Ninja Vintage

at last

2008-06-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here! My Spring semester ended last week, so I finally have some time to update the site. Look for new dresses and tops within the next few days. Next week is actually Ninja Vintage's 3-year anniversary, so I'll definitely try to have lots of new stuff up before then. Apologies for the long, long wait.

Just a reminder, I added some colorful new sunglasses to the store, and they're only $9.50 each! There are only a couple of each color available, so get them while you can. The baby blue and yellow ones are my personal favorites.

my mom

2008-05-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

my mom (left) with her sister and friends

my mom and dad out on a date

Looking through old photo albums of my mom in the Philippines was my first glimpse into the style of the 1960s and 1970s. As a young child, I remember being so enamored by her colorful dresses and cute hairstyles. Since then, my love for that era has only grown, and it all started with pictures of my mom. She was my first, and best, style icon. She influenced my love of vintage culture and fashion in more ways than I can even express. I can only hope to be half as stylish as she was.

My mom passed away last month at the age of 59. She had been battling kidney cancer for almost a year. This has been a really tough few months for me and my family, and it will continue to be tough in completely different ways now that my mom is no longer with us. That is the big reason why I decided to put Ninja Vintage on hiatus for several months, and why I haven't been able to update as often as I had promised since I re-opened the store in March. Despite the constant delays, I continue to receive so much support from visitors and customers of Ninja Vintage, and I appreciate it so much. I love Ninja Vintage and do not plan on abandoning it anytime soon. There will be another update later in the month, and more frequent updates once summer starts.

In honor of my mom, for the months of April and May, 10% of all profits from Ninja Vintage will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Happy Mother's Day to everyone.

want, need.

2008-04-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Completely unnecessary clothing item I am wanting at the moment: printed leggings. The louder the print, the better. Actually, they wouldn't be completely unnecessary (what is really necessary in fashion anyway?). I'd probably get a lot of use out of them, since most of my wardrobe is composed of solid, neutral colors. Printed tights would be a great way to add a bit of interest to a plain black dress. Stockingirl has a huge amount of choices, though I wish I could see how each print looked on a model instead of just a small swatch. Topshop also has a few different styles. Besides Stockingirl and Topshop, though, my search for good printed leggings hasn't proven to be very fruitful. I've come across tons of leopard, stripe, and camo prints, which I am not a fan of. I tend to be drawn to more abstract prints.

Reasonably necessary clothing item I am needing at the moment: a structured jacket. My collection of outerwear basically consists of hoodies, cardigans, and a cotton coat. This probably contributes to my overall casual (read: messy) style. Having a structured jacket in my wardrobe would probably do a lot to pull my outfits together. They aren't very difficult to find; I've just been a bit lazy to look. I've seen a few good ones online, particularly a tuxedo style jacket from Topshop that I came across earlier today.

I finally decided to join Polyvore and put together a little collection that incorporates my current "want" and "need" (plus some other awesome stuff that I happened to stumble upon).

I also added some Ninja Vintage boots into the mix. You'll probably see more Polyvore outfits on the blog in the future. I purposely avoided joining Polyvore for months because I knew it would be addicting, and yup, I was right.

spring preview: dresses

2008-03-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here are a few dresses from the upcoming Spring update - lots of bright florals and light fabrics. I'm going to try to have all the accessories (including scarves, bags, and boots!) up in the store by next weekend. The clothing will have to come a bit later. I've still been extremely preoccupied with personal things and haven't had as much time as I'd like to work on the updates. I hope the accessories and this little preview will be able to tide you over until I can get the store fully stocked with vintage goodness!

spring preview: accessories

2008-03-09T23:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a small preview of a few of the accessories that will be available at Ninja Vintage by the end of the month. Clothing preview coming soon!

totes around the world

2008-02-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

I was browsing Cut+Paste today and stumbled across these great tote bags by Maptote. They're screen printed with illustrated maps of different cities. It's such a simple but clever concept, not to mention practical. I love the colors and the font choices for each city. They're also very affordable, at only $15.

In Ninja Vintage news, I've been hard at work on updating the entire website. The site will hopefully be back up by the end of March and I'll have at least 30-40 items up for sale. I'm really excited about getting the store up and running again. I'll try to post a little preview of the updates within the next week or two.

in with the new

2008-01-23T04:39:00.001-08:00

So if anyone has been wondering whether or not Ninja Vintage will be opening back up anytime soon, it will. Personal life things have been taking a bit of a toll on my ability to focus on the website, but I promise I will get it back up and running before Spring rolls around. I've been considering what changes I'll be making to the store once I get it restocked and ready to go. I've already decided on two definite things.

First, I'm going to make shipping flat rate. That way, no matter how many things you order the shipping cost will still be the same. Second, I will donate a percentage of all profits to a different charity every month. I'm thinking of starting with Oxfam and the World Wildlife Fund. If anyone out there in Internetland has any other suggestions for worthy charities to donate to, I'd be more than happy to hear from you.

I have other ideas for Ninja Vintage 2008 mulling around in my brain, but recent distractions have made it difficult to grab hold of enough free time to be able to flesh anything out. I am determined, however, to make space for some good ol' quality time with Ninja Vintage. Then we'll see where things progress from there.

great gifts for cooking mamas

2007-12-06T17:44:00.001-08:00

panda bear skillet
from fredflare.com

baker's edge brownie pan
from fredflare.com

scooter cutting board
from elsewares

bamboo cutting board
from elsewares

mushroom pot holder set
from modcloth

love to bake measuring set
from modcloth

beehive kitchenware heart measuring spoons
from cut+paste

And for the future cooking mamas of the world:

colored tights

2007-10-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

pictures courtesy of flickr, face hunter and hel looks

Brightly colored tights are my personal must-haves for Fall. My wardrobe is fairly neutral - mostly blacks, greys and creams - so colored tights are a great way to add an interesting twist to an otherwise plain outfit. I recently bought a pair of copper-colored tights at Target for only $5.99. I was really surprised at how wonderfully they fit. The waist isn't uncomfortably tight and doesn't reach up to my armpits like a lot of tights tend to do. I definitely plan on going back for more colors. Though the ladies above pull off the color quite well, I'm personally a bit wary of bright blue. Maybe because of the Superman connotations? I'm thinking of getting a pair in ruby red and eggplant.

If you don't have a Target nearby or are looking for a wider selection of colors, here are a few online shops you might want to check out:

sock dreams
stockingirl.com
welovecolors.com
american apparel

top 5

2007-09-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

1. these guys

2. neneee wallpaper dress

3. envirosax reusable shopping bags

4. keep company new fall designs

5. Michael Cera in Superbad
(and everything else he's been in or will be in, ever.)

what's the hold up?

2007-09-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

I've been in the process of moving and haven't had access to the internet for the past couple of weeks, which explains the absence of any new additions to Ninja Vintage. Once I get settled I'll be adding dozens (yes, dozens!) of new things to the site, including dresses, sweaters, shirts and scarves. I'm very excited for this update, I hope you will be too! Thanks for all your patience.

vintage picks: black and white

2007-08-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Bold Silk Dress
from porkchopgirl

Scalloped Cocktail Dress
from sveet couture

Hep Cat Wayfairer Sunglasses
from upsidedive

Angelina Dress
from v for vintage

I love makool

2007-08-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered makool clothing by way of cut+paste, and I am completely and utterly smitten. In addition to their lovely screen-printed clothing (the faux cross-stitch alphabet print is so clever), makool also carries cute fabric birds (each with its own distinct personality) and a collection of whimsical circus-inspired bags. It's difficult to decide on my favorites because I literally love everything on the site, but here are a few notable pieces:

long time, no blog

2007-06-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

So what's new? Well, this past weekend marked the 2-year anniversary of Ninja Vintage! To celebrate, most items currently in the store are now on sale until July 5. I also updated the site with some new dresses and skirts, all in bright colors and flowy fabrics for summer. I've got a couple more items to put up this week and a big update in mind for July, sometime around my birthday weekend (also known as the weekend Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out!).

In other shopping news, there's a pretty sweet summer sale going on at Old Navy right now. Lots of stuff in the store is 50% off. Admittedly, I'm usually disappointed whenever I pay a visit to Old Navy, either because I can't find anything that I like or, if I do find something, they never have it in my size. But I was just there yesterday and managed to snag a simple knit jumper tunic (though it's a dress on me because I'm short) with pockets in a nice shade of dark heather grey for only $9.75. Can't beat that. I can see myself wearing it well into the fall with the right layering. If you're looking for some cheap basics for summer, you might want to check out this sale.

31 corn lane

2007-05-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

The ladies behind 31 Corn Lane never fail to amaze me with their fun, retro-inspired collections of bags and accessories. I first fell in love with their "holly hobby" collection early last year. The primary color scheme, patchwork details and oversized buttons were right up my alley. I still use my hobby messenger bag all the time. I even thought about purchasing a second one in case the one I have gets misplaced or destroyed by my cat (though she seems to love it as much as I do, or at least she loves sleeping on it), but I was sad to find out that it's no longer being sold. I got over that disappointment quickly, though, after catching a glimpse of their new summer collection, which is now available through fredflare.com and 31CL's online shop.

The oversized tote is perfect for daytime summer outings at the beach or park. The foldover clutch bag is, as fredflare.com so aptly put it, "totes genius"! I love its versatility and playfulness. Both bags also come with cute removable pins and, like all of 31 Corn Lane's designs, are 100% vegan-friendly.

san francisco

2007-05-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a little trip to my favorite city in the world, San Francisco. I'll be gone until next Monday. After I get back I'll start preparing for a big May Ninja Vintage update. See you soon!

top 5

2007-04-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

1. Björk at Coachella

2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix trailer

3. baking (thank you, allrecipes.com)

4. Keep Company

5. Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream
(and Stephen Colbert in general)

april showers

2007-04-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

The next Ninja Vintage update has been delayed once again, this time due to rain. It's been windy, rainy, and cold all weekend. No need to worry, though. As soon as the sun comes out I've got a bunch of cute things to put up on the site, including a pretty embroidered cotton blouse, nautical skirt, and even more warm weather attire.

In the meantime, check out Yellow Bird Project, a non-profit website featuring t-shirts designed by a select handful of bands and musical artists, including Devendra Banhart, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Rilo Kiley. Each shirt is $25 and all proceeds go to each artist's charity of choice. You can do good and look good at the same time!

delays

2007-03-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

The small update I planned for this weekend will have to be delayed for a few reasons. First, my internet and computer have been on the fritz for the past week. My internet loses connection at least every 20 minutes, which is starting to get very frustrating. Also, I don't have access to my camera at the moment, so I can't take photos of the goods. On top of that, I'm just starting to get over being sick with a fever for the past couple of days. Now how's that for a triple whammy of suck?

So because of all this, the next update is going to be delayed for another week (probably less than a week, maybe 5 days), but the longer wait means that this update will be even bigger and better. Right now I have a couple of dresses lined up as well as some cute accessories and shoes! I'll try to post some previews of the new items after I get my camera back. Until then, take care and have a lovely weekend!

crowded teeth sale

2007-03-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite online shops, Crowded Teeth, is having a "Goodbye Winter" sale - almost everything in the store is 25-60% off! So if you're a t-shirthead (a word I just made up, kind of like a sneakerhead) like me, or just a fan of cuteness, head on over to Crowded Teeth to snag some great tees (and equally cute hoodies, scarves, necklaces and patches) on the cheap. My personal favorite is the Eat! T-shirt, which I own and wear at least once a week. What can I say? I'm a sucker for food with faces (to look at, not to eat, because I'm a vegetarian).

spring updates

2007-03-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

ninjavintage.com

oh my!

2007-03-11T01:59:00.000-08:00

Even the laces are gold! Avant Gaudy, why you gotta be so fabulous?

nautical nonsense

2007-03-07T00:28:00.000-08:00

The weather has finally been getting sunnier and warmer (time to invest in some good sunscreen!) in my neck of the woods and it's got me looking forward to Spring and Summer. So apparently, nautical is IN this Spring. I've been a fan of nautical clothing since late in 2005, and now sailor-inspired Spring/Summer collections have been popping up everywhere, from A.P.C. to Built by Wendy. I shouldn't be surprised that the look is still so popular. It's clean, classic, and fits in perfectly with warm weather, so why wouldn't it be? After this past winter, which was unusually cold for California, the recent sunshine has sort of rekindled my love for all things nautical. This will definitely be evident in the next Ninja Vintage update, coming this weekend.

In the meantime, I rounded up a little list of my favorite seaworthy pieces (both vintage and not) from all over the internet.

Sunset Sailorette Dress
from V for Vintage

Come Away With Me Necklace
from V for Vintage

Sailor Tank
from Built by Wendy

DIY Seagull Print Top
from PrettyRaccoon Clothing

Anchor Duffel
from fredflare.com

Pirate Ship Tunic
from day-lab

Whale Necklace
from Erica Weiner Jewelry

Sailor Shorts
from Chocosho

she's a betty

2007-02-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

Ninja Vintage recently got a little mention in a great fashion blog called She's A Betty. The Navy Lady Suit Set (available in dresses) was included among a short list of "vintage finds" for February 15.

"Super price for a nice suit, plus Peter Pan collars and three-quarter sleeves were huge on NY F/W '07 runways. Pair with long black gloves & black tights."

Check out She's A Betty for a first look at upcoming trends, fashion and design news, affordable style finds, and much more. It's one of the most interesting and comprehensive fashion blogs I've come across in a while.

hair & ebay

2007-02-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

Today I decided to get a haircut (since I haven't had one since November) and ended up spending a lot more than I wanted to. So now I can't even enjoy my new haircut because every time I look at it I just end up thinking about how much it cost! Oh well.

Speaking of spending money, my two favorite eBay stores just happened to put up new auctions this week after a few months of being MIA:

The first store, lovelovelovela, is run by a cute and stylish young lady from Los Angeles and offers hand-picked vintage, new and designer pieces as well as the most adorable band t-shirt reconstructions you've ever seen! There aren't any reconstructed pieces up right now, but you can view previous designs on lovelovelove's eBay "me" page or on myspace. Thanks to lovelovelove I am the proud owner of a pair of one-of-a-kind Weezer track shorts that count among the most beloved items of clothing in my closet.

My second favorite eBay store is the Olive Shoppe, which not only offers amazing vintage and contemporary pieces, but also shows you how to wear them. The way the owner (who is also the model) puts together outfits is always fun and eclectic. Her auctions tend to attract a lot of bids, but even if they ultimately end up falling out of your price range, you can still take inspiration from her outfit ideas and incorporate those ideas into your existing wardrobe.

I feel like I've been doing way too much eBay shopping lately, but in actuality I've only been doing a lot of bidding and just a little bit of winning. The last couple of things I won, though, I really love. I'll be sure to share pictures of them in a future post. Just like with thrift shopping, it pays to be patient when sifting through eBay listings. If you search long enough you're bound to find something amazing.