I am please to report that the partners of Del Toro Shoes are shipping me what I am sure will be a perfect pair of custom monogrammed velvet slippers. The quality of the shoe was never in question, just a few administrative glitches, so I am giddy to be awaiting a new pair. Mr. Chevallard did let me know that they have found a new manufacturer who provides more consistent sizing; still, fit models are available to ensure you get exactly what you need.

Through the month of July Del Toro will offer Mrs. Blandings readers at 10% discount on their order (just enter “gz” at check-out.) Women’s shoes are available in black, green and blue velvet; men’s choice are the same with the addition of colorful linen. Embroidery choices abound. You could choose this graphic bull if you are gearing up for the American Royal and would like an alternative to boots.

A crisp and clean nautical flag appeals though I rarely put my foot aboard a boat.

Ocean, sporting, collegiate, they have it. Custom is available. Their prices are quite good; $165 for a classic slipper, $185 for a standard embroidery, $195 for custom monogram and $265 for a custom image. It’s a young company, they’ve had some growing pains, but I think they are on the right track. Let me know if you order and if you’re happy when you receive your shoes. I’ll do the same.

Does this have a name? This putting of porcelain on brackets? Some wonderful French bon mot that describes it wrying and succinctly?

My grandmother had a collection of dime store birds that were scattered about her living room, tchotchkes come to roost as if she had scattered glass bird seed on the tabletops. Why not give them higher perches and feather your nest with a flock of cocktails instead?

Only, if I were going to, you know, collect friends fowl or feted, I’d collect David Cleverly’s pottery instead.

Beasts abound and one could easily amass a barnyard’s worth (including and especially pups, which are on my mind as a local shelter has a new litter of Boxers.)

But I think I’d rather turn my wall of brackets into a trophy case of Cleverly’s clever take on historical figures.

Can’t you see them, formally displayed, giggling from behind their glaze?

They usually appear with those furred or feathered which doubles the appeal.

You can find more about David Cleverly Ceramics here, including process and pages of his work.

Images from top, residence of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Paravicini, from the Millar and Harris Archive, English Heritage, National Monuments Record, from The Great Lady Decorators by Adam Lewis, published by Rizzoli; Hunting Room at Clandon Park, Surry, image from the National Trust, via Toby Worthington’s guest post on Emily Evans Eerdmans’s blog; the remaining from David Cleverly’s site.