autumn inspiration + a confession

Today I bring you two images that I've been saving in my favorites for five months now: autumn inspiration winging its way to you all the way from London in April! These images come from one of my favorite street style blogs, London's The Style Scout.

I love this first girl's color combo: red-and-blue plaid with a fabulous mustard coat. And the cardigan buttoned up over the dress is very me. This is the kind of eccentric, playful look I often wear in fall and winter--especially when I'm feeling brave about color!

This second look is much more aspirational--and here is where my confession comes. I absolutely love this entire look, top to bottom (and wasn't I just talking about dandy-ish dressing the other day?)! But what I'd kill for here are the pants. (Well, and also the velvet waistcoat.) They are perfection.

If we travel back in time on this blog almost exactly one year, you will see me, once again, talking about my pants obsession. Why do I still not own the pants of my dreams? Well, the truth is, as much as I love to shop for the business--to thrift, to antique, to church/estate/garage-sale till I drop--I do not love to shop for myself. Hence, 90% of my wardrobe comes to me by happy accident. Oh look, that dress I picked up for the shop fits! Into my closet it goes. But to go out on purpose to shop for me, especially if it's for a particular garment I need? No thanks--that is torture.

Anyone else feel this way?

xo

K

it's official!

I can see the leaves starting to change, cider is available at the orchard, there's Ichabod pumpkin ale in the fridge, and we just had brats at Oktoberfest--I guess it's official. Autumn is here!

Here are some things for layering and keeping you warm or cool (the weather can be fickle right now); some plaids and golden fall colors; some wool, cotton, and cashmere; and look--here comes a fab lined swing coat just right for the season!

Cotton Egyptian novelty print pintuck bodice sundress--great faceted buttons.

Love the drawstring neck on this 1960s blouse in autumn colors.

Slate plaid dress by Sue Brett.

An outfit! Butterfly print oatmeal-gray cashmere cardigan by Dalton, and a chocolate wool grid pattern pencil skirt.

Olive embroidered dress.

1950s navy plaid schoolgirl dress by Abby Kent.

Red wool plaid pencil skirt by Koret.

Olive abstract print dress with bow embellishment at neck.

Seahorse and starfish print blouse. Summery, yes, but too cute!

Silky green rose on sapphire Jonathan Logan dress.

Pendleton amber wool plaid skirt.

Truly fabulous amethyst wool floral print party dress by Mr. Mort!

Scottish red plaid blouse.

Olive plaid wool dress by Joan Miller.

Intricate print blouse.

Sapphire linen swing coat with floral lining, by Ginet.

Very soft seafoam angora/wool cardigan by Darlene.

1950s cherry red Bobbie Brooks blouse with leaf appliques on collar.

xo
K

cozy

It's still summery and warm here, though the evenings are pleasantly cool. It puts me in the mood for cool fall weather, wearing sweaters and tights, drinking hot cider and cocoa--all the things that make you feel warm and cozy in the cold, crisp air.


And thus, the theme of my latest Etsy Treasury! Please click to see it nice and big, click on the lovely sellers included, and leave a comment if you wish. :)

xo
k

september wants

It's September! And we just had our 200th sale on Etsy. Both put me in a shopping mood.

I have become pretty frugal. Andy and I love selling vintage, but running a small business means money is always fairly tight. Luckily, neither of us has particularly fancy tastes...well, except in beer and perfume. Since I work at home, I don't require much of a wardrobe. Loving vintage and thrifting means I can usually get some good cheap thrills regularly.

I do have an innate love of clothes and fashion, though, and that love seems to really percolate this time of year.

Here is what I'm currently desiring. Most of it actually isn't clothing--with the exception of a few key pieces, that's usually a pretty easy jones for me to fulfill.

First is this fabulous acorn necklace from blockpartypress on Etsy. I wanted to purchase it for my 100th Etsy sale, but didn't. (My mom got me a beautiful necklace from another seller that I adore, though--thanks, Moom! xo) The acorn necklace is kind of perfect for this time of year, and blockpartypress is having a 20% off + free shipping deal, so I think I may have to finally go for it.

Speaking of things that go around your neck, I just saw this adorable ascot neckwarmer over at Modish yesterday. It's from Etsy seller yarnovermovement and looks like the perfect neckwarmer for a dork like me who can never seem to get her scarf to tie just right. I also love the gorgeous peacock blue/teal color, though it comes in other moutwatering fall shades (cranberry! eggplant! olive!).

I wear a lot of skirts and dresses with tights in the fall and winter. But I've been wanting a pair of lined wool tweed or flannel trousers, a la Katharine Hepburn for a long time now. They would be great for the biting cold Michigan winters, but I can't seem to find just what I want. US Navy sailor pants like these are nifty, but they're a bit more baggy than I desire, and I want a different color. I'll keep looking.

Red lipstick is my #1 makeup staple. My friend Jessica over at the Now Smell This blog has been raving for some time now about Poppy King's Lipstick Queen line. The Sinner lipsticks are 90% opaque (love matte, opaque lipsticks! I rarely wear sheer shades or gloss), and I think I may need one in Rouge, Rose or Red. Sadly, the entire line of Sinner lipsticks seem to be out of stock on the website. I hope that's just temporary!

Speaking of red lipsticks, I recently misplaced my NARS Red Lizard. NARS, in my opinion, makes the best red lipsticks out there. Red Lizard is a bright, matte, retro glam red. I really have to replace mine.

Now that the weather is cooling off, I am ready to place an order with my fellow Team Treasury member, Vintage Confections. She has some delectable-sounding goodies in her shop, including lavender honey truffles and French sea salt caramels. And just look at these dark chocolate strawberry jellies!

Finally, and I sure hope we can swing it, I'd love a trip up north to the fabulous Legs Inn for some Polish food before they close for the season.

Some thrifting and leaf-peeping, followed by pierogis, kielbasa and Okocim beer in a setting like this--heaven!

Not to mention the crazy taxidermy.

Yep, I could go on all day about Legs Inn.

I'm sure I'll have more posts like this throughout autumn. What are your September/autumn desires?

xo
k

stuff!

There is a funny story about how one of my friends got duped into attending an Amway meeting. (I live in Amway country. Apparently Amway has such a bad rep that they have to be pretty sneaky in the ways they approach potential new Amway sellers. For example, if you get a flyer in your mailbox asking you to attend a neighborhood "Meet and Greet" in which you will "Learn and Discern," don't go. Unless you are interested in selling Amway.) Anyway, the guy heading the meeting asked the room, "Do you like stuff? Raise your hand if you like stuff!" I don't know why, but Andy and I find that hilarious and every now and then you'll catch us replaying that moment (even though we weren't there).

Anyway--here's some stuff! Stuff that's not clothing. Stuff that goes with clothing. They call this stuff: Accessories. (Or shoes.) I call it: Sneak preview of Stuff coming to the shop this week!

White raffia cone hat! By Maison's Washington DC.

Great little velour hat in autumn tones of russet brown, mauve, and pale pink.

Celadon velveteen fascinator hat.

Deadstock with box! Aspen Trail Finders hiking boots.

Deadstock again! Mahogany leather low heel boots.

1960s or 1970s gray suede oxfords.

Beautiful 1940s/1950s suede and leather D'Orsay heels by Tweedies.

1970s wood wedge mary janes.

1960s orange patent flower shoes.

Tooled leather saddle bag purse.

Tiki print mini-suitcase.

The Royal Tenenbaums leather tennis bag, by Land.

Red and black ombre umbrella. Ombrella! For rainy fall days.

xo
K

plaids and sweaters and wool, oh my!

Here is the clothing portion of this week's shop preview, which features all of the above plus three Vera blouses, a L'Aiglon dress, and much more. Tomorrow, time and weather permitting, I'll be photographing some great new shoes, boots (deadstock!), and suitcases.

Without further ado...

I call this the Rosemary's Baby Bridal Gown, which is kind of creepy if you've seen the movie, but can't you just picture Mia Farrow in it?

Hand screenprinted floral angora and wool cardigan.

Red wool plaid pleated skirt jumper.

Autumn stone fruits dress.

Red plaid tie-waist blouse by Bill Atkinson Glen of Michigan.

Teal and olive wool boucle jumper.

L'Aiglon nylon dress.

Paisley wool crepe pencil skirt by Bill Atkinson Glen of Michigan.

Cherry red wide wale corduroy jumper.

Gray plaid 1950s career girl dress and jacket.

1960s yellow and gray Vera Neumann cotton blouse.

Navy polka-dot shawl collar dress.

Drum print blouse.

Chocolate brown semi-sheer dress with mother-of-pearl buttons.

1960s olive, chartreuse and red Vera Neumann cotton tunic.

My new favorite dress! By GiGi Young New York.

Ivory satin and sequin embossed rosebud cardigan.

1950s olive and plaid dress by Nelly Don.

Wool plaid pleated skirt by Koret of California.

Wool plaid wiggle dress by Sue Brett.

Charcoal gray rose print cardigan.

Vera Neumann blue and tan swirl print cotton tunic.

And last, but by no means least, THE BEST cardigan! Mid-century modern leaf print by James Kenrob by Dalton.

Some good stuff here, no? Fall is definitely in the air around here--we had mac and cheese for dinner, which is a definite sign.

Have a great week and stay tuned for a shoes and accessories preview soon!

xo
k