East Village Grunge

If you have been reading my blog for a hot minute by now, you would now know that the outfit you are about to see is probably my favorite fashion style. That is, what I am calling it, the new “East Village Grunge.” A combination of sweet, delicate fabrics against the harder nature of studs, fringe and leather. A juxtaposition between textures that you wouldn’t normally match, but end up creating a devilishly desirable outfit. Long beaded necklaces, bulky rings and colors that vary from pale pinks to the deep hues of a night sky. Who is this girl? An East village resident, a lower Manhattan dweller, a girl who doesn’t know what exists above 14th street. This would be the type of girl you would see in a dive bar drinking two dollar PBR’s or at an underground rock concert screaming against the music. A person who is unafraid in her own skin and who is willing to try new things both in life and in fashion. A vintage lover, her wardrobe exists only in the eras of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Magazines are non-existent to her unless they are as old as her. She lives on her books, feeding her imagination with as many stories as she can at one time. And, oh yeah, she would dress a little something like this..

From the moment I saw this adorable Vintage 70s Mini Dress at RamonaWest, I knew it was special! I adore this simple, high-waisted two toned mini with its easy to wear attitude and semi- sheer fabric.  You could definitely sport this to work with a structured menswear jacket or wear it at night to your favorite hang out!  Either way this dress is functional, which lets face it, in this economy that’s what we are all really going for! One piece that can be worn multiple ways and that can easily reflect your fashion mood of the day!

If there is one thing that I would never be able to get enough of, it would be the leather jacket.  And it’s not just because it’s leather, which is a weakness of mine, I admit.  It’s because there make me feel in control.  Like when I put it on no one can mess with me and I’m the biggest bad ass in town. I know that sounds ridiculous, but that’s how they make me feel!  Another thing I treasure about these black beauties (yes, they have to be black) is that they are like chamelions when it comes to your wardrobe.  They can go with anything and everything!  And I mean everything from sweet lace 50s dresses to 80s ripped acid wash jeans.  An easy classic in my mind you can see why I chose this Vintage 80s Cropped Jacket with its biker zipper details from Hipsters Playground Vintage to go with this sweet mini.  Opposites attracting to form the perfect fashion relationship.

I realize by admitting to what I am about to say may make you think less of me, but I have to tell you I have never been the one to jive with the while bootie footwear scene.  I don’t know why really.  I think that when I tried them on me I thought they made me look a little lopsided or something and I never got used to seeing myself in them. It was kind of like when you tried on skinny jeans when that first came back out and you had to get used to seeing yourself in them to not feel sort of ridiculous! But I spotted a friend of mine wearing them with a super cute mini dress and I found myself looking at them in a brand new light.  So when I was looking for a pair of kicks to feature with the already amazing mini I thought to myself, “I must search out the Bootie!” And when I found these Vintage STUDDED (YUMMY! You know I love studs!) Black Leather Booties from SoanishMoss I was so excited! How amazing do they look with this outfit! They definitely help bring it together, tying themselves in with the studded belt.  My opinion has been successfully changed as I am now in the market for some bootie beauties (say that five times fast!).

When I was a kid I refused to believe that a belt was anything more than an annoyance.  So when my stepmom tried to one day explain to me (as she dressed me in what she perceived as “cute”) that they were a fashion statement, it was no surprise that I flat out disagreed with her.  But what did I know, I was ten.  I now know better (don’t tell her, please!) and love to accessorize as many outfits as I can with belts!  They add so much personality to an outfit and can change the way it looks in a second.  In looking for something for this outfit, I wanted something a bit edgier to go with the shoes and jacket and to juxtapose with the quiet elegance of the dress.  I thought that this Vintage 80s Studded Belt from LEnfantTerrible would fit in perfectly with the ensemble.  Especially since this dress has a higher waist it’s nice to be able to hide that line by accessorizing with a belt.

Is it wrong of me to love fringe as much as I do?  A recent obsession of mine I can’t seem to get enough! I think it has something to do with that boho, hippie eclecticism that I love so dearly! Either way I am infatuated with my recent vintage find at Black Pyramid.  Check out this lightly worn 70s Southwestern Fringe Bag with star studded detailing and beading! Doesn’t it just make your heart beat! Bump Bump! I love the native feel to this bag and the worn look to the leather.  To me, leather never looks bad no matter how it expires.  It’s still crisp, raw and holds that earthy aroma it had on its first day of conception.  It ages like a fine wine, really!  And if this bag has made it through 30 yrs and still looks this good, imagine how it will look in another 30! That’s why you go vintage!

No, I am not some crazed obsessed knife junky.  I am a vintage lover looking for something a bit edgier and unique!  And what could be more unique than wearing a pocket knife around your neck?  Not only is it practical (in case you find yourself needing to carve your initials on a park bench) but it also serves as a bit of mystery; keeping those around you on their fashion toes.  Besides, is this Vintage Black Sterling Silver Knife from FigandDorothy really the nuttiest thing you’ve seen sported around or on a fashionista? I think not! The thing I love about this necklace, besides the fore-mentioned reasons, is the gorgeous pickled facade.  It appears almost like glass and is inviting to the eye rather than apprehensive.  An impressive find, this one of a kind beauty will be sure to impress your neighborhood friendly fashionista!

Brace yourselves ladies for an amazing find! Check out this AMAZING hand affixed PREHISTORIC black and white Fossil RING from LarkinandLarkin!  When I found this I swear to you my jaw dropped! This is the MOST AMAZING store and I am so happy to have found it! Have you ever seen such a ring? Its massive and a statement piece all on its own.  You could wear this with a plain tee and I would still be in awe of your outfit.  It’s powerful, magnetic and requires an extremely confident person to toil it around on their fingers. I really am at a loss for words right now.  I don’t know how to describe just how brilliant this piece of jewelry is.  All I can say is that I love it.

(LarkinandLarkin)

A Collection of Vintage Superstars

This post needs no introduction! By its title you already know what is coming to you! I am digging these shops that I picked out from my vast collection of vintage favorites. I think there is definitely something for everyone! Check them out!

I love Gary Pepper Vintage!  It has such fun apparel and accessories! Bright colors, bold patterns and unique designs; what is there not to love!? And since I can’t say it better than Nicole’s (owner) site can, here is what it has to say about the store: Gary Pepper Vintage is an online boutique specializing in exquisite vintage pieces of only the highest caliber. Since its inception in late 2009, Gary Pepper Vintage is quickly carving its name into the sand and building its name to become one of the best known vintage outlets in the world. Since then, Gary Pepper has expanded its store to include vintage bags, shoes, and accessories, and designs and produces its very own signature clothing line that will be available later this year. Gary Pepper Vintage aims to introduce beautiful vintage into the lives of every fashionista in the world, one tulle skirt at a time. And it’s totally true!

Indie Cult Vintage has been one of my go to vintage shops for a while now. An Ebay store since 2001, it’s no wonder with all of their quality vintage that they are still around!  Specializing in vintage from the 60s-80s, I can always find something that I adore from this shop whether it be a lace crochet Maxi Dress, a Navajo printed wrap sweater, or a distressed leather bag.  Their variety is endless and their shop is always full.  An inside clue about their shop, if you find something you can’t live without,  contact them and they will give you a buy it now price! How awesome is that?!

Noir Ohio is a fabulous vintage Ebay store founded in 2005!  This is one of my favorite shops on the net and I am constantly stopping by to see what they have.  Every time I do there are always new products and I always find myself wanting them all!  A bit on the edgier side, this store is perfect for the 80′s/90′s lover or to find something tough to go with that lacey top you have.   And FYI, if you are in the market for anything plaid or a lumberjack-esque button up, then this should be your first stop!

With a headline of, “A one stop shopping destination for hip girls worldwide,” Rock Paper Vintage has certainly given themselves a standard to live up to! But the good thing about that  is that they definitely do and then some!  What I love most, besides the amazing vintage, is that the owner was actually a corporate suit and gave it all up to sell vintage! How awesome is that!? What she has to say about her co.: Living in New York City,we are really lucky to be surrounded by tons of amazing vintage dealers,flea markets and thrift stores.. We find our clothes anywhere from our best friend’s great aunt’s closet to the flea market on Avenue A in the east village. It’s one of our favorite things in the world …going through TONS of clothes to find that one GEM – like a stunning sequin dress or a tiny biker jacket- makes me so excited we almost pee our pants!

Sisters of the Black Moon is a recent Ebay find of mine and I am so excited that I happened to stumble across them!  With amazing vintage finds, this store offers its boho clients with some of the best picks I have seen from the 60s and 70s.  Their garments would have been at home at Woodstock, in the streets of old San Fran, or in the gritty Lower East Side of vintage New York.  I love their edgier style and their consistent use of the darker side of the color spectrum.  Filled to the brim with vintage, you will never be short of finding something you can’t live without!

Freshly Dressed

It’s summer dress time ladies!! It has been so hot lately, at least where I live!, that I have been kicked into high gear in finding those perfect summer frocks! And I’m sure that you are beginning to feel the same way!  You know, you hit that point in time during the year where it becomes VERY obvious that you need to start thinking about revamping your summer wardrobe.  And, of course, nothing that you had last summer suffices! Isn’t it so frustrating?!  But, then again, the shopping can be uber fun if you know what you’re looking for.  For me, that’s vintage!  Luckily, I have a fairly decent amount of fabulous vintage shops at my disposal, so it makes it super easy to search for my summer essentials.  Take a look at a couple of vintage delights that I found! Maybe you’ll find something that you can’t live without!

I am in love with this Asymmetrical Vintage 90′s Dress from  Bustown Modern!  It helps that this black and white grunge dress has a polkadot pattern, as we all know that this circular pattern is my favorite!  So, just by the pattern it has a special place in my heart! Also, I love the way the this dress is draped and the juxtaposition between the high, clean raglan neckline and the fishtail design of the bottom half.  So sexy without being in any way obscene!  I would definitely wear this dress with a pair of Jeffrey Campbell Pixie Cut Wedges! How cute would I look?

How adorable is this Vintage 80′s Plaid Mini Dress at NoirOhio Vintage?  I love the large plaid print and especially love the cuffed sleeves.  This dress almost seems like it should of been in “Grease” being worn by the Pink Ladies! It says, “Don’t be deceived by the dress, I’m one tough chick!” Isn’t it awesome when you’re wardrobe talks for you?!  Would totally sport this with my Black Jeffrey Campbell Brit Boots or maybe even my Brown Leather Knee High Frye Boots.  And perhaps add on this Vintage Studded Leather Jacket from GirlOnAVine?  I’d say that’s one hellish outfit!

The second I saw the thumbnail of this dress on Thriftwares Ebay page, I had to click on it!  Something about the pattern immediately caught my attention and when I discovered that this Vintage 80′s Tribal Mini Dress had deep pockets, I was sold.  Not to mention the very flattering cinched waist, the high neck and the sexy peep open back that could definitely keep you a few degrees cooler than others as you strut down you neighborhood streets in mid-summer.  Pair with some vintage flats from Santoki Vintage and you’ll be good to go! Simple, yet dreadfully and irresistibly cute!

It was so hard for me to pick a favorite piece from my favorite Ebay shop TinRoof Vintage, but I think I picked a good one! This Vintage 70s Strapless Peach Dress is unique by nature and in excellent condition.  I adore the sweet nude color of this striped dress and the carefree feeling it exudes.  With an elastic waist you can be sure in the security of the garment and adorned with a belt it just ups the ante of this perfect summer dress.  For me, I would just throw on a pair of my Rainbow sandals and be on my way! No need to get crazy with footwear for a stroll on the beach!

This dress reminds me of something that Twiggy would have sported in the 1960s!  This Vintage 1960s imitation 1920s Flapper Dress at Stuck on Vintage is for the spunky and vivacious at heart.  I love the drop waist detail on a dress.  It’s just so sweet and it gives the garment such an unique and distinctive look; which is a prime reason why I love this dress.  And with its dainty multicolored stripes, this vintage dress screams for attention.  As I am sure that whoever buys this piece of loveliness will not only make heads turn with her individualistic sense of fashion, but will definitely be hearing from many a fashionistas, “Where did you get that dress?!” to which you can reply, “It’s vintage!” and chuckle to yourself, “And you can’t have it!” Isn’t it fun to be different?

I am obsessed with the poet sleeves on this Vintage Floral Boho Mini Dress at Out of a Strobe Vintage!  I just love the volume that they add to the dress and how dramatic it makes it look! (Since I am an actor, lets just say I love that drama!) The floral print on this vintage delight is also quite delectable!  I love the mix of the blues and yellows against the sheer black of the dress.  Almost gives off a pixie vibe with the mini bottom!  No need to over accessorize with this one!

A Collection of Vintage Superstars

I think the title totally says it with this one and needs no detailed explanation!  I put together, in my opinion, a pretty solid and may I say, KICK ASS collection of superb vintage shops!  These are some of my absolute favorites, all for a very specific reason: they stay true to themselves.  Not only that, but they all stick to what they are good at; which you will come to understand as you read what I love individually about each one.  So, enough of this chatter!  Get to digging! I think you are going to find some keepers in this batch of “my favorite” sellers!

I adore this super sweet vintage Ebay store! My favorite thing about them?  Amazingly hand-picked adorable dresses; one better than the next!  The definition of fun, outlined in bright colors and boldly underlined with a Boho pen!   You can definitely understand who these sellers are just by looking through all their picks.  Now, I never usually do this, but I love the way they describe their store and thought I should share it with you: At When Decades Collide, we are two sisters that are head over heels in love with EVERYTHING vintage!!! We hand-select pieces we adore from sources all across Southern California. We are smitten with everything from the beachy boho glam of the 60’s to the minimalist muted 90’s. I’ll be surprised if you haven’t already clicked on their banner!

Never in short supply of anything cute and vintage, The Kissing Tree Vintage is another Ebay favorite of mine!  Founded in 2010 KTV seems to have established a definite and permanent spot in the Vintage world with a wide range of items from the 50s-90s.  I really adore the fact that this shop has continued to surprise me with top quality vintage picks and, as mentioned, has never let its store be empty and ALWAYS has a multitude of vintage for the buyer to choose from.  Things they love : Florals. Polka Dots. High waisted skirts. Lace. Knee-high socks. Sequins. Party dresses. Rompers. More florals. Jumpsuits. Stripes. Prints. If you love any of that, then this might be the shop for you!

Santoki Vintage, an Austin based Etsy store, is one of my ABSOLUTE go-to stores for amazing vintage footwear!  Carrying some of the best vintage footwear from sandals to boots I’ve seen, this store has became a fast favorite of mine.  Their taste in vintage shoes is flawless without a doubt, but the condition of the shoes is what really makes then stand out.  Providing you with pictures of every angle, Santoki puts their customer’s minds to rest.  What you see is what you get! They are also constantly adding new items all the time and for someone like me who is always on the lookout that is definitely a plus.  They also carry some superb vintage clothing which may not come in such an abundance as their footwear, but nonetheless still are noteworthy.  Check them out before you run around crazy looking for a perfect shoe!

Jewelry Designs by Mona Abraham, an Etsy shop, is a very recent find of mine.  Actually, I can’t even take credit for finding it as the shop owner was the one to contact me via Facebook about it! And how happy I am that she did! I adore the whimsical and effortless nature of her handmade jewelry, many of which are crafted with vintage pieces.  I can just picture her romantic and dreamy beaded necklaces  being worn around the necks of women during the 20s and 30s; as they hold such an aged and mature value within their beaded and charmed chains.  Her art form and the way in which she so carefully constructs each individual piece is really just beautiful, ethereal even.  You can really see the love that she puts into her handmade gems and I’m sure that as a buyer, I would feel more than happy with a purchase from Mona Abraham.

If you are in the market for a stunning and unique vintage bag then look no further than Dandelion Daydreamer!  This Etsy shop, based out of France, holds a plethora of amazing vintage leather bags.  It’s enough to make your knees weak and heart skip like it did the first time you kissed a boy! Yes, it’s that good.  Run by an Irish chikadee who hand selects all of her beautiful vintage, Dandelion’s selection of bags ranges from your handy dandy hand bag to your business satchel to your travel luggage; which no doubt screams to be used for travels outside of your home country!  Honestly, if you asked me, I wouldn’t know which one to buy as all of their beautiful, stretched and worn leather seem to all scream at me! Dramatic, I know.  But, this is my weakness.  A good leather bag.  And while the bags, to me, are my favorite part about this shop, mind you that Dandelion does carry a fine selection of vintage dresses.  But, unfortunately, the bags tend to block this out and I find myself salivating over my computer at them! Check it out and you’ll see what I mean!

Vintage and Vintage and Vintage, Oh My!

I am happy to present to you, my lovely readers, another post about some of my favorite vintage online shops!  Again, I got such great feedback that I couldn’t deny you the knowledge of some seriously amazing shops to scavenge for vintage! What kind of selfish person would that make me if I didn’t share this information?  Isn’t one supposed to share their knowledge with others!  Imagine how lost we would all be if our teachers and confidants didn’t share?  Still curled up in a fetal position under our mother’s feet, that’s where!  And besides, why would I make my fabulous readers have to dig through Cyberland and try to painstakingly find quality vintage when I already did? Ridiculous! I love you all…so in all heartfelt sincerity, thank you for taking your time out of your busy days to stop by and as a wee little gift of gratitude, here are some of my favorite vintage shops for your vintage loving heart…

I adore BrownBagVintage, a cute Etsy shop that offers its shoppers everything vintage from tops to accessories! Beginning its journey in Los Angeles, shop owner Michelle Delgado, has been an Etsy seller since 2008! When Michelle isn’t digging for her newest vintage finds, she is actually working for Etsy on their support team in Dumbo. And as she says, “…I’m very much looking forward to helping folks with all their thises and thats!”  Awesome!  Now, the hardest part about Delgado’s cute store, choosing just ONE  item! With so many cute dresses and tops to choose from it can be quite the challenge! Good Luck!

Nullify Anew Vintage has been a favorite Etsy shop of mine since I started filling my nights with hour long searches for top notch vintage!  Carrying vintage from the 40′s-90′s, NAV prides itself on providing its customer with a range of vintage clothing.  Meaning, essentially, that any vintage lover of any style will be able to stop by and find a unique piece they cannot live without.  And seeing that I pretty much go for every kind of style there is, I’d say that mission statement was proven right!  My favorite part: The Dresses!! So many awesome styles and prints! What’s better than that is the fact that many of their vintage finds are truly one of a kind pieces (as they) are redesigned, sewn, and reborn into a brand new style all their own. Sounds awesome, right? Pretty much! This shop is a no brainer!

  Next to Tin Roof Vintage, Thriftwares and NoirOhio, Thrifted.net is perhaps one my favorite shops on Ebay!  I have never once visited this store and not found a vintage piece that I didn’t want to Twitter and check my bank account for! Every hand selected item seems special, as if this store went to the Vintage Gods and asked them to provide them with the Utopia of Vintage clothing.  Every item stands out, has a distinct personality and is definitive of the girl who picks it up.  Absoloutly special this store is; taking the time, the care, and the effort to only pick those items which define their store. And what is that definition you ask? A fashion forward, green alternative to the ever globalizing, mass produced mall brands and a unique and affordable alternative to modern couture and designer labels.  I think that says it all.

I am obsessed with ThriftWares, an Ebay based Vintage store.  Maintaining since 2004 that they “offer the finest selection on the face of the earth for fashion forward vintage clothing,” I would have to say that after combing through their vast selection, I would have to agree!  Thriftwares offers some of the most delicate, beautiful, and unique clothing that I have seen.  Their specialty seeming to be the bohemian, boho look; with laced, sheer dresses, oversized ethnic sweaters and floral printed mini dresses.  Delicious! I am so excited to see what they find next!

Sparkling Lotus Design is a new find for me and while the store isn’t packed with jewelry as of now, the things they do have are actually very lovely.  If you like stones, then you might find a couple of items here that you will adore, as I certainly have.  Some of the jewelry that you will find at SLD are handmade creations by its owner who contends that her store has been the result of (her) compulsion to create in (her) spare time. And while she does carry vintage jewelry, she hopes that her customers will find some inspiration in her personal jewelry.   I guess you’ll have to stop by and see if that is the case!

A Vintage Polka

It is common knowledge, if you have been a follower on twitter!, that I LOVE POLKA DOTS!! I don’t know what it is about them, but they are too adorable to deny!  Cheerful and coming in all colors and sizes, they bring a smile to your face and add character to any outfit and piece!  And, they come in Vintage!  How much better does it get than that? Check out some of these super cute and fun Polka-Dotted items that I found from some of my favorite shops!!

Picnic in Central Park

When I used to live in the city, my absolute number one favorite thing used to be taking my pup to Central Park.  We’d walk for HOURS on end, exploring every inch of the fascinating eco system that is the Park.  If you don’t know, Central Park isn’t just the Great Lawn and Bethesda Fountain, it contains actual forest areas where you can get lost in nature; you can’t see the streets and you’re completely surrounded by trees, rocks and waterfalls.  Yes, WATERFALLS! Not huge ones of course! Nothing you could go white water rafting on, but big enough to make you stop and watch.  Or, if you’re a pup named Bodie, try to swim in!  These journeys were especially enjoyable when my boyfriend joined us and we would have little picnics in the park.  We’d go to our local Pick a Bagel, order our usual Chicken Salad on a toasted plain bagel (everything bagel for him!), grab a Yoohoo and a Naked and walk our way to the nearest park entrance to find our usual picnic table on a hill, secluded, shaded by trees, and that housed a lovely plaque on its bench, dedicating itself to a deceased wife.   Now, we never brought a “picnic blanket” with us or an official “picnic basket,” but we scraped by with our beautiful bench and our bagel napkins.  Also, I don’t think a pleasant picnic would have ever been in order due to our highly energetic dog who has the patience level of about a three year old, but maybe one day we’ll actually be able to do it!  I imagine it would be a lot like this, plus the presence of the beau and the addition of some really fabulous vintage clothing:

How adorable is this Vintage 1960s/1970s Pink Knitted Summer Sweater at StuckOnVintage!  I adore the white floral design that doubles as a tank strap! So cute and unique!  I would defiantly wear this tucked in to a pair of high waist denim or under a cute pair of overalls!  In good condition, this one-of-a- kind tank is only $40! Not bad for a top your friends will never be able to buy!

You can make fun of me all you want, but I will still forever love high waist denim.  Not only does it give you a great shape, your tush in particular, but they just give you that straight backed, sucked in, walk with shoulders back feeling.  I mean you feel like a super hotty when you have a pair of high waist denim on!  Plus, you don’t have to wear a belt if you really don’t want to!! And for all these reasons, I love this pair of Vintage Navy Sailor High Waist Sailor Flared Jeans at Love Street Vintage!  Not to mention that the pockets are a key selling point! Such a comfy feeling to be able to put your whole hand deep in your pockets when you are having a relaxing walk.  Only $45!

These are my shoes! Well, not actually, but these are the exact type of shoes that I love to wear!  These Vintage 70s Platform Sandals from Raleigh’s Vintage are to die for and the best part about them…they have NEVER BEEN WORN! How awesome is that!  Perfect Vintage condition.  No cracks in the leather, no foot prints from a previous owner and no black scrapes on the wedge from being knocked against the ground.  This my friend, is a vintage lovers dream!  “New” Vintage shoes…still in the box!  How could someone never of worn something so cute? $70 on Etsy.

I LOVE these Vintage 80s Wayfarer Tortoise Sunglasses at Forsythia Hill! I am crazy over the bright pink color mixed with the tortoise pattern and the green lenses! Labeled 95% UVB, 60% UVA blocking these glasses are substantial, they are not “flimsy” or cheap.  These NEVER WORN sunglasses can be worn by both men and women, but lets get real, if my guy touched these puppies I would have a freak attack on him! They are too cool and too unique for anyone but me to wear!  Does that sound too selfish? A bargain for $38!

I am infatuated with any sort of jewelry that has a type of stone in it, especially turquoise. So, it’s really no surprise that when I stumbled across this Vintage Sterling Silver Turquoise Cuff that I was immediately drawn to it.  The turquoise just caught me right away merely because the color was so bright and then I also love the stamped leaf design that parades behind the stones.  Such a beautiful piece of jewelry.  $29 at Sparkling Lotus Design.

I searched and searched for the PERFECT picnic blanket and finally found one at MistyOrcutt!  This Vintage Red and White Picnic Cloth is the definition of what I picture as the quintessential picnic blanket! I mean, do you not always see cartoons or characters in children’s books eating off of something that looks exactly like this? Or have I just gone completely off the deep end? Well, either way, I think its adorable and would totally use it to have my picnic on! $27.99.

Every picnic needs some sort of picnic basket, but what about a picnic purse?  How cute would you look walking down the street with this Vintage 60s Basket Weave Purse? No one would know that you have packed away a tasty picnic and besides, who wants to lug around a huge basket anyway! So inconvenient! Especially in the city! I can just imagine myself hitting passerbys and the nasty looks they would give me.  Yep, for sanity’s sake, I think I’ll stick with the purse! $24 at Vintage Stew.

My Pup Bodie! He is not for sale!

Stuck On Vintage is actually in my shop favorites in Etsy!  Based out of LA, SOV carries a wide variety of both men and women’s vintage.  And while I adore their super cute vintage clothing, perhaps one of my favorite things that they carry are vintage  sunglasses.  They have such a variety of vintage frames varying from the 1960s round “John Lennon’s” to the big, overstated lenses of the 80s.  What’s great too is that these fabulous sunglasses are all sorts of colors and some come with colored lenses! I love it! How original!  You should defiantly stop by SOV when you have a moment to spare!!

Love Street Vintage is an Etsy Vintage shop based out of San Diego that specializes in Women’s Vintage from the 60s and 70s.  And let me tell you, as you thumb through LSV, you will defiantly get that message.  Not only is the store name inspired by a Doors song, but about 75% of LSV’s vintage is incorrporate Aztec prints, floral patterns, and extremely bold colors.  Clothing that you can just picture people wearing to Woodstock or on the streets of San Francisco.  To be able to wear these psychedelic, bohemian clothing you will have to be a person who is utterly at home with themselves and someone who is free spirited and perhaps fitting with the hippie mentality of a flower child. If that is you, then you will have no problem finding items that fit your personality at LSV! Happy Hunting!

Perfect for those who like a bit more order to their lives, Raleigh Vintage, an Etsy shop, carries clean cut, sophisticated clothing for the Vintage Woman.  While they carry vintage from the 50s to 90s all picks are very reminiscent of the 50s/60s wardrobe.  That is:  light, delicate patterns, sharp lines and a more muted color palette.  Perfect for the working lady who wants to add a little character to her office outfit! The most awesome part of this shop?  That it is cared for and stocked by a vintage-loving couple, Isaac and Andi.  How cute is that! Check them out!

While Forsythia Hill, an Etsy shop based out of VA, carries other Vintage, mainly home goods, the heart of her store rests with her amazing Vintage sunglasses.  Her impeccable taste in unique eye wear is what makes her store so special and keeps me coming back for more.  Her NEVER BEEN WORN glasses come  in styles such as Wayfarers, John Lennon round wires, and BIG 80′s.  And for every pair of eye or sunglasses purchased, Forsythia Hill makes a matching donation to the Lions Club that distributes glasses to an abundance of needy organizations.  How admirable is that? Why wouldn’t you check her out?

Sparkling Lotus Design is a new find for me and while the store isn’t packed with jewelry as of now, the things they do have are actually very lovely.  If you like stones, then you might find a couple of items here that you will adore, as I certainly have.  Some of the jewelry that you will find at SLD are handmade creations by its owner who contends that her store has been the result of (her) compulsion to create in (her) spare time. And while she does carry vintage jewelry, she hopes that her customers will find some inspiration in her personal jewelry.   I guess you’ll have to stop by and see if that is the case!

Top Vintage Shops for the Vintage Lover

So I had SOOOOO much FUN with the last post about my favorite Etsy Vintage stores and such great feedback (thanks Cara, you fab Fashion Stylist!) that I just HAD to do another one! Only this time I included a couple of rad Ebay stores along with the always awesome Etsy stores! Exciting, right?  I hope that this helps all who are venturing out into Vintage land with finding some compatible shops so you don’t have to scrape for hours through the wad that is the internet.  Although sometimes that can be fun if you bring a long a bottle of wine and the complete series of Sex and the City. You know, not saying that’s how I did it! Enjoy!

is one of my new fabulous Etsy Vintage finds! Based out of L.A and established in 2009, Castaway Vintage is rocker chic meets an ounce of you’re neighborhood girly girl.  I am in love with this shops edgy vision and its vintage, with its sharp patterns and bright colors.  You can tell that it’s owner has carefully hand picked each item to match her vision and hasn’t let that idea sway at all. Each item in her shop, whether clothing or accessory work together to make a harmonious and joyful shopping experience for her customers. I will defiantly be checking in on this shop!

Perhaps the best part of GirlOnAVine, are its Kimonos! Devine!  Sure, they also carry some other vintage not related to a cardigan or coverup, but I have to say that I have never seen such amazing vintage kimonos. All of them are equally beautiful, unique, and delicate as the next.  The taste of the shop owner, like OldAge, is flawless and just scanning through what her store has to offer lets you know who she is.  A free spirit; a person who thinks for herself; a non-conformist.  You can see what she represents through the vintage she so carefully chooses and, likewise, what girl her pieces attract.  The strong minded, strong willed, and unafraid.  A passionate soul with an open heart.  A “hippie” by nature.  To purchase a piece from this shop would be a lifetime gift to yourself.  What more could you ask for?

Would you believe me if I told you that Tin Roof Vintage, an Ebay Store, has been a favorite seller of mine since 2006?  Well, BELIEVE IT! This was one of the first shops I ever “liked” on Ebay and  has yet to disappoint me. Specializing in vintage from the 50′s to the 90′s, TRV takes pride in its business and ALWAYS has top notch garb.  Geared toward the boho, hippie, free loving kind of gal, which is what I would like to consider myself, you would defiantly find your next floor length lace maxi dress here!! But, no worries, there is totally room for you rocksters!  Check them out when you have a minute and I promise you will not be disappointed.  How many online shops have you loved for 5yrs?

Bustown Modern is another fabulous Ebay Vintage store that I am completely obsessed with! A baby from eras 50s-90s this store is packed full at all times with full length maxi dresses, delicate crochet and lace tunics and old tees that you can wear to your next rock concert.  The variety of vintage is endless and the quality and selection competes for top dawg with Tin Roof Vintage.  There is not one item I wouldn’t wear myself and like Tin Roof, Bustown’s clear vision is reminisant in their vintage choices.  If you’re looking for quality, hand stitched, excellent condition vintage, then Bustown is defiantly worthy of your visit!

Vintage Inspired…

So, I was poking around the other day (naturally) and I came across a site that I can’t keep in the dark!  It’s absolutely FABULOUS!  Not only does it have amazing prizes, but the clothing is super adorable and “ready to wear.”  Not to mention that the clothing line also offers an eco-friendly, an indie-made, and a curvy plus line.  Interested?  Apparently you are if you’re still reading!  So, I’m gonna let you in on my find…the name of my new favorite women’s apparel company is Ruche.  And what makes this clothing line so amazing, besides the actual apparel, is the fact that it was created with love by a pair of lovebirds who dreamed of being able to build their own business.  As we women have come to find, sometimes it can be a bit difficult to find clothing that fits not only our personal style, but our budget. Lucky for us though, this is exactly what Mai Olivio, one of the founders of Ruche, found herself experiencing.  So she began in 2005 to buy and sell clothing that she felt fit with her personal style and through the years she and her husband Josh Olivio steadily built her business based on Ruche’s mission statement of “a modern boutique with a vintage touch.”  By 2008 Josh Olivio, who holds a degree in Computer Science and Web Developement, was able to create ShopRuche.com and since then their business has steadily been growing.  Priding themselves on customer service, they still personally answer customer emails and honor any discrepancies that may be found with their clothing.  Even more impressive and what I find most interesting about this company, is that they strive to ensure that small boutique brands and indie designers are represented in their catalogue.  Artists helping Artists…I love it!

(Find out more about the company here!)

Check out some of their fall looks:

Top: $38 Bottom: $10 Jacket: $63

Top: $41 Bottom: $29 Cardi: $63

Top: $37 Bottom: $30 Jacket: $59

Jacket: $109 Boots: $53

Top: $37 Bottom: $30 Vest: $39