Channeling Diane

I have a soft spot for 70s fashions, they're generally very flattering, fun, and when done right, chic. Most things to come out of that era however, are made of polyester, a fabric I just can't wear. Luckily my favorite designer of the decade, Diane Von Furstenberg is still going strong, even re-releasing some of her prints and designs in a "vintage" line. This is one of those dresses, and my favorite out of the three currently in my closet.
And of course, I had to add some huge rose colored glasses I got at an estate sale, even though they don't really go with my normal 40s and 50s style, I love them just the same :)

Dress-Diane Von Furstenberg

Tights-Macys

Shoes-Chie Mihara

Jade necklace-A gift from Sam on our honeymoon, Chinatown, San Francisco

Sunglasses-Estate Sale

Burberry trench

Photo by Twila Jean

During the fall, winter, and spring months, it is quite gray and rainy most of the time here in the Northwest. You'd think everyone would own a trench coat, rainboots, and above all, umbrella, but thats just not so. Hardly anyone uses umbrellas, in fact, locals say "A real northwesterner never uses an umbrella."

But then again most people here don't do their hair everyday, don't wear makeup, and certainly don't care if their ensemble get's rained on.

I however, do care. I have a lovely collection of umbrellas, a fabulous pair of rainboots, and now, what I feel is a staple in any rainy climate, a good trench coat.

But not just any trench, it's a Burberry trench!

When I spotted this in the Brown Bag Vintage Etsy shop, I knew I just had to have it. I'd see them every once in a while (not in Portland, usually California of all places), but they were always too big. This one was perfect, in excellent condition, and Michelle was a dream to buy from! I'm so happy to finally have one after years of wanting and looking, and of course, the quality is top notch.

Thats one item checked off my wardrobe wants list, now where is that New Look Dior suit I've been looking for?

Stuff I got

Today before work I popped into a local charity shop and found a couple cool things. First is a vintage waver/crimper, probably from around the 1920s.

Cool right?

I wasn't 100% sure that's what it was until the darling old lady working at the shop told me she remembered her mother using the same thing. Her mother would heat it up the fireplace (actually she said "chimney, which I thought was cute), or kerosene lamp, and clamp her hair.

I want to use it soooooooo bad. But I don't have a fireplace or kerosene lamp :(

Second is a large 70s suitcase, in a style I've been wanting. I have bunches of hard case vintage suitcases, but I don't dare check them onto airplanes, I'm even cautious about taking them out of the house. But this one is perfect. Canvas with "leather" trim (love that combination), so no worries about it cracking or getting wrecked. And it's nice and big!

Now if only I could find a matching weekender, train case, and hat box, all would be complete ;)

Fairy stars

Ok, so for this outfit I collaborated with Tiger Cult Vintage and they sent my this beautiful dress to borrow! I wore it to work and got so many compliments on it, and instead of wearing the little tie belt on my waist, it used it for a headband. It was going to be available for purchase, but a few hours ago it was listed with my photos and sold already! Someone will be very happy with it :)

Dress-On load from Tiger Cult Vintage

Belt-Thrifted

Shoes-Buffalo Exchange, Burnside, Portland Or

Locket-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Columbia river gorge

This morning was Sams last day of school, so to celebrate we took advantage of our synched up days off and drove out along the colombia river gorge. It's a scenic route dotted with waterfalls, old towns, and windsurfing.
Our first stop was Multnomah Falls, a beautiful waterfall, full of tourists and a few hiking trails. We had a nice picnic lunch, it was actually pretty nice out. Not too hot, and I pulled my jacket out from under the bed (so much for a summer wardrobe).
Sam makes amazing music mixes, so we had a great soundtrack for our little day trip. She and Him, The National, Beirut, all the good stuff.
We drove our way there on the Oregon side, and went the way back on the Washington side, but at one point the road was closed for about an hour, so we went an "alternate route".
After about an hour of going nowhere near the direction we wanted, and passing buffalo ranches, and Mt. Adams, we had this conversation:

Me: "Maybe we should turn around."

Sam: "We'll be fine, it's not like the highway will just end."

A few minutes later the highway ended.

Sam: "Well at least we're on a regular road."

We pass a sign that reads "One lane road ahead"

Sam: "At least it's not a dirt road."

Sign reads "Pavement ends."

So finally, when we ended up in the middle of nowhere, we headed back the way we came. But there was lots of laughter along the way :)

Blouse-Trina Turk, via Buffalo Exchange

Jacket-A vintage store in Akron Ohio

Skirt and boots-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Sunglasses-Magpie Vintage

Oh hey, I'm wearing pants.

I got this little victorian style 70s blouse off of the $1 rack at work, it has a little bit of fading, but it fits like a glove, and um, it was a dollar.

It was the perfect blouse for the type of rainy, not too cold but not too hot, weather we've been having, cotton and long sleeves, just what I need. This look is something I would have worn in high school, a mix of vintage and modern, also something victorian inspired, I was way into costuming, but that topic is for another post. I thought the striped pants were a nice contrast to the ruffles and the floral, and they are not quite jeans, which I feel weird wearing out in public. People always ask if I'm sick!

I miss my old mossy ally so much, it always had the perfect lighting and backdrop, not at all like the blank porch I take my pictures on now. I decided to take my tri-pod to work today and work up the nerve to take pictures in that ally, it's pretty neat, all grassy and dirty, but there's usually people and cars back there. I got lucky and managed to take pictures with only two little old ladies passing by. Maybe I can be brave enough and take more pictures there in the summer :)

Isn't this locket the sweetest? What's even sweeter is that my boss gave it to me, I found it lying on the ironing board when I got to work with a little note "I want you to have this because I appreciate you so much!"

I know, she's so sweet.

So I slipped some thread through it and wore it all day, it went perfect with what I was wearing.

Blouse-Urban Eccentric vintage

Pants-Marc Jacobs, via Buffalo Exchange, Burnside

Shoes-A gift from Sam, by Sailor Jerry

Locket-A gift from my boss.

Mad for Plaid.

Some plaid (and one not) listings this week going in my shop. If I looked better in 60s styles, I would probably wear them more, they have such a young, fresh air even if the clothing is 50 years old. But my loss is your gain, with plenty of fun 60s dresses and loungewear going up for sale :)

Please email me at solanahraquel@gmail.com or contact on Etsy with any questions or reserve requests.

New listings!

Here are some stylish things going in my shop this week! A lot to satisfy your inner bombshell, be it slipping a leopard robe over your silk nightgown in the morning, buttoning up a cute little red rose dress and bolero to run errands, and wiggling into a silver cocktail dress in the evening.

As always if you have any questions or would like a reserve, email me :)

New on Etsy!

Some fun new things going in my shop today! I found the jacket and 1940s dress yesterday, the jacket is so neat, it has these cool embroidered dragons on the inside of the cuff. If I didn't already have a vintage sailor jacket I'd keep it! I couldn't seem to capture just how pretty this 40s dress is, the color is so rich and autumn like, with colored studs at the pockets (yes! It has pockets!). But it's also a few sizes too big for me, so I think it would look really fantastic on someone it actually fits.
If anyone would like measurements, a reserve, etc, just send me an email!

xoxo

New this week!

Here are a few items going in my shop this week, all perfect for Autumn for Spring depending on where you live. It really feels like fall right now, with the yellow leaves blowing in the streets, and bits of unpredictable rain. I'm almost finished with my sweater, all I have to knit are the sleeves! So hopefully I'll have it done by the end of the week, or next week.

As always if you have any questions or would like a reserve, just email me!

Enjoy!

New this week!

Here's a preview of what's going up in my shop this week (the 40s dress is killer, in case you're wondering). If you have any questions or would like to reserve something, email me!

New goods!

Clockwise from upper left: 1950s rayon dress with yellow embroidery $64, 1930s embroidered apron $22, 1950s floral dress $36, 1970s blue ruffle blouse $26, 1970s corduroy high waist pants $28
Here's some fun things going in my shop this week. As always if you would like a reserve or more information before an item goes up just send me an email or convo on Etsy. That black and yellow one is my favorite, it would look divine with a yellow wool swing coat over it, and a big ol' bumble bee brooch ;)

New this week!

Here's a peek at the listings going up this week, there's some pretty fun pieces. Clockwise from top left: first is the Eleanor Green dress I mentioned, so beautiful! Second is a pretty figure hugging leopard dress fit for any pin up gal. Next is a little end of summer dress with a classic look, and last is a fabulous vest and skirt made of faux leopard fur. Yeah, it's pretty amazing. If you would like a reserve or more information just email me!

Upcoming listings

Here are a few photos for listings this weekend, two handmade 50s dresses, a striped jumpsuit, and an amazing blue embroidered dress. Photos of more listings here. I have the same jumpsuit in red stripes I didn't take any photos of, I'm still on the fence about keeping it. Oh jumpsuits.

Estate sale listings.

Here are pictures of listings to come this week. Everything but the sailor jacket came from the estate sale I went to, there was one more thing but it I put it on and really liked it sooooo....yeah. We'll see.

I need to start turning my head the other way.

And that top left outfit is so Madeline, dont you think?

German girl

My favorite time of the year is that fragile and challenging time between winter and spring, when the sun shines most of the time, but it is still quite chilly. Today was one of those days, and I felt it perfect to layer a spring dress with a petticoat and boots to combat the cool wind. Here I am standing in front of the door to our house, it has one of those peep thingys that they have in old movies where you open it and ask for the password ;)

The little necklace I made from an old watch, with a photobooth picture of Sam and I. It's like a less secretive locket. I remember when I was younger I had a locket with a photo of my brother and his wife in it, and people were always asking to look inside. It got annoying, since a locket is like that secret little place that is so close to you, you open it when YOU want to enjoy what's inside. At least thats how I see it, but then again, I always get my feathers ruffled when people look in my purse and flip though my sketchbooks. So maybe it's more of a personal bubble thing than a romantic thing ;)

Alice and underwear.

Today was a great day at the bins, I found this darling blue and white 50s dress in a picked through pile, its has sweet little butterflies on the skirt. Reminds me of Alice in Wonderland, so I got a couple of tiny chairs for props. There's lots coming this week!

Coming Attractions.

Morning in Portland.

Today my mother had a hair appointment in Portland and afterward we went to Powells books and Buffalo Exchange. I cleaned off my bookshelf the other day, so I traded in some books for store credit, although they didn't take my textbooks, which was a little disappointing, but I guess I did get them over a year ago,so they're outdated. Buffalo Exchange had less vintage than ever, but the prices have improved (I got Marc Jacobs pants for $20!).

Kitty skirt-Dewberry Vintage.
Jacket-Buffalo Exchange.
Shoes-Nordstrom Rack

Dressing room pictures:

Too big, and missing a button...

Adorable details, terrible color on me.

This modern one was cute, but too straight at the bodice. This is why I buy vintage, it actually fits.

This dress was so cool, and I wish I would have purchased it. I don't have any long dresses for daytime (Although I do have a butterfly halter jumpsuit that kind of looks like a dress, but that much awesomeness needs a post of its own).

I ended up getting a vintage bustier to add to my collection, and pair of Marc Jacobs striped pants. I've been looking for a good pair or striped pants for a while because they look so much better than blue jeans, but are still just as comfortable. Look at how the stripes match up with the leg and the pocket, a mark of a well made garment.

Perfect coat in navy.

Yesterday I got to work to find the usual pile of merchandise on the floor to steam and put out on the floor. It's great because then I get first pick of things, and how I get lots of what's in my closet, the most memorable, bird hat. Well, I'm going through everything, steaming away, and at the bottom of the pile is my perfect black coat. In blue. I tried to think of a way I could dye it black, but finally came to accept that this will be my new navy coat, because it really did have everything I wished for, only in a different color. I'll be wearing navy for a while...


Coat, shoes- The Urban Eccentric

Purse-Michael Kors.

The rest-I don't even remember, that hat was a garage sale maybe...

Oh and I took the stockings back to the store, then spent the money at the bins. It was SO BUSY! I almost wanted to leave as soon as I got there, but then I started finding things which is always encouraging.