"Goddam money. It always ends up making you blue as hell."

Rest in peace, J.D. Salinger. His books meant a lot to me when I was younger, and I suppose now is as good a time as any to re-read them.

And in the spirit of the above quote (who can't identify with that?), I bring you the crass commercialized portion of this post, a preview of a few accessories coming to the shop.



I so wish these 1950s oxford pumps were my size--really nifty gold-painted "weave" detail on the vamps.




1980s gray suede foldover booties with stacked heels.




1970s deadstock two-tone men's loafers.




1960s cherry red mod boots.




Bronze lace-up oxford flats.




Crazy 1970s white stacked heel mary janes!




Brown and pumpkin faux lizard tassel pumps.




Deadstock 1960s mod pink grid print Italian sunglasses.




The cutest little acorn and oak leaf tooled leather wallet.




1960s pale pink weave-textured vinyl handbag.




Super-charming silk Scottish plaid bagpipers scarf.



xo
K

back to business!

I think I'm still feeling the all-night drive through the prairie, but I pushed on and managed to take lots of photos today. So here it is, a shop preview! You'll see a couple of the many black dresses I found on this trip (always always always love a black dress, right?). There is much more to come, too, including some fabulous shoes and boots and a most adorable silk scarf with bagpipers on it. And many more dresses!


1960s black velvet lace inset wiggle dress by Gay Gibson.

Blue snowflake sweater.

1950s ecru bow tie dress by Youth Guild of N.Y.

1950s blue and chartreuse plaid skirt by Century of Boston.

Mod 1960s violet bouclé dress.

Fleecy olive and black diamond print cardigan.

1950s black dress with banded waist.

Delicate pale pink pintuck and flower applique blouse.

Mod 1960s navy dress by Edith Flagg.

1970s heathered sage Christian Dior boyfriend sweater.

1960s mustard and brown plaid summer weight suit.

Black velvet capelet with frog closure.

1970s golden-tan knit tie-back dress by Alfred Werber.

1940s black rayon crepe dress with bow belt by Brief Originals.

Cuddly ivory Turbo Orlon cardigan.

Mod 1960s orange sherbet dress by Bleeker Street.

1980s ivory beaded eyelet sweater.

1960s calico floral dress by The Art Shirt.

xo
K

baby face

I'm back from vacation! And I really thought my first post here would be a shop preview. But driving 1200 miles (including fog along the entire length of Iowa) without stopping to sleep--and being unable to sleep properly in a car at all--and a day spent packing the many orders received while we were away (thank you, lovely Etsy customers!), means I haven't had an ounce of energy left to photograph.

Instead, I spent yesterday on the couch, dozing and watching old movies. One of which was Baby Face, a pre-Code film starring one of my all-time favorite actresses, Barbara Stanwyck. So instead of a nice preview, you are getting a bunch of photos of Stanwyck in Baby Face.

Baby Face, released in 1933, was the story of Lily, a woman who uses sex (spurred on by Nietzschean philosophy) to get what she wants from men. She works in her father's speakeasy, where her father pimps her out to the local men, including a politician. The photo of the top of this post shows Lily's face as she watches her father's still--with him still inside--burn to the ground. It's a scene where you watch her expression subtly and beautifully go from shock to, well, satisfaction. Incredible.



The film is worth watching for Stanwyck's great acting alone. But it also has Stanwyck wearing a wonderful array of fashion. She starts out in simple frocks and cloche hats, moves on to several crazy-wonderful office girl outfits (I've never seen ruffles worn with such dramatic and decidedly non-girlish flair!) as she "climbs the ladder" (ahem) at the bank, and ends up in gorgeous gowns (by Orry-Kelly) and dripping in jewels.

Here, she's about to ask blondie where she got that perm.




I loved this shot. Lily is in the office ladies' room, having just been caught in there with her boss. I love how she nonchalantly continues to put on her lipstick, after being caught!





There are a few hilarious scenes where Lily serves up a cocktail saying she "never touches the stuff" and then proceeds to drain her drink!






Here's Lily with her maid, Chico. Lily is loyal to Chico, stating throughout the film on a number of occasions, "Chico stays." Chico's fortunes seem to rise along with Lily's, at least as far as her clothing is concerned. At Christmas, Chico goes out, all dolled up in furs. Even her maid outfits are quite fancy. This is a plainer outfit, but I do love Chico's little beret cap and belted coat here.




Really great film. If you rent the Forbidden Hollywood disc from Netflix, make sure you watch the Pre-Release version (as opposed to the Theatrical Release), as the sexual content and Nietzsche references caused the film to be censored.

xo
K

embracing winter

When you live in a place that is cold and gray most of the winter (like Michigan), you can handle it a couple of ways. You can complain a lot, dream of warmer places, stay indoors, or go out and try to embrace it.

I try to do a combination of the last two.




My best friend Stephani visited us this weekend and we first embraced the winter by having a bonfire Friday night (after we dressed Lucy up in this ridiculous elf costume that Stephani bought her--thanks, Stephani!).




We got some rare winter sunshine on Sunday. It heated up the house (the whole side of our house is a wall of big windows), making us all a little lethargic, so we stepped out for a bracing walk on the lake.




I love the lake most in winter. I think it's at its most beautiful then.








xo
K

vacation!

Small Earth Vintage is hitting the road for a little vacation! We'll be away from Thursday, January 14 until Monday, January 25.




We will keep the Etsy shop open during this time, and you will be able to purchase items from it, but nothing will ship until we return on January 25. If you need an item shipped before our vacation, payment will need to be received by 12:00 pm noon EST on Wednesday, January 13. We'll be checking in periodically to answer emails, too.

And though we will be "on vacation," we'll be thrifting the whole time. So expect some cool new items in the shop on our return.

xo
K