Shoes!

Today my mother and I went shopping downtown Portland (yeah, it was super busy) in search for shoes. I got some money for Christmas and decided to spend it on new shoes, since I rarely buy any other than those from thrift stores, which are great but...always of the practical nature. So I tried on some really fun styles, and some pretty but practical ones too but nothing was perfect. There was even a pair of beautiful Chie Mihara peep toes on super sale ($75 down from $350) I would have bought but the heel was white and in this climate thats a bit unpractical. And the black ones pictured are by Burberry, marked half off from $1,000. I think those will be the most expensive shoes ever on my feet, and perhaps the one of the most uncomfortable. The red shoes are just fun :)

Anthropologie favorites

Clockwise from top right:Pink jacket $118...Gray shoes $338...Black Crinoline $58...Bayside dress $128...Octopus bracelet $198...Pink Fascinator $78...silk knickers $88...Silk bra $78

Christmas eve.

Every Christmas eve my family meets at a local restaurant built over the Columbia River for breakfast, and then gathers later to open gifts. Last year it was snowing like crazy during Christmas, and while there was no sign of a snowstorm it was pretty cold! And very foggy, which made it seem as though we were floating in the clouds.
Over the summer my boss gave me a 40s dress she picked up at an antique store that was hopeless structurally, but the silk was very much desirable. So I made this dress from the same pattern of this one and this one in the fall re-using the fabric from the dress. Every time I make the dress I am able to variate it a bit, it's such a fantastic, simple pattern. For this one I added a giant floppy silk chiffon bow at the bust, trim at the bodice seam, and puffy little sleeves. Making this dress was sort of a test of patience and skill, I took some techniques I've been reading about in 20s and 30s sewing manuals and used them. So the dress has french seams and bias trim among other little things, just like a real 30s frock.

It's cape weather.

Let's face it, capes are cool. Superheros wear them. Queens wear them. Magicians wear them.

This one is from the 60s, made of warm and soft camel hair. I love that it has two full slits, instead of just arm openings, plus it has attached belt loops to keep a belt in place. And of course when my mother picked me up this morning to go to Portland, she was wearing her leopard cape, we always seem to dress in some similar way when we are together. Like mother like daughter. But needless to say we looked like crazies walking down the street arm in arm with our capes. I did have a hat on, but then I went to the hair salon, so it felt silly covering up done hair with a cloche.

We did go to Forever 21, and I found the ONLY bird brooch there, which of course I bought. I would be dumb if I didn't.

Later we went to Buffalo Exchange, where I found a beautiful $300 Dian Von Furstenberg wrap dress still with tags for only $32! Yeah, much excitement. My mother also found me a darling circle skirt with cats on it, which I will wear all the time around Twila as I know she just looooooves when I wear cats on my clothes ;)

Cape, shoes, belt, gloves: The Urban Eccentric.

Purse: Michael Kors.

Tights: Macys.

Random weekend pictures.

This weekend I went to my Aunts house and attempted to make bon bons and gingerbread houses. After that adventure she opened up her storage trunk and gave me all sorts of vintage goodies. She is the person who made me want to get into vintage in the first place so as you can imagine she has the best of the best. Most is summer dresses, but the suit above is one of the pretty winter things I couldn't wait to wear. Thank you Auntie!

Here is my adorable new cousin Dottie, and my failed attempt at a gingerbread house. As you can see by Dottie's expression, she is wondering why I suck so much at putting frosting on a graham cracker.

Here are my other cousins Grace and Pearl, who are both silly as little girls get. Grace got into the trunk too and fell in love with this pink 50s prom dress. I think Pearl was being a Walrus...
I have another cousin, but she would not let me take her picture! I guess I was the same way when I was that age though.

Here are a couple pictures readers sent in on how they kept warm last weekend, don't they look cute! On the right is one of my best customers, Hana (she needs to start a blog I think), and on the left is Peldyn of Style on a shoestring

Well thats all folks, I'll be doing regular postings this week except for on Christmas, can you believe it's only five days away?

Pretty cheap.

Forever 21 is probably the only modern store I'll shop at and pay full price for clothing. There's something for just about everyone, and it's so cheap! A few years ago I got a skirt at Anthropologie for $88, only to find the exact skirt a few months later at Forever 21 for $25!

There are some really cute vintage inspired items right now, especially for holiday wear. So if your budget is tight, here are some cute things for yourself or for gifts ;)

Clockwise from upper left:Bow headband, $4.80....Grey caplet, $34.80....Bangle, $6.80....Bow slippers, $6.80....Blue sweater, $27.80....Sparrow brooch, $4.80....Gossip girl tee, $10.90

Mad for Plaid.

Some plaid (and one not) listings this week going in my shop. If I looked better in 60s styles, I would probably wear them more, they have such a young, fresh air even if the clothing is 50 years old. But my loss is your gain, with plenty of fun 60s dresses and loungewear going up for sale :)

Please email me at solanahraquel@gmail.com or contact on Etsy with any questions or reserve requests.