Vintage Finds: La Petite Matches

Oh, estate sales, how i love you. So many times all the little gems in a home get overlooked as people rush in for the bigger ticket items.

Picked up these little Swedish mid-century "La Petite" match boxes the other day. So perfect in their pastel and gold coloring. Each tiny box (just 1 1/2 inches by 1 inch) is filled with hot pink tipped wooden matches. I think even just one of these little boxes would make a wonderful gift to pair with a candle.

Vintage Rip-off - Anthropologie's Reed Shirtdress

It is no secret that lots of clothing these days is vintage inspired, but I was browsing the latest Anthro catalog, only to be quite taken with this little plaid "Reed Shirtdress" (by Moulinette Soeurs) that I swear was stolen straight from the 50's. I even own a vintage version of this dress in similar cut and pattern and hue.



So, anyway. As if you needed any reinforcement ... Anthro says shirtwaist dresses are big for spring! I just say find yourself a cute vintage original (and hem it up if you need it shorter than 50s knee-length fashion).

Secret to the Sartorialist

I'm sure you've seen the clever guide on "How to Get Shot by the Sartorialist," but browsing through some of his shots the other day I noticed another easy equation that kept popping up . . .

+ Blazer
+ Oxfords/Ankle Socks
+ Large Leather Satchel
--------------------------------
= Instant Outfit Perfection


(click to enlarge photo in all its outfit glory)

I love how differently all three of these lovely ladies pulls off a similar look, but each manages to make it look so individual.

(all photos by the Sartorialist)

DIY: Necklace out of Shower Curtain Rings

This seemed like an easy an fun DIY project that you can make using stuff that I usually consider junk at the thrift store:

This:


Equals this:


Check out instructions over at Promise Tangeman Designs.

Vintage Inspiration - Fur

The wonky weather here in SF made us cancel this week's photoshoot (curses!), which means we will have to wait until after we get back from the 2010 Sundance Film Festival to make a long-awaited shop update.

In the meantime, I've been looking around at warm jackets to keep the chilly Utah snow at bay next week. The Sundance film fest always brings lots of people dressed in FUR ... often in really amazingly obnoxious ways, like huge Yeti boots and coats that look more like oversized polar bear costumes than anything.

I think there are a lot of ways to wear fur this season that look a little classier ... I always like a good vintage fur collar on coats, and there are lots of good synthetic furs that are being produced these days so that more little animals don't have to die in the name of fashion.

A few ways to wear fur without looking like a caveman:

Vintage fur collar/shawl (shawl with belt = so cute)

calivintage | this time tomorrow

Vintage fur trimmed coats (apparently pants are optional ; )

thriftwares | sally jane vintage

Short fur jackets

lookbook | uggshopstyle

Sample Sale: Dear Creatures

We are huge Dear Creatures fans, and the Billion Dollar Babes currently have a sample sale going on with a lot of the pieces from the Fall season.




The sale is up to 70% off items, though most things are priced around 45% off original price ($50-$70 ... except those shorts are a steal at $35) - the sale is good for the next day or so only, so get shopping quick.

(and, if you order more than $100 worth of stuff, use the promo code "HOLIDAY09" at checkout to get $20 off your order).

You're welcome.

DIY: Colored Chalkboard Paint and Vintage Frames

I was excited to see all the new, pretty colors that Hudson Paint is offering in their chalkboard paint these days - bright blues and pinks and greens are a nice variation on the classic black or gray.

I like the idea of getting a big ol' ornate vintage picture frame or wooden window/door frame, and then framing a bright chalkboard inside to hang in the entryway or above a desk.


(images from design sponge, bluebellbazaar, sempernova)

Alternatives to Polaroid

Jordan over at Oh Happy Day posted about some fun alternatives to the old polaroid cameras now that it is harder to find film for them (snif).

She made me want to own both of these cameras:

Vintage Polaroid 600 SE
Apparently you can use Fuji instant film with it, and it takes really really stunning pictures. They have used Fuji FP 100 B with it.




(Photos by the ever talented Jonathan Canlas)



Fuji Instax Mini
Takes instant credit card sized photos and uses a special film.

Vintage Finds: Mini Gillete Razor

Another estate sale score: a mini travel razor and carrying case! The little razor handle unscrews for easy storage. Never been used to cut a hair!

I immediately took it home and gifted it to a certain boy I know that can grow a mean beard. I think it makes a fun gift for the dapper man that has everything?





I'd never seen these before, but a quick etsy search found a similar one here, so maybe they aren't that uncommon. But they sure are cute. You really can't beat vintage packaging.

Vintage Finds: Dennison Gummed Labels

Maybe I had labels on the mind, which is why at an estate sale last week I was so delighted to find these lovely vintage Dennison labels. I love office supplies anyway, so when they come in beautiful old packaging made to look like mini-books, I find them completely irresistible!

DIY: Print Your Own Labels

There are lots of fun, free label templates floating around the internet, though this morning I stumbled onto some vintage inspired ones that motivated me to actually blog about a few of them.

The labels can be used as gift tags, mailing labels, notecards, seating cards, jar labels, etc.

To use:
Just download the labels and then print them onto full sheets of self-adhesive paper. Use a straightedge and a utility knife to cut out the rectangular labels; cut out the round labels with a pair of scissors or a round punch if you have one. Just click on the following links to download.

Vintage-Inspired Labels from Suzee Que:




Simple Scribbled Labels from A Print A Day:


Graphic Blue and Grey Birds and Graph paper from Creature Comforts:

Scalloped Bird and Colorful Garland Labels from Wolfie and the Sneak:


Lovely Bright "to/from" Labels from love. obsess. inspire.:


Most are available in PDF format (you will need Adobe Reader). All images free for your personal use only.

Color of the Year: PANTONE 15-5519

Happy New Year! Did you know that PANTONE chooses one color a year as THE color of the year? Twenty-ten's color is the PANTONE 15-5519 (aka Turquoise), which they call "an inviting, luminous hue."

I don't know about their claim that "Turquoise Transports Us to an Exciting, Tropical Paradise While Offering a Sense of Protection and Healing in Stressful Times," but I do know that I've been into bright jewel tones lately, and a strong turquoise or teal could really scratch that itch.

I scoured some lovely vintage finds on etsy, and have a little color inspiration for the year. So much pretty turquoise and other shades of blue and green!



iloveswift, $38 | thefancytail, $440 | 13bees, $58
seaglassvintage, $14 | 23burtonavenue, $35 | hautecountry, $120
TheVintageCabin, $24 | johnnyvintage, $60 | vintagejane, $89