tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323155962011-07-13T15:02:13.987+08:00The musings of a self-confessed shoe addict.Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-77217546555012413312008-05-20T20:49:00.003+08:002008-05-20T21:00:45.087+08:00

I have made some wonderful friends here in Taiwan. However, when we left the Philippines, I often wondered if my new friends would know me like the ones I left behind.I received the following photo's from a new, wonderful friend last week. I felt all warm and fuzzy because I knew she really knew what I was into - shoes!So, for those of you who know me, you think I love shoes? Well, obviously

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-59589544682068952792008-05-20T20:36:00.008+08:002008-10-29T00:14:27.740+08:00

I have not written a single post since January. Since moving to Taiwan in July 2007, I have had countless shoes to blog about. There is a great shop called "Big Shoe" which does shoes my size not to mention that Marks and Sparks does great boots which also fit!So, tonight, with time on my hands for the first time in months, I decided to revisit some of my favourite blog sites. Of all of these,

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-40528764560504489892008-01-30T21:02:00.000+08:002008-01-30T21:12:47.165+08:00

February 7 will bring in the new Chinese New Year.In Taipei, this is an incredible sight to behold. More on that later - tomorrow we take 200 Grade Six students to Di Hua Street which is a veritable 'Year of the Rat' treasure chest prior to the Lunar New Year.However, after searching a number of CNY superstitions on the internet, I finally discovered the reason NOT to celebrate this Chinese

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-48006354851426702232008-01-30T20:55:00.000+08:002008-01-30T21:01:01.905+08:00

I have been meaning to post these two little beauties for quite some time.....Yes, a great friend of mine found these in a store here in Taipei. She took me back there and I bought a plethora (love that word!) more but these two definitely summed up a Shoe Diva's Christmas!

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-89153704208649446032008-01-26T00:28:00.001+08:002008-10-29T00:06:07.649+08:00

Yes, I have a dog.A big dog.A big, black, hair-shedding, energetic, lovely Labrador.With extreme energy levels in this new temperate climate.Allow me to take you on my dog's favourite walk here in Taipei. Funnily enough, it is called DogsHead.We leave the apartment - that's me, fifth floor. Did I mention......no elevator?We wind our way through dwellings and alley ways to hit the base of the

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-53574800781854761302007-11-09T20:45:00.000+08:002007-11-09T20:49:54.898+08:00

I had a sudden desire to post. Why? Well, for the last ten year, Fungus and I have lived on the equator or pretty darn close to it. Trust me, it is hard to remain eternally fashionable with sweat constantly running down your back.Taipei, on the other hand, has seasons! It is unbelieveable! I can actually wear some of the things I drool over in English mags. As I sit here writing on my new

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-37639902651828899142007-10-24T20:22:00.001+08:002008-10-29T00:12:43.057+08:00

When it comes to rugby, I've got all my bases covered. My Dad is from New Zealand and my Mum is from Fiji. I waited for this World Cup with bated breath. You see, I really love my rugby.So much so, it has taken me this long to even contemplate posting about New Zealand's sudden and unexpected departure from their quest for the cup. Viva la France? You must be joking.Yes, things got

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-68175585403797356912007-10-17T20:08:00.001+08:002008-10-29T00:10:40.703+08:00

So.....I have a roof top as big as my apartment. Huge bonus here in Taipei as the roof is only for me and the dog - no sharing with other tenants.......all ours.Bear in mind that this is still a work in progress. I have yet to purchase the plants and other trimmings to tame this concrete jungle. At the moment, it is still a lovely place to sit, sip wine and drink in the mountain views.As you

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-36846660397777605462007-10-12T19:26:00.001+08:002008-10-29T00:09:18.900+08:00

I realised today that I have been working overseas for ten years! Ten years! Sometimes I can't believe it myself. After all this time though, one thing remains true. In order to stay sane, you really need to make your home your haven. Never did I learn that more than my time in the Philippines - yes, you really need a place where you can close your door, sigh and really feel like you are

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-78825643406141771112007-09-15T09:16:00.001+08:002007-09-15T09:37:43.488+08:00

You know your shoe existence is getting bad when the only person getting new shoes in your house.....is the dog. After our fifth visit to IKEA to buy my new desk, Dave's new desk, shelving for the roof top study and more wine glasses (we only bought two with us because we always break them), we stumbled across a pet section in IKEA here! Yes, they luuurrrvvvveee their animals in Taipei.Gucci is

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-12471399131334862572007-09-10T20:27:00.000+08:002007-09-10T20:34:33.234+08:00

Sigh....well it has been nearly three months since I last posted! My new life and being back at work is consuming the very little free time I have.There are NO, I repeat, NO shoes in my size in Taipei. Well, there are if you count sports shoes.....and usually I do.....but I need real shoes. Shoes with heels........shoes with style......shoes that make random strangers gasp and say "Oh, I love

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-4878897766809386812007-06-16T13:22:00.001+08:002007-06-16T13:35:51.405+08:00

The greatest thing about shopping in Manila is the emergence of so many new Filipino designers - shoes, jewellry and clothing. Whatever the trend is in London Vogue, or even New York - many local designers have got their finger on the pulse and you can see these reflected in the many boutiques popping up around the city.Today I wanted to share a bit of my bling with you. As tis the season of

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-14949561119539154202007-06-11T22:19:00.000+08:002007-06-11T22:23:49.707+08:00

So.....my hard drive is out of commission (mother board needs replacing - sounds like something out of Star Trek to me), one shipment is off to Aotearoa this week, one to Taiwan next week, moving out of the house, starting a new job.........ye gods! This is beginning to sound like an expat rant!I do have the following things to blog about:new jewellry (gorgeous!)new dresses (yes, it is the

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-64852106409927534242007-05-27T11:14:00.000+08:002007-05-27T11:24:54.671+08:00

It's Sunday morning. I have the whole house to clean, two loads of washing to be done and a big, black dog who needs to have a bath. So, what do I do? Grab a coffee and catch up on the news via the brilliant New Zealand Herald of course!Cruising the Life Style pages, imagine my excitement when I find this article on the new New York shoe store so big it is going to have its own ZIP CODE! Hmmm

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-39148484887204844592007-05-20T22:03:00.000+08:002007-05-27T11:25:22.783+08:00

I must admit, when I saw that major platforms and rounded toes were filling the runways, I thought it might be a passing fad. I used to own the most amazing black suede strappy platform wedge type shoes back in my university days. I actually think I took a student loan to pay for them!So as ever the slave to fashion, I have a total of four platform shoes in my wardrobe:pumpsslingbacksslouch

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-38942767311935243022007-05-20T21:52:00.000+08:002007-05-27T11:25:38.954+08:00

I am really, really impressed at how SuperKimbo and IntrepidFlame create these fantastic links in their blog posts. I think I have figured it out so here goes.Want to see the latest 'Kate loves Topshop' collection. Check it out here!If this doesn't work, I really am a blog retard.

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-71378469456938705002007-05-20T19:30:00.000+08:002007-05-20T21:29:16.665+08:00

Some of you know that I am a teacher. Some of you think I am just an expat with too many shoes and too much time on her hands. Come August, after my illustrious year of sabbatical, I go back to the international classroom in Taiwan.However, despite swearing off teaching FOREVER after leaving Malaysia, I discovered that the Australia New Zealand Association here in Manila was in need of

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-70309396233054764832007-05-15T14:15:00.000+08:002007-05-15T14:33:20.671+08:00

A number of my posts of late have been about touch rugby. I play a lot of it, I love it, we have fashionable uniforms and of course, it is another excuse to buy SHOES!Here is my touch rugby collection:Tried and true - Nike Turf shoes, perfect for the dry fields we play on during summer in the Philippines. Plus, an added bonus is that they are in white leather which is reminiscent of a certain

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-89433022382239344102007-05-15T12:58:00.000+08:002007-05-15T14:14:34.507+08:00

My good friend at Intrepid Flame tagged me for a meme (I still don't know what that means!) about music. He has great taste in music, I respect his taste and we agree on most hip-hop. So, I have agreed to do it and goes a little something like this:1. Go to www.popculturemadness.com2. Pick the year you turned 18.3. Get yourself nostalgic over the 'Songs of the Year'.4. Write something about

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-75718003563539144782007-05-10T12:44:00.000+08:002007-05-10T12:46:57.309+08:00

All I can say is.....why didn't we see anything like this in Pattaya?He may be a Cantabrian but looking at those legs, I think we can forgive Dan Carter. Just this once.

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-59493939405348038152007-05-08T13:14:00.000+08:002007-05-08T13:40:24.418+08:00

If you have ever been on a sports tour of any kind, there is the unwritten rule of "What goes on tour, stays on tour". As a committed member of the Nomads Bullettes, there is absolutely no way I am going to flout that rule in any way whatsoever.I sit here today completely knackered. I have suffering from the worst bad hair day in history, there is still 40% proof tequila running through my

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-48968778865881774302007-05-08T11:59:00.000+08:002007-05-08T12:03:12.311+08:00

THIS WAS SENT TO ME FROM A DEAR KIWI FRIEND - STRAIGHT OFF THE PAGES OF THE MOST EXCELLENT NEW ZEALAND HERALD. IF YOU ARE ONE WHO MAKES CONSTANT FASHION FAUX PAS, YOU NEED TO READ ON..........If you don't want to make a faux pas in front of the in-crowd, then we can help you become one of them.If a friend told you she was wearing covert couture with fashion-forward pickle-stabbers and she felt

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-15467841118790523422007-04-18T22:12:00.000+08:002007-04-18T22:15:56.388+08:00

Picture the scene if you will:The theme is 'Brazil'.There is an open bar.Girls love a theme.We are at a "trans-gender" bar and cabaret show in the heart of Metro Manila.CARNAGE.Enjoy.....

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-73072942982388882162007-04-08T21:33:00.000+08:002007-04-08T21:40:29.456+08:00

For those of you who know me well, you have only EVER known me with curly hair. Like my husband and my mother tell me constantly, I am me with curly hair, it matches my personality (effervescent and absolutely charming, by the way) and it is my Fijian heritage. Of course, I know all this. I do. I grew to sort of embrace my curliness and I loved that it was a symbol of my heritage (despite

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-89670065676009345442007-04-08T21:01:00.000+08:002007-04-08T21:29:40.929+08:00

I know, I know, I am meant to write about fashion! And shoes! But I beg you to forgive me as Fungus and I have just come back from the most fabulous holiday......and I really, really need to share our experience.I promise I will slip some fashion in here somewhere. Really. I promise.As we are due to leave the sunny shores of the Philippines for the exotic shores of Taiwan, we figured we

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-81850813310527074442007-03-09T14:03:00.000+08:002007-03-09T14:15:01.496+08:00

I have not blogged in forever. Life just gets in the way at the moment. Tomorrow is the ANZA Grand Charity Ball - as a member of the committee, it seems that this event has consumed every moment of my time over the last three months. I have organised over 30 corporate prizes, one social event for expatriate women, two written articles for a magazine and countless hours in the car to-ing and

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-9488255435038893592007-02-16T02:33:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:52:29.654+08:00

I have been away for the keyboard for some time. But never fear......I'm back!I don't know if any of you have found the blog called "Three Beautiful Things" - a woman in England blogs daily about three beautiful things in her day, everyday. Addictive reading and it has started a real movement.I, however, can not commit to everyday but for today at least, here are my three beautiful things:1.

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1168662265026780152007-01-13T12:03:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:54:52.944+08:00

As I return from the hurricane gales of Edinburgh and the crisp, cold days in England, I noted that there are two camps on my blog - those who love skinny jeans and those who oppose them with a passion.It seems timely then that I write this post. You see, yesterday I tried on the most amazing, fabulous, gorgeous, fitted skinny black jeans by True Religion. The best bit is that my husband paid

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1165382052423479252006-12-06T13:14:00.000+08:002006-12-06T13:42:07.290+08:00

Icebergs off NZIf you have watched the film "An Inconvenient Truth", you will understand why this short clip from YouTube is so terrifying.....

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1165379634598897992006-12-06T12:14:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:59:42.399+08:00

I know that I spend my time thinking about things which are far too frivolous in today's world. I think about things like shoe styles, whether my wardrobe needs another update or whether my husband will notice a deviation in our budget when I say I am grocery shopping (but really was salivating over the new heels in Gucci).This past week, I have had time to ponder bigger things.Firstly, a dear

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1163661129704467802006-11-16T15:09:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:56:25.579+08:00

I often lament the fact that 'The Gap' does not have stores in South East Asia. Sure, there is a Hong Kong version such as Giordano but it doesn't quite cut it at times.Imagine my surprise when out walking in Singapore the other weekend, a bus rolled past advertising the three new Gap stores newly opened in the city of the Merlion! I don't remember the rest of the walk to my brother's as

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1163660954356877512006-11-16T15:07:00.000+08:002006-11-17T14:01:19.826+08:00

Aside from shoes, one of the greatest fashion assets is a good book. Not only does it make you look semi-intelligent to tote these words of wisdom with you, the book cover can sometimes be matched to your outfit of the day! This post is actually prompted by my good friend M who recently emailed with some of the great books she has been reading:"A Long Way Down" by Nick Hornby"A Spot of Bother"

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1163603961362438392006-11-15T22:43:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:56:45.056+08:00

Teaching is never a profession associated with the heights of fashion. I mean, teachers are meant to be those people in the world shaping the minds of the young and impressionable. So tell me then, why are most teachers so bloody unfashionable? It truly is a conundrum.In my ten years of teaching, I have experienced so many fashion faux pas that I wanted to offer a class at various conferences

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1162450473682147682006-11-02T14:54:00.000+08:002006-11-17T12:59:56.850+08:00

create your own visited countries mapThanks to Super Kimbo for showing this first and then BZ for his forays around the globe. Thought I would post mine too for a laugh - I am a visual learner.

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1162276636706112532006-10-31T14:31:00.000+08:002006-11-02T17:22:19.360+08:00

I was just reading another great post from the Bargain Queen and saw that she had me linked under 'Fashion'. Shock, horror, I realised that my blogging addiction had veered dramatically from the path of shoes to boring things like Halloween and rugby!I had to slap myself silly and repeat "I am a Shoe Diva, I am a Shoe Diva" and quickly go and take photos of my shoe collection.Today, we are

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1162268193705170392006-10-31T12:03:00.000+08:002006-10-31T12:51:02.520+08:00

Growing up in New Zealand doesn't prepare you for the big business of holidays. In one sense, we are much like the British. We celebrate Christmas, New Year, Easter, and Guy Fawkes in an almost conservative fashion. You don't see flashing reindeer or Jack-o-Lantern displays on the front lawns, complete with laser light shows and professional decorators. Why spend fortunes on a Christmas or

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1162183701255895402006-10-30T12:33:00.000+08:002007-03-09T14:00:25.268+08:00

I haven't found the time to blog in ages - it is almost like an obsession some weeks and gets pushed to the back-burner at other times. Suffice to say, I am back in action.One of the things which occupies alot of my time here in Manila is womens touch rugby. I play for an awesome club called the Manila Nomads. Not only do we train twice a week and play on weekends but the club is also involved

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1161009313822702982006-10-16T22:28:00.000+08:002006-10-17T17:14:35.406+08:00

It is hard to believe that two years ago, 16 October 2004, Grooving Fungus and I got hitched!We celebrated our two years in style, having dinner at the very same restaurant where we had our first date. Being back in the Philippines helped I guess since we have returned to the country where we first met. L'Incontro was the restaurant, a fabulous little Italian that hasn't changed a bit. Papa

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1159949664839425012006-10-04T16:04:00.000+08:002006-10-04T16:23:04.523+08:00

Puan Besar inspired me - she recently posted about Q's top ten songs and then her own (which make a lot more sense me thinks). And although I can see the musical merits of Nirvana, my world of music centres mainly around hip hop and r'n'b (no Fungus, Muddy Waters will not count in this case). Some may think this sad at the age of 32 but I really don't care. If you have never delved into the

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1159944481234189242006-10-04T14:38:00.000+08:002006-10-04T14:51:54.363+08:00

I have lived in South East Asia for nine years. I have adapted, evolved and moulded my fashion style to suit the constant feeling of sweat trickling down my back. So, you would think when I was faced with the dilemma of a beach wedding in early 2005 I would know EXACTLY what to wear. Think again.Armed with a big wad of cash, I went shopping for a "wedding outfit". This is what I ended up

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1159941669356879982006-10-04T13:59:00.000+08:002006-10-04T14:36:45.600+08:00

What do you do when you survive 260 kmph winds, torrential rain, no running water or electricity and afterwards you emerge to be faced with scenes like this?Survival Tip #1: Drive two hours south and catch a banca across to a tropical island.Survival Tip #2: Drink a heinous amount of shots summed up as a "Shark Attack".Survival Tip #3: Dance around and sing really loudly to songs like 'Bohemian

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1158908544783640432006-09-22T14:41:00.000+08:002006-09-22T15:02:24.860+08:00

We have decided to go to England for Christmas. Grooving Fungus is homesick for rain, grey skies and cold mornings.......and that's an English summer.No, seriously, we do have to divide our Christmas time between NZ and England and we haven't been back to ole' Blighty for about four years. It can be exciting to spend Christmas in your winter woolies as Kiwi Christmas recollections all revolve

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1158814654068713862006-09-21T12:54:00.000+08:002006-09-21T12:57:34.080+08:00

How many of you have seen the new Gucci Fall ad campaign? I want to buy EVERYTHING they make. Number #1 on my "I WANT, I NEED BUT I CAN'T AFFORD" list are the following Gucci boots:I am in love with these boots. My husband is already hiding his wallet.

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1158382548660118292006-09-16T12:43:00.000+08:002006-09-16T12:55:48.746+08:00

If you were a millionaire, slim, well educated, connected and gorgeous, would you advertise for a partner in the weekend edition of the International Herald Tribune?This from "Gabriele Thiers-Bense", some Swiss international match-maker (and all the punctuation/grammar errors are for real):A SUPREME CLASS DEMANDS RELIABLE PROTECTION OF PRIVACY IT IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST DISCRETION...!FRANCE -

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1158220420042810532006-09-14T15:52:00.000+08:002006-09-14T16:16:08.513+08:00

I just remembered that I hadn't posted a shoe this week - for that one person who reads my blog, my apologies.I fell in love with these shoes as soon as I saw them. Again, bought in TopShop (shame on me) in Singapore.I love the brown suede with the gold twist - my best memory in these shoes was wearing them with a gold leather belted outfit and being called "Wonder Woman". In reality, these

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1158219086850332752006-09-14T15:09:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:58:55.491+08:00

The coolest thing about the Philippines is how easy it is to have a social life here. As a teacher on the international network, it has always been easy to find a few good mates within the school community. However, even that gets more than a little incestuous and can be like living in a goldfish bowl.I didn't know how I was going to cope being a fish out of water, taking the plunge and (gasp)

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1157378486780134382006-09-04T22:00:00.000+08:002006-09-07T21:11:32.646+08:00

OK, today I need help. The pair of shoes here are on their way out.........they are defunct, or so I think.The round toe is still in - evident in the fab flats and ballet pumps out there. However, these have a little heel - does it work or doesn't it? The shoes are comfy, they are leather, groovy colours...... Are they still cool? Or are they on the wrong side of the fashion neighbourhood

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1156836720654779762006-08-29T15:28:00.000+08:002007-03-09T13:57:06.161+08:00

I went to the coolest vintage bazaar the other weekend! It was held at the Rockwell Tent outside Power Plant Mall, which is a groovy mall with a lot of small boutique style shops (as well as the obligatory Kenneth Cole, Ann Klein, etc).The best thing about this bazaar was it showcased up and coming Filipino designers. Along with that, numerous stalls were dedicated to 'kitsch' as well as

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1156836423902054862006-08-29T15:20:00.000+08:002006-08-29T15:27:03.910+08:00

If you want a great bargain, you buy shoes at Cartimar Market in Metro Manila. They are the real deal (well, most of the time.....to a trained eye) and are cheap, cheap, cheap!Whether inspired by Charlie on 'Lost' or just because I felt like a bit of a skater chick that day, I picked these Vans up for 500 pesos (Kiwis interpret that as NZ$15!!) or as Dave said, five quid for a Pom. Bargain!Wear

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1156143669277073222006-08-21T14:45:00.000+08:002006-08-21T15:01:09.286+08:00

Would you believe it was my husband who gave me the idea for these weekly posts? Yes, he knows me well.Every week, I will attempt to show case my ever expanding shoe collection. Not only can you see where all his money goes, you might just pick up some handy fashion tips.I will talk about the shoe, where I bought it and how I plan to use it within my wardrobe. Interesting and superficial - yep

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1156142418315436942006-08-21T14:14:00.000+08:002006-08-21T14:44:13.183+08:00

Every so often, in a shoe's lifetime, it is time to go. For every shoe diva out there, you know what a traumatic experience this can be. It is giving up memories, outfit pairings and an empty shoebox that was once an integral part of your fashion consciousness.Today, that time came for me. Of course I would NEVER admit I have too many shoes. Like the saying goes "You can never have too many

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1155698037456185802006-08-16T10:34:00.000+08:002006-09-07T20:28:49.443+08:00

As promised, many many times, here are a number of photos of the house. I take them with some trepidation as seriously, no photo could do this house justice. No really - it is so beautiful and we can't seem to capture that with our digital cameras. My Minolta produces much better quality but my techie skills haven't yet reached the scanner - waiting for that husband of mine to help me out

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1155547833307050582006-08-14T17:27:00.000+08:002006-08-14T17:32:49.766+08:00

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1155545608368161112006-08-14T16:00:00.000+08:002006-08-14T17:14:47.156+08:00

I don't know how many of you out there have read a lot of literature by New Zealand writers. One of my favourites is called "The Matriarch" by Witi Ihimaera. Witi Ihimaeara is an incredibly talented Maori author whose books touch on every aspect of Maori spirituality and culture, integrated with true elements of Kiwi life."The Matriarch" is not only about a wonderful kuia, head of three Maori

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1155117705664228782006-08-09T17:16:00.001+08:002006-08-09T18:01:45.670+08:00

It was really weird the first time my eldest brother became a father. He was genetically predisposed to be a father and husband since birth, but still it was weird. My brother was........a Dad!It was even weirder to go home to New Zealand in January and see my best friend as a mother. The last I had seen her was in July, pregnant and three weeks away from delivery. Not only that but she was

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1154939142407068232006-08-07T15:46:00.000+08:002006-08-07T16:25:42.416+08:00

Last week I found myself at dinner with a friend of my husband and his girlfriend. OK, let me be honest, she wasn't just his girlfriend. She was also an incredibly beautiful model. Yes, flawless skin, figure-to-die-for and a lovely person. Intimidated? Me? Absolutely!When you get two women at a dinner table, regardless of their flawless skin, what happens? They talk. About shoes. And

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32315596.post-1154935860962331972006-08-07T15:22:00.000+08:002006-08-07T15:31:00.973+08:00

My husband Dave and a good friend, Jabiz, have been trying to hook me into blog spaces for quite some time. I must admit, the idea seemed cool but I just didn't have the time. Up until a couple of months ago, I have been working full time in international schools. I just couldn't find the time. Truly. Those teachers reading this know what it is like to juggle life at home, a social life,

Fiwibabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14294953361026493468noreply@blogger.com1