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It's been awhile since we gave you a peek at what's coming to the shop this week...:

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What I'm Wearing: Lady Danburry

My friend Lynette (aka Lady Danburry) sews really beautiful clothing, and sells them in her online shop. A lot of her pieces are one-of-a-kind, vintage inspired, and many times out of vintage fabric. I ordered a blouse from her the other day and was so excited to wear it out and about for the first time. It came wrapped beautifully, with hand-written washing instructions:

Can you get any better than that sharp little vintage inspired collar? I don't think so. I wore it today with jeans, but have lots of plans to pair it with high-waisted skirts.

Blouse - Lady Danburry
Jeans - Emerson Fry
Shoes - Miz Mooz from a million years ago

Collecting Vintage: Umbrellas

What's not to love about a well-curated collection of vintage lovelies?  Everything looks better in groups, and I love the idea of collections of pretty things that can be used.  Living in Seattle means finding ways to be stylish in the rain.  I've stumbled across some of the prettiest vintage umbrellas lately-- those things were made to last even in the wettest locales!  If you're eying one in a store, make sure that you open and shut it a few times to check that it works easily.  I also open it and hold it to the light to check for any holes. A solid vintage umbrella can protect you against torrential downpours and they seem to not blow out in the wind as much as newer ones.

A few from my collection:
 
  Pretty handles & patterns at a local vintage shop:

etsy and ebay both have some AMAZING ones for sale.

Now, a question for all of YOU:  how can I display these beauties and still have them handy for use?

Animal Head Art - Jevgenia Masks

I spotted some awesome paper mache animal masks on etsy in a shop called Jevgenia Masks. They are made in Lativa, have a crafty handmade look to them, and are just overall a little creepy/awesome.

I've actually been meaning to try my hand at making some paper mache masks for the shop (I started some once, but left them on the porch to dry and they were gnawed on by raccoons) and have been inspired to renew my energies and give it a try again.

DIY Tutorial - Scalloped Peter Pan Collar

I've posted a little DIY Tutorial on my personal blog on turning a vintage button up shirt into a blouse with a scalloped peter pan collar. Check it out and make your own.

Estate Sale Finds: Darning Egg

I recently stumbled across this milk glass beauty.  Darning eggs were used to keep the round shape of socks while they were being mended.  I love how things used to be built to last!  Bonus was the darning kit and tin that came with it (from Seattle!).  Local vintage is always a plus.

 You can find darning eggs on ebay or etsy earn more about them here.

Vintage Inspired: Japanese Market O Brownies

My husband runs off to Asia for work more often than I'd like, but he always brings home something funny that he's found while over there. This week he brought back a package of overly processed brownie bites that he thought I'd like the retro styled packaging on. I got a kick of these very vintage American spokespeople for these funny little retro brownies.

Vintage Inspired Art: Bughouse

I was in Secession Art & Design here in SF and spotted the work of local artist Jeff Klarin of Bughouse. He pays homage to great music (and the defunct methods of playing it) of the past by immortalizing it in high res clarity on canvas:



So now you can still listen to your Judas Priest on spotify, and remember how awesome the tape looked stacked by your bed without having it actually take up precious space.

What I'm Wearing: Vintage Pastel Purple for Easter

We got all fancied up for Easter Sunday - I wore a beaded silk pastel purple 60s dress that might seem a little too bling for every day wear, but was perfect for Easter. And, my best accessory - the husband in his matching purple button-up that he didn't even complain about wearing.



Isn't the heavy beading and rhinestone work awesome?

Vintage Trends: Two-toned engagement rings

My boyfriend surprised me by proposing with his grandma's engagement ring.  I absolutely adore it.



Wandering around New York last week, I kept noticed that a lot of shops (like In God We Trust)  were carrying similar vintage ones. Which seemed appropriate since his grandparents bought the ring in Brooklyn in the 1930's.  I love yellow gold, and the two-tone ring seems like a great way to ride out the ever changing gold/platinum trends.   

Etsy and ebay have many of these gems to offer, some favorites I spotted include:

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Estate Sale Finds: Gucci Rabbit Head Stirrup Cup

A little Animal Head themed vintage find from my estate sale this week ... AND a rabbit, just in time for Easter.

This little metal stirrup cup has a smart little rabbit head atop, which when turned over uses his nose and ears as a base. My cup is stamped "Gucci" which seems pretty fancy:



I had to do a little research to find out the story of this cup. As it turns out, stirrup cups are traditionally offered to riders before a classic English hunt, and are often filled with port or sherry as part of a special toast to begin the festivities.

A google image search shows they also come with fox heads, deer heads, and more. All I know is that there are a million little upside down animal head cups that I think I need to start collecting.

Animal Head Fashion - Chanel

Even Chanel is channeling a little catwoman:


photo credit

Vintage Destination: Alameda Flea Market

If you ever find yourself in the Bay Area during the first Sunday of the month, you should check out the massive Alameda Flea Market.









It isn't all inexpensive - but there are some bargains to be found. And, when the weather is good, with San Francisco picturesque in the background, you can wander the isles eating a breakfast burrito or something else from one of the food trucks, and it won't even matter if all you actually walk away with is a doodad or two.

Alameda Point Antiques Faire
2900 Navy Way, Alameda, CA 94501

6:00 AM to 7:30 am $15.00
7:30 am to 9:00 am $10.00
9:00 am to 2:00 pm $ 5.00
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Free!

Vintage Renewal - Embroidered Photos

I love the artwork of Jose Romussi - he's given some black and white vintage photos of some elegant dancers a little kick of embroidered color:





(via The Dainty Squid)