The Greedy Seagull

Mineral Inspiration

2012-02-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

How cool would any of these mineral thin slices be as a fabric print?

The Greedy Seagull HQ tour!

2012-02-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

My business started out as a plastic bin. Then it grew to a flimsy garment rack. Then to a commercial rack. Then to an Ikea closet. It went on to take over the living room and a storage space. Eventually, it forced us to move to a bigger place where I took over the largest room in the house!

I feel very fortunate to have this room all to myself. It has great natural light, beautiful wood parquet inlaid floors, art deco crown molding and a high ceiling to boot. It keeps all my stuff out of the rest of the house and frankly, has probably saved my marriage (my husband hates clutter!). The room used to be the perfect size, but business has evolved and I do a lot of private shopping appointments. The space isn't quite big enough to function as a shop, photography studio, and shipping annex. I started looking at commercial spaces, but now that I'm moving into Chelsea market it's on the back burner for a bit.

As a result, I've come up with ways of shifting pieces of the room around with relative ease to get tasks done. The rolling racks all get moved to one side of the room to reveal bright photography walls, and behind them are two white cabinets. The hat boxes are stuffed full of hats and accessories, and that cute little dresser holds all the folded things. All of my off season garments are being moved to a small storage spot.

Regardless, I think the space looks pretty cute when it's set up as a shop! If you are in Astoria and want to come visit, drop me a line!

Icicles melt into spring

2012-01-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

Here's part of a collection entering the shop that is one foot in winter, the other in spring. Though the palette is icy, don't let it fool you; everything here is waiting to be taken to warmer weather.

Hello from T Street!

2012-01-24T20:50:00.001-08:00

Though I'm anxious to get back to shop tending, I'm not very excited to leave here and get back to hideous weather and city living.

the Cadoro archives

2012-01-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

This vintage find is the stuff of legends. If I told you how it happened, I would have to kill you (just kidding, but not telling!). You all know I am a hopeless magpie, completely obsessed with hunting down jewels. Well, let's just say I stumbled down a rabbit hole and landed in vintage jewelry heaven.

I currently came into possession of hundreds of pieces of some of the rarest, most collectible costume jewelry out there. My head is still spinning as I try to archive and research this stuff. I have hundreds of pieces of Cadoro necklaces that were samples, straight from their vault. Some of these things probably never went into production and are one-of-a-kind treasures.

Cadoro was founded by the actor Steve Brody and Dan Staneskieu in 1945. They traveled all over the world to source only the highest quality materials. It was originally very expensive, fashion forward and sold in Neimann Marcus. They stopped producing in the mid 70s, though their designs were sold through the early 80s. They used materials that are now highly sought-after; lucite, japanned metal, leather, handmade pottery, seed pearls and a whole lot more. Cadoro jewelry is highly rare, collectible, and sought after. As I mentioned, a lot of the pieces I have might not even be in books because they were production samples.

I have a pretty vast array of materials, styles and pieces from every era as far as necklaces go. Since the pieces are production samples, not all of them have the signature oval "Cardo" hang tags. However, I can vouch that they are all from the same source; they've been sitting undisturbed in a vault since the company closed. Below is just a small sampling of what will be slowly released into the shop. If you are a serious collector and would like to see additional pieces, please contact me via my etsy shop. All the pieces shown here will be up for sale in a separate category in my store within the next couple days.

Pretty Victorian Baubles

2012-01-02T14:57:00.001-08:00

I've recently developed an obsession with Victorian jewelry; the delicate work but the overall simplicity of form and often minute scale have won my heart over. I usually keep it when I find a good piece, but here are three little pieces I'm sharing, all in the shop as of today!

fraternal order pin, most likely read "STRANDS International Fraternity Hudson Valley"

love knot pin with paste rhinestone center and glass beads

sterling silver and seed pearl crescent moon pin

Stayin hot in the cold

2011-12-28T20:52:00.001-08:00

This year, I promised myself that I would not resort to wearing my big ugly black parka out the door unless it's snowing, I'm sick, or going to the post office. It is really easy in winter to turn into a complete slob when all you can think about is staying warm. It's also easy to get fat when you wear tights and oversize coats for months on end... I just can't go there this year.

It IS possible to be cute and warm as it turns out; vintage fur really helps out if you wear it. The trick is not to wear a bulky piece and to keep a slim line on bottom; skinny jeans or a mini an tights are a good balance. You can even belt it to create a waistline!

This is what I wore out tonight and I I actually felt cute with all my layers on:

Chelsea Market Pop-Up

2011-12-21T13:13:00.001-08:00

In case anyone has been wondering why the shop has been a bit quiet the last week, I have been set up in Chelsea Market at a pop-up holiday fair with Artists and Fleas! I have been so busy there I have had literally no time to update the shop. If you are in NYC for the holidays, I am set up until December 24th. Hope to see you there!

Outfit post- back to 99'

2011-12-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

I confess, I still own a skirt from my sophomore year of high school. Mind you, it's a liiiiiittle bit snug but it does still zip up! Twelve years have passed and my style has evolved, but once in a while I still feel the impulse to go full-on rockabilly, victory rolls, red lipstick et all.

Oh, and once in a while, I still feel the impulse to play my guitar. I can't remember any Stray Cat solos, but it still makes me happy to play some chords and sing. I remember thinking my life was impossibly hard at that age; now I'd give anything for that lack of responsibility (and gray hairs, too!)

jacket: vintage
skirt: bought in high school
boots: vintage
rings: antique

Holiday Beauties!

2011-12-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

Check out this slideshow of all the beautiful holiday items entering the shop- all available by tomorrow!

Ipad Vintage Fashion Drawings

2011-11-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Whenever my husband lets me, I use the doodle program on his ipad and somehow dresses are always the subject. I'm starting to get the hang of the program; this one came out pretty great.. check it out!

Black Friday Sale!

2011-11-24T21:10:00.001-08:00

Psst! Now through midnight, the entire shop is 20% off! I've even added a bunch of brand new items. Thanks for visiting!

Holiday Party / Vintage & Jewels Trunk Show

2011-11-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hello!

If you are in the NYC area, I wanted to pass along an invite to our holiday party and trunk show! Amy from Wildfell Hall, Camille of Cam Ci Cam Ca and I are throwing a get-together in Amy's husband John's tattoo shop in Greenpoint. Both guys and gals are welcome; there will be booze, racks of vintage at "friend" prices, and beautiful handmade jewelry that will make a great gift. No obligation to buy, just stop in and say hello! Hope to see you there.

xoxo

New jewels!

2011-11-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

I have been a very greedy seagull lately, hoarding troves of jewels in my nest. I'll be adding some of the ones that I'm actually willing to share with you later on today. Keep an eye out for tons of sparkle, and some incredible holiday dresses entering the shop all week long.

A day off!

2011-11-12T14:12:00.001-08:00

Between working weekends at Artists & Fleas and working my buns off for the shop, I almost never get to take a day off; but this weekend I took (gasp) two days off! Today we had brunch Stone Street and rode the Staten Island Ferry at sunset; all my seagull friends popped in to say hello! Enough work for now, off to do some shopping!

Fall in full swing

2011-11-11T20:04:00.001-08:00

I've been spending the day with a dear friend from California and could not help taking photos of all the beautiful leaves in my neighborhood. It's hard to believe that bitter cold is just around the corner when NYC is this enchanting. For those of you with no seasons, enjoy these pics!

The Disappearing 40's

2011-11-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm putting some killer, rare pieces into the shop tonight and a good portion of this week's focal pieces are some 1940's stunners. These pieces are getting harder and harder to find, as rayon is a delicate fabric prone to fading, stains, and becoming brittle.

Sometimes I panic when I think about how 40's pieces are disappearing so rapidly; even ten years ago they could still be dug up at estate sales and the occasional thrift shop. When I do find 40's pieces, more often than not they need repairs, soaking, or rebeading. It's always such a risk working on these fabrics as you just never know how they will respond; I would say that I lose about 1 in 5 pieces trying to bring them back to life.

Soaking them will either yield beautiful results and leave you with a bright, stain-free beauty or shrunken, dye-bled, shredding mess. Spot treatment sometimes works, but usually it just makes a big fat hole in the fabric or leaves unsightly water rings. I hold my breath every time I take a 40's rayon piece out of a soaking bath, because you just never know how it's going to look.

I guess it's my fear of their extinction that's been driving me to obsessively seek out 1940's pieces lately. They are most often a labor of love to restore, but I actually enjoy doing it because this era simply has the best prints, the most interesting cuts, and the most flattering drape. All of these pieces will be in the shop by this weekend, contact me via Twitter @greedy_seagull for more info in advance.

xoxo

Passionately Neutral

2011-10-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Though my seagull eye naturally gravitates towards sparkle and prints, I always appreciate a good neutral. I never feel as guilty when I spend good money on a piece that I know I will wear over and over again; especially when it's vintage and I know it's nice quality. All of these lovely vintage pieces are now available in the shop, just in time for party season!

the BELLA ROMA collection, Part I

2011-09-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Naturally, I would not go all the way across the world without bringing back some lovely vintage to share. And by some, I mean two suitcases full!

I'm delighted to introduce the Bella Roma collection, a limited amount of spectacular vintage all discovered in Rome, Italy. I'm going to release it in batches, all in all there will be about 30 incredibly well made pieces. Look for it all here in its own section in the shop, starting later tonight.

Ciao!

Italy is For Lovers

2011-09-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

Whether passionate and young, deep and well-versed, or platonic and faithful, Italians are simply not afraid to show their affection for one another. Though the architecture, food and aesthetic of Italy are certainly impressive, I think the most beautiful thing about the country is the unabashed attitude towards love.

Living freely and well takes precedence over work; it is simply something that has to be done and fits in around everything else. Living in the US, I find that it's usually the other way around. I admire and aspire to adopt this mentality in my own life, though breaking bad habits is certainly a struggle.

This abundance of love is perhaps the very thing that makes everything else beautiful. A perfect lasagne is made by hand to tame an empty stomach. A flawless piece of Carrera marble is brought to life by the brilliance of a Renaissance sculptor. A glove is cut, sewn, and fit by an eighty year old man who learned the trade from his grandfather.

I hope these photos capture a bit of that essence and will inspire you as well.

Tanti Bacci,
Giana

MEGA SALE!

2011-08-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year- I'm gearing up for fall in the shop, and that means tons of stuff on sale at super cheap prices! In addition, a lot of regular merchandise has been reduced. Check out sale section in the shop now!

A Girl's Gotta Twirl!

2011-08-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

When I found this awesome 50's skirt, I nearly fell over; the print is everything I ever asked for in a skirt! Splashes and splotches of red and black on a linen background, and so full that a girl's just gotta twirl in it. Oh, and ric-rac trim to boot!!

When I pulled out my zebra print shoes with the red heel backs, it seemed like it might be overkill to pair with the skirt; but I think I worked it by keeping everything else simple.

My skirt, necklace, purse, and bangle are all vintage, and the shoes and top have been in my closet forever.

I got a whole lot of looks strutting around Manhattan today, and I don't care if they were because of my crazy matching or because I had major cleavage.. this was fun to wear!

A Kitchen Formal

2011-08-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Imagine the days when a day consisted of vacuuming, going the butcher to pick out a perfect ham and prepping a jello mold full of vegetables for your dear husband's return from work. Oh, and don't forget to put on some lipstick and your best kitchen dress before your darling provider walks through that door. What?! A kitchen dress?!! Yes, there is such a thing as a formal house dress, and Princess Peggy has got a good one for you:

Brilliant, and available here.

Going home!

2011-07-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

image here

We're leaving the coop to go home to southern Cali to visit our families until August 7th! We have some fun things planned, and of course there will be shopping. The shop will stay open but all orders will ship on the 8th when we return. We are so relieved to be getting out of town; David just took the bar exam and it seems like I've been working 80 hours a week these days so it is much needed. Ciao!

New Jewels

2011-07-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

When you work this hard, you have to reward yourself once in a while. Or once a week. Just wanted to share two new little presents I bought for myself while out on a shopping trip this week. One is a 40's jeweled sterling scabbard and dagger pin (I've been wanting one forever!) and ring is a 10k gold and pyrite turn of the century piece with the most elegant little shoulders! Why two pieces in one trip you ask? Well, I'm The Greedy Seagull of course!

You little Minx!

2011-07-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Check out this foxy little shimmering gold-on-peach cocktail dress by Minx Modes, available in the shop now!

$100 Greedy Seagull Giveaway!

2011-07-19T07:29:00.001-07:00

Good morning! I'm excited to announce I'm doing a $100 giveaway with my lovely friend Naomi from Taza and Husband! Naomi's beautiful blog documents the life of her family and her adorable pup and is full of gorgeous photos of food, love, and her smiling baby girl- what's not to like?

To enter to win, visit Taza and Husband and leave a comment under today's post with what you'd use your gift certificate towards in my shop. Winner will be chosen at random and announced Friday- good luck!

Ms Ashley Soliman

2011-07-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

I was getting my fix of crack coffee from Stand & Deliver on North 7th, an off shoot of Sit & Wonder my eye was immediately drawn to quite possibly the cutest girl I've seen in Brooklyn in, well, forever. Meet Ashley Soliman!

Ashley is rocking a 50's chartreuse green blouse, 50's scatter print skirt, sparkly 50's cat eye glasses, Worishofer slides, and a little mushroom pin. When we got to talking, it turns out she's from Southern California too- no wonder I liked her style!

Ashley is also a super talented artist and a foodie to boot. Check out her website here.

I'm hoping she shows up again soon so I can ogle her outfit and get to know her better!

Best of Brimfield

2011-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

This week was my first time visiting the Brimfield Antique fair. I've been hearing about this magical place for years now, but somehow never made it. For those unfamiliar, it is probably the largest antique fair in the whole country and it happens three times a year in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Vendors from all over the country bring every kind of antique under the sun and the entire town turns into a market! Naturally, that means a whole lot of clothes.

My friend Martha of Gypsy Nation and I headed out at the crack of dawn equipped with granny carts, walking shoes, and unparalleled psychosis for grabbing vintage. We thought we'd have to stay two days to cover the whole fair, but Martha was like a freight train with no brakes and kept us moving so fast that we actually did THE WHOLE TOWN in one day. The heat was unbearable at 95 degrees and I looked like hell; at one point I stood motionless, dazed, in the middle of an outdoor food court trying to locate ice cream... for about ten minutes. I literally thought I'd have to be taken home in an ambulance. However, while I was slurping a root beer float like an exhausted five year old I got a text from Martha with a picture of the dresses I was missing and snapped out of my delirium and started running down the road before someone else got it.

The best moment of the day was when we simultaneously spotted 4 huge racks stuffed with REALLY OLD STUFF. Antique lace, sumptuous silks, and sparkling beads called us like moths to the flame. As we started to ransack the racks, we overheard the booth's owner quoting REALLY good prices and it escalated our vigorous snatching into a nearly violent feeding frenzy- oh the euphoria!! We snatched victory from the hands of a lurking dealer who showed up just a moment too late. She enviously eyed our piles and huffed off with her panama-hat-wearing husband. I am SO excited to post some of these finds this week!

The rest of the day was spent sifting through the mind-numbing amount of treasures to find those special pieces that just don't show up anymore.. and we did. Here's a little teaser of what I found; look for listing trickling into the shop this week and next!

The Indie Style Society

2011-06-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Last year in April, I was lucky enough to set up my flea market booth next to this cute, loud, funny girl that was just as psycho about vintage as me. We instantly hit it off and started shopping together incessantly, BBM ing all day long, and eventually became partners in crime and shared a booth. Over the last year and a half, Meghann has become one of my very best friends and I don't know what I'd do without her.

Meghann and I have pretty different styles so we are actually able to shop together in harmony.. except when we race each other to the bags and shoes. It all works out in the end though and we find stuff for each other. She recently started up a blog called The Indie Style Society and an Etsy shop full of her very best finds. Meghann is always spot on with trends, and is an amazing stylist. So go show her some love, and check out some of my favorites from her shop!

60's crochet maxi dress

vintage cotton dashiki

50's flapper revival dress

70's printed maxi dress

Heart Wrenching Beauty

2011-06-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

The loveliest dress in all the land, making its debut it the shop later on tonight:

A Fresh New Look & Pink Lemonade

2011-06-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

Once in a while it's good to shake things up a bit; I decided to switch things up in the shop a little bit and change my background; I'm also experimenting with some new photography styles which I will introduce once I'm totally happy with things. In honor of the shop's fresh new look, I put together a collection inspired by pink lemonade, my favorite summer drink. Enjoy!

Miami Pics!

2011-05-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

I'm finally out of vacation mode and drug myself to the computer to do some work today. I don't know about you, but it takes me at least two days to get back into the swing of things! I spent five glorious days driving around in my father in law's vintage red Miata convertible with the top down, tanning on South Beach and drinking... a lot! I managed to sneak in some shopping too but hubby insisted that I actually relaxed on this trip. What he doesn't get is that thrifting IS the ultimate relaxation for me.

Anyhow, the thrifting was pretty fantastic and I came away with some nice things that will hit the shop soon. Keep an eye out for my guest post on the Market Publique blog within the next week and I'll fill you in on where to look!

Hola from Miami

2011-05-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

New York City can have the rain this week, I'll be boozing, tanning, and conquering uncharted vintage territory until Saturday night. Cheers to flying the coop and landing in a sunny destination.

My crocheted dress masterpiece!

2011-05-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Despite eight years of sewing lessons, I hardly ever sew a garment from start to finish. I rarely have the patience or the time for projects that last longer than a few hours. Believe it or not, this dress only took me an hour to make from start to finish!

Of course, I didn't do the crochet work, but I did draft a pattern (quite simple) and sewed the dress together. I used a 1930's bedspread for the material; a queen size made two of them actually (the other is for sale if anyone is interested). I love the look of crocheted clothes, but they are so darn expensive to buy in stores and usually the pattern and material looks cheesy compared to the real vintage deal. It felt sacrilegious snipping into months worth of some woman's incredible handiwork, but after I saw the results I think she'd approve. What do you think?

Warm Weather Beauty Must-Haves

2011-05-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

Finally, NYC is heating up and I am totally excited to wear cute clothes again and actually do my hair and makeup. I don't know about you, but freezing weather makes me want to give up; especially towards the end of winter!

I'm finally coming out of my parka slump, and I wanted to share some of the genius beauty products that I love. I'm pretty unfussy, and I don't like to wear a ton of makeup; this is especially true for foundation. Warm weather means I can actually wear my hair curly without getting an insane humidity afro... but it still needs a bit of help. For spring and summer, I've been wearing a lot of loose, bohemian clothes and I feel like fresh makeup and natural hair match that look the best. Here are some of my absolute favorites:

MAKEUP

Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse

This stuff is made of clouds, I swear! It is light and creamy, goes on totally smooth and is completely matte so powder isn't necessary. It provides light-medium coverage and is not the least bit greasy. Use it in place of foundation and powder! Available in most drug stores.

Lash Envy Express Volume Mascara

This mascara is magical. It plumps and lengthens like false lashes and the brush provides great separation. The best part is that when you wash it off, it kind of just peels off your lashes instead of smearing everywhere. You will never have racoon eyes again! I don't know what they do different with the formula, but the way it comes off is genius!

NARS Heat Wave lipstick

Truly the best orange ever made. Pile it on thick for a hot, intense matte look or dab it on for a flush that looks like you ate a popsicle. Get it at most major department stores or Sephora.

HAIR

RED 3/8 Inch Curling Iron

Best iron ever for 25 bucks. This baby gets hot as an oven in no time flat and adds some definition to my crazy ringlets, making them look a lot more polished than air drying.

Eufora Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, plus Sculpture Styling Glaze.

I thought I had to cut my damaged hair off until I discovered this line of hair products. Not only is everything organic and has a lovely, fresh smell; products are aloe based instead of water based so they provide deep moisturization. They don't contain harsh chemicals found in most and though expensive, it will save your hair from the edge of ruin. This stuff is hard to find outside salons, I usually get it off Ebay.

Tanning

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

I don't tan unless I can't avoid it. I'm terrified of being wrinkly and spotty by the time I'm thirty. I'm Mediterranean, so I'm light olive and never get too pasty white, but I like to have a little color in the summer. This stuff gradually builds a natural looking tan and moisturizes at the same time. Just be sure to wipe down your knees and elbows after you put it on to avoid dark spots. Find it in your local drugstore.

I know this post wasn't about vintage, you can't put on a fabulous dress and not get ready!

xoxox
Giana

Summer Wedding Party Dress Picks, Part 1

2011-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone I know has a summer wedding to attend. It never hurts to have a couple good dresses on hand- one for night time affairs, and one for more casual day weddings. If you are looking for a perfect dress, I think I might be able to help. Check out these little gems, all going into the shop today. More to come later in the week as well!

50's embroidered graduated lilac dress- perfect for day or night!

50's cotton ascot neck dress- perfect for a day time outdoor wedding

60's silk chiffon Austrian crystal beaded gown- for the most formal of affairs!

50's chiffon illusion neckline dress with blush liner- perfect night time LBD!

50's Ivan Fredericks cotton wiggle dress- add an ornate fascinator and some heels!

40's impeccably draped rayon dress- versatile enough for any occasion!

late 40's/ early 50's cotton rhinestone embellished dress- sweet and pretty for summer!

Happy Earth Day, and a shop Update!

2011-04-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day! I could wax on for days about the reasons that I love vintage; but one of the best reasons to love it is that you are saving used clothing from sitting around in landfills! The United States is the world's largest exporter of textile waste (and garbage in general). Buying vintage is just one sacrifice (ha, POOR ME) we can make to mitigate the horrendous amount of damage we've already inflicted on our home.

Buying cheap, mass produced garments can be very gratifying, but in the long run my 60 year old dresses hold up a lot better, and they usually look better! There's a heck of a lot more to caring for the earth than buying used clothes, but at least you don't have to feel guilty about your shopping habits. I was just kidding about about the sacrifice part by the way.

Here are a bunch of new ways that you can be a good shopper:

A 70's Update!

2011-04-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

It's all about the 70's right now, and The Greedy Seagull has you covered. Check out these beauties going into the shop tonight:

70's gradient floral wrap skirt

70's cotton lace up tank

70's meadowflower wrap skirt

70's flutter collar dress

70's gypsy queen dress

70's fair maiden blouse

70's flecked knit sweater

70's crochet bag

Out on the Town

2011-04-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ever since watching Black Swan, I've been into the whole ballerina look. Seems like the look has gotten pretty popular actually; I found this cute pink tulle dress in Target of all places! It was still cold so I wore it with a 90's Express cardigan, suede boots from Zigi Soho, a 50's bright pink vinyl purse, an art deco rhinestone necklace and tights. I topped the whole look off with a big puffy bun (I used this cool donut-shaped spongy thing to wrap my hair around). I think it worked well- I went to a charity auction for my husband's law school.

A Vintage Puzzle

2011-04-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

If you can tell me what's wrong with this vintage playing card, you're officially by buddy. Hint: think of the "1" as a capital "I".

Somebody Pinch Me!

2011-04-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a day that will live in vintage infamy. I set an appointment to go check out some vintage that a well known NYC based designer was unloading, not expecting to come away with a lot. In fact, I took the subway into the city because I was pretty sure I'd just buy a few things for myself. Much to my surprise, I walked into an entire room full of the most beautiful, colorful prints I've ever seen... and wall to wall racks of dresses! The designer was unloading a portion of her collection of clothing that she had purchased as inspiration for her line- so everything was a really special print, cut, or material.

I went a little crazy and literally bought an entire packed rack of stuff yesterday, and am not the least bit sorry. Vintage scores like this only happen once in a great while, and I made the best of it. Here's a little sneak peek at my loot- watch out for all this amazingness entering the shop, and come check it out in person at Artists and Fleas on the weekends if you can!

My Booth at Artists and Fleas

2011-03-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

When Artists and Fleas moved to North 7th street, I was a little nervous about getting a good space. The market fills up fast in spring and we wanted to have a good presence there and set up a booth that looks and feels more like a boutique of its own than an ordinary flea market spot. I was over the moon when the perfect spot opened up by sheer coincidence the weekend that I moved in! I've been working tirelessly on a pretty display that reflects the aesthetic of my boothmate and I, Thrifty Fashionista.

Though our styles differ, we both love certain things; namely girlie, pink, and floral prints so I decided to run with it. I installed some pink paper lanterns, a giant jute rug, and I thrifted a beat up old mirror that I refinished and painted light pink. The booth is a work in progress, but it already looks pretty sweet for only being there two weekends. The best part is that it so far has only cost me about 150 dollars to decorate! A little fabric and some pretty lights go a long way.

Please come visit Meghann and I on Saturdays and Sundays from 10-7 when you have a chance and check out all the great stuff we don't have in our stores. Mention my blog for a little discount too ;)

xoxo
Giana

Hot Orange for Spring

2011-03-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

I love bright colors, and the number one color on my list to wear this spring is a bright red-orange. I especially love it for bags and cosmetics. It looks so fresh paired with neutrals and whites! Here are a few of my favorites:

Nars "Heat Wave" lipstick, image via Popcorn Plays
Bag via Zara
Skirt via The Greedy Seagull
OPI "On The Same Paige" nailpolish

Gypsy Candy!

2011-03-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

I am a pirate. I love, lust for and constantly think of jewelry. It's the fault my Armenian gypsy heritage, I am fully convinced. Some girls crave candy, but I crave bling. Ok, maybe sea salt chocolate. But I digress. I decided to open a little jewelry shop as an outlet for my desire to collect; I can't possibly keep it all. I mean, I suppose I could but I already have the biggest jewelry box I could find and it's full. So without further adieu, I invite you to check out
Gypsy Candy,
my new store. Take a little peek!

Return from Paradise

2011-03-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

I really, really needed a vacation and so did my husband. It's difficult when you live far away from your family to take enough time each year to visit them and fit vacations in as well; luckily for us we kill two birds with one stone each year by visiting my husband's family in Jamaica!

This year we were lucky enough to stay in Ocho Rios in the condo where my husband used to spend his summers as a kid living with his grandparents. Usually the place is rented but happily it was open this time and we got the whole joint to ourselves! We spent the week eating yummy food, laying out on the beach and sitting on the veranda that has the best view of the harbor! And of course, I had to stop at the touristy craft market and buy a purse and shoes. We had our anniversary dinner at The Almond Tree restaurant, which is right on the water. You know the first part of the Pirates of the Carribean ride at Disneyland? I'm pretty sure someone went to that restaurant and came back and copied it.

Enjoy the photos, I wish you all could have come with me!

They don't come cuter than this!

2011-03-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you know that I have a soft spot for all things girlie and sweet. I've found myself very lucky lately in the cute vintage dress department and wanted to share some of my best finds that are going into the shop by tomorrow, along with tons of other pretty pieces. I'll be in Jamaica visiting family starting Wednesday and will be back with lots of pictures and lots of lobster in my tummy... but I'm leaving these for you to feast your eyes on ;)

xoxox
Giana

Forget me Not

2011-03-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

They say that violet is a sentimental color, and perhaps that's why I love it so much at the moment. I can hardly believe it, but in 11 days it will be one whole year since I married my handsome husband. We'll be spending our anniversary in the house that he spent his summers at in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I can hardly wait!

So I'm going to get sentimental here, and hopefully you can get sentimental too with these vintage beauties ;)

ring via craftycrowvintage
lace dress via missingpieces

postcard via ButterflyInTheAttic
dress via Adelines's Attic
hat via vintage trunkshow

SPRING MEGA SALE!

2011-02-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

SALE alert! I just came back from an amazing buying trip with tons of new merchandise, and I need to make room! Loads of items in the shop just got marked down, and if you buy two sale items the third item is free (equal or lesser value, not including shipping).

Being Bettie

2011-02-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

To say that Bettie Page influenced my style is quite an understatement; I completely worshiped her as a teenager. I know; she's probably not the best role model for a young lady of 14... but neither are the Jersey Shore girls! I did everything I could to look like Bettie; I wore red lipstick every day of my life, dyed my hair jet black and rocked the bangs for years. I recently saw a little blip about how Bettie bangs are coming back for spring, and I got really nostalgic.

I started looking around online when I realized just how much her influence her style still has today; her bikinis are still being copied by major design houses 60 years later! I took a good look at a few of my favorite photos of her, then started doing some searching online and found some good vintage and new replicas that will let you get the look. When I searched for Bettie Page shoes, mine came up in the search results... that shows you just how deep she goes in my brain. So for all you Betties out there, check it out:

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swimsuit via Jolie Vintage Shop

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Esther Williams Bikini

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bullet bra via The Vintage Zone

Escape to Jamaica

2011-02-16T14:28:00.000-08:00

It's about that time of year; my husband and I are making our annual visit out to Jamaica to visit his family (I know, poor me). Of course, I think I have nothing to wear. I need outfits that are lightweight, practical, and can easily convert from a beach day to a casual night out. AND I need something to keep covered up because grandma is super old fashioned. If I had unlimited funds I would buy all the things below, but for now I'll be on the hunt for more affordable copies or vintage lookalikes.

Linen Corset denim dress, $122

Diane von Furstenberg Striped chiffon shirt, $210
Chloé High-waisted bandeau bikini, $390
Vivan lace-up wedge, $495
Amazon.com: Moroccan Straw Summer Beach / Shopper / Tote Bag..., $27
Multi Feather Necklace, $29
Buy SurfStitch VON ZIPPER STRAW BOATER HAT - Westfield, 40 AUD
Lucia - Summer Safari Puma, $165
Amazon.com: Banana Boat Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30, 8-Ounce Tube..., $18

Shop Update!

2011-02-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

A small, but quite good shop update is happening within the next 24 hours. There's a couple really unique pieces going in; a suede hooded coat in magenta and purple, a tapestry bag with a cartoon like character face, and a rare pair of Edouard Jerold cherry red pumps in a size...9!!

Beautiful Bags

2011-02-04T10:47:00.001-08:00

It's that odd time of year when you're not quite sure what to buy; it's too cold to wear spring clothes, and you are so sick of winter you never want to look at a jacket again. So what do you buy when you need instant shopping gratification? Bags, naturally! You can wear them right now, and carry them into spring and summer... and a new purse never fails to perk me up. I'm stocking the shop with these beauties by tonight, enjoy!

Trench Art and Modern Attraction

2011-02-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons we are predisposed to collect the things that we do. Objects, in their tangential form, have the ability to evoke the evanescent. They can evoke a memory of a time, place, person, or emotion. These memories are most often based on reality; definitive happenings experienced in our lifetimes. But sometimes, we experience a rarer, more profound form of attraction that has no obvious connection to the life we have lived.

This attraction, persistent, deep-seated and irresistibly magnetic will manifest as a cathexis of objects and symbols. A woman in the Midwest who has never visited the ocean might dream of it every night, and collect shells. A 21st century American man develops an obsession with French war artifacts during the reign of Napoleon. It can easily be argued that these choices to collect are entirely random, and it is also easy to argue that they are an unmistakable nexus to a past life. My personal belief is that certain memories are part of a collective unconscious, and some sort of catalyst triggers their discovery. I don't know what drives the catalyst, and don't think I ever will because that, my dear friends, is just too metaphysical of a question and I keep that can of worms closed unless you are really determined to engage me.

I've never been to war, despise violence, and don't have any family members that have seen active combat. Yet somehow, I have developed an affinity with trench art and decided to start a collection. "Trench art" is a term used to describe decorative objects made by soldiers during times of war, usually out of metal such as aluminum scraps and ammunition casings. The practice flourished during the first world war, but remained popular through WWII.

Small objects such as rings and sweetheart bracelets were essentially the only pieces that could actually be made in trenches. It would have been far too difficult and dangerous to utilize the tools necessary to make larger and more complicated pieces such as vases and miniature planes while in combat. Larger pieces were usually made by off duty forces, prisoners, and men behind the front lines. These objects were often sent home to loved ones as souvenirs and gifts. Civilians in occupied countries also created decorative items such as embroidered postcards and floursacks to make extra income.

My favorite type of trench art, no surprise, is jewelry. My first acquisition is a ring made of aluminum in Palermo, Italy in 1944. Soldiers would often create a new ring at each place they were stationed to commemorate their travels. This one belonged to a vet that was also stationed in Algiers.

I'm currently bidding on this sweetheart bracelet, hoping to add it to my collection:

Dick loves Helen bracelet

This is an example of a larger decorative work made from shell cases in WWI:

wwii shell case vases

A rare and well executed WWI lighter, most likely made from brass coat buttons:

wwi nude woman lighter

A WWII brass souvenir ring made in Anzio, probably from a bullet casing:

wwii ring from Anzio

A small aluminum and brass WWII plane; these were often used as paperweights:

bullet and aluminum plane

I hope you enjoyed this post and learned something new today. What do you collect that you have no explanation for, and why do you think you do it?

xoxo
Giana

Spring on the brain

2011-01-31T11:20:00.001-08:00

I know, I know. We still have at least a month here in NYC before it begins to thaw out. But I can't help but start to put together spring outfits in my head. I like how all 4 of the pieces below aren't too matchy, but coordinate well. This outfit is a mix of my two favorite times for fashion; the ultra feminine tailored 50's and the cute, bohemian style of the 70's; somehow they always work well together if you ask me. All four pieces will be up for grabs in the shop by tonight.

Out and About

2011-01-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

This was a pretty busy week for me; I shopped till I dropped in a snowstorm with Meghann from Thrifty Fashionista, prepped 20 gorgeous dresses that will be on showcase for a vintage event at Artists and Fleas this weekend, and went furniture hunting for some good vintage pieces to mix in with our new couch. AND of course photographed all the new goodies entering the shop within the next few days.

Even now, I am running out the door to bring the dresses down to Brooklyn and have lunch with a friend but I managed to put together a half way decent outfit. I have to step over 2 foot piles of snow so the boots were a must, but they work. So here's a sneak peak of the things I snatched up this week, and an outfit shot too.

Happy Friday!
xoxo

Spooky Boutique Vintage

2011-01-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

I wanted to introduce you to, quite possibly, the most outrageously stylish guy on earth. I'm not just opinionated because he is also a good friend; I have the pictures to prove it. Ricky Becker, owner of Spooky Boutique, offers nothing but the finest clothing and accessories. He currently operates out of the Artists and Fleas space on 7th street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He has a huge selection of women's wear, and an impressive upstairs "man cave" full of men's vintage that includes a snarling taxidermy badger to distract your guy while you empty the bank account.

Ricky stocks everything from romantic jet beaded shawls from the 1860's to avant garde, over-the-top 80's showstoppers. He's been an avid collector most of his life and this guy really knows his stuff! In addition, he is a master stylist. His mannequin changes into a new runway worthy outfit at least 3-4 times on any given day! He also sells a lot of his own designs, which are mostly comprised of reconstructed vintage pieces draped and dyed into dreamlike pieces of art. His style is eclectic, but his eye naturally gravitates towards the bold and unusual. He has a cult following of Brooklynites that regularly stalk his booths for enviable one-of-a-kind pieces.

I come across a lot of good vintage and don't buy too much for myself, but Ricky gets me every time. I looked into my closet recently and realized that all of my favorite dresses were purchased from him! Whenever he tells me he has something that is going to fit me and that will look perfect, I go check my bank account because he is ALWAYS right. So ladies and gents, if you are prepared to find way too many good things all at once, go visit my friend Ricky on Saturdays and Sundays at the Artists and Fleas vintage market at 70 North 7th Street between Wythe and Kent in Williamsburg, Saturdays and Sundays from 12-8pm.

Down to Earth

2011-01-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

A definitive change of pace is happening in the shop tomorrow; I'm switching gears to earthy greens, leathers, and natural prints and textures. Maybe in an abstract way, I am channeling spring, growth and all things green to return. The snow that was initially pretty has become a soot-covered slush, and the whole city is blanketed in what can only be described as a gray amorphous muck that consists of pollution, ice, garbage, doggie droppings, cigarette butts... you get the idea. I suppose this little patch of green will have to do until March.

I Love You Just Because

2011-01-19T12:13:00.000-08:00

Some things of mine I really ♡ just because I do.

dolce & gabanna shoes

crazy cave girl hair

70's french tortoisehell sunglasses

grandma's lace bed jacket

long 70's golden chain

Fantasy Shopping

2011-01-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

I'm not ready to give up cuddly winter layers yet (it's freezing in NYC!) but I am really jonesing to buy for spring right now. Since I can't actually do much shopping right now, I did a little fantasy shopping and put together what I would wear out the door today if I had the chance. Of course, I'd have to add a giant fur coat and hat, gloves and scarf... I'm hanging in there, but I know the cold has yet to reach its bitter apotheosis.

Black Sabbath tee via rainbowgasoline
cardigan via Dear Golden
skirt via Emma Howard Clothing
booties via Anthropologie
necklace via UO

I Spy a Cute Outfit

2011-01-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

I must admit, I don't usually do a great job of winter dressing but yesterday was an exception. Something about this outfit made me feel a bit Inspector Gadget, but in a glamorous way. You can see what I wore outside, and the outfit underneath. This coat was intended for the shop but was permanently confiscated when I "borrowed" it for a wedding upstate. Oops. The jumper dress is 100% cashmere from J Crew via thrift store, where I paid about 1 dollar for it. Boots are by MIA, everything else is vintage.

Heavenly Snowflakes

2011-01-10T10:34:00.000-08:00

In honor of the second lovely snow storm that has decided to grace our presence Wednesday, here is a dress that makes snowflakes seem like a happy and wonderful thing. It's a late 60's/ early 70's Adele Simpson number, available in my other dress shop today.

Purple Haze

2011-01-07T20:17:00.000-08:00

A purple haze is falling over the shop, with smoke, obsidian, and clouds on the forecast as well. And as always, they will be mixed with a bit of earth.

Greedy Seagull Giveaway!

2011-01-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

Hello! I'm starting off the new year by giving away both these lovely items. Item number one is a 1950's silk chrysanthemum scarf, and Item 2 is a 1940's stamped brass pin with a red cabochon center. To enter, leave a comment below! Winner will be selected at random and announced next Friday, international contestants are welcome.

Good Luck!

New year, new seagull

2011-01-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

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Things might get a little wacky around here for a bit! I'm currently in the process of bringing my website and blog all under one roof here at Blogspot, spiffing up the blog for the new year. Please be patient with me as these changes take place; I'm doing them all myself and I am teaching myself as I go. CSS is a tricky little devil if you haven't gone to school for it, but I am actually getting the hang of it!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to blog more, at least two times a week and to be better about updating the shop. Oh, and to stop buying more than I can possibly sell! I think that will be the first one to be broken, if you don't count in my other ones (only one piece of chocolate per week, ha!). Thanks for bearing with little glitches and bugs for the next week; things should be under control soon!

xoxo
Giana

Sugar and a little Spice

2011-01-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

Take a peek at what's hitting the shop today; lots of girlie, pretty things with a a little sass thrown in for good measure.

I had a merry Christmas...

2011-01-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

I know this is a bit late, but I had to share one of my Christmas presents with all of you! I got the lovely bracelet below as a present from hubby and I am over the moon. It's late 40's, early 50's and the stone is called a dragon's breath opal, how cool is that? I got it from LittleThingsVintage on Etsy- this shop has a great selection of Native American jewelry if you are a collector.

The Perfect Winter Dress

2010-12-13T20:53:00.001-08:00

I hate pants, and what I hate even more is the cold. It's tough to find a dress that keeps you warm, doesn't itch, flatters your shape, and is comfortable. This little number is all that with a cherry on top. It was a Christmas gift from my darling friend Ricky who owns Spooky Boutique. You can check out his unbelievable collection at the Artists and Fleas vintage market. I styled it with a skinny snakeskin belt, Steve Madden motorcycle boots, a vintage locket from Murano, Italy and a pretty gold ring.

Holiday Gifts Under $30

2010-11-30T14:08:00.001-08:00

Hello friends!

I just added a section to the shop chock full of pretty vintage finds all under $30, perfect for stocking stuffers and gifts! All the things in the slideshow below will be in the shop by tomorrow.

HOLIDAY SALE!

2010-11-25T19:17:00.001-08:00

Hello lovelies! I am excited to announce that I will be running holiday sale! Enter "HAPPYHOLIDAYS" when you check out on Etsy, and receive 25% off your entire purchase now through midnight on Monday! I added over 50 new pieces to the shop in the past week, and they are all included!

Jewels of the Night

2010-11-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at some of the colorful holiday dresses that will be available in the shop by Friday:

Little Black Dresses

2010-11-15T18:06:00.001-08:00

It's that time again- office parties, cocktails with friends, fancy dinners, and countless other places to go and people to see. There are presents to buy, things to decorate, cards to mail, and too many yummy things to eat. I don't know about you, but I feel like a hot mess this time of year; however being armed with the right things to wear simplifies quite a bit. So I repeatedly rely on the little black dress; always slimming, always appropriate this time of year, and so many different ways you can accessorize. Here's a peek at some of what The Greedy Seagull will be offering up in the weeks to come, drop me a line via Twitter @greedy_seagull or Etsy Convo me for more details.

Wild Things

2010-11-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

A small but exceptionally good shop update:

60's Fairmoore Safari Leopard Print Coat

40's Petit Point Marcasite Encrusted Bag

80's Italian Tiger Knit Sweater

70's Suede Bag with Wooden Beads

70's Wide Gray Leather Belt

50's Large Fox Fur Collar

70's Fox Tail Purse Charm

We've only just begun..

2010-11-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

The holidays are just around the corner- don't you fee like they snuck up on you this year? I do! Maybe it's the fact that I've had such a busy year. Between getting hitched, running all over the eastern seaboard grabbing vintage, weekends at Artists and Fleas, planning a wedding, moving into a new studio... I find myself suddenly staring face to face with the fact that it's time for all things glitter, glam and sparkly. Here is the beginning of the mountain of wonderful cocktail gear waiting entering the shop, enjoy!

50's Copper Leaves Dress

70's Black Rabbit Fur Coat

50's Burnt Orange Belted Dress

50's Bronze Silk Cheongsam Dress

50's Harvest Paisley Dress

60's Lace Lolita Dress

A Fall Affair

2010-11-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

It is indeed rare when two wandering souls that are as loving, generous, and loyal as one another meet, mingle, and marry. Two of the most wonderful individuals I know married in Norwalk, Connecticut this weekend and I was lucky enough to attend their wedding and help with the decorations. It is an understatement to say that the wedding was just as beautiful as their love for one another, and their respective open and giving hearts. Every little detail was perfect, from the jack-o-lanterns to the pumpkin bisque soup served in tiny little gourds. The band was spot on, the leaves were at their peak and my dear friends looked the most overjoyed I have ever seen them.

Cheers to Ellen and Chris, and to an unbelievable start to a long and happy life together!

the Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk, CT

yes, I wore vintage ;)

my Lumina pumpkin

the bride and groom, relaxed at last

A Cuddly and Cute Update

2010-10-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek at cuddly sweaters and cute dresses all going into the shop by tomorrow. Pair them with some awesome boots and tights, and enjoy the beautiful fall weather we're having right now in style!

Hallelujah, It's Time for Boots!

2010-10-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it, I am a California flip-flop wearer at heart. I hate having my feet restricted for the most part, but living in New York makes that pretty necessary. I find that boots are my second best option to complete foot freedom, and I actually know how to wear them! So here are some boots, none of which are my size, and some other cute fall shoes going into the shop in the next few days- hooray!

Favorite Little Things

2010-09-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

a Victorian leather change purse, beach found seed pod, antique cobalt glass medicine bottle, 60's rhinestone earrings, late 60's convex plane earrings, 50's rhinestone pin, small 40's hair comb, beach found sand dollar

100 Fall Finds- Round 1

2010-09-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

This week, I will be listing 100, yes 100 new fall pieces into the shop! Today through Saturday, at least 20 new items a day will be filtering in and I am so excited to share with you. Check out the blog for updates on what's new, I will be posting images as I list new items. If you see something you like and it isn't up yet, send me an Etsy convo or Twitter message and I'll give you more info.

Here goes round 1:

Everybody Needs a Best Friend

2010-09-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs a best friend who you have a ton in common with, even mannequins! Harlene, my slender 1964 Wolf was getting lonely in my big new studio so I decided she needed a gal pal. I didn't want to find her a friend who was the same size because then they would fight over clothes, but I wanted someone who she'd feel comfortable with. After a lot of searching, Elinor materialized this morning and I brought her home to meet Harlene. She's also a Wolf, but a bit younger than Harlene as she was born in 1976. So far, they seem to be getting along quite well and Harlene does not mind sharing the spotlight with her at all. Check out Harlene and Elinor modeling exceptional fall fashion starting tomorrow in the shop!

A Peek into Greedy Seagull HQ

2010-08-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

I posted previously, sans photos that I am moving into a new studio. Well..... here are some photos! Sans paint, storage, blinds etc- just a whole lot of vintage laying around waiting for a good organization system. Which leads me to a question- how you YOU store all your bags, shoes, and clothing efficiently, while keeping them from getting damaged? I have several ideas in mind, but can't seem to decide on which way to go.

a Greedy Seagull Giveaway!

2010-08-26T12:11:00.001-07:00

Hi Ladies! The Greedy Seagull is giving away this pretty autumn shawl; all you have to do is become a Facebook fan and leave a comment here. A winner will be selected at random Friday, September 3rd at 6pm ET. Good Luck!

Exciting News

2010-08-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would need the kind of space that I need now to run a business. When I moved into my current place, I hadn't even heard of Etsy and was working a dreadfully boring office job. My place was just a crash pad for my tired, weary, depressed self and it was three times bigger than what I had in Manhattan and a lot cheaper so I was pretty stoked on moving in.

Then came Etsy. A wonderful, happy, awesome way to make a living- but my apartment became completely overrun with dresses, bags, shoes... sigh. Luckily poor hubby had his nose buried in law text books the last year so he didn't really notice the creeping piles of stuff, shipping boxes, soaking bins, mending piles, off season merchandise... you get the idea. It was enough to drive me insane!

The day before we left for our wedding, our evil little old Greek landlord told us that she is moving her entire Greek family into our apartment because they can't find jobs in Greece and need a place to live. I initially panicked because I was already in panic mode from the wedding but then realized it was meant to be, because I was dreaming of moving every single waking moment of my life.

Long story short, The Greedy Seagull is moving into a large, bright art deco work studio next Sunday! We found a gorgeous three bedroom place that will allow me to not only have a beautiful new work space, but a big eat in kitchen and a lot of privacy as well. Of course, I took the biggest room in the house as my own (insert Greedy snipe here). But finally, finally I will not have to wait for the one sliver of daylight my current place gives me to shoot, and all my vintage will have an organized place and a home!

The shop will probably be a bit slow the next week, but I have well over a hundred fall stunners waiting to get photographed in their new home. Stay tuned, fall is going to be exciting!

xoxo
G

Folk Festival Found

2010-08-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Every year, I take a little trip out to the Philadelphia Folk Festival with my bestie and her fam. We sleep in a tent, listen to hippie music by a campfire and wake up early to hit up Pennsylvania garage sales the next morning. Sometimes the music is good, but the antiquing is always great! Also, there is a huge variety of beautiful artisan made goods at the actual festival that tempt me year after year. Here are a few of my favorite finds from this year, some of which came home and some of which had to stay due to budget limitations:

beautiful Native American made jewelry

a scrumptious leather Native American made bag

hand cut tin lanterns

mouse pin, "G" locket, rhinestone earrings, pearl necklace, pinwheel necklace

a 100 year old, handmade Irish lace huge tablecloth (for 10 dollars!)

locally produced organic honey

a fair trade African fruit basket

a 1950's leather suitcase

vintage hand embroidered Guatemalan jacket

A Madmen Update

2010-08-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Some great Madmen style pieces are going into the shop tomorrow, along with some other wonderful 40's and 50's pieces to boot. LOTS of handbags, a few perfect shoes and some pretty little dresses are all measured and photographed; here's a sneak peek at a select few pieces:

The Leopard Grail

2010-08-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

This is, in my opinion, the holy grail of leopard coats. It's 60's, leather buttons, back swag, and totally flawless; and sadly for me it is a tiny size 2/4. It may or may not be up for grabs on Monday depending on if someone decides to call dibs. Contact me if you are interested in learning more!

A Wedding

2010-08-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

Here is round one of photos from our little California wedding. The weather was mild and sunny, the flowers were bright and pretty, and love was overflowing all around. We originally contemplated just having our small courthouse ceremony and leaving it at that, but I am happy in retrospect that we decided to include our families in a second, larger event. I wore a vintage Norma Kamali that my aunt altered; she sewed a cummerbund waist piece and added tea dyed lace to the underneath. My mom made my veil and we pinned some vintage and new flowers into my hair. My mom and aunt also did all the flowers and decorations, and my mother in law did my hair.

Rehearsal Dinner Dress

2010-08-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

A lot has been going down over here at The Greedy Seagull HQ. I went home to get married last week, found a new apartment, and am hosting a huge vintage shopping event in Manhattan tomorrow with Meghann of Thrifty Fashionista. Needless to say, the blog has been a bit neglected in favor of running around like a maniac doing things. However, I just had to share the thing I was most excited about showing you all- my rehearsal dinner dress!

It's a 40's Alfred Shaheen, back when the label just read "Shaheen of Hawaii". I fell in love with it months before the wedding; it belonged to my dear friend Ricky who has a booth at Artists and Fleas and is actually the Yoda of vintage. Sadly it did not fit when I first tried it, but that dress haunted me in my sleep. Well, after all the wedding stress and steamed vegetables I lived on for two months it just zipped up for the rehearsal dinner.... and made it all worth it. My mother in law did my hair and bought me the awesome orchid earrings from her friend who makes them. Wedding pics will soon follow!

Search and Destroy

2010-07-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

70's boho top converted to cocoon shape

80's distressed cu toff shorts given a bleach bath and shortened

80's studded tee, cropped and reshaped, given a bleach bath

Every now and then I get the impulse to cut things apart, rip, bleach, shred, tear..... and start looking through forgotten vintage to see who my next victim will be. Sometimes unearthing the stuff just isn't enough; I need to recreate. I will occasionally find a garment that seems to whisper its desire to be transformed and to get a new lease on life. Usually these things end up in my closet, but I've decided to take a leap and start adding them to the shop!

It's a little nerve wracking for me because I don't know how these thing will be received; I feel like there's a lot more at stake because I am opening up my own designs to criticism. It's easy to shrug off distaste for something in my store because it's another designer's work. Exposing my own makes me feel a little undressed. Anyhow, these are a few test pieces. Depending on how it goes, I may or may not start adding more of my own designs into the shop; I think it will be a good challenge for me.

It's Wedding Time....

2010-07-26T22:21:00.000-07:00

We are all packed up and ready to go home to have our big celebration with our families, including Nero. Don't worry, he's going in his crate, not the big suitcase! He looks very forlorn in this picture because he thinks I am leaving him; he knows when the suitcase comes out it means he's stuck at home with Dad! Little does he know he's in for a big adventure tomorrow!

I didn't realize how much much my packed suitcase says about me until I looked at this picture.... a pair of running shoes next to a can of instant Greek frappe coffee (my mom is addicted and it's my fault), a beat up old leather belt, some tank tops, some killer patent platforms, a Whiting and Davis mesh bag, a long cotton batik print skirt, and a silk polka dot blouse I am also bringing for my mom. Basically, a frantic explosion of coffee-fueled synthetic energy; a California hippie at heart with fancy New York City shoes and bags and a designer dog to match. But really, he was the only one that would fit in my last apartment. He also happens to fit in a cat crate, so he's rather portable as well.

I'll try to post some cool things I've been working on this week, but if I don't get around to it's safe to say wedding madness got in the way. Ciao!

The Pretty Vintage Party

2010-07-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Attention all NYC based ladies! I am over-the-moon giddy to talk about a little side project I've been working on that has finally taken shape and is actually going to happen (!!!)

I am teaming up with Meghann of Pop Up Vintage / Thrifty Fashionista to host vintage shopping events at local NYC venues! Every month will be a different theme, but there will always be drink specials and racks full or gorgeous and affordable vintage to peruse through. Some events will also have goodie bags and giveaways as well! We started a Meetup group to keep everyone in the loop; you can join here and RSVP if you are interested.

Our first even will be at the downtown Village Pourhouse on Monday, August 9th from 6-8pm. The theme is Girls Night Out, so there will be lots of pretty, feminine pieces, jewelry, accessories and other girlie goodness. There will also be 2-for-1 martini and margarita specials for our shoppers and some fun surprises. So stop by for a drink and say hello if you are around, mention my blog and get a coupon towards your purchase!

A Gypsy Wedding

2010-07-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

I can't help but be charmed by this stunning gypsy couple, probably taken around the 20's. I wish I knew more about them, but I couldn't find much information about who took the picture, or where and when. They look so happy, and their timid and slightly embarrassed stances are totally endearing. It must have been so lovely to have a wedding like theirs, out in open hills in lovingly hand made bridal garments with your entire village surrounding you. I'll bet they danced all night, drank until morning and had an amazing feast. I think the most wonderful part of this whole scenario is that it appears they are being wed by a smiling young woman in beautiful clothing rather than an old man with a furrowed brow and austere religious garb. So much prettier to look at, don't you think?

image found here

Fourth of July on Fire Island

2010-07-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

First things first, apologies for the extended absence. I had plans to post wonderful lake pictures (it was beyond perfect) but there was a death in the family that weekend and I just didn't feel like taking any. I also had to scramble around at home doing last minute July wedding planning. I did an earlier post with pictures from the courthouse wedding in March, so you are all probably confused... We got married quite fast because of above mentioned sick family member in March and decided to wait to have a big wedding until this summer. We were just going to head over to the courthouse but our wonderful New York friends decided to make it a really nice day for us.

Anyhow, the insanity is almost over and we finally got to have some fun this weekend. We headed out to Robert Moses Beach on Fire Island, and I finally got to wear my vintage boater hat from Venice! It turns out that it is one of the best beaches in America for finding sea glass. I actually started collecting sea glass about six years ago and make people bring it back for me whenever they find some in other countries and cities. It's become a bit of an obsession; my goal is to fill an entire apothecary jar of it some day! I also collect rocks and shells, and bits of earth from foreign places. It makes the world feel more real and manageable when I have a little shard from every corner, and makes me less anxious about not seeing all of it before I go.

vintage Venetian boater, 50's white shirt, Target bikini

sea glass- cobalt is probably from antique medicine bottles! dark green
could be old coca-cola bottles.

the wind was quite jealous of my hat and tried to make off with it, but
I wasn't about to let that happen!

Off to the Lake!

2010-06-18T11:33:00.001-07:00

We're off to a friend's lake house this weekend and I'm so excited- I finally feel like a real New Englander! Of course it's summer so it won't look like the picture, but in my head all lakes kind of look like this. See you Monday!

image here

Affordable Summer Fashion

2010-06-17T12:58:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of the whole nation being broke, this summer I am going to do a series of shop updates with affordable, pretty vintage. Week 1 will feature dresses, including some really stellar cocktail numbers that are perfect for parties, summer weddings and nights on the town. All the dress below are up in the shop and then some. Check it out!

50's Silk Cocktail Dress

60's Mod Scooter Dress

60's Nelly de Grab

60's Bright Mod Sheath

60's Mylar Party Dress

50's Floral Day Dress

50's Chiffon Cocktail Dress

Lovestruck

2010-06-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

I am always so busy sharing what goes into the shop that I never bother to show people what I actually keep! As you can probably imagine, the temptation to skim the best things off the top for myself is very strong. However, when you seek out beautiful clothing for a living it becomes easier to let things go because you know there will be always be more. Though my Etsy closet is bottomless, my own is rather small and only a few good pieces of vintage make it in every season (really!).

I only keep or buy something that I know would haunt me the rest of my life if I didn't own it. I am not someone who waffles over a piece of clothing for a long time wondering if I should own it or not. When I see something that I know I can't live without, I buy it almost instantly. Sometimes I can't even tell you why I get lovestruck, it just happens. All my best buys have been like this- love at first sight. That is what the four things below have in common; instant, knee-buckling magnetism.

70's Edwardian Style Lace Dress- Flea Market, two days ago
70's Agate Pendant- belonged to my best friend's mom, two years ago
Kingman Mine Turquoise Bracelet- Woman selling jewelry randomly to the antique store I worked for in college
Silver Claw Leaf Collar- Ebay, one week ago
Peach and Lucite Belt (worn as a bandeau)- A giant bin full of dresses in a top secret location,
three weeks ago

June Gloom- I don't think so!

2010-06-03T15:24:00.001-07:00

A sneak peek at the pretty, pretty things going into the shop tomorrow:

Bronx Zoo Trip

2010-05-24T17:22:00.001-07:00

Hubby and I took a trip to the zoo today, and the incredible variety of beauty on this earth never ceases to amaze me.

You can see that I was really excited to go to the zoo because of the vintage tank top I am wearing in the last photos- it has almost every animal we saw on it! It also gave me an excuse to don my Jamaican craft market hat, which was a double plus. And yes, I realize I probably look like a silly little kid with my pigtails and that I will be too old to wear them really soon, if not already but they make me happy. And so do animals.

The Nautical Collection

2010-05-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

It seems only natural that being The Greedy Seagull and all, that I put together a bang-up nautical collection for the summer. It was harder than you might think! Many of these things I saved for literally an entire year until I had enough authentic vintage items to fill a page and then some. Well, I am now proud to introduce to you my painstakingly curated collection of nautical goodness, all going into the shop tomorrow afternoon!

Greedy Seagull on Safari

2010-05-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies (and gents this week too), The Greedy Seagull is going on safari this week! Lots of neutrals, rich leathers, and khakis plus luxurious silks and cottons are entering the shop tomorrow, including a men's US Navy issue leather bomber jacket! Everything in the collage below should be in by tomorrow evening, so check it out.