I smile. 7.30.12

On Mondays I smile.

I share these moments with you.

Enjoy.

When people ask me if I miss living in New York, my answer is usually an emphatic no. The traffic!, I complain. The noise!, I whine. The expense! I moan. But after my recent trip to the city, I am forced to change my answer. Sending a long weekend with my family was enough to make me long for a move back. Or at least another visit.

My personal philosophy, in a nutshell: Ain't no party like a vintage sequin party cause a vintage sequin party rocks.

To the person who decided to donate this 1930's typewriter to Thrift City in Richardson, Texas: I love you. For reals.

Two reasons why I need to learn how to sew. Aren't those full skirts divine?

The grand Weatherford, Texas courthouse, as seen from the Parker County peach festival. Not pictured: The homemade peach iced tea I guzzled while taking said photo. It was delicious.

This 1940's record console was approximately the size and weight of a small automobile.  I could imagine it in the home of a family who spent afternoons listening to Dizzy Gillespie, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. While it had fallen into disrepair and was beat up and dusty, it was begging for me to take it home. Sadly, as I have no experience repairing old record consoles, I left it behind.

Now it's your turn:

What are some things that make you smile last week?

Share your smiles in the comments!

{Daily outfit} Woah, we're halfway there. 6.26.12

 Cardigan? Gap Outlet. Gap tee shirt? Thrifted. J Crew skirt? Thrifted. Wedges? Miz Mooz. Gold bracelet? Forever 21. Handmade clutch? Giveaway coming soon!

Like all summers prior to this, the days are flying by. The heat is oppressive, energy levels sluggish, and outdoor activities limited to swimming, frantically darting in and out of air-conditioned business, and evenings spent drinking ice cold beers on restaurant patios. It doesn't seem like autumn, with its blissfully crisp mornings, splendor of changing leaves, and pumpkin everything will ever arrive.

But arrive it will. School supplies are beginning to fill store aisles. Catalogs heralding next season's must have sweaters and boots are filling my mailbox. And in a few short weeks my children will be trotting off to school. Summer's long days are halfway gone. And I, for one, couldn't be happier - mostly because I'm frustrated trying to dress for the 100+ degree temperatures outside, and arctic air conditioning inside. Hence this outfit. Fall layers up on top, summer bare legs down below.

Are you holding your breath for autumn too? Or do you relish summer?

{Daily outfit} Summer stripes. 6.25.12

Vintage dress? Thrifted. Vintage clutch? Estate sale. Vintage woven belt? Thrifted. Sandals? DSW. Michael Kors rose gold watch? Thrifted.

I thrifted this dress a few months ago and it has yet to be presented here on the blog, despite the fact that I've worn it approximately 526918 times (or maybe 6. I lost count.) It's one of those things you throw on when everything else in your closet feels too...complicated, like that romper we all somehow got suckered into buying last summer but just cannot bear to throw on anymore.

Rompers are inexplicably complicated. Dresses are not. I love this one because it's striped, full-skirted, and gives the illusion that my waist is smaller that it actually is, effectively hiding the food baby I conceived from last night's chicken and black bean fajita dinner.  In all seriousness, friends, we all should find that one PERFECT dress we can wear when that romper starts to look appealing. Because rompers are instruments of the devil.

{Daily Outfit} Polka dot crop. 7.24.12

 Vintage cropped denim vest? Thrifted. Tee shirt? Gap Outlet. Liz Claiborne polka dot skirt? Thrifted. White sandals? DSW. Bracelets? Forever 21.

Some of you have mentioned how happy I've looked in these recent outfit pics. I can blame this on one thing: for the first time in my life, I have a job that I really, truly love. Whether it was fate, friendship, or plain dumb luck, I've ended up working in Vintage Martini, Dallas' best vintage store. When accepting consignments, I get to meet some of the most interesting people and learn just what brought each piece into their life, whether it's a 50's evening gown handed down from their mother or a Gucci bag obtained during a trip to Florence. I get to spend my day in a place that houses delicate Edwardian dresses, crocodile handbags, and spindly Prada heels. I get to learn all the intricacies behind running a small business.

But the best part? I get to wear as much vintage as I want. Like this fun 80's polka dot skirt and cropped denim vest. And that alone is enough to put a smile on my face.

{Daily outfit} Point of view. 7.20.12

Vintage embroidered top? Thrifted. Jeans? Citizen of Humanity. Vintage Whiting and Davis bag? Thrifted. Belt? Thrifted. Sandals? Gap. Leather cuff and turquoise necklace? Thrifted

I'll admit that there isn't much about this outfit that makes sense. It isn't elegant. It isn't trendy. It's not preppy, or classic, or even definable. Some would argue that it's not especially stylish, either. At it's most basic, it's a medley of a few favorite old pieces I grabbed from my closet and a recently thrifted vintage bag. But truthfully, in this mixed-up hodge podge of an outfit, I felt the most me.

I've realized lately that I've gotten a bit off track from my personal sense of style. At my core, I'd much rather wear something unique that compliments who I am rather than what's expected or trendy. The gift of fashion is that it allows us to communicate our individual sense of style in a creative, yet functional way. We can be classic, or ladylike, or sporty, or bohemian, or experimental. We can be feminine, or masculine, or a bit of both. We can show a lot of skin, or cover ourselves completely. We can slavishly follow trends or reject them entirely. Whether we're rich, or poor, or something in between, the way we dress is a pretty incredible device for communicating who we are to the world.

One of the things I enjoy most about thrifting is that it allows me to wear things that no one else owns. Like this bag. And this blouse. It takes courage to embrace being different. And, even better, it's a whole lot of fun!

{Daily outfit} Pocketed. 7.18.12

Tee shirt? Gap Outlet. Vintage 1950's skirt? Thrifted. Bruno Magli wedges? Thrifted. Vintage clutch? Snagged from my friend Jamie.

Tied with 1940's pickup trucks, pretzel M&M's, babies with red hair, never-before-seen episodes of New Girl and Woodford whiskey, a vintage skirt with pockets emphatically ranks near the top of my list of things that make me happy. I like having pockets to warm my hands when I'm in a location that insists on blasting its air conditioning at arctic temperatures. Pockets are also helpful for stashing the little things my kids discover during the day, like loose change that has mysteriously escaped my wallet and illicit candy snagged from kindly bank tellers.

So hurray to skirts with pockets. And pretzel M&M's too. Because they're delicious.

(Thank you for yesterday's warm welcome back to blogging.  It meant so much.)

Oh hi.

Vintage sequin jacket? Thrifted. Vintage tee? Thrifted. Joe's Jeans? Thrifted. Bruno Magli wedges? Thrifted. Python purse? Thrifted.Turquoise necklace and bracelet? Thrifted.

Oh hello there. It's nice to see you again. 

The past few weeks away from the blog have found me engaging in such scintillating activities as swimming with my kids; reading and rereading new books (Gone Girl - get it); thrifting; working at Vintage Martini; and wondering whether I would ever blog again. My life at home has been just as tumultuous as you'd expect it to be for someone going through a divorce, and the last thing I want is for this blog to devolve into a WAAH WAAH WAAH POOR ME I"M SO SAD AND DEPRESSED WILL I EVER LOVE AGAIN BOO HOO HOO sob fest.

So instead, I present you with this entirely-inappropriate-for-Texas-summer-heat outfit. I wore this to work today while pulling consignments and tagging vintage and shockingly managed to keep every sequin on my jacket intact.

{I Smile} Week in review 6.17.12

I smile. 

I share these moments with you. 

Enjoy.

 

I was greeted by this lovely handmade flyer while grabbing coffee at my favorite little coffee shop. This week I chose faith. What would you chose?

These faces always make me smile. 

This is a pirate ship-themed shaved ice stand near my house, complete with cannons and a mast with a carved well-endowed lady pointing the way. This is totally awesome.

Your eyes are not deceiving you: This is a marvelous display of human hair in a can, spotted at the thrift store. This is most definitely not awesome.

Fact: A breakfast burrito in the shape of a heart tastes much better than an ordinary breakfast burrito.

My job at a vintage shop has presented me with a quandary. I am absolutely thrilled beyond measure working there...but I want to spend my entire paycheck on the clothes I'm surrounded by. Case in point: this fifties swimsuit with ric rack trim. I want it with the desperation of a toddler begging for a lollypop.

Now it's your turn:

What are some things that make you smile this week?

Share your smiles in the comments!

{Thrifting 101} I thrifted: Linen and gold 6.14.12

Vintage linen vest? Thrifted, $3.99. American Eagle striped shirt? Thrifted, $2.99. Shorts? Thrifted, $2.99. Vintage Coach satchel? Thrifted, $10.00. Bracelets? Forever 21, $8.00.

 Michael Kors rose gold watch? Thrifted, $40.00.

There's something about wearing an entirely thrifted outfit that makes me feel good, much in the same way eating chocolate chip cookies does (because they're essentially a hug for your mouth.) A thrifted outfit admits to the world both that I'm both an unbridled cheapskate and stubborn shopper, the kind that spends hours digging through racks while tolerating grimy hands and allergic reactions to dust all for the sweet satisfaction of an outfit that cost less than a tank of gas.

I spied this vest during a brief thrifting excursion last week. I was in a hurry, and I didn't buy it. But it haunted me so persistently that I returned to the store the very next day in search of it.

What would you wear with this linen vest? Give me some of your outfit ideas!

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Fly like an eagle. 6.11.12

Vintage Wrangler shirt; Forever 21 tee; vintage thrifted shorts; Target sneakers; vintage turquoise and coral earrings

Once upon a time, this vintage Wrangler denim shirt had patches of soaring eagles on it. You can still see their shadow, wings spread just above the snap front pockets. I like to imagine the gentleman who took the time to iron these patches on. I am certain he rode a Harley with an exhaust system so loud it set off car alarms; smoked unfiltered Marlboro's; dated a woman named Darlene; had a long, stringy mullet; and drank Bud Light with a whiskey chaser at a bar with a name like Buckwild's or Hawg Hallow.

I'd like to have met this man, and perhaps bought him a drink. Anyone who takes the time and care to alter an article of clothing in order to celebrate a bird is a friend of mine.

On Fridays I Smile - Week in review 6.8.12

On Fridays I smile.

I share these moments with you. 

Enjoy.

I thrifted this insane Victor Costa gown at Goodwill for about $12. Normally I wouldn't spend over six dollars on something from the Goodwill, but I was powerless against all those glorious hot pink ruffles. I plan to wear this score to a really, really special place, such as my breakfast table where I drink my morning coffee.

My kids are officially home from school for the summer, which gives me a great excuse to spend my days doing fun things like seeing movies at the dollar theater and swimming and pottery painting. I painted a mug. It was awesome.

On Thursday I ran six miles. Just kidding I ate gelato.

I've spent a considerable amount of time mentioning Vintage Martini on this blog. I shop there. I take photos there. I obsessively stalk new things there, such as this vintage Ferre corset and orange Ferragamo spring 2009 runway one-piece. I drool over things I will never, ever be able to afford there - things like Louboutain pumps and Fendi bags and Chanel jewelry and 1970's furs and beaded vintage flapper dresses.

This week I started working there. Consider me to be the happiest girl on the planet. If you're anywhere near the store (located in downtown Carrollton, TX) come on by. I'll show you vintage that will blow your mind.

Now it's your turn. 

What were the best parts of your week? Leave a comment and share your smiles!

Photos taken with Instagram: dresscourage

{Almost daily outfit of the day} A big moment. 6.5.12

Vintage Martini 1950's cotton dress; H&M sandals; thrifted vintage straw clutch. 

(Please forgive the quality of these photos - fluorescent lighting is an instrument of the devil.)

For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of opening my own vintage store. I concocted elaborate fantasies of what my shop would look like, what I'd sell, and whether I'd be successful or not. I imagined it to be somewhat like the NYC bookshop owned by Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail, only with vintage dresses and hats and blouses instead of children's novels. I'm not much of a dreamer, but I couldn't let go of the idea of someday owning my own business.

This weekend I came one step closer to making that dream come true when I opened my own vintage booth at a local antique mall. My space is compact, but large enough to feature some special things I've thrifted over the past few years. There are 1950's and 60's dresses, and blazers, and sequined blouses, and Christian Dior lingerie, and purses, and enough Ferragamos to keep feet happy for a long long time.

If you're ever in downtown McKinney please take a moment and stop by my booth (I'm number 082), and check out the special things other sellers have to offer. The mall is located at 213 East Virginia Street in McKinney, TX 75069. I'm sure you'll find a few special things you'll want to take home!

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Stripes and sparkle 5.31.12

J Crew striped top; thrifted Bitten jeans; Nine West pumps; Forever 21 rhinestone collar necklace; thrifted vintage rhinestone necklaces; thrifted Michael Kors rose gold watch

Today marked the occasion of my oldest child graduating from elementary school. There was a fair amount of pomp and circumstance, along with a really sappy movie made by PTA moms depicting moments from the past year that I am sure was designed to elicit tears from parents. While most moms in the audience were wearing Nike Tempo shorts and sweats and tee shirts, I decided to throw on a pile of rhinestones necklaces and heels for the event. Because sometimes the simplest excuse to get creative with my outfits is the best.

{Almost daily outfit of the day} On the fringe. 5.29.12

Vintage thrifted suede vest; Lucky Brand 'Indian' motorcycle tee; thrifted Paige jeans; Gap sandals; Urban Outfitters necklace; vintage leather cuff; thrifted Michael Kors watch

I see a lot of weird stuff while thrifting. Indian beaded, acid-wash cocoon jackets. Seventies plaid, fringed ponchos. Polyester jumpsuits with bedazzled collars. Floral shortalls and satin tracksuits and acrylic stripper heels. Most of these items make me inwardly cringe in a way only really tragic fashion trends of the past can. When I do drag one of these items home, they usually hang forlornly and lonesome in my closet as I try to figure out how to wear them before admitting defeat and donating them back.

This vest spoke to me when I was in the Goodwill the other day. It's suede. It's fringed. It's adorned with wooden beads and silver grommets. It would look appropriate paired with leather chaps on a Harley rider. It's strikingly different from anything else in my wardrobe. And it was marked down from $365 to $6.99.

I threw it on with a motorcycle tee and felt pretty hot. And I realized that sometimes it's fun to play against the rules.

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Sailor stripes 5.7.12

Forever 21 tee; thrifted Anthropologie skirt; thrifted Ferragamo wedge espadrilles;  vintage estate sale clutch

Today I am wearing a skirt with a boat on it. My encounters with boats, and with boating in general, have been limited. In college I had a brief yet illustrious career as a member of a co-ed crew team. Now, lest you think I sat amongst a group of buff athletes, rowing strenuously alongside them in synchronization, I must confess that I was the coxswain and never even picked up an oar, much less rowed a stroke. In case you're unfamiliar with the sport of crew, the job of the coxswain is to sit at the stern of the boat, yell at the rowers to stay in rhythm, and steer the boat. The cox doesn't work out with the team. She doesn't help clean off the boat after practice. She perches at the front and enjoys a perfectly lovely morning of gliding along the water while her teammates huff and puff and send her dirty looks for yelling at them.

Truthfully, I was a terrible coxswain. I had an unfortunate habit of steering the boat into the marsh that lined the river we practiced on. And most of the team hated me for yelling at them while they rowed. I might have been a little too enthusiastic about that part of the job. But you know what? I loved being on the water, even though our call time for practice was 4:30 am. I loved being part of a team, even though I wasn't exactly athletic. It was grand. And I loved wearing my little crew jacket with my name embroidered in curling script. That was the best part of all.

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Vintage skirts and compressed internal organ syndrome: an overview 5.2.12

Gap Outlet tee; vintage thrifted skirt; thrifted Banana Republic flats; vintage estate sale clutch; Forever 21 and eBay bracelets

Friends, today I would like to introduce you to a terrifying-sounding yet mostly innocuous medical condition called Vintage Skirt-Induced Compressed Internal Organ Syndrome, also known as VSI-CIOS. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, nausea, the inability to tuck in shirts, and confusion regarding whether the waist size of women in the 60's and 70's was as tiny as clothes of that time suggest.

VSI-CIOS is often a mix of two diseases:

• Chronic Obstructive Denial: In CID, the patient insists on wearing vintage skirts with waist sizes that do not correlate with their actual waist measurement.
• Compulsive Thrifting Disorder: Victims of CTD spend an excessive amount of time in thrift stores, despite intervention by friends and family to reduce this time-sucking behavior.

So far, researchers have identified victims of VSI-CIOS as female vintage enthusiasts with the confounding ability to sacrifice physical discomfort for personal style. You might get VSI-CIOS if you have a tendency to to spend an excessive amount of time in thrift stores, find yourself compulsively buying vintage skirts with waists that squeeze and pinch, and irrationally justify their purchase through statements such as "This skirt is Satan's handiwork, but I'm wearing it" and "OH MY GOD I CAN'T BREATHE...but I sure look cute."

There is no known cure for VSI-CIOS, largely because the sweet siren call of a great vintage skirt is hard, if not impossible, to resist. Attempts to come between a vintage enthusiast and her apparel should be regarded as potentially life-threatening and extremely dangerous. 

I confess that today I am a victim of Vintage Skirt-Induced Compressed Internal Organ Syndrome. But when the skirt is this great, I could care less.

{Almost daily outfit of the day} My colors are blush and bashful. 4.27.12

Thrifted James Perse top; thrifted H&M shirt; Miz Mooz wedges; thrifted vintage clutch; Forever 21 bracelets; thrifted rose gold Michael Kors watch

I know, I know. This is a lot of pink. If this outfit were a scene from a movie, it would be the wedding scene in Steel Magnolias. Don't pretend you haven't seen it. In it, Shelby (played by Julia Roberts, who wears so much make-up she looks embalmed) walks down the aisle towards Dylan McDermott (as a preppy Southern good ole' boy named Jackson) in a church that looks like it was hosed down with Pepto Bismol. Pink, we learn, is Shelby's signature color. Pink is also my signature color, though I wouldn't go so far as to drown a church in it.

Despite the trials and tribulations I'm going through, pink makes me feel happy and hopeful. Unfortunately, Shelby meets a sad fate, falling into a diabetic coma while her poor sweet little innocent towheaded toddler son wails helplessly in the background and a bubbling pot of spaghetti sauce overflows on the stove and then, AND THEN, Jackson finds her crumpled on the porch clutching the phone which we KNOW she was using to try and call him for help but it was TOO LATE and she dies and there are pink flowers at her funeral and OH MY GOD IT IS THE SADDEST SCENE IN A MOVIE EVER.

Anyway.

The lesson learned from all this? Pink makes for both an excellent signature color and effective plot device in a sappy movie. And it makes you feel pretty. Shelby would agree.