Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Fiesta








top: vintage via bolo (loving this one)// skirt: free people (similar here)  // shoes: isabel marant (similar here) // bag: balenciaga (similar here)
photos by common dove photography

All I know is….sometimes (or if you are me most of the time) life doesn't invite you to the party…..so you just have to make your own.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Buying Vintage

Friends and readers ask me all of the time how I find my vintage pieces….so because its Monday and I'm in a generous mood here are my secrets :)

1. Leather





I know I'm a vegetarian but its no secret that I lurve leather. The trick is though….99% of my leather pieces are vintage or thrift store finds; A. because its great for the environment and the animals eek…and B. because the price of a designer leather skirt that you would find in the store versus a leather skirt you find on Etsy is absolutely crazy. Leather is a great material to buy used because with most leather it only gets better with age. Take away point….if you want to add some more leather into your wardrobe definitely go the vintage route….. your wallet (and some cows) will thank you.

2. Lace & Crochet




Just like with leather, lace and crochet are great materials to buy vintage or used. For the most part they hold well with time and will always be seen in some form walking down the runway. If you find a lace pattern that you like but the shape seems matronly that's ok…..get yourself a slip and belt that sucker or balance out the shape with a tough edge and go sheer with a black bra and black shorts under.

3. Statement Pieces






Love all of the capes or fringe being sent down the runway but don't have thousands of dollars at your disposal? When looking for the perfect statement pieces vintage is a great way to go because you can find incredible items without the insane designer markup. My favorite statement pieces that I've found have been a men's floor length Burberry trench coat, a satin smoking jacket and this cape from the 40's that I will be wearing as soon as the first cool breeze hits this Fall. Tip: if you are looking for say a cape on Etsy or Ebay just type in "vintage cape" that's pretty self explanatory but it helps.

Where to Buy

Goodwill & Thrift Stores
If you have some extra time on your hands Goodwill and thrift stores are a good starting point. It definitely takes some patience to get through all of the rift raft and you have to be in the mood but you could find the deal of your life with say a $5 real leather mini.

Vintage Stores
Ok so the markup on vintage stores is definitely higher because they have already done some of the editing for you because they are more selective of what they let into their store. If you don't have time to rift through aisles and aisles of clothing this a great alternative. For those of you in my neck of the woods The Clothing Warehouse in Chapel Hill is great and the people there are incredibly friendly and will even pull things for you to try on!

Online
Etsy is definitely my favorite source for scouring vintage because I can do it on my Esty app while say….someone gets distracted with Sesame Street :) Get yourself the Etsy and Ebay apps and just constantly check them…..thousands of pieces are added everyday. Also, once you find a favorite shop on there add them to your "favorites" section and then you can browse their new items when they come in.

I hope this has been helpful and maybe given you a little more confidence when it comes to buying Vintage!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Insta Outfit and Recipe Time


Finally got to try my hand and a Wine & Design class this past Wednesday and I have to say I'm addicted!!! Ps don't you lurve my friend Charlee's leopard skirt? And now it's time for the first recipe.... 

Lemon Basil & Balsamic Chickpeas


I'm going to start the recipe section with this super simple dish that is a great side for meat lovers but also a great main dish for vegans/vegetarians.

You Will Need: 

1 can of chickpeas 
Balsamic Vinegar
Crushed red pepper
Fresh Basil
1 lemon 
(A zester, but the small part of a cheese grater will)

Rinse and drain chickpeas in a strainer. Using a medium saucepan with cooking spray toss in the chickpeas over medium heat. Add salt, pepper and crushed red pepper and stir. Let that simmer for about 3 minutes then add some fresh chopped Basil and stir. Next, add about half a cup of balsamic vinegar and let it reduce by half. When it's time to serve zest about half of the lemon over your bowl and top with a lemon wedge and more fresh basil, and enjoy!!  






Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Why Don't You....










tee: old, loving this one // leather skirt: vintage (similar here) // shoes: zara (similar here) // sunnies: prada (similar here 



Long story but I'll try to make it quick...my mom's car has been in the shop this week and I've been taking and picking her up from work... after the third day of her having to listen to my random babbling about ancient towers off of the Amalfi coast and about the debate between when the term "bohemian" came about during the French Revolution or during the English Industrial Revolution....she stopped my yesterday and said I have never seen anyone become so alive when talking about history.......

This got me thinking....when I went off to college I actually was a history major for the first two years (sidenote this Zeppelin tee is from my freshman year 8 years ago)....obviously I didn't stick with it. But lately I've been reading multiple books about history at a time...including cookbooks about how the recipes came to be and its bringing me so much joy. Sooooo I've decided to add some of that to the blog. I'm going to be posting my original clean eating recipes and little tidbits about them and I'm also going to start a little travel section........

So today, why don't you do something that brings you joy?

photos by commondove photography

Monday, July 21, 2014

L' Esprit de la Mer…Spirit of the Sea



















top: amie's la vie  (similar here)// skirt: for love and lemons (available here) // kimono: for love and lemons (available here)// shoes: schutz (available here) // bag: loeffler randall (similar here)
photos by commondove photography