rumble strip

Re-purposed Purpose-fuls IV--Pajamas!

2008-12-01T21:44:00.001-08:00

30's Vintage Art Deco Pajamas

Hand-Made Organic Bamboo and Cotton PJ Set

The most beautiful dress I've ever seen!!!

2008-12-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

This gorgeous Edwardian dress sold on Dorothea's Closet for $650. It may very well be the most beautiful piece of clothing I've ever laid my eyes on. Not that I have anywhere to wear it...but the thought of how it would sit on my body and how I would feel inside of it is almost overwhelming. Should clothing make me this emotional?

Skeleton Chic

2008-11-28T22:57:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with these pieces while perusing spring fashion shows and can't for the life of me remember who the designer is. They're fantastic and I feel the need to recreate them or scavenge something similar. But first things first...does anyone know who fabricated these works of wearable art?

-sigh-

Re-purposed Purpose-fuls III--Winter/Rain Boots

2008-11-23T23:45:00.000-08:00

60's Vintage Rain Boots

Vegan-Recycled Materials-Water Resistant

Vegan-Fabric with Rubber Soles

JAPANTHER in OAKLAND!!

2008-11-23T23:37:00.000-08:00

Japanther
This Runs On Blood
ACWAY
DJ Inti

Monday 11/24

LoBot Gallery
1800 Campbell St.
West Oakland,CA

doors 7
show 8

7 bux

Hand-Made & Vintage. My Finds.

2008-11-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

Mutton Sleeve Jacket:Vintage Jessica McClintick-Buffalo Exchange

Tank:Forever 21 (shhh!)

Pussy Willow Skirt:Self-made from vintage fabric and buttons

Purple 80's Boots:Buffalo Exchange

Envelope Necklace:Gift--Letter inside reads "I love you"

Ear Tusks: 7/16" Hardwood

Designer Vintage!!

2008-11-23T12:14:00.001-08:00

I've come across some really grand designer vintage lately! That's not to say that the internet isn't an amazing resource for designer vintage--because it is!--but these pieces are just CHOICE! If I had the money to spend, I would grab all three. That is, if they were in my size...oh, the trouble with vintage!

Vintage Poloma Picasso

70's Oscar de la Renta

70's Lanvin

Re-purposed Purpose-fuls II--Light (Fall) Jacket!

2008-11-16T21:41:00.000-08:00

These jackets are PERFECT for the weather right now where I live--the Bay Area. It's been 8o degrees and sunny out all weekend with cool evenings. Perfect jacket weather. I think I may snag the 80's Avant Garde jacket. I just love it!

Don't forget to CLICK the PIC!

100% organic cotton

vintage 80's

hand-made from recycled fabrics

The Franklin Fountain

2008-11-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

My Friend Jon turned me onto this amazing soda fountain, The Franklin Fountain, in Philadelphia! Even though I've never even been there it seems pretty amazing and beautiful. I wish I were in Philly so that I could become a regular!

When I was a kid there was a soda fountain right down the street from my house, a real old school one, and I would ride my bike down the few blocks and get cherry vanilla phosphates and penny candy. I miss that place. The Franklin Fountain not only seems as though it could bring back that nostalgic feeling for me, but also fill me with a joy I haven't felt in a long while. The joy of innocence.

The soda fountain in general is an ephemeral thing. Most of us don't even know what one is. But I remember--and I crave one close to home. I guess I'll have to take a trip to Philly to get that taste of the past I desire!

"Eat to please yourself, but dress to please others" -Ben Franklin

layers, shape, pattern, texture, black, color, quirk, and sass.

2008-11-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

These are the things that I look for when I'm checking out the runway shows, as inspiration, from fashion week. Here are a few of my favorite looks from the Fall/Winter '08 Ready-to-Wear shows.

The Little Black Dress---Re-purposed Purpose-fuls 01

2008-11-10T00:06:00.001-08:00

Here are three lovely and simple "little black dresses" that I would love to get my hands on! Follow the links by clicking the photos to check them out in their entirety.

Re-purposed Fabrics

Handmade

Re-purposed Purpose-fuls

2008-11-09T23:38:00.000-08:00

Basics. We are constantly being bombarded by the fashion and style media on the importance of basics. How they can provide a canvas for our own ever evolving personal style and save us time and money by always allowing us to have something to turn to. Basics are essential and most people agree on the select ten or so true basic wardrobe items. However, I have come up with my own list and, as I adore list-making, it is rather "complete". I would like to share with you my list of wardrobe essentials by "taking on" one item each week and sharing what I have found that stay true to my philosophy of using re-purposed, handmade, vintage, secondhand, and organic products whenever possible.

I would like to share with you my list of wardrobe basics and essentials. These are the items that I think should be in every stylish womans closet!

Little Black Dress
Trenchcoat
Light Fall Jacket
Dress Pants
Polo Shirt
Jeans
T-Shirt
PJ’s
Skirt
Cardigan/Hoodie
Day Dress
Jacket
Boots
Flats
Heels
Clutch
Shoulder Bag/Backpack
Undies
Camisole
Lingerie
Scarf/Gloves/Hat

This list is certainly ever-evolving. and it's likely that I may add to it...but keep your eyes peeled for the first installment of Re-purposed Purpose-fuls.

The Yello Door & 111 Minna

2008-10-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I was off to 111 Minna, an art gallery and bar, to see the opening of an art show which featured work by my good friend Billy Sprague. This is a photo of my friend Amanda and I looking our best!

Check out Billy Sprague's artwork and music here: myspace.com/galenaoaks

Check out 111 Minna here: 111minnagallery.com

Shark's Vintage Love

2008-10-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

When I decided I was going to begin blogging about fashion, style, vintage stores, and diy/handmade clothing it seemed natural for me to feature my favorite shopping spots. In the near future expect to see stories on my favorite east bay thrift stores, swap meets, vintage stores, shops with handmade goods, and yard/garage sale finds. But for my christening voyage I'm clearly Featuring SHARK'S VINTAGE in Berkleley.

This is one of my East Bay faves! With dozens of cowboy boots and a nice selection of vintage shoes from the 40's to the 80's how could you go wrong? But footwear isn't the only thing worth checking out at Shark's! It's full to the brim with all kinds of vintage finds. Some of my most notable finds include a short white nike tennis dress with blue and red stripes down the front and a pink calico prairie skirt. I also coveted a vintage speedo swimsuit at the beginning of summer that I somehow avoided running in and grabbing during my breaks from work for weeks!

So if you like good quality, inspired, and eclectic vintage shopping hit up this favorite of mine!

Shark's Vintage

(510) 841-8736

2505 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704

what i'm coveting for fall.

2008-09-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ever since i saw the D&G 2008 F/W RTW show I have been coveting this plaid dress! I love D&G's use of multiple plaids and ruffles to create texture. I can't imagine that i would be wearing this dress with all the other plaids but the idea is in my brain and won't leave so we'll see. maybe the daring and experimental gracie will pop out and mix and match some plaids or stripes!

THESE Clark's Desert Boots are MINE for FALL.I will invest what i must for these staple mod boots. I've coveted them for years and I'm convinced that now is the time. Boots like these can be worn with anything from a sharp skinny pants suit to the plaid dress above to a cute pencil skirt and polo shirt. I am all over them!