Vintage Print Project

Lately I've been pretty excited about a project I've been working on, in which my loves for art and history collide in an epic way. Over my years as a vintage clothing dealer, I've come across so many adorable, crazy, interesting and funny textile prints-- peacocks, snowflakes+roosters+hearts (yes, together), houses, sailboats, blue oxen... So, so many. Novelty has been in for quite a long time, really, and some of the best examples I've comes across are truly one of a kind (I've not seen their like since).  

I quite like one of a kind, if I'm honest.  

If I'm even more honest, that's because it means only I have it. Pretty silly, right? I'm not sure I realized how silly, and potentially selfish that thought was, until I realized how many gorgeous, uniquely printed $200+ vintage dresses there are on Etsy that I will never ever own (being a dealer, I'm kind of cheap). That's when I realized that I really wanted to bring the adorable, curious prints that I have access to, back into circulation somehow, and make them more readily available.  

Enter Society6, Spoonflower and my doodle happy self. I began re-illustrating (for lack of a better term?) a couple of prints from my own vintage wardrobe, and am so excited to continue. My first offering, Automobiles is now available on Society6 (in several color ways) and will soon also be on Spoonflower. How cool is that!? Those who know me, will recognize this print from one of my favorite skirts-- a quilted, 1940's number covered in these dapper little cars. :)

While the vintage garment itself remains truly one of a kind (in aesthetics, and in the story it's lived), I'm so glad to be able to share these unique prints. Even more than sharing just the print, it's like sharing with others the wonder I feel when I discover unique vintage garments. Now anyone who wants to (without dropping $200+ on a dress) can add some vintage print to their life with an iPhone case, tote bag, mug, or a million other things. Heck, you could even order the fabric on Spoonflower and make a skirt!

So much more to come!  If you are a vintage print lover, and have photos of print you might like to contribute to this project, let me know! :)

Stars and Staples

This is what I wore to church Sunday morning (I know, hindsight) but by the afternoon, we had quite a hot day on our hands.  I ended up stopping home and switching out my cotton skirt for some shorts, which was much better for the sweltering weather.  I couldn't help but be struck that both garments looked good with this blouse though, as it's kind of a hard one to coordinate-- which brought be to supreme appreciation for my wardrobe staples.

I'm a lover of novelty and unique pieces when it comes to clothing, but I've become better in recent years about gathering some staple pieces that can be worn with anything-- or just about.  This skirt and pair of shorts are definitely both in that category and go swimmingly with just about any color or pattern.  

Stars and Staples, I suppose that could be an aesthetic philosophy of its own. :)

Details

{blouse} - handmade by me with vintage polished cotton.

{shorts} - vintage 80's

{necklace} - inherited from my grandmother

{flats} - BCBG Max Azaria

One At A Time

It always amazes me that the addition of one new clothing item can expand the potential of my existing wardrobe ten times over.  I've long been pretty discerning about any purchase of clothing, thinking it through, looking at comparable items, etc.  This is in part due to tight purse strings, and part to my overly specific taste.  Either way, I've found that purchasing only one item at a time can have it's merits!

One new color or texture at a time opens my eyes to closet combinations I would have otherwise not seen, and challenges me to wear the new item lots of different ways. That's totally the case with this dark mossy hued skirt that I purchased in December.  I have easily worn it at least 5 different ways so far, and it's addition has brought some of my older clothing pieces back to life!  Seriously, this lavender blouse is from High School and I've only worn it in adulthood one way before this. Not only has this skirt revealed new color pairings, but also has allowed me to play with texture and print too!  I would have at first thought the lace, sugar skull detail to be too busy to pair with anything but simple staples-- boy was I wrong!

Here's to the beauty of one thing at a time.

details

{blouse} - ? High School remnant

{striped tank} - T.J. Maxx

{cardigan} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{skirt} - Rock Steady, ModCloth

{tights} - ModCloth

{boots} - Steve Madden, Nordstrom

{necklace} - gift, My Selvaged Life

House and Home

It seems that at any point in the past 5 years, someone in my family has been moving or preparing to move.  Today I helped my Mom begin her last move for a few years, as she just bought a house!  She sold our family childhood home over a year ago to downsize and has been renting and waiting for the right time to buy.  I'm quite excited for her and hopeful that this will mean less moving, at least for a few years.

Ironically (really, I didn't even think about it) I wore this dress which is covered with an abstract, Monet-esque house print!  Friends, this is why I've said before that I sometimes feel like Ms. Frizzle. :) This dress is one of my favorites, I found it while out in Colorado and could never bring myself to sell it because it twirls like a dream.  Haha, sometimes it's actually a bit much-- I have to really watch it on blustery summer days! Thank goodness for winter tights.

Details

{sweater} - J.Crew

{dress} - 50's vintage, thrifted

{belt} - vintage 60's, thrifted

{tights} - Modcloth

{oxfords} - Julianne Hough, gift

{gloves} - vintage 50's, thrifted

Automobiles

I received this wonderful vintage 50's automobile print skirt as a Christmas gift (I'll admit, it's one I specifically asked for) and I'm so thrilled with it!  Not only is the print wonderful and the color versatile, but it's actually very warm in the cold weather.

It's quite strange that Christmas is over, and 2014 is quickly approaching but I'm actually pretty excited about it!  If I've learned anything in the past couple of years, it's that life only becomes more interesting as time goes.  I don't generally put much stock in New Year's resolutions but I actually think I might lay some down this year, out of anticipation for what lies ahead.  Goodness, there is so much already!  I'm starting the shoemaking apprenticeship in January, going to be an Aunt in June, and hoping to be certified to teach and facilitate the Enneagram by this time next year.  Truly, what excites me even more than those things are the details God has yet to reveal!  Years ago I never would have felt that way about the unknown, it's funny how things change. :)

Details

{sweater} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{leather jacket} - gift, Michael Kors

{skirt} - vintage 50's, gift via Kitty Girl Vintage

{tights} - ModCloth

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{necklace} - Mata Traders

To Edit or Not to Edit

When I first started blogging, I came face to face with the issue of To Edit or Not To Edit.  It may seem hypocritical, but I decided to edit my shop photos but not those on my blog.  Here's why:

I have always edited my vintage shop photos.  I have some skin issues and the product photos I model in are a form of marketing.  In short: I want my customers focusing on the dress, not my face.  It didn't take me long though, to decide my personal blog was not a place for edited photos.  I don't take these photographs to market anything, I take and share them to express and document my sense of style-- even if (or especially because) it's flawed.  Authenticity is what it comes down to, and I feel that I can't be without exposing my flaws.

I find it funny that as humans we have this instinct to hide our flaws.  It's something I struggled with a lot in my teens, and have overcome mostly through frank openness about my weaknesses.  The reason I find it funny is that once we've exposed our flaws, we usually find ourselves strangely confident-- we no longer need to fear that others will identify our insecurities because we've fully acknowledged them already.  For me, it also boils down to the fact that I don't need to be perfect because the blood of Christ has made that unnecessary.  I can come as I am, bad skin and all.  Jesus loves messy people and I'm pretty glad of that.

I'd love to hear your take on this issue, especially if you have a shop or blog online.

{Peacock Dress} vintage '40's, thrifted

{Lace Tank} worn underneath Target

{MJ Flats} Lulu's

{Stone Bracelet} gift from friend

{Silver Watch} vintage, thrifted

{Steel Necklace} gift from Dad

{Blue Belt} vintage, thrifted