"How do you not fall over?"

Mes amies! Oh how I have missed you so. Bad Mimi! Please forgive! I'm working on so many things right now, I don't know where to start! So how about we start...at the bottom? My feet!

I am 5’8” tall. My shoe size is 5 (Euro size 35, Asian size 24). Freakishly small, the bane of my fashion existence. I used to wear a size 6.5 shoe. I wonder, are my feet shrinking, or has the shoe industry started to re-label sizes to console the ego of the…ahem…large masses?

Regardless, it’s still the bane of my shopping existence. If I'm lucky that a brand even makes shoes that start in a 5, the one available is usually the one on display. *sigh* The one where the mate has been lying alone in a box in the back while its mate has been tossed and abused by the fondling, not-a-size-5-but-I'll-shove-my-giant-foot-in-it-anyway public. Ew.

This is by far my favourite shoe-fitting experience:
MH: "May I try this shoe in a size 5, s'il vous plaît?"
Store: "You are a size 5?? How do you not fall over when you walk?"
MH: "Probably something to do with physical equilibrium and your inner ear. Now take your minimum wage ass to the back and get me the damn shoes!"
Oops did I say that out loud? Mais non! A lady would never.

I tell you, shoe shopping has become a tragedy of constant rejection. It's not even like I'm picky! I'm a shoe whore. I will wear anything. As long as you have it in a size 5, please and thank you. I have a coveted pair of Ferragamo pumps that I scored for 90% off. And the main reason I bought them (besides the incredible deal), they fit like a charm. A size 4.5 charm. Yes! I said Quatre.demi!

Have I mentioned I love a bargain too? I don’t remember the last time I paid retail. Pshht. Retail is insulting. I know you are going to mark it down in a few weeks, and honestly, I might be precious, but I’m too cheap to be the first in town to own something. And besides, the hunt of a bargain is the best part. It’s exhilarating.
Murray once asked me: "Mimi, why do you like shopping so much?"
In order for his man-brain to understand the full spectrum of my bargain shopping fondness, I chose this analogy: "Murray, it’s like how you like to go fishing. Casting the rod thingy, waiting/looking for the bite, and then reeling it into the net thingy and you’re so happy when it’s a big one…"
He nodded. I digress.

Desperate shoe shopping calls for desperate measures and tactics. The shoes in the photo are my Converse All-Stars. Children's size 3. More than half off the price of adult size shoes and a perfect fit. What more could I ask for? A bargain AND a perfect fit! And that’s my secret – the kids’ department. Move over 8 year old, I believe I see a Stuart Weitzman Kids sandal in my size. No really, they are a perfect fit and just in time for summer.

xx,
mh

Mimi Luxe pt 4

I promise to figure out how to post properly! Last but not least - SHINEY!!

Paillette:
Sequined appliques on elastic headbands - when you need to go to the grocery store.

Mimi Luxe pt 3

Isn't this more fun, mes amies? Here's another one!

Luxe Deluxe:
Pea was instantly drawn to this one. I think it's the secret vampire/Twihard in her. If she had a goth wedding, this would be her tiara!

Mimi Luxe pt 2

Forgive me! I still don't know how to post pics and text properly. So here's more!

Pivoine Noir:
Flower pins made of black sheer fabric. I'm a bit of a magpie, so I like to bedazzle.

Mimi Luxe

Bonjour mes amies! I hope you enjoyed my line of Poppy Harvey accessories. Cute, non?!

It actually all began with my own namesake last winter. And since this is my blog and I can do whatever I want, I'm going to shamelessly blab about MY stuff! So here's a postview of my Holiday/Hiver collection from 2009. It's so last year, I know. But here goes nothing, hope you enjoy!

LUXE headbands:
Feathered creations for all your fancy dress parties. Or wear it doing the dishes.

Absence Makes the ♥ Grow Fonder

My darling mes amies! Oh how I've missed you so. It feels like an eternity since we were last together. Please forgive my absence. I must tell you about my NYC mini-break with Poppy but that will have to wait a little longer. Patience, my love, patience.

In the meantime I've been busy with other things - crafty things. Have I mentioned before my fondness for crafts? Since I was a jeune fille. My collection of notions, fabric, buttons, ribbons, beads, sequins, you name it, has consumed an entire room chez moi. So now I've decided to give them a life and create some fun things for all to enjoy.

Introducing my line of accessories - poppy harvey. Yes, that's ma cousine. I named it after her because it represents her bright spirit and joyful personality. Allow me to introduce you to les mademoiselles:

Elodie: Cute and sweet, hand-made bows from various ribbons and lace on snappy hairclips or alligator clips that match the ribbon.








Cerise: Fabric rosettes with vintage button centers. They are from my grandmother's collection that she's left behind. I only have a limited amount of fabric, so I plan to only make 12.










Rosalie: Linen fabric in soft pink sewn into peony-like flowers to pin onto just about anything. I kept them frayed, much like peony petals.












Vivienne: (No, not named after Brangelina spawn.) Hairpins with baby rosettes hand-sewn on, with a looped leaf to finish.









Garance: Yes, this one is an ode to Garance Doré. Not that she would ever wear one, I don't think. But I like the name and it seems to reflect what they are. Metal headbands, brightly coloured with grosgrain ribbon bows and felt flower centers. I ♥ grosgrain ribbon.












Isabelle:
The softer version of Garance with pastel coloured metal headbands and softer grosgrain ribbon. My grandmother left this ribbon behind for me too, they don't make it like they used to.









And last but not least - meet Paulette:
From my own crafty collection of ribbon - I've searched high and low since, and will probably never see this again. There was only so much of it - I could only make 6 of the blue ones.












So there they are. Hope you enjoy.
xx mimi