Category Archives: fashion

“Everything I buy is vintage and smells funny. Maybe that’s why I don’t have a boyfriend.”

fabricPintucksew Vintage Fabric

I stumbled upon that Lucy Liu quote online today and couldn’t stop laughing. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating. It was more of a snicker, and it was quite short.

Anyway! Happy Friday guys and dolls. As I sit here sipping my Ice Blended White Mocha beverage, I can’t help but be thankful to be indoors today. It has been around 100 degrees everyday this week. Too hot to handle, fo sho.

My lovely Aunt who lives in the beautiful city of Pasadena emailed me with this neat blog to check out today:

pintuckblog

They have two etsy shops: one that sells vintage fabric (pintucksew), and one that sells apparel (pintuckstyle). I was already planning a thrifting adventure tomorrow, so looking through their shop is definitely inspiring my wish list.

pintuckstyledress

Pintuckstyle 1940s-Inspired 1980s Vintage Dress

I absolutely love the fabric that you see at the beginning of this entry. I wish they had more than half a yard. Wouldn’t that be adorable as a short, elastic banded skirt? I wonder if you’re getting the same visual as I am, and if you are, isn’t it cute!? Haha. Also, this dress is great, but would look ridiculous on me, as I have broader shoulders. But I love it anyway.  I would probably remove the sleeves.

That’s all for now. Keep cool out there, kittens!

Summer = Spicy, or: Thursday Inspiration

Links a la Mode

Happy Thursday my dearies! It seems the weeks keep zooming by faster and faster. Before we know it, I’ll be writing about sweater upcycling projects to keep my skinny-self warm (and stylish)! But, fortunately, we are still in the beginning of July and have a good 2 months of spicy summer weather to embrace. So here, thanks to the Independent Fashion Bloggers Network, are the Links à la Mode for this week. Enjoy!

Summer Staples

Edited by Jennine

In the midst of Summer many of us take refuge by the fan and some of us miraculously make do with the heat in all but the best ways. In this roundup we’ve got Summer Festival tips on Unfunded, Hong Kong Fashion Geeks Resort Redux, Krislyn’s chic summer essentials, Fashion Cent’s essential white jackets. And on the indie front Dramatis Personae finds eco friendly clothing for people of all sizes, and Oh Canada…Tatiana’s showcases Canadian Indie Designers. And last but not least… Twins… mode.ulation wonders if are they the modelings industries next new thing?

  • 39th and Broadway – AMAZINGLY Stupid Fashionistas?
  • A Few Goody GumDrops – Look Tres Chic with Tres Sleek!
  • Broke & Beautiful – ECIG: Abigail Glaum-Lathbury
  • Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Beauty kills… beauty, Rant, bebo
  • dramatis personae – Eco-Friendly Clothing Options For All Sizes
  • Fashion Cents – Summer Staple — The White Jacket
  • Fashion is My Crush – DIY Embellished Heels
  • Fashion Pulse Daily – Givenchy Beauty Set Giveaway
  • Felicia Sullivan – first look: leanne marshall’s bluefly collaboration
  • Hong Kong Fashion Geek – Buying Time: Resort Redux
  • Hot Beauty Health – Become An Elle Video Star!
  • Independent Fashion Bloggers – So You Want a Review Sample
  • Krislyn Diaries – DIY: how to dress summertime chic pt. 2
  • mode.ulation – Model Moment: Fashion takes double
  • Retro Chick – Spectacular!! Spectacular!! Burlesque Event in Cambridge
  • Style Symmetry – Mix and Match Polka Dots for a Fun Retro Vibe
  • Tatiana Supports the Arts – Indie Designer Spotlight: Canadian Edition
  • THE COVETED – Interview with Astronomically talented Julie Eilenberger at Berlin Fashion Week
  • Think Thru Fashion – A Search for the Longest Lasting Lip Color
  • Unfunded – Der Festival
  • Work Chic – Win a Scarf from The Vintage Scarf!
  • Indie Designer Spotlight: Canadian Edition

    The other day I had the pleasure of hearing about a neat online company called FashionCan that helps independent designers set up and manage an online boutique. I checked it out and was pleasantly surprised by what I found there.

    FashionCan

    FashionCan currently hosts boutiques for 10 independent designers, my favorites being: House of Spy, Valerie Dumaine, and Elroy Apparel. Their garments are a bit on the pricey side, but that comes with purchasing and supporting independent designers. Aside from the pricey aspect, the pieces from these three previously mentioned designers are incredibly inspiring. These three have very unique points of view when it comes to silhouettes and the girl they are aiming to dress. Here are my favorite pieces:

    The Zoe Dress by House of Spy
    ZoebyHouseofSpy

    I usually am not a big fan of white.I am super clumsy, and am ambivalent about wearing white for I fear the inevitable ketchup or coffee stain. But this dress looks so comfortable, and effortless, that I just might put my fears aside. Livin on the edge! That’s right. I love the unfinished look on the sleeves and bottom of this dress. It’s the perfect summer dress for frolicking in a field of poppies, and then falling asleep, sleep. Poppies will make you sleeeep.

    The Agnes Dress by Valerie Dumaine
    AgnesbyValerieDumaine

    First of all, this model is gorgeous. Perfect styling, so kudos to Miss Dumaine! This dress is a great, great example of a modern take on vintage style. The 1940′s top, with the modern just-above-the-knee length of the bottom. Great color, great shapes, which hint at the always classic and chic, nautical look.

    The Nepeta Dress by Elroy Apparel
    NepetaDressbyElroyApparel

    I want this dress. I am OBSESSED with pockets right now, as I think many gals are. This is the perfect “little black dress” for us non-conventional types. The sleeves are great for those of us who have broad shoulders, and the length is perfect with a pair of opaque colored tights (or netted, or patterned tights). The possibilities are endless with this dress. It can be styled so many different ways. Definitely classic. This piece will be able to be worn throughout the coming decades. You can take my word for it.

    You came in with the breeze, on Sunday morning

    I had written an entry this morning, but for some reason it didn’t save. Blast! Oh well. It was kind of lame anyway. I was blogging while I was eating my eggs. My mind was all over the place. Not saying that my mind is still not all over the place, but we’ll see what a difference 8 hours later in the day makes.

    This weekend was filled with lots of BBQ chicken and carne asada, visiting with family and friends, and working on my tan (even though I am quite content with my pastiness). Alas, it was a great weekend. My brain is healthy with social vitamin goodness – which is nice, since I usually spend the bulk of my time in front of the computer, or sewing machine, in my own little world.

    heartoflight
    Photo credit: Heart of Light

    So, for this Upcycle Sunday, I share with you a great tutorial I stumbled upon via Twitter. GOD I LOVE TWITTER. I tried explaining the purpose of Twitter to my uncle today and realized that it is quite difficult to express how powerful it is as a Social Media tool. He just didn’t get it. And that’s fine! I’m not a hater. Anyway! This Ruffly Headband tutorial was written by Rachel over at Heart of Light. This headband is on my to-make list for this week. I’m going to use fabric from old ratty t-shirts for this project. In addition, I really want to make a maxi dress this week, something like this:

    maxidress

    Photo credit: Urban Outfitters, Ecote Abstract Stripe Chiffon Maxi

    It looks soooo comfortable. Me likey. I’ll post what I come up with. I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

    Links à la Mode, or: Thursday Inspiration

    links a la mode

    Happy Thursday everyone! Once a week, the great Independent Fashion Bloggers compiles a list of the most inspiring, informative and fab blog posts from the past week about the goings on in the world of fashion (from haute couture to DIY to thrifting). So check em out! Support Independent Fashion Bloggers, expand your sartorial horizons and learn something new!

    Links à la Mode : June 25th

    • 39th and Broadway: Ever wonder who really determines how your clothes fit? An interview with a technical designer
    • alixrose: You have the perfect outfit, but whats the one thing that can keep it from becoming fabulous?
    • A Typical Atypical: A deep dive into the reasoning behind shoe obsessions
    • Awakened Aesthetic: Affordable ways to bring urban fashion into your decor without getting tacky
    • Bobbins and Bombshells: Fashionable History – A look into 1920′s swimwear and bathing suits.
    • Bonne Vie: When Bloggers Unite – The Hotel Max Edition
    • Decline Designs: Defining Your Personal Style – Having “Go-To” Outfits
    • Fasshonaburu: Digging through a high end sales to find purchase-worhty pieces, and tips on how to not go over budget
    • Fashion Consciou$: Fashion Flashback – Return of the culottes
    • Fashion Pulse Daily: The evolution of the gladiator to the “mandiator”
    • Freya: A little gown guide for your summer wedding
    • hkShoeGeek: Harnesses – A collection of favorites for every style and price range
    • Idiosyncratic Style: A guide for casual wedding attire
    • Independent Fashion Bloggers: You just don’t compare…
    • Retro Chick : Mary Queen of Charity Shops – Now it’s all over, some final thoughts
    • Shoe Daydreams: Are you on board with the latest trend – Over The Knee boots?
    • The Bare Skinny: Not everything has to be black and white – inspiration for adding color to your wardrobe
    • The Coveted: Shu Uemura’s inspired lashes
    • Unfunded: Respect your elders – Rock the vintage!
    • Work Chic: Chic hosiery options if you still have to wear them in the summer heat!