guest blogger :: Vintage Obsession with Modern Kiddo’s Alix

Hi friends! It’s Alix here, from the blogs Strawberry Lemonade and Modern Kiddo. Jenny is one of my absolute favorite people in the world and I was so thrilled she asked me to be a guest blogger while she is out getting some well deserved R&R with her sweet family.
For those of you who don’t know me, I live in San Francisco with the Mister and my little boy, Wolfie.
Wolfie is 6 and the sweetest little charmer you’ll ever hope to meet (he doesn’t know this but I’m already plotting a Prom Date with him and little Dotty Bird…heh). Just like Miss Jenny, I’ve been collecting vintage clothing forever. We’re talking 16 years (probably longer). The bulk of my collection comes from thrift stores with a handful of nicer gems scored on eBay or at vintage clothing shops.
I have a secret stash I like to call “the vaults.” While I have worn 75% of these items over the years, many are no longer my size. Some are way too big and loads are waaay too small. The problem is, if I see an amazing vintage item I simply CAN’T pass it up. The colors, the cuts, the fabric. I am beyond smitten with vintage. I really feel like they are little pieces of art. When I see something amazing, I have to take it home where I know it will be loved. Vintage hoarder or vintage art collector? Hmmm….that remains to be seen. But I thought it would be fun to share some of my faves with you, dear Freckle Friends! On with the show:
Paganne meets Pucci.
The Pucci on the right was an eBay score. There are some teensy pin prick stains, but its a beauteous silk dress and I just lerrve it. I’ve managed to score lots of Pucci at thrift stores, but they are always from his FormFit Rogers lingerie line. The fabric is always that flmisy nylon but it’s still fun as ever (and yes, I’ve been known to rock the nightie-as-dress look!). The dress on the left is from designer Paganne. I am so into the crazy psychedelic pattern—daisies in the hair of the swirly girl? YES!
Greg found this amazing cotton Pucci shift at a thrift store for $5. He’s got a great eye, the hubs. I think the pattern is so dainty and sweet. I love Pucci but I have to admit sometimes the patterns are just TOO over the top (I know, I know, sacrilege to say such a thing about Emilio!), but it’s the truth, Ruth!
The dress on the left is the best fabric. It’s a boxy shapeless housedress but I’ve had it for nearly 20 years and just love it. The sweater on the right is INSANE. Big bell pom pom sleeves from the early 50s. Looks delightful with slim pants (but I could never wear a coat when I busted this baby out…the sleeves never fit inside my coat!!). I love the idea of some crazy 50s gal flitting about in this kookoo sweater!
This Juliet dress is simply gorgeous…sheer sleeves and the beading is to die for. It would make a lovely formal gown for a black tie event, plus the color is so unique!
Sometimes the tags are even better than the garment. This little pink cutie is adorable, but how awesome is the tag?? The Young Sophisticates. That can be our all- girl band, ok?
I’ve barely scratched the surface dolls, there is so much more. I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my crazy world of vintage luv!! Please swing by Modern Kiddo or Strawberry Lemonade and say howdy doo.
xoxo,
alix the obsessed
:::
big thanks to alix for steppin’ in while i’m away at ze beach!!! xoxoxo
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guest blogger :: shutterbean

va·ca·tion

-noun

1. a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday.
2. a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.
3. freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.
4. an act or instance of vacating.
5. cocktails on a boat.
6. leisurely reading near water.
7. not counting calories.
8. enjoying the break in routine because you deserve it.
Especially you, Jenny.
:::
big thanks to the lovely tracy from shutterbean for stepping in for me while i enjoy some time by the sea. i’ve got a few guest bloggers lined up for the next week, so check in and say hello! XO




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two day sale, part deux

as promised, here’s another batch of sale goodies!

SEE THE WHOLE SHA-BANG HERE.

the sale will run thru midnight wednesday, and all these goodies will ship out by thursday… and i leave for the beach on friday. weeeeee! there are sweet deals, so grab yourself a treat and pass along the info! thanks a meeeeelion! XOXO

Posted in shop info | 5 Comments

pre vacation mode

hiya kids! i am in some serious pre-vacation mode here, super busy day today, getting all my little ducks in a row so that we can take off for the beach this friday… i am offering up some sweet deals today + tomorrow, which gives me enough time to get things packaged up and out the door thursday before we head out of town.

this is the first batch of sale goodies that i’m working on adding to the sale section right this very minute, so please have a peek! also- additional sale-age has taken place with anything that was already in the sale section. basically, what i’m tryin’ to say is: TAKE THIS STUFF AWAY!!!!!!! ;)

i’ll be back with one more sale update this afternoon, so stay tuned! and pass it along! some super cute things + good deals to be had. XOXO

Posted in shop info | 2 Comments

bathing beauties

:::

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these babies are packaged + ready to ship. any additional questions? just give me a shout! they are one of a kind, so this is a first comment, first score kind of basis. just leave me a comment with the suit # that you’re interested in.

#2 and #3 are SOLD. #1 is still available!!!

thanks and good luck! :)

Posted in shop the blog | 11 Comments

happy monday

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happy friday!

i wanted to say hello to those of you who came over from elsie’s blog this month! thanks for stopping by, i hope you’ll become a regular visitor!! don’t be shy, introduce yourself and if you have a blog, i’d love to know about it!

i’m happy to be offering 20% off tonight thru sunday night- use the code BEAUTIFULMESS in the check-out! and look out for lots of new items in the shop on monday :)

have a great weekend, y’all!

Posted in shop info | 12 Comments

goodwill/badwill

so sleepy this morning and coffee was not doing the trick. it was kinda foggy and i thought a little thrift run was in order. ever since i got on my big minimalist kick, i haven’t been to the thrifts. at all. ok, maybe i cheated 2 or 3 times but for a person who averages 4-5 times a week, i’d say this has been a pretty good break.

so i popped in the car with my thrifting buddy, we pulled up into the goodwill and did our usual 1, 2, 3, 4, LUCKYLUCKY! chant and headed in. i found a handful of vintage dresses, all of which i put back (broken zipper not worth the fix and a few other wonky issues that just didn’t make the cut)

and then i saw this bike:

cute. good bones. love the aqua. and my street name just so happens to be hawthorne.

so i move in for a closer inspection. and then i see the price tag.

and this is when i do a giant eye roll and wonder what the heck these peeps at the goodwill are smokin. y’all. 300 bucks. THREE. HUNDRED. i mean! the bike is in very obvious need of some very serious TLC, so let’s just get that part of of the way. also. it’s the goodwill! it’s a dang thrift store! it should be thrifty! i think they managers are spending half their days now cruising ebay with dollar signs in their eyes.

and let me remind you: i picked up one very fantastic 50s schwinn 4 years ago for a buck thirty five. that’s right. $1.35. i took it home, cleaned it up, and it remains one of my best thrift scores ever. and just lookit how cute mister henry was riding it.

and look at that shiny chrome!

so, goodwill… what happened? how did we go from $1.35 to $300??

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freckle friends :: mati rose

check out the gorgeous mati in her peacock frock. photos by the amazing hula. so beautiful i nearly fell off my seat. these girls told me a few weeks ago to expect some dress shots by the sea, and they did not disappoint. huge thanks to mati for picking up the dress earlier this summer, and huge thanks to andrea for capturing the moment so beautifully.

:::

and some freckle friends newz. y’all! i don’t know why it took me so long (um, years??) to create a flickr group for freckle friends but good golly it did. thanks to danielle for giving me that gentle nudge, i’ve gone and made it that much easier for you guys to show me your stuff. if you have a flickr account, you can now add your pics to FRECKLE FRIENDS. sound good? and it doesn’t have to be just clothing- i’d also love to see your homes, and where all these little housewares end up!

so if you want to knock me off my seat from pure happiness, take some pics and share!!! XO

Posted in freckle friends | 8 Comments

rain rain go away

woke up this morning to sheets upon sheets of rain. which is always fun (not) and panic attack inducing as we are in dire need of a new roof. (any roofers out there reading? can we barter? new roof for like, a lifetime supply of fun vintage? eh, it’s worth a shot)

so while matt was running around with towels, i happened to read my twitter on my iphone and found this:

um…. not gonna lie. i had to do a double take. MIKE. MIKE FROM AMERICAN PICKER. THAT SHOW ON TV. THE ONE I WATCH ON MONDAY NIGHTS. MIKE. THAT GUY WHO HAS MY DREAM JOB. MIKE. WHO I SORT OF CRUSH ON. BUT IN A REALLY INNOCENT WAY. CAUSE I’M MARRIED AND STUFF. MIKE. WROTE ME BACK. ON TWITTER. gonna pull an RZ and say I DIE.

suddenly the leaking roof didn’t seem all that panic attack inducing.

are you on twitter? even dotty is on twitter! join the party.

Posted in around the house, me likey, random thoughts | 5 Comments