What's New on Etsy

Just added a few new things to Etsy:

Vintage Sequin Pastel Dress. This dress is so adorable and looks much better in person. It's perfect for the spring and would make a really unique prom dress.

1) 60's Bleeker Street Dress 2) 70's Coral Collar Dress

3) 60's Pale Yellow Pocket Dress 4) Vintage Sea Green Capelet

1) 50's/60's Saks 5th Shoes sz 8 2) 60's/70s Screenprint Maxi Skirt

3) 60's/70's Peter Pan Collar Dress 4) 60's Pattern Handmade Skirt

Trend: Color Blocking

Color blocking is a really easy and fun trend. I personally love it when it's a little over the top with complementary bright/neon colors, but any color combination will do. If you don't have any colored pants, tights are also a great way to achieve the look.

Trend: 70's Flares

We recently got a few pairs of vintage 70's high waisted pants with a slight flare to them. We have jeans and patterned pants. Flares are a great way to get the retro vibe. Here are a few photos for inspiration..

I've Got a Thing For You

Love them.

4.25.2011

I tend to wear a lot of black and gray, probably picked up from a few years of NYC living. Either way, I love me some drapey cardigans because they are so comfortable but also add some instant style. This one is from Forever 21. I'm wearing it over a pretty simple pleated black dress and some fun tights. Oh, I also chopped my hairs off.

The Look Look

A bit of style inspiration from around the world..

Minnesota:

She's mixing a lot of patterns together here, but I think it works because of the color scheme. The only thing I would maybe change is either a more neutral bag vs the footwear or the other way around. I really like the vintage vibe but it is has a modernized edge to it. I think her use of accessories with the hair bow, necklace, ring, and belt, are perfect with this look.


Japan:

Very color coordinated and styled with detail. A clean cut but fun look. I like the pops of teal with the traditional red/white/blue.


NYC:

A simple easy breezy (yes that is what came to my mind, haha) look. The belt makes it a little more interesting. Also, anything wicker screams spring and picnics to me. What really drew me in was the floral top and pink skirt, I love me some pink and flower prints.


Poland:

I love that this is really simple but has a lot of style to it. I especially love the lace shorts and the styling with the accessories.


Hong Kong:

The up close shot of the shoes drew me into this look. Pink Pink Pink! I don't know exactly why, but I am into pink this spring even though I barely wear it/own anything pink.. I need to get on that. The nude colors and simple drapey outfit is also lovely and did you notice her tea pot purse?

My girl pinched my hips to see if I still exist.

I write checks

Of you and I

How to Wear Maxi Skirts

The maxi skirt trend isn't brand new, but it does seem to be coming out in full-force this season. I posted a maxi skirt outfit the other day and I was never a huge fan of the way it was styled. I just saw an article on Refinery 29 about different ways to wear them, so I thought I'd share.




Here's a little summary- A maxi skirt is already a pretty powerful fashion statement, so you're best bet is to tone it down with something more basic and neutral. A cropped sweater or top works well, a tied crop top is especially sweet. Because the maxi skirt is so long, you can wear pretty much anything tucked into it including a tunic or bathing suit. If you're wearing a voluminous maxi skirt, don't be afraid to also wear a loose fitting shirt. Color blocking is also a huge trend for spring/summer and is easy to pull off with a basic color maxi skirt and top.

Bring some truth to this town

New Looks

Intern Madison (recent FIT fashion designer acceptee, woo hoo!) came by on Saturday to help give our ladies a makeover.


To the right we have a really pretty vintage flowy dress and an 80's white lace dress accessorized with a vintage stone necklace and shield buckle belt.


That pretty peach top with the peter pan collar is from Anthropologie.


A lace sleeve top combined with a handmade vintage skirt and vintage handbag.


A silky drape top with a large abstract flower and a red Lux brand tunic dress.


A vintage print dress and a dress you have to see in person to see all the detail paired with a vintage crochet cape. Very bright, fun and Easter.


A boho top and necklace with a striped maxi skirt I love.


The aformentioned dress paired with a cute vintage crop cardi and next to that is a fun floral jumper dress with the top from Anthropologie.


A bright pink American Apparel crop top with some vintage high waisted shorts.


A fun bright floral scarf with a gingham print top and black skirt.

Spring Windows

We changed the windows up very simply and affordably for the spring. The hanging birdhouses were $1 each at Joannes. The moss and speckled eggs are from Joannes as well. The baskets were a few dollars at Goodwill, and other than that the birds are made from cardboard/paint and the cut out paper and clouds are made from scrapbook paper from Michaels. I get a lot of inspiration for windows from Anthropologie, but these ones were just kind of thrown together and I really like the simple yet intriguing effect of them. They look better in person, so come see!

Cos cool can only be killed never absorbed

Tricks That Girls Can Do

The Disaster Life show opening was this past Friday. Tricks That Girls Can Do explores the themes of life, death and life after death in works of pen, ink and watercolor. The show will be up for purchase and viewing till May 12th.

What Ever You Want I Got It

I wanna live, I wanna feel good.

Seagulls & Go Karts

Finds & Fabrics

Yesterday my sister and I made the journey to Long Island to visit a store called The Watermelon Patch that my sewing teacher recommended for vintage fabrics. They are moving locations and have a 50% off sale on all fabrics. Sadly I forgot to bring my camera to the store to capture the hundreds of vintage trinkets and jewelry I was not expecting.. but I did take some shots of my finds today.

I couldn't help but pick up the ornaments seen below. I love the colors and their cute little retro faces.



I dug through piles of fabric and chose based on what I thought were the most unique and "like me". The neon sailboat fabric I'm not sure is vintage (80's? or it could be more recent) but I couldnt pass it up. I think it will make a nice fun top. The fabric on the left is patterned with some of my favorite things like tea, jam,.. and pickles! I think it will make a perfect tea time dress, which by the way, I am bringing back. Tea time that is. There have already been a few tea parties at my house and there will be more. Lastly, the awesome zoo/lion print fabric on the bottom is very child-like and would make a lovely dress for a child, if I had a child, but instead I will wear it, because I like it.



Below are my sister's final picks which also get my approval.



So as I mentioned above, my sewing teacher recommended I visit Watermelon Patch for vintage fabrics. I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself considering I haven't even finished my first dress, but that's what I do. Sewing is both easier and harder than I anticipated. I am trying to make the dress in the pattern below...



Here is what I have so far. All .. 12 or so hours of it. It's coming together though..really it is. See if you don't know anything about sewing, let me explain a little. You get this tissue pattern and have to cut it out perfectly to your size. Then you have to pin it perfectly on your perfectly lined up fabric and perfectly cut it out. This takes awhile. And will not be perfect when you're finished. From there you have to line more things up and try to sew a straight line. Oh. There is also a lot of pressing (ironing for you non sewers, except it's not the same, okay) to do. I have to say.. I love love my bird house fabric. I am really hoping the dress comes out okay, but then again, it is the first clothing piece I have ever made, so I have to have some pride either way. Even though it takes so long (and is not necessarily cheaper than just buying a dress), I like that I am learning a new skill and accomplishing something rather than wasting my life away a little more on the internet. I hope to slowly achieve a closet full of handmade pieces and maybe even sell something..one day.



And I also wanted to share a photo of a few jewelry pieces I made the other day. I guess I have somewhat of an entrepreneurial spirit because I used to have my own little jewelry company and from that, I still have many a bead left over. I am a big fan of gemstones, in their raw form especially, although the faceted is nice for a more elegant clean look. I thought I would make some simple and wearable pieces. My friend has already claimed the middle two, but there will be more! Find them at the store for $7 a pop. The long beaded boho-esque necklace is priced very reasonably as well at only $16.



And don't forget...Disaster Life show tomorrow, 6-9pm. Stop by to enjoy some art, snacks and wine!

Catching Up

Hello everyone! I have been a bad blogger.. so let's catch up..

Recently my sister has come to Beacon to help out at the shop. With the extra hands I've finally achieved my goal of getting more things online. Right now there are a variety of vintage purses and dresses on my etsy. There are a couple items on eBay at the moment as well, including two Marc Jacobs tops. I also took pictures of a bunch of the women's tops and men's top that are in store. Everything is available for shipment. I'll be putting things on etsy (vintage and handmade) more frequently now and also try to have a photo inventory of many of the items in the shop on my facebook page. If you would like to be updated on this, 'like' my fb page.



I've marked a lot of things down in store for a spring cleaning sale. I'm also doing a written questionnaire in store, if you stop by and fill it out you have the chance to win a $30 gift certificate! I'll be doing more promos in the upcoming months including a frequent buyer card.



We changed the windows up a bit, adding a lot of little birdhouses to one window, and hanging some clothes in the other. Something fresh and fun for spring. You'll be seeing some adobrable little kitties in the windows in May for our annual adoption event. Our store is also going to be used as a location for a short film and we're hoping to get a promo video out of that as well.







On Friday Aril 8th, I am having an art show called Tricks That Girls Can Do by The Disaster Life. You can RSVP here.



Also important to mention! Our one year anniversary is this May! There will be an event for this..more details to come..

Lastly, just wanted to let everyone know that we are taking in items on consignment. We're looking for items for spring and summer, styles you'd find at Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, or designer pieces. Also Vintage that is pre 80's, unique jewelry and accessories, and cute homewares/decorations. You can bring things by any day (except Tue/Wed), between 12-5pm.