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

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

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

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

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.

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!