Happy Birthday to us!

Well, well, well, seem like its time for another update for the week. And what busy old bees we've been. Old being the operative word. Tinfish shoes is turning 20!! This weekend, just like the queen, we've decided to have 2 birthdays, but in a slightly more convenient twist, we've pasted them side by side this Saturday and Sunday (25th and 26th June).

Thinking on the birthday track, we've been very much enjoying the selection of birthday pictures at Awkward Family Photos. If any of you are unfamiliar with this online festival of childhood shame and awkwardness, you can laugh out loud at other people's cherished memories here.

So this week we've decided not to pursue our regular Big Wednesday treats. Now, although some of you might think this is miserly, just you wait till you pop in store over the weekend. As a very happy birthday to you gift, we'll be chopping 20% off everything in store and online. For the whole of Saturday and Sunday! I know unbelievable right? (Its normally the person having the birthday getting gifts not giving them out.)

Excuse the brief update, but up to our eyes in helium balloons, streamers and discount stickers.

I suppose we should spare a thought for the lovely miss white, as she wades through the Glastonbury mud with a smile faithfully heading to see Prof green. Yes we know, what a guilty pleasure.

For now then, if any of you have a birthday reminiscence to share with us, or any musical guilty pleasures for this year, do feel free to comment below.

Tinfish x

Espadrilles and festivals!

E- specially for you all this week, we've gotten our hands on some more of whats quickly becoming the shoe du jour for all faithfull followers of fashion this season, yup that's right- the espadrille.

S-o summer and lovely are these fab shoes, that we have in fact sold out of the Havaianas espadrilles once already! But, fear not footwear fans; our latest shipment of these amazingly comfortable slip-ons arrived yesterday- but they are zooming off the shelves fast. On a classic Havaianas style flip flop sole with a light canvas upper- they can even be popped into the wash on a cool/handwash cycle and let to air dry, any time you need to spruce them up.

P-erhaps because of their easy comfort level and summery care free pull-me-on-kick-me-off vibes, these shoes seem to scream summer!

A-ny tempted espadrille-enthusiasts can find out more about these great Havaianas incarnations here.

D-edicated as per, to a little pursuit of shoe geekery, I've delved into a bit of espadrille research. Although the word espadrille is french, the froggies got their name for the shoes from the Catalan espadenya which in turn comes from the naem of a touch grass used for making rope. Apparently espadrilles have been made in Catalonia as back as far at the 14th century (wowser!).

R-eally dedicated silver screen fans will be interested to know that the lovely Lauren Bacall made espadrilles famous when she wore a pair whilst starring in Key Largo (1948) alongside the vertically challenged but no less dishy Humphrey Bogart. Pictured right (isn't she lovely?)

I-n fact, as I draft this post, I'm even sporting a pair. (talk about believing you own hype!) not quite the ankle-strapping beauties that Ms.Bacall's wearing here, but some of the lace-up variety. A kind of dek's/espadrilles love-child, you might say.

L-ovely and comfy, my pair are by Pipps, a summer new-comer to Tinfish!Lace-up slip-on and even sling-back these shoes hit instore and online this week and, like their Havaianas counterpart are proving to be a real mover and shaker.

L-ike the Havaianas, Pipps are an absolute snip, at only 15 notes per pair, you can find out more about them here.

E-nough wiht the espadrilles, you might be thinking, so I'll use the rest of this short time in blogg-kingdom to update you on the latest of our weekly BIG Wednesday treats.

S-ince its festival season, between us the fishettes will be attending: Bestival, Sonisphere, Glastonbury, possibly Summer Sunday and there's a scant chance one of us might be attending ATP- it's exhausting even thinking about it!! With the exception of ATP, all of these musical wonders presents something of a footwear challenge. SO this week we've given everyone a chance to stay dry and stylish, without being shackled to a pair of hunters, or adopting the sainos-bag-over-foot look. We've taken 25% off Posh Wellies, Moonstone.

That's just about it for this weeks whistle-stop festival espadrille extravaganza. Espadrille fan or not please leave us a few comments below.

Next week, we'll be inviting you to an exclusive celebration of our 20 years in footwear, and updating you on plans for Independent retailers day here in good old Leicester. Also, a little more shoes geeking and big Wednesday treating.

Have a fabulous weekend,

Tinfish xx

Grandaddys of style

Hello again! If you've ever racially stereotyped the dutch as simple lovers of good hash cakes and finely tuned bicycles, then shame on you!

Did you know they also make great sneakers? The good people at Goliath have been producing precision engineered sneakers since the opoening of hteir first factory in Tillburg, the Netherlands in 1925. Oringinally producing football boots in winter and cricket shoes in summer they have since expanded their style ranges, keeping the classic vintage sportswear look and adding a 21st century twist. This week we've applied our Big Wednesday 20% to Goliaths mighty Boycott sneakers in a lovely yellow/grey and navy/khaki colour-combo.

One of the things we love about this shoe is its slight grandad chic. As a proud lover of my grandparents cast-offs, I seem to get most of my style from somewhere between old slacks from my Gramps and deliciously hideous blouses from my Nanna. That being the case, its pretty fortunate that vintage clothes are in something of a boom at the moment. Here in Leicester (where we are) the latest fairs in the sumtuous surroundings of the cathederal caused a real boom!

On the grandad trail, none other than Mr. Robbie Williams has decided to name his forthcoming men's fashion lable Farrell. No, this is not after cheeky-chappy and all round Irish hearthrob Colin, or well known american hip-hop ledgend Farrell Wiliams; but in fact, after his grand-daddy-o Jack. Ah, how sweet! The collection should be appearing in House of Fraser this coming Autumn.

Now then ladies, don't think we've forgotten you! This week blink Lyric in both Dark Brown and Bronze have been given that 20% touch too. These beaded, all-leather sandals with a heel zip are a lovely option for anoyone wanting to head down the easy-glamour maxi-skirt route this season. Super-flats seem to be all over the place this season, whether the un-assuming ballet pump or the centurian-esq gladiator sandal, its look like comfort might be key for this summer look.

Here at Tinfish we've been getting very excited about Independant Retailers Month, this coming July, and especially, Independant Retailers Day, on July 4th. A lovely day aimed to encourage consumers to buy at least one thing from their local indie retailer. You can find out a little bit more about it here. If you've got any ideas how we can celebrate down here in shoe-land then please leave your comments below!

Thats about all for this Friday's speedy blog,

Next Time: another Big Wednesday dealio, another update on plans for independant retailers day, and possibly a touch more shoe-history

Tinfish
x

Use Your Loaf

SO as promised we're back with yet more lovely BIG Wednesday action for you. This week the spotlight's on Baracuta Isaac (Miller) II for all you dudes; a style they tell us: '(...)any self respecting mod would fight for' and we quite agree(especially since we've chopped 20% off them)!! Originally rendered cool by a range of 60s icons, Baracuta has been creating signature British menswear since 1937(golly gosh!).

Perhaps their most famous face is Steve McQueen, who made the G9 Harrington iconic when he wore it in sexy heist movie: 'The Thomas Crowne Affair' in whice he starred with Faye Dunaway (not too sound too nerdy but the original by far outstrips the 1999 re-make -sorry Mr. Brosnan). Despite Monsieur McQueens affinity with Baracuta, its Isaac Miller-one of the original Baracuta Brothers- who's name is used in the eponymous shoe! He was responsible for the expansion of Baracuta into the American market in the 1950s (good fellow!)

Heists and great British rainwear aside, we thought we'd dip into the history of the loafer just a little since they seem to be just about everywhere right now, the footwear of choice for all dedicated followers of fashion- of either gender!

Originally Loafers appeared in the USA named Weejuns (a cute nod to the Norwegian Cattle farmers whose moccasin style shoes inspired them). The style gained the name 'penny loafers' when students used the handy pockets inside the shoes to keep a dime for telephone calls (always nice to be able to contact you mum!). These days just about everybody from James Dean to Kelly Osbourne like to don a loafer from time to time. Here at Tinfish we like their comfortable yet stylish appearance, and 'falling in love in a library' geek-chic vibes.

Currently under fire from stylistic as well as fiscal angles, we enjoyed reading the Guardian's appraisal of David Cameron's holiday wardrobe. The Cameron's have been having a few month of style-critique following Ms. Cameron's decision not to don a hat for the royal wedding. Now it seems Mr.C has been boring beach-lovers of Ibiza with his less-than- inspiring garb. Pity he didn't opt for a Baracuta Isaac II in nice conservative blue suede- that might have kept his feet on-trend at least, and with our Big Wednesday discount its a great mid-recession saving :P(Come on Dave!)

For all of you loafer ladies, we've been happily unwrapping the latest offering from super-fun time Spanish brand Coolway. These new kids .on the block made their debut in AW10 with some great brogues and brogue ankle boots, which totally sold out!!Look out for their ladies tassel loafers, the MOKA in chocolate and beige, currently instore and online soon!!

Now, don't you go thinking we've forgotten you girlies out there. Blowfish Laco is also getting a bit of a snip. We've shaved 20% off their price too!! These gladiator style sandals are a nice way to top off jeans and maxi-skirts especially since they have a the added 'tude of stud detailing , and they come in grey and whiskey! (the colour not a bottle of Johnnie Walker-now that really would be something!)

Well, in the words of the Looney Tunes, 'That's all folks!'
Next time: More mid-week mayhem, in another Big Wednesday reduction, a peek at some more summer options that have been hitting out shelves, and well anything else we can cram in!!

In the meantime if anyone has any nominations for the Big Wednesday shoe of the week, please leave your comments below.

xx