labor day sale!

We passed the 2500 sales mark in the Etsy shop the other day, and decided to thank you, our wonderful customers, with our BIGGEST sale yet--25% off the entire shop, now through Labor Day, Monday 9/3.

Everything is already marked down, so start shopping!

xo

k

summer wrap up

This article from the June 13, 1955 issue of Life magazine (you can see the article online here) is about wraps, shawls and bolero jackets that ward off the chill of summer air conditioning.  When I worked in an air conditioned office, I always had a cardigan with me; otherwise I would freeze to death at my desk.  I suppose the modern day equivalent of these might be the pashmina, but I really prefer the cover-ups shown here.  And they work just as great at helping transition your summer dresses into autumn wear!  The two modeled on the left side are made to fold up small enough to fit in your purse when not being worn.  And the best of all of them, I think, is the striped shawl on the right, which was made by Claire McCardell "to inspire do-it-yourselfers."

Here are a few lovely cropped jackets, sweaters, and boleros I discovered for sale on Etsy.

1940s reversible lace-trimmed bolero (the other side is solid black, but wouldn't you have a hard time not always wearing it on the cute folklore print side?) / DeseoVintage

PDF pattern for a 1950s knitted shrug / KinsieWoolShop

1960s Jonathan Logan shrug with rhinestone embellished flower appliques / LittleHavanaVintage

1950s cropped jacket with a big collar / Planetclairevintage

I really love this.  1960s Vera Neumann lemon print linen jacket / CustardHeartVintage

1930s white eyelet bolero / wildfellhallvintage

And a pair from my own shop:

1960s cropped, fitted tapestry jacket or blouse

1950s cropped gingham jacket

xo

k

shop preview

This shop preview is a bit bigger than usual--there was just so much good stuff, I had to include it all!  Look for these items in the shop over the next week.

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1940s Magic Mirror crepe dress and jacket set.

1950s striped cotton swimsuit, by Catalina.

1960s gold paisley print cotton shirt dress with belt, by Serbin.

1970s photo negative floral print blouse, by Vera Neumann.

1950s party dress with a gold painted leaf print skirt, by Darlene.

1950s folklore print cotton circle skirt.

1980s tribal print ascot neck dress.

1960s blue hieroglyphics print top, by Aileen.

1950s soft floral print dress with rhinestone-embellished rosette neckline, by Marc-El Fashions of Miami.

1950s cream waffle knit cardigan, by Yours Casually.  (Yours Casually.  So don't go getting any ideas!)

1960s chocolate brown wool plaid jumper dress.

1950s autumn plaid wool pencil skirt, by Pendleton.

1940s sheer organdy accordion pleat dress.

1950s stormy weather coat with velvet collar and buttons.

1960s mod knit dress with Peter Pan collar, scalloped upper bodice, and pockets.

xo

k

the fireside cook book

When I saw the above image on Flickr, I immediately took notice.  Something about the title and the cover artwork grabbed me.  This is the cover of a 1949 cookbook written by James Beard, and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen.  There was a whole set of the interior illustrations on Flickr, and they're amazingly charming--some examples below.  (You can look at the whole set, belonging to Shelf Life Taste Test, on Flickr.)

 

Alice and Martin Provensen were a husband and wife team, mainly known for their children's book illustrations.  (Martin designed the Kellogg's cereal mascot, Tony the Tiger.)  Martin died in 1987.  According to Wikipedia, Alice Provensen was still working as an illustrator as of 2006.

The illustrations are just so whimsical and humorous, colorful, and evocative of the mid century.

I'd do happy jig if I happened upon an original copy of this cookbook.  I'd also love to get my hands on a copy of A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers, the 1982 children's book that the Provensens illustrated, and for which they won a Caldecott.  You can see some of the amazing illustrations for that book on this blog.

xo

k

shoes and hats

It's just what the title says--shoes and hats coming this week to the shop!

1940s black mesh pumps.

1940s strappy black leather peeptoe heels, by Natural Bridge.

1940s men's mesh and alligator loafers, by Nunn Bush.

Late 1960s / early 1970s side strap pumps, by Fashion Craft.

1940s mesh peeptoe pumps with bows, by Natural Bridge.

Camel Adolfo II flower fedora.

1940s black velvet hat with a satin bow.

1950s fur and felt cap, by Madelene and Jeanne Custom Hats.

xo

K

shoes. glorious shoes.

Fellow vintage seller Holly of Ginger Root Vintage on Etsy consistently has the most amazing shoes in her shop.  Just take a look below--it's only a partial selection of the 1920s-1940s beauties (she has some gorgeous pairs from later decades, too) in her shop.  And they're nearly all deadstock!  Links to each pair are beneath the collages, and you should check out the great selection of clothing and other goods in Holly's shop, too.

1930s chocolate brown deco oxfords

deadstock 1920s black double strap flapper heels

deadstock 1930s deco oxford heels

deadstock 1940s green slingbacks with bows

deadstock 1940s red bombshell heels

deadstock 1930s deco mary janes

deadstock 1940s navy mesh pumps with bows

deadstock 1940s black pumps with studded bars at the toes

xo

K

arrows and flowers: a shop preview

I hate to keep talking about the weather, but dang, August has just been so wonderful compared the rest of the summer!  I love the light this time of year, and you can really feel autumn in the air.  Which makes it so much easier to start putting cozier items in the shop.  You'll find some cozy things here, plus some great prints.  For example:  a moire (or "watered silk"--but in cotton) raincoat, two arrow prints, a wild Peter Max-ish print, and watercolor Impressionist flowers.  Take a look at what will be appearing in the shop over the next week.

Tribal arrow print dress.

Scandiavian-style flower fringe knit poncho.

Sweet chambray dress with ruffled collar and neckline, and bow at the empire waist.

Mod 1960s arrow print top, by Aileen.

Ticking stripe shift dress with big pockets, by Georgia Griffin Fashions.

Late 1940s / 1950s Girl Scout uniform dress, designed Mainbocher.  (Really!)

1960s flower print mohair sleeveless vest / top with pockets, by Avant Garde.

1960s mini dress with a Peter Max-esque print, by Domani Knits.

1940s blue moire stripe raincoat, by Rain Shedder.

1950s Impressionist watercolor floral print dress, by J. Harlan Originals.

Mod 1960s patchwork skirt with a high, corset waist.

xo

K