July's favourites

I've never really thought to do this before but I've seen lots of things I've liked around the internet lately, so here's a round-up of clothes and outfits from my favourite blogs of late:


Amazing approximation of a 1940s suit by Camelias and Crinolines



Bright colours and smart combinations by Kelly from Made By White.


Yellowstone on medium format by Katie-Louise Ford.


Embroidered 1950s velvet pants on Naked Cowgirl Vintage.


A raspberry beret by Street and City Photos


A perfect vintage suit by Zoe from Vagabond Language


Seafaring with Black Swan's Pond


Vintage florals by thrifting goddess high socks

Wonderful cats-eye glasses by Milk Teeths.


Jelena's perfect fringe on Toronto Street Style

Judging by this I'm really into longer-length circle skirts lately. I was actually gonna make a post of my latest AWESOME opshopped finds today, but Jack spilled whiskey on my card reader so that is not happening. May this suffice until I can nag him to get me a new one.

Inspiration: Miss Peggy Lee

Sophistication, glamour, class, style, an amazing voice and fantastic eyebrows - Peggy Lee had it all and more! I am currently in total adoration of her. Her style is fantastic, let alone her incredibly sultry singing voice and classic beauty! I love the beautiful 40's and 50's fashion she wore, especially the beaded dress in the first photo and the adorable circle skirt in the second photo. Her always immaculate blonde curls keep my daydream of being blonde well and truly alive. This woman is truly inspiring.

A video of Peggy performing 'Why Don't You Do Right' in 1950:

(the way she sings is truly worth watching, she is captivating)

I myself love jazz and she is a massive inspiration to me as a singer. If only I looked immaculate and waltzed around in beautiful 1950's gowns all the time like her!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our readers!

Share something you love with us in a comment below!

(PS. Peggy could definitely be my Valentine!)

xx

Christie

Blogger Interview: Jessie of Strawberry Moth

I haven't been reading Strawberry Moth for long, but Jessie has quickly become my go-to source for vintage inspiration when I'm feeling tired of dressing up. Her impeccable styling and seriously enviable wardrobe always remind me of the pleasure that good vintage can give, and her blog goes above and beyond traditional outfit photos into all sorts of amazing tutorials and tidbits. She was sweet enough to agree to a little interview with me!



-What is your best thrifted find ever?
An illustrated fashion plate from the 1890s! These detailed illustrations were used to bring the latest fashion trends to the general public! I nearly cried when I saw it and it now hangs proudly on a wall in my studio!


-How do you get inspired when you feel burned out?
I put on a Billie Holiday record and rifle through my button drawer. There is nothing more inspiring than a drawer full a buttons! I start to get ideas when I look at each and every one, like "oh this would look lovely on a blouse, or a i could put this in a collage" Its so funny how the smallest things bring the biggest ideas!



-If you were given $100 right now, how would it be spent?
That $100 would definitely be stashed away and saved for my upcoming honeymoon. Mr. husband-to-be and I are going to Paris over Christmas! A bottle of Chanel perfume from the city of love is calling my name!


-How did your love of vintage style begin?
I would spend long weekends at my Grandmothers when I was very little. I was always in the attic digging through old trunks filled with fur stoles and lace gloves. I would dress up in whatever I could find and wear it until it was time to go home. My nickname given to me by my Grandparents growing up was Kleine Motte, which is German for Little Moth, because I could always be found fluttering around dark dusty corners. I love the stories vintage items tell, the past lives they've lived, and a piece of history that is touchable and slowing dieing. Vintage clothing brings so many possibilities to creating your own individual style, you can create something uniquely your own.



-Are you on the lookout for anything in particular on vintage hunts lately?
Gosh, I seem to always have a list as long as my arm! Most of the items on my current list are to be used as details for my wedding in October. We are using a lot of vintage bits to create something truly special. Right now I'm trying to find some intricate antique lace to make hairpieces with for all my lovely bridesmaids!


-What advice do you have for other vintage ladies wanting to get into blogging?
Don't be your worst critic, you have a voice and you should be proud to share it! Its easy to get discouraged when looking at bigger more successful blogs who seem to be doing everything you want to. Use those lovely ladies as inspirations, not as intimidations! If you have a question about anything don't hesitate to contact them, don't forget that they love vintage just as much as you do (and vintage lovers are the best kinds of people!) and who knows, you might make a new friend!



Thank you, Jessie! See more of her lovely style at Strawberry Moth, or check out her vintage for sale at Time Traveling Empire.

Nick DeWolf

I just spent a solid two hours of 'study time' going through Nick DeWolf's photo archives on Flickr. He seems like a cool guy- he had so many adventures, visited so many locations, but still archived the every-day aspects of his home life and job. I could pick a thousand favourites, but here are just a few:








I was considering putting my latest 1960s swimsuit on the 'to sell' pile, but now it's firmly back in my wardrobe after seeing these. On dreary Autumn days like today, all I want is a bit of sun, some pretty dresses and the beach. I'll also admit to have been neglecting my (15-ish) film cameras lately, due to my infatuation with how easy and cheap digital is. I promise to remedy that soon, and dust off my Vilia and get shooting!


I unfortunately only have this one original photo to share with you today. The last week has been rather boring, due to too many essays and assignments that I characteristically let pile up. However, Saturday was beautiful, and my boyfriend and I set off for a 24 km (15 mile) run/bike ride- guess who does what? Haha. Anyway, we stopped for grapefruit iceblocks down by the river that runs past his little farm and he snapped this for me. I miss being out in the country, especially now that the post-quake city has very few merits.

Speaking of the quake: if you, like me, are missing Christchurch's vintage shops, keep the evening of June 1st free. You may be able to snap up a bit of my wardrobe for a tiny price. More details later!

P.S. Sorry if I haven't replied to your comment lately, it's probably because it got deleted in Blog-Gate 2011. Thank you for them all regardless of whether or not they remain!

Crowns Clothing

Every Kiwi is familiar with those wonderful made-in-NZ woolen blankets that riddle our beds and sofas, especially on days as awful as today. They're the kind of thing you never seem to buy, but rather accumulate mysteriously, like bobby pins. I personally have three of them on my bed at the moment, as our quake-damaged house is no longer weatherproof. So I was thrilled to see Morgan of Crowns Clothing has immortalised these blanket-stitched national icons in the most stylish, practical way possible: as duffle capes!


They are available in other colourways, but these Autumnal tones are speaking to me right now. They're available on Foxes, and the rest of the collection is on Etsy.

little pictures

blues, reddish oranges, purply pinks, greys and blacks. all pictures from my tumblr. my hair smells like onion and soup and woodsmoke and winter, craving this warm, 70's style winter coat from wild pair:

Jelly shoe lovin'

Marc Jacobs created this beautiful fusion of velvet, platform and plastic sandal for the Resort '10 collection which I long for ardently...

also, sandals with socks á la Tavi Gevinson:

So when I was thrifting a few days ago and found a pair of sparkly, chunky heeled jelly shoes for $2, I got so many awesome nineties teen glitter vibes from them I fell in love!

Later I discovered Georgia had recently bought a pair of pink chunky heeled jelly shoes for $1 and we decided on a jelly shoe dedication post.

The ways to wear (or never to wear, unless you wish to look like a crazy blind old woman/five-year-old, aka me) plastic jelly sandals:

Cheesy teen witch vibes!

Tights from costume store, the dress was thrifted from St Vincent de Paul, the sparkly heart ring was a gift from my little sister, and the moonstone ring I bought via online auction.

More teen witch vibes:

Black velvet and tie-dye + these shoes = eternal happiness!

The velvet peter pan collar dress was thrifted and the hand-dyed socks were a gift.

Girly schoolgirl nun vibes?

Socks - Farmers, cape - handmade by my grandmother, schoolgirl dress - 0$ from free shop, rosary beads - Vast Interior.

and I won't leave out the seventies vibes!

chiffon kimono top - two dollar clothing warehouse

floral velvet skirt - Wild Pair

Every comment is very much appreciated. I wish you all much love and jelly happiness!