Outfits: New Years Eve

The Boy and I spent New Years Eve with a small group of friends. We had a few drinks (I'm thankfully not hung over as I write this. Just a faint throb in my head. Nothing coffee and breakfast won't cure), we ate some delicious food and ended the night with a game of Cards Against Humanity.

I knew it was going to be a more casual evening, but I still wanted to wear something festive. For a girl who is attracted to sparkly things like a magpie I really don't have too many dressy separates. Then I remembered that I bought this tank from Value Village during Halloween this year. It's a bit like beaded chain mail. The entire tank except for the straps is beaded with a lining behind it. I paid under $7 for it because it was on the costume rack. I'm very sure a similar tank at a retailer would be close to $100. It's a very well made piece of clothing and I'm happy to have found it.

Vintage Rhinestone Earrings: thrifted

Black Bolero with Rhinestone Clasp: Laura Petites

Beaded Tank Top: thrifted, Value Village

Black High-waisted Skinny Jeans: Forever21

Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet: thrifted

Black Ankle Boots: George

I am very happy to welcome 2015. I'm eager for a few fresh starts in some areas of my life. 2014 wasn't all bad, but I'm glad it's over. There are some exciting things on the horizon both in my professional and personal life and I'm looking forward to them. 

Lisa.xo

Outfits: New Old Dress. Had to Have It (as usual...)

Does anyone else find Christmas shopping difficult? I mean, of course it is. But I mean specifically fighting the urge to buy yourself presents? Especially the kind that no one else will buy you. 

Like this dress. 

I was in the Exchange doing some Christmas shopping with Daphne from Vixage. We stopped at the Exchange Uporium. Patti Henderson - curator and owner of WildWoodRose Vintage - has her stuff there. Deadly. 

So I'm perusing her racks and I see this dress. I knew immediately without trying it on that I had to have it.   ...I'm so weak...

Decision made when I put it on and it fit like it was made for me. damn. 

I also bought a gift for a gift exchange while there, so at least there's that lol!

Black is hard to photograph with my point and shoot camera, but I'm hoping you can see the asymmetrical peplum/draped panel on the back. Also has three covered buttons at the nape of the neck. 

After I took the last bunch of photos I decided I needed more accessories, so I grabbed this hat and clutch. I'm in love. 

Please tell me I'm not the only one who buys themselves things while Christmas shopping. I've got four more gifts to buy and then I can stay away from the stores. Now I just need to find somewhere to wear this dress. 

Vintage Black Straw Tilt Hat: thrifted, Value Village

40's Black Crepe Dress: WildWoodRose Vintage via The Exchange Uporium

Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet: thrifted, Value Village

Vintage Celluloid and Rhinestone Bracelet: Ruby Slipper

Vintage Embroidered Rose Clutch: thrifted, Salvation Army

Black Mary Janes: Forever 21

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Looking a Little Christmas-y

I had a meeting with some fellow Shakespeare in the Ruins ensemble members (after 3 years of stage managing for them they asked me to be a member this summer!).  I've been dressing so casually lately I felt really dressed up in this outfit. 

Once I was out I realized how Christmas-y this outfit is with the green and the rhinestones on the sweater. I'm ok with it though. It's subtle. 

 

I love this sweater. I bought it for $5 at Value Village. I nearly fell over when I plucked it off the rack. It's a combination of my favourite things: black and sparkly. And can we talk about my slip for a moment? I know it might be a bit hard to see in that last photo, but the green polka dots on it are an exact match to my skirt. Match made in vintage heaven. 

Black 50's Rhinestone Studded Sweater: Value Village

Vintage Rhinestone Brooch: Vintage Glory

Black Patent Belt: Le Chateau (came with a top)

Green Vintage Skirt: Ragpickers

Vintage Green Polka Dotted Slip: Vintage Glory

Black Tights: Ricki's

Black Ankle Boots: George

Best Vintage Purse Ever: Value Village

Lisa.xo

Outfit: Leopard Print Cardigan

I haven't been wearing a lot of skirts and dresses this fall/winter. My outfits have consisted of skinny jeans, a tee, blouse or sweater of some kind and a cardigan with vintage accessories. 

If you thought that in order to have vintage, rockabilly or pinup style you have to wear a dress or skirt, please let me prove you wrong this winter. I don't even wear high waisted pants most days. Frankly, I find them uncomfortable. They cut into my stomach when I sit. 

And for fun. Here are the pups, getting my my way while I try and set up for outfit pics lol. 

Leopard Print Cardigan: Joe Fresh

Black Tee: Forever21- thrifted

Vintage Mink Brooch: Value Village

Black Patent Belt: Laura

Black Cuff Bracelet: Le Chateau

Black Skinny Jeans: Forever21

Black Boots: George

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Navy and Black Totally Go Together

I threw this outfit together today. I had some errands to run in the afternoon and rehearsal this evening. I have been wearing dresses all week, but wanted to put on something a little more casual. Plus, I wanted to wear my new Miss L Fire Bluebird Sandals (!!). Yup. I bought them. No. Regrets.

I bought this navy blouse at a sample sale way back when I worked at Ricki's. I have worn it less than 10 times since then, but for some reason I never want to get rid of it when I'm culling my wardrobe. It never fails, I put it on and I remember how much I love it.

And I must mention my sailor shorts as well. I have been on the hunt for a pair of navy or black sailor shorts for years now, but I have A) been too cheap to pull the trigger on an expensive pair online B) haven't been able to find a pair with the right rise in a local retail store. This summer, as usual, Value Village came to the rescue and I bought these shorts there. And I paid $3 for them!!! You heard me. Patience and persistance paid off as usual and I got a very nice pair of sailor shorts at the thrift store for less than a Starbuck's coffee!! I had to replace one button and take them in at the back, but that took very little time. I've worn these shorts SOO many times this summer. They just seem to go with everything.

Navy Atomic Print Blouse: Ricki's

White Flower Brooch: Ricki's

Vintage Metalwork Butterfly Brooch: Etsy . The Paris Carousel

Black Sailor Shorts: Thrifted

Black Metal Bracelet: Le Chateau

Bluebird Sandals: Miss L Fire

Vintage Straw Purse: Thrifted

Cat Eye Sunglasses: Rhymes with Orange

Lisa.xo

This Dress Needs Love

In my early days of collecting I would often buy pieces that had some serious flaws. I did this partially because I just wanted vintage - any vintage - in my closet and buying less than perfect vintage fit my university student budget much better.
These days I rarely buy vintage that is severely damaged. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to minor flaws, that's just part of the deal with clothes as old as I like them, but I NEVER buy things that have serious flaws.

Today I made an exception for an exceptional dress I believe I needed to rescue.

I know what you're about to say. That this dress looks fine. And from the front it does. However, the back of this dress is ripped. The bodice buttons up in the back (It's missing one button) and the entire skirt is ripped. So you can put this poor dress on like an apron at the moment. I'm not showing you the back because I'm not really keen on showing my underwear to the internet, so you'll have to use your imagination. 

I believe I can repair this dress. I bought it for a song at Vintage Glory today. It spoke to me. It's not my usual 50's style, but I love it. I'm going to try and sew the split in the back shut. I'm hoping the pattern is busy enough it will distract from the seam. Failing that I will make this into a peplum blouse. 

I also couldn't help but think of Sara from Lilies and Remains' guest post on By Gum by Golly: F***ed but Fabulous. It's all about loving and wearing vintage underdogs (go read it!).

Well, this is mine. :)

 

40's Rayon Novelty Print Dress: Vintage Glory

40's Black Suede Peep Toe Pumps: Vintage Glory

Lisa.xo

Outfits: 60's Blue & Green Border Print Dress

I bought this dress from Patti at WildWoodRose Vintage in the Exchange Uporium - a pop up shop in downtown Winnipeg featuring Winnipeg Etsy sellers. 

I was on my self imposed "no shopping fast" when I fell in love with this dress on the rack and instantly knew I was destined to cheat on my rule before I even tried it on. It has all my favourite colours (I mean, really...check out my house for proof). It's my favourite style: 50's/late 60's cotton sundress with a full skirt and it fits like a glove. Sorry rule...I had to have it. 

No regrets. Look how freakin' cute it is!!!!!!

The funny thing is that I already own a blue and green cotton sundress. I try not to buy too many similar dresses, but this one is juuuust different enough that I let that rule go too. Plus I knew I had many killer accessories (interchangeable between dresses) to go with this beauty.  

My hair is getting CRAZY long isn't it?! I need a trim - August, but I also wonder if it's time to get it cut shoulder-lengthish...probably not gonna happen yet. I'm not ready.. 

60's Blue & Green Border Print Cotton Sundress: WildWoodRose Vintage via Exchange Uporium

Green Butterfly Brooch: Ricki's Sample Sale

Bracelets: Thrifted

50's Bamboo Cage Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Blue & Green Wedges: Kenneth Cole Reaction 

Lisa.xo

Breaking with Tradition

I usually strive to wear as much vintage head to toe as I can on my birthday.

I had another vintage dress all picked out to wear to dinner yesterday, but once I repaired it (the fabric was shredding at the shoulder seams from being hung improperly) I decided it wasn't what I wanted to wear.

Deep down I knew I wanted to wear my new Jenny skirt in Burlesque print from Pinup Girl Clothing. So I broke with tradition and wore it.

Matching Vintage Pink Rhinestone Earrings and Necklace: Were my Grandma Nelsons

Beaded Black Bustier: Forever 21

Pink Flower Brooch (worn at waist): Smart Set

Jenny skirt in Burlesque Print: Pinup Girl Clothing

(unseen) Black Vintage Crinoline: gift from Krista

Black Peep Toe Pumps: thrifted, Value Village

Vintage Pink Shoe Clips: Ragpickers

(hard to see, but it's there) 30's/40's Black Cord Purse: thrifted, Value Village

We had dinner at Cibo Waterfront Cafe. The interior design and location on the Red River was beautiful. Our food was delicious, but we were a bit disappointed with the service - it wasn't terrible, but we expected more for the menu price point. We had fun regardless. 

My girls: Jenny on the left, Leyan on the right.

After dinner we went to a Winnipeg landmark: Nucci's Gelati.

I had an amazing day! I have the best friends - they are the ones that make it special. :)


Lisa.xo

Outfits: Pre-Birthday Dress

Tomorrow is my birthday. We're just about to round up the dogs and head to my Mom's for dinner.

It's a ridiculous 40 degrees Celsius with the humidity today. That might bother some people, but I love it. The hotter the better! And I knew just the dress to wear.
This dress was a serious impulse purchase.  I was browsing through Etsy on my phone during a show I was stage managing last winter. It popped up at $30 and I knew it would be perfect for summer. And at that price I couldn't go wrong. After shipping I paid less than $40 for this gorgeous dress and I couldn't be happier. It's in incredible condition and it's perfect for hot summer days like today.

Late 40's/Early 50's (I can't decide which it is!) Purple Vintage Cotton Dress: Etsy (can't remember the seller)

Purple Flower Earrings: Ricki's

Purple and White Flower Brooches: Ricki's

White Vintage Belt: Ragpickers

White Peep Toe Wedges: Le Chateau

50's Bamboo Cage Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Rockabilly Casual

I feel like my style has been evolving again lately...maybe evolving is the wrong word. Settling? I dunno...I guess it's been happening for a while.
Over the past few years I've been edging towards a more rockabilly look. I feel quite comfortable in it. Rockabilly can be dressy, but it can also be casual and it has a bit of an edge. I like a look with an edge and frankly, there aren't many black tie galas in my life. lol!

I haven't been posting a lot of outfits here in the last few months. Work has kept me busy and I always worry that you'll grow bored of seeing me in jeans and a tee-shirt again and again, but that's my life and that's how I dress day to day. I keep trying to tell myself that I should post those looks here. They are no less worthy of the blog than a dress.

Vintage Cotton Headscarf: Ragpickers

Purple Flower Earrings: Ricki's

White Tee: Joe Fresh

Green Belt: Thrifted

Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Purple Patent Flats: Joe Fresh

80's White Mesh Clutch: Thrifted

Letterman Jacket: Forever 21

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Uniform

Do you ever find yourself wearing a kind of "you" uniform? You know, that certain silhouette or combination of garments that makes you feel really comfortable in your own skin? The one that you instinctually gravitate towards? Perhaps almost daily?
Well this has been mine.

It's been such a frigid winter. I haven't worn a skirt since the fall and I'm still not quite ready. I've also been forgoing heels for these converse (I have an all black pair too) or my ankle boots since the sidewalks have become dry. My outfits have been some version of this for months now. Sometimes a bit more dressed up, but never more dressed down than this. 

You gotta wear what feels right. Not what you think everyone else expects you to wear. 

Black Beret: thrifted

Leopard Print Scarf: Ricki's

Vintage Leather Jacket: Vintage Glory

Teal Beaded Cardigan: thrifted

Black and White Polka Dot Tee: thrifted

Black Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Vintage Floral Purse: thrifted

Converse High Tops: ShoeMe.ca

Lisa.xo