shoegazer

A shoe-heavy shop preview.

1970s rum raisin leather and wood clogs, by Old Maine Trotters.

Deadstock 1980s whiskey leather buckle ankle booties.

1970s russet brown leather wedge sandals.

1960s white leather pointy-toe flats, by Williams.

1970s Hush Puppies leather and wood clogs.

1970s men's Allen Edmonds lounge lizard buckle loafers.

1970s wedge peeptoe sandals.

Deadstock 1960s black wingtip-styled flats, by Williams.

1980s suede Eastland moccasin booties.

1970s caramel brown wooden clogs by Old Maine Trotters.

1950s brown suede bombshell pumps with leather accents.

Deadstock 1960s two-tone leather loafer flats, by Hi Brows.

1960s white basket weave flats, by Williams.

Deadstock 1960s caramel bow-toe flats, by Williams.

1980s Schick razor, mint in original packaging.

1960s jeweled Enid Collins-esque seaside theme tote.

Tooled leather Mexico purse.

Pair of 1950s industrial aluminum portable boxes.

xo

K

i liked the hush, the gloom, the quaintness

"All these relics gave... Thornfield Hall the aspect of a home of the past: a shrine to memory. I liked the hush, the gloom, the quaintness of these retreats in the day; but I by no means coveted a night's repose on one of those wide and heavy beds: shut in, some of them, with doors of oak; shaded, others, with wrought old-English hangings crusted with thick work, portraying effigies of strange flowers, and stranger birds, and strangest human beings, — all which would have looked strange, indeed, by the pallid gleam of moonlight."

--Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

Andy and I went to see Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre on Saturday. We both really enjoyed it. (Yes, even Andy did! Though he was a bit frustrated by how restrained everyone was.) It was beautifully filmed, and Mia Wasikowska was fantastic as Jane.

We went for cocktails afterwards, but we stopped first to take pictures in front of some of the old buildings that are across the street from the bar. I really like this part of downtown Grand Rapids. The streets are cobblestone and there are some great old buildings.

I have no idea what I'm doing here, but I wanted to show a picture of the Richmond Stamp Works sign. They are still in operation, and even have a website with the funny motto "For those with the unique creative ability to press down really hard." I think it's high time I visit them and have a stamp made.

The only thing I'm wearing that's vintage is the cardigan. But I'm carrying my beautiful plum leather bag from Jenny N Design on Etsy.

This building is boarded up, but still has the old, swinging wooden frame door on the outside. And I love the hand-painted sign on the heavy doors further down.

xo

K

calico, yo

So...calico and rickrack. Makes me feel a bit country gal. I do love the pockets.

I'm not really that into floral prints, though I have lots of them. They're hard to avoid if you wear vintage. I like that this one is a darker print.

Work progresses on The Pyramid Scheme, where I'll be seeing Guided by Voices later this month. Loving Jeff VandenBerg's artwork on the sign.

This is a reminder to myself that Auchentoshan scotch is delicious. When you don't have a smartphone, you take a picture. I'm guessing the number of scotch whiskey drinkers reading this blog is low, but anyway: the Auchentoshan was delicious--mild, sweet, and reminded me of old, polished wood furniture (a theme running through my favorite drinks lately).

xo

K

the vintage conundrum

I wear a US women's size 16, and often feel that it's very hard to find vintage in my size. And so, when we suddenly unearthed a wee cache of deadstock 1950s cotton day dresses with amazing prints all in--or near--my size, the temptation was to keep them all!

However, the truth is, it's not impossible, or even all that difficult, to find excellent vintage in a wide range of sizes. (My overstuffed closet will attest to this.) What's difficult is finding something that fits you perfectly. With that in mind, I tried on all seven dresses and decided to only keep the three that really fit me well. That means the above four dresses will be coming to the shop! Check out the prints.

That blue dress, in particular, is hard for me to give up. Just look at the amazing print! Sweaters, jackets and blouses on dress forms...and are those colorful discs meant to be hats?

But I am consoling myself with these three keepers.

The center dress has not only a fabulous Egyptian theme print, but nifty crescent-shaped pockets with green piping. I also love floral prints on black backgrounds, and have been jonesing for one of my own.

Now I own two.

xo

K

springish

Well, all the snow has melted, anyway. That's the only sign of spring here. Yesterday we had snow, ice, rain, and high winds. It's still cold. But the forecast shows a high of 57 by the end of the week, and things are happening that prove time is indeed marching on and we are not stuck in an endless winter. For example, Andy, despite the cold, has begun his annual training for the Fifth Third Riverbank Run. I'm no longer wearing my heaviest winter coat. And--most exciting--Grand Rapids is getting a new, much-needed, mid-size music venue. At the end of this month, The Pyramid Scheme will be celebrating its opening with two Guided by Voices shows.

I'm starting to think about my spring wardrobe, and recently added some wonderful 1950s cotton print day dresses to it (more on those later--some will be hitting the shop, too!). For the rest of you, here is a shop preview with loads of color and some pretty party dresses!

1950s sky blue eyelet lace shirtwaist dress.

Cropped red and black paisley corduroy jacket.

1980s lace and taffeta party dress with beading and sequins.

1960s polished cotton fan flower print blouse, by Gaylord.

1950s striped seersucker shirtwaist dress.

Floral brocade print button-front skort, by Hunter.

1960s mod Charlie Brown dress.

Beaded pink blossoms cardigan.

1950s gold satin brocade party dress.

1950s paisley blouse, by Dearborn.

1960s chocolate brown dress with bow neck.

1950s purple pinstripe and rickrack skirt with flower belt, by Sid Harris.

1950s pale wheat pintucks dress with floral lace applique.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band 1980-81 World Tour t-shirt.

1960s silk fields of flowers dress, by Fred Rothschild.

Paint stripe blouse, by Cos Cob.

1950s pink chiffon and taffeta party dress.

1980s abstract art block print skirt.

1970s rainbow romper.

1970s abstract print tunic, by Carol Brent.

1950s heathered purple dress with matching jacket and rhinestone at neck.

1970s plaid cotton gauze blouse, by Levi Strauss.

Nautical Concept 70s Swirl maxi dress.

1950s avocado green military style blouse.

1950s metallic chartreuse party dress, by Aldenaire.

xo

K