I’m a huge fan of mixing prints and rather enjoy trying to push the boundaries of fashionably acceptable on a daily basis. A lot of ladies ask about the basics of combining two seemingly disparate prints, which can be intimidating if you don’t do it often. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mixing prints, but I have the best success with a few basic guidelines.
One of Mr. Dressed’s and my favorite down time activities is to curl up on the couch, pour a glass of top shelf scotch, and kick some serious butt in Mario Kart (the degree of butt kicking often directly corresponding to amount of scotch). We recently acquired a Wii U thanks to our last tax returns, and despite the plethora of options when it comes to the superhero/street fighting/crime solving games out there, I admit I’m a bit of a traditionalist. Mario & Luigi all the way.
I’m not sure why, but the stripes on this dress have always reminded me of the pole that sits outside of old school barbershops. When the barber’s striped pole spins, it creates a visual illusion, where it appears as if the stripes are moving up or down the pole. I kind of like the idea of a dress in constant motion, as if by spinning and spinning you’re never risking stagnancy. Always moving forward or backward, but never staying in one place for too long.
This dress was (and still is) a bit of a wounded bird. She has definitely been worn and very, very loved in her time (which makes her all the more beautiful, in my opinion!) There is some color beed from the red panels, scattered pinholes holes here and there, and several popped seams that needed reinforcing. There was also a fair bit of wear and tear and staining on the shoulders from years of love and (I hope) some serious time spent on the dance floor. As she was a bit on the petite side for me anyway, I decided to pull…
I’ve been a fan of Victor Huge since I was young. Truthfully, it all started when my mom bought me the Les Misérables soundtrack when I was about 13. I tortured myself with that soundtrack, belting out each song in my bedroom with teen-angst abandon. I have been lucky enough to see the show in New York, Boston, and now Perth, and to this day my heart aches over each and every mournful song.
Having a network of fellow vintage-lovers around the world means not only to we get to share in each other’s passions and celebrate our incredible finds in dusty cellars and treasures tucked in the back of antique shops, but we start to get a sense of each other’s tastes and the kinds of dresses that makes each other’s hearts beat a bit faster. The advent of the internet also means we’re able to connect with vintage sellers around the world, where friendships can be born that would have never existed 10 years ago.
One of the best aspects of living abroad while still maintaining a blog is the opportunity for my family to get a glimpse into my daily life. And though it’ll never be the same as interacting daily, even something as simple as seeing what I wear on a daily basis or knowing the random thoughts in my head from a cross-campus encounter makes us feel a little bit more connected. It also has the added bonus of allowing them to gain insight into the various items around the web I’m lusting after…
The last two weeks saw this busy bunny taking to the skies again. My latest work adventure found me in Seattle to meet with some potential new collaborators. And a trip to the Pacific Northwest isn’t possible without your mind going to salmon. They have one of the biggest salmon fisheries in the world and, I have to say, they are mighty tasty. Given that they were on my mind, it’s no coincidence that this salmon-hued vintage frock, bought years ago from Dear Golden Vintage, swam it’s way up and out of my closet this weekend.
Heading back home after another whirlwind trip, staring blearily into the screen as I recover from the the 30+ hour flight path. As glamorous as travel sounds (and truthfully, can sometimes be), nothing sounds better to me right now than my own bed, a glass of single malt, and a husband to laugh with. Perhaps that is my personal version of a fairy tale – no White Knight needed for this gal (though I can get behind the bejeweled footwear aspect). And despite the allure of pumpkins and the ballgowns and the woodland creatures helping me get dressed, all I really need…
One of my favorite Emerson quotes has always been, “The Earth Laughs in Flowers.” The very idea that a bud pushing through the earth is like a giggle escaping, until it reaches full bloom of laughter, always makes me smile. If Emerson is right, then this amazing Souré bag from Poppycock Vintage has succumbed to a full belly laugh, hand clenched to her side, with tears streaming down her face. And her blooms perfectly matched the smirk of this Tuesday Rose Vintage dress, who’s embroidered flowers are about to bubble over in mirth.