Category — Vintage

Interior designer Barbara Westbrook lives in the village of Whittier Mill in Atlanta, Georgia in a home that was previously a general store.  In fact, many of the re-purposed shelves were leftover from the original store. And most of the interesting pieces of furniture that Barbara has gathered over the years, from the gorgeous leather club chair to the white Klismos chairs around the dining table and the weathered blue Swedish armoire, are amongst her favorite finds.

Found on Dust Jacket // Via Planete Deco

Photographed by Erica George Dines for Atlanta Homes Magazine

Long before I strutted in court rooms (i.e., squeaking in front of judges, gulping back nerves; in high heels), I was a bookish English major with a passion for fashion and literature.  In fact, I was so smitten with the two that I wrote a massive thesis on the history of the corset and its influence on feminism.  To this day, I love old books and undergarments, and these stunning 1920s pieces are no exception.

French Brassiere and Underpants, Met Museum, 1920s

Found here

The box clutch, or hard shell clutch, barely bigger than most cell phones these days, is the next big thing (or rather, tiniest thing.)  Until now, I’ve been resisting the latest trend for two reasons: (a) I need a forklift to carry my day-to-day essentials, not a lipstick case {more on that here}, and (b) I was previously under the assumption that only my grandmothers carried these tiny clutches.

Let’s visit example (b), shall we?  My Bubby owned a number of these tiny purses, but all she needed for a night out on the town was a bright hued lipstick and a few dollars.  Also, she was tiny, so how big could her tiny purse be?  Today, we (err, I) require a cell phone, planner (the cell phone doesn’t cut it; Type-A), several shades of lipstick and gloss because you never know what color is hot from second to second, touch up polish (because everyone takes pictures of their nails nowadays), crystal light packets (because I’m ob-sessed), bobby pins, hair spray, headband, band-aids, chic wallet, chic makeup bag filled with all of the essentials, lotion, antibacterial, business cards, business card holder, 5 credit cards, 2 forms of identification (because try as I might, wedding ring and all, I can’t convince anyone behind a rope … or cone – at some of the classier late night establishments … that I am over the age of 18), and other assorted nonsense.

And where, may I ask, does this all go?  In the hubby’s pockets, of course!  Skull-topped teeny tiny clutch – here I come!

Though it’s clear from my homage to McQueen, that I die for the studded skulled numbers, I offer you a mix of dream bags and affordable stand-ins …

Box Clutches: 1. Bottega Venetta Knot Clutch in Shock Pink // 2. Dolce & Gabbana Jewel Clutch // 3. La Regale Clutch // 4. House of Harlow Val Clutch // 5. Alexander McQueen Skull Box Clutch // 6. Anya Hindmarch Marano Clutch // 7. House of Harlow Tilda Clutch

Images 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Over the weekend I spotted Sam of Could I Have That in this perfect white lace maxi dress, and I thought – “Wow, I adore that dress!”  Also, I thought – please let me look as fabulous as Sam’s grandmother when I too, am 91 years old.

I love the vintage feel of a long lace dress and likely because we all conjure up images of the big day when picturing a floor-sweeping white dress, even the simplest of it’s kind evoke a romantic feel.  Particularly, with peasant tops, tunics, floaty dresses in chiffon and soft cotton, full skirts with pleats and lace details, these dresses also have a perfect 70s-inspired vibe – which I love.

Here are a few other sweet lace styles I adore ( … clearly I miss my wedding):

Sam’s sleeved-maxi is from the line, Of Two Minds {you can check out their dresses here.}

To get you started for Spring, a few of my favorite vintage-inspired white dress picks:  Free People Cutwork Dream Dress // BCBGmaxazria Keylene Dress // Rebecca Taylor Beaded Gown // Beyond Vintage Blouson Lace Dress // Mara Hoffman Embroidered Peasant Dress // ALICE by Temperley Long Esmeralda Dress

Images: 1 // 2 // 3

I am a design student wannabe, though I wear that “wannabe” status proudly, as no two ideas are the same – I love every style, era, theme, and pattern – and would likely flunk out of design school … fast.  This image, spotted on Pinterest (where else?), has me swooning.  Exposed beams, white wash, farmhouse table, stainless steel appliances … no doubt, I love it all … but paramount is the wall adorned with vintage silver trays.  This wall is everything I love in a good house project – shopping/hunting thrift and garage sales (*bliss*), vintage finds, and a hammer and nails project for the hubby (he’s a very proud hammerer).

Image found on Pinterest // Via This Photographer’s Life

This weekend the hubby took me to the loveliest of vintage markets.  The pictures, on my handy dandy instagram app, were too pretty not to share.  Enjoy!

Visit Glitter Weddings – WEDDINGS FOR THE TYPE-A BRIDE {WITH GLITTER ON TOP}

A little bit of history:  The rounded collar, sometimes detachable, became popular in women’s and children’s clothing in the early- and mid-20th century.  Even today, the style channels an unmistakable vintage glamor vibe.

Michelle Williams (right) was photographed for the March 2011 issue of Interview wearing a detachable Peter Pan collar from Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2011 collection. For the July 2011 issue of Marie Claire, Elle Fanning (left) donned the same collar — and struck a similar pose.  Both photo shoots evoked a classic old Hollywood feel.  Tres chic.

ASOS is featuring the sweetest tops, dresses,  and attachable collars with feminine peter pan accents.

{images a la Pinterest, Fashionologie, and ASOS – a few faves: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and this fab sequin collar}

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Currently (okay, always) obsessing over Louis Vuitton steamer trunks; and lately the gorgeous printed trunks are making their appearance in the uber fashionable home.  Because what’s more chic than a vintage LV steamer trunk converted into a coffee-table?

{images a la Pinterest}

I’ve always believed that girls who wore head scarves just pulled off chic.  I’ve worn head scarves over dirty hair to much guffawing from the peanut gallery (a.k.a. stupid brothers) who tell me I look like the chiquita banana lady.  Hey, at least she’s famous.

Also, the vintage vibe is irresistable.  So I continue to try (mostly in vain.)

For an easy-as-could-be head scarf tutorial …

And a twist on the headscarf …

And for a great turban how-to …

{images a la Pinterest}

I love modern spins on old classics. My grandmother and great grandmother wore full length satin gloves to their weddings. Madonna brought back the gloved bridal ensemble with her risque performances of “Like A Virgin” in the 80s. This bride took her shot at the fashion do and made it a must in my book. Bridal accessory love.

Why not borrow a vintage set of family gloves for your wedding “something old”?

{images a la lovely bride; via Lisa Barnshaw, Ora Photography}

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