Knit Project: A Ruffled Collar

Last week, when I wasn't feeling well, I decided to design/knit a lacy, detachable collar. After a couple false starts, I completed the one above. It is completely improvised, so it's one of a kind. I can duplicate the form, but the eyelet pattern will be slightly different every time. Isn't it darling? I love how it turns a boring sweater into something unique and eye-catching. I want to put it out into the world because I'm curious what the response will be. I think I'm going to list it in my Etsy shop and see what happens. 

Oh I'm also trying something different with my hair. I have been too lazy to cut my bangs an I think I may grow them out. I have had bangs for the last decade so I am a little scared to expose my forehead. I am just going to keep pinning them to the side until I panic and cut them.

Oh and sorry about the lack of thrift tips last week. I will be back with more tomorrow....

xo
D

Stylish Blogger Award

The lovely Kaitlynn of Most Serene Rabbit has graciously passed me the glittering baton know as the Stylish Blogger Award. I thank you Kaitlynn. Your style is fly, your photos are striking and, most of all, your blog is thoughtful. I recommend it to all. I am so pleased to recieve this award but it must be passed on. With great awardi-ness comes great responsibility...

The AWARD RULES:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post 
• Tell us seven things about you
• Award seven recently discovered new bloggers
• Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award

these rules will be strictly followed after the jump...

Yelling in Helvetica

I have been sick all weekend and it doesn't seem to be getting better. I don't know if I'm going to do an outfit post this week. Maybe I will. If I actually get dressed. But hey! Check out this cute craft book. I found it in Wisconsin last weekend but forgot share it with ya'll. I collect old-school craft books and they all have kitschy cute-covers. I think this one might be my favorite though. I love the all lower-case Helvetica title. But for some reason I feel like its yelling at me, like "Make it yo' Damn Self!" I might share some of my other craft books some other time but right now I am going to make myself some tea and go back to bed. Sniffle.

Thrift Tips #5: Get in Where you Fit In

The hardest part of buying second hand clothing is finding the right size. You might find the perfect vintage blouse, but there is no seeing it in a small. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.  On top of that, a lot of thrift shops don't have fitting rooms. And don't even think about taking something back if it doesn't look good on you. Returns and exchanges are almost unheard of.

So what can you do?

Well, I don't usually admit this because it is slightly embarrassing but, when I go to a thrift shop that doesn't have a dressing room, I wear a long-er loose-ish skirt so I can try pants and other skirts on under neath it. I know, I know. I have no shame.

If you don't feel comfortable trying stuff on in public like a crazy lady. Don't worry. Just get to know your measurements and keep a cloth tape measure in your purse. When you see that form fitting wiggle dress, do a quick measurement of  the bust, waist and hips. You'll  have a pretty good idea weather or not it will fit.

The final option is to alter the clothing to fit you. You don't have to be a seamstress. You can have your second hand stuff professionally tailored. If you pay an extra 20-30 bucks for alterations on a pair of pants that cost 5, you still paid  less than you would for a new pair of new pants. But I don't recommend this unless you've found something that you absolutely can not live without. And remember, it's a lot easier to take things in than it is to let them out. So you should pass on stuff thats way too small.

There is a lack of size variety in vintage and second had clothing. It's sad, but true. Whatever you do don't get discouraged. The Gods of thrift will lead you to the clothes that you were meant to have. If it doesn't fit you, it simply wasn't meant to be.

Just One...

Blouse: thrifted/vintage 3$

Wool Skirt: thrifted/vintage 5$

Belt: thrifted/vintage (don't remember)

Boots: thrifted/ vintage 8$

I take my own pictures with a generic 50$ point and shoot and a self -timer. I could only get one good picture of my outfit today. I was having trouble getting it to focus, so I just gave up. This one turned out nicely though. I was surprised. I used a filter in picnic called "orton-ish." I like it. I think it hides the fact that I have a super cheap camera. Or, I don't know, maybe it makes it look even cheaper?

Ah well, I'm off to bed. g'night

Thrift Score: From America's Dairy Land With Love

I finally took a long overdo trip up to Wisconsin to do some thrifting. It was pretty awesome. I scored super-cute vintage dresses and found my new most-favorite-est thirft shop in the world. It definitely pays to go out of the city. I can't wait to go back but I won't be eating at Culver's again for at least a year (butter burger= ridiculous). Here are a few of my finds...

A darling 1970s floral cotton dress, 4$. It's long sleeved but very sheer and light. A great spring transition piece.

A Precious precious PRECIOUS 1960s butterfly collared baby doll dress 2.5$. It needs to be shortened. I want it to be above the knees. It's floor length right now.

A 1970s tweed vest-and-skirt set that fits like a glove 3$

Some 'Dillas 1.5$

A striped, sparkly-metallic 1970s sweater, 2$. The label says 'Organically Grown' but it's made from polyester and rayon. I guess that term didn't have quite the same meaning back then that it has today.

Some vintage ribbon, 1$

 And the BEST vintage skinny belt ever 0.75$

But thats not all. I also found a couple of vintage blouses, (i'm wearing one of them right now) another cotton dress that needs some repairs, and one of the best fitting vintage coats ever. It's light, more of a rain coat than a winter coat. I plan on wearing it today, and taking pictures.

I can't wait to style/wear my new stuff in the coming weeks. I'm dreaming of spring. Sometimes it makes me sad to live in Chicago where the winters are so extreme. I love the snow. But because I walk/take the train everywhere, I have to dress appropriately. It's hard to dress cute and stay warm. I get stuck in a wool-skirt-sweater-tights-boots or jeans-sweater-boots rut. Boring.

Does anyone else out there live where it is below zero half the year? How do you dress warm and keep it interesting?

Thrift Tips #4: Don't follow Trends, Let The Trends Follow You

I had a wonderful adventure in the snow today. I stumbled on to a thrift store, that I didn't even know about, a mile and half from my house. And I went to the multi-story fortress of photography known as Helix to get some more film for my Polaroid. Anywhoo, on to Thrift tips!

photo courtesy of Sally Jane Vintage

Once upon a time, in the late 90s, all the thrift shops in the land were absolutely filled with low heeled boots from the 80s that nobody wanted.

Then one magical day, a fashion-forward girl (or girls) decided she liked the cast off boots. She bought them and wore them, despite that fact that everybody else in the world thought they were ugly and outdated.

Suddenly, the world saw how awesome the boots looked on her. Next thing you know, other hip girls started buying them. Then Urban  Outfitter's Urban Renewal brand started buying them. Pretty soon, Designers even started making new versions of them.

Viola! A trend was born.

The moral of the story: Some trends are started by visionary thrifters who embrace "ugly" cast off items and make them chic again.So don't be afraid to embrace items from the thrift store that others wouldn't look twice at. Who knows? You may start a trend. Can you think of any other trends that started as a thrift shop cast off? I can... (COUGH!highwaistedpleatedshortsCOUGH!)

Things Are Tough All Over

The snow is falling softly this morning in big fat flakes. Days like this in Chicago remind me of the old Cheech and Chong flick "Things Are Tough All Over." Have you seen it? It's pretty cheesy. I'm not really recomending it (unless you love bad movies like I do). As a California child, I am still fascinated by the snow even after 5 years in Chicago. I've decided I'm going on an adventure today. Well, really just a long walk. And this is what I'm wearing (plus a scarf and gloves). I'll be back later with some thrift tips.

Raspberry beret: The kind you buy in a second hand store 3$.
Velvet Coat: thrifted 7$
Sweater: Ralph Laren, gift
Blouse: Thrifted 2$
Jeans: Levis (bought years ago don't remeber 40? 50?)
Boots, fleece lined: Thrifted 8$

Inspiration: Children of Le Belle Époque

My friend Pete inherited his father's collection of old photos and post cards from the turn of last century. For Christmas, he let me go through them and pick some out for myself. Here are a few that I got around to scanning.

First we have young Master Abraham Joseph Leon, age 3 in 1905. Then a beautiful birthday post card. Next is a fancy little (dutch? German?) lad with a stuffed dog. And the last is my absolute favorite. It is a French Easter card and it is perfect. I love their outfits, their angelic faces, the pussy willow bouquets. Everything about it makes me happy.

And these are just beginning. I will get around to scanning the rest soon. I will also be scanning the "Useful Birds of North America by Arm and Hammer Baking Soda" trading cards that my Grandma collected in the 30s. They are beautiful and should be shared.

layers

This is what I wore today. I didn't do much, ran some errands, went to the drug store. This is another completely thrifted outfit (Except the tights actually. Oh and I made the necklace)

My trusty black hat: Thrifted vintage: 5$
Coat (ilgwu made in the USA): thrifted/vintage 8$
Overdress (corduroy, Lands End): thrifted/vintage 6$
Sweater (Tricot Jolie): thrifted 3$
Skirt: thrifted/vintage 5$
Tights: target (dont remember how much they cost)
Shoes: thrifted 6$
Necklace by Wrens and Roses http://www.etsy.com/listing/61721416/vintage-locket-and-tiny-cameo-assemblage

Polaroid 360: Well, it Works

Remember that old camera from a couple posts back that I scored at the thrift store? I cleaned the rollers, did the rubber-band battery trick, loaded up a pack of film, crossed my fingers and it worked! It was strange. When the shutter clicked, it didn't feel like I took a picture, but after a few moments, I separated the paper from the negative and there it was, an image. Magical.

 The experience was so different from digital. It reminded me of the difference between digital and analog recording (the limited number of pictures, the linearity of  click+pull+develop=picture, the fixed nature of the final image). It also reminded me of field trips to the zoo in elementary school when I only had 24 pictures on my little Kodak instamatic. I will be taking more (hopefully better) pictures soon. I am in love with this camera. But I am also frugal with my precious, precious film.

Thrift Tips #3: Vintage Shmintage

Its Tuesday  and time for more Thrift Tips. This week, I want to talk about the non-vintage side of thrifting. Yeah, we all want to find that perfect vintage dress but sometimes the best finds are relatively current items.

For example, check out these two secondhand outfits: Both have vintage elements but they feature modern blouses...

English Countryside

This outfit is 100% thrifted including the boots and jewelery. Everything you see cost under 30 bucks!

Blouse= thrifted, 4$
Belt= thrifted, children's 3$
Skirt= thrifted, 7$
Boots= thrifted 8$
Tortoise Shell cuff= thrifted 2$
Beaded Necklace= thrifted 1$

Oh and I just joined chictopia. I'm a huge fashion voyeur. http://www.chictopia.com/wrensandroses is my profile page.

On a Windy New Year's Day

What I wore today: a 1930s inspired outfit which is almost completely thrifted.

Coat: thrifted/vintage
Silk Blouse:  Ralph Lauren, thrifted
Skirt: thrifted/vintage
Handbag : thrifted/vintage
Tights: handmade by Wrens and Roses
Shoes: thrifted/vintage
Hat: Urban Outfitters

Thrift Score: Polaroid 360 Land Camera

 

I found thee classic polaroid land camera at a thrift shop in Indiana yesterday for 4 dollars!!!! It is in amazing shape. The bellows are perfect, the case is perfect, there was only a little corrosion on the battery leads, even the leather strap looks like it has never seen the light of day.

Fuji still makes film for this camera. It costs about half as much as the polarid 600 integral film that was famously discontinued and brought back. I have two packs on the way, plus some lithium batteries that I plan on using to pull off this rubber band hack ...

 I can't wait to start using this baby! If you want to see some photos taken with a 360 check out this photo stream by idhawkdrvr on flickr