Tag Archives: fashion

My Vest Friend Mickey

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Oh Mickey you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind. Hey Mickey!

Although I have never watched an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club, I still have a favorite Mouseketeer: Ryan Gosling. From an awkward boy to a fine man, he has certainly grown into his chin. Let’s take a moment to dwell on God’s gift to womankind, the best Mouseketeer there ever was.

I was still in diapers when I went on my first trip to Disneyland. Needless to say, my memories of the happiest place on earth are quite hazy. I’m sure my mom purchased this tee during that very trip there in the 1980s, but now it’s vintage and all mine. Time to pay homage to everyone’s favorite oversized rodent.

Make it denim and blues for this mouse, starting with a vest. I made the $15 inVESTment (on sale!) and have become best friends with this denim vest; one could say I am VESTed (I’ll stop it with the vest puns). The versatility of a denim vest is endless. The look and feel of the outfit can be determined by whatever sleeve you wear underneath, be it faux leather, camouflage, knit, or, as I have chosen, a ribbed solid color cardigan. We all know that behind every great mouse is… a great mouse. The little red bow is my tribute to Mickey’s better half, Minnie. Finish with a pair of skinnies rolled up to show off my red shoes, and I’m ready to stroll down Main Street, USA.

How I would like to be on the happiest place on earth right now. And by that, I mean on Ryan’s hot bod. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Vintage Tee (similar new) / Levi’s Vest (similar) / William Rast jeans (similar) / Dr. Scholl’s shoes (similar) / Urban Outfitters cardigan (similar)

Surprise, Surprise, Faux and Hide

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Things aren’t always what they seem.

From across the sales floor, this dress appeared to have a delicate lace overlay in a beautiful contrast of hunter green and pale blush pink. Yet once we met up close, I was surprised to discover that it wasn’t lace at all, but rather a lace print. This faux lace meant that it would be easy to care for because it was machine washable. No expensive dry-cleaning bills and purchased on sale, this dress was a score.

While the fit and flare silhouette of this dress is reminiscent of 1950s fashion, the length is not. The flared skirt combined with the stiff fabric make for an inappropriate flashing opportunity. I won’t be going bottoms up in this dress, unless I have a drink in my hand.

Like the faux lace, this bracelet was also deceiving. I picked it up at a vintage show, thinking it was just a pretty blingy bangle to add to my collection. Oh, but it was so much more than that: when hinged open, the rose uncovers a watch. Since it was made in the good old days, I was able to wind it up and use the watch immediately. And it just so happens to match a brooch I already had – were they part of the same set and somehow separated long ago? It was serendipity that brought them together in perfect harmony with my dress.

Whether it’s faux lace or a hidden watch, keep the surprises coming. Except for a surprise stain, which I am guilty of overlooking for the love of vintage. Don’t judge me!


Zara dress (similar) / Nina shoes / vintage brooch (similar) / vintage watch (similar)

Day of the Dead

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Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little undead. Time to replace the duck face with a skull face for Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

With origins in Mexico, this holiday occurs the day after Halloween and is meant to commemorate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, and lots of lively celebrations. Although I have never participated in this, I am still astounded by the vibrant colors, morbid face paint, and psychedelic skeleton artwork that characterize Day of the Dead.

I’ve had this black dress for years and have never worn it, but the colorful Mexican inspired embroidery seems perfect for this holiday. The look wouldn’t be complete without a head full of flowers. My solution: I pinned a couple of oversized flowers to a pillbox hat, and voila, instant floral arrangement! I love how they match the embroidery in my dress perfectly. This black dress needed some umph, and a vintage petticoat was just the answer. I’ve always wanted a petticoat, and I’ve been so lucky to inherit this one from my aunt. Yes, the scratchy tulle makes things a little itchy down there, but at least it’s not caused by a transmittable disease. Huzzah!

Unfortunately, I am not very good at putting on makeup, and would be deathly incompetent in painting a skull on my face. Alas, my Day of the Dead inspired outfit falls short of looking sinister.

Without the skull face paint, I look pretty alive. Can someone throw me a bone?

Nov: Day of the Dead

Anna Sui dress (similar and here) / Forever21 pillbox (similar) / herringbone fishnets (similar) / Dollhouse booties (similar)

Circus Circus

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Circus Tent

Come one, come all! I may be a lady, but let the freak show begin!

I went to my one and only circus show when I was ten years old. It was actually my dad who really wanted to attend, so he insisted on taking my sister and me. As much as I protested against going, I actually enjoyed the show – minus the smell of elephant poop.

While the circus I visited took place in an indoor arena, I am still enchanted by the whimsically striped circus tents from the olden days. The dizzying array of vertical and horizontal wide stripes on this dress is reminiscent of just that. The crisp blue and white can only be complemented by bold pops of cherry red in my belt and shoes. I kept all other accessories to a minimum except for a bracelet, a brooch, and a blue headscarf to match the blue stripes.

I know what you’re thinking and the answer is yes: beneath this tent is the greatest show on earth. That’s what he said.

Where’s a lion tamer when you need one?


thrifted I. Magnin dress (similar) / thrifted Selby shoes (similar) / thrifted scarf (similar) / vintage brooch (similar) / red belt (similar)

En Garde This Beach

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Like the birds, I migrated south for the weekend down to sunny Los Angeles to visit a good friend I hadn’t seen in over three years.

We did all the usual L.A. activities: eat, drink, shop, reminisce, and be merry. We even got crafty! I had more celebrity sightings than I can count on my two hands, albeit I either didn’t know who they were or didn’t recognize them until they were pointed out to me. Although slightly star-struck, I was pleasantly surprised to find that celebrities are very plain looking in real life. Average Joes and Janes everywhere – rejoice!

A visit to L.A. wouldn’t be complete without a day at the beach. My favorite thing about beaches besides the soft sand and the sound of waves crashing on the shore, are the lifeguard towers. Luckily, we found one in a beautiful sun bleached Tiffany blue that needed some saving – we breathed new life into it in the form of a photoshoot.

Yet another opportunity to get in some last minute tanning, I wore my high waisted shorts and a sheer graphic tee with my sassy girl on it. I love the retro cut of these shorts – they have just the right amount of shortness to be sexy without being tasteless. The dark denim also makes them versatile to wear in the evening with a pair of heels. The beach was deceptively cool, but luckily I brought my camouflage utility jacket. Not only did it keep me warm, but it also provided a nice masculine contrast to the feminine shorts.

The lifeguard may be off duty, but Staff Sergeant Lau is not. Life’s a beach – I command you to play in the sand. No seriously, only in the sand because I can’t swim and will be unable to save you in the water in case of emergency.

Life is too short, so wear a pair of shorts. And that’s an order. En garde!


Urban Outfitters army jacket (similar) / Zara tee (similar) / Urban Outfitters shorts (similar) / Jeffrey Campbell shoes (similar)

You Had Me at Aloha

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There isn’t a person I know who goes to Hawaii and has a terrible time. With the beautiful sunsets, clear blue waters, and soft sandy beaches, Hawaii is as close to paradise as it can get. Especially because anyone who travels there is bound to get lei’d.

I’ve always been on the lookout for something retro Hawaiian, and luckily found this lovely dress at Mercy Vintage.  It seemed to fit the bill without appearing too touristy. I love how the floral pattern has the qualities of a watercolor painting, and while not the typical Hawaiian hibiscus floral motifs that can often be found on sarongs and beach towels, the dress still evokes the aloha state.

I don’t know when I’ll visit paradise again, but I can at least look like it in this dress. Aloha, I’d like to get lei’d. Next, may I have a side of poke come through too?

vintage dress (similar here & here) / Me Too heels (similar) / vintage elephant necklace (similar)

FashArt

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I’ll have to face the sad reality that there are simply too many runway shows to review from Fashion Week. While I’m slowly getting caught up, Jean-Charles De Castelbajac’s collection caught my eye.

So whimsical, yet wearable, his Spring 2014 collection consists of unexpected fabric combinations as well as bold color blocking in vibrant and neutral hues. However, the most striking feature of the collection is the display of his own art on his designs. Whether it is a patchwork of arms and legs, a poem, or even an abstract painting of a face, Jean-Charles’s art inspiration is sure to turn a few heads from art critics and fashionistas alike.

It was part fashion, part art – it’s fashart! Not to be confused with shart.

Leaf Me

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My mama and papa said all the leaves are brown and the sky is grey. Well, almost – but not quite.

I chose my leaves in the form of a thrifted shift dress. The leafy vine motif in an autumn inspired color palette of orange and green is so appropriate for the season. It reminds me of the picturesque leaves changing colors on treetops – one of my favorite features of fall.

Since the dress is so short, it requires some careful ladylike maneuvering. My floppy hat serves a dual purpose: not only does it shield the sun from my face but it also preserves my modesty when I sit down. A dress this short deserves some flats or low wedges. I found an excuse to wear my new Jeffrey Campbells – I love the allover perforation and tonal cutout detail on top of the shoes. The nude color is versatile and the low wedge height makes them so comfortable I can practically live in them everyday before it gets too cold. My initial cluster necklace gets a bit lost in the busy print of the dress, but since V’s are so rare, I just had to wear it. The outfit wouldn’t be complete without my thrifted Anne Klein II purse to keep all my worldly possessions together.

Now make like a tree and leave.


thrifted dress / H&M hat (similar) / Jeffrey Campbell shoes (similar) / Anne Klein II bag (similar) / Urban Outfitters initial necklace (similar)

Summertime Sadness

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Just when my golden tan is finally coming along nicely, it’s already time to say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn.

The change of seasons brings about my favorite time of year in stores: end of season clearance sales. Markdowns galore, it is a barganista’s paradise if you don’t mind digging through chaotic racks of clothes. To me, its almost like shopping at a thrift shop – the piece you pick up really might be the only one left of its kind.

I think I swooped up on the last pair of these distressed denim cutoff shorts – they were exactly what I’ve been looking for all summer. And what could be a more perfect companion to these shorts than a lightweight airy blouse? I bought this blouse many years ago, but it has become a staple in my wardrobe – I absolutely love the floral pattern and the lace details. With shorts this short, I shied away from high heels, but still wanted a bit of height. A pair of vintage peep-toes with a woven straw mini wedge was the perfect answer to my shoe dilemma.

Summer days, drifting away – how dare you leave me when I look this good?


thrifted blouse (similar) / Urban Outfitters shorts (similar) / vintage wedges (similar) / vintage elephant necklace (similar) / vintage wooden cuff (similar)

The First Year

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When I first started this blog , I didn’t really know where I was going or for how long I would maintain it. Now a year into it, I am still refining my voice on style and fashion. I plan to continue to catalogue my vintage journey through flea market finds and my dense closet, while providing style tips for my followers. I hope you continue to enjoy reading my posts as much as I delight in writing them.

The hardest part about blogging is finding the time for it when I have a 9-5 job. Taking photos can be a challenge; it has to be the right time of day for optimal lighting. I am picky about my backgrounds, and sometimes my face isn’t always photogenic, my posing is awkward, or the photographer isn’t available when I am. I often encounter writers block – what have I not written about already? Is the topic interesting? Am I witty enough? I tend to over-edit my posts, reading them over and over again for grammatical errors as well as to improve the content as much as possible before publishing. And finally, the hardest part is finding similar items for the outfits I’m wearing. It is a challenge to find clothing in stores that are comparable to my thrifted and vintage items, but I do my best – all for my readers.

If you asked me for my favorite decade of dress, it is hands-down the nifty fifties. Yet, as I go through my archives, I realize I have an overwhelming amount of posts dedicated to the swinging sixties. Had it not been for my blog, I don’t think I would’ve realized this about my own style. I’ve had to dissect and analyze each vintage item with detail and do diligence researching the history of a silhouette or the origin of a style with great accuracy. As a self declared fashion blogger and vintage lover, I must be a credible source for my followers. I don’t just pull this stuff out of nowhere.

Between my whimsically styled outfits to my witty and innuendo filled written content, I don’t think I can pick a favorite post. That would be like a parent saying that they love one child more than the other, and that’s just not possible, now is it?

It feels like just yesterday that I started you, oh humble blog. And now with the mere blink of an eye, a year has already passed. I must be getting senile at age 1 because I forgot my blog-birthday had passed a few days ago. Although I am not famous (yet), I am thankful to have a handful of followers (and growing). My dear readers, you love me, you really love me! Happy belated birthday blog!

Jan: You Can Toucan
Mar: Green with Envy
Apr: Flower Power Suit Part 2 – Pattern Play