San Francisco!

Today we spent lots of time in San Francisco, starting out with estate sales!

They were worth going to just to see the interior of the amazing houses. One we went to was a dream, built in the 1930s, complete with a sun room in the middle of the house.
But the best sale was the first, we made out like bandits! I found a beautiful mink stole, some scarves, one of those hard case knitting carriers, and Paradise Kittnes, Kitten-ettes shoebox! I think I may have to start collecting these things.

Julie left with loads of great goodies, there was so much I can't quite remember all she bought. But of course you can see it sometime soon in her shop ;)

In between estate sales we lunched at The Cliff House, a stunning establishment which used to be a hot spot for celebrates, so old autographed headshots cover the walls. We had a beautiful view of the waves crashing on the beach and really enjoyed our lunch, my mushroom sandwich was very yummy. We did get stopped A LOT on our way into the restaurant, and inside, because of our outfits, it's funny what an impression vintage makes on people.

After that we hit Haight street, and browsed some vintage shops there. I found a stunning 1940s black rayon dress with the most amazing beaded flower I got to wear later that night, fits like a glove. In one shop we ran into a group of men and women from LA who wore vintage, and it was the first time in my life I felt underdressed. They all looked fabulous, and of course are in town for the same reason we are.

In the evening we went to Speisekammer and saw Lavay Smith perform while having a wonderful dinner.

Tomorrow, picnic! Though I probably won't do a proper post on that right afterward, I'll be tired, and want to do it justice!

Road trip!

Today was day one of my trip with Julie of Fab Gabs, and her friend Alyssa. We left at 5:00 am and got into Alameda California around 4:00 pm. 5:00 am is not my favorite time of day.

We stopped for pastries on the way, as well as popping into a little thrift store where Alyssa found a fantastic book from 1931 on "Meatless Cooking". I had to buy it, the hilarious illustrations alone are worth the $3.

For lunch we went to Sonic drive in, where the waitresses brought our food out to our car wearing roller skates, was pretty cute, though would have been cuter if they were in vintage. I just got a little kids meal, it's as much fast food as I need :)

Our hotel is cute, very mid century, and not far from the beach. We had mexican food for diner (mmmmm, shrimp tacos), and went to a tiki bar for "dessert", where all our drinks had real flowers in them.

Tomorrow: San Francisco!

Dress-Liberty Vintage

Kitty cardigan-Tea With Gladys

Great Grandma Lois

This is a photobooth picture of my great grandma Lois sometime during the 1930s. Her blouse is similar to my 1930s blouse, but oh how I love that scarf. She was a master seamstress so I wouldn't be surprised if she made the blouse herself. By hand of course, she didn't have a sewing machine until she was older (I just inherited one of them, can't wait to use it!).

Vintage shopping

Rays Ragtime



Magpie



Decades



Avalon

Bombshell


Today Julie, her friend Alyssa, and I went to Portland for some vintage shopping. We went to Rays Ragtime, Magpie, Decades, Avalon, Xtabay, and Bombshell.

Phew!

Rays Ragtime had some great suits I just loved, I'm excited for suit weather, and it was just cool enough today that I could wear one. There were so many pretty hats there I didn't even get a good look at all of them.
Magpie had lots of cute things, including a 30s dress I've been in love with for awhile. But it's much too delicate for me :) Julie however did find a stunning emerald green princess cut gabardine coat, thats seems to have been made for her.
Decades had THE CUTEST shoe box ever. It was a box for a pair of little black shoes with kittens printed inside, but the box is what really got me. I mean, "Paradise Kittens, Kitten-ettes"?

There is no shoe with a cuter name or box.

Next stop was Avalon, which had lots of lovelies to look at, especially the cloches, though now my hair is much too long for them. Plus they are always teeny.
At Xtabay I tried on the greatest navy knit 30s dress with a matching belt and beret! It was truly glorious. I wanted it so bad but I need to save my money for this weekend! The interior of Xtabay is beautiful, like a perfect boudoir, and I wanted to take outfit photos in there, but unfortunately the salesgirl wouldn't let me :(
Last but not least was Bombshell, and by the time we got there is was pouring down rain! So my hair is a bit de-fluffed in the last photo, I think it may be time for another little trim. Anyway, I did get a cute little pink cardigan there, it always seems I'm wishing for a pink cardigan, and it'll make a great transition piece into fall.

Suit-A gift from My aunt

Purse-Antique Warehouse, Solana beach

Hat-A gift from Twila Jean

Going to Gatsby

Photo from here

So. The Gatsby Summer Afternoon.

I'm going.

This is an event I've been dreaming about going to for years. It's an afternoon spent on the beautiful grounds of a beautiful house, dressed in art deco picnic attire, with music, dancing, food, drinks, and lots of socializing. And the greatest thing about it?

It's not a "spectator event". One is not even allowed in if you don't have on period appropriate clothing, as well as the correct picnic furnishings. No plastic water bottles. No soda cans. Even modern cars are parcked out of site. It really will be like I'm back in time, and I will probably go picture crazy and take about 100 photos within the first five minutes of being there.

I am almost TOO excited, and if anyone else is going, please look for me and say hello!

Well thats what I'll be doing this weekend, and I plan on posting about the road trip down there, and spending a bit of time in San Francisco, so hopefully internet at the hotel will be good.

Eeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

I didn't feel like getting dressed.

Here is my new favorite dress.

Ok, ok, it's really a robe.

But if you had a robe this pretty, you wouldn't keep it in the house either.

Now, let me point out that yes, I am technically wearing loungewear in public.

But.

I still loath seeing people in pajamas in the grocery store. There is a difference. My robe is awesome. Their pajamas are gross.

Anyway, I found this "dress" in the back room at work the other day and gasped when I saw it. The pattern is sparrows, hearts, keys, harps, clovers, horseshoes, musical notes, letters, and clouds, all against a background of pink, blue, and gray bows.

The ONLY thing that would make it better?



Can you guess?











If you guessed kitties, then either you have been reading my blog for a while, or you just love kitties too :)

Robe/dress and purse-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Shoes-Nine West

Scarf-A little shop in Rome

Kitty skirt

I've had this skirt for ages, but never wore it because the circle style was not the most flattering style on me. But last night I was sick of not wearing it, so I turned it into a broomstick skirt. Much better :)

Skirt-Buffalo Exchange Portland, Burnside

Blouse-Don't remember....

Shoes-Nordstrom Rack

Hat-Don't remember...