California day 4: Beach to beach and in between!

This morning we left Del Mar to stay our last night in in California in Laguna Beach. On our way we stopped in Solana Beach and snapped some photos, just because the signs have (most) of my name :)
Since yesterday when we went to Wear it Again Sam and it was closed, we went back today, so many of you recommended it! And wow did it not disappoint. They are having a huge sale right now, and closing shop at the end of the month (but will continue selling online). So there were some amazing deals, my mother bought the most beautiful 1950s polka dot Suzy Perette dress I've ever seen, and I got something I've been looking for for years! A beautiful black 1940s princess coat, fits like a dream. You can see it here. Actually, Sam got it for me for my birthday, he just doesn't know it yet ;)
I kid, I kid. He knows, hehe.

We also got to meet the gal with the flaming red hair you see modeling vintage all over Ebay and Etsy, which was awesome, but I am so dumb and forgot to ask her name! It was pretty cool though, and I was in love with her skirt. There was also a guy working who was really nice, and a snappy dresser, but I forgot to take his picture. I know, what a fail.

We arrived in Laguna Beach and checked into our cute little hotel, one of those that was once a little roadside motel but has been updated on the inside to include hardwood floors and a jacuzzi tub. Ooooo.

We walked near the beach a bit, and nearly blew away, then had an amazing happy hour dinner (lobster mac and cheese anyone?). Seriously, this place must have the best happy hour menu ever. Everything on the regular menu is half off! Genius.

Oh and I got new shoes. Actually my brother got them for me, he just really doesn't know it yet. Thanks Josh!

Blouse-French Connection, via Buffalo Exchange, Hillcrest

Skirt-Gift from Twila Jean

1940s sailor jacket-Buffalo Exchange, Burnside

Shoes-Madden girl

1950s sunglasses-From a giveaway on Pretty Little Things

California day 3: Fishies!

This morning we headed to the Birch Aquarium for the exhibit There's Something about Seahorses, and they were all so pretty! Sea life is some of the most beautiful, colorful, and bizarre, that was my favorite chapter of the Planet Earth series. We got there just as an elementary school group was arriving, and usually stayed one step ahead of them, they were so funny, and super excited to be there.
Outside of the exhibit was a little tide pool area overlooking the ocean, and I got to pet a starfish and a sea cucumber! The starfish felt like a kitty tongue, and the sea cucumber felt like a cucumber that had been left in the back of the fridge too long (squishy).
Thanks to everyones suggestions on the last post we went into Hillcrest to shop at Wear it Again Sam, and Flashbacks. Unfortunately Wear it Again Sam is closed on Mondays, but I did find the most amazing late 1930s black wool dress at Flashbacks, can't wait to wear it come fall! There was also a wonderful pair of black suede 40s peep toe oxfords there that would have gone perfectly with it, but a they were a size too small :(

On a side note, a few of you asked about my sailor jacket, which is so funny since I wear it all the time, but I guess I never have it on for outfit photos! I bought it at Buffalo Exchange a couple of years ago in their "halloween section" and it was just a tad too small, so I cut it up the front and added buttons and button holes. I've been told from many an old man that it's from the 40s, and a torpedo ship I think. Like I said, it's very small, the man who owned it must have been quite short! It's well worn, which I love, it's so great to know something like this was used, just think of the stories it holds!

Dress-Buffalo Exchange, Hawthorne

Sailor Jacket-Buffalo Exchange, Burnside

Fascinator hat-Not Quite Vintage

1950s confetti sunglasses-From a giveaway on Pretty Little Things

Camifornia: Marshmallows and kittens!

This morning we headed to Encinitas to check out Double Take, a designer resale store, and Flashbacks Vintage, which has more modern than vintage but fun all the same. I bought a little burgundy 1930s style J.Crew sweater for fall at Double Take, really excited to find a sweater that was short enough.
Afterward we went looking for a lunch spot and decided to try something new. We came across a cafe that looked good, so we went in and asked for a table. They said they were just about to close, but it was fine and seated us. After about ten minutes of waiting at a table at the back of the restaurant with not so much as a glance our way we left, and instead headed to our favorite cafe in Solana beach. Zinc Cafe has some of the most amazing food, the tiny little place nestled between boutiques and fancy antique stores, there's always a line and for good reason! After a yummy lunch of gourmet four cheese macaroni and eggplant lasagna, we got a big warm drink. I had the hot chocolate with the biggest, yummiest marshmallow ever. Seriously, I nearly licked the cup clean.
The local market was nice, the produce was just beautiful, can't wait for ours to start up back home!
We just HAD to take a picture with the cacti, since we took one in the same spot last time we were here.
Last stop in Solana Beach was the Antique Warehouse, where I got my red purse last time! I found one must have treasure there, a kitten umbrella! So exciting. My mother loved it too so she got it for me ;) I love it.
There was a perfect pair of never worn 1930s oxfords in black I wanted, but they were too narrow, oh well. I just need to buy some repro ones, eventually I'll find just the right ones.
Tomorrow we're thinking of going into San Diego if anyone knows of anything good there (vintage or thrift shops, restaurants), I really have no idea what's over there, so any suggestions would be great!

Dress-Liberty Vintage

Jacket-Buffalo Exchange

Petticoat-Moms, she bought at Scuda

Shoes-Etsy

Purse-Antique Warehouse

California day 1: Long Beach!

This morning we left sunny Portland for rainy California, and headed straight to Long Beach! After so many of you insisted we go to 4th st we were pretty excited to get there. We went to about four or five vintage clothing shops, but these three were my favorites, I found something wonderful at each one. And the owner of Liberty reads Vixen Vintage! How cool is that? We took some photos together but they turned out a bit blurry :( But I'll post one on my Facebook though if Bridget is reading this!
At The Vintage Collective I found an adorable bed jacket with kittens on it, but the shape was awful on me so I didn't end up buying it, even though it was too cute!
I'm sure I'll come back to 4th st again, the stores had great selections, great prices, and the owners/employees were really nice and helpful. I just hope to come back on a bright and sunny day ;)

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Family Album

Here's a few pictures of my family, taking advantage of a nice sunny day. My cousins and nephew are hilarious, big ol' hams, I rarely snapped a picture where they weren't posing ridiculously :)

Style inspiration, my auntie!

I've mentioned before how my aunt Nichole was my biggest influence for dressing in vintage, and now I actually get to show you why! Here are some pictures from when I was a little girl, and wanted to wear her red lipstick and pretty dresses, and some from now with her husband and four growing girls, where she still makes vintage style effortless. I'm sure you can see why vintage appealed to me looking at these photos, my aunt got her hands on the best vintage, and she always looked like she stepped out of the 40s or 50s, her closet full of the best dresses, skirts, blouses, and sweaters. A few months ago she made my dream come true and passed much of her wardrobe on to me, the same outfits that made me want to be so much like her. You can learn more about her on her blog Life in a Pink House, and see her cute outfits, and parenting tips. As you can see she didn't let having four girls be an excuse for letting go of vintage, she even looks cute riding a bike! So if you want some vintage inspiration from my inspiration, check her out.
My aunt influenced my style so much, and I hope that one day I can pass on beloved clothing to cousins who might love it as much as I do. Just the other day I was with my cousin Ruth and noticed she was wearing a 50s beaded sweater that was once a favorite of mine. Then I realized that before it was mine or hers, my aunt had given it to me just before Ruth was born 13 years ago, as she was afraid baby Ruth would pull off the beads and eat them. Luckily we don't have to worry about Ruth eating beads now :)

And in case you're wondering, the first photo is of me and my aunt, I'm wearing my favorite sweatshirt that reads "My cat walks all over me!" I thought I was pretty cool.