My Dressing Table + A Wardrobe Project Update.

As inspired by one of my favorite blogs: Penny Dreadful Vintage. Last week there was a wonderful three part post on dressing tables (SOO many wonderful inspiring pictures! Do go check it out!). I couldn't help but share my own.

I am a very lucky girl and have an entire room in our house dedicated to my "toilet".  A real dressing room. (this room currently has brown shag carpet and one very bright blue wall which I am not a fan of, but I can't really complain. I have BIG plans for this room).

See? Brown shag and blue wall...I suppose it could be worse. Anyway, this is where I get ready every morning. I bought my vanity at a Salvation Army for $200. The chair is from a telephone table set I got from a neighbour. The table is in my front hallway. The vanity used to be black and gold, but I painted it white about 9 years ago.

I really know nothing about it's age. I just know I love it and will never get rid of it.

Here's the other side of the room next to the closet. My dresser, jewelry etc...



The jewelry box is vintage from The Boy's Great Aunt Mary. I love it!


This post is kindof a two-in-one. While we're on the subject of my dressing room I feel it's time for a Wardrobe Project update. Since I've made some progress on some of my goals.

While we're talking about goals. Here's a recap of what I'm trying to accomplish and since I'm a type A personality I've crossed off those which I've accomplished!

1. Edit my closet leaving only those pieces which I love and wear reguarly. (missed the progress of this one? Click here.)
2. Once edited, figure out which wardrobe basics I am lacking. (Stay tuned for an update on this)
3. Hunt/Shop for those wardrobe basics and only purhcase quality items.
4. Define my style and look for trend pieces/accessories that match it. Only buy pieces I absolutly LOVE and ADORE.
5. Get a great haircut and buy the products my stylist reccomends.
6. Organize my wardrobe effectively. Including separating summer and winter items.
7. Pretty up my wardrobe. Including buying matching hangers and storage boxes.


Not too shabby! And the best part! The pretty pictures of my progress on #7. Ta Da!

I bought those white storage boxes at Walmart right after Boxing Day. And I bought hangers on sale yesterday. Doesn't it look great? I think so.
Considering it looked like this a few months ago:

Ugh. It was a mess.

Lisa.xo

Dita: The Showgirl Nextdoor

Ok, is it just me geeking out about Dita's house in the February edition of US InStyle?

I heard Dita Tweet not long ago her house was being photographed by a US magazine and have had my eyes and ears peeled since trying to figure out which one I needed to get my hands on. Turns out I already have a subscription and it was in my mailbox two days ago! Score!

Her house is just spectacular! If I was a single gal it would be the vintage home of my dreams. I only wish they had shown more photos of her dressing rooms.

If you can't get your hands on a copy of the glossy pages where you live I did find the complete article online here (click on the photos of Dita to see the article).
But if you can get your hands on a copy, please go buy one. Trust me, it's so much better in person (well, the magazine is...I've never been to Dita's house...you know what I mean...).

Or maybe I'm just an old fashioned girl who loves to cart around a good book or even a magazine...

Did you love Dita's house too?

Lisa.xo

The Rest of the Goods

I hope you all enjoyed my luggage yesterday.

Here's the rest of the goodies I brought home:

I'm starting to amass a collection of enamel flower pins. I just love them.

The beaded clutch on top was $1.50 at Goodwill. I'm still learning about dating purses and clutches. I think this one may be 50's or 60's.
The one on the bottom I just couldn't leave at Value Village. It's a little dingy, but I just love the embroidery and the shape of the flap. This one I'm sure is 40's. The zipper and lining are a dead give-away. Maybe I can research how to clean it up a bit. Or maybe I should just leave well enough alone...I'm torn. It looks a lot better in the photo than it does in person.

Oh you fashion bloggers influencing me! It seems to me that everyone has a cute pair of vintage ankleboots that they wear with tights or socks and a dress. I've been on the hunt for a pair. The hardest part has been finding the right pair for my average size 8 1/2 feet. These are just PERFECT!! Everything I've been looking for! They will need to be re-soled soon, but I will probably wait for a few months. They also need a good cleaning as you can see. They're a bit dusty. Maybe some new laces too...
(P.S. you can see my suitcases stacked in the background!)

This wool skirt was a real steal at Goodwill. $5. I just love thier prices! The size is perfect. I love it! Can't wait to wear it! And it's reversable!!

Voila:

Two for one!

 The tags.

It's a size 16! It's a small 16! Even for a vintage skirt! I'm usually a vintage 12.

I actually bought one more thing I didn't photograph for you yet. I bought a very cute secretary-like 60's dress. I'll wear it soon and do an outfit post for you.

Lisa.xo

EDIT: I'm Packed!

Yesterday after work my Mom made me go shopping (well that's not true actually...she told me cherries were 99 cents a pound at the grocery store which happens to be right next to Value Village so I went to both. Then to Goodwill...)

It's a good thing I went! I bought some great stuff! Today I'm going to show you one of the things I bought. A fabulous vintage briefcase. $3!! Here I've got it stacked (it's the top one) with my other two vintage suitcases:

The two suitcases are pretty special. They both belonged to family members. I've had the one on the bottom for years now and the middle suitcase was gifted to me this week. I knew I wanted a third piece of luggage to complete my stack, but I never knew I'd find it so fast!!

 Here's my new briefcase. It's in great condition! No holes, the leather isn't brittle, all the pockets on the inside are in good condition.

I've got the first initial, but those other two aren't mine!

This suitcase was given to me by The Boy's Mom this week. Isn't it just darling? I was so flattered that she gave it to me. The Boy's Grandma brought it with her to the hospital when she had all of her babies and The Boy's Mom brought it with her to the hospital when she had her boys. That is easily the best part about this suitcase. It just makes me swell when I think about it.

This suitcase is also pretty special. It belonged to my Dad's grandfather. It was given to him when he retired from Manitoba Hydro. I've actually used this suitcase many times while traveling. It's got SO much space. Really! And it's tough as nails. The only downside is that it is HEAVY when it's full of stuff.

The Boy told me yesterday at dinner that I don't need anymore old suitcases! haha! I think he's afraid I'll start another collection! Who could blame him...they are lovely...

I of course, bought more stuff yesterday. I'll show it to you tomorrow. The thrifting gods were smiling down on me I'm telling you. I bought some awesome stuff!

EDIT: I had a interesting comment from wolfsong this morning concerning bedbugs and how I protect myself from them while thrift shoppig. Winnipeg seems to be experiencing a bit of a bedbug epidemic right now. Walmarts and thrift stores seem to be part of the problem. Let's just say I've been thrifting a lot less since the news came out (a lot less...). I actually left this suitcase out on my deck in a gargage bag over night to try and freeze out anything that may have been there. I also look over everything I buy very meticulously. I also wash and disinfect everything that can be washed when I get home. So far I've been able to avoid them. 

Want to learn how to spot the gross little creatures? Check here.  

I hope that helped answer your question.  

Lisa.xo 

Outfits: A Cardigan Was in Order

Holy Cow is it cold here right now!!! Winter prairie winds are brutally cold!! Wearing something warm was in order. Today it was a cardigan, boots and my favorite jeans.
Curling my hair gave my outfit retro flair. Which you know I love.

Vintage Necklace: Ragpickers

Black Lace : Smart Set

Green Cardigan: Smart Set

Black Patent Belt: Laura

Grey Jeans: Ricki's

Boots: Le Chateau

Purse: Ricki's

If you have warm weather where you are please send it my way!!

And welcome to all my new readers!! :) (could this post be filled with more exclamation points? !)

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Modern Marlene Dietrich

I spotted this photo on The Sartorialist yesterday.

I'm not much for menswear inspired clothes for myself (I feel wierd in them), but I adore the look on others.

This woman instantly made me think of Marlene Dietrich. Awesome!

Photo borrowed without permission!!

Happy Saturday!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Spots & Stripes

I am in love with this outfit. Mixing prints makes me giddy...I'm wierd like that.

Another work outfit. I got a lot of compliments on this outfit. So I guess it would seem I'm not the only one who is totally in love with it! haha!

I seem to be wearing a lot of flats these days. Work has been busy. Inventory prep...so I am climbing a lot of ladders and running around a lot. Heels aren't very good for that kind of work.
I was tempted to wear my brogues with this oufit since they too are black and white, but I thought that might be a bit predictable. It also occured to me that I've been wearing them to work almost every day. So I thought I would mix it up.

Now if only I could figure out how to photograph these prints without all that distortion!! Any thoughts or help?

Vintage Rhinstone "Fan" Earrings: Thrifted

Striped Tee with Flower: Joe

Belt: Le Chateau

Polka Dotted Skirt: Ricki's

Pantyhose: Walmart

Socks: Joe

Red Patent Flats: Joe

I was pretty sure you were due for another outfit photo today since I subjected you to my plant photos yesterday! haha!

Lisa.xo

Got Pot?

We have a new addition to our living room as of last night.

We repotted our Peace Lily. It's been looking a little sad these days.

See? Sad.

We were pretty sure it needed a bigger pot. So we bought one last night at Walmart.
Voila!

Now, not so sad. We also gave it a little trim.

Much better don't you think? Me Likey! :)

Lisa.xo

Outfits: SJV Inspired

I find myself inspired by my fellow fashion bloggers more and more these days.

I just adore the styling over at Sally Jane Vintage. Her young 60's-ish vibe always gets my creative fashion juices going even though my personal style is usually more 50's inspired.

This outfit is an homage to SJV. Beret and all. :)

Red Beaded Beret: Thrifted

Silver and Mother of Pearl Necklace: Ragpickers

Blouse: Jacob

Navy Polka Dot Dress: Thrifted

White Skinny Belt: Ragpickers

Navy Tights: Christmas Gift

Brogues: Aldo

Family Ring: Was my Grandma's

I almost didn't make it home in time to take photos today! The photos are still a little grainy...damn winter. And I think the new photo spot is growing on me...you're right Penny. The light is better. :)

Lisa.xo

Outfits: New Skirt, Old Jacket

I wore this to work today.

This is my new skirt from Jacob that I got for Christmas.
You've seen this jacket before. I just love it and wear it a lot in the winter.

I discovered today that I am unable to take outfit photos in the corner of the living room due to our new coffee table being in the way. I used just push the old one out of the way when I took outfit photos, but the new one is just WAY too heavy to be moved (that and being made entirely of glass I'd be afraid of breaking it if I tried to move it by myself).

What do you think? It's cleaner. Maybe it'll grow on me...

Black Headband: Ricki's

Bird & Birdcage Earrings: Ricki's Sample Sale

60's Green Boiled Wool Jacket: Ragpickers

Cream Tee: Joe

Printed Pleated Skirt: Jacob

Pantyhose: Walmart

Socks: Joe

Two Toned Patent Flats: Joe

Lisa.xo