01 March 2010

At Reading Goggle Works

a

photos by Tom b.

- dress: courtesy of Family Affairs
- 70s boots
- vintage denim jacket
- vintage Coach purse
- vintage wool beret

Goodness, there are so many things to talk about in this post, I'm not really sure where to start. OK, we'll start with the dress. This is the "Hollywood Movie" dress from the Fall/Winter '09 Family Affairs collection. It's proof positive of the wonderful people that I've met through this blog. After discovering Family Affairs and writing a bit about it back in November, Nina (the daughter of the mother/daughter design team) got in touch just to say thanks. A few weeks later a lovely package arrived on my doorstep containing this dress and their cute "I miss you" tote bag. The dress is on the seriously comfortable side. Their description says it's like wearing pajamas and they weren't lyin'! The dress is so lovely I didn't want to just put it back in my closet so... I'm using it for the Delightful Dozen project! You're seeing it on my blog first and soon you'll be seeing it on all the other gals as well.

b

Now, on to the Reading Goggle Works. Goggle Works is a public space in downtown Reading, PA that acts as an art gallery, classroom, dance and music studios, darkroom and much more. The building has been standing since 1871 when it was founded as the first factory in the world to manufacture optical glass for lenses and reading glasses. Later on they produced "fashion sunglasses" during the 30s that were modeled by the contestants of the 1938 Miss America pageant. I'd love to see photos of that!

We found ourselves at Goggle Works to check out the woodwork of Joe Pinter. Joe was a college roommate of Tom's and a ginormous help to us when we moved into our new house. He showed up with all of his painting equipment and didn't leave until every wall in our house was painted! His show consisted of cute (sorry, Joe - they were cute!) carved wood pieces that I imagine would be the perfect place for hiding small treasures. My favorite were what I call the "clothespin people". Their little heads pop off to reveal a hollow body. Yes, I picked them up and popped their heads off - I don't know if I was supposed to do that. There were also some wonderfully Beatlejuice-esque pieces of furniture and a magnetic calender from which someone had stolen the number 25. If you're in or around Reading I definitely recommend that you stop in and check out the show and the whole space.

Last but not least we have photos that Tom snapped of me sitting at the baby grand piano that was sitting in the lobby of the building inviting anyone to sit and create music to fill the space. To say that I play the piano would be a vast overstatement although I did take years of lesson. Those lessons have left me with just a few tunes that are forever ingrained in my fingertips.

c

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous dress! :)

and i adore the hat as well.. come to think of it.. i adore everything!

Happy monday :)

XO, Em

Fabulocity in Amish Country said...

You look great! :) I've heard of goggle works, but I have yet to go. This post makes me want to stop by!

BaronessVonVintage said...

oooh, that dress looks soooo awesome!

Sammy said...

Awesome dress and very nice jacket :)

Sam

tess said...

that dress is fabulous

Kyla said...

I'm a new reader and you have amazing style! But I'm super stoked to see you are from PA ... me, too! I'd love to do a PA blogger meet-up - I keep stumbling across more and more of us!

Rosie said...

I love how you styled this amazing dress. I cannot wait to see the other ladies interpretation!

andreja said...

this place looks great! next time we're in pa, we'll have to go visit... which will hopefully be in a few weeks!

BB said...

i cannot WAIT to see how the other dozen gals wear that super darling frock of a dress! :)

Fabiola "Fab" said...

I've almost wanted a piano but looks like I'm going to have to part with my own personal vintage pieces before I'll be able to afford a baby grand piano. And like I can only say i play just a little.

Lovely outfits ofcourse!

A Clumsy Way of Life said...

I love the dress, it does look incredibly comfortable. I like how you paired it with the beret and denim jacket too. It's a combination I don't think I would have thought of, but it looks so good together. Great photos too, I really love the ones with the piano.

Q's Daydream said...

that dress is amazing!

Sarah said...

Those are great pictures, and I love your outfit ! kisses from France :)

Carmen said...

I love your dress, so cute with the red beret.

Carmen.xx.

Tea Lady said...

wow. i might have to buy this dress...

svenskaussie said...

That's a wonderful combination, you look so good in red ! I adore the photos, they look beautiful.

reckless daughter said...

lovely dress, that was so sweet of them!

Tracy said...

What a GREAT look!! I love berets and black boots--so French ;) Lovely shots, and the dress is super cute!

Jules said...

Such a great info about google from you pretty. =D And btw, you look good while playing piano there.


Jules
Soloden.Com
The Brown Mestizo

kimvee said...

I love the dress, at first I thought it was separate pieces hehe

kimvee.blogspot.com
ohmyvintage.blogspot.com
omvintage.etsy.com

Anonymous said...

I wish i could wear such outfit to my office ^^ it's lovely...

Lexie said...

i love the dress and the perfectly worn in denim jacket! beautiful as always!

Helen said...

i love the clothespin people too!

wiley said...

oh my gosh. so funny. i'm from reading and i so wish that the goggle works had revamped before i moved off to boston. but it's still a place i love to visit on my trips home.

coming to your blog is always like a little trip home.

thanks

Suze said...

This outfit is fab! I love the details on the dress and the beret goes so well! I love hats, but have a hard time pulling them off (or not having my hair look odd!).
Very nice.

Suze
http://missvinylahoy.wordpress.com

Maria Confer said...

I am in love with your check dress.

That photo of you sitting by the piano is so gorgeous.

Lulu Letty

katecreate said...

You look great! I love the hat you are wearing!

Starr Crow said...

love the dress and how sweet they sent it to you!

sanjeet said...

i adore everything!
video models

Elo Coquette said...

I love these pictures, and you just look great ! the colors are beautiful !
xx

•• http://www.lescoquettes.fr ••

Danielle said...

It's so nice to be able to play a little sum-something on the piano.

Marlisa said...

Love your blog! Found it through District of Chic, and was thrilled to see photos of the Goggle. It's such a great place and a real asset to the city.