New In Shop: faded denim lasts forever.

Styling by me. Photos by my friend Jay. 

Hiya friends. Just stopping in to show you a whole lotta my face and navel, and for good measure - some sweet faded denim that I listed in the shop.

Vintage 90s Light Wash Overalls.  Vintage 90s Versace Denim Dungaree Overalls Dress. Classic Levi's 501 Distressed Ripped Jeans.

Did ya'll have a nice weekend? I finished mine off with a feast at Boiling Crab in Garden Grove, my favorite place ever to eat. I can eat anyone under the table at this fine institution that serves up crab legs, shrimp, and crawfish in a bag of spicy sauce called "the whole shebang." It's a messy beautiful experience and well worth the visit if you live in Orange County.

p.s:  I intend to list some more Medium and Large sizes in my shop in the near future. Because I'm purging my wardrobe, most of my vintage inventory is of the Small variety. Sorry about that.

Inspiration: vintage playclothes

Image # 1: A stunning Lauren Bacall wearing a Carolyn Schnurer turnout of a navy off-the-shoulder, bare-midriff top and brown shorts.  Photographed by Louise Dahl-Wolfe for Harper’s Bazaar, May 1945.

Image # 2: Two models peering into the stable at the Tijuca, Brazil, plantation of Raimundo Castro, one in a Carolyn Schnurer playdress of rayon with matching shorts underneath, the other in kilt and bra-to outfit in rayon by Duchess Royal. Photographed by Louise Dahl-Wolfe for Harper’s Bazaar, May 1946.

Image # 3: This Carolyn Schnurer shorts outfit appeared on a 1950 cover of Harper’s Bazaar. Based on a djellabah, the top was made of white oxford cloth with white cord passementerie. Hat by Mr. John, Vera scarf. Photographed by Louise Dahl-Wolfe in Tunisia.

Image # 4: This couture ensemble, designed by Mme. Grès, was made with an abbreviated top, just-below-the-knee trousers, and knife-pleated overskirt. Photographed in Tunisia by Louise Dahl-Wolfe for Harper’s Bazaar, 1950.

All images scanned by me from Resort Fashion: Style in Sun-Drenched Climates, Caroline Rennolds Milbank. Rizzoli, NY.

come to the sunshine

 

Though I originally intended to sell this 80s romper, after styling it, I think I’ll hold on to it for a while.  It’s a versatile piece - perfect for layering or wearing solo on hot carefree summer days. I think it will be a most welcome piece when I’m in Mississippi at the end of June. When styling this outfit, I was inspired by this brilliant get up by APC from Spring 2013.

For those in the states, yippe for longer sunlight hours! Enjoy the sunshine. Here's a song to welcome warmer days:


Photos by my pal, Hector

Outfit:  vintage 70s sweater (gifted/thrifted), vintage 80s romper (thrifted), vintage sandals (La Bamba vintage, Long Beach).

New in Shop: Summer Play

Vintage Contempo Casuals 2-piece set

90s Express Tweed Bralette Top/50s Rust Red Folkloric Skirt

80s Pastel Plaid Jumpsuit Shorts S/M

50s/60s Turquoise Polka Dot Mini Skirt w/Attached Bloomers

60s Denim Overall Dress (Sold)

90s Moschino Novelty Shorts * Peace, Love, Anarchy *

I’ll be adding lots of summer fun time vintage clothing to the shop this week. Here’s just a handful. Some of these pieces you may recognize, as they used to belong to my wardrobe and were proudly displayed on the blog. But now it's time to share the wealth.

Models: Avalon Lopez (the gal in the first photo, who I’ve known for 16 years, her entire life. She’s interested in being a model, so please contact me if you’d like to work with her.) Courtney Rauchle, and Nettily Fleures.

Styling: me
 Photography by Jill Johnson.

spring time bicycle accidents and pink polyester

Maybe it’s not technically quite spring time in southern California, but mentally I’ve already moved on from winter, and what better way to welcome my second favorite season (after summer) than a leisurely bicycle ride around town. So on Saturday, a bright and relatively warm day, we went apartment hunting on two wheels. (We’re looking for a smaller pad with bigger closets).  It was all spring flowers and birds chirping until my little heart shaped purse that hung from my wrist got caught in my front spokes and over I went.  At least, I think I went over the handlebars. I don’t really recall. I’m bruised and wounded on my right side, and yes, I’ve been bragging about my injuries all weekend. Thank goodness for my agility, as I recovered pretty quickly.  But I still pampered myself after the accident with a beer from the Belmont Brewing Company on the pier, a chili dog from Felony Frank’s food truck, and a soft serve ice cream from the ice cream truck, which featured an airbrushed imaged of a gangster Mickey Mouse on its side panel.

Then Pete and I kicked it underneath a gaudy (in a good way) mural along the bike path, the perfect backdrop for my equally gaudy outfit, enjoying our treats and the last rays of sunshine.

Outfit: vintage pink polyester plaid top; vintage purple shorts, chambray Keds (thrifted), 60s costume jewelry bracelet (cast out by my friend, Stacy, and lovingly scooped up by me), pink sunnies (Linda Farrow for Dries Van Noten via Gilt).

favorites

Hiya buds,

I've been sharing my outfits on this here blog for quite some time now (3+ years), and I don’t think I’ve ever done a round up of my favorites. So here it is. In compiling my favorite outfits, I'm realizing that maybe there is some consistency to my taste after all: polka dots, cigarette pants, sheer 50s tops, western ties, and bright colors. I’m shrinking my wardrobe, but pieces like these will remain because I feel happy when I wear them, and that’s important to me.

My blogging rhythm has been off since I got sick a few weeks back, so here’s some recent happenings to update you:

- I went to the Joffrey Ballet’s performance of “The Rite of Spring” recently. I had never seen “The Rite of Spring” performed before, so it was quite a thrill to watch. Thinking on the outrage that the Parisians  felt upon watching this avant garde piece in 1913 always makes me chuckle. The Joffrey Ballet also performed a very romantic piece filled with many beautiful backbends called “After the Rain” that I never wanted to end. Bonus: Christina Hendricks from Mad Men was right behind me in the will call line. She’s just as gorgeous in person!  

- I’ve been going to Bikram Yoga more frequently these days, and have enjoyed the meditative aspect of it. Also, it feels good to sweat out all the toxins (ie: cupcakes and cookies). I will, admit, however, that the routine at Bikram can get a little boring. I’d like to balance this with some dance classes.

- I’ve been working hard to get some more pieces in the shop. Last weekend, I teamed up with Fancy Disaster in a photoshoot of our vintage clothing. We had about 5 models, and it was so fun to style and hang out with these gals. Photos to come soon.

- I’m going to Big Sur for my birthday at the end of April, and I can’t wait.

- I’m getting so excited for my summer road trip along the Blues Highway, which will start in Memphis, TN, go through Mississippi, and end in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s going to be hot and humid, so I’ll probably just be wearing lots of white cotton dresses and my reliable Keds. 

Well, I’m looking forward to a super sunny weekend. Do ya’ll have any trips planned that you’re excited about or anything that you’ve done recently that has made you giddy? 

Happy Friday!