dandy

I got to do a photo shoot with my favorite male model, Andy, yesterday. Here are the results--lots more cool, dapper dandy-wear for men in the Etsy shop!

Vintage L.L. Bean wool blend snowflake sweater.

Pretty much the best cowichan sweater ever (aside from Andy's Amway one)--sled dog MUSH motif zip-up cowichan!

1970s Jazz Age print disco shirt.

Gold paisley brocade Gingiss tuxedo jacket.

Brown and cream clip-on bow tie.

Red plaid clip-on bow tie.

Brown square print clip-on bow tie, by Ormond N.Y.C.

Slate blue, red and green clip-on bow tie, by Beau Clip.

Red houndstooth clip-on bow tie, by Beau Clip.

Brown fried egg print clip-on bow tie, by Hart/Ormond N.Y.C.

Black felt feather fedora, by Champ.

Olive feather fedora, by Dobbs Game Bird.

xo

K

happy halloween!

For those looking for vintage treats, there are still a few more hours left in the SmallEarthVintage 2nd Etsy-versary Sale!

xo

K

It's our second Etsy-versary!

Everything in the shop is already marked down 20%, so start shopping now!

xo

K

obsession

I have an obsession.

The last one was Elvis. It resulted in me buying up every Elvis cd available in the BMG music catalog. And in a pilgrimage to Graceland.

And one to Graceland Too.

I still like The King. I still think the '68 Comeback Special is awesome. But...I've moved on. I'm no longer obsessed.

I've had a nice, normal decade of liking, really liking, and even loving, lots of things. Andy, vintage clothing, Lucy, road trips, perfume, cocktails, food, Howard Dean... Everything was going nice and smoothly.

And then Scotland hit me.

I realize now it was meant to be. For example, some of my favorite bands from my formative years--Aztec Camera, The Waterboys, Jesus and Mary Chain--hail from Scotland. (Just FYI, TJ&MC and Pastels photos below link to cool videos by them, so you may want to turn down your volume if you're at work.)

And I know I'm really late to the party, but I've discovered these guys, and can't stop listening to them.

And of course, there was this. I don't think Trainspotting made me want to go to Scotland at the time. Junkies, filthy toilets--already had that in NYC. But the accents! Great movie, great soundtrack.

So anyway, I've become convinced Scotland and me are meant to be. I'm starting to develop a taste for this stuff.

And I have always loved tartan. This photo is from a gorgeous 2008 British Vogue story called Take the High Road. You can see more of the photos here. In my p-rock days I wore plaid tights just like the models in the shoot have on, and I would love another pair.

Probably the most famous Scottish fashion export next to tartan is Pringle knitwear. Here's Pringle back in the day, a twinset on the cover of Vogue.

And Pringle now, as worn by Tilda Swinton.

I love these looks from Pringle A/W 2010, updates to the traditional fisherman's sweater and Scotsman's kilt, for women.

And of course, there's this man, the lovely Mr. Alan Cumming. All men should dress like this. And he makes the only celeb perfume I would wear. Which is, naturally, called Cumming, and which has notes of leather, peat fire, highland mud, burned rubber and white truffle. You can see his cute ad for it here. (Coincidentally, I would also wear Tilda Swinton's perfume, which is called Like This.)

Seriously. You're just not going to get an anti-kilt argument out of me. Nope.

Maybe this obsession will become suddenly displaced by something else. Like the midterm elections? Um, probably not.

I think this one is going to be a bit more expensive than a trip to Graceland. I'd better start saving.

You can be sure you'll be hearing more from me on this.

xo

K

i knew not whence...

"An irrepressible tremor gradually pervaded my frame, and at length there sat upon my very heart an incubus of utterly causeless alarm. Shaking this off with a gasp and a struggle, I uplifted myself upon the pillows, and peering earnestly within the intense darkness of the chamber, hearkened—I know not why, except that an instinctive spirit prompted me—to certain low and indefinite sounds which came, through the pauses of the storm, at long intervals, I knew not whence."

--Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher

(Just a little something to get you in the mood, since it is Halloween week!)

I've been a busy little bee, getting a big accessories update ready for you. And I'm pleased to say, it's now ready, and has a grand assortment of items for both ladies and gents. Dig in!

Apple orchard scarf.

Silk Vera Neumann blue and chartreuse fall foliage scarf.

Funny brown truck scarf (for those of you who wait with great anticipation for the UPS truck!), by Echo.

Deco print chiffon Vera Neumann scarf.

Faux-furry après-ski boots, by Snowland.

1960s patent toe, corset lace pumps, by Red Cross.

1980s suede wicker weave oxfords, by Ann Marino.

1950s wild red leather men's oxfords with curlicue perforated uppers.

Tiny 1940s platform peeptoe slingbacks, by Miller Beautiful Shoes.

Vintage L.L. Bean duck boots.

Dove gray ostrich-texture leather pilgrim pumps, by Sohari/Ehringer.

1980s patent Robert Clergerie oxfords.

1940s deco high heel sandals, Gillmanettes by Gillman.

1940s men's dress boots.

Snakeskin-texture metallic brown pumps with bows, by Hush Puppies.

Mod black leather flat boots, by Joyce.

Shapely 1940s black peeptoe pumps, by American Girl Shoe.

1960s black velveteen high heel mary janes, Amalfi by Rangoni.

1940s knot-toe platform peeptoe slingbacks, by Quali-Craft.

Corset lace two-tone wingtip oxford pumps, by Johansen.

Taupe Etienne Aignier leather purse.

1940s corde purse, by Ador Bag Co.

Tooled leather western saddle bag purse.

Paisley tapestry purse with chain handle.

1950s alligator purse.

Red and navy polka-dot clip-on bow tie, by Ormond.

Navy and white polka-dot bow tie.

Silvertone filigree flower brooch.

Silvertone filigree butterfly brooch.

1950s Campus brand panties, still mint in unopened packaging (which has the silliest, risque graphic!).

And finally, for you dudes, a brand new, unused, 1965 Schick stainless steel safety razor with its original hard plastic packaging.

xo

K