what's to come

Nighties. Dresses. Tops. Oh my! It feels like ages since I did a proper update over at the shop. If my evening goes as planned, I'll have all these lovelies up tonight. Enjoy!

tom polumbo

If I were to visualize the perfect New Year's Eve in frames and shutter clicks, it would look something like this...

Love. Friends. Family. Food. Drink. Laughter. To me, these photos taken by Tom Palumbo, epitomize the spirit of New Year's Eve.

While Palumbo started out at Harper’s Bazaar and later went on to photograph for Vogue, these images taken in Paris cafés in 1962 near Les Halles remain my favorite. They capture life and emotion in a way rarely found in studio photography. And there's also the fact that I'm a little in love with the dreamy moods he creates with low shutter speeds and honest to goodness film.

Check out the entire series here. There will be no regrets!

ruche

Well I'm out in Southern California right now, hence the lack of blogging! Once again, I thought...Oooh, I'll take a working holiday! I mean, that's the beauty of running an online shop, right? After all, the open schedule and ability to work from almost anywhere was one of the more striking joys of turning the shop into my full-time gig. Apparently, though I tend to forget it's a little harder than it seems!

I haven't been keeping up with actual news, let alone my favorite blogs. I don't think I've ever done a repost before but you know what, I'm on vacation and feeling a bit lazy at that. And when I came across the Ruche Winter Lookbook via Sally Jane Vintage, I couldn't resist. Socks, stockings and tights with boots of any sort are a staple in my Winter wardrobe, and the Ruche Winter Lookbook styled them in ways that I've been to afraid to wear for fear of looking like a little girl playing dress up.





Don't you just love these pairings? I'm heading up to LA this afternoon to hit up a few vintage shops...Perhaps I can get my hands on a set of heels or even better, Oxfords, to wear with a pair of flouncy socks. On that note, if you've got any suggestions for shopping in LA, Orange County or San Diego, help a girl out won't you. Don't be shy...Comment away!

a family affair: granny

About a month ago, I started sorting through old photos and scanning them into my computer with the idea of doing a series on the women in family. I kept putting it off and putting it off, thinking ya'll probably wouldn't be too interested. But alas, I finally pulled a little something together about my Granny during the 1940s. Let me know what you think! She kept a scrapbook filled with neat little wrappers, autograph books, letters and the like.



Anywho here's a bit to start...

In 1937, my Granny left her parents home in Marlin to join her sister Kathryn at the King's Daughters Hospital School of Nursing in Temple, Texas. I always knew she studied there, but only recently discovered the journal she kept during her time in school which was filled with juicy letters from gentlemen suitors I knew nothing about! Apparently she was quite the catch.

I'm debating whether or not to publish the letters on account of, I don't really know if I would want letters from my scrapbox published 60 years from now! I suppose I wouldn't care too terribly much by that time, but we'll see though. I may just end up pulling a few lines here and there. After all, I'm a sucker for the style of writing during that time, and the art of letter writing.

In the meantime, I'll start things off with a few interesting tidbits of her time there...

* While attending nursing school, all the girls were required to live at the hospital where they had a daily curfew. Apparently Granny was always worried because her sister was constantly sneaking in and out with no regard. If you knew Kathryn, chances are you'd be floored to find this out about her!

* On Sundays, a hearse was sent over by one of the local funeral homes to pick up anyone who wanted to attend church. I am imagine this could get a bit depressing, or pretty hilarious depending on how you looked at it!

* Granny always wanted to be a dietician, and her favorite times in school were working in the kitchen. And actually, it was there were she met my Granddaddy who at the time was the milkman. She even kept one of the milk caps in her scrapbook...How cute is that!

Questions...Comments...Am I the only one interested in these? Honesty ladies and gentlemen. Honesty!

oh mr. postman

Hello holiday shopping! Over at the shop we're offering Free Shipping Within the US through Monday, November 30 on all items.

a bit of luck

My long overdue grandparents visit finally materialized Tuesday, and to my excitement, was even better than I had hoped! Every time I head to their tiny town, I drive past Arthur's junk store hoping by some miracle he'll be open and never once has it happened. Closed. Closed. Closed. And then...Wait! Last Tuesday was apparently my lucky day as he was finally there and open for business.

In I walked, and headed straight for the fabric I spotted in the far corner. Rummaging through the piles of linens I came across the sweetest little 1940's plisse house dress. Honestly that alone made me feel lucky Arthur happened to be in that day. Little did I know my luck was about to get even better when he actually came up to me and mentioned he had piles of linens in the back room if I'd like to take a look. Boy would I! To make a long story short my mom and I walked into the back room to find a nice little stock of dresses, suits, hats and bags from the 1940's-1980's!

I'm in desperate need of finding creative ways to photograph the goodies I pick up on my shopping excursions. But while I'm doing that, here are two of my favorites from the lot...

The polka dot 1950's cotton dress on the left is just as cute as can be. The photo really doesn't do it justice, especially with it's full pleated skirt. The only thing is, it's been faded in such a random way that it ranges in color from white to blue to green. I was thinking about soaking it in a light bleach bath to even out the color. I'm guessing (hoping) that it will turn a crisp white. I've always been scared to use bleach on vintage fabric as it tends to be quite delicate so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

The 1940's floral plisse house dress on the right is in such immaculate condition that I still can't believe it. An ankle length, wrap dress from the 40's, seriously how can I not love this? Oh and did I mention it has sash that ties on the side and a dainty pocket at the hip? Washed and ready to wear I'm going to hang on to it a while before I put it up in the shop next Spring.

Okay and because I've already starting photographing and editing a few of the other pieces I picked up, here's a sneak preview. Hopefully I'll have both of these up by tomorrow night!

coming soon

Check out the shop tomorrow for these lovelies! Oh and I can't wait to give the scoop on the treasure trove of vintage clothing I happened upon today but sleep awaits so wait you must.

sarah hermans

The past few days have been a whirlwind of visitors, party planning, cooking, hostessing, eating, drinking and generally being merry. Needless to say, with this craziness I've been spending minimal time on the shop and neglecting my normal routine. So this morning, I decided not to mercilessy throw myself back in as I normally would do but ease back into work with my french press, a coffee mug and the Internet.

Inspiration is always a good way to start the week and the day for that matter...And right now I'm in love with the photography of Sarah Hermans. Oh! If only Belgium were closer to Texas I'd be on her doorstep pleading for a session.

stretsis

Oiy, kithung muang thai maak maak luey!
Translation from funky phonetical Thai (aka Thaiglish)...I miss Thailand so much!
Jing jing luey!
I really really do!

And Stretsis, you've got me feeling sia jai knowing I'm missing out on your Bangkok based shop this Fall. Although I must say, I never could have afforded you on my meager Thai salary, let alone felt comfortable prancing around anywhere in the country but Bangkok in your Western beauties. Can you imagine sporting these in Surat Thani!

I remember walking into the Siam Square boutique sometime in 2005...Drooling...Then walking right out wishing I could afford slash had a place to wear such gorgeous clothing.

I have to say though, now that I'm back in the comfort of my own Texas home I'd love to get my hands on a few of your pieces. I'm thinking holiday wear, more specifically New Year's...And oh my, wouldn't these lovelies be the absolute!

I love the idea of wearing sunflower yellow and golden copper in celebration of the new year.




But on the other hand, how can a girl say mai ow to a perfectly classic black and white number?

bastrop, texas

A few more shots from Bastrop...Tomorrow I'm heading over to a small town my cousin told me about yesterday in hopes of finding some abandoned loveliness. Hopefully I'll return with a camera full of photos. Fingers crossed!