Odds and Ends- End of Daylight Savings Edition

Does ANYONE, who is not an NHL employee, give a flying leap that the league is on strike against its players? Would anyone notice if they stayed gone?

My brother from a different mother ADG has long and certifiable Tom Wolfe adulation bonafides. Google has rewarded his admiration by using a photo from his blog as the face of Mr. Wolfe on their search page.

The post man brought these this week from Broadland Slippers. They have hardly left my feet since.

The best description I've ever read of the iconic Judy Garland Classic.

Maybe-Maybe Not

Don't forget to set the clocks. Spring forward, fall back. It is now fall.

Toad

My Christmas kicks have arrived

Have I mentioned my bride despises my Albert slippers? She finds them effeminate, and nothing I can or do say is likely to change her mind. Over time she has become less vocal about it, unless or until another pair arrives. My Christmas present to myself arrived yesterday which once again opened the floodgates.

I was unsure how they would turn out. Of course, I had a photo of the swatch recommended by Shaun and Mike of Broadlands Slippers, but heaven only knows where the colors my monitor shows and reality coincide.

I love them, out of the box they just felt perfect. Today, they are my favorite pair, although that hasn't kept me from thinking about my next. With an 10 week lag from inspiration to delivery, mayhaps something for spring would be in order. Linen? Available for boys and girls, tell 'em I said hi.

Toad

My Christmas Present

Do you buy yourself presents? When circumstances permit, I do. Last Christmas I ordered a pair of slippers from Broadland Slippers.

They were so comfy, I asked them to make something special for my birthday. Sean and Mike mentioned that they had a piece of tartan available. I agreed before they they could change their minds.

While memorizing every photograph in Fiona Dreesmann's The Gentleman's Slipper I had the itch to add to my collection. I had something off the shelf in mind but nothing I felt strongly about. The boy's recommended this tartan with navy lining instead.


How could Toad, Laird of Dunnans Castle refuse tartan?

Toad

Toad

My fall Go-To outfit 2011

This should scare the trick or treaters.

Orvis black watch wool trousers and cream cotton turtleneck.

Black velvet jacket and navy Broadland Albert's

toad

Tartan Albert's

I had ordered a pair of Albert Slippers from Del Toro last fall, liked them and wrote about my experiences, which was/is favorable. Ever since I have been on the butt end of blistering communiques from those who acted upon my recommendation and have found Del Toro near impossible to work with. For that I'm sad, I apologize. I want to think it's growing pains, but that should never become the customers problem. Consequently,until we hear otherwise, I urge caution when dealing with Del Toro. We are becoming too set in our ways to seek out more hassles in our lives. Which is unfortunate, since I badly want a pair of their new linen style.

Towards the end of January I wrote about how well I liked my Broadland Albert slippers. I liked their bespoke sizing, their pricing, turn around time and generally how well they kept me informed of the who, what, where, whens. I liked my slippers so much, I immediately ordered another pair.

This time in leather lined, Blackwatch tartan.

They arrived Wednesday, just in time for National Tartan Day. Everything I said I liked about Broadland the first time, I say again, only more so.

Toad

Consider it Research

We've (that's royal) come to like Prince Albert slippers a lot, so while planning holiday festivities it became obvious we needed another pair, but from where?

Several obstacles leapt to mind.

Now that I'm part Scot the $400+ Shipton and Heneage's were out of the picture*.

I like my Del Toro's, but maybe there is something else to try.

Finally, there is the problem of getting the size right, especially when buying blind.

I ordered a pair of blue embroidered Albert's from Broadland Slippers in the UK, for 2 reasons.

They were priced right, GBP 115 less Vat* to the US

I liked they way they did business.

After placing my order I received an email questionnaire asking the usual questions, what size shoe did I wear, which brand did I prefer, sox, no sox, etc.

The kicker came next. Their follow up email was a series of photos, and directions. "Take a tape measure, measure your right foot like this, here then here. Now do the left. What are the numbers"

Since the slippers were made to order, instead of shoehorning their customers into an indeterminate size, they make slippers to fit their clients feet. If you are hard to fit, this is a great option. Along with the numbers I included photos showing the tape around my feet, to minimize misunderstanding.

The results: outstanding.

Yes, of course women's sizes and other styles are available.



* I know that several styles of S&H are the same price as Broadland and may try a pair in my clan tartan.

For now I'm very satisfied, with the slippers, the service and recommend Broadland highly.

Toad