Designer Vintage Favorites from 1stDibs.com

1stDibs.com is my favorite "look-but-don't-touch" online vintage store mostly because the price tags on most of these pieces are more than the average take home paycheck.

But, no harm in looking, eh? So, here are few designer vintage pieces I am currently lusting over.



Sources: 1.] Christian Dior Bowler Hat 2.] Wool Navy Coat $775 3.] Fabiani Silk Dress 4.] French Beaded Clutch $395

A Quote from Coco Chanel

"There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time!"



Photo credit: Britt Franken

You Know That You Really Want Carlo

Rather, the Carlo by Badgley Mishka available at Piperlime.

The New Hair...

How ironic is this...

My camera decides to get all crazy on me about 10 minutes after these were snapped and now I am without a camera and have to wait for a new NIKON body in the mail. (4-21 days...oh torture!)

It's funny the last pictures my camera took are pictures of pictures and a picture of me taking a picture.



I know it's not really a clear photo, but so far it's really the only one I have with short hair. But I must say, I really love the new cut. It's definitely the shortest my hair has ever been! But I was so tired of the long hair.

This morning I tried pin curls, turned out cute, a little puffy though. Oh, well. Once the camera is back in order, I'll take some photos of vintage inspired hairstyles I've been trying out.

And this was my hair at the end of April...


And a bit of a shorter 1940s hairstyle in July... Au revoir long hair!

Formal Wedding Gown

Guidelines For Wedding Formality


By Guy Antonelli

One of the first decisions that you will need to make about your wedding is how formal you would like it to be. This one choice will help to determine everything from the venue, to the time of day, to your gown, and even the menu. But if you are like most newly engaged couples, you have never planned a grand event before, and may have no idea how to figure out how formal your wedding should be. Here are some guidelines to the different degrees of formality, as well as what each one will involve.

Many couples like the general idea of a formal wedding, but are not exactly sure what that means specifically. They figure that this one of the most special days of their lives, and therefore a bit of pomp and circumstance is in order. A formal wedding is the one that will adhere the most closely to custom and tradition. You can still be creative, but there are some basic concepts that you will want to stick with to create a beautiful formal wedding.

There are actually degrees of formality. The most formal is a white tie wedding, which is rarely seen. This type of wedding follows very strict rules of etiquette, one of which is that it should only be held in the winter months. White tie weddings are only to take place after 6pm, and the guests are supposed to wear full length gowns, with their most ornate jewelry and long gloves. If you and your families want to have a very grand wedding, white tie is an exquisite option.

Most formal weddings will be black tie. A black tie wedding is also supposed to start at 6pm or later, but most people feel like it is fine for a late afternoon ceremony followed by an evening reception. If you opt for a black tie wedding, the men will wear black tie, obviously. The bride should wear a formal wedding gown with very special custom bridal jewelry. A veil is usually worn, and sometimes gloves, although they are not required as with white tie.

For a formal wedding, you want everything to tie together with the same degree of formality. In other words, a bouquet of roses or lilies would be beautiful, but a bouquet of gerbera daisies would seem too casual. Beautifully custom made crystal or pearl bridal jewelry is perfect for a formal wedding, but a plain silver chain would be not quite enough. You get the idea.

The menu for a formal wedding should feature elegant foods that are graciously presented. If you are having a causal buffet in the church basement after your ceremony, you can get away with using foil dishes at the buffet. For a formal dinner in a hotel ballroom or country club, a detail like that would detract from the effect you are trying to achieve. It is also traditional to have a more subdued invitation for a formal ceremony, such as black engraving on heavy white or ivory paper. These days, though, you can get away with adding an accent like a bow or a touch of color to your invitations while still conveying a formal tone.

Semi-formal weddings are very, very popular with couples these days. They can take place at any time of the day, and in any season. Many semi-formal weddings are held in lovely outdoor venues. This type of wedding will allow you more freedom and creativity in terms of your colors, attire, and décor. Semi-formal weddings will usually feature the bride in a beautiful wedding gown, but it will typically have less embellishment and a shorter train than a more formal wedding. Feel free to experiment with a wider and more eclectic assortment of flowers.

The formality of your wedding will set the tone for the entire affair. You want to choose the one that will feel both most comfortable to you and the most special. Because tradition is such an important part of a wedding, when in doubt, it is always safe to go with the more formal customs.

An Introduction to 1930s Fashion & Style

Here is a brief look into the 1930s fashion silhouettes and styles. The 1930s we saw the return of the female form. Remember, the decade prior straight cut drop-waist flapper dresses were the height of fashion...the waist had disappeared! In the 30s, the waistline was popular once again, a natural waist on all dresses, skirts, and pants.

Clothing was neat and tidy and most of all practical. In the 1930s the emergence of "sports wear" (now we refer to it as "ready to wear") became popular. Women became much busier and worked more than before therefore the need for clothing that allowed easy movement throughout the day was much needed.

Glamour was reserved for the evenings. Gowns with a low cut back were very popular. (Think Keira Knightley's green dress in 'Atonement') Fabrics that were popular included chiffon, silk, crepe-de-chines, and satin cut across the fabric to create gentle fluidity in the garments.



Sources: Nearly all these images were scanned in by carbonated on Flickr. A couple are from Etsy (sorry, the images were saved awhile ago, so I don't know which profile they are from)

Currently Loving: Built By Wendy Fall 2009

I am so smitten by the Built By Wendy Fall collection. Also love the Fall LOOKBOOK pictures photographed by Annabel Mehran



The clothing evokes a bit of that 60s innocence, the raised waist dresses and sheaths paired with tights. I simply adore it!



The Rib Ballet Top is a wardrobe must have. I need to stock up on a few ballet inspired tops. I wish I had kept all my ballet leotards from when I was younger!

Achieving Parisien chic: Excerpts from "Paris Frocks at Home"

Be yourself as you are and as you want to be. The frocks you wear will achieve this ambition for you. You can create a charmed circle of admiration wherever you go simply by the way you dress.

Happiness in wearing clothes is dependent, however, on some homely and revealing facts. You must know what you are really like. No one else, however, need know the whole truth about you.

You must have a long mirror and use it unsparingly in the best possible light. Unflattering daylight is essential. Then examine your contours and your proportions with the same critical eye with which Hollywood examines applicants for bathing beauty contests.

If all people reacted the same way to colors we could just give you a set of rules about what happens when one wears red, for instance, and all you would have to do is memorize the rules and be assured that all would be well. But we can't do it that way since no two people are exactly alike. Do you know anyone exactly like you except possibly your twin sister? No two people have exactly the same combination of coloring of hair, eyes and skin together with build and facial expression. In other words, no two personalities are exactly alike. But what about "types" you say? It's a comfortable theory but it just doesn't work when you start out to select your own best colors. Few of us are types, most of us are a mixture of characteristics found in a number of so-called types.

The exact coloring of your own hair, eyes and skin as well as your own special personally must be taken into account in accurately determining which colors are best for you.

Source: Paris Frocks At Home published in 1930 by Butterick Publishing, New York. Excerpts from vintagesewing.info Photo from IMDB from "Coco Before Chanel" starring Audrey Tautou.

Something Special For Your Maids: Danica Designs

I love this! I always gravitate towards custom made items. Get custom clutches for your 'maids. Available @ Danica Designs

Wedding Dresses Designer

Tips To Find That Perfect Designer Wedding Dress


By Mike Selvon

One of the most highly anticipated parts of planning for a wedding is the opportunity that the bride has to go shopping for the perfect wedding dress. But, often this can become a very stressful endeavor as well. Stress often creeps in as time constraints and money issues press in and sometimes these things make it challenging for a bride to choose the designer wedding gown that she wants.

However, the good news is that there are several very useful tips that can be very helpful to you as you search for the designer wedding dress that will set the stage for your nuptials. If you keep these tips in mind as you embark on your tour of marriage dress shops and as you peruse the marriage magazines, then things will go more smoothly and hopefully fall into place easily for you.

There are numerous magazines devoted to wedding plans and preparations and these are an excellent place to start gathering ideas for the nuptials. In addition, there are many wonderful online sources that can also help you uncover the choices available in designer wedding dresses and accessories that might be needed.

After you have done some basic research on designer gowns, via the various bridal magazines and on the internet, you should have a foundation of information that you can use when you head out to visit the wedding dress shops. One of the best things about going into a local retail store that specializes in bridal gowns is that you will find a staff that is helpful and experienced in assisting brides.

Most marriage dress shops, especially the ones that will carry an inventory of designer gowns, will have a bridal consultant on hand. These professionals are specially trained and have years of knowledge that you can lean on as you endeavor to find the perfect marriage dress for you.

It is a good idea to call ahead and book an appointment with the bridal consultant so that you will have an opportunity to try on several designer dresses and have her undivided time to help you and answer your questions. This is a part of the overall process that you don't want to rush through or feel pressured into making a hasty decision due to time constraints.

In addition to helping you select your designer wedding gown, you will also be able to look at an assortment of bridesmaid dress choices at your local bridal shop. As well as having a bridal consultant to help you, you can also take along one of your bridesmaids to help you decide on the right dress and also to get their input about the dresses for the bridesmaids.

Outfit Inspirations from "The Edge of Love"

Loosely based on real life events, The Edge of Love stars Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller in a love triangle plot set in the 1940s.

The clothes are both feminine and sporty with Lands End inspired cable knit sweaters and wellies paired with floral dresses and patterned blouses.

Look for vintage or vintage inspired floral tea dresses, blouses with feminine details such as embroidery, appliqué, and peter pan collars. Menswear inspired cardigans and sweaters in thick cable knit, stripes, or fair isle patterns.



Sources: 1.] johnlewis.com floral tea dress 2.] Far Fetch 3.] yesstyle.com 4.] mytheresa 5.] Dolce and Gabbana silk blouse mytheresa 6.] J. Crew

Pictures from "The Edge of Love" movie

More Dresses in the Shop

Vintage dresses from the 60s and 70s have just been added in the shop. I can picture Zooey Deschanel wearing the 60s little frocks with their sweet Peter Pan style collars.



Shop Links: 1.] Kiwi Slice Romper $46 2.] Par Avion Dress $46 3.]Cloverfield Dress $42 4.] The Getaway Dress $48

At: Teepay
For: £25

Ivory Wedding Dress

The Beauty of an Ivory Wedding Dress


By Morgan Hamilton

It is a worldwide tradition that the brides should be in white on the wedding day. It is beyond doubt that many brides look gorgeous in stark-white dresses but those women who have fair skin complexion do not. These brides look pale and insignificant when they have white clothes on. Red-haired women also look improper and a bit weird in a traditional white dress. A great way of handling this problem for the two types of brides mentioned above is to wear an ivory wedding dress.

All the styles of traditional white gowns have an ivory wedding dress equivalent. The idea of adding a little colour to your dress but still wearing "white" on your wedding is appealing to many women. Gowns in this beautiful colour suit almost every skin tone and they do not make the ladies wearing them look washed out, nor pale.

Many women like to have quite many beauty-enhancing procedures before their special occasion. In case you have rich, dark hair and you have tanned skin, sticking to the traditional white bridal dress is a good idea. Women of colour could also only benefit from choosing a stark-white gown for the big day as the skin tones are rich and beautiful. If you are one of the types mentioned here, then you don't have to worry about looking washed out regardless of the stark white. The contrast can only make you look stunning.

However, there are many women who do not tan but get sun-burnt during the summer. These ladies are advised to go for an ivory wedding dress. The added colours will offset fair complexion whereas stark white would simply wash it away. Avoid washing off your alabaster skin by choosing an ivory bridal attire.

Red-haired ladies should also consider an ivory wedding dress. Generally, there are two kinds of redheads. The first kind is the classic red, the second - the auburn redhead. While the first has natural curls with orange-red locks, the second might look like a brunette in certain lighting. I am an auburn redhead, so the last statement concerns me.

Despite having auburn hair I don't burn-peel-freckle. I wasn't really worried that I may look washed out in a traditional white bridal gown. Though, I found that an ivory wedding dress suits me better. I had to try many white gowns which for some reason were not right until I finally put on an ivory wedding dress.

After I tried it on, I couldn't think of choosing a stark-white gown again. The ivory bridal attire suited the auburn highlights in my hair. Even though my dress was not really white it looked quite white as the attendants were wearing burgundy-wine gowns. In conclusion, keeping an open mind when choosing a wedding dress is always a good idea.

Peter Pan Collars

What is a Peter Pan Collar?
A Peter Pan collar is a specific type of shirt collar, usually found on women's and girl's clothing. The shape and name of the Peter Pan collar appear to have originated in the mid-twentieth century. The design became very popular for school uniforms, and began to spill over into popular culture. Despite being named after a masculine character, the Peter Pan collar is associated primarily with feminine wear, and rarely appears in men's fashion.
Credit: Wise Geek




Sources: Collectoratorone, Devon Smith, Annabelle Rose, Carl's Old Photos,

What's Inspiring My Fall Wardrobe

I feel like I've really stepped out of my element lately, and in a good way. Usually I am a fanatic for anything bright, boldly patterned, and to be a honest, a bit on the fussy mussy side.

But for Autumn, my inspirations are coming from men inspired clothing, preppy stripes, and soft clean lines.

Sources (T to B): 1.] thefashionspot 2.] Emma Watson for teenvogue 3.] clockwise witness 4.] fashiongonerogue 5.] Chloe Fall 2009 LookBook PopBee 6.] Helios Gallery flickr

Bridal Wedding Dress

Indian Bridal Wedding Dress of Today


By Michael Louis

An Indian wedding is completed only with the traditional Indian bridal wedding dress that symbolizes the rich culture that the people have. Since wedding days are a special occasion that is celebrated religiously by the Indian people, it is only right that the bride should look her best in her Indian bridal wedding dress.

Today, you will be able to find a selection of Indian bridal wedding dress over the Internet. Many websites are already catering to the need of the brides to look their best. The collection of the Indian bridal wedding dress that they have is meant to make the bride shine on this special day.

Indian bridal wedding dresses have been through many different changes and development over the years. Nowadays, there are more shops that can cater to the choice and color of the cloth that will be used to make the Indian bridal wedding dress. The competition among textile companies is making the prices more and more affordable.

Many designers are combining the look of the modern world to the traditional Indian wedding dress designs. Do not be surprised if you see one or two designs that appear very Indian but reflect some western influence. These Indian bridal wedding dresses are now rampant. It can be noted that the blend only emphasizes the beauty and the elegance that the wedding dress projects.

Planning on your Indian bridal wedding dress should take as much time as any other preparation needed for the event. You definitely want to look your very best during this occasion. To ensure that, you need to have the perfect Indian wedding dress.

One of the aspects that you should consider in your Indian bridal wedding dress is the design. You can opt to go with the traditional ones or the ones that are already a combination of other modern influences. The choice is entirely up to you. You just have to make sure that the theme and color that your dress will have will match the ones that is used for the wedding.

Remember that this is your day. And the Indian bridal wedding dress that you should choose will make sure that you will be brought into the spotlight. It needs to make you look as radiant and as good as the feeling that you have on that day.

If you are not sure about the design that your Indian bridal wedding dress will have, you can always seek expert advice. Look for a designer and let him or her tell you what color will complement you best.

You can also ask for suggestions of wedding dress design based from what it you like is. You can even look up catalogs and magazines during your search. You might come upon a design that you like. From that, your designer can add some additional unique and distinct color and design to achieve that original look.

Keep in mind that not all Indian bridal wedding dress will be perfect for you. This is why you need to make sure that your chosen one will suit your perfectly. Take the time to try on different colors and styles before choosing the one that will suit you best.

Your wedding day is meant for you. That is why you need to shine and look your very best in your Indian bridal wedding dress.

Vintage Find of the Day: Cobalt Blue Shoes

T to B, L to R: Vintage Proxy Pumps from My Grandma's Closet. Vintage Liz Claiborne Sandals from Ramblin Vintage. Vintage Blue Skimmers from TinyGirl. Vintage Snakeskin Blue Loafers from Smelly Shoes Vintage

I adore the Liza Claiborne sandals and the snakeskin and suede loafers so very much! These rich blue hues would add a bit of punch to your wardrobe.

And just for fun... another cobalt blue inspiration...

Lady in Cobalt Blue (Autumn/Winter 07/08)
photographed by Katya De Grunwald for Megan Park

The Illustrations of Horst Lemke

I dearly love simple sketch drawings that are softly colored in a bit outside the lines. And I also love Fairy Tales. So it wasn't much of a surprise that I would like the work of Horst Lemke. A current favorite, Horst Lemke was a German illustrator and commercial artist born in Berlin in 1922.



Tom Thumb


The Frog King (Iron Heinrich)


The Goose Girl (Die Gänsemagd)


One Eyes, Two Eyes, and Three Eyes (Einäuglein, Zweiäuglein und Dreiäuglein)


Brother & Sister (Brüderchen und Schwesterchen)

All of these illustrations are from "Die schönsten Märchen der Brüder Grimm" and are courtesy of shanta who scanned in the images from the book. You can read Grimm's Fairy Tales online.