Etsy Update: My Dresses

It's that time of year when I'm itching to clean out my closet and start over from scratch!  I don't know about completely starting over but I am willing to make a little room on the rack by finding new homes for some of the dresses I love but just don't get to wear enough.  I'm starting with these six.  They are now all available in the shop (go see for yourself).  More to come!

Les Puces Saint Ouen

Our trip to Paris wouldn't have been complete without a trip to the flea market in Saint Ouen.  I'd heard so many wonderful things about Parisian flea markets, this legendary one was a must when we were planning our itinerary.  I have to say, it did not disappoint! Thankfully, it was a beautiful sunny day and we took the train north of the city to find the market.  After a few wrong turns through the neighborhood, we finally stumbled upon the entrance and wandered in.  I could have spent all day rummaging through every single stall but we only had a couple of hours before we headed off to our next stop. 

Walking through the furniture stalls made we wish could completely start over in decorating our home.  So many amazing things!  It was a bit hard to take photos because you know how picky flea market vendors are about photos but there were so many pretty things to look at.  There were a million things I wanted to buy, but unless we were going to charter a boat to take us home we had to leave it all behind.  There was not going to be any room in my backpack for a new couch or a collection of vintage mirrors.

There were not as many vendors selling vintage clothing as I had hoped, but there were still plenty of things to look at.  In one stall I found two vintage wool striped sailor sweaters in a perfectly small size.  One in cream with navy stripes, the other in navy with cream stripes.  They reminded me of A.P.C. sweaters.  Then there was Chez Sarah, which strictly forbid photos (so I took a couple of sneaky ones from outside the shop) that was full of so many wonderful vintage dresses it took my breath away.  I was tempted by a 30s silk embroidered peasant blouse since I've been looking for one for ages but ended up walking away because of the outrageous price tag.  Luckily that all worked out in the end because I ended up finding nearly the same blouse at a shop in Amsterdam for a fraction of the price, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself with that story. 

Bren Summer 2012

I've just discovered the Bren Summer 2012 collection and fallen in love with pretty much the whole thing.  As described on the website, the collection is designed by identical twin sisters, is produced entirely in Los Angeles and "combines the sophisticated, progressive look of New York and the laid back Southern California lifestyle."  It's full of exactly what I've been wanting to wear lately... more prints (which is new for me), lots of shorts for the hottest summer days and I couldn't resist a white eyelet sundress. 

Etsy Update: Summer Shorts

**circle circle dot romper**    **seersucker picnic shorts**    ** summers best shorts**    **railroad pleated shorts**

My favorite outfit this summer had been a pair of short and a tank top.  Simple, I know... but it's just too hot for anything else!  These shorts all fit the bill.  I've just added them (and more) to the Etsy shop. 

Etsy Update: Heat Wave Dresses

**geometry print dress**    **bold floral sundress**    **tulip garden sundress**    **pink bouquet sundress**

It's so hot here, just like it is everywhere else!  We're talking about triple digits! I've just updated the Etsy shop with lots of sundresses to help get through the hottest days of summer.  Hop on over and check it out!

Paris! Ooh La La!

After a few cloudy grey days in London we took the Chunnel to Paris.  I thought the Chunnel would be a bit scary, but it was actually quite a boring ride.  At the exact minute we were scheduled to arrive, we pulled into the train station and I stepped into mainland Europe for the first moment in my life.  Here are a few photos and notes about our first couple of days in Paris.

• The city was a bit intimidating to navigate at first, but once we got our Metro passes and figured out the train routes it was quite easy. 
• One day we bought Batobus tickets so we could hop on and off the water bus as it circled round and round the Seine.  
• There are literally cafes on every corner.  That is not an exaggeration.  I did not eat any macaroons, but I did have more than my fair share of crepes and croissants.  
• The Simpsons is still funny, even when overdubbed in French. 
• We enjoyed the times we spent exploring the neighborhood where our hotel was located (the Latin Quarter) more than the time we spent doing the touristy stuff we tried out. 
• Vintage shops were either full of junky 70s polyester for relatively cheap, or  beautifully curated and way out of my price range.  I think everything I like was close to 120 euros!
• We went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, but not the Eiffel Tower.  The line was too long! 

 

Fleur Wood Spring 2012

I discovered Fleur Wood, and Australian based designer, through an order placed in my Etsy shop. I'd not heard of the designer and was pleased to discover a line that is full of vintage inspired silhouettes and details mixed with modern prints in the spring collection, titled "Dream Catcher".  The spring pieces are not available yet, but I'd settle for the Cybill dress from the winter collection too!