from the vault.

of course i couldn't go back to north carolina and not visit design archives*, the shop where i once worked and which truly nurtured my love and lust for all things old [and often raggedy]. while packing all of my things away and carting seven bags of stuff away to thrift stores, the curb or design archives was a real chore and emotionally pretty draining, it was also a real thrill to let go and have less........for a minute anyway haha. i was good tho, restraining like i never have before. and leaving in the end with only one bag.

i spent the better part of two days with kit and co., once kit let me into the back where the archives [recently frequented for 'inspiration' by designers from anthropologie among others....] rest, there was no turning back.

like a kid in a candy store [sometimes i think it's more like crack than candy!] i dove in head first and didn't want to leave.

every time i thought i was making progress i discovered a new unturned mound of stuff. i started a 'jess' pile and on the second day went back for more, to try my pile on but of course couldn't resist going back in the archive rooms for one more peek. a few of the regular customers came in too and it was like i'd never left! i felt like cinderella.

i had to go thru my loot several times and narrow it down to only the things i couldn't live without. there are a few photos for you here and you're guaranteed to see these and others if you check back here...wink.

the hi-lite are these 1940 tap shorts, the perfect fit, the perfect everything. if we have a real summer in london this year you betcha i'll be wearin' these out.

i've got my whole spring-summer wardrobe now so spring please hurry back. i'm currently on the hunt for the perfect shoes.

i couldn't resist wearing the 1940s housedress (already deteriorating tho!) to my ma's big sunday dinner. all my relatives said i looked like 'a girl waitin' for her boy to come back from war'.