How to wash a wool sweater

Today I did a guest post on Casey's Elegant Musings about How to Wash a Wool Sweater!

Stop by and say hi!

After Christmas shopping

Photos by Ruth

Today my cousin and I went downtown to do some shopping with some christmas money and gift cards we received. We went to Macy's, Forever 21, and the new H&M. All were super busy, especially H&M, Portland has been wanting one for years, and they had some pretty cute stuff! I got some socks :)

A few weeks ago I finished this beret to match my yellow cardigan. When I made the cardigan I knew I wanted a matching hat, but after watching The Secret Garden I just had to make a huge floppy beret like Marys. I would post the pattern I used, but I just had it as a guideline, I couldn't find one that was close enough to hers, so it turned out nothing like the original pattern :)

And isn't this little kitty necklace cute? I saw it and just fell in love with it, it has green eyes just like Hobbes!

The third photo is of a spot in Pioneer Square where you can stand and anything you say echos in a weird, eery way. It's always fun to do, before I knew about it, I would just see people standing there, saying "Hello!" to no one. It's right by the corner Starbucks, in the middle of the circular steps. Go there and echo!

Skirt and boots-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Cardigan-Made by me using this pattern

Beret-Made by me.

Burberry coat-Brown Bag Vintage

Necklace-Magic Beans and Vintage Things

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve my family meets at a restaurant on the river for brunch. The view is very entertaining for the little ones, I'm sure they'll have lots of fond memories of the tradition. Even though I am lucky enough to see my family often, it's nice to get together with everyone all at once and share a meal and some laughs.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, can't wait to see what other bloggers have to show!

1950s suit, hat, and purse-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Coat-The Red Light

Shoes-A gift from Twila Jean

Brooch-Forever 21

Christmas shopping

I found a funny little hat to match my coat, isn't it cute? Honestly I think it's a bit silly, but so are the best hats. It was a hit while shopping downtown today though, I had no problem getting attention, even with the holiday rush ;)

At one store in particular (can't say which, christmas presents!), a number of men left their counters to assist me with one small purchase, boys are so funny when a well dressed girl walks through the door!

My mother and I had lunch at Jakes, as a gift from my grandmother. It was a wonderful, cozy lunch, complete with dessert and tea. Afterward I just wanted to curl up next to the fireplace and take a nap, a sign of a really good lunch :)

Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season, I've still got some presents to make!






Coat-Fab Gabs

Hat-Ebay

Shoes-Chie Mihara, from a garage sale

Purse-Urban Eccentric

Gloves-A gift

Pretending it's spring

The other day it was so bright and sunny out, heavy wools seemed unnecessary. It was, of course, still cold, but hey, it was like a little winter break. Or spring break?

*wooo!*

Aaaand, it was finally dry enough to wear my new shoes, aren't they lovely? I feel so dainty in them ;)

Dress-Buffalo Exchange, Portland, Or

Shoes-Courtesy of Modcloth

Brooch, and hat-Gift from mother, brooch from Decades Vintage

New camera lens!

So I may have opened my Christmas present early, and it may have been a new camera lens, and I may have spent hours last night and this morning taking pictures of my cat.

May have.

I'm still playing around with it, Sam and I went out and took pictures this afternoon and I think they tuned out just wonderful.

Also, be sure and check out this interview I did for The Vintage Fashion Club!

Skirt, boots, scarf, and hat-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Jacket-Buffalo Exchange, Portland, OR.

Long johns-Target

Gloves-Thrifted

Purse-Michael Kors


Kitty found a place in my closet to rest in :)

Sense and Sensibility

Screencaps from here

This past couple of days have been cozy, rainy days, full of tea, and costume dramas. Which of course, must include some Jane Austen. I can't decide if I like this version, or the latest BBC version better, both are excellent.

This film makes me want to move to the English country, where sheep cover hillsides, and I can wear gauzy empire dresses and straw bonnets tied with ribbon. And have tea aaaaalllllll the time. And eat dinner by candlelight. And have a writing desk.

Actually, these are just things I want anyway, but this film just justifies the beauty of it all :)

Another sweater dress...

Studio courtesy of Urban Eccentric Vintage

One of the great things about knit sweater dresses is that if the size is just a little off, you can do things to make them fit just right.
When I bought my green knit dress it was just a tad too tight, so I blocked it, using a spray bottle and an iron.
This dress was a little to big, so I soaked it to get the dusty smell out, and then tossed it in the dryer for about ten minutes. It shrunk just enough, and even shortened it an inch or so to a length I like better. After the dress was taken out of the dryer, I put it flat over a towel to dry, flipping it every few ours. Viola! Custom fitted sweater dress :)

I paired it with a rhinestone brooch, though it would look great with some silk flowers for spring. A little tip if heavy brooches won't stay put on a dress: Pin them to your bra strap!

Dress-Stars Antique Mall

Coat-A gift from my Aunt

Shoes-Buffalo Exchange, Hawthorne, Portland OR

Purse-The Church of Vintage

Scarf-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Belt-Lodekka

Gloves-Estate sale, monogrammed by me.

Bow brooch-A gift from my brother and sister in law.

The Secret Garden

When Sarah Louise of Slubird asked if I wanted to model this dress for her shop, I had just watched The Secret Garden and it reminded me of something Mary would have worn. You can buy the dress here, and wear it to explore your own overgrown forgotten garden!

*Oh, and the film is on Netflix Instant Watch if you want to watch it ;)

I know. Weird.

Studio courtesy of Urban Eccentric Vintage

So yeah, this is what I wore today. Kind of the opposite of yesterday.

Every once in a while I get bored with myself, and in turn, bored with my clothing choices. Don't get me wrong, I know I have some really nice, and fun clothes, but that is of course not the root of the problem.

Does anyone else get bored with themselves?

This outfit is something I would have worn in high school. Actually, I probably did, but thats beside the point. In school, and a short time following, I was bursting with creativity, ideas, and constantly busy with one project or another, whether I wanted to be or not. This led to going to college for apparel design at the Art Institute of Portland, which led to dropping out and staring an Etsy shop for my designs, which morphed into a little vintage shop, which then became a full time job, and that was that. But I was overwhelmed with working every minute at my day job or on Etsy, and stopped, and relaxed. And it's nice. I have time to knit.

I could bring that endless chaotic creativity back into my mind, but I know that means a bunch of unfinished projects laying around the house, ideas on sketchpads that never make it off the paper, and my mind always in a jumble of this and that.

I've controlled my creativity to a point where I can actually focus on things, and finish them (well, most of the time). But I don't think my brian is liking that very much anymore. Perhaps I should paint. Or draw. Or cover lampshades in dried bits of leaves and bunny fur.

That last one may be questionable.

I've stared thinking of ideas on what to do to keep my creative little brain happy, which is enough to get me out of this boredom for now. Perhaps I'll start an Etsy shop of nothing but cat portraits.

You know I'm not kidding about that one ;)

Lilli Ann suit

Studio courtesy of Urban Eccentric Vintage

So first off, what do you think of the set? I've been searching for a good, well lit place to take non-eventful outfit photos, and this place is warm and dry :) We just stared using professional lighting and everything for an Etsy shop at work, I'm loving playing with it!

This suit was given to me by my mother, after years of admiring it when she wore it. It's a lighter fabric, probably more like a cotton spring suit, but no matter! It's works for winter too :)

That hat reminds me of The Duchess only on a smaller scale ;) I think if I had one of her hats I might knock people over.

And of course, Mr. Beaumont was along for the ride today, I think he adds a bit of excitement to any outfit, no matter how prim and proper ;)

Lilli Ann suit: Gift from mother

Hat and brooch-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Long hair wishlist

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

I was going to do a Christmas wish list, but there's not really much I want. A new lense for my camera. Short post. Goodness knows I have enough clothes, hats, gloves, and whatnot to fill our apartment and then some (not that it stops me from buying the occasional hat, I last counted at......*ahem*.....122....)

So I thought I would post a few photos of girls with long hair, since thats what I've been really wanting.

Not a girl with long hair. Just the hair part.

As much as I love vintage styles, I am often drawn to a more natural look, and am really happy when I see girls embracing their natural hair texture. It just kills me when I see women fry their wavy hair in order "smooth it out". Honestly I love the look of a bit of frizz, a bit of fluff. Paired with a fresh face, it looks a little wild, in a good way.
But of course, the grass is always greener on the other side, and many ladies with straight hair will do whatever it takes to get curls.

Le sigh.

Hope you enjoy this little collection, and hope it inspires those of you who are trying to grow out your hair to keep away from the scissors!