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).

What I Wore: The 60s Shift Edition

Ah, estate sale shopping. That is the life. If my day job could be hunting for gems at estate sales, I'd be one happy camper. Unfortunately, it's just a hobby for now, but when you hit a jackpot it's oh-so-satisfying! I stumbled across a gorgeous collection that belonged to a little stylish lady who travled a lot in her lifetime with her husband. The collection of souvenir plates in their home was out of this world. But, naturally, I gravitated towards the closets and I was not disappointed. This little number is definitely one of my favorites that I picked up recently. So simple, yet so eye catching with it's delicately detailed collar and sleeves.

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!

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?

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.

What I Wore: The Twiggy Edition

Nothing makes me less happy like an amazing vintage dress that almost fits. I mean, come on fashion gods! Do me a solid? This vintage 60s shift dress is the most adorable thing I've come across in a while and my boobs are just not cooperating. Frustration! 

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.  

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.

What I Wore: The Fall Color Blocking Edition

Color blocking is not my strong suit. It seems so simple right? A few colors on top of each other, no problem. Wrong. I think I own too many prints to successfully color block at any point. However, I do love the way that large blocks of color can bring an outfit to life all on their own. Color blocking is the one trend that I always feel stand perfectly on it's own and needs limited accessories (shocking, I know). So how do I color block? I cheat. And you can too!

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.

Tuesday Trendspotting: House of Harlow and Winter Kate Fall 2012

Ok, that's it. It's August, the summer shorts and tank tops are being put on sale. You can now buy your bathing suits for next year for less than half the price. It's time to talk fall. I'm working on developing an idea of what I want my wardrobe to look like this year. I work in an office, a regular nine-to-five, but it's a really relaxed atmosphere so I don't really need lots of tailored tweed, but I do still need to look profesional. Somehow, magically, House of Harlow and Winter Kate have managed to put together a collection of fall looks that are fun, playful, and classy. I think I found my ideal wardrobe. via Fabsugar

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?

Vintage Love: Baubles and Jewels

I love jewelry. It's one aspect of my outfits that I can never omit because I think that accessories really are the topping on the cake. Jewelry, shoes, etc. can make or break an outfit, so I have an absurd collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. And especially since it's trendy to wear tons of these at once, it just gave me an excuse to collect even more. Most of mine is pretty cheap and costume-y, but that doesn't matter to me (as long as it doesn't turn my neck green). Long story short, I love jewelry and I feel naked if I leave the house without it.

Now, I collect a lot of vintage clothes and accessories both for myself and the shop and a lot of times things that I pick up for the shop end up living in my closet (sorry guys!). Jewelry though is something I have never been good at picking up at estate sales or thrift stores, so I really admire vintage Etsy sellers that have a large collection of vintage jewelry. Clothes is one thing, there's almost always a tag to help you figure out what era a piece is from, but with jewelry it's such a crap shoot. I'd love to expand my collection, but I hate putting things in the store that I can't date. So anyway, today I pulled together a collection of vintage jewelry pieces that I though were really awesome and definitely amazing finds. I'm jealous of every last one of these. Anyone know where to find cool vintage jewelry in Chicago?

'Retro Baubles and Jewels' by StrangerThanVintage

Vintage Natasha Stambouli Go... ATestOfTime $55.00	Vintage Necklace Purple Glas... boylerpf $35.00	Vintage Southwestern Tiger&#... antiquario $115.00	Vintage Floral Brooch - Milk... PinkAstilbe $12.00
Lily // Vintage Molded Glass... FunWithVintage $65.00	Vintage Sterling Silver and ... VisforVintageO... $175.00	Sterling Silver Enamel Pheas... Elsewind $95.00	50% SALE - KJL Frog Earrings... BentenDesign $75.00
Vintage Turquoise, Coral, an... VisforVintageO... $95.00	Rhinestone Earrings Couture ... EmbellishgirlV... $450.00	TAKAHASHI BLUEBIRD Brooch H... Cleoras $175.00	80s Dark Purple Square Earri... StrangerThanVi... $5.50
Lovely Deco Pink Star Sapphi... acrazeelady $120.00	Vintage BEAUJEWELS Rhineston... RaeOfLight $9.95	Vintage Gay Boyer 4 Strand G... CherryOrchardA... $65.00	LARGE 14kt Carved Shell Came... vintagebitsbli... $595.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Do you ever buy vintage jewelry? What's your favorite type of jewelry to wear?