Spring Wishlist

Madewell dress, Steven Alan cardigan, Dieppa Restrpo shoes, Maya Brenner necklace, Karen Walker sunglasses

I finally feel like I can talk about our upcoming trip without jinxing it.  That's because my passport application went through and that little blue book is finally safely in my hands.  I had no real reason to think it would be denied, I was just paranoid since we booked nonrefundable tickets before I applied for my passport.  Probably not the best order in which to do things!  So, now that that not-so-little detail is taken care of I can finally say that we're going to Europe in May!  I'm so excited and this trip is occupying a lot of my day dreaming time these days.  Which means I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about what I'll be packing.  Here's the challenge... we've decided since we'll be traveling quite a bit once we're over there, we want to pack as light as possible and that means not checking any bags on the flight over.  Fifteen days in Europe with only a backpack's worth of clothes presents a unique challenge for a clothes-loving gal like myself.  I know in the end practicality will win out, but in the meantime it doesn't hurt anyone to think about what I would like to pack if I had my own entourage to tote my luggage around for me.

First stop LONDON!  We'll be staying in Camden since Tom has visited London many times before and always loves staying in this neighborhood.  I can't even think of all the things I want to do while I'm there.  I keep having visions of Clark Griswold getting stuck in the round-a-bout... "Look kids, Big Ben!  Parliament!"


Steven Alan dress, Madewell tote, Karen Walker sunglasses, Le Botte Gardiane sandals

Next stop PARIS!  Again, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the thought of all the things I want to do while we're there.  I know there will be some touristy stops and some vintage shopping and lots of museums and beautiful outdoor spaces.  We literally rearranged out itinerary so we could make it to Les Puces de Saint-Ouen.  The thought of going to a Parisian flea market has me too excited for words.  


Tocca dress, Madewell flats, vintage purse, Madewell sunglasses

Next stop FREIBURG!  We'll be staying in Freiburg while we explore the Black Forest region of Germany.  Tom has distant relatives there that we'll be visiting so we hope to see lots of the local sites and not just touristy things.  There will also be a day trip to Heidelberg.  I've been studying and trying to learn a little bit of German to help us get around. Ich kann ein bisschen Deutsch sprechen!


Steven Alan dress,Toki Collection necklace, Madewell bag, Isabel Marant sandals

Next stop BRUGES!  OK, so have you seen the movie In Bruges?  Tom and I loved that movie so when it came time to pick a stop in Belgium our choice was pretty obvious.  I can't wait to take a boat ride through the canals of the Medieval city.  Oh, and the other things we're looking forward to... lots of chocolate and LOTS of Belgian beer. 


Edith A Miller shirt, vintage shorts, Topshop sandals, Tula  hat, Makr tote

Next stop AMSTERDAM! I'm imagining riding bicycles through fields of tulips but I might be reaching a bit with that one.  There will definitely be bicycles involved, that much I know.  Then there will be a long flight home and a week of sleep! 

Fall/Winter Collections

photos courtesy of Erin @ Calivintage (please credit her upon reposting)

Even though it's time to be talking about the upcoming spring and summer seasons, it's a fashion fact that next fall's collections are debuting at this very moment.  I find myself to be a bit Steven Alan obsessed these days so I was excited to see all of Erin's behind the scenes photos of the new Steven Alan collection from her NYFW trip.  I can't wait to see the rest of the collection and more of the dresses since they are usually my favorite pieces. 



The other Fall/Winter collection making its debut is Secret Squirrel's Art Class.  Despite being a winter collection, so many of these pieces could be worn right now.  I've been attracted to a lot of geometric prints while out thrifting lately, so the triangle print is just perfect. 

Etsy Update: Purses

Check out these AND MORE in the Etsy shop! 

New Old Things

It's been quite a while since I've done one of these posts!  There have been a few things that have slipped quietly into my closet over the past couple of months and here are my favorites.  Some were thrifted, some were traded and some were found at local vintage shops.  First there is a sweet 70s knit dress with pastel floral embroidery and pointelle details.  I'm always a sucker for these types of dresses and finally thrifted one in my size.  Then there's a 60s era cotton dress that needs a little TLC since some of the buttons are broken/missing but other than that is pretty much perfect.



I have a little collection of blazers but for some reason I hardly ever wear them.  I'm going to do my best to show this 1930s one a little daylight now and again.  It's quite lovely with its pointed collar and nearly-falling-apart silk lining.  As a matter of fact, seeing these photos side by side gives me an idea of exactly how to wear it... layered over this gauzy cotton blouse.  This piece is quite a mystery to me.  When I first spotted it I thought it was going to be a 70s bohemian style piece, but upon closer inspection there's nary a machine stitch in sight and all of the embroidery was lovingly done by hand.  There are little hand crocheted buttons that fasten up the back.  Now I think it's much older, perhaps 10s or 20s!



Last and certainly not least, this 30s era sailor dress.  Serious sailor perfection.  When I first spotted it, this dress was being tried on by another vintage loving lady at a local shop.  I stood and watch her turn in front of the mirror, looking this way and that, trying to decide if the dress should go home with her.  The whole time I was turning green with envy that she had found the dress only moments before I surely would have discovered it.  After stalking her around the store for a bit, I saw her take the dress to the check-out counter and tried to put it out of my mind.  It was her lucky day, not mine.  Then for some reason, she must have changed her mind at the last second and I wasted no time swooping right in and making it mine all mine!

Penny Stock

I just discovered the spring collection from Penny Stock and it definitely has me pining for warmer days. The clothes are the definition of easy-to-wear.  Theses are my favorite looks from the collection.  I'm especially fond of all the nautical stripes, the high waisted jeans and the pretty sundresses. From a photography OCD standpoint, it's making me a little bit crazy that the model's feet are cut off in most of the photos.  Ha, ha.  I was unfamiliar with the line so I tried to find past collections but only found menswear.  Is this the first offering of women's clothing from Penny Stock?  I don't know.  I certainly hope it's not the last. 

Etsy Update: Happy Groundhog's Day!

foggy horizon dress ... midnight garden dress ... smoky mountains dress

fawn crochet cape ... mr. mort tweed dress ... tuscon knit poncho

chevron wool sweater ... mauve mohair capelet ... open back sequin sweater

gingham embroidered skirt ... earth toned plaid skirt ... jewel button plaid skirt 

PLUS LOTS MORE!  CHECK OUT THE SHOP TO SEE THE REST! 

Tocca Spring 2012

I've gathered up all of the images I could find scattered around the internet that show Tocca's spring collection.  There's no sign of the collection on the Tocca site yet, although the winter collection is on sale for half off, if you had your eye on something.  The spring collection is what I've come to expect of Emma Fletcher's designs... pretty and feminine with lots of vintage inspired details. So of course, I love it.