High Falutin

One thing that is very lovable about *most* vintage clothing is its affordability (yes, we do think the stuff in our shop is a steal). Can I get a "woot" from all the recessionista's out there? This is true except for some designer vintage wear.

I stumbled across this sale of vintage Pucci at YOOX which starts today (you can buy it all from your iphone!). I love this stuff but it's a tad out of my range-- $875 for a bikini?!! Which vintage Pucci would you buy? My fantasy picks are below (but I can't get the pictures of the website, so click away).

Swimmingly
The long and SHORT of it
Out and About

Maker Faire 2009 highlights: Bazaar Bizarre

I went to the Maker Faire in San Mateo over the weekend, and walked around the whole time with mouth agape, coveting bikes and screenprinting machines and staring at the amazing things people have figured out how to make.

They always have an impressive Bazaar Bizarre craft fair section as well, and these were a few of my favorites locals that were out selling their wares:

DoubleParlour:

Aside from the obvious Animal Head connection, I think these guys make really pretty paintings and sculptures out of polymer clay, and then paint them with the most lovely and woeful expressions.



Xylocopa:

They make this delicate wooden jewelry with awesome, moveable gears.

Aye-Aye Captain

I've always had a thing for uniforms-- they just look so crisp, and nicely retro. Cribbing the uniform style is one way to look professional and yet hip (the holy grail of vintage dressing for me these days). Sailthouforth put me onto this site-- a comprehensive collection of stewardess uniforms. So much eye candy.

Basic things to think about if you want to copy this look-- phrases like epaulette, pussy bow, pencil skirt, fitted jacket, and scarves, scarves, scarves would be a good start. Let us know what you find (and yes, we will be posting things that fit these terms in the shop). Be prepared to waste a lot of time looking at all those uniforms, and consider buying some of our adorable vintage luggage to tote with you

Eagle Eye

I've already gone into how much I like Estate Sales, and am on the mailing list for several Bay Area companies to keep me in the second-hand scavenging loop. One of the lists always sends photos of the sales so that you can get excited about the stuff that they are selling before you get there. Problem is, half the time it backfires because the pictures are usually sub-par, and usually look mostly full of junk.

Like last weeks? There were TEN pages of photos like this:

Blech. Precious plush. Booooring.

Wires. Things with wires sticking out of them. Boring.

Yawn. Boring.

Argh. Boooooring.

This picture did peak my interest a little ... because seriously - that carpet and that couch? Together? Living in harmony in the same room? This means these people might have some other tricks up their sleeves.

And then the VERY last picture, on the VERY last page...do you see what I see, poking up out of all that other junk? A red roundie!

I memorized the look of the outdoor location, made sure I showed up right when the doors opened, bee-lined for the backyard, and proudly waltzed out with a new mint red round suitcase.

Estate Sale success!

Sneak Peak: Sequins and Summer and Shirts, oh my!

Just a quick look at a few of the lovely things going into the shop this week! Not just dresses this time around:










We always tweet when new items are in the shop, so sign up and follow us for updates!

ALMOST Animal Heads

Well lookie here:


The Fall/Winter 2009 lookbook forCa$hmere, a women’s and men’s exclusive knitwear collection designed by John Scher - is using cartoon heads in place of the models heads.

We actually considered drawing heads on our models as well initially, but ended up going for masks for the creepier 3-D effect.

(via angelofharlemfashion. Thanks to Claire for the heads up!)

Father's Day Idea: the pampered mustache

While in Portland, I visited many an antique store. I dragged a certain bearded man around with me, and as reward for never complaining once, I bought him his own mustache protector teacup (offically called a Mustache Guard). Have you seen these things? They are usually these little dainty teacups, with a mustache shaped protector built right into the rim for the manly men that will be sipping their tea.



Mustache Guard teacups and mugs! Can you say best ever Father's Day gift for the hairy man in your life?

I did a little research on how they came to be. Apparently they first showed up around 1830, because those dandy Victorian mustaches were no match for the constant tea parties they were attending. Either the mustache wax melted in the cup, or the dye ran everywhere, or the mustaches got stained from the tea. Solution? The mustache protector, built right into the cup. (a funny history of them written here)

There are always lots to choose from on eBay and etsy, though I liked this one: