shoes, boots, bags, and Tumblr!

Because I don't already spend enough time online, I've started a Tumblr account. And I have to say: I'm addicted. Yeah, I'm late to the party, but whatever. I'm using it as a place to collect some of the many things with which I'm obsessed at any given moment, so expect to see lots about music, cocktails, wool socks, the Moomintrolls, Richard Armitage, terriers, etc. Fashion and vintage, too, even! (And if you have a Tumblr account, feel free to post it in the comments; I'm looking for interesting people to follow there.)

Here's a shop accessories update with lots of shoes, a few great leather bags, and more.

1950s Penney's Foremost mahogany leather work boots.

1980s woven leather ankle booties.

1960s deadstock cherry red pointy toe flats.

White bucks oxfords, by EnJolie.

Antiqued leather wingtip pumps.

1980s rainbow streamer wedges, by Sesto Meucci.

1950s men's cinnamon brown cap toe oxfords, by Edwin Clapp.

1960s deadstock caramel latte oxford flats, by Hi Brows.

1940s black nubuck bombshell pumps.

1980s Sebago Docksider boat shoes.

Adorable pink bow shoes.

1970s wood and leather high heel sandals, by Rapallo.

White fringe-y flat T-strap sandals, by Williams.

Red wooden clog sandals, by Berkemann.

1960s Schick safety razor, mint in packaging.

Western tooled leather purse.

Honey brown leather purse.

Painted tooled leather purse.

1950s pebbled leather zip-close portfolio with notebook paper.

Silk scarf with soldiers on horseback print.

Mid-century goldtone arrow brooch, by Trifari.

Deco tin and rhinestone brooch.

1950s magnolia blossom paper trays, by Kentley of Grand Rapids.

1960s novelty print--women on bicycles and pushing baby buggies, and men on scooters--apron with attached towel.

xo

K

thank you, peppermint club

It's March--the month of my birth. I was born March 20th, the vernal equinox, and on the Pisces/Aries cusp, if you follow astrology (I don't). I share a birthday with such interesting people as Ovid (!), Henrik Ibsen, B.F. Skinner, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mr. Rogers, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Spike Lee, David Thewlis, and Mookie Blaylock. I was born in 1969 and my mom remembers watching the first moon landing with four-month-old me.

This is where it all started.

[photo is from the University City Public Library, via the Missouri Digital Heritage Archives]

My parents met in 1965 in St. Louis. They used to go dancing here at the Peppermint Club. My mom told me Ike and Tina Turner used to play there.

This is my lovely mom circa 1964. I love the giant Peter Pan collar.

Here's my handsome dad, circa 1963 or 1964, at college. I know I'll get this story all wrong, but I don't think my parents clicked immediately after their first date. Apparently there was a little dating of other people in between, but then they found each other again. I have a made-up scene in my head of my mom dancing with some other fella at the Peppermint Club and my dad getting jealous and realizing he'd better bust a move if he wanted to date my mom.

It turned out all right in the end. Here's Mom on her honeymoon with my dad. It is 1967 and they are at Big Spring State Park. It's the state park, so naturally she has teased her hair and is putting on lipstick. (I mock, but I would totally be doing the same.)

More honeymoon photos. Gosh, I wonder where my love of plaid came from?

Mom in a sweet plaid blouse.

A plaid jacket. (I love this look.)

Dad in plaid!

Heck, even Paw Paw (dad's dad) wore plaid. This photo is a couple months later, post-honeymoon.

Grandma Edna and my mom. I would totally wear my mom's outfit--print blouse, ankle-skimming jeans, pointy flats. I think I did wear this outfit all last summer! I am liking Mom's hair here, too. (Someday I'll have to do a post on Grandma Edna's amazing style.)

My favorite photo of my parents. How mod are these crazy kids?

Mom in their cherry red Volkswagen Bug.

Dad and Mom in Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1967. Dad ran the bakery and mortuary on the base. An interesting combination. I'm loving my mom's maroon coat here. I feel like it might be corduroy, but that's because in the 1990s I wore a nearly identical one that was black corduroy.

And there's that sweet Bug, which would crash a couple years later (with infant me in it!). No casualties or major injuries except the Bug itself.

Special thanks to my mom who inspired this post by sending me a link to the Peppermint Club photo, and who dug up these amazing photos for me.

xo

K

faux franch

You may ask yourself: "Why 'faux Franch'?" Well, I am wearing a beret, obviously. Also, everyone knows that when you want to sound French and obnoxious you pronounce "French" as "Franch."

I wore this on last Thursday's Date Night. I was looking forward to finally wearing the beret, an antique mall find, since I am so bad with hats.

This first photo was taken in front of the cool artwork in the window at Vertigo Music, our local indie record shop. We started out there so I could trade in credit I had for some of my old vinyl (don't worry--I kept most of it), and obtain some new music. But Herm was so busy buying other folks' collections (start of the month--rent due) that I just window-shopped. (For those who care here's my current music wishlist: Caitlin Rose "Own Side Now," Grinderman 2, Anna Calvi, Gruff Rhys "Hotel Shampoo." And I'm really excited for the release of King Creosote & Jon Hopkins "Diamond Mine" at the end of this month. Okay. Done nerding out on music.)

Outfit details:

*Beret: antique mall

*Silk skirt: thrifted

*Sweater: vintage, probably estate sale

*Jacket and tights: Target

*Pin on jacket: antique, from my grandma

*T-strap wedges: Aerosoles

*Purse: antique mall

Andy wanted me to post this photo, too, since he captured the skirt in full wind gust mode.

xo

K

Lgt Frz Rain

Lgt Frz Rain = Intellicast.com shorthand for what is happening outside my window right now. I am a freak who loves winter, darkness, and cool temperatures. However, even I must admit that freezing rain falling on the (previously) melting winter snowfall is a pretty miserable thing.

Perhaps this shop preview with items tending toward the warmer weather will provide some cheer. (I went out in shoes and not boots again last night, so there's something.)

Golden bows cardigan, by Helen Harper.

1960s new with tags Adele Simpson black and white bow-neck dress.

1980s sand geometry sweater.

1940s sheer chiffon trumpet vine print dress.

1970s dreamcatcher embroidered wrap skirt, by Ken Stuart.

Gingham ruffle front shirt dress.

1970s sailboat polo knit top.

1940s ruffled milkmaid of human kindness dress.

Flower cart print blouse, by Lady Manhattan.

1960s sleeveless floral print shift.

Nelly de Grab modern primitive lamé brocade maxi skirt.

1960s pink gingham bib bodice Vicky Vaughn dress.

1970s city print knit top with funny little goldtone hand-shaped buttons at the shoulder.

Sweet little deadstock navy blue and green floral print children's dress with Peter Pan collar and bow.

1940s mustard yellow folklore floral print blouse, by Gordon Peters.

1960s Ottoman empire print romper dress, by Janet Lynn.

Gold-embroidered leaf applique ramie sweater.

1970s kindergarten art novelty print skirt, by La Contessa.

The sweetest 1940s rosebud print blouse, by Lurrie-Pizer.

Lace wedding dress that dates to 1894.

xo

K