Fall on 23rd

I was feeling much better today, so Sam and I took advantage of the sunny, crisp weather and headed to 23rd st in Portland. We actually were headed to the zoo, but there was no parking for miles, so that idea was abandoned. One of these days we'll find parking there...

It was nice to see most of the shop spaces full, last october when we went there many were vacant. We stopped first at Urban Outfitters, where Sam found a new cardigan and pair of pants, and I got the most adorable bow hooks ever. They're on sale for $2.99! I should have bought ten of them. Silly me.

I also went to Pop-up Shoppe where that had some fantastic 50s skirts, but they were either too big or small. Silly skirts.

We had lunch at Pizzicato, where I had the spiciest pizza ever. I think it was called "Pepper Madness". I guess that should have been my clue.

Last but not least we stopped at Alotto Gelato for pumpkin gelato! I really need a pint of that stuff. Or perhaps that wouldn't be such a good idea, it would be gone within minutes....

Dress-A gift from my aunt

Cashmere cardigan, Coach satchel, and locket-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Birdie brooch courtesy of Bombshell Bettie's Vintage

Sick days

Very sorry for the lack of posting this week, I've been sick and spend my spare time resting up. Actually yesterday and today kitty and I have taken cat naps all day, with a bit of knitting in between.

I knit. Not kitty, he just pounces on the yarn.

Anyway, hopefully things will be back to normal next week, maybe I'll even have my cardigan finished! Meanwhile, have a nice weekend everyone!

xoxo

1920s Halloween Costumes

So I'm not a huge fan of Halloween. I do like the holiday, but don't get super excited for it. I suppose it has to do with the fact that if I want to dress up, I do, not matter the time of year. And I just get really sick of seeing all the cheap, skanky, pre-coordinated costumes at stores, in those little baggies. No imagination. No quality. It's like fast food in clothing form.

Anyway, the only time I really love Halloween, is when I see some vintage costumes, and decorations, specifically from the 1920s. They had the craziest, most imaginative, stunning costumes I've ever seen, even something so cliche as a witch, looks original.

I was searching for ideas for my own costume, and came across the third photo, with the spiderweb costume. And now I am going to be a spiderweb. I was going to go totally 1920s, with an actual black 1920s dress I have stored away, but instead I will wear that sequin leotard I found last week. And I'll just have to make the rest! Although since seeing that crazy picture of the two spiderweb girls and their amazing headdresses, my costume seems much less elaborate now ;)

Set 2, 3, and 4, from Rhiannonmar's photostream

Set 5 from Carbonated's photostream

Estate sale finds!

This morning I went with my grandma and Tia to a few estate sales around town, and found some great stuff! At one sale, a picnic basket full of pretty turquoise and pink plastic dishes (which just happens to be the colors of my kitchen), a doctors bag-ish briefcase that once belonged to a preacher, and some lovely little vintage hand towels. Including one that has my initials! How weird is that? Technically the "C" should be in the middle, but still, having all three initials there is pretty awesome.

At the second sale I found a vintage Christmas bath mat, a beautiful plaid wool blanket, and a brand new pack of 60s Christmas wrapping paper!

After estate sales I went withTwila Jean to The Red Light, where I found a funny little horse tie, girl scout tie, and best of all, a 1950s sequins costume. Not quite sure what to call it. Bodysuit? Leotard? Whatever, it's amazing :)

...and then some

Here's a few more photos from my recent trip to San Francisco. And yet there were so many more I should have taken!

:)

"Bitter Much?"

Photos by Twila Jean

Sometimes readers ask if I get tired of compliments.

Compliments no, rude inquiries yes:

When I am at work (I work at a vintage store), people usually ask "Do they make you dress this way?"

When I am out and about, people ask "So are you in a play or something?"

And my favorite: "Where did you get your wig?"

Today while out with Twila Jean, we got asked a few too many times if we were in a play, or commercial, or whatever, I stopped listening.

Honestly I am mostly offended that a person who puts effort into their appearance, stands out so much that people think there must be a special reason for their effort. This doesn't just go for vintage gals, because I'm sure that if you have worn a dress and heels to the grocery store, you've been asked "You on your way to a wedding?"

I know I look different. I know I stand out. I know I get stares, but I have learned to be oblivious to all that. I think anyone who dresses differently can relate, vintage or not.

I enjoy talking about vintage to people, most are very nice and just curious, and most just want to tell me how much I remind them of their mother, grandmother, great aunt Bertha, etc. And thats pretty cool. I especially love talking vintage with younger people, because I hope that I can inspire interest in preserving the past through fashion. Or even just reassure them that being different is awesome, even if there are those out there who just don't get it.

Be who you want to be, even if people ask you stupid questions :)

1940s girl scout dress and scarf-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Belt-Thrifted

Shoes-Chie Mihara

Period Perfect Hair Workshop!

This weekend was the wonderful Period Perfect Hair Workshop with Kristen Behlings! (She's the gal in the second picture, with the mesmerizing hair!!!) The event was put on by Kristen, Julie, and Alyssa, and held at The Beauty Bar. As you can see, The Beauty Bar is a must if you are ever in Portland. You can have a cocktail and a manicure! And it's how my bathroom should look. And they have a photobooth. Eeee!

About 15 ladies attended the workshop, arriving in pretty candy colored curlers and scarves. After settling in with drinks and bobby pins, Kristen taught us a few 1940s roll variations. Unfortunately me and my amateur camera skills didn't capture the finished styles at the end of the day, it got a bit hectic when they opened the doors to the public, but I'll be doing my hair in rolls more often, so you can see those results!

If you missed this workshop, make sure and follow the Period Perfect Hair page on Facebook for future workshop updates.

Thank you to the lovely ladies who put on the event, Kristen for having the patience to teach us, and the Beauty Bar for accommodating us! (The bartenders were awesome).

xoxo