Mass Market preparation

Mass Market is on SUNDAY! So, all of my free time has been spent getting things in order.

I bought some ugly glossy white tags at the store, and had to take things into my own hands. This was my little tea-stain process in each little phase of the game!

I'm a bit stressed out because I don't think I have enough clothing, but I think Alice is having similar feelings with all of her hand-mades.

AH! I need to get off the internet, and start working on things!
More to come!

Shades of summer

On my thrifting excursion the other week, I came across a slew of beaded necklaces. They were all individual pieces, but just happened to be sorted by complimentary colors—shades of pinks and purples together on one hook (like a gorgeous Bali sunset) and pale blues, green and gray on another (so cool and calming). I loved the hues together and so after I bought them (for about $1 each) and got them home, I hooked them all together to create two big necklaces that I could easily throw on whenever I wanted. I think the results are really pretty—and, as they say, the price is right.


Pardon the plain white tee. I could tell you that I wanted to show them off on a basic background, but the truth is, I haven't bothered to change out of my jammies today.

A great show of spring fashion

So they're really keeping me busy over there at Washingtonian.com. Up today is the first part of my coverage of Marymount University's senior fashion show last week—snaps of some of my favorite outfits worn to the pre-show reception and luncheon. (Can you believe that maxi dress at the bottom left is from Victoria's Secret? And on sale? It seriously looked amazing in person. Also, I may have come home and ordered one for myself immediately. {Update} Unfortunately, the dress they sent is not the one that they had pictured on the page before. {It appears the link has since been updated since my order.} Maybe I missed the fine print somewhere? In any case, boooo.)

The whole event was great fun: I got to swap stories with Cynthia Rowley (my Q&A with her will go up tomorrow) and catch a really cool runway show (which will be posted about on Friday. Several of the designers created great tulle pieces, so I was pretty deliriously happy.) Oh, and did I mention that Christian Siriano was there? He is so incredibly tiny and seemed like tons of fun. (Plus! He and Nina Garcia will be on Ugly Betty tomorrow night. It looks hilarious.)

Thomas the Tank Engine, Superman, and Lucy

So I am still undecided about the Twiggy cut. But now I feel like after getting my (and maybe even your) hopes up that it would be really disappointing if I didn't change my hair at all.

On a different note, a few days ago on Hel-Looks I saw a picture of a girl and it gave me a really great idea. She had a little kid cartoon character mini-backpack. Last week I saw my sister's friend with the same idea. I think it's pretty cool, actually. I don't know why but I really like the look. It's playful and daring and bold.
This one is from Target:
It costs $13, money I for one am not willing to pay for such a thing, but I will probably end up finding a cheaper one at a drugstore near my school.

Also, in both American Vogue and Nylon, I found an editorial based on Superheros. It was pretty neat! Being a comic nerd, I was very appreciative of these features. And the fact that both they're both American magazines makes me wonder if we're behind the trends or just setting them? Oh well. I try not to follow that stuff, haha.
The pictures below are from Vogue-I couldn't locate Nylon's pictures, though I personally liked it better. It was more realistic and gave me more ideas, this one wasn't very inspirational to me at all. Artistic and cool to look at, but I didn't spend 20 minutes trying to adapt the outfits like I did with Nylon.
Also, while watching I Love Lucy the other night (when you don't have cable you actually pay attention to the good stuff on television), I noticed that I really do love Lucy, her clothes, especially. These pictures depict her best comical and fashion moments on screen.
Forget Twiggy, I'm gettin' red curls!
Ha, could you imagine?!?

Photo credits: target.com, style.com

Better late than never! Live-blogging Gossip Girl

Ah, yes. Well. Due to some technical difficulties, we are a little behind on this, but we do think our style points are still valid, and so, here you go! Those of you who would prefer a more concise version of our personally selected GG highlights can find exactly that over here.

8:01pm: We start with a frenetic SAT montage. Wait, producers, you're going too fast for me to see the eye candy! Ooooh! Cute vocabulary flash cards alert!

8:02pm: Oversized headband count: 2 (gold with a big bow, basic black)

8:04pm: Headband count: 3 (red with a oversized brooch above the right ear)

8:05pm: Chuck's bright orange coat is slightly overly day-glo. The color works way better on Serena's fingerless gloves.

8:06pm: Headband count: 5 (textured silver, bright yellow)

8:07pm: The triumphant and much-anticipated arrival of Georgina, aka Michelle Trachtenberg! We dig the bold blue scarf, G. (It's not unlike the one the Sartorialist was sporting around D.C. when he was here for his gallery opening. Is a bold blue scarf the new black?)

8:11pm: On even closer inspection, Georgina's makeup is really incredibly flawless.

8:11pm, part 2: Headband count: 6 (skinny this time, with a little purple accent)

8:12pm: Cute boy alert! Cute pug alert!

8:13pm: I love Vanessa, but I've never been a fan of the gold door-knocker earrings. We get it. She's Brooklyn. Let's move on to something fun and cute and significantly subtler.

8:14pm: Well, apparently, big earrings are back for everyone. Georgina's rocking some seriously distracting huge royal blue hoops as well.

8:15pm: Headband count: 8 (purple silk, skinny white patent). Also Blair's humongous polka-dot bow-neck blouse is faaaabulous.

8:18pm: I'm definitely digging Chuck's kelly green and white striped v-neck sweater (and the clashing plaid peeking out from underneath). I guess bright colors are in for boys this spring too.

8:25pm: Chuck is now rocking the bright red! I dig it, Chuck. You go with your colorful self. (Spotted in the background: Super-hot pink tights! Swoon.)

8:26pm: Headband count: 10 (green and black striped with bow)

8:27pm: Headband count: 12 (embellished red, wide black). Also a very cute bright yellow umbrella.

8:28pm: Nice cape, B! We love the plaid lining. But that diamond-pattern sweater? Ew, not so much.

8:29pm: I generally find that electric green a really bad outfit choice, but Vanessa is still managing to look pretty cute in the diner. I particularly like her rosy, flushed-by-flirting cheeks.

8:30pm: Georgina is wearing some seriously fierce heels. Also some less fabulous rubbery-looking leggings. Serena continues to look uncharacteristically uncute. What's up with that blah mint green bead necklace?

8:35pm: Embroidered purple sweater, short leggings and exposed red bra strap, Jenny? Hmmm…. not so much. But the sleek bob you're sporting now is fab.

8:36pm: Headband count: 13, 14 & 15 (goldish, white, black)

8:38pm: I am enjoying Vanessa's shrunken black leather jacket. Plus, she and Nate make a really cute couple. Ooooh! Kissing!

8:39pm: That Michelle Trachtenberg can really rock a smoky eye and a glossy ruby lip. Buffy's little sister is officially all growns up!

8:47pm: If my hair looked as good as Serena's when I rolled out of bed (after being roofied and subsequently partying all night to boot), I'd be a very happy girl.

8:48pm: Nate rocks a cute double-breasted navy blazer! Vanessa rocks… those door-knocker earrings again. Really, we were over them back when they were on Sex and the City. Yes, she's so urban! The point has been made!

8:50pm: Headband count: 16 (knotted hot pink). Boy, those kids really dress up for their SATs. If I recall, I wore my field hockey uniform (we had a game immediately afterwards). Still, I do think my pleated hockey kilt would actually go over well in the Gossip Girl costume department.

8:54pm: I take that back. Blair's neck brooch and buttoned-up blouse is more grandma than groovy. But is that Balenciaga we see? I actually like the cream and white contrasting blazer. An unexpected color combination, but it's kinda cool.

8:55pm: Chuck rocks the vibrant purple cardigan and the daffodil yellow pants. (Wow, they're really going overboard with this new signature look, aren't they?) And also a pastel color-block gingham oxford that I'm pretty sure I owned a similar version of back in 1989.

8:57pm: Oooh. The drama is distracting me from the fashion. I do like Serena's gauzy white scarf, however. I guess they decided that Georgina always wears royal blue.

8:58pm: Cute boy alert again! So far, I like this Asher. Very clean-cut. Plus, he loves hot dogs. How can you fault a guy that loves hot dogs? And actual dogs?

9:00pm: Remember how great "Scenes" clips were at the end of 90210 and Melrose Place? The Gossip Girl editors definitely need to take a cue from that and give us more meat to look forward to. Particularly now that the secretly gay character has been openly revealed in the gossip columns. (Oh, you didn't hear? My lips are sealed, but it's an easy guess.)

9:01pm: Also, can they just kill One Tree Hill already? I don't watch it anymore, but I feel it's suffering a long, painful, ridiculous dramedy death.

Art in Reality

Can Chie Mihara do no wrong?

Obviously, she cannot. Do any wrong, I mean. Because just look at these gorgeous Boutonniere Sandals, via oh happy day.

{The only thing that is disagreeable is the $328 price tag. But finally! Have I at last found a DIY project for all those flower pins I bought years ago?}

chloe doing bird.

Chloe Sevigny in the latest Issue of Doingbird.
Shot by Maciek Kobielski, who did some strong strong photography.

It's eyecatching, not over the top, but not that clean either! Love them.


source: aliensf.

In which I discover a tiny slice of sewing heaven

If you managed to click over to my Bethesda vintage/thrift store piece, you would know that the highlight of my trip (after the slew of really awesome finds—the $8 record player? amazing!—and trying on real, actual YSL vintage) was discovering the Bethesda store Accessories of Old. I literally stumbled upon it while walking around the neighborhood, and I'm so glad I did. Honestly, if there was a special heaven for sewers that loved vintage, this would be it.




I've never seen anything like it. Everything in the store—from the buttons to the ribbons to the various accessories, like barrettes and brooches—is authentically vintage and often in the original packaging. The owners, Andrew and Lisa, have filled the store with the huge amount of leftovers from Lisa's grandfather's sewing supply store, which opened in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1918 and was stocked with gorgeous items from Europe and beyond. For those of you who don't have Bethesda on your current travel radar, they also sell online. (Etsy crafters, take note!)



We are personally making up a shopping list for a major return trip soon. First up: All of our favorite cardigans are getting a makeover with vintage buttons. Next up: We are definitely making retro cocktail rings out of some of those really elaborate buttons! And then: We will learn to sew something that requires trim. Lots and lots of amazing trim. Sigh…

Glad about Gladiators*

I hadn't been particularly feeling the gladiator trend so far this season, but this Stuart Weitzman Gladio version ($265, in silver or gold) might have just made me change my mind. Gorgeous! Via the DCGF.

And while I'm at it, I might as well throw in these lipstick red heels ($299) too. Such glossy, fire engine-y, super-fierce goodness. Drooool.


*Yes, this is really the best title I could come up with. It's been a looong day.

!!!!

I swear, it's so easy for me to turn into a slug, and I by this I mean .. I end up with absolutely no motivation for anything. But, the ever so lovely Rhiannon of Liebemarlene Vintage always, always seems to have a knack for keeping me inspired! That girl, I don't even know where to start...! Whether it's her perfectly pieced outfits, her ebay store (I swear, I always want everything she lists for sale!) or her blog (one of my favorites) ... this girl doesn't stop! She always seems to have something new up her sleeve and is definitely living the dream life - living in the charm of the South and filling her days with trips to the thrift store for beautiful vintage pieces to sell online. I really only wish that we lived closer to each other because I would love to run around the city with her!

I asked Rhiannon to do a swap a long, long while ago - and I'm soo happy we did! It was so much fun shopping for her and I couldn't be more happy with everything she sent! And you know, I really don't know how she did it, but everything she sent fits so well!!!!

I have this lovely little summer outfit I put together around the perfect blouse she sent... which, I think she must have read my mind, because I've been on the hunt for something just like this! It reminds me of something Libby would wear in Carnivale. (yes, cheesy HBO show - but with the most perfect costume/set design) Oh, and the little bracelet resting on the bag is so precious with little bananas hanging off the chain!



And then there's the lovely little embroidery, which really goes quite nicely with the others!


I put this skirt on immediately! It fits so, so perfectly, and I can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow. And let me just say, that these poor shoes were in a rough state before I received the package. You see, the bows on them fell off a while ago and I thought that the things were put into their box for good... however, Rhiannon enclosed these white bow shoe clips that fixed the situation perfectly!!!!



My boyfriend suggested I write one of those silly little name poems to say thanks.. you know the kind you do in grade school where you spell the name out and put an adjective next to each letter.... I will have to think of just the right adjectives and enclose it in the second box I'm sending since I forgot a few things, and found a few more!

In the mean time.... Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Is it just us…

…or is this Mike & Chris trench possibly the most perfect coat ever?



This $330 piece of extreme goodness is via our good friends over at Fashion Binge.

new things!

The Southern NH thrift store was a BUST. Seven stores, and I bought ... hangers. I'm not joking. Luckily, we went to the Antique Gallery in Concord, NH where I made some very good purchases..

I first saw this lovely vintage 30's cashmere/fur cardigan tucked away in a corner.


As I was standing at the register to pay, I realized that the cardigan was hanging on the most perfect thing in the entire store..


I couldn't leave this behind, and eventually it will be a headboard... for now - I plan on using it for the flea market this weekend and for photographing clothing to sell. It's so perfect for the color scheme of my new room (yes, major changes to come!) and there are the loveliest details when you look close at the fabric and woodwork!

I've been a lazy rat about photographing things - but two weekends ago I realized that Boston has Goodwill bins, and boyyy, did I make out like a little bandit.

I found soo much! The shoes were my favorite part, however after searching for way tooo long for one missing shoe to what could have been a beautiful pair, I got frustrated and had to leave. I'd say that's the only downfall to the marvelous, marvelous bins... the fact that shoes get separated from each other so easily.. oh, and also the grime factor... but, it's worth it.

stacked heel perfection..size 8, just a bit too small - ebay at some point


Vintage suede Salvatore Ferragamo! I put them on my feet and it felt like clouds. I'm keeping them for now, they're just too comfortable!


Vintage Carel Paris ... these feel like they're insanely old! I'm not sure which era they're from, any ideas?


This lovely little suede number will be for sale at the flea market:


As well as this great weekender bag - no weird ickly inside odor, which is a rarity with thrift store bags!


......... A few hours at the Goodwill bins turned out more things then 7 thrift stores. Yikes.

oh, and also ... my shorts came!