GORGEOUS FASHION STYLE

Thanks again for all of your well wishes and suggestions for things to do while we were in NYC. We had a fantastic trip. On Friday we got into the city around lunch time, quickly grabbed a bite to eat at a cute little Mexican restaurant then got busy walking around the streets of the LES and Soho. We had no real destination but just wandered around and went in any little store that caught our eye (more on those stores later). By nightfall we had worn ourselves out so we stopped for dinner at Vegetarian Paradise 2. We planned on going to the bar at the Chelsea Hotel for a drink but when we got there we discovered it didn't open until 11:00. Come on people! I'm too old for that. ;) Instead we went to East of Eighth, ordered a big glass of Hoegaarden, sat on the patio and people watched.



Whew! It was a full weekend and we had so much fun. Now it's back to work. Speaking of work, I'm working on a post detailing which vintage stores we made it to and what I bought. Later! :)


------------------------------I'll be back on Monday with lots of photos from our trip to New York. Have a great weekend!

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Whenever I go shopping at thrift stores or flea markets I keep an eye out for dresses or shirts that have lots of fabric that I can use to cut up for projects. It's a great way to get a lot of fabric for not much money. At any given time I've got a sack full of oversized dresses that I bought simply because I liked the fabric. Ever since I saw that little striped belt on HelLooks I've been looking for the perfect fabric to use in my recreation. Last week I finally found a dress in the right color, with the right size stripe in a fabric that I liked. I went to work and made my own version of the belt. As is usual with most DIY projects, I'm not 100% happy with my first attempt but I thought I'd show it to you anyway. I learned from my mistakes and I plan on making it again. I'm really terrible at how-to's but this was a pretty easy project if you want to try it yourself. All it takes is a couple of long strips of fabric and some iron-on interfacing. If anyone is interested I'll try to make up some more detailed instructions when I go for my second attempt.

--------------------------------Once again ladies, it's that time! This week lots of goodies will be going up in the store: woolly jumpers, sweaters for layering, cute mod dresses and lots of boots and shoes. Be sure to check in tomorrow when everything goes live. Remember, when they're gone, they're gone so don't miss out! Thanks! :)

(Remember, if you see something you like, click to view it a bit bigger)

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blouse: H&M
sweater: vintage
skirt: vintage (altered by me)
tights: American Apparel
shoes: vintage
purse: vintage
headband: vintage

Here are a couple of my recent vintage finds in action. This sweater is simply the softest thing I've ever touched and it was perfect for today's cooler weather. . She always looks flawless in those to-the-knee skirts and dresses so when I shortened this one, I just took it up to the knee instead of my usual mid-thigh length. I felt quite lady-like and proper wearing this.

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Here are a few of the items I've picked up over the last couple of weeks that have made their way into my closet.

• This dusty rose cashmere sweater is probably the most luxurious piece I've ever found. It's so super soft and lined in silky lace. The front clasp is a beautiful rhinestone pin and it has little matching rhinestones on the sleeve cuffs. I'm still torn over the fur collar. I would never, ever buy new fur and abhor the fur industry as a whole but it always seems a shame to let vintage pieces go to waste. The collar is actually removable so if I can't deal with the fur, I can always just remove it and still have an amazing cashmere sweater.
• Next is this fitted tweed skirt. I can't even begin to tell you how heavy this skirt is. I had a hard time even keeping it clasped into the hanger to take the photo. It's going to be perfect once the weather really gets cold.
• I'm loving capes at the moment and this one is no exception. It's a nice, delicate alternative to the heavier ones I've been finding.
• My love of hats is only growing stronger by the day. This one is black velvet with a tiny little bow on the side and fine netting that can be pinned up with my hair.
• As soon as I saw this strange little headband I was head over heels. It's black velvet with netting that hangs over my eyes and a horse hair decoration on the side.
• Amongst all of these pretty, feminine finds is a pair of perfectly beat up, broken in Doc Martens. These take me back to high school (yes, I'm that old!). I'm not sure if I'll be able to pull these off with dresses but I've already been enjoying wearing them with my skinny jeans.

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This Friday the boyfriend and I will be packing up and heading to NYC for a long weekend adventure. We plan on wandering around the city at our own pace with no big plans or agenda. Just the way we like it. Besides tickets to see Nick Cave on Saturday night, we don't have any solid plans. If you live in NYC or have visited recently and have any recommendations on where to go or what to see, I'd love it hear it. We've done all the cheesy-fun touristy stuff before so I'm more interested in hearing an insider's perspective on what we should be on the lookout for. In particular any great vintage shops, gallery shows, vegetarian restaurants or quiet, dark bars. We'll be staying in Chelsea each night and sticking to Manhattan during the day. Help a sister out! Thanks!

-------------------------------My plans for photo-taking this afternoon have been thwarted by the rain. Instead I'm curled up on the couch surrounded by cats, still in my pajamas, watching old TV shows on my computer. Not a bad way to spend a day. Instead of leaving you empty handed, I've compiled a collection of my favorite photos of one of my favorite fashion inspirations,
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Ninety-nine percent of the time I'm happy with the decision to leave LA and settle down in Pennsylvania. Then something like this pops up and I find myself wishing I was still in lala land! It seems that Beth from The Vintage Society is having a trunk show this Saturday in Silverlake. We all know that Beth is always outfitted in the best vintage finds, so I can only imagine what her stash looks like. Must be amazing! If you're in the area, it's one of those can't miss events. Have fun and let us know what you bought!

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skirt: vintage
shirt: vintage
boots: vintage
beret: vintage
sunglasses: vintage

I'm feeling a bit broken hearted this morning. If you look verrryyy closely in every one of my photos you'll notice a small silver bracelet on my right wrist. It's not a fancy, expensive bracelet but it was my very favorite thing. It's been on my wrist for about seven years, every day, 24 hours a day. Yesterday afternoon I looked down while I was making lunch and realized it was no longer there. I searched everywhere I could think but by the time I noticed it was missing I'd already been out running errands and it could be anywhere in a ten mile radius. I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll never see it again. I have to say, I feel quite naked without it.

---------------------------- There are lots of great layering pieces, cute fall dresses, and some truly amazing and unique shoes. My favorites are the black satin 40's peep toe pumps with the wrap-around straps. Too bad they're not my size! Thanks so much for stopping by!

(If you see something you like, click to see it a bit bigger)




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60's sweater cape: vintage
skirt: vintage
shoes: vintage
hat: vintage
mini gladstone bag: vintage
tights: H&M

Friday night my boyfriend and I walked downtown to have dinner. It was finally cool enough to wear this sweater cape that's been hanging in my closet for weeks. Yay!

---------------------------------Enough of the fashion week photos already, right? What inspires me the most is real people on the street mixing and matching (or not matching!). These are my favorite looks from the past couple of weeks. I'll have these in my virtual scrapbook to refer back to all winter long.


------------------------------I don't have much time to write today so instead I'm going to leave you with tons of pictures upon which to gaze. London Fashion Week has come and gone and I have to admit that I enjoyed it more that NYFW. Now onto Milan and then Paris! Here are a few of my favorite looks from London:
(Temperley London, Peter Jensen, Luella, Mulberry, Jaeger London, Charles Anastase)

Overall I'd have to say that I'm leaning towards Eley Kishimoto as my favorite collection. Sometimes it veers a bit into Lolita territory and don't even ask me what those aboriginal lizards were doing in the middle of the collection but when they keep to simple silhouettes with hints of mod and art deco, I'm a fan. Here are my picks from the collection.


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top: vintage
skirt: vintage (altered by me)
tights: H&M
purse: vintage
shoes: vintage
hat: vintage

I was feeling extra lady-like today and wanted to wear gloves with this outfit but didn't have any that I thought matched. I'll have to put that on my list of things to look out for. This skirt is one of several that I found at a thrift store and altered by cutting several inches off the hem. I prefer my skirts a bit on the shorter side to keep my outfits from becoming too granny-costume. I was surprised at just how many stares and comments I got about my hat. I guess people don't wear hats out very much any more. Just imagine if I'd been wearing gloves as well!

------------------------------The little red polka dot babydoll dress tried to get lost in my closet, but I've convinced it to find a new home. That little plaid flannel dress is the warmest, softest thing ever! Good luck bidding and thanks so much for stopping by!




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I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the Sally Jane Vintage staff, Captain Jack. Jack was a stray that was picked up by a kind stranger and dropped off at the local Humane League shelter. He was in pretty bad shape from his time living on the street but the people at the shelter gave him lots of care and kept him for several months while he recovered. As of Sunday he has a new home with us. He may only have one ear and one eye but he's got a keen sense of fashion and loves to help while I take photos.

------------------------------------I suppose it would be more accurate to title this post "Four Looks" rather than "Four Ways" since there's really only one way to wear a sweater vest. But in interest of continuity, "Four Ways" it shall be. This is one of my recently thrifted items that I can already tell will be a staple of my wardrobe come cooler weather. I'm looking forward to pairing with just about every thing from dresses to jeans, from button downs to t-shirts. Once the weather really cools off, I'll be piling even more layers on top, pairing the vest with blazers and my beloved faux leather motorcycle jacket. Here's a breakdown of what you see here:

• With a patterned vest like this one, you can layer it over a solid basic like a little black dress and let it be your pop of color. A belt wrapped around the waist gives this look a little shape.
• Sadly, the subtleties of this pairing have been lost in the photo. I've paired the vest with a herringbone skirt and a tiny polka dot blouse. Not that you can tell. I was trying to demonstrate mixing patterns and textures but the details just didn't show up. Well, I guess you'll have to use your imaginations on this one! ;)
• A vest is always a sure thing paired with jeans. My basic skinny jeans and favorite tee become a little something more when layer with the vest.
• I also like to wear it with a pair of wide leg jeans and a little boy's button down. With the wide leg of the jean, I like the shrunken fit of a little boy's shirt to keep the proportions in check.

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