As long as she doesn't magically turn into Kristy Swanson

(For some reason I used to watch that '80s movie Mannequin II: On the Move a lot as a kid. Not even the original with Kim Cattrall, but the lesser-known sequel with Kristy Swanson. I don't care that it has a three star rating at imdb-- it was really enjoyable back then, okay?!)

This is just a drive-by update to introduce:

Olivia!!

My mom found her at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago and finally brought her over yesterday. (She's also the one who named her Olivia, so I went with it.)

I've wanted a mannequin for ages! She's incredibly tall. I'm not crazy about her makeup, so I fully plan to repaint her. I've said this before, but I have a a big super love for dolls and have some experience painting my ball-jointed, blythe, and pullips-- so this shouldn't be too difficult. Right now her lipstick is frosted pink eighties horribleness, which isn't doing her any favors. So, a makeover is in order whenever I can possibly find the time.

I want to totally copy take inspiration from something like this:

(images taken from this Ebay shop)

Right now, Olivia is wearing my lovely '60s flapper-style dress that I've only had a chance to wear once, and a big hat that I recently thrifted because I couldn't pass up such a Lydia Deetz style thing. I figure she can wear some of my lovelier things that don't get pulled out of the closet often enough.

Plaid dresses & busy days

(Frolic!)
Thrifted '90s dress, '70s granny boots, thrifted bag

Oh dear, I've been so busy this week. I started a new job at a bookstore (yay!) but I've also had a ton of things due in my classes, and haven't been in internet-land much lately.

Remember when I went on about '90s dresses and how I would like a closet full of them? Well, right after that I thrifted three more! This is my favorite. And gosh I love those granny boots, even though the toes are all scuffed because I wear them too much.

Also, I'm about fifteen or so subscribers away from 200 (gasp!!) and thought that it might be nice to do a giveaway from my shop once I get there. Just something to show how appreciative I am of everyone! ♥

PS: I also started a Chictopia & Weardrobe, although I haven't had much time to poke around on them!

With our love, we could save the world

Vintage dress, '70s granny boots, Target socks

In celebration of Beatles day on 9/9/09 (remastered catalog and Rock Band, yay!) I've decided to dress somewhat appropriately. This is one of the dresses mentioned in my last post: all flowy and bohemian, with poofy arms and a little bow. It was originally about calf-length and kind of swallowed me, but my rudimentary sewing skills managed to come through in a pinch. I'm not used to such a high sleeve-volume level!

Something about it reminds me of the George/Pattie inspired photoshoot with Dhani Harrison and Sasha Pivovarova from last year, which I adore:

Oh, Dhani. I've been distracted by him lately.

I do have a short, faux fur cape that I could throw on in an attempt to copy George's big shaggy coat, but the weather isn't quite there yet!

Oh I can't resist:

With the first lucky Mrs. Harrison, Pattie Boyd

Okay I admit, this post is more of an excuse for pretty pictures of my favorite Beatle and my favorite Beatle offspring than to talk about this new dress. You've seen right through me.

Ruth, I love you.

Friday was the best day. Remember when I first started blogging and mentioned that I befriended a lady named Ruth who works at my favorite thrift store and sets aside vintage goodies for me? Well, she outdid herself this time!

(Fun note about Ruth: she doesn't wear vintage but loves looking at it. She has a '40s mannequin in her house that she dresses up!)

I dropped by and she had two racks and several boxes full of vintage for me to go through. I bought everything that was pretty. About half of it is going in the shop and I think everyone will be pleased by this! So many things still had their tags; someone in this giant house recently died and all of her clothes were donated. It was so interesting/morbid.

The fantastic thing is that I probably wouldn't have chosen most of these dresses for myself otherwise-- like a couple of longish pieces that are meant to be worn over a crinoline and a billowy-sleeved hippie thing that I'm going to shorten. I have a pile that needs to be hemmed or taken in, but I'm excited about it. Future post ideas!

There were two '60s Mad Men-esque dress suits that I fell in love with immediately. I don't have the shape for that kind of thing, but am keeping one to try out and selling the other. The waist fits but not so much the bust (it's meant for someone with a little more boobage). But it's the closest I've ever felt to Joan Holloway, which is a bit fun for me!

Mohair jacket, pink raincoat, silk blouse, angora cardigan

These two collages are the things I'm keeping-- a "made in Scotland" mohair loose jacket thing, a '60s pink silk (!) raincoat, plus a few of the most interesting dresses that I've ever come across! The dusty pink and blue dress is by far my favorite, but I also love the weird, heavy, blue button up number.

And as for the things I'm selling-- the coats alone are amazing! Since starting the shop I see vintage in an entirely new way: I still want it all, but feel this thrill when I find something awesome that I know someone is going to love to pieces. Here's a quick preview of some of the things going up:

I think I'm going to stop posting shop updates here, just because I don't post very often anyway and don't want to clog up my blog. I'll tweet about updates, so follow me if you aren't already! Everything should be up by tomorrow night.

PS: Seriously, Ruth, if you've googled my name and found this: thank you so much! I know I don't visit nearly enough.

Schoolboyish.

Top, blazer, and clock pin: thrifted skirt & flats: H&M

Has it really been 70somethingish degrees around here? Is this real life?? I wore this wool blazer yesterday in a comfortable, non sweating to death sort of way. I think it's going to heat up once more and then be over for the year. Don't tease me, weather, I can't take it.

This whole outfit makes me so happy. I recently thrifted the blazer after searching for a little wool one forever. I have a poly one but never wear it, the wool feels more.. official, somehow. The frilly blouse was recently thrifted as well. I never remember to look for tops, so I felt rather accomplished with this!

The little clock charm was found a couple of years ago in my favorite Wilmington thrift shop. It's a working clock that needs to be wound every now and then, and the back of it shows the gears which I adore. I always wear it gear side out.

Lately I've been reading quite a bit (I finally got out of my reading slump-- although infinite summer is still going strong!) and trying to get super organized for school. I'm particularly excited for my Young Adult class because we get to read lots of YA lit. I'm easy to please.