Monthly Archive for August, 2010

Going Greek

Published on August 31, 2010 in Ensemble and Personal. 0 Comments

I always find that when I have the most relaxing weekends, I end up lazier than ever. This weekend was no exception and thus why I have not posted anything new until today. Friday night found Mark and I doing some of my favorite things. We had dinner, spent some time in a bookstore and went home to relax with him reading and me doing some hand-stitched alterations. Then Saturday, he had to work, so I spent all day in a sewing frenzy. As my “project pile” had become unruly, I sat down and tackled 7 sewing projects! This mostly included simple hems, button changes, and side seams, but others were far more extensive. Later that night we got dolled up, went out on the town and caught up with great friends.

But, the highlight of the weekend was definitely Sunday. I was looking forward to checking out a local Greek Festival for a while…more specifically, since last year! We had tried to go to the previous year’s festival, but waited too long and by the time we showed up they had run out of all food. This year, I was determined to eat my way through the whole place. And that’s exactly what we did. It was gyros and ouzo and wine, oh my! Plus some grape leaves and sorbet. Delicious! I wish we had taken more photos, but honestly we were just too busy stuffing our faces.

Mark’s major highlight was meeting his favorite mayoral candidate. He had an inkling the candidate would be at the festival because of his Greek heritage and he half-jokingly/half-seriously brought along a copy of the candidate’s traffic congestion study to autograph (Engineer nerd). We found the candidate volunteering at the Taverna station, so naturally we bought a beer from him. Truthfully, Mark was like a giddy schoolgirl and smiled for the rest of the afternoon. What a nerd!

I can’t tell you how much I love these earrings. This weekend was the first time I’ve worn them and I haven’t taken them off yet. These were part of the treasures I found at the collectors expo. It came in a bag filled with 6 other earrings for $3, which means I paid approximately $o.43 for them! Bananas right?

dress – VAYA from Fashionista’s Market
earrings – collector’s expo
flats – Samuel
sun glasses – Max Mara
bag – purchased at a craft fair in Pittsburgh during college

Momma’s got some brand new shoes

Published on August 27, 2010 in Ensemble and Shop. 0 Comments

Exactly one week ago I had an almost-transcendental thrifting experience at my go to second hand store. I posted earlier about finding the vintage Ferragamo bow flats, but I had even more exciting news than that. I also scored this pair of vintage Charles Jourdan oxfords that were in incredible condition for $5! I couldn’t believe it myself. I was actually scouring etsy for a couple months now looking for oxfords exactly like this: flats, with a low lace bed and a pointed toe. Amazing!

Also amazing were the other pieces I managed to find including a vintage Laura Ashley dress with a v-corset bodice (which will become another morphed ensemble). I picked up a couple of new fiction reads that struck my fancy. And finally, as I was about to walk out, I saw this crumpled garment misplaced among the men’s racks. I grabbed it and couldn’t believe that someone decided not to buy this crazy 80′s floral sweetheart strapless mini. I was crossing my fingers that it would fit, but I had low expectations as random body-concious dresses that fit my bottom never end up zipping to my top. I slid it on… the zipper went over the hips with no problem… waist was perfectly snug… and wait for it… the bust fit like a dream! I could even fit a strapless bra in too! Amazing squared!

So, that’s it for me. I have been shopping way too much recently. Yesterday and last night didn’t help. During the day, I volunteered for a Dress For Success benefit sale and ended up buying a bunch of stuff myself. Then, later in the evening was another awesome ART + FLEA, where I found even more great pieces. More of those to come later. I do have a whole pile of “projects” that I need to get to. Maybe this weekend…?  Ahh, Happy Friday!

oxfords – thrifted Charles Jourdan
top – vintage from hubby’s grandmother
jeans – 7ForAllMankind
necklace – MiSh mAsH vintage from ART + FLEA

Delightful Collectibles

Published on August 24, 2010 in Inspiration, Jewelry and Shop. 2 Comments

Just a rundown of my purchases from the Collectors Expo. All of the items (not including the vintage jewelry box which was a hand me down from hubby’s grandmother) came out only $14! The brooch above ($3), I believe, is destined to become a pendant for a long chain necklace. The pearl clip on earrings ($1) below will double as shoe clips to spruce up my plain pumps.

This divine little bow watch pin ($2) will transform into a cocktail ring. I think I can just glue it onto a ring base, or if I get lucky my sister could solder it onto a ring permanently at her school’s jewelry studio.

I love that the pin was originally priced at $65 somewhere in the world, then found it’s way into a $2 sale bin and finally home with me!

This whole collection of earrings below were in one little bag all jumbled together for $3! The studs are missing their anchoring, but I can easily use some from other earrings. Some of the pieces I will leave just the way they are, especially the gorgeous gold and pearl number. But others will be taken apart and and refitted with embellishments and parts to create whole new earrings.

Finally, a silk scarf for $5 rounded out the rest of my purchases. Incredible steals, no?

More shopping finds to come!

Luck be a lady

Published on August 20, 2010 in Shop. 1 Comment

Oh my gosh! I just had THE BEST thrifting experience EVER this afternoon. I definitely had luck on my side. I didn’t have anywhere to be, so I took my time sifting through all the racks. And lo and behold, I stumbled upon items that I’ve had on a wish list forever! One of those items was a pair of vintage Ferragamo bow flats. They are a size too small, but for $5, I am going to try my best to squeeze my little piggies in them whenever I can. So happy!

Well, that’s it for me. I’ll post all of my new treasures next time for sure. Have a lovely weekend!

A collection of extravagance

Published on August 18, 2010 in Inspiration and Shop. 0 Comments

Once again, feast your eyes on a shopping experience to overwhelm the senses. That’s basically what it felt like to attend the annual All Collectors Show 2010 at the Neal Blaisdell Center. My vintage loving buddy Trina and I hit the expo after work on a Friday, both planning to make it to drinks & dinner after. Three hours later, we parted ways in the dark and while she marched on to her dinner, I dragged myself home and promptly took a nap. It was exhausting to rifle through so much stuff – random collectables, valuable antiques, vintage wares and jewelry and junk! Amazingly, I only spent $14 (more on my purchases next time), but I easily could have ran wild if I wasn’t so awestruck. With hundreds of vendors and aisles of goods, I am definitely looking forward to next year.

Ironically, the very first vendor we visited was our jackpot. Hailing from New York, this antique shop had sale bins chock full of jewelry. This is where I made almost all of my purchases for the night. The first photo above illustrates a small portion of their immense collection.

So many neat little things to look through. But really, what would I do with vintage political pins or match boxes?

Trunkfuls of embroidered hankies, hats and crystals… oh my!

A whole bookshelf of old cameras. I had one in high school just like the photo below, but I have no idea where it went. Trina’s view finder camera above was supposed to find it’s way home with her, but someone snatched it up while she was deciding to buy. Sad face.

Great sewing machines, tables and notions. If I ever get a house big enough for a sewing room, I am definitely decorating with one of these puppies.

Original scripts from Hawaii Five – O. So cool, but again what would I do with them? I am looking forward to the new show coming this Fall. Vintage photos are also interesting to look at, but I would feel weird taking one home. It is fun wondering about the people though…

Above are pieces that I put back. The brooch was a really hard one to walk away from. I had actually worn a little sunburst brooch to the expo, but noticed when I got there that it was missing. I had lost it! Saddened, I set out to find a replacement and this one would have been perfect! But, it was more expensive than I was willing to pay and no amount of bargaining would bring it down to my price point. Double sad face with tear.

Overall, the experience was great and I will, without a doubt, be back next year.