Vintage View #15

Hot on the trail of my last Vintage View, I bring you yet another vintage goodie!

This dress was purchased the same time as my last trip to Beacon's Closet.

While it reminds me more of a Fall item, which I know it'll get plenty of wear right into and throughout the tights wearing season, it was lightweight enough that I could give it a try during the summertime months.

Besides its ability to be versatile for the different season's, let's call it what it is:

SHORT!

And let's be honest with ourselves, or moreso with me, why did I get weak in the knees for this dress when I tried it on?

Um....because it is SHORT!

I'm a sucker for short...I love my legs, that's basically what I'm telling you

(PS girls-it's ok to love something about yourself, you don't have to beat yourself up about every aspect of your self image, I personally try to like one thing for everything i dislike..keep it balanced ya know?  For instance I hate my gut, it never goes away, its been there-since I became well aware of it at the age of 5...but these legs, they've yet to hear me have a hateful thing to say about them...they very well could be my best friend! er...asset)

The worst part about this dress is I managed to rip it in 2 places the first time I wore it

 :(

sadface!

I caught it on my shoe when I was trying some dresses on at work, and bam RIP RIP.

Luckily my fashion girl skills came in handy and I whipped out my needle and thread and you're none the wiser...I dare you to try to point out the rips and my questionable stitching job.

Go ahead...goodluck.

This print and my "expertise" kinda mutually work together in this case.

Phew!

I can continue wearing the dress...right on thru tights season as I said before.

Alright kiddies, its 11:15pm and I'm tuckered out...old lady alert back in full effect, right?

Wearing:

*Vintage print dress-Beacon's Closet

*Brown suede shoes-Target

*Brown pendant necklace-Forever 21

Vintage View #14

It's high summer here in NYC...meaning it's H-O-T out!

It's hard to look nice, stay cool, and keep composed in this weather.

I had a doctor's appt. the other day, and when visiting the doctor I try to look a little better than usual. 

 I don't want them writing anything "funny" in my chart such as I look battered and bruised.

(because I am bruised...I got to a lot of concerts where jabs are received, and sometimes fists and kicks come my way)

Somehow is this dillusional head of mine, I think looking like a lady in a pretty lil' dress will detour the doc's eyes from my usual haggard physical appearance.

-Side note, I did not achieve this goal...sure enough, as was the case at last year's exam, the doctor asked me about my bruises.

(I'm convinced she's written in my file to keep an eye out for possible domestic abuse--its true, sometimes I'm that banged up, but never in the face...and if it is anyone hitting me-well its my own fault, not someone else abusing me...let's just be clear.)

So ok, we've established:

A.) It's HOT outside,

B.) I tried to look like a lady and wear a dress, and

C.) I had a doctor's appointment.

Big fat deal right?

Right!

So let's talk clothes.

I got this "new" vintage dress at Beacon's Closet on Sunday.

I can't tell what decade its from, I'm guessing the '90s.

(Um, Dusty Rose...wanna help me out with this one?)

I was drawn to it due to the yellow nature, I like yellow...not enough people veer toward yellow. 

I also really dig burnt orange-y browns mixed with Black.

So this dress was the whole shebang!

and it was cotton and airy and floaty...completely something begging to be worn in 90+ temps, no?

Overall, it was kinda an entire vintage outfit, but throughoughly workable for the modern day world.

-The purse if vintage from my trip to the Poconos last year

-The belt is vintage from my favorite thrift store in Ohio

-The shoes are vintage, or "gently used" at least, from Beacon's Closet a few years back

Yet, I thought I looked every bit a normal summertime present-day girl;

perfect for a day at the doctor's, even if it did not keep the "bruised" questions at bay.

gah!

Wearing:

*Vintage multi-color print dress-Beacon's Closet

*Vintage yellow purse-some store in the Poconos

*Vintage canvans belt-Thrift Store

*Dolce and Gabbana wedges-Beacon's Closet

*Brown sunglasses-Foster Grant

But ok guys...are you ready for the real kicker?

the most detrimental news I could ever hear at a doctor's office?

I'm only 5'4"!!!!!!!!

I had no idea, my whole life has been a lie, I guess I've worn tall girl shoes for so long I just started to believe my own fantasy.

I'm sorry I've fooled you for so long, but to be fair, I've fooled myself sincerely as well.

It's a huge blow to my "once upon a time tall-girl" ego!

:(

Daily Wear: Travel Style (Nashville Bound)

Thankfully my internet is up and running now!  Fingers crossed it keeps on keepin' on...

And now, the long awaited beginning to my 10day getaway.

We start out with my flight to Nashville!

(Oh Nashville, I HEART YOU!!!!  4ever!)

I'm not one to do that whole Juicy Couture tracksuit and Uggs look when I travel--a bit too "leisure" for my style.  And a bit too Blah Blah BORING!

I like to keep it interesting when I fly because there's plenty of BORING to go around with everyone else in the airports.  Plus, lets not forget that once upon a time, flying was a luxury, and people dressed like such.  Not to say I'm dressed all "luxe" or anything, but at least I'm putting some effort into the travel style, no?

So kids, I touched down in Tennessee at 9:30am...that meant I had to get up at 5:30am my time to make it to the airport.  And when I hadn't gone to sleep until 1:30am the night before (er...morning?), well that makes for future exhaustion most likely.

And yeah, that is a Guitar Shaped Pool!

(Where else would I stay when in Nashville?  Duh, I'm totally always going to stay at the hotel w/the guitar shaped pool.  Would you expect any less from me?)

Ok, so first things first...I was in desperate need of a trim, bangs in my eyes-sprouts on the crown of my head no longer standing up, outgrown limp hair everywhere!  But what to do, what to do...I had no time to see friend/stylist: Cristina, before my trip.  So I had to take matters into my own hands...and below is the product of a midnight snippity-snip on my part.  Not too shabby, eh?

(Cristina, please don't shoot me for going at your masterpiece on my own...you can point out my errors at my next appt.  Have fun!)

It's been all of 15 days since I took scissors and went at it...but I feel like my hair's already right where I started.  I need an appt. again.  But oh well, the DIY trim I gave myself held out and worked perfectly for my little vacation.  I'm rather happy with the way my hair looked while I was on holiday.  Specifically my bangs if I do say so myself!

And I know ever since the first pic you've been ogling my belt!  

Don't deny it.

I got this little feathered leather goodness when I went to Beacon's Closet when I met Mel for her bday lunch in Park Slope back in September.  

I hadn't found the perfect opportunity to wear it, but I put on this jumpsuit and it was just hollering for that belted number.  A great combo it was!

Ok so, had I gotten proper sleep, eaten some food on Friday, and not had 4 beers downtown in the afternoon, I'd have more to show you for a Friday in Nashville.

But you know what happened?

I went back to my hotel room around 6:30pm....washed up for a possible dinner with friends, had big plans to meet someone at a show to see his band, and then figured I'd have some drinks like any out-of-town girl in Nashville would do.  

So I sat down on my bed, flicked on the tv to check the weather, and then the next thing I know...

ummmmmm, I'm waking up to a text message at 3:00am!

WTF?????

I could've killed myself for that!  I freakin' went into the deepest sleep of my life and slept thru my entire first evening in Nashville.  I was so dead to the world I didn't even hear the numerous worrisome calls, the multiple texts, the everything friends were doing to get my attention wondering what happened to me, where I was at, if I was ok.

Oh yeah, I was just fine....just fine catching up on some sleep!  Some much needed sleep obviously!

that's what I meant by "future exhaustion" earlier in this post.

Phew-talk about the effects of fatigue, lack of food, and a few beers.

Way to go!

I suppose at least I landed in style, walked around the city like the out-of-town "city slicker" I am, and then nothing else...BORING.

Wearing:

-Black cropped blazer, H&M

-Black knit jumpsuit, F21

-Beige suede booties, Calvin Klein

-Ivory vintage belt, Beacon's Closet

-Leopard print ankle socks, H&M

-Silver vintage necklace, Thrift Store

-Silver BFF necklace, Etsy

Oh and this was just the first day...there's still another 9 days to my vacation I didn't report on...

We'll get to a Nashville "Weekend Rewind" this weekend--how's that sound?

Vintage View #13

Aaaaaah, the dreaded afterwork photo-op!

Why am I so bad about waking up that extra 5min early to take care of this in the morning when I'm all bright eyed and bushy tailed?

Ok, so here's the deal...

You might recall I wore this last weekend, or in whatever post was my last Weekend Rewind.

Although then, I was not able to get a proper full outfit shot, and I was wearing my girl-gang vest.

This here, well this is more how I planned to wear it that particular Saturday night.

Just goes to show, my weekend attire (although very much on the short side of town) can pull double duty and suit my needs for the "ever so fashionable" fashion industry in which I work.

This dress here, its one of my newer of vintage purchases.  

It's from Beacon's Closet of course, where I find myself frequenting more and more these days.

I like the goldenrod and brown coloration, always a tell-tale '70s sign.

In fact, these shades, along with the rusty tobacco color of the purse, remind me of nothing but the 1970's...even when paired on modern day attire.

Last time I wore it, I think I had way too many eras going on in one outfit...I had the dress, then I had a 1950's brown clutch (same shade as my boots), then I had one of my vintage owls, and then these modern day boots.

I think I did a better job this time around of toning it down a notch knowing the dress speaks loud enough for itself.  No need to go and confuse the general public as to what I'm really going for here.

This time, a little more simplistic, it was key to me really liking my outfit today.

Outfit Details:

*Yellow vintage dress, Beacon's Closet

*Brown suede boots, Franco Sarto

*Brown vintage Coach purse, Thrift Store

*Beige bracelet, H&M

*Gold hoop earrings, F21

And woohoo--tomorrow is Friday!

Who's excited? 

This girl right here...I've got a relaxing, not nearly as crazy as usual, weekend lined up and I'm rather quite looking forward to keeping myself in check and not getting all trainwreck crazy like this summer proved to be for me.

Enjoy kiddies!

Daily Wear: Another Beacon's Closet Find

As I mentioned in my previous post, I went shopping this past weekend.  I stopped off at Beacon's Closet in Park Slope and used my store voucher to pick up a few things.  This Trina Turk vintage-y looking doozy being one of them!

I immediately gravitated to it because it is A.) Bright and B.) I thought it was vintage--until I saw the label and then I figured its just "vintage inspired".  But who the heck cares what, why, it doesn't matter-all that matters is it fit me well and I took it right off of lil' Beacon's Closet's hands.  (opening up some more rack space for when Mel tries to donate some of her Kensie Dresses, that's all.)

I realize I find BROWN to be the best way to accessories and temper a brightly colored frock.  That is unless there's a hint of black within the garment-then of course the outfit is just begging you to wear black accessories.  But yeah, for the most part if you give me something with numerous bright colors and no easy color to relate shoes, belts, purses, etc back to--then I always find myself opting for Brown.  I don't know, I think the brown just compliments bright things well.
What do you usually go back to when you're main outfit item is only bright colors with no neutral thrown in there?  I'm curious--maybe I can start wearing bright colors accessorized with a different color other than brown if you share some of your ideas with me.

Wearing:
*multi-color dress, Trina Turk (via Beacon's Closet)
*Brown belt, Capezio (via Thrift Store)
*Brown sandals, Target
*Silver necklace, gift from someone long ago.


By the way, I've got some new items up for Swaps on Swappy Seconds (my swap/barter blog store thingie for those new to my life)...and I'll be posting more skirts and a few tops within this week...so check it out, and check it out often.  Swaps are up until July 30th.

Weekend Rewind: June 25-27th, 2010

Ah the weekend, they seem so far away-then when its finally here, it seems to go by so fast.
This weekend was rather tame, in fact, so tame I was asleep by 10:30pm on Saturday (old lady alert!).  Sometimes a girl just needs to catch up on some zzz's I suppose.

Anyway, on with the post.


Friday: June 25, 2010-

I was due out in the East Village to meet up with some friends.  As is usually the case with this particular group of friends, we end up at a bar called LIT.  We like the music, we usually start up a dance party before it gets too crowded, then we usually stay well to the point where it gets too crowded (and lets face it, it hinders my dance moves, because I am NOT a close dancer kinda girl. I need my floor space!)


Being that I'm nearing "middle aged" or whatever the youngins' would consider me these days, I find it very important to put together an outfit for such nights out.  I want an outfit that conveys that I am yes-a WEEEE bit older (ok, in some cases A LOTTTTT older--I've got some of them by 9yrs! Maybe this is pathetic?  Whatever, what's wrong with a lady wanting to dance despite the age?) but also that I clearly still have fun and don't dress like a soccer mom (then again, did you see my Poconos outfit?  uhhhhhh--soccer mom attire almost.).


However, maybe its time I do laundry because I was just not having anything in my closet on Friday.  Grrrr...I hate when there's about 100 articles of clothing to mix and match but nothing strikes my fancy.  Lucky me, I had swung past the store earlier that day and picked up a few new tops (which I soooo did NOT need).  This being one of them.  I had planned to save this top and wear it sometime during the day w/some shorts, but it seemed to do the trick for what I had needed/planned for my Friday night out.

Friday Night's Attire Included-
*Gray sequin/beaded top, F21
*Skinny Jeans, Express
*Nude Patent Leather belt, NY&Co.
*Fuchsia Patent Leather Heels, BCBGgirls
*Silver vintage necklace, thrift store
*other silver necklace, Free in my goody bag at Bust Craftacular 


Saturday: June 26, 2010-

Saturday was spent running around the city returning clothing I had bought for an event but didn't attend.  I had shoes and a bag to return to stores around the Union Square area.
I took care of that, then strolled thru the farmers' market, then stopped in at Barnes and Noble.  Then, well I just found myself at Zara-how did that happen, I don't know?
And of course, I bought a skirt--hey, wasn't I supposed to see how this first month of living in a new place paying real NYC rent goes before I run off and shop?  Yeah, well we'll see how rent goes along with a new skirt--I got it under control, no worries.

For my little stroll thru the city, I chose to wear a cute little skirt I had purchased last September when Market Publique had a little pop-up Fashion Night Out shop.  We stopped by there for some cupcakes, bubbly, and mingling/browsing.  I walked away with this skirt that has an impossibly tiny waist.  Hence why I have to squeeze into it and hike it up to my natural waistline-there's no way this thing would fit even an 1" lower.
But its a keeper even if I have to suck it in just to get it zipped :) heehee, maybe I like to eat too much candy.

Saturday's Attire Included-
*Printed tshirt, F21
*Yellow vintage skirt, Market Publique
*Brown suede sandals, Target
*Brown vintage Coach bag, Thrift Store
*Brown sunglasses, H&M (I think)
*Silver vintage necklace, Thrift Store


Sunday: June 27, 2010-

Yea...the most exciting day of my weekend! Dusty Rose Vintage photoshoot day!!!!!!  Just a few behind the scenes shots for you all so you see how it all goes down.
I basically make jackass faces and go all trailer trash in my cut-offs when it comes to crochet tops that show off my beer gut.
And then I appear to grimace and look really unhappy when I get to wear cool vintage trunks--are these mens' by the way?

We also got to meet Elle-she's the current Dusty Rose Vintage girl.  She's really handy with a camera and she's a super sweet girl--new to the city, so I do hope she hangs out with us some more.  And maybe I can pick up a trick or two from her in terms of what the heck I'm ever doing with my camera-because let's face it, I never even think of switching it off the Auto shots.

Never fear kiddies--of course I'll have real photoshoot pics to show off the beautiful things we got to put on today.  In the near future, I promise.

However, my real attire for Sunday went something along the lines of "staying cool"--and I mean that temperature wise, not "cool" as in "I'm hip"...heck no.
(Does anyone even use the word "hip" anyway?)

I just happened to pull out this top that I got at Beacon's Closet the first time I hung out with Mel.  Oh the memories.
Pshshhhhh.
Yes, so this top.  It's interesting because it takes me slightly out of my comfort zone yet doesn't look like it at all, right?
It's got this intriguing little cutout right below the tie at the center front bust.  It proves a little difficult for me to figure out just what to wear underneath sometimes, but this time being so hot I just went for it, as in I went for nothing.  And yeah, that's wayyyyy out of my comfort zone.
But it turned out ok, not too sleazy if I do say so myself.

I also wore this owl necklace that I so very rarely ever wear.  I got it at the Brooklyn Flea the first time I ever went there.  I put it in my purse then proceeded to hang out with friends.  By the time we got home that night I had already broke his little lower body off :(
I was bummed because we all know how I go giddy crazy over my vintage owls.
Lucky for me, a quick fix w/some super glue did the trick.  So I could never resell him w/this sloppy glue mess that I did, but it's good enough for me-because am I really ever gonna sell him?  NO!

Sunday's Attire Included:
*Multi-color vintage top, Beacon's Closet
*Denim shorts, F21
*Brown Dolce and Gabbana wedges, Beacon's Closet
*White vintage owl necklace, The Brooklyn Flea
*Gold braclets, F21
*Brown sunglasses, H&M (again, I think)


Ok kiddies--again I've managed to stay up much too late for a Sunday night.  I'm not tired at all but really, its 1:00am and I've gotta get up for that thing called work tomorrow.
Hope it was a good weekend for everyone, sorry to see it end-right?

Daily Wear: Beacon's Closet=LOVE

Did I ever mention how much I love Beacon's Closet?  Sometime I feel so privleged to have it just a few blocks away from my doorstep.  (no I do not live in Williamsburg...I'm talking the Park Slope location).

Living in a city with picked over thrift stores, high prices at vintage stores,
Beacon's Closet shines like a very bright star!

Where else can you score a Moschino skirt for only $20.00???  I can't come up with anything, can you?  Um, try Beacon's Closet!!!


You know what else I love?  I love that "Shorty" here, the random man on in Hell's Kitchen, make me look like I'm model-tall!  If only that were really the case, then I could die a happy, happy woman.  Darn, I'm only medium-tall in real life.


And another thing I love, Rudy's Bar and Grill!  Free hotdogs people!
And Rudy the Pig...we kinda match!

But back to the matter at hand...Beacon's Closet.  I still can't believe I actually got a full blown designer item for only $20.00.  Who would've given that baby away?
I had to have it tailored, to which the seamstress kinda butchered the side seam leaving me with a lower left hip-and a higher, puckery right hip at the side seams.  That's what I get for a $10 botched tailoring job, probably should've just put my fashion school skills to work and done it myself.  But still...it's nothing I can't conceal, did you even notice the hips are a bit screwy before I told you??

If you're ever visiting NYC, please please please take the short trek out to Brooklyn (you know, the coolest borough in the city?).  You won't regret a little trip to Beacon's Closet.  It's a mecca of contemporary gently used clothing and vintage goodies galore.  Don't even get me started on all the frocks I've come across in my 7 years as a NYer!
Actually, just hit me up whenever you're in town--I'll take you to Beacon's Closet myself...I'll even suck it up and venture to Williamsburg for you and your vintage scavenger-like tendancies...the Beacon's Closet in Wburg---HUGE!  Huge beyond words, so make sure you set aside 2+hours, or else we'll never get thru every rack in that store.

So when you coming to visit???


If you're lucky...I might even take you to visit Rudy the pig.

Wearing: 
-Green Jacket, Forever 21
-Red blouse, The Limited
-Vintage belt, Thrift Store
-Printed skirt, Moschino (via Beacon's Closet)
-Brown sandals, Target
-Vintage purse, Coach (via Thrift Store)

Weekend Rewind: May 1-2, 2010

If this weekend is any idea of what this summer is gonna be like, well then summertime is in full swing!
The thermometer was rising, I had friends galore to spend time with, and we hung out a bit in the park.  My idea of FUN!

Saturday: May 1st, 2010-

The day was spent with the girls for yet another Dusty Rose Vintage photoshoot (and I'm not even done posting pics from our last photoshoot, now I've got 350+ new shots to review, edit, and smile about).
With all the vintage dress-up goodtimes, I didn't find the time to take a proper outfit shot of my get-up for the day.
Instead, after the photoshoot, an impromptu hangout session occurred at my place, in which I rather quite tipsily requested my outfit shots be taken.
We all noticed how Tom, one half of Dusty Rose Vintage, was dressed in the same color scheme I chose for the day.  So of course I had to include him in the outfit shots.

I'm wearing:
-A Vintage Dress, from Buffalo Exchange
-Brown leather platforms, from Target
-and a bit too much Self Tanner, Neutrogena Spray Mist (is that the name?)level 2.

Tom is wearing something along these lines:
-Plaid shirt, maybe vintage?  Maybe just from some men's line, -Gray jeans, not sure from where, -and cool Boat Shoes, again not sure from where.

And apparently he smells like Roses.
This is what happens when I offer up unlimited mimosas and bloody marys, followed by beer ALL-DAY-LONG.    Geez.




Sunday: May 2nd, 2010-

Today I spent it as I do every other Sunday; doing laundry.
After laundry BF and I walked around the 'hood and settled on dinner at the Burrito Bar.  It was his birthday on Saturday so I treated him to the place of his choice for a day-late birthday dinner.  I had mini-burgers, nachos, and two delicious strawberry margaritas-YUM!  He had a burrito of some sort; pretty certain I polished off way more food than he did, I'm a bit of a swine sometimes.

Mel took it upon herself to rip my jean shorts during one of the Dusty Rose sets the day before--I could not wait to take my newly distressed shorts on a test-run.  I mean I liked the DIY of the fray from the summer before, but now I'm excited to let this little rip do its thing next time I wash them.  Thanks Mel for taking my shorts from FINE, to AWESOME!
(I know, the distressed mark is so small, but I've got big plans for making the most of it and making these shorts one pair of a fine broken in gem!  They'll be perfect come summertime)

Now, I realize that today I took my style to the trailer park.  Yeah, I look like a piece of trash right?  Ah it's fine, I'm pretty certain some other hipster girl was running around in something similar somewhere in Brooklyn, so maybe being "trailer trash" is in.  Fine by me.

My Sunday Laundry Attire included:
-Vintage pink Jordache shirt, Beacon's Closet
-DIY "newly distressed" Cut-off jean shorts, Gap
-White canvas tennis shoes, Keds
-Bronze octopus necklace, from some boutique in Cleveland
-Purple sunglasses, Forever 21


So Happy Weekend to you all!  Hope it was a good one!
Was it hot as heck anywhere else?  I think I melted a few million notches everytime I stepped outside this weekend, it was kinda gross!  But exciting to think what this summer will hold in store!
___________________________________________________________

And if you're not yet following Swappy Seconds, please do so.  I'll be posting up lots of summertime clothes and finery throughout the next few weeks.  Tonite I just listed a Coral vintage crochet dress.  It's pretty cute--a perfect poolside cover-up!  Check it out-and let's make a swap!