Another sweater dress...

Studio courtesy of Urban Eccentric Vintage

One of the great things about knit sweater dresses is that if the size is just a little off, you can do things to make them fit just right.
When I bought my green knit dress it was just a tad too tight, so I blocked it, using a spray bottle and an iron.
This dress was a little to big, so I soaked it to get the dusty smell out, and then tossed it in the dryer for about ten minutes. It shrunk just enough, and even shortened it an inch or so to a length I like better. After the dress was taken out of the dryer, I put it flat over a towel to dry, flipping it every few ours. Viola! Custom fitted sweater dress :)

I paired it with a rhinestone brooch, though it would look great with some silk flowers for spring. A little tip if heavy brooches won't stay put on a dress: Pin them to your bra strap!

Dress-Stars Antique Mall

Coat-A gift from my Aunt

Shoes-Buffalo Exchange, Hawthorne, Portland OR

Purse-The Church of Vintage

Scarf-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Belt-Lodekka

Gloves-Estate sale, monogrammed by me.

Bow brooch-A gift from my brother and sister in law.

The Secret Garden

When Sarah Louise of Slubird asked if I wanted to model this dress for her shop, I had just watched The Secret Garden and it reminded me of something Mary would have worn. You can buy the dress here, and wear it to explore your own overgrown forgotten garden!

*Oh, and the film is on Netflix Instant Watch if you want to watch it ;)

I know. Weird.

Studio courtesy of Urban Eccentric Vintage

So yeah, this is what I wore today. Kind of the opposite of yesterday.

Every once in a while I get bored with myself, and in turn, bored with my clothing choices. Don't get me wrong, I know I have some really nice, and fun clothes, but that is of course not the root of the problem.

Does anyone else get bored with themselves?

This outfit is something I would have worn in high school. Actually, I probably did, but thats beside the point. In school, and a short time following, I was bursting with creativity, ideas, and constantly busy with one project or another, whether I wanted to be or not. This led to going to college for apparel design at the Art Institute of Portland, which led to dropping out and staring an Etsy shop for my designs, which morphed into a little vintage shop, which then became a full time job, and that was that. But I was overwhelmed with working every minute at my day job or on Etsy, and stopped, and relaxed. And it's nice. I have time to knit.

I could bring that endless chaotic creativity back into my mind, but I know that means a bunch of unfinished projects laying around the house, ideas on sketchpads that never make it off the paper, and my mind always in a jumble of this and that.

I've controlled my creativity to a point where I can actually focus on things, and finish them (well, most of the time). But I don't think my brian is liking that very much anymore. Perhaps I should paint. Or draw. Or cover lampshades in dried bits of leaves and bunny fur.

That last one may be questionable.

I've stared thinking of ideas on what to do to keep my creative little brain happy, which is enough to get me out of this boredom for now. Perhaps I'll start an Etsy shop of nothing but cat portraits.

You know I'm not kidding about that one ;)

Lilli Ann suit

Studio courtesy of Urban Eccentric Vintage

So first off, what do you think of the set? I've been searching for a good, well lit place to take non-eventful outfit photos, and this place is warm and dry :) We just stared using professional lighting and everything for an Etsy shop at work, I'm loving playing with it!

This suit was given to me by my mother, after years of admiring it when she wore it. It's a lighter fabric, probably more like a cotton spring suit, but no matter! It's works for winter too :)

That hat reminds me of The Duchess only on a smaller scale ;) I think if I had one of her hats I might knock people over.

And of course, Mr. Beaumont was along for the ride today, I think he adds a bit of excitement to any outfit, no matter how prim and proper ;)

Lilli Ann suit: Gift from mother

Hat and brooch-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Long hair wishlist

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

I was going to do a Christmas wish list, but there's not really much I want. A new lense for my camera. Short post. Goodness knows I have enough clothes, hats, gloves, and whatnot to fill our apartment and then some (not that it stops me from buying the occasional hat, I last counted at......*ahem*.....122....)

So I thought I would post a few photos of girls with long hair, since thats what I've been really wanting.

Not a girl with long hair. Just the hair part.

As much as I love vintage styles, I am often drawn to a more natural look, and am really happy when I see girls embracing their natural hair texture. It just kills me when I see women fry their wavy hair in order "smooth it out". Honestly I love the look of a bit of frizz, a bit of fluff. Paired with a fresh face, it looks a little wild, in a good way.
But of course, the grass is always greener on the other side, and many ladies with straight hair will do whatever it takes to get curls.

Le sigh.

Hope you enjoy this little collection, and hope it inspires those of you who are trying to grow out your hair to keep away from the scissors!

Vintage shop hopping

Today Julie and I did a bit of vintage shop hopping around Portland, there have been a number of new vintage shops around town that we had yet to explore, even found one we didn't know about before! And of course since vintage shopping takes sooooo much energy, we stopped and perked up with a chocolate peppermint milkshake from Burgerville ;)



On our way to one shop, we drove by Lady Bird's General Store and the fringy, glittery window display begged to be explored further. The shop was great, they had pretty decor, a good selection, and the shop girls were really friendly. Not to mention the prices were great! They had mostly clothing (men's and women's) and accessories, but some decor and locally made items. And if you find yourself dragging your boyfriend/girlfriend shopping with you, they have a cute little couch and some vintage pin up magazines :)





Lodekka is a darling little vintage shop housed in a vintage double decker bus! How Pushing Daisies is that?
Defiantly the most unique vintage shopping experience of the day :)
The setting of course was superb, and they had lots of pretties on both floors. I left with some stockings, a great belt, and some darling barrettes. I just love that I bought pretty things from a double decker bus. Best bus ever.





Next we went to see the darling Lulu of Lulu's Vintage and Shop Vintage Portland (which I highly recommend if you want to navigate Portland vintage shops). Her fresh shop was filled with pretty things for men and women, with a fantastic Enid Collins collection displayed neatly on a shelf, oh how I would love my purses to look that neat and tidy.




Last stop of the day was Living Threads Vintage, a fantastic new shop downtown filled with treasures. We met the owner, Christine, who reads Vixen Vintage! She was super sweet, it was wonderful to meet her!
Her shop had great clothing for men and women, and an excellent selection of accessories. Shoes, purses, hats, glasses, ties, they've got it!

All of these shops were great, you should visit them all if you can! Tell them I sent you!

And a big thank you to all the owners and employees for being so friendly and letting me take pictures, we'll be back again!

Dress-Buffalo Exchange

Cardigan-Tea With Gladys vintage

Hat-Thrifted

Bowtie-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Misty morning

Photos by Josh

My brother snapped these shots just before we left Astoria last weekend. The morning mist had floated to the other side of the river, I just love foggy weather. This should be my backdrop for all my outfit photos, too bad it's not right outside my door!

Cardigan-Handmade by me using this pattern

Skirt-Handmade by me using a 1930s pattern.

Blosue-H&M via Buffalo Exchange San Diego

Shoes-Flashbacks San Diego

Ribbon Beret-Estate Sale in Ohio

Bakelite sparrow-A gift from Sam