Get On Your Boots

eBay, I freaking love it. Where else can you buy genuine Victoriana for less than a pint of cider? I spotted these antique leather boots last Saturday morning, popped in a snipe, hit the charity shops and by lunchtime they were mine. The description said that they could only be fastened with a button hook and that the leather was cracked and dry, but that didn't deter me. 

Coming from a long line of hoarders I still have my Great-Grandmother's silver Art Nouveau button hook.

Isn't she a beauty?

I gave the uppers a quick once-over with nail polish remover to remove any surface dirt and allowed them to dry for around 30 minutes. I then lightly coated the surface with intensive hair conditioner leaving them to soften overnight. The following morning I buffed them with a soft cloth and they're now supple and lovely.

The lovely Ceri challenged us to post an outfit featuring some DIY. Here's mine.

I made the dress from a 1950s curtain. The lace tights were from Friday night's jumble, they were very long leggings and I simply sewed the cuffs together to form feet. 

The collar was from Thursday's car boot sale and the ribbon I attached came off one of last years' birthday parcels.

Handmade curtain couture dress (20p), lace tights (20p), fake fur collar (50p), Victorian boots (£2.20)

Hope you're having a good weekend. As usual ours has been spent eating and drinking far too much, rummaging through other people's cast-offs and catching up with friends. We went to see a wonderful nursing home this morning complete with a resident cat, I think Dad's going to love it. 

See you soon.