the funds do come back though, hanging ‘features’ will still be on my mind and I have fallen for Etsy seller Paraphernalia’s etched plastic pendants using vintage illustrations.  They refer to them as ‘beauteous and wholesome accroutements’ (beauteous needs to be used more often!) and can be custom made with your own imagery.  They’re also shoestring-budget friendly too, considering the amount of interest you will pique by wearing say an 18th century mantua around your neck.

11 comments

  1. wow they look like 3D mesh creations…but they’re just illustrations?

  3. ah what a cute idea with the ballet slippers! I’d do the same but all my old ones are so torn…
    And I feel you, I have currently 5 euros for food, for this week…should’ve not done that second hand hunt in the weekend..

  4. You do the off-duty ballerina look well!
    And those Paraphernalia necklaces have been on my wish list for a while. I like their body organs ones too. I’m thinking of wearing a big brain around my neck 🙂

  5. That’s such a weire/crazy/fantastic idea. I live with my boyfriend, he buys me food sometimes ;-(

  6. ah susie what an amazing idea. I totally love this outfit and the mood behind it. You’ve totally inspired me as I have some beautiful wee ballet slippers I wore as a child to a wedding I was involved in. I think I”m going to string them up. And perhaps other large objects as well. love the outfit.

  7. i just ordered three of the necklaces. they look incredible.

  8. I LOVE this outfit! Everything is perfect, I’d say. Funny thing…I discovered Paraphernalia last week and can’t wait for my package to arrive.

  9. i love your ballet shoes idea. i also just really love the shoes. they look nice flattened too. and i love your tights AND shoes. AND those necklaces are stunning. i have to favourite this shop.

  11. Oh my! I don’t mean to be unkind, but your taste in accessories needs just a bit of refinement. They’re totally ugly!

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