Not-so-Secret Sources

...Part one in a series where I actually divulge some of my secret vintage sources!...

As I think I've whined here before, customers regularly ask me:

"Where do you get all this great stuff?"

(as if I would grab a piece of paper and write down the secret location of a big wholesale warehouse full of yummy vintage  for them...)

The simple answer is this:

 Everywhere and anywhere I can.
I'm a born treasure hunter, and if there is vintage nearby I will sniff it out.
For example, 
Check out this trove of vintage I discovered just last week:

Take a wild guess where it was. Go ahead, take a shot...

I'll pan out a bit:

--- look closely now---
...Here's another view...

Yup.
I was at the freakin' mall!

Right across from Radio Shack and Build-A-Bear...

Huge store, called Capital Costume, with vintage furnishings and costume supplies as well, all reasonably priced.  Most of the really great dresses were out of my price range (for resale), but I did manage to buy some cheaper damaged things that I can repair, as well as these fab late-60s go-go boots

just in time for Trixie and Gio's You-can-Wear-White Party next week.

Next week, I'll tell you about the incredible house call I went on on Mother's Day...the 90-some year old pack-rat hadn't thrown away a stitch of clothing since 1949. 

I need someone to model some of these clothes for me for the next blog...sizes 6 through 12 (she gained weight over those 60 years)...So come on in and play dress-up with me....

These are Your Bosom Friends

... and no one will suspect...

(I wish they'd explain the lace doily bosom yarmulke thingies pictured lower right)(click to enlarge)

from a 1930's department store catalog

Pop Quiz!

Fill in the blanks:


Here are your choices:

A. Pedal Pushers
B. Nassau Shorts
C. Toreadors
D. Slacks
E. Ranch Pants
F. Calf Skinners
G. Short Shorts
H. Slim Jims
I. Bermuda Shorts
J. Capri Pants
K. Clam Diggers
L. Jamaica Shorts

(Yes there is more than one answer for some).

Here's a hint --so you are sure to get at least one correct.


(Oh go ahead, it's only 14 seconds--)

Pernille in My Grey Garden

Finally some warmer spring weather around here this week!
Not to mention all the building Grey Gardens anticipation...

Pernille, Buddah and I decided to do an Edie-Edie inspired fashion shoot.

(Turns out we didn't have to look any further than my own back yard for the perfect dingy, grey backdrop.)

The clothes are a combination of stuff I've had forever, stuff I just got last week in Vermont, and stuff I've hidden away upstairs because it's too fragile to hang in the shop, like this amazing chiffon and lace 1920s garden dress, in mint condition:

Check out the whole set of photos here.

And have a Great Weekend!

Blog Clog Volume II

Blog Clog is, to quote myself, "when too many ho-hum blog post ideas pile up in the drafts folder-- and I decide to mush them all together into one big, easy, condensed, ho-hum blog post". Purging the system.

1) First Speaking of purging the system... People are taking advantage of the fact that I'm over-stocked and need to move stuff along already. Easter weekend has been extremely busy and isn't even over yet. The new $10-or-less rack is offering some great bargains---much of it selling at or below cost. Check out this wool ochre coat with original tags. Was $55, snatched up for ten bucks.So, if you score a real bargain on one thing, it takes the sting out of me holding my ground when I want $75 for a special piece like the victorian blouse this girl bought the other day:


2)Do you know this woman?
She left a very pretty scarf here- would love to get it back to her.  It's just a coincidence I have a picture of her, because she modeled this 80s denim jacket for me, something I sort of detest but got in a big box lot once.  Kind of Mildred Pierce meets Sherlock Homes meets Canal Jean?
Some of us who were already adults in the 80's can't really appreciate the younger generation's love of 80's fashion.  I didn't wear it then, I don't want to see it now.  It's kind of bugging me that 95% of the "Vintage" on etsy.com is from the 80s and 90s, but whadda you gonna do? We all draw the vintage line in a different place.

3) Pssst! Wanna get a Pucci dress at Goodwill prices?
Well guess what? Our local Goodwill Store has one!

It's authentic polyester and has an Emilio-Pucci-for-Blah-dee-Blah label inside.
Price.... $399.99.  Wah-waaah, not much of a Goodwill price. Further developments to be announced; Five and Diamond has a team of special agents watching the dust gather on this very rare and precious piece...


4) Door to Door Darning

San Francisco artist Michael Swaine is my new Recycle/Repair hero. He created a portable ice-cream cart-style mending station, complete with umbrealla and pedal-powered sewing machine. Very cool... here's the vid-


5) Grey Gardens!


Who's having me over Saturday night for the HBO premiere of Grey Gardens? If PM Wine Bar doesn't pull through with a premier party, I'm going to need an invitation. This is one of those extremely rare situations where I cannot wait for the DVD. From what I saw in the trailer, Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore do an awesome job, not to mention the art direction and costuming.

6) Rest in Peace, Princess Mitzi



Sorry to end with sad news, but I must mention that our wonderful shop cat, Princess Mitzi, passed away 2 weeks ago.
Mitzi loved sleeping in the window

 

sleeping in the apron bin

and sleeping on any/all petticoats.


She was also extremely affectionate and silly, often goofing on customers by pretending she was a hat:

She is, and will be, sorely missed.

Spring Bonnets and Noses

Spring Bonnets:


Noses:

Happy Spring!

I was totally inspired today when my neighbor Ngonda stopped in to shop.
Ngonda's your classic girl-on-the-go, always trotting down 5th street with great style, hair, and purpose.....
Today I lucked out, and she had a little extra time to model some merch for me.....









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