fangirling

Andy and I had a busy end-of-last week / weekend (weekends are such amorphous concepts when you work for your own selves)...and it was "busy" as in, we took some time off to have fun.  On Thursday, we went to see Skyfall, and I clashed my plaids, but did almost match my skirt to the brick wall at the theater.

I wore this adorable collar made for me by andreacreates on Etsy.  It has squirrels on it!  And it's reversible--the other side has a really pretty ecru lace print.  Andrea makes great collars and other accessories, and is wonderful to work with.

So here is the fangirling part.  We bought our tickets and I immediately began checking out the (ginormous) multiplex for Hobbit schwag.  There was a lot of it--mostly featuring Gandalf or Bilbo.  But if you all know me, you know I was looking for Hot Dwarf Thorin / a.k.a. Richard Armitage.  And I finally found him tucked way back in one of the furthest corners of the theater.  (Hey, Thorin, what are you doing with that stick there?)

I then proceeded to make Andy take about a thousand photos of me with cardboard Thorin.  Andy is fairly patient with my ridiculousness--one of the many reasons I love him.

I love this placement of the all-dwarves poster over the men's room.

By the time we entered the theater, Skyfall was already in progress.  Which meant, sadly, that my ridiculous photo session with cardboard Richard caused me to miss my first viewing of the Hobbit trailer on the big screen.  Irony!  But we enjoyed what we did see of Skyfall...though it seemed much shorter than expected.  Over a dinner of moules frites and Belgian beer at Brewery Vivant later, Andy I discussed some of the confusing plot points, and I wondered sadly why there was so little Q in the movie.

It turns out there was a good reason for our confusion.  We didn't miss 5 minutes of the film...we missed a full hour of it.  The ticket girl gave us tickets for the 3:45 showing, not the 4:45 showing--though we bought the tickets at 4 pm.  We didn't bother to check the time, assuming we'd get tickets for the next show, not the one already in progress.  Dumb us.  We called the theater after we figured this out and got free passes (and popcorn!) for another show, and went back on Saturday to finally see the first hour.  Good thing, too, because we missed a really exciting motorcycle/train chase.  There still wasn't enough Q, though.

Before going back to the theater, though, we ran a bunch of errands together in our neighborhood, buying coffee, olive oil, and cider.  And we spotted this intriguing looking, and not yet open, artisan distillery in downtown Rockford.  Hmmmm....

We also had a couple beers at the new Perrin Brewery.  Their Kona Brown ale is the best coffee beer ever.  I love Andy's vintage Dale of Norway sweater.  And the fact that I appear to have caught him mid-Cabbage Patch.

xo

k

calling all tweedy fellas: a shop preview

If you're a vintage-loving guy--particularly a Harris tweed and cozy sweater-loving guy--or have such a fella in your life that you need to buy a holiday gift for, this is the shop update for you!  Take a look (that first sweater is in the shop; the rest are coming soon).

1960s Jantzen rainbow chevron stripe sweater.

1960s abstract print pullover nylon jacket, by White Stag.

1970s speckled oatmeal cableknit cardigan.

1970s Jantzen ski sweater.

Amway cowichan sweater.  Yep.

My favorite.  1960s color block shetland wool cardian, by Lord Jeff.

1970s petrol blue velvet blazer with red contrast stitching and polka dot lining, by Cuzzens.

1950s nut brown Harris tweed blazer, by R.W. Forsyth.

1940s or 1950s green wool blend plaid jacket, from the Ivy Shop/Charter Club at Harry Suffrin Detroit.

1960s batik print tuxedo jacket with satin lapels and cuffs, After Six by Rudofker.

1970s herringbone Harris Tweed jacket.

xo

K

shop preview: a sartoral battle?

If this week's shop preview has a theme, it's the battle between Things to Go to Parties In and Things to Get Cozy In.  I'd say a couple of these items could go both ways.  It's just that time of year.

These items will all be arriving in the shop shortly.

1950s Black Swan taffeta and crepe ballerina dress with bow and rhinestone buckle, by International Original.

Norwegian wool fair isle cardigan, by Husfliden.

1960s floral print Heidi dress, by Butte Knit.

1950s black velvet full skirt.

1940s dove gray English flannel skirt suit, by Lilli Ann.

1960s avocado and moss green jacquard roll neck sweater, by Carol Brent.

1960s brown plaid dress, by Merley.

1950s bohemian ribbons and rick rack full skirt.

1960s ice blue linen dress with satin trim, by Emma Domb.

1940s Lewispun tweed jacket.

1960s red plaid wool dress, by John Meyer of Norwich.

xo

K

road trip snaps

Andy and I spent a couple days up north on a buying trip last week.  It was one of those magical trips where I managed to find just what I needed for the shop: shoes and lots of sweaters!  We also enjoyed meals at some of our favorite places, and found a few items for our own personal collections/wardrobes.  All in all, a success!

Here are some snaps I took along the way.

xo

k

i spy: october

October was quite a lovely month.  Despite 75% of my brain being taken up with election year obsession, I managed to find quite a few lovely and inspiring images on the internets.  Here's a wee taste!

1 / 1933 French street style / giantpantsofthe30s

2 / Siouxsie.  Makes me want to wear lace cuffs and a big lace jabot over plaid. / via

3 / Dorette's Sister by Gerald Leslie Brockhurst / BBC

4 / Jane Austen's writing table at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire / The Guardian

5 / "Old watermill house" in Donzy, Burgundy, by Éole Wind / via

6 / A Russian prison tattoo; the wearer was convicted of "hooliganism." / via

xo

k

shoes, bags, and jewels: a shop preview

Here is the first shop preview for November, and it's full of shoes, bags, jewelry, and some bits of home decor.  Take a peek at what will be showing up in the shop shortly!

1960s scalloped red satin party pumps, by Margaret Jerrold.

1980s navy suede Italian made mary janes, by Land's End.

Nubuck suede and snakeskin oxfords, by Bally.

1940s cream and brown spectator pumps.

1950s black faux alligator Kelly bag, by Dover (in the shop already!).

1950s chocolate brown satin clutch.

Small 1940s or 1950s caramel leather suitcase, by GB Stylite.

1960s Sarah Coventry Sultana necklace, bracelet, and earrings parure.

Sports themed charm bracelet.

Chunky butterscotch Lucite bangle.

Pink rhinestones and faux pearls brooch and earring set.

Tooled leather belt with big Texas buckle.

Fancy floral potholder with jeweled hand.

Two prints with Italian made rococo metal frames.

Horse bookend.

xo

K