Stripes & Plaid Together at Last

I am so thankful that the sun does not go down before 5:00 p.m. anymore and I am patiently (not) waiting for daylight saving time to roll around.  Only 40 more days to go until we spring ahead an hour and I cannot wait!  The pictures here are a little shadowed due to the flash going off at dusk, but I had to capture this outfit because it made me feel as if I had created something wonderful.  It was one of those days that the ensemble I was sporting made me feel like a million bucks.  That's how every day should feel, but as I am sure you know that doesn't always happen.  Feeling comfortable in your clothes should always be the first priority when creating an outfit.  Second. you should look like you are well put together, because you just never know who you will run into when you're out and about.  Have a happy Wednesday!

Coat: United Colors of Benetton via Common Threads/$48
Sweater: Gap (end of last winter huge sale)/$15, cute version here & cashmere here
Skirt: Burberry via Common Threads/$50
Shoes: Hunter 'Jaylen' Ballet Flat via Nordstrom Rack/$50 similar here
Necklace: Kate Spade 'Mod Squad' necklace/$40
Bracelet: J.Crew/$7
Handbag: Rhinestone Kate Spade 34th Street Treesh via Ebay/$80

Burberry Travel & Label Misinterpretation

Labels are a funny thing, they define price points and depth of quality in a garment and they can be very difficult to interpret at times.  This was definitely the case when I purchase the dress above.  I was shopping at a consignment store here in Boulder and spotted the distinctive blue/cream plaid design that is known so well in Burberry clothing.  I looked at the tag and thought, "Well that's strange, it's not a typical Burberry label," but it fit well and I liked the dress very much. 

I didn't purchase this dress the first time I saw it however.  I put it on hold to think about the versatility of it in my closet.  I was still thinking about it the next day, I still didn't pick it up though.  The day after that I stopped in the store again to see if it was still there, it was!  I made the purchase and after reading more closely 'Burberry Travel' turned out to be 'Burning Torch' another high end brand that makes quality clothing.  Whatever the brand though, I was certain I was buying something I would wear throughout the spring and summer to come and this made it a worthwhile purchase.

Dress: Burning Torch via Rags, $58
Shirt: Gap Pure Body Long Sleeve-T on sale now $13
Polka Dotted Scarf: Rags, $10
Earrings: Vintage from my attic
Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender 'Luna' Ballet Flats via Nordstrom Rack, $55/$295 (order a half size up, these run small)
Polish:  O.P.I. Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous (dark blue) & I Don't Give a Rotterdam (light blue)

Kate Spade Bows + Ferragamo

Lucky me, the weather was warm enough today at 55 degrees to pull out these lovely Salvatore Ferragamo shoes that I professed about earlier here.  I had been waiting patiently for them to be repaired and stretched, so I could share how incredibly gorgeous they are with you.  Although, there was a moment where I didn't want to step foot outside in them and ruin their unworn glory.  I got over it quickly and reminded myself that shoes are meant to be seen and enjoyed by those who wear them and those who adore them.  I adore these and hope to have them for many years to come.  Are there any special shoes in your collection that you see lasting the test of time?

Dress worn as shirt: Target, $20
Skirt:  Kate Spade 'Jolie' Skirt via Nordstrom Rack, $90/$398
Jacket: Lucky Brand via Nordstrom Rack, $38/$100
Wood beaded handbag: Vintage via Goldmine Vintage, $24
Shoes: Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo via Goldmine Vintage, $28
Earrings & Necklace: Vintage via 6th & Pearl Antiques, $10 & $5
Bracelets: J. Crew, $15 & $20
Rhinestone Leaf Ring: ESPRIT, $7

Fall Revisited

I am wishing it was fall again, when there was not a flake of snow on the ground and the temperature didn't dip below 65.  I don't know about you, but I am tired of dressing in 10 million layers to go outside when the high is 14 for the day.  It's days like those that I wish it was like the day I took these photos, in late November.  Sometimes though the pictures just don't seem good enough to publish.  Well, working on not being a perfectionist is one of my top goals for 2013, so here's a start to that goal!  What are you missing about Fall and are you ready to see winter get kicked to the curb like I am?  Tell me!

Tweed Scarf: Common Threads $20
T-Shirt: J. Crew, Common Threads, $12
Jacket:  Banana Republic, Common Threads, $24
Jeans:  Guess Starlet Noisy Wash- really worn in by me, $98
Shoes:  GC Shoes Kim Flat, via GILT, $25/$50
Clutch: Urban Outfitters, Rags, $12

Vintage Plaid Dress

How to Recognize Quality in Vintage Clothing

When looking at vintage clothing there are a few clues the piece can reveal to let you know it has been constructed with care and quality. 

First, when there is a pattern or print the seams will match.  See above how the plaid is connected line by line.  I was in the middle of hemming the dress due to the school teacher length it had on it before, so it is pinned here and not quite finished, but the lines are still perfect.  The detail in matching seams  indicates the garment was created with a great deal of thought and planning so that the seams did not appear haphazard. 

Second, the material used, if you can find a tag on the garment, should hopefully not be acrylic as it pills like nothing else after a few wears.  Cotton, Polyester, Viscose/Rayon (which wrinkles easily) and of course silk are preferred fabrics. 

Third, look for flaws that can be hidden due to poor lighting in cute vintage stores.  Look specifically at the seams and check the stitching to make sure it is secure or if it is not that  it can be repaired easily.   The dress above met all those criteria and I happily marched home with it, so it could be admired once again!  Happy shopping!

Dress: Vintage and altered, Goldmine Vintage $30

Shirt: Pink Striped Gap Shirt (old), $20
Shoes: Kate Spade via Ebay, $30 similar here

Ferragamo

Do you ever have those days where you just get a feeling that there is something special waiting inside a particular vintage or secondhand store for you?  I do, and usually it pays off such as the day I found these Salvatore Ferragamo heels in Goldmine Vintage on Pearl St. in Boulder, CO, which had never been worn for $28.  They were a 7.5 and looked a tad narrow, which they were - AAAA.  I tried them on and they fit lengthwise, but were a little tight across the crease.  Leather is however a wonderful living material because it stretches and is quite malleable.  So, I chose to have them stretched at Perry's Shoe Shop because they are the best at dealing with leather products and shoes.  In addition to stretching the front of these lovely pumps I also had the dry rotted heels replaced.  Older shoes often fall victim to the dry weather in arid climates and it's best to replace them with new heels when you buy a vintage pair of shoes.  I am looking forward to getting these back from Perry's in about two weeks.  So take a look in vintage stores around you, if the price is right don't let a few minor issues, that can be corrected, prevent you from your dream shoes.  Happy shopping!

Friday Fantasy #12 - Crocheted Dress

I have to say this hand crocheted dress is by far one of the best Christmas gifts I have ever received.  Two months and 500 hours later this dress was completed by my step-mom who shares my love of fashion as much as I do.  You see her standing to my left in one of her other creations that took only two weeks to make.  She is one talented woman don't you think?  To me this dress is worth far more than any of the high end brands I have in my closet, hands down.

Crocheted Dress: Handmade
Sequined Tank: Similar, $20 at Violette in Boulder, CO
Silk Dress Shirt: Esprit, $24
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini "Merryann" Pumps via Nordstrom Rack $38

Nordstrom Holiday Party

Just a couple fun things here for the new year that happened earlier this month like the Nordstrom Holiday Party!  I attended last year's party and decided this year I was really dressing up for it, mainly because I wanted to wear these Jason Wu Oxfords.  Not to worry I did not pay $650 for them.  In fact I paid about a third of that since I lucked out and found not one, but TWO green dots worth $50 at Nordstrom Rack the day after Thanksgiving.  Along with the dots I found I also managed to get my hands on these YSL Tribtoo Pumps along with these Miu Miu heels for $80 each.  I did actually sell the Miu Miu's for $250 since they ended up not being a shoe that I consider classic or versatile in a shoe wardrobe, but slightly more trendy.  I kept the Yves Saint Laurent Heels though, who could give those up?  Did you find any great steals over the holidays?  Do tell!

Shirt: Ann Taylor, Common Threads $18
Necklace: Urban Outfitters, (old) modified and shortened $10
Skirt: J. Crew, Common Threads $38
Rhinestone Leather Belt: Rags $24
Handbag: Milly Mina Nappa Leather Shoulder Bag, $82
Toggle Handbag: Kate Spade Foxtrot Hill Alexie on sale now at Kate Spade $111