Search and Destroy

70's boho top converted to cocoon shape

80's distressed cutoff 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....

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

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

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

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!