Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! I hope you have a Halloween as awesome looking as the one above. ;)

Sponsor Spotlight

Knowing that I'm always a sucker for any thing to do with birds, the other day Tom forwarded an email to me that he thought I would like. It was from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and included things such as photographing White-tailed Ptarmigan on the slopes of Mt. Ranier and following the migration route of a three month old Osprey named Penelope.

So, you can see why I'm smitten with the adorable little bird belt buckles made by Cassie Stephens of Cassie Art, one of my lovely sponsors this month. Cassie's a fellow southern gal hailing from Nashville, TN and spends her days as an elementary school art teacher. In her spare time she creates clay belt buckles paired with vintage fabric. Doesn't that sound like fun way to spend your days? If birds aren't your thing, there are also apples and bunnies or she'll work with you to created your own custom belt. Be sure to stop by and check out her shop!

Etsy Update: Cozy Sweaters

Lots of cozy sweaters have been added to the Etsy shop today. Be sure to check 'em out!

Etsy Update: Black and Blue

Here's a look at the blouses I added to the Etsy shop today. Thanks so much for stoppin' by!

The Silk Mill

photos by Tom b.

- vintage pointelle sweater
- 60s wool shorts
- vintage ankle boots
- vintage wool beret
- Target socks



Thanks so much for all of your comments on the silk mill photos. I'm glad you all enjoyed it as much as I did. After hours of walking around inside I still don't feel like I've seen everything it had to offer. Hopefully you can make out the date on the calender above... just one of the many that were left from 1957.



Today I'm going to be busy working on lots of Etsy updates. There's a batch of 60s wool skirts and a batch of pretty blouses just waiting to be added to the shop. And tomorrow I'll be adding lots of cozy sweaters.



I'm also going to be working on the finishing touches for my Halloween costume. I don't want to reveal what it is quite yet because I'm not sure that it's going to work out the way I hope. If it does (fingers crossed), pictures will be shared!

Etsy Update: Wool Plaid Skirts

This is going to be another one of those better-late-than-never Etsy batches. I intended to list these 50s-60s wool plaid skirts yesterday but time got away from me, so I'll be working on them this morning. Plus I'll be adding a bunch of pretty blouses later this afternoon.

Fall Wishlist Outfits

Topshop sweater, BBW dress, Topshop loafers, UO satchel, Hansel from Basel tights

I never got around to posting my October wishlist and my folder was getting quite full of things that have caught my eye. So many good things out there right now! So instead of just posting the items individually I thought I'd make some fantasy outfits out of them. Now if only I could find that winning lottery ticket.


Alexa Chung for Madwell sweater, Topshop cape, BBW tap shorts, Jeffrey Campbell boots, Hansel from Basel tights


Topshop dress, Modcloth sweater, Jeffrey Campbell wedges, UO hat, Hansel from Basel socks


Topshop dress, Topshop tights, UO heels

Hansel from Basel

It's getting to be that time of year again when tights are a girl's best friend. I'm addicted to basic black ones but think it's time to branch out a bit. Hansel from Basel has a really great collection of tights in earthy hues and subtle patterns. I've taken the plunge and ordered the knee pad ones and the pixie ones (the first two pair below). Hopefully I'll have the courage to wear them out in public.

The Silk Mill

photos by Tom b.

- 60s dress
- AA tights
- 30s oxfords
- vintage wool beret



Over the weekend we had the most amazing opportunity. You all know by now how much we enjoy exploring and photographing abandoned places, right? Well this was pretty much the ultimate in abandonment. The morning started out with us waking at dawn to hit the road, followed by a sunrise drive through Gettysburg. The drive alone was worth it as all the trees are at peak color and the mountains were gold and red. Just beautiful!



We arrived nearly four hours later to a large brick building in a tiny town where not much remains. The building was nothing special from the outisde... just simple brick with lots of the windows broken and part of the roof beginning to rot. But inside was a whole different story!



After sitting outside and enjoying the morning sunshine for a bit, the owner showed up to accompany us into the building. As he was letting us in, he told a bit about the history of the place. It was built in 1907 and served as a silk mill for 50 years. Raw silk was brought here, washed, dyed and spun into silk thread. In 1957 the mill closed (and this is the best part) the doors were shut and everything was left exactly where it was! Nothing in the building has been touched or removed (except for the occasional unfortunate vandal) in over 5o years. It was like walking into a time capsule!



Not only was all of the machinery in place (complicated machines that I couldn't even begin to understand how they work) but there were still ladies' shoes in the lockers, evidence of lunches had on picnic tables, handwritten payroll records (minimum was was $.20 an hour!) and piles of raw silk waiting to be spun into thread. There were still calenders hanging in nearly every room, each turned to January 1957.

We wandered around the mill for hours, trying to take it all in and snapping lots of photos along the way. I couldn't resist the opportunity to turn it into a bit of a photoshoot, so expect more photos to come!

A Lovely Mess

I discovered this editorial from the October 2010 issue of Vogue Spain on Francesca's blog and, of course, it was instant love. The settings remind me of the abandoned sites we've visited, only way more awesome! I wish I could walk into a room like this.

The editorial is very Grey Gardens with the headscarves and the cats roaming around, but like Francesca, they instantly reminded me of the article I read recently about the Paris apartment that had been left untouched since WWII. Did you see it? The story goes that a woman left her apartment in Paris just before the war and never returned. It sat untouched for over 70 years! Walking into it must have been like entering a time capsule. How magical would that have been?

Etsy Update: Almost Winter

Another batch of pretty dresses have just been added to the Etsy shop!

Style Diaries: World Fashion from Berlin to Tokyo

I was honored to be asked to participate in the Prestel book Style Diaries: World Fashion from Berlin to Tokyo. I didn't want to bend the spine of the book far enough to be able to scan the pages so these are actually the proofs of the pages that were included in the book. I know you've seen all these photos before but I thought you might like to see a peek of how the book is laid out.

I'm so excited to be included amongst several of my favorite bloggers (Anja! Aya! Carrie!), gals I consider friends even though we've never met. But what amazes me most about the book is all of the bloggers included that I wasn't familiar with... what a vast blogging world we're all participating in! I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the book and discovering more great blogs to follow.

*Update: Some of you asked where to find it... I found it for sale on Amazon.

Etsy Update: Shades of Brown

I think brown gets a bad rap as far as colors go, but it's always one of my favorite colors to wear. I've just added all of these dresses to the Etsy shop. Thanks so much for stoppin' by!

Sprinkle all my kisses on your head...

- 30s lace blouse
- Alexa Chung velvet shorts
- thrifted J. Crew cardigan
- vintage t-strap Ferragamos
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse
- listening to: Smashing Pumpkins - Gish "Siva"



After taking it easy for a couple of days, I'm back to work listing things in the Etsy shop this morning. I've got lots and lots of lovely dresses to add this week! I've just finished one batch and I'm about to start another.

My break included taking a trip to Cherry Hill Orchard, a local apple farm. I'd never been before and really loved it! Unfortunately they'd already done the last "pick your own" day but there were buckets full of at least a dozen different kinds of apples to choose from. And samples galore! I was so stuffed with apples by the time we left. I ended up choosing Cameos and Golden Delicious to bring home with me. Yummmm. I want to go next year when we can try to pick our own.

Etsy Update: Smilin' Gal Vintage

Here's a quick sneak peek at the Smilin' Gal items I'll be adding to the Etsy shop soon. Hopefully they'll be in the shop tonight... but it may really be tomorrow morning? There are lots of wonderful things in this batch... pretty cotton shirt-waist dresses, fancy dresses for the upcoming holidays and even a 1930s golf dress!

The Strasburg Railroad

- H&M dress
- AA tights
- UO t-strap flats
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse



Riding the Strasburg Railroad is one of those cheesy touristy things that Tom and I love to do over and over. Every time we have visitors come stay with us, we jump at the chance to ride the train again! The train ride is only about 9 miles long and goes right through the heart of Amish country. On the ride we passed lots of Amish farms, cows and horses grazing in pastures, dried corn fields and a huge pumpkin patch. It was such a beautiful day!



After our train ride we headed to the creamery in Strasburg... another tourist trap! I helped myself to a big scoop of pumpkin ice cream and Tom had chocolate cashew. Yummmm! The creamery also has a little general store in the back where they sell local goods. I'm always a sucker for all the neat packaging. They even have their own colony of bees making honey. You can watch them working through a plexiglass window. I sampled the wildflower honey and the orange blossom honey. I meant to take photos of the store but didn't. Maybe next time! I'm sure we'll go back soon.

Etsy Update: For Your Feet

I've just added a bunch of shoes and boots to the Etsy shop. My favorites are the 40s deadstock oxfords - and in my size! Someone better snatch those up before I change my mind.

Outside we wait 'til face turns blue...

- vintage girl's cableknit sweater
- 60s wool skirt
- 60s Peter Pan collar shirt
- UO boots
- vintage Coach purse
- vintage wool beret
- listening to: Pixies - Doolittle "Here Comes Your Man"



I remember a long time ago when I was working a regular 9 to 5 office cubicle job (ugh!) and it seemed like Friday would never come. Now I find myself thinking that I can't believe it's already Friday again on the regs. Here it is, another Friday, another week into fall. This weekend we plan on visiting family, riding the Strassburg railroad, visiting the creamery for ice cream and watching the season finale of Mad Men. What about you?

Etsy Update: Blazers & Jackets

I've just added another batch of goodies to the Etsy shop to help keep you warm on these cool fall days!

Jayson Home & Garden

Ultimately I would love to have a home decorated with a mixture of antiques and industrial design. I like lots of metal and wood to temper the girly flowery stuff! I'm currently torturing myself by doing lots of pretend shopping at Jayson Home & Garden. I pretty much want it ALL!

Etsy Update: For Cooler Days

It seems cooler days are here to stay (at least for a while) which means it's time to start raiding the stash of coats I have stored in the attic. I didn't realize I'd collected so many! Here are the first of many to come...

You reel me out and you cut the string...

- 60s mini dress
- UO boots
- vintage Coach purse
- listening to: Radiohead - In Rainbows "15 Steps"



I bought this dress because it reminded me of recent ones from Orla Kiely; 60s inspired, polka dots, a little Peter Pan collar! I usually stay away from dresses like these because they come off as a bit young for me, but I couldn't resist this one.

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful comments on the video! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. It's always a bit scary putting something you've created out there for others to see, so it was very encouraging to hear all of your feedback. I hope to share more creative projects with you in the future!

Street Style Favorites

My street style folder has been filling up with pretty feminine looks; especially ones with longer skirts lengths.