The Mega Closet!

Do you realize that I will be opening my store in eight months! AHHHH! In some ways it feels like a long time.. but it's really not. WOW!

I have continued to scour every place possible for inventory, and with this comes boat loads of beautiful vintage clothes waiting to be worn. The down side is the boat loads of clothes have no place to belong, expect all over my tiny little cottage - and that doesn't really go well with my other 9 to 5 lifestyle.

So, I have had to come up with a solution to the chaos.. an outdoor mega closet!







It is tempting just to go ahead and open the store from the side of my house... but I really want to showcase them in the best posssible way. OK... we can do it... eight more months!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

As mentioned earlier on, I love my styling bow and accessorizing outfits with details such as bows, suspenders, hats, etc. There is something so playful about a bow tie in a brightly colored pattern that makes me smile.

Searching for inspiration along these lines, I came across an unlikely source... Alice and Wonderland's Mad Hatter Tea Party. A smorgasbord of bow ties, top hats and suspenders.

Then apon further research I found the fall 2007 line from Phillip Lim! Mad Hatter heaven.





Time to send out the search party in hopes of finding one lovely top hat or bright red bow tie.

Fridays and Saturdays

Friday was filled with sunshine on the beach and a lazy afternoon getting ready for an evening on the town. I love those times when you aren't in a rush to get out of the door and you can primp and preen for hours. Some may find that boring - and I guess I would if it was always that way - but rarely do I have time to luxuriate in getting ready.

After planning an outfit for the evening and putting it on.. it was all wrong.. so this is what came together as an afterthought.



The tank is from Urban Outfitters a few years ago, the vest (in a fabulous military style) was thrifted at a Salvation Army as well and the skirt - last but not least are these shoes from Payless. I got them last season and am excited to find they will still be in for the fall as well.

Saturday was another wonderful lazy summer morning with my hubby. Then out for some thrifting and dinner with my mom. This look was inspired by a streetstyle shot from Stockholm. I love being inspired by real people! Often celebrities get all the attention for fashion, but real everyday people do it so much better with a lot more creativity.



Hat was purchased from Urban Outfitters a few years ago, pin-striped blouse peeking out from the H&M jacket was thrifted (and almost thrown into a "get-rid-of" pile , but then rethought that - glad I did), shorts are thrifted and the shoes are from Target.

Happy weekend!

THE SOCIETY GIRL OF THE WEEK

I am excited about the Society Girl of the Week, some of you may be familiar with her and look to her for inspiration - but I have recently discovered a love for her style.

She is known to be a bit of a wild child, a french actress who is the the daughter of film director Jacques Doillon and singer-actress Jane Birkin, and something that caught my attention is her close relationship with Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk (my favorite designers).

Her style is a bit tomboy-slouch with a Parisian flare for dramatic. Check out this week's Society Girl...

Lou Doillon

The Original: Edie Sedgwick

I know I am a little behind, but I just watched FACTORY GIRL starring Sienna Miller as the tragically beautiful and inspiring Edie Sedgwick. Though, not one of my favorite movies, it was stimulating from a fashion point of view. Every creation that Edie put together was orginal and mesmorizing and it definitely caught on last season as everyone was pulling out the opaque black tights.

Watching the special features, where family members and old friends talked intimately about their relationship with Edie and the person she was - I noticed that they all kept coming back to the fact that she was an original. She defined a style that was her own and one that left its mark on everyone she came in contact with.

This got me thinking, "Do I really embrace and define a certain style? Am I creating any new ideas that are unique to just me?". Don't get me wrong, one of the things that I love most about fashion is the way it spreads and morphes from person to person. Everyone has their own taste, but often take ideas from someone or something else. The Vintage Society is all about inspiration, but how do you develop your own look? A look that is iconic - like Edie's.

I don't reallly think I have an answer for this question, it is just something that I have been thinking about all week. I have been challenged to find my tastes and develop them further - something that is all me!

Bummer!

Well, thanks to my Society girls out there I was informed that JANE Magazine will no longer be published. I will be sad to see it go. Check out this ARTICLE if you'd like to know more.

JANE!

It's just around the corner, the beginning of the new month approaches and one thing about that fact that makes me extra happy is the arrival of new issues! A new issue of my favorite magazine or I guess I should say magazineS. I love it! New inspiration, new ideas, new stories and new fashion spreads. As the day approaches I thought what I love about one of my favorites - JANE MAGAZINE!

I like how JANE incorporates a lot of REAL girl style. Not too young and not to old. They highlight women who are breaking out on their own doing what they love (like me!). They favor both designer clothes, cheap finds and vintage style. My all time favorite section of the magazine is the article "Don't Fear...". Each week they choose a trend (you shouldn't fear) and show four girls wearing it four different ways.

Last month's "Don't Fear... Ruffles"

I also enjoy the styling of their fashion shoots. For the June/July cover with Zooey Deschanel, they chose one of my biggest inspirations to style the shoot - Leith Clark (creator of Lula Magazine). They captured the vintage style of Henri Lartique's sunbathing portraits which I fell in love with.

Now I am all excited... ready for the next issue... well, I'll just have to wait.

Society Challenge : Kmart

Kmart...mmmm...well what can I say. To be honest, I am not a big fan. This is supposed to be a challenge and Sara and I both felt that it wasn't fair to always pick stores that we love. So, we chose Kmart.



Now, some of you may have hidden treasures that you find at Kmart, and we did find that Kmart actually had some amazingly fun shoes, but it's just not our first choice to shop.

Anyway, back to the purpose of our excursion - putting together an outfit using one of the same item. (I forgot to take a photo of the item, but it was a green and white striped collared rubgy-style shirt)

After searching around the store (using any clothing department - boys, girls, women, etc.) we headed to the dressing room with our stacks. Sara seemed to have a plan.. I on the other hand was at a loss. Sara finished her changes in minutes and I scrambled (maybe my creative juices weren't flowing) - finally, the moment of truth came...

and Sara rocked it! She worked the little boys department. Pairing the striped shirt with little boy jeans shorts (rolled), a little boys camo tshirt (knotted with a rubberband) layered it over the top, and of course the fabulous boots.



My combination seemed to be a little reminicent of the "Pink Ladies" from Grease. Without much layering I high waisted the pants, flipped my belt backwards to use the grey tones, and tucked in the top - Summer Lovin!



With the challenge over we headed out for some girl chatter over greasy mexican food.

Another successful Society Challenge. I would love your suggestions for next month's challenge - so send in your selections and we will choose one for August.

The Best DARN Day of the Week

Friday is the best darn day of the week! I LOVE FRIDAYS! The air is clearer, the day is brighter and the alarm clock doesn't sound as awful as usual.... because you know that the next day.. is Saturday.

This particular Friday started with a little flamingo dancin. I don't know what got into me this morning while I got ready but I walked out of the house feeling a little SAUCY!



Around 3:00 PM on Friday, I feel like a kid in class when the bell rings for the end of the day. I jump in the car, roll down my windows and fly home...the weekend is here!

My fabulous Friday ended with taking in a Angel's game with my hubby at our favorite spot - "Rudy's".



Enjoy your weekend everyone.. I know I will!

THE SOCIETY GIRL OF THE WEEK

I am really excited about The Society Girl of the Week. I have never really thought of her as someone to be an inspiration in fashion, but while doing some research I fell in love with her unique and individual style.

She was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic, and proved that women of her time could do more than look pretty and gossip over tea. She was a true tom-boy but without a lack of fashion.

Her style really appeals to the menswear inpired lines popping up everywhere. She sported leather jackets, high-waisted slim fit pants, and a boyish haircut (that makes me want to pull the scissors out..mmm... well not yet).

This week we can be inspired by her life, indedpendence and of course... the style of AMELIA EARHART!

This look is my absolute favorite - the coat, the neck tie... and let's not forget those amazing boots.

My Loot!

You can't go on vacation without bring back some loot!

I have a thing for hats, always have... and probably always will. A hat can make an outfit POP. Every stage of my life I think I have sported many different types of hats (remember the "Blossom" hat, or the days of the mesh trucker hat, or the Page Boy cap.. I have loved them all).

So while perusing an antique store in Decateur, Georgia I stumbled upon a plethora of vintage men's hats. I tried on every hat in my reach - until I came to this one. I LOVED IT!





It kinda reminds me of Tom Cruise's character in "Far and Away".

Well, that's just the beginning of my loot brought back in my overpacked suitcase. I will be filling you in on more later... let's just say I found some amazing inventory for "The Vintage Society". I can't wait to give you a preview.

What a Difference an Outfit Makes!

Now you may be singing "What a Diffence a Day Makes" in your mind over and over, and I apologize for that... but for me it is "What a Difference an Outfit Makes". What I mean is this...

I return from ten days of bliss, carefree living with no worries in the world except what to wear on each new adventure during vacation. Now back to reality - and that means waking up, heading into my 9 to 5 and doing menial tasks like unpacking and cleaning up the house.

So on that first morning back I drag myself out of bed, barely do my hair and take no time deciding what to wear. The day drags on as I simmer over the fact that I have put together the most BORING outfit... pinstipe pants and a green short sleeve sweater. There is no creativity or style and it causes the day to be less than perfect.

Faced with determination not to make the same mistake twice I peiced together a casual, cool work esemble that would brighten my day, and it did.

Like I said... "what a difference an outfit makes"... well at least in my book.

BACK!!

I am back! Wow! I have missed you all. I am sorry that my absence has been so long. Thanks for all the comments and emails during my vacation, it was great to know that you all missed being inspired just as much as I did.

Well, the vacation was FABULOUS! About ten days ago, my husband and I loaded up four PACKED suitcases and headed off on a jet plane to South Carolina. I thought to recap some of my experiences I would let you in on a few of my outfits designed to be wearable and cool enough for the hot, humid summer in the south.

The first decision, of course, was "what to wear on the plane". In my view, this is the most important outfit. It has to be comfortable, stylish and it makes a statement when you get off the plane and greet your family or friends waiting with open arms. (I don't know maybe its all the movies I have watched, but travelling is such a dramatic, romantic experience). So.. to set the tone and still be able to scrunch into those oh-so-not comfortable chairs I chose this outfit.

My black vintage jumper (that is actually Nike, so it is definetly meant to be comfortable), a slinky cami from urban outfitters, my new favorite black ankle wrap flats, and my silver pearl drop necklace. It was perfect for the long journey and easily transitioned to the boat to watch the July 4th fireworks!

I love this photo cause it captures the beauty of the southern summer. Mossy trees with a hazy sunsetting in the background. To keep cool one evening for dinner, I sported a nautical themed outfit - vintage striped tshirt, vintage skirt, belt, and silver flats from urban outfitters that I have recently resurfaced after ignoring them for a year.

Oh... another Mu Mu Redu for my collection. The mu mu was perfect for a boat ride over to a sea side restaurant. It was a big hit, which was fun since I hope to sell many of these in "The Vintage Society".

My "Floral Affair" dress! After a few days in South Carolina, my hubby and I headed out on a road trip of the south. One of our stops was Birmingham, Alabama where I went to the university for a few years. This dress took us out to the first place I tried Sushi, of course, now I am hooked. The dress is vintage and I shortened it to make it a "hot little number".

The HOT PINK Madness, and I'm loving these skinny jeans bought at yet another "cheap strip mall" store (TOQUEX). We hit up another one of my old favorites in Birmingham in quaint little dowtown.

After leaving Birmingham, we headed into Atlanta, Georgia to visit a BFF who I haven't seen in two years. Oh what fun to giggle like little girls.. oh and hang out with our hubbies.


Our final destination was Savannah, Georgia. We stayed here two years ago to the day in the same inn on our honeymoon. We loved remincing those days and had many stolen kisses during the day. One fun moment was a gift of a shopping spree from my sweetie - so of course we hit up American Apparel and MARC JACOBS!!! This outfit was from that fun spree the day before.

That wraps up a few of my favorites from our carefree ten days away. I will be letting you in on other parts of our journey the rest of this week.

It good to be back. The society girls were greatly missed!

THE SOCIETY GIRL OF THE WEEK

I am in a sauna. That's right, I am here in the good ole south experiencing the wonderful humidity. But oh how fabulous it is to hear the crickets at night, feel the balmy wind on my face and see the stars clear as a bell when I look up into the night sky. THE SOUTH!!!!

Being here has inspired me to pick a classic Society Girl of the Week, one that represents and embodies the true southern spirit. Now, I wouldn't say her style should be replicated for this day and age - more like it should be a catalyst for current style.

This woman knew how to be creative in the hard times when she had nothing but old curtains hanging in her shabby war torn mansion. She was a true DIY kind of girl, even the tough times wouldn't stop her for turning out a beautiful masterpiece.

Let's all take inspiration from this week's society girl, Scarlett O'Hara!

Pack it In

Our flight leaves tomorrow morning bright and early at the wonderful time of 6:45 AM. YUK! This means my packing has to be completely finished tonight. There is not time for last minute "oh, yeah maybe I will take those!".

So yeah, there was CHAOS in my house last night. My little pup, Dudley, didn't know what to do with this mess.

If you can see through the piles of clothes, my idea book sits amongst the mess. There I have written out ideas for outfits for certain days and occassions. This will be my guide as I trek through the good ole south.

Well, I will be gone and that means... I will probably not get much opportunity to write and update. But, don't worry I will have detailed stories to send your way when I return. See Y'ALL soon!