Sally Jane Vintage

Party Girls

2009-11-24T14:25:00.005-05:00

Here's a little peek at some of the dresses I'm working on for the Etsy shop - party dresses just in time for the holidays! There's crushed velvet galore, 60s little black dresses and a 70s flapper style dress. They'll all be available by the end of the night.* Thanks so much for stoppin' by!

*edit: They're all available in the shop now!

Winter Looks

2009-11-24T09:40:00.006-05:00

I'm spending the afternoon taking photos for another shop update. Look for it later today! But until then, I thought we could take a look at a few of the shots that have made it into the "wear this!" folder on my computer. The weather has finally started its turn from fall into winter with gray skies and misty rain and colder temperatures. So, naturally I'm starting to think more in terms of layers and warmth. These are some of my favorite shots right now.

Looking at these grouped together like this, I suddenly realized three out of four have one thing in common - cardigans! Hmmm. This makes sense. I do love a good cardigan. The sunny yellow one seems just the thing to brighten up dreary winter days. The mossy green one paired with a cranberry velvet skirt on Frances Baker seems like the perfect holiday outfit (note: must find velvet skirt). And how many ways is this outfit on Sacaton June perfect? Too many to count. The best part is, she made the dress herself (another note: must get back on the sewing machine!). Last but not least (and sort of out of order) is this men's wear inspired look from Lulu Letty. This is the odd one out in this group but perhaps the one I'm most excited about. It's giving me all sorts of ideas about my new old riding jacket. Some times I get so stuck in dress and skirt mode I forget about all the lovely men's wear looks I could be sporting.

Holiday Lace

2009-11-23T11:13:00.003-05:00

Fletcher for Lyell top, Anthropologie floating lace blouse, Fletcher for Lyell velvet jacket, Duskin black eyelet dress, Night Spirits dress from Dear Golden Vintage, Rules of the Game top from 13bees, black lace dress from TinyCatVintage

For some reason it just hit me that the holiday season is quickly approaching. This time of year always has me looking at pretty party dresses even though I really don't have any fancy parties to attend. This year I'm especially drawn to black lacy things - dresses, blouses, tights. The more I look, the more I realize I'd like to try to incorporate some black lace into an everyday sort of outfit instead of saving all for a holiday soirée. I was hoping to walk out of the thrift store last week with a black lace blouse but everything I found was tight 90s era grunge lace and I want something looser and more flowy (is that a word?). Maybe I'll have better luck next time.

Half of the time we're gone but we don't know where...

2009-11-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

- 60s shift dress
- 70s leather boots
- thrifted belt
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse
- listening to Simon & Garfunkel "The Only Living Boy in New York"

Things I'm Loving

2009-11-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

photo credits: fish bear, hello mr fox, bloom grow love, yyellow bird, emerson merrick, ginny branch, helveticaneue, lina scheynius, bee hives

Things I'm loving right now:

Watching the WWII in HD series on the History Channel. It's like crack for history nerds.
Dry shampoo! Thanks so much for all of your recommendations. What would I do without you gals? I ended up buying Bastiste because, well, it was the first one I found at Sally's Beauty and it was cheap. Now that I know I like it maybe I'll try something different next time (or try a DIY home version?).
Listening to Simon & Garfunkel. For some reason that music just sounds like autumn to me.
The My Parents Were Awesome tumblr page. So funny. So good. So true.
Looking throught the archives of William Gedney's photography. Especially the San Francisco series. This deserves a post all its own.

Vintage Finds to Keep

2009-11-19T10:40:00.003-05:00

I feel like it's been a while since I showed you some of the things that have made their way into my closet. I've been pretty good lately, saving most everything I've found for the shop. But every now and then I'll let something slip through. They can at least hang out in my closet for a little while!

The two dress have fallen victim to the "needs buttons" pile by my sewing table. That pile is higher than I would like to admit. The first dress is a lovely 30s wool jumper with pleats that just melt my heart. And it's got the cutest little Scotty dog on the tag. I'm always a sucker for a cute vintage tag. It's missing two buttons and I can't seem to match them so I think I'm going to have to end up replacing all twelve. Luckily I have quite a stash of vintage buttons after exploring an abandoned coat factory a while back. The second dress is in perhaps my favorite color of the moment - a nice mustardy yellow. It doesn't need buttons replaced as much as it needs buttons rearranged. They're a little bit wonky don't cha think? Seriously, who sewed these on? After reading this post I think I'm finally motivated to get on the button sewing bandwagon so I can wear these before the seasons change again.

A while back I mentioned finding a collection of cashmere skirts at a vintage shop. There were three in all and this pretty purple one made its way into my closet (I've still got to list the other two in my shop). I love it but I'm torn about the length. It hits well below the knees and I think I might like it more if it were a bit shorter. I just can't bring myself to cut into the fabric. Seriously, it's the most luxurious thing I think I've laid my hands on. I wish I had some sort of tele-touch screen technology so you could feel it yourself. And it weighs a ton!

The last piece is a 50s-60s era riding coat that I found at the thrift store yesterday. It's a good thing I found it because otherwise I thought my head might implode right there in the Salvation Army. I guess that's what I get for trying to brave Half-Off-Family-Day. The place was packed and I'm not a fan of crowds! It was elbow to elbow in the dress section and I'm always paranoid that someone is going to find all the good stuff before I do. And to add insult to injury, I heard Miley Cyrus not once but twice while I was there. Luckily the trip was salvaged when I found the riding coat. It's far from perfect. Check out that stain on the arm! And there are a couple of small holes but nothing so terrible that a little TLC won't bring it back to life. Now I just need a pair of riding boots and a slick bun to do my best Betty-Draper-goes-riding impersonation.

Sneaking up the spine of the world...

2009-11-18T13:18:00.003-05:00

- Dear Creatures dress
- American Apparel tights
- UO boots
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse
- listening to Danzig - Lucifuge "Long Way Back From Hell"

Etsy Update

2009-11-17T17:26:00.001-05:00

I've got a big ol' shop update in the works. A few of these pieces are already available and the rest will be soon! Thanks so much for stoppin' by!

Waldemar and Max

2009-11-16T10:36:00.005-05:00

Monday, Monday. Another busy weekend has left me a bit drained! So now I'm trying to catch up on a bit of rest by snuggling on the couch with the kitties and watching a little Dexter. Nothing like serial killers for relaxing, right? I'm also taking the time to catch up on a bit of blog reading. I just ran across these dreamy images from Waldemar and Max. They've left me trying to figure out how to get some birds to cooperate the next time I'm out taking photos. Bread crumbs in my pockets? Oh boy, I must be really tired.

There's a ship that sails by my window...

2009-11-14T14:17:00.005-05:00

- Anthropologie dress
- UO tights
- UO shoes
- vintage denim jacket
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse
- listening to Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See "Blue Light"

Family Affairs

2009-11-12T20:03:00.001-05:00

I just discovered clothing line Family Affairs. When I checked a bit further into it, I realized it's literally a family affair - a mother/daughter design team! How cute is that? I don't do a lot of prints, but I'm really loving this black and white star print. And I'd love to get a better look at those velvet (?) high waisted pants. The first two photos are from their current collection while the bottom two were found in their archives. They make me want to pack up an old timey suitcase and take a trip on a train!

Messy Hair

2009-11-12T13:51:00.002-05:00

Most days I like to wear my hair long and loose. But we all have those bad hair days when nothing seems to work and not even a hat is fixing the problem. My inclination on those days is to break out the pony tail but what I'd really like is a nice messy bun a la cool French girls. That's one thing I've never quite been able to master. Until today that is! I discovered this cute tutorial via A Cup of Jo yesterday and couldn't wait to try it out. It seems so simple but it really did the trick. No more walking around with a hair rubber band on my wrist! Now I just need to find a good place to stash a few bobby pins instead.

Oh, and I also really want to try out some dry shampoo. Anyone have any experience with that? Recommendations?

I'll never know what it takes for you to feel this free...

2009-11-10T21:19:00.003-05:00

- H&M dress
- vintage cardigan
- vintage Aigner oxfords
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse
- thrifted belt
- listening to: Open Hand - You and Me "Tough Girl"

Etsy Update

2009-11-10T20:41:00.005-05:00

I just finished a little update in the shop! I also have a stack of pretty dresses that I was going to include in this update, but somehow I ran out of sunlight before I got all of the photos taken. I'm obviously not used to the time change yet. But not to worry - my new light kit arrives on Friday! I'm so excited. No more relying on the whims of the sun for shop updates. Woo hoo!

Wendy Bevan

2009-11-10T11:58:00.001-05:00

I'm in love with these dreamy vintage inspired images by Wendy Bevan. See more here.

When the day is long and the clouds are high...

2009-11-09T20:20:00.000-05:00

- H&M shirt
- vintage denim jacket
- 50s wool pleated skirt
- 70s boots
- vintage wool beret
- vintage Coach purse
- listening to: Starsailor - Silence is Easy "Shark Food"

Content

2009-11-09T11:05:00.004-05:00

see more photos at Urban Weeds: The Sunroom

Seeing these photos from Content in Portland is making me wish for three things: to visit Portland (so much talent in one city!), to stay in an Ace Hotel (seriously, they look amazing!) and see more images of what designers wear (so many cute tights!).

Mad Men Season Finale

2009-11-08T22:59:00.002-05:00

photos by Annie Leibovitz from Vanity Fair

I just got done watching the Mad Men season finale! No worries, I won't give anything away for those of you who haven't seen it yet. But it was good. Really good! Let me know what you thought after you get a chance to see it. Warning! There may be spoilers in the comments!

Will there be enough water, when my ship comes in? *

2009-11-07T08:46:00.001-05:00

photos by Tom b.

dress: 40s cotton day dress
shoes: 80s flats
purse: vintage John Romain
hat: vintage wool beret
*listening to: The Dead Weather - Horehound

Bright star, would I were stedfast

2009-11-06T11:05:00.003-05:00

I suppose if you asked me what my favorite stores are, Anthropologie would land squarely at the top of the list. It's been a rare occasion when I walked into one of their stores and didn't want to walk out with an armload of clothes, shoes, housewares, you name it. So it's really no surprise that I'm equally taken with their new inspiration themed site, the Anthropologist. According to the site it is "an online space for inspiring works and inspiring individuals... a testament to the idea that revealing the passions of one person can result in the progress of many."

One of the first installations on the site is the work of Jane Campion, director of the John Keats movie, Bright Star. I've always been fascinated by all of the minute details that go into the making of a period movie. This collection from Campion shows just how much thought goes into each and every tiny thing; from something as small as recreating period handwriting to something as large as decorating street scenes.

But my favorite part of the collection has to be the collection of locations photographs from the Director of Photography. He would wander into the woods then photograph the light as it changed throughout the day in order to get to know the light. Amazing. The photos look like they could have been ripped from the pages of an editorial. I wasn't familiar with the movie before coming across this collection but now I'm determined to see it.

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art---
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors---
No---yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever---or else swoon in death.

- John Keats, 1819

Four Ways: 60s Suit

2009-11-04T19:41:00.006-05:00

I ran across this Irish wool 60s suit at one of my favorite vintage spots a couple of weeks ago and couldn't resist the amazing fall colors. When I got home, I put it on and looked in the mirror. Much to my disappointment, I looked too much like I was wearing a 60s costume - nothing modern about it. The colors that were so beautiful hanging on the rack were now completely overwhelming. Dismayed, I hung it in my closet where it's been teasing me ever since. So here's a little look at what I did to break up the pieces.

First I paired the skirt with my go-to combination: a belted cardigan and boots (with a beret, of course). T-shirt: James Perse, cardigan: thrifted Abercrombie, boots, belt & beret: vintage, purse: vintage John Romain
For a casual everyday sort of outfit, I paired the jacket with jeans and boots. Sweater: H&M, jeans: Superfine, scarf: H&M, boots & beret: vintage, purse: vintage Coach

Next I paired the jacket with a simple black mini dress, a slouchy cardigan, tights and boots. This is my version of comfortable. Dress: H&M, boots, cardigan & beret: vintage, purse: vintage Coach
Last I paired the skirt with a short sleeved sweater and big scarf. Sweater: vintage cashmere, scarf: H&M, beret: vintage, shoes: Seychelles, purse: vintage

Random Thoughts (or, I didn't really have time for a blog post today)

2009-11-03T17:13:00.004-05:00

photos credits coming soon...

I spent all day today finally getting my office space organized. It's been weeks of clutter and piles of clothes and not knowing where anything was! Now everything is hanging in its place, filed in drawers or folded neatly in boxes. Whew! Of course the organizing binge means I didn't have time for a shop update or a proper blog post but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. So instead, here's a bit of what's been occupying my (very little) spare time.

Loved this interview with the prop master from Mad Men.
I am completely and utterly addicted to Pandora radio. Remember when Miranda fell in love with her TiVo? Pandora is my new boyfriend.
Finding new abandoned places to explore. I want to go to each of these!
Hair: to grow or not to grow, that is the question. I just hacked off about three inches and I'm tempted to do more!
My new TV indulgence is Dexter. I didn't think I'd like it, but... I do! The best parts are the thoughts he never says out loud.
Rooting for the Phillies! Chase Utley is my other new boyfriend.
Tomorrow I'm doing a 4-Way Post with a 60s suit that I found at the thrift store - my newest favorite thing.

Modcloth & Me

2009-11-02T08:05:00.004-05:00

photos by Tom b.

outfit courtesy of Modcloth - check out other outfits here!

Modcloth is one of those sites where I can spend waayyy too much time fantasy shopping. They always seem to have something that ends up on my wish list. So when they contacted me to try out some of their new fall wares I was understandably excited.

I was even more excited when I opened the box and saw just how perfect everything was. I feel like I could wander off into the woods in this dress and no one would be able to find me! It's the perfect camoflauge for hiding among the fall foliage. There was also a pair of perfectly pink high heels that were much too high for walking in cornfields (what a girl won't do for a photo!). Oohhh... and a cute slouchy beret - you know I feel a bit incomplete without something sitting on my head. But I saved the best for last; a Dear Creatures pea coat! I've absolutely been living in it ever since I put it on. And speaking of Dear Creatures, I noticed that Modcloth is carrying my favorite dress from their fall line so I should be heading over that way right about now to make sure I get my hands on it.

November Wishlist

2009-11-01T08:07:00.006-05:00

My wish list right now is pretty short as far as clothes go. My real wish list consists of things like bathroom rugs, a new comforter and an upright steamer. But there are still a few things that have caught me eye recently...

Mini dresses: Every time the temperature drops outside, my hemlines seem to rise. I know if seem counter intuitive but something about the cold weather makes me want to wear shorter skirts and dresses. We'll blame in on being able to wear tights.
Speaking of tights, do they get any cuter than these? They remind me of a professor's corduroy blazer with the patches on the elbows. I really need me some knee patches!
Ankle boots: I have a vintage pair with flat soles that I love, but I'd also like a lace up pair with heels for those days when I need a few extra inches.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T08:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween! Have a wonderful holiday weekend! :)