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)