Monday Design: Aix-En-Provence

I, like many other students I know of, studied abroad in France my last year in college and, like I'm sure many people would tell you, it was a magical, life-changing experience. So much so that I'm constantly plotting ways of getting back there. Every once in a while when I miss it too much I like to do some house hunting just for fun. Well, among all of the castels that are for sale in France, there are some gorgeous 10 million dollar homes. That'll probably never be a place I will be in life, but it's fun to pretend isn't it? I found this gorgeous home in the city that I studied in, Aix-En-Provence, which is a little college town in the south of France that's got all the Mediterranean charm you can imagine. Now who wants to loan me 10 mill? I swear, you can stay on the couch whenever you want ;)

 Where's your dream future home?

Happy Birthday to ME!

As I alluded in my last outfit post...

It's my Birthday!

To celebrate, I'm having a sale in the Stranger Than Vintage shop! 

So celebrate with me by shopping! Which is exactly what I'm going to do as soon as I'm done writing this. I mean hey, it's my birthday and I'll buy if I want to, I'll buy if I want to. 

:D

Photo Friday: The Lyrical Alexandra Valenti

I just spent the last hour looking through every single photo on Alexandra Valenti's site and there are more on the blog that I haven't even gotten to yet. Alexandra is an incredibly talented independent photographer from Los Angeles that I just stumbled across. I adore photography (in case you haven't noticed) and I love finding new photographers whose work I can oogle, so I was very happy to find Valenti's work. Every shot is dreamy and like a fairy tail, yet dirty and gritty at the same time. I love that juxtaposition of the soft focus and washed out colors with the darker more intimidating subject matter. A big thumbs up.

Valenti takes pictures the way I wish I could capture life. They're lyrical. They convey movement while being still and tell a story while saying nothing at all. Do you see how much I love these little contradictory juxtapositions? Now if I could get something like this for one of my outfit posts, I'd be one happy little lady.

I think the reason that I get so enamored with photographers is because I wish I had the eye or the talent. I think I would love taking pictures all day long, I mean I already have quite the collection. Although, I guess it's never too late to change our place in life. Some food for thought for the weekend I guess.

Have a good one guys!

Thursday Tutorial: Colorful Summer DIY Agate Earrings

I've actually been holding onto this one for a little while because I wanted it to coincide with the opening of my second Etsy shop! However, life likes to get in that way a lot of times and I've been really behind on getting it all set up, so please visit it...at a later date. This one is just going to be things that I make, mostly jewelry since that's what I like making the most, and then Stranger Than Vintage can stay as solely vintage clothing, housewares, and accessories.

Anyway, I've written up a tutorial for this pair of fun dangly agate slice earrings for summer that are for sale in the shop. If you want to make your own, I'd love to see them! If you'd like to buy a pair, I'd be ecstatic! So let's get this tutorial started!

What I Wore Wednesday: The Happy Birthday Edition!

You guessed it! My birthday is coming up this weekend and this outfit post is all about what I'm going to wear to the extravaganza! I'm super excited about it and I hope it'll be a fun night. Most of my friends and I work completely opposite hours so I don't get to see them too much - should be a good time! Anyway, I also invited a lot of my co-workers out to come and party it up with me, so I didn't really want to go out skanking it up (like I normally do ;), but I wanted something light and fun since it'll probably be 90 degrees on Saturday. When I saw this dress on Ruche I knew it could be perfect so I scooped it up!

Now I'm a shop-online-aholic and I knew that there was a possibility this dress was going to look terrible once I got it in. Luckily that did not happen! I love it! It's got coverage, but is just a touch see-through to give a little something sexy. Perfect for a birthday dinner and drinks! This was actually the first time that I had ever ordered from Ruche, but I was very happy with their service. They're on top of it on Twitter and I actually say this dress as a part of a lookbook and couldn't find it on the site right away. I asked them on Twitter and they got right back to me! How's that for customer service? (Yes, I'm addicted to Twitter, let's be friends.) Also, scroll to the bottom of this post for a super special birthday surprise for YOU!

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?

Monday Design: Castello Di Vicarello

Please do not mistake this for complaining, because it is the farthest thing from it, but it is HOT. It has been swelteringly hot all weekend and I couldn't be happier. However, after a Chicago winter, it's taking me some time to get used to the 90 degree days. This little heavenly getaway in Tuscany looks like just where I would want to be wasting away these lazy summer days. The Castello Di Vicarello is definitely a dream. I love how is keeps the essence of Mediterranean living but adds modern pieces into the rooms. The dark rooms are not only inviting, but perfectly set up for afternoon siestas. And if you're ever missing the views while inside one of those dark, cool rooms, just take a peek out of the window. Sounds perfect doesn't it?

 I adore the feel of this room. The paint job looks rough and unfinished yet warm and inviting at the same time. I love that sponged look on walls. No matter how interestingly you paint a wall it's almost always going to be one of two things - glossy or matte. Adding the sponge texture gives it a little something that very few other rooms would have otherwise. 

Again here, the texture in the paints adds to the character of the bedroom. I love how the burnt, unfinished orange mimics the color and texture of the headboard.

Wouldn't you love to get lost in this southern sunshine?

Sunday Moment of Zen: The Little Slide Dress

Okay, this is maybe a little less zen and a little more awesome, but I had to share it with you guys! It's was kind of exploding all over the internet last week so you may have already seen it, but I think this Little Slide Dress is just the coolest thing! It speaks to the photography nerd and the fashion nerd in me. Do you have some photographic memories you want to show off? What better way than in this glowing slide dress? Think about it.

Hope you're having a great weekend! 

Photo Friday: The Great Gatsby

This editorial from Elle France hits right at the heart of me. It combines three of my most favorite things in the whole world - vintage fashion, literature, and fashion photography. Oh! AND is was in Elle France of course and I am obsessed with all things french. So basically, this whole shoot was meant for me to drool over and it was a success.

I actually didn't love The Great Gatsby when I read it the first time in high school. It didn't grow on me until I had to read more Fitzgerald later on in college and I just became enamored with the Fitzgerald style. Now, I am more than excited to see the movie. Anyway, this fashion editorial is gorgeous. I love that opulent 20s glam and ease they captured. There is no denying the outfits are gorgeous and who wouldn't want to be at this party?