April Etsy Finds

I meant to have this up yesterday in case anyone had some pre-Easter jitters and needed a sugar detox internet break. But that may still be the case today. Here are some recent finds in the vintage etsy universe. Enjoy.

Absolutely the best first! seafoam green mid-century danish modern daybed. This would be perfect in any room of my house and I'd put it in my bathroom even if it would fit! By The Vintage Supply Co.



Cool brushed aluminum armchair. It may be pink but appears to be a nice neutral color for any decor, even if it is a pale blush color. By Swankarama.


1930s art deco closet in a lovely white color. Doesn't have to be relegated to a bedroom. Makes a cute coat closet too! By Onlinechic



Frosted glass and aluminum lamps. By Zedandminky



A showplace for your collections. Teak mid century modern bookshelf/storage unit. By designermadness.


Enough fantasy shopping, I need to do some household chores. I'm working on another series and have an Easter dress to take pics of if that's the sort of thing you're into. Probably on Tuesday. See you soon!

Z Spoke--Zac Posen

This is just a little peek at Z Spoke, Zac Posen's line, to be found at Sax Fifth Avenue. These are just my favorites. I love that almost the entire collection is dresses and skirts outfits.

This is the perfect dress for me. I love the sleeve length and the little collar. I love the big pockets and the piping. Bright Happy Spring!

I've been experimenting with mixing prints (that series should be posted on Wednesday, hopefully) and this really appeals to me.

And here is that print again but this time in a full dress. This is definitely more revealing than what I'm comfortable with but I love the way it drapes.


Love this color combination and the sexy librarian collegiate look.

All in all I think I love this collection because it uses a lot of bright spring green which I find beautiful. But I also really like the attention to little details like the collars and piping, the way a piece drapes, or it's neckline. Super cute!

Spring wishlist

Well, I looked at what was lacking in my wardrobe, I've glanced through the spring trend forecasts, and I've settled on the pieces I think I'll need most this Spring. Of course, I'll end up buying loads of things not on this list and probably barely anything that is but it's still fun to pretend. The pictures are not exact representations, merely similar things I could find photos of.

The investment piece:

A pleated taffeta skirt. I'm really into rich jewel tones right now and I keep hearing about how cobalt is the new navy so that would be wonderful. Another good choice would be a ruby wine color. I'm calling this an investment piece not because of price but because I view it as something that will come in handy for seasons to come. I want something with a really beautiful luxe European feel to it.

photo: etsy

The fun/ trend pieces:

A belted jersey dress. I'd prefer a flattering wrap style but with shirt dresses being so trendy right now I might have to go with that. I'd like a fun bright color like a Smurf blue with cute details.

photo:etsy

White tuxedo jacket. Menswear and boyfriend style blazers are big right now. And as I'm looking for a way to incorporate more white into my wardrobe this seems like the perfect way to do it.

photo:etsy

The transitional pieces:

Cropped trousers. In a beautiful versatile grey these could easily be made for cold or warm weather. I'll have fun experimenting with making them more feminine or incorporating more menswear style.

photo:etsy

Short sleeve thin knit sweater. A perfect piece to layer with now or wear alone for chilly spring evenings. I think emerald green would be perfection.

photo forever21

The Classic Pieces:

Double breasted coat with fold over collar. I know a coat isn't very Spring but what with the 20+ inches of snow we had last week, I'd say we have plenty more winter to enjoy. I have a few winterish coats but none in grey my favorite color.

photo forever21

Boys white T-shirt. A wardrobe must! Cheap, basic and oh so versatile. I'll wear this every day with everything.


The Accessories:

Ankle band sandals. I saw these last year but wasn't brave enough to get a pair. I'm not really a fan of foot exposing shoes but I'm trying. In a lovely brown.

ethnic fabric bag. Global accessories are huge for Spring and though I have many purses, I have none that are anything like this.

photo:etsy

charm necklace. Something sweet and dainty. I may actually start to wear jewelry!

photo: forever 21

What I'd wear but I probably wouldn't

What is it: A navy blue cap sleeve sweater dress with cute little pockets! (The second thing I managed to score off my winter wishlist. I hope I can get at least five of ten before it's time for the spring wishlist)

What I'd wear with it: a thin three quarter sleeve turtleneck in white and a pair of red stack heeled loafers for an all-American mod look.



What it is: a pale yellow (like the inside of a banana almost) cashmere v-neck sweater.

What I'd wear it with: Tan pants with a leather cording around the pockets and a brown leather messenger bag for a cute collegiate/ teaching assistant look.



What it is: a navy and burgundy floral print sundress with back bow detail (picture is a backview but the bow does not present itself well on film--blame the print)

What I'd wear it with: A Khaki trench coat and a pair of navy espadrilles for my version of Parisian casual.



What it is: a vintage spring/mint green shell top.

What I'd wear with it: a tweed pencil skirt and a slouchy oversize black cardigan for trips to the library.





What it is: a bright red party dress

What I'd wear with it: a short black peacoat and a black and white checked thin knit scarf for my version of Parisian dress-up.


I'd actually like to see other people's fantasies of French chic. Casual or dress-up. I'm homesick for my vacation.

Wherein I try to make sense of the stuff I buy

My main problem with clothing is nothing I own matches anything else I own. I'm drawn to bright colors and prints which are wonderful in dresses but a nightmare in separates. Which is why I did that whole post on wanting to stock up on winter basics, classics that will never go out of style, blah ,blah, blah. It hasn't happened yet. But I have picked up a few things. So now I'm forcing myself to make sense of the pieces and figure out how to wear them. Which of course just necessitates further purchases.


What it is: bright blue leopard print cardigan.

What I'll wear it with: I always associate leopard print with retro style despite this one's neon hue. I'd down play the rock and roll-ness of the color by pairing it with retro inspired black fitted capri pants. And then add a waist cinching belt (probably grey to pick out those tones in the sweater). Part pink lady from Grease, part Peg Bundy. well, at least it's an outfit.

Where I'd wear it: Rockabilly bowling, duh.

What it is: short sleeved ruffled white cardigan

What I'd wear it with: Speaking of leopard print, I'd sex up the sweetness of this top with a black/grey/white tone leopard print pencil skirt and patent leather high heeled mary janes.

Where I'd wear it: To the coffee shop where I intend to "bump into" a crush. (yeah, I know I'm married. This is fantasy).


What it is: vintage silver mink clip on collar

What i'd wear it with: right now I have a cream colored coat I wear it with. When it gets colder, I have a heavier black coat to wear with it. If I ever do get my hands on a long camel cashmere coat, the collar will have a permanent home there.

Where I would wear it: Attached to coats, all through mid fall to early spring, everyday, everywhere. Practical!


What it is: vintage brown tweed blazer with bright piping and buttons

What I'd wear it with: This menswear inspired jacket would look quite handsome with a fall floral dress, like brown and navy liberty print and brown lace up suede pumps.

Where I'd wear it: To shop the flea markets of London. What, a girl can dream!


What it is: sheer white diaphanous blouse with abstract pink/grey floral print

What I'd wear it with: low rise wide leg trousers to compliment the blousy fabric and a structured tuxedo jacket to temper it--both black.

Where I'd wear it: Opening night of Rent in cold (non dress) weather.


This was so much fun. If only i had the clothes to go a long with the pieces i bought. If only I had all those exciting events planned!

Winter Wishlist-edited

***Edited to change the picture of the camel coat. I posted the wrong one in the original!


I've been thinking about clothes a lot lately and trying to figure out why I've been so uninspired. and I think part of it is to do with, while having done a tone of work on this house, I don't really have a closet, so everything is still in boxes and garbage bags, anything that can't fit into my overstuffed dresser.

And part of it is to do with buying things that catch my eye only to have a wardrobe full of bright colors and prints and no good basics or solid separates with which to make outfits with.

So my winter wish list seeks to remedy that a bit and hopefully won't be so boring that i won't wear it.

The Investment Piece

--I have a tendency to buy things very cheaply so I can buy in larger quantities. but sometimes you just have to have something really good that lasts. i think a nice winter coat fits into that category. I would like a longer camel coat.




This is an example from etsy but anything similar would do. If I could get it in cashmere that would be perfection.

The Classic Pieces

--Something I never was drawn to before, but I think would come in handy for a complete wardrobe because of it's timelessness is a short shearling jacket.



--Another obvious classic winter piece is a turtleneck sweater. I want one with a slim fit, not too thick ribbing but not too thin, preferably in a cream color but any neutral will do.



The Transitional Pieces

--A knee length suede skirt. i can wear this in colder months with tights and a sweater, maybe even that turtle neck, and in the summer it will look wonderfully casual with a tank and sandals. Better make it a lightweight suede to play it safe.



--A long sleeved striped boatneck tee! I love these and have managed to never find the perfect one. I want navy and white stripes. This is an excellent layering piece. Kinda like this one from Forever 21 but navy and white.



The Fun/Trendy Pieces

--some very rock n roll black velvet trousers, hopefully with the satin tuxedo stripe. Warm, sexy and perfect as a non dress option for New Years Eve parties! Seen here as a suit by Victoria Secret.



--A mod style sweater dress. I like the ones with short sleeves (remember the stripe tee?) Grey is my favorite neutral but I'm open to whatever I can find.



The Accessories

--A vintage cameo ring.



--Suede ankle boots. Something with unique detailing and a high heel. In Emerald Green! I need some color, you know. Like these, maybe, but greener.



--A big metallic fancy hobo bag so I can carry simply everything all the time.


So what are you wishing for?

11 things I love @ Forever 21

One of my favorite ways to kill time is by fantasy shopping online. I like to fill up my cart and then whittle it down to what i really want and then...leave before buying. I'd be out on the street if I bought everything I wanted even at cheap stores. Forever 21 is one of my favorite because the price is right and the clothes often have a vintage feel to them or some other great potential. even if everything often fits terribly or is made cheaply. But here is my current fantasy list...


First up a light blue ruffled apron top. I like patterns including light plaids. And cute little button bibs!




A peach and orange floral tunic top. This one is so sweet with its pintuck ruffling and the belt tied in a bow.



Green and aqua drop waist dress. It's such a retro print and I love cap sleeves.



purple pintucked peasant dress. This is made special by the cute little pockets and the ruffle at the hem.




Pink and charcoal lace cardigan. I love this vintage color combination and the row of tiny black buttons.



Black bubble hem coat. I love how dress like this coat is but it's also practical because of the hood.




Black tiered tulle skirt. The black satin is what draws me to this piece. I'd probably wear it with the cardigan.




Black ballet slippers. I can't get enough of these especially with grosgrain bows and rhinestones.



Black peep toe slingbacks. Patent leather plus bow equals love.



Pink and ivory dove tote bag. This reminds me of Andy Warhol's early ink blot work.



Rhinestone bib necklace. I think has great potential to dress up basic tees.



So there it is. Hopefully this will tame my shopping impulse just a bit so that I might have the smallest amount of money to spend on my trip. well, I guess I can dream.