Lady Gray

Has Tim Walker ever made anything bad? So far everything I’ve seen has been pretty perfect. This shoot is from the new Vogue Italia. There might be some big scans on this fashion spot page…

6 comments | March 8th, 2010

Spring Antique Expo!

This weekend I attended the spring Portland antique expo with Julianna, and it was great as usual. I hope it doesn’t gross anyone out too much that the first thing I’m showing you is this intense Victorian taxidermy- I can’t help it, I seriously stopped in my tracks and went “LOOK AT THAT” and pointed with a look of disbelief on my face. I think this is the most amazing shadowbox I’ve ever seen, especially since I haven’t seen that many in person. It’s incredible! All those birds and the weird baby deer… so crazy. Obviously I don’t support modern taxidermy or killing animals for trophies, so let’s not make it about that. Instead, let’s just say that the Victorians were nutso and made some bizarre and creepy-cool shit.

My finds from the expo. The result of four hours and two warehouses worth of antiques.

As I mentioned already, the expo was pretty successful! I spotted this scotty dog blouse within the first five minutes of being there. I would have bought it but it had a couple holes that I didn’t know how to repair and it was over $20, so I left it behind. There are a lot of scotty dog themed items at the expo, it’s weird noticing that pattern.

This vendor always has really funny and endearing old toys that are quite expensive. Almost everything costs more than $100. I got busted for taking a photo, the proprietress of the booth gave me a really snarky, “NO PHOTOS!!” and kept drivin’ it home after I gave her a casual and polite, “Oh, sorry!”, saying, “Well, you’re supposed to ASK the vendor first. NO PHOTOS!!” Lady, I’ve been taking photos at your booth for years and you never even knew… that’s one bummer about a DSLR, it’s hard to be sneaky. Also, let me just say that none of the other vendors have EVER said anything to me about not wanting to let people take photos.

This perfect little hat was only $5, maybe I should have bought it… it didn’t really stay on my head though and I don’t know the secret to making this style of hat stay on your head. Hat pins? The fabric was more pliable and canvas-like than the classic boater…

Julianna browsing her fave, the paper ephemera! At some point I’m sure they will end up on her ephemreatopia blog. I don’t know if any will ever replace this photo as my #1 favorite of her finds, though. It’s like a Victorian “your face” joke.

The ever-so offensive photo that I got in trouble for taking. OH MY GOD, WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO WITH IT?? PUT IT ON MY BLOG???? Nothing could be worse. Heaven forbid.

Big giant mystery key. There are always a million keys at the expo, but this one stood out to me for some reason.

I love the dandelion puff and the text on this old book…

I love you, heart chairs!

Every time I look at this image I hear the cat saying, “God, you’re beautiful…”

Ok, I didn’t actually get these at the expo… they came from an antique mall last week, but it’s close enough! These ladies are definitely part of my spring inspiration.

A large photo of a gentleman in the woods. I didn’t have the energy to look through all the snapshots so I focused on the big photos instead. “People in the woods” is a sub-collection to my vintage/antique photo collection, like this photo, or this one. The medal is a new addition to my collection of old Odd Fellows items- the Rebekahs were the female branch of the organization. It’s my first pin of theirs with the beehive, I also have one with a handshake and one with the all-seeing eye. The ribbon was torn, so I got a great deal.

My only other secret society purchase, a handkerchief from the Order of the Eastern Star. I think I might frame it…. also, a fur headband! I wanted one of these all winter long but didn’t feel like spending money on one, so I picked this up for $5. Wore it later that night to an art show with my chambray shirt and some red lipstick.

One of the clothing vendors has a bin of damaged Victorian – 1920’s goods, and that’s where I found both of these. A silky pale yellow 20’s dress (has a couple holes but isn’t falling apart, and is featherlight… for summer!) and a Victorian blouse that I know is going to be perfect to wear over a dress on a summer night. I should have ironed these…

These two dresses will probably show up in the shop, but I might need to wear that polka dot one once first!

Whew, that’s it! Can’t wait till the next one in the summer.

30 comments | March 8th, 2010

Swedish Fantasy Shopping

I just came across this Swedish clothing website, Modekungen via Weareyouneak and did a little fantasy online shopping. Although, unlike Monki, they ship worldwide! It makes those amazing wedges pretty tempting, since they are $98 US, but with shipping and customs fees I bet it would end up being too much… spring wedges, you continue to elude me! Any Swedes want to mail these to me? I’m not sure if they have actual stores of if it’s just online…

They have a lot of great blouses and dresses mixed in with a lot of graphic tees and stuff that isn’t my style at all, but man, when their stuff is good it is REALLY good. I like the 20’s inspired look of that floral dress, and they’ve managed to touch on a lot of my spring favorites- chambray, stripes, that perfect leather color…

Hope a lil’ Swedish elf comes to my house tonight and leaves lots of perfect spring dresses for me…

8 comments | March 7th, 2010

Spring, cont.

Spring spring spring spring spring spring spring spring.

12 comments | March 7th, 2010

7287pwkr

Official Best Day of the Year (so far)

Boater hat: Antique mall
Weird 80’s blouse, belt, shoes: thrifted
Pants: Value Village in Victoria
Purse: I forget! A vintage shop?

Guys, yesterday was so cool. I had such a great day from start to finish! I got my shop update done nice and early, and then the amazing mail started showing up at my door. First, my fancy sunscreen and Evan Healy face stuff, then my LOMO LC-A+ CAMERA!!!!!, then a super sweet surprise package from a lovely lady who buys things from my shop. Her name’s Joanna and she sent me the most awesome stuff, but I’m going to show you that later. Then, we went out for veggie po’boy sandwiches at that awesome cart on Hawthorne and 40-something, I went thrifting and found my dream 30’s dress for only $8- it has some little holes in the back and I think maybe the sleeves were cut off, but I’m going to fix it up and I’m actually kind of glad that it is a little messed up, because then I won’t feel bad for hemming it!! It’s that awkward past-the-knees length that looks weird on me. Ok, what else- I picked up some great dresses for the shop, and then I finally found an old dress form that has my measurements!!! YAY! Now my attempts at fake sewing will be easier, because it’s way easier to lay fabric out on a body than it is on the floor. Honestly, when I found the dress form I started to question whether or not the day was actually happening… it was a little too much like dreams that I have, where I’m thrifting amazing stuff left & right, only to end up disappointed when I wake up, haha. Had a fun little video chat with my bestie Rachel too! I finished off the day with a yoga class at the gym followed by some awesome soaking in the hot tub, swimmin’ in the pool (all salt water!) and sauna-ing until I could sauna no more. What a great day.

Let me tell you about this hat. I bought it at the antique mall last summer, but felt like it looked stupid on me, so I put it in my shop and sold it to a girl. BUT, she never paid! So I kept it around for months and months, and when I put it on yesterday I actually liked how it looked! It must have something to do with my hair being longer…

Spring is still in full swing. I think this sort of weather happened in April last year, it’s so early! It has me getting really antsy for morel mushroom season… I will absolutely die if I miss out on my chance to get some. I’m not kidding. I am obsessed with morels. I check websites where people report sightings of them and am preparing to freak out as soon as I see a post from Portland. If you’ve never had a fresh morel, make sure you do at some point in your life because they are the most incredible thing that comes from the earth.

Funny shirt, right? Definitely one of those things where was asking myself, “Dumb or awesome?” at the thrift store when I had it in my hands. Conclusion = awesome.

Happy Friday every buddy!

35 comments | March 5th, 2010

Shop Update!

Oops! Forgot to post this yesterday. It’s hard to keep up with all the stages of a shop update… several things are already claimed, so act fast! Although I am adding another 10 or so things today, so if there’s anything you’d like me to put on hold for you (3 days max) just send me a message over on etsy!

1. 1970’s black bow skirt
2. 1980’s nautical sailor dress
3. 1980’s silk clock skirt
4. 1970’s primary plaid shirt
5. 1980’s colorful garden top
6. 1980’s flannel plaid button dress
7. 1950’s dark berry watercolor dress
8. 1950’s spring blossom bolero jacket
9. 50’s fancy sequin hat w/veil and velvet bow
10. 50’s navy net veil with bows & polka dots

2 comments | March 5th, 2010

Street Style Favorites

Another little collection of street style favorites. I think these are all from Wayne Tippets. I like how those two pictured above look like they could have planned their outfits together. Little cheeky flapper newsboy style!

A little heavy on the redheads… at one point in high school (I think I was 13 or 14?) I dyed my hair the same color as the girl with the gray tights. It was pretty extreme for me, even though it was just that temporary kind of dye. I don’t even think I have any photos of it! The girl with the leopard scarf inspired my outfit that I wore out to dinner the other might, my olive blazer with leopard bow top underneath. Thanks for that, cool Paris girl!

7 comments | March 4th, 2010

Shop Update!

Today I am letting go of a couple things that I really love, but somehow never end up wearing… a really special flapper dress, unlike any I’ve ever seen before, and some amazing shoes (which have already been snagged by the queen of vintage shoes herself, Lisa of course!!!) that I bought on ebay last year. Lots of other spring-like things too!!

7 comments | March 3rd, 2010

Favorite Spring Collections

Above, the new Steven Alan collection. Right now I’m suffering from a major case of LIKING EVERYTHING? My little spring collection folder isn’t so little anymore, I almost can’t keep up with all the things that I want to post about! I can’t help it, there are too many good things out there. Also, I think I love those shoes. How come all of my perfect light-colored wedges are never anywhere to be found on the internet? Maybe these will be on the website, but they’ll probably be hundreds of dollars… more from Steven Alan below:

I spent some time yesterday browsing the new Built by Wendy items, and I was happy to see lots of cool stripes and gray-blue items. Those tap shorts are too cute, but I am not sure how they’d look on someone who doesn’t have toothpick thighs. The colorblock dress also really popped out, I love simple dresses like that that you can just throw on and have an instant outfit!

Some more blue/gray love from Bodkin, a designer that I hadn’t seen before. I really love the colors and creative shapes, not to mention those giant pockets in the blazer! Their whole lookbook is really cute but in a modern chic kinda way.

This barely even scratches the surface, so expect more of these posts soon. I can’t wait to start hunting down thrift imitations of these things…

7 comments | March 2nd, 2010

Shop Update!

Another shop update! It’s an overcast kinda day, so I took a break from all the bright spring-like pastels and put together a collection of more neutral, earth-toned items for today. Not everyone likes pink, right? Come to think of it, I think this is my only pink dress. And actually, there is another pinky-peach dress in today’s update. It’s my favorite in the bunch, a fancy 50’s dress with an amazing pastoral print featuring birds, fancy ladies & gents playing music, plants and vines, and the best part- various lovely french text! Don’t miss this one. It would be in my closet in a second if it wasn’t a few inches too big for me all around. So disappointing!

1. 1950’s Minuette Pastorale dress
2. 70’s neutral plaid & lace shirt dress
3. 70’s spring trench jacket
4. 50’s forest branches dress
5. grunge dried flowers ruffle blouse
6. 80’s sheer chestnut button blouse and 70’s antique shop pleated skirt
7. 70’s birds & palm trees dress (not listed yet, made a last minute decision to wash it)
8. 1950’s golden beaded cardigan
9. 80’s equestrian fox hunt shirt
10. abstract leopard rayon skirt
11. dark paisley pleated rayon skirt
12. 70’s lace collar plaid shirt and 70’s black diamond print skirt
13. 1950’s velvet bow straw boater hat
14. 1950’s feather hunting hat (made in Portland!)

2 comments | March 2nd, 2010