Monday, August 20, 2012

back to school

Not for me. My kiddos. Both of them.

shirt : vintage ralph lauren, estate sale
tie : vintage, craigslist
shorts : urban outfitters
wedges : eric michael, thrifted


I'm going to miss kicking it at the pool and the lazy days of summer.

Too bad I didn't get a close-up, the tie has tiny pink polka dots!!!


But I'm looking forward to giving the shop my full attention and taking it to a whole new level.

Have I told you I have ties? Like hundreds of them? You need a vintage tie, I'm your woman.


Watch out. It's about to get real. ;)

Monday, July 30, 2012

snapshot

End of July already? Whoa. Well, here is a snapshot of what I'm doing in my life right now:


Finding Inspiration: Chictopia


I need to manage another social media website like I need a hole in my head. But I did it anyway. I joined Chictopia. And I'm loving it. I mean, free compliments, people! What's not to love?! One day someone said I looked like a marigold flower. Made my day.

You can find my ChicBlog here. If you are on Chictopia too, please let me know, so I can follow you! :)



Listening to: Balkan Beat Box


I got the opportunity to see these guys live and it was amazing! It was in a small and intimate venue and they had an awesome stage presence. You can tell they love what they do. And they're good at it. Really good.

My favorite song: Part of the Glory.



Spending my time: Poolside.



With high temps over 100 degrees, the pool is where it's at.


Drinking: Peach Lemonade




Peach lemonade. My new favorite summer drink, by far. :)


Three weeks until school starts around here. I intend to enjoy every minute of it. How is your summer going?

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

cooked, a la mode

On these "excessive heat" days - which is everyday, it seems - this simple cotton dress has been my saviour. Clothing-to-skin contact is minimal, and I can retain some modesty. Thank you, simple cotton dress, for that.

simple cotton dress : vintage, thrifted
sandals : mossimo, target, a few years ago
(the fairy is thinking about Thoreau, too)

Standing around taking pictures when it's over a hundred degrees ranks low on my priority list, so I don't have lots of pictures to show you. Instead I'll tell you something you may not know about me:

Lurking under the surface of this seemingly sweet, innocent face lies something dark and dangerous.

simple cotton dress, close-up


A fabric obsession.

simple cotton dress #2, sadly in the mend pile


I've been keeping it at bay, because if I dare indulge in it, I will go mad.  I am certain of this.


my daughter wanted to wear her simple cotton dress too, so we could match :)


These tiny floral prints cause waaaay too much excitement for me.

Also exciting - in a less dangerous sort of way - my 50s bathing suit was featured over on the blog, My So Called Crafty Life. Check it out here. Thanks Ashlee! I'm honored to be a part of your lovely collection of vintage finds. :)

And don't forget the summer sale is still going on in the shop! 15% off with coupon code: SUMMERLOVIN.

Finally, the title inspiration: (I can't believe he nailed it - philosophically speaking - 150 years before "climate change" entered mainstream awareness!)
"The luxuriously rich are not simply kept comfortably warm, but unnaturally hot; as I implied before, they are cooked, of course a la mode." -Henry David Thoreau

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

yikes! stripes! fruit stripes!

I'm starting to be able to spot a Vera Neumann print a mile away.

scarf : vintage, estate sale
Vera Neumann top : local vintage shop (wild man vintage)
jean skirt : blanco, thrifted
wedges : montego bay, thrifted

This is the third Vera piece I've acquired. (The first has already sold, the second is for sale here.) But it's not just her signature scarves and clothing I'm drawn to.


Vera believed that art should be accessible to everyone. That it should not just hang on walls, but permeate life. Wear it. Eat off of it. Sleep in it.


And that's a philosophy I can live with.

Monday, July 16, 2012

shop update & sale announcement

It's been quiet here on the blog, but I've been super busy. I took a break from listing new items to re-organize the shop and start getting ready for the fall/winter season. What?! I know. It's a hundred degrees out and I'm thinking about sweaters and capes and wool? I had to shut myself in and crank up the AC.

GKVC Fall 2012 Preview

But - here's the good news for you - I need to make room for the new stuff. Which means having a sale, of course. Yay for sales!!! Now through the end of July, everything is 15% off when you use the coupon code SUMMERLOVIN.


Also, coming soon to the shop: bow ties, suspenders, shoes, shoes, shoes, eyewear, and a few more items for your vintage style home.


Now carry on, summer. Carry on.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

independence

Writing your name in the air with a sparkler.


dress : vintage, estate sale
wedges : tommy hilfiger, thrifted

Sprinklers, swimsuits, and watermelon.




The big fireworks display.




These are a few of my favorite Independence things.

Happy Fourth!

Monday, July 2, 2012

new in the shop

Here's what's new in the shop this week:
(Click on any picture to go straight to the listing.)


Vintage 80s Crop Top
CANDY RAINBOW
striped soft tee
Vintage Athletic Tshirt
PLAY BALL
blue and orange baseball tee
Vintage 60s/70s Sheer Blouse
SHEER PEACH
short sleeve top
Vintage 50s Floral Blouse
WILDFLOWERS
soft cotton top

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

ethereal

I not sure what settings I had my camera on, but I like how these photos turned out.


They have an ethereal feel to them.

blouse : vintage, estate sale
shorts : urban outfitters
clutch : white house black market
sandals : montego bay, thrifted

Someday. Someday I will figure my camera out. :)

The two below are more representative of the actual colors.


Monday, June 25, 2012

new in the shop

Here's what's new in the shop this week:
(Click on any picture to go straight to the listing.)

Vintage McCalls Pattern
MINI MIDI MAXI
junior/teen skirt and halter top
Campground Guide
for
Tent and Trailer Tourists (1967)
Life Saving and Water Safety
by the American Red Cross (1968)


Vintage 50s Maternity Top
YELLOW & WHITE
seersucker sleeveless summer shirt
Vintage 50s Maternity Top
GREEN AND WHITE
gingham seersucker summer shirt
Vintage 50s Maternity Top
NEUTRAL STRIPES
sleeveless seersucker summer blouse

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

orange who?

Orange ya glad for the sales rack at Urban Outfitters?


And bright orange shorts?

blouse : vintage, estate sale
shorts : urban outfitters
clutch : borrowed from the shop, available here
shoes : steve madden, thrifted

And silly knock-knock jokes?


I am. :)
Happy Tuesday everyone!

Monday, June 18, 2012

new in the shop

Here's what's been added to the shop this week:
(Click on any photo to go straight to the listing.)

Vintage Chaps Ralph Lauren : UNDERSTATED short sleeve neutral stripes shirt


Vintage Simplicity Pattern : SHORT SHORTER SHORTEST high waist shorts

Vintage Mens Spectator Wingtip Oxfords : WHITE TOAST pedwin cyclone two tone brogue shoes

Vintage Stetson Mens Fedora : BROWN TWEED wool hat

Vintage Mens Fedora : BLACK TWEED totes hat

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

silver linings

How a fender bender, a flat tire, and being shat on by a bird - all in the same week, mind you - totally impaired my ability to do an outfit post for a whole month is beyond me.

blouse : gap, thrifted
skirt : georges memmi paris, thrifted
belt : vintage, estate sale
shoes : sm new york, thrifted
thrift brag : total cost for this outfit - $10

But, and I'm sure totally unrelated, the pool is open.


And that means summer, folks.


And that is good enough for a silver lining in my book.


And an outfit post. ;)

Monday, June 11, 2012

new in the shop

Here's what's new in the shop this week:
(Click on any picture to take you straight to the listing.)

Vintage 80s High Waist Shorts : MINNIE MOUSE red and white polka dot denim shorts

Vintage 80s High Waist Shorts : BLUE FLORAL cotton shorts

Vintage Etienne Aigner : PINSTRIPES mens dress shirt

Monday, June 4, 2012

new in the shop

Here's what's new in the shop this week:
(Click on any picture to take you straight to the listing.)

Classic Father's Day Gift : The Tie

For the lucky dad:
(or the dad who needs all the luck he can get, lol)
Vintage Mens Necktie : DOUBLE LUCK black novelty skinny neck tie

For the designer dad:
Vintage Mens Necktie : CHRISTIAN DIOR navy blue neck tie

 For the Don Draper dad:
Vintage Mens Necktie : GOLD TONES striped skinny neck tie

Saturday, May 26, 2012

new in the shop

New in the shop this week:
(click on any picture to take you straight to the listing)

Vintage 60s Vera Neumann Dress : PINK PINEAPPLES tropical fruit dress



Vintage 1940s Catalina Bathing Suit and Cover-up Set : SAIL AWAY novelty print playsuit and matching cover up

Vintage Mens Swim Trunks/Shorts : CALIFORNIA STYLE mens swimwear