boot up

A little accessories update with an emphasis on that fall/winter wardrobe staple--boots!  The first pair are deadstock, and nearly identical (only in much better condition) to the pair I wore in college during the late 80s/early 90s.  Since they're my size, I was tempted to keep them, but I've decided to let them go.

Combat jump boots.

1970s caramel brown men's Dingo boots.

Cafe latte cutout slingbacks.

Ostrich texture Doc Martens boots.

1970s auburn leather boots.

Stacy Adams dress boots.

Maroon Abilene boots.

1950s Schlesinger Brothers black leather portfolio.

Stetson fedora with box.

Silk Saint Angelo medieval fish scarf.

Sterling silver salamander brooch.

xo

K

shopping season

I love this time of year.  The light is golden, the days are warm but not stifling, and I can see the leaves just beginning to change.  This is the time of year when I get an urge to shop for myself, and on Saturday morning I bought myself these cute shoes.

Perhaps there is something to tempt you in the latest Etsy shop preview.

1960s olive green abstract print polished cotton dress.

1960s Vera Neumann pink foliage cotton blouse.

1960s abstract paving stones print scarf collar dress.

1940s geometry print crepe blouse.

1950s pique and eyelet Bobbie Brooks dress.

1950s colorful print circle skirt.

1960s autumn paisley dress.

1960s flower doodles blouse, by Lady Manhattan.

1950s watercolor floral dress, by Jonathan Logan.

1950s plaid pleated wool skirt, by Koret.  (A special listing to benefit Denver's MaxFund no-kill animal shelter.)

Mod 1960s autumn floral dress.

1950s white eyelet and ruffles blouse.

1950s blue roses and lilacs shirtwaist dress.

Olive green plaid blouse, by Penney's.

1960s flower vine voile dress.

1950s turquoise blouse with smocked shoulders.

1950s spirograph dress, by Osgood Dresses.

1960s mustard and brown floral ascot neck blouse, by Ship 'n Shore.

1950s toile print dress.

1950s ivory sheer nylon pleated blouse.

1940s forest green linen dress.

xo

K

washington d.c. school trip, 1962

This was a real gem of a find in my family photos: my mom's 1962 high school class trip to Washington D.C. It is showcase of early 60s goodness: fluffy hair (I sense lots of sleeping in rollers!), cat's eye glasses, wonderful coats, and cute print blouses.

I'm pretty sure I squealed when I spotted my mom in this photo.  She's the one in the sassy leopard print blouse!  If only she were standing right next to the nun--that would be amazing.  I'm loving her righthand neighbor's dark coat (and wish I could get a better view of the print on her blouse), and her lefthand neighbor's cable knit cardigan.  Also: girl in lower righthand corner, white blouse, dark cardigan?  I can relate to your expression.

These gals know how to sit in the grass in skirts and not look indecent.  One guess who my favorite is in this photo!  Yes, it's Miss Plaid Coat and Specs in the center.  Footwear appears to be mainly pointy-toe flats--sensible and chic--though I think I might spy a pair of Keds.  I'm also loving the contrasting fabric on the collar and lining of the jacket on the far right, and that bracelet (charm?) on the wrist of the young lady to the left of Miss Plaid.

These jackets!  I'm not sure if I love the giant collars or the no collar with a little bow more.

Loving the contrast of houndstooth coat and polka dot blouse.  Want that coat.  And happy to see a typical-of-the-era shirtwaist dress with Peter Pan collar and roll up sleeves in nature, as it were, as I've sold so many of these.

Oh my.  There is some hair in this photo.  


But I really do love the mosaic print blouse, as well as the floral print cardigan on the gal on the right.  And in the front row--stripes, plaid, and a ruffly-collared blouse with cardigan!  

And not to sound like a grumpy oldster (which I suppose I am), but even with their nearly-bouffant 'dos, these women knock the style socks off the muffin-topped skinny jeans and Ed Hardy t-shirt-wearing teens of today.  Am I being too harsh?  I know not all teens dress this way (I didn't dress the way most other teens of my era did, either.)  Please feel free to chastise me in the comments.

xo

K

48 things

Haven't done one of these in awhile, so when I saw it posted on fellow Michigander pretty. little. world.'s blog, I thought I'd follow suit.  Feel free to steal and answer these on your own blog, and put a link in my comments if you do, please, so I can read your answers!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 9:00 am.

2. How do you like your steak? medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: Captain America.  I did it for the Armitage:

photo via RichardArmitageNet.com

4. What is your favourite TV show?  Of all time?  Probably The Wire or Deadwood.  But I also love Intelligence, Mystery, Masterpiece Theater, Game of Thrones.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?  I am still obsessed with Scotland.

Kilchurn Castle, in Loch Lomond.  Via Moyan Brenn's Flickr stream.

6. What did you have for breakfast? bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with potatoes

7. What is your favorite food?  bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, linguine carbonara, cobb salads, goat cheese, avocado, mushrooms

8. Foods you dislike? fish, I'm afraid.  I'll try anything, but fish and I just generally aren't friends.

9. Favorite place to eat? Slow's BBQ in Detroit

10. Favorite dressing? blue cheese

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? a Toyota Corolla or a Ford truck

12. What are your favorite clothes? vintage dresses, cashmere sweaters, boots, plaid

Take the High Road, British Vogue, September 2008.  Via Fashionising.com.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Scotland, England, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Germany...

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? it's 3/4 full of a delicious cocktail

15. Where would you want to retire? I'll never retire.

16. Favorite time of day? dusk

17. Where were you born? St. Louis

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? basketball, though I rarely do anymore.

19. What is your favorite fragrance? pipe tobacco, pine trees, vetiver, coffee...and this: 

20. What is your favorite face cream? Weleda Almond

21. Favorite baby/kids products? I don't have kids, so I'll say any product that keeps them quiet when I'm around.

22. People watcher? Yes!

23. Are you a morning or night person? Night.

24. Do you have any pets? Lucy the dog.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? nope.  Oh wait, since I'm posting this on Monday, the exciting news is that Richard Armitage turns 40 today.  Happy birthday, Richard!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a boy, an ice cream shop owner, an actress

27. What is your favorite memory?  Here's a couple: swimming in the Long Island Sound with friends one night over a decade ago; the time Andy drove to NYC to surprise me.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? dogs

29. Are you married? no, but I am very attached

30. Always wear your seat belt? yes.

31. Been in a car accident? yes, but when I was too little to really remember it.

32. Any pet peeves? text-speak, poor grammar, pajamas in public

33. Favorite pizza toppings? goat cheese, mushrooms

34. Favorite flower? Flowers are lovely, but I can't say I really have a favorite.  I love the scent of lavender.

35. Favorite ice cream? chocolate, coffee

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? White Castle, when I can get 'em.  Not a fast food fan anymore, though.

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zero.

38. From whom did you get your last email? Jessica.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? I'd rather max it out on travel, food, and drink.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? This is kind of pathetic, but I lay down on my bed and read for an hour in the middle of the day twice last week.

41. Like your job? I do.  In fact, I love it!

42. Broccoli? Yes.

43. What was your favorite vacation? My trip to Prague.  Or my two southern road trips.

A canal in Prague.  Photo by JannK, from her Flickrstream.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Andy

45. What are you listening to right now? Jarvis Cocker's Sunday Service

46. What is your favorite color? gray

47. How many tattoos do you have? Zero

48. coffee drinker? bigtime

xo

K

shoes, specs and more

A preview of accessories (more eyeglass frames!) and other items coming to the shop soon.

Black patent platform Doc Martens.

Green leather Doc Martens boots.

1966 Enid Collins Flower Basket V purse.

1970s Pierre Cardin alligator convertible clutch.

Tooled leather saddle bag purse.

Brown plastic Aden eyeglass frames.

1950s striped Shuron browline eyeglass frames.

1950s etched aluminum cat's eye eyeglass frames, by Shuron.

Bausch & Lomb black plastic sunglasses.

Brown plastic eyeglass frames by Titmus.

1977 Viking skull brass belt buckle, by Tofano.

1960s General Electric oscillating fan.

William Box illustrated ice bucket, by Fabcraft. 

xo

K