What I Wore: The Modern Vintage Edition

You're all a smart bunch of people, I'm sure it hasn't escaped you by now that I love vintage and retro style and even sell my own finds on Etsy. Well, when the Internet first starting being a huge shopping hub (wow, that sentence makes me feel ancient even though this was probably only 10 years ago or so), it opened up a whole new world of vintage possibilities! I spent so much time searching online for the perfect 40s style dresses and rockabilly handbags. It was a sickness. Still is, I guess. However, back in those days, your options for true vintage and vintage reproduction were limited and pricey. I would drool over styles from Stop Staring! hoping that I could one day afford something from their collection. And I still do.

Of course, now the Internet has made it easier than ever to find vintage reproduction styles for any price range. It's really nuts how easy it is and I find a new favorite site every day. The dress below is from a store in the UK called Voodoo Vixen that I just discovered a few months ago!

Loving Right Now: Kitschy Vintage Kitchen Decor

I'm still in the process of trying to make my new apartment feel like a home and it's been so hard to focus on just one room. I want to buy everything, for every room, all at once! Anyone else understand this feeling?

Of course, I can't do that because as much as I wish I am, I am not a millionaire. So, I've been doing it slowly — paycheck by painstaking paycheck and cutting corners where I can. Like the responsible human being that I am. Unfortunately, all this has allowed me to do is continue adding items to an ever growing list of "wants". That combined with my inability to focus on one room has created an odd list and caused be to buy things on impulse - making for some very odd, half-finished rooms. To combat this insanity, I've decided to share it with you! Aren't you excited? In an effort to focus, I'm just going to share my wants, my loves, my hopes, and my dreams for my new apartment room by room. Maybe that way I won't wonder why I have an extensive plate collection for the kitchen walls but still no table for the craft room (yes, this is a real problem).

The SMEG Revolution

The SMEG Revolution is upon us. Yes, it's true. Hold on to your hats people. For those of you interested in the interior design world, those that follow interior design blogs, or, heck, even just hang out on Pinterest sometimes, you're familiar with the SMEG refrigerator. It's the vintage, candy-colored appliance of your dreams. And it costs a pretty penny to make your kitchen look like it has hopped out of the 1950s, so, for most of us, it has always been very much a dream. Well, dream no more my design friends! Your kitchen appliances are so close to being candy-colored, you should almost be able to taste it!

What I Wore: The Pencil Skirt Edition

There are certain things you always need in your closet. One is a dress perfect for your body type that makes you feel great. Another is a pair of jeans that works for errands or going out. And the last thing is a an office appropriate pencil skirt. I don't care what you think about your body type, a pencil skirt makes anyone look hot and classy - that's a dangerous combo. I think my collection of pencil skirts will forever be growing and changing because whether you wear it with a cardigan and heels to work or a t-shirt and boots out to a concert, it always works. Always.

I have a collection of a pencil skirts for every season, but finding a good sweater skirt can sometimes be a hassle. They point of a pencil skirt is that they are slimming and sweater ones can sometimes look bulky. However, this vintage skirt is just the right mix of sensible and adorable.

Bright and Cheerful Interior Style in a Small Space

What happens when a graphic designer and an animator combine? Adorableness, that's what. And a home full of fun, kitsch, and color. Matt and Mel's little home in Fairfax, Virginia is exactly where you would imagine an adorable hipster couple living. Don't you think?

What I Wore: The Bomb Girls Edition

It's been freezing in Chicago. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a big baby when it comes to the cold, it's literally been dangerous to set foot outside for the second time this month. As you can imagine, taking outfit photos or wearing anything that doesn't make me look like the Queen of the Bag Ladies has been next to impossible. I am sick of it. I've even been wearing pants. PANTS! What is the world coming to?

The never-ending polar vortex has forced me to discover new shows on Netflix as well, because, well, what else am I going to do? After I finished all the seasons of MadMen (yes, I'm incredibly behind on tv), I had the urge to keep watching a period television series. That's where Bomb Girls comes in. The show follows a group of women working in a munitions factory in 1942 Canada and aside from the drama, the outfits are to die for. These 1940s style dresses have seriously re-newed my love of all things vintage.

60s Chic in Warby Parker's Palm Canyon Collection

Like all style conscious girls, I love a good pair of specs. There's nothing worse than not feeling like putting your contacts, but having no other choice. So I make sure I have choices, lots of them. Thanks to the Internet, the perfect pair of frames doesn't have to set you back $600 at the eye doctor. Sites like Warby Parker have made it so easy to have a collection of frames instead of one pair that you have to wear until they break (we be-speckled ladies have all been there). BUT because it's so easy, I'm also constantly shopping new frames and the one set I haven't been able to find is the perfect brown/neutral pair. The time has come, my friends!

What I Wore: The Winter Coats Edition

The weather outside being frightful is an understatement. It's a nightmare out here in the big, windy city right now. If it wasn't so bitterly cold, I could have maybe enjoyed the first snow over this past weekend. I did, however, try to make the most of it for today outfit shoot!

What I Wore: The Vintage Holiday Sweater Edition

Well, shit. It's December already, huh? Here I am, once again, not prepared for any sort of holiday season. I thought that I would get the apartment decorated this week, have started my holiday shopping by now, and have ideas for what I was getting everyone on my list. Planning is so much easier than executing. #amirite If you're ahead of me at the point, you go guuurrrl! You deserve some sort of expert-holiday-wrangler award or something.

The only thing I have been able to get on top of is planning holiday party outfits - never mind that I have no holiday parties to attend yet.

Monday Design: Mid Century in Chicago

A friend of mine just announced that she scored an awesome apartment in Chicago with mid century touches, which, of course, sent me on a hunt for mid century interiors. Naturally, I found an amazing 50s era apartment design that is actually in Chicago.

What I Wore: The Leather Vest Edition

Am I cool enough to rocka leather vest? No. Just by asking myself that question it's obvious I'm not. But, damnit, I'm going to try! So I went with my go-to outfit option when trying a trend that I think is too "tough" for me, I mixed it in with something sweet. Balance  as always, is important in any outfit or else you start looking like you're wearing a costume if you're too "biker chic" or too sweet or too rocker, etc.

What I Wore: Beaded Vintage Sweaters Edition

Hello, my name is Maggie and I am a hoarder. It's been about two days since I've kept something that I probably won't ever need. It's a problem. I am looking into support groups and trying to throw little things away here and there. Of course, it's so handy, what if I need that thing in the next 5 to 10 years?!!? Ugh, ok, so I'm not making wonderful progress in my hoarder-ism. However, it does sometimes have it's upsides - like when thrifting. Having a hoarder's eye makes for great finds when vintage shopping, which is why I started my Etsy shop.

I just had to buy cool things I found, whether they fit me or not. Eventually I had too many vintage pieces and not enough room. I put up a lot of pieces in the Etsy store that I would like to keep, but I just don't have the room, every once in a while though I find piece that I just can't give up (sorry world!).

What I Wore: The Vintage Checks Edition

Every once in a while, I like posting a look using something from my vintage Etsy shop, Stranger Than Vintage (self promo, sorry!)! I love all of the vintage pieces I pick up, obviously since I chose them, so I like trying them on and showing them off. I have to tell you though, sometimes that just makes me want to keep the dress or shirt or whatever. I'm seriously debating about this one.  

What I Wore: The Let It Snow Edition

It's snowing! Okay, not right this second, but it's been snowing in Chicago for the past couple of days. I keep going back and forth on whether this is a reason to be happy or sad. Two days ago, when I almost slammed into the back of a car trying to break while going 15 miles per hour, it made me sad. Today, it ain't so bad.

Monday Design: Vintage Touches

I don't normally post businesses when I'm pulling interior design inspiration, but Emerald City Eyebrows is almost directly pulled from my dreams. I would live here if I could. It's located in Denver, Colorado, so if you're local check it out and tell me if it's everything I thought it would be.

Photo Friday:Vintage Books Brought to Life

I am a book nerd. It's not a secret. I will say it loud and proud. My friends used to (okay, still do) make fun of my by saying I would become a librarian and the truth is, I thought about it. I mean my personal library probably comes to something like 500 books now - that I still haven't read. So whenever any one makes "crafts" from old books by tearing out covers and cutting holes, I have a mini panic attack. Fine, I have a major panic attack. However, I do have to give credit where credit is due and I think this work by Thomas Allen  is pretty sweet.

Vintage Summer Lovin'

'Vintage Summer Lovin'' by StrangerThanVintage

It's hot out there! Pick up some sizzling vintage summer pieces to help keep you looking cool.

vintage rust summer pleated ... holymess $20.00	LULI Jewelry Set - Multi Str... JuliLescano $186.00	Vintage Bright Summer Floral... BtchcraftTradi... $15.00	Oh-so-70s Floral Dress StrangerThanVi... $28.00
Red Romper Summer Outfit Med... GoodTimeIsland $25.00	Jennifer Lilly Handmade Beau... jenniferlillyd... $40.00	Vintage Polyester Floral Pri... newagegypsy $20.00	70s Style Orange Floral Tuni... StrangerThanVi... $10.00
Seafoam Green Pastel Spring ... BadJamesVintag... $38.00	vintage 1950s dress / 50s su... ManicVintage $58.00	Vintage summer dress in latt... renewvintage $34.00	vintage 1950's Miami Gui... ChiffreHuit $230.00
SHIRT, vintage clothing, sum... zasra $25.00	Size S and M Yellow Floral S... blessthatdress $20.00	summer 1940s linen heels // ... AnatomyVintage $98.00	PDF Pattern - 70s Crocheted ... KinsieWoolShop $3.20

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Oh yea, of course I needed to create a vintage summer themed Etsy treasury. Nothing makes me feel more like it's summer than breezy dresses and retro swimsuits. So I pulled together a collection of easy, breezy, and fun vintage pieces from all around the Etsy sphere. New clothes are fun, but when you buy vintage you can almost guarantee that you'll be the only girl on the street wearing that outfit and that can be a really accomplished feeling. Plus, I just like supporting other vintage Etsy sellers too. We gotta stick together! Anyway, enjoy! And if you pick anything up, let them know you found it on here. ;)

What I Wore: The Mixing Eras Edition

Just a quickie today. This outfit post is one that's been sitting on my desktop for a few weeks now. I call it my "confused vintage" style. This happens to me all the time, because I love several conflicting eras in fashion. I started out with some very 50s high waisted shorts and then add a little lacy cardigan and threw on a cameo necklace. Before I realized it, I was mixing 50s style with victorian accents. Say what? I don't know if I love this outfit, but it was a really fun alternative to shorts and a tank on a very, very hot day.

So why would I post an outfit that I'm not totally in love with you ask? Great question! This blog is a learning experience for me. I love clothes, always have, always will, but I'm not perfect or an expert by any means. Sometimes I throw something together and think the outfit looks fantastic at first and then grow to hate it. Do you guys have that happen to you too? This outfit was fun, but there are a few things I'd change about it for next time. If I were to do a lace top with these shorts again I would want it to be closed and long enough to tuck into the high-waisted shorts. I would also probably add some more stand out accessories to give the outfit more pop. However, for spending the day running around at a Chicago street festival, this outfit was breezy and great!

I think critiquing your own style is one of the best ways to grow and develop it. Don't be mean to yourself, you did a great job! But maybe you noticed some things that could be done better next time? Great! It's called growing and I'm all about it! So anyway, enough jibber-jabber, here's the outfit!

Blue high waisted shorts - local boutique (similar) 

Lacy cardigan - Forever 21 (similar)

Basic black tank

Black and white heels - T.U.K. 

Mixing eras can definitely work when done the right way. However, I think it's a thin line to cross when coming up with outfits and I don't think I've perfected it quite yet. 

What do you think about mixing different vintage styles into one outfit?

Tuesday Trendspotting: 50s and 60s Never Die

I know, I know, you've barely started working on that tan and here I am talking about Fall/Winter 2012. Well I'm sorry, I know it's hard to accept but Fashion does not wait! So neither do I. Ok well, I do. As in, I wait to buy but not to look. So check it out. 2012 is bringing back the beehive! I talked about before how that sweet picnic in the park 60s style was coming back for the spring (I failed at making it the theme of my spring wardrobe unfortunately) and it did in a big way, but it seems that the beehive, cat-eyes, pencil skirts, and capris and in it to win it. The retro craze may have started with MadMen, but it's taken on another life now and I couldn't be happier! I mean I always saw myself as a greaser's girlfriend at some point in my life. That point should be now.

The Fall/Winter 2012 collection from Dsquared2 borrows heavily from that punky, Rebel Without a Cause attitude while combining it with some very classic pieces of the 50s housewife. A little tough and a little sweet, my favorite combination. Obviously, I want every single piece in this collection.

What do you think? Love the 60s style or hate it?

Tuesday Trendspotting: Bikini Season

Oh you know it's here already and if you're a big slacker like me, you still haven't picked out your new swimsuit for the season. I know this isn't a new trend, the retro 50s style bathing suit has been all over catalogs and websites for a few years now, but I still don't have one! ::despair:: Well, I'm changing that this year! Maybe. I hope. Well, it's on my wishlist anyway.

So in preparation of sinking about $100 into a bathing suit that I promise myself I will wear at least once a week this summer - I am horrible at keep promises to myself - I picked out a few styles of retro bathing suits that I absolutely love and would be my dream to find for cheap. Warning: some of these are by no means affordable, I pulled them mainly for their shape and style.

Net-a-porter

Ruche

Ruche

This is actually my current most likely candidate. What do you think? Fun or too maternity? 

Seafolly

Anthropologie

Modcloth

Modcloth

Brown's Fashion

I have to say that this is my dream retro bathing suit and I've been hunting down something like this for almost two summers now. Unfortunately, I still have not been able to fine one like it in my price range. What a bummer.

What do you say? Retro bathing suits: yay or nay?