Time? Time to get pretty.

"Oh hello. My name is Sene'. What's that? You want the time? Oh I'm sorry, I'm not a watch. No really. Don't believe me? Well, prepare to be dazzled....

Voila! I am a compact. Do I amaze you? Oh don't bother taking out your lipstick, I am everything you want and more....

See? I told you I wasn't a watch." 


Found this beauty and couldn't leave her behind. Have since cleaned her up, and refilled the dishes. They're removable, at one time you could probably buy replacements at the makeup counter. Eventually I'd love to have it restored a bit, as much as I love the found condition, I love restoring things even more! 
Compact bracelet from Camas antiques

Exciting news! (Not of the baby variety)

And here is my first post as a full time blogger! 
 Wheeeee!
 I quit my job working at a local vintage store, and now you guys have me all to yourselves. I feel very fancy. Though it was hard to quit my job of nearly four years, it was sort of the reluctance of leaving that made me decide I had to let it go. Can't move forward if you don't let go! 
 So from now on I'm expecting to do about five posts a week, more giveaways, features, and hopefully show you more of my collection that doesn't usually make it on here. Ok, here we go! 
Today I tagged along with my mother and grandma to the Pendleton mill store for some Christmas presents. My favorite Pendleton wool scarf/shawl was a must. Instead of just belting it like I usually do, I folded it into a little bustle :)

Because bustles are cool.   
This has kind of been my "go to" autumn outfit, which seems to change every year. 

Photos my mama 
 All items from Urban Eccentric Vintage
Purse-Michael Kors

Soon I'll turn into Gollum. Just wait and see.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm very attached to "things". It's taken me a while to realize that as it may be superficial, things make me happy. Of course it's not the only thing that make me happy, there are those cliche moments that I love the most, but honestly I love pretty things, and surround myself with them.

Lately I've been simplifying. To de-clutter, and make some extra cash, especially this time of year.

I pull out all my clothes, look at each piece, and decide if I need it. Some stay, there are those that I know I will keep forever like the skirt I was wearing when Sam proposed to me, and some I know I'll eventually have to let go of. Then there are those that are on their way to be sold.

Today I did it again. Only this time I meant to be rock solid, and really get rid of things. That dress I've only ever worn once? Yeah, someone else will wear it all the time. Those skirts you've grown out of? Time to let go.

Then I got to a robe. My beautiful navy blue wool robe, with a silk polka dot hood. I'ts a little too small. I'm usually too warm to wear it inside. But I remember spotting it at the shop, hidden on the back of a pillar, and my heart skipped a beat. And I asked to see it almost in a panic, as if someone would grab it before I could. And how perfect it was.

And then like a little girl, I started crying. I hate crying. I'd rather eat a worm than have anyone see me cry. Actually I'd feel sorry for the worm. How about oilves? Gross.

And then I realized that my clothes aren't just things. To other people they are, but to me, they're my lifes work. Iv'e spent years accumulating all my clothes, and wearing them, and taking proper care of them. They are me. I didn't just walk into a vintage store one day and buy an entire wardrobe, these all come from different places, and different times of my life. And I remember buying them, and the excitement and thrill of finding that one of a kind, special piece. Wearing each one, and gosh what was I thinking paring that with those shoes, and when I wear this dress everyone calls me Snow White.

I think anyone who has a collection of any kind can understand. It's practically impossible to let go, because this is at it's core, your life. I'm sure it would be different if I had children, but for now my wardrobe is what I've created, something I'm very proud of, and something I have a terrible time letting go of. I get offended when people want to buy my things without them being offered because I think "I spent years of constant searching and building to have what I have, you expect me to just hand a part of it over?"

So here I am, surrounded by piles and racks of beautiful clothes, with a pile to let go of. I know you guys will give them good homes, much better than in a box under the bed. But I'm still attached to the robe. Maybe next time. Maybe never. I have lots of clothes I don't wear anymore that I can't even begin to think of selling. Perhaps one day I'll wear them again, or hopefully one of my little cousins will want to wear them.

Either way, I like my pretties. They're as much a part of my life as anything. 
 

The coat

Oh hi, yeah, this is just my coat.
My awesome coat. 
I got it at the antique expo last month, and while I searched it inside out five times, the Christian Dior tag seems to be missing. If anyone finds it laying around, let me know. 
I wore it Saturday when Sam and I did a little shopping and sushi-ing on NW 23rd. We stopped by Goorin Brothers and I blushed a little when everyone in the store went gaga over it. But then we went to the M.A.C. store and I actually did buy blush, so it all worked out. 
{I asked the makeup artist for blush, and she said "this one will make you look like you just stepped in from the cold. Or like Snow White.}
How did she know that's exactly what I wanted? 
It's called "Pink Swoon" in case you're wondering. 
I even met a blog reader on the street, she was nice enough to say hello and chat for a moment! To be honest, it never really hits me that more people read my blog than my mom and friends until someone I don't know says something in person. 
I am oblivious. 
But oblivious in a fabulous coat.
 
Coat-Antique expo
Beret-Thrifted
Shoes-Chie Mihara
Gloves-Estate Sale
Purse-Michael Kors

"My Week With Marilyn" giveaway winner!

And the winner of the My Week With Marilyn book and poster giveaway is...........
 Rachel B. of Untouchable Treasure! 
 Email me at solanahraquel[at]gmail.com for details :)
 Apologies to non-U.S. entrants, I forgot to ask the company if international entries were eligible and unfortunately they are not for this particular giveaway. There will be more fun items up for grabs in the future though! Thank you everyone for entering! 
Have fun seeing My Week With Marilyn!
 Photo courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

"My Week With Marilyn" Giveaway!

The much anticipated film My Week With Marilyn opens in the U.S. next week, and you can bet I'll see it at least once! So you can imagine my squeals when I was contacted in hopes of hosting a giveaway in celebration! 
 The movie, set in 1956, stars Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, and reading the cast list I'm excited to see some of my favorite actors also in the film, such as Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, and Dominic Cooper. Eeep! So, The Weinstein Company has offered up a "My Week With Marilyn" book, and a movie poster. Lucky you! All you need to do to enter is comment in this post, only one entry per person please. U.S. residents eligible for the drawing, sorry international readers! The winner will be chosen at random Sunday night. Good luck!
 





All images courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

Pin all the things.

Kitchen circa 1935 

Sweet Kitties

Strawberry cake 

Farmland 

Audrey being Audrey
{Addicted to Pinterest lately}