Finds & Inspirations

I've been inspired by so many things lately. As always, I've been watching quite a few old movies (Pillow Talk, Rear Window, etc.). But beyond that I've noticed that the clothes that I gravitate towards in thrift and vintage stores have changed slightly. Recently I've wanted to wear skirts and filmy blouses, light colors, floral patterns and 1930's and 40's silhouettes. That's not to say its all that I've been wearing, but I've felt my style shifting a bit...and I think this is because of all of the lovely blogs that I read on a daily basis.

For example, the other day I found myself flipping through a book of floral taxonomy at the library where I work and appreciating the 'What Genus Are You?' inspiration posts over at The Snail and the Cyclops. Or when I found the 80's jacket below that, when I tried it on, evoked a 40's shape with strong shoulders and a nipped waist, and the 40's inspired heels I thought of Jill over at Letters from the Home-Front. So thank you ladies for all of your lovely posts, I appreciate them ever so much!

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Oh...and one more piece of vintage luggage:)

Okay, as if this isn't long enough already, I just wanted to also feature my new flat oxfords. I've been really interested in the masculine/feminine mix in fashion lately and have concentrated this interest in shoes. While wondering around a church thrift store that I visit about once a month, I happened upon a pair of Oleg Cassini men's shoes yesterday. Now this is exciting for two reasons. First of all, he was a famous designer whom Jackie Kennedy chose to be her white house couturier. Second, he dated Grace Kelly in the 50's and I'd just read about their relationship in that biography that I can't stop writing about:) The shoes are perfect, the leather is supple, the shape is narrow enough for my feet, and due to a lack of laces, I threaded red ribbon through the holes adding a little feminine touch to them.

Well, I only set out to take a few shots, but couldn't help but overdo it, so here's the outfit that I wore with the shoes today in all its masculine/feminine glory!

(Please click on any of the photos if you wish to enlarge them:)

Shirt: Thrifted from Savers
Shoes: Thrifted Oleg Cassinis
Bag: Thrifted
Jewelry: Gifts
Shorts: F21

Casual...who, me?

As I mentioned the other day, I've been reading a biography of Grace Kelly. At several points, the author discusses how she dressed rather casually for specific auditions...wearing a tweed skirt, button down blouse, glasses and flat-heeled shoes accompanied by very little make up...as one director put it: "dressed as if she were walking down the street window-shopping."* For some reason, this really struck a chord with me...I think because this is how I would describe casual.

Don't get me wrong, I own jeans and t-shirts and even a few pairs of sneakers, but I enjoy wearing dresses and skirts and feel very comfortable in them. It always strikes me as funny though when co-workers make comments about my sartorial choices to the effect of...I never see you dress casually. (I once even had a complete stranger compliment my vintage dress in one breath and then chastise me for wearing something too dressy to work in the next!) I guess, to me being dressed up would be wearing gloves, a hat, heels and probably stockings and curling my hair.

Silly maybe, but sometimes I do wish that everyone was just a wee bit more formal...so that I could feel comfortable sporting those white gloves and veiled hats I see in vintage stores:) Oh well. Here's a normal work-day outfit for the days that I spend working in an archive...casual, comfortable and ready for some good old fashioned window shopping!

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Skirt: Thrifted
Shirt: Express
Shoes: Target
Headband: American Apparel
Jewelry: Gifts
Bag: Thrifted

*Grace: The Secret Lives of a Princess by James Spada

Golf, Anyone?

I'm not a golfer and don't follow the sport, but today felt like I'd stepped out of a 30's movie where the zany female lead hit the links and hi jinks ensued! I usually go for more of a 50's, 60's or 70's silhouette...fellow blogger 30's love must be wearing off on me:) Honestly, I just wanted an excuse to wear these new oxfords. I've been looking for a short heeled pair for a while (with the help of Gabbi:), and was finally lucky enough to find these on Etsy at The Pudding Store Vintage a few weeks ago. They're my very first pair of vintage shoes and they're just perfect:)

Well, off I go to work again. I hope everyone's having a happy Monday!


(Please click on any of the picks if you wish to enlarge them:)

Blouse: Cafe Society Vintage
Skirt: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: The Pudding Store Vintage, Etsy
Earrings: Thrifted

Happiness

Recently Gabbi from Felinofelice passed on this tag on the subject of happiness to me.

So here are five things that make me happy:


1. Spending Time with My Husband Dan

2. Our Animals (Sophie and Mena)

3. Vintage Clothes

4. Breakfast Foods

5. Agatha Christie Novels (Especially Ms. Marple...and especially her when portrayed by Joan Hickson on television)

Thanks Gabbi! Now I'd like to pass this on to anyone who reads this post and wants to do one for themselves. I look forward to seeing the Five Little Things that make you all happy:)

Lazy Summer Days

It was a hot one today! Summer has really taken months to kick in here, but I'm not complaining:) It was in the mid 80's here and I was ready for a lazy day in front of the fan, reading a Grace Kelly biography (its interesting how vast the chasm was between her personal life and public persona), watching The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, napping...and playing with my new computer! After enjoying most of the afternoon on the couch, we walked down to get slushies at our local market. I don't know about anyone else, but this has become my favorite summer time treat. The people at the market even know us and can guess our flavor choices now (grape for me:).

On the way there, Dan took some pictures of me in my little dress. I've had it for quite some time now, having purchased it in Florida when I still lived there. I love the lacy detail around the collar and down the front, the brown floral pattern and how easy it is to wear this cute little number. I used to be too self-conscious to wear it without jeans underneath, but today just the dress seemed perfect.

Dress: La France Vintage
Shoes: Blowfish
Purse: Savers
Headband: American Apparel

Thanks to everyone who sent me good wishes on my computer dilemma! I dipped into my savings and bought myself a pc laptop...not a Mac, but its definitely an upgrade compared to my six year old ibook. I appreciated all of your comments so very much...and am still trying to figure out how I can save up for those shoes:)