Strawberry Lemonade Vintage.

I've been collecting vintage clothing forever. We're talking 15 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.

While I have worn 75% of the items in "the vaults" (as I like to call them) many are not 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.



This past weekend I was downstairs and realized that my collection is kind of insane. In my defense, I used to be a major vintage seller on eBay...and I simply haven't had the time to photograph and sell like I used to. (My friend Kristin of Hiss & Hearse is an AMAZING photographer and she and I have been plotting a big photo shoot for ages....we have to make it happen!) I have two racks of "the good stuff," vintage designer and favorites I simply can't bear to part with. And then another two full racks of items that are equally adorable but ready to sell. If you're a local girlie let me know and I'll put you on my mailing list because I am plotting a Vintage Frock Fest sometime in the near future! (This will be an invitation only boutique sale of some of my most fabulous vintage goodies. Fair prices, but to be clear this ain't no garage sale. These are mah babies!! I also have a zillion vintage purses, coats, hats and shoes....)



I'll be photographing the items that will be up for sale but first I wanted to share with you guys some of my favorite fabrics. Alas, many of these are stickin' with me, but I promise the rest is just as good!


I love the fabric on this Paganne dress. It's so insanely groovy!


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!).


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!!). I love the idea of some crazy 50s gal flitting about in this kookoo sweater!






Just some pretty fabrics. Actually most of these will be part of the Boutique Blow Out sale! The top two images are shirts and tunics. The bottom two are maxi's, which is very in...but they would also look darling lopped off at the knee.


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!! I'll be documenting more in the weeks to come. Just leave me a little comment if you wanna see more!

xoxo,

alix the obsessed

Bedazzling World of Enid Collins

Oh Enid Roessler Collins, how I love you so! OK, so since I’m always yacking about how everyone could use a little “granny chic” in their wardrobe I thought it’d be fun to talk about the Grande Dame of Granny Chic: Enid Collins. Long before the bedazzler was a glimmer in your mama's eye, Enid designed a collection of sequin-sprinkled, jeweled-covered purses that had the ladies swooning. She was probably the first person to make cute and kitschy chic.





Not a lot is known about her, but from what I can tell, little miss Enid was born in San Antonio, Texas, attended Texas Women's University in the 1940's, where she majored in fashion/costume design and eventually met and married up and coming sculptor, Frederic Collins.



"Her two main purses were the wooded mahogany box bag and the canvas bucket bag.  The bucket bag had a wooden bottom, leather trim, and was made from linen.  The backgrounds were often matte-screened or painted by hand. Her whimsical designs were reminiscent of the Texas landscape and surrounding abundant critter life.  The purses were covered with roadrunners, lady bugs, peacocks (raised on nearby farms), horses and the like.  You would find her box bags and purses disputing colorful saying of the late 1950's....I can still hear my mother preaching, "Money doesn't grow on trees." only to find money did grow on trees if you owned an Enid Collins!”

from Retro Vintage Collectibles

 

By the late 1960s, Collins bags were carried at over 2,000 stores nationwide (including Nieman Marcus, ooh lala!) and were a “must have” for the stylish woman. Today her original bags have become highly sought after collector’s items with price tags for the more popular bags (hello Sophistkit!) going for $200+. The good news is you can still score them for around $20-30 if you have a keen eye. Collectors prize the box bags, I think because they are the most like "art". I personally love the bucket bags because I love to carry them and these are larger and a bit more practical. The box bags are really cute though and each comes with a little mirror inside, perfect for reapplying lippy.





Collins advertisements appeared in upscale mags such as Vogue and The New Yorker and many featured Enid and Frederic’s daughter Cynthia carrying a Collins bag, and the catchphrase “There goes that Collins girl!” Love it! I wish I could find a copy of those ads. The closest I’ve come are these brill pages from an Enid catalog posted by Cathy of California:




Aren't they amazing?? That bottom picture really cracks me up—for starters, what the heck kinda party is that?? It's crammed full of ladies! I also love how the woman on the right so Penelope (Kristin Wig's character on SNL), "Wow! Sally you have an Enid Collins bag? I have one too." "Erm, well yes I actually have 50 Enid Collins bags, and this one happens to be Enid's own personal bag, and it was created by this little owl who lives in a tree on the moon and designed it especially for me and its a one of a kind original....so yeah, this is probably better than any bag you have."

I have quite a few Enid Collins bags ("yes we know Penelope"), some from thrift stores, some from antique malls and some from eBay. They are such sunshiney fun and almost like little works of art on yer arm.

Images: From my own collection. Bottom three from the amazing collection of Xie Kitchen. She has so many rare bags, you have to check them out.

French-Russian 60s Go-Go!

Imagine a crazy Russian tavern and a magical kaleidoscope that reveals rockin' 60s go-go dancers and bands every time you look inside. Sound too good (or weird) to be true??? Well check out this amazing video Greg just sent me of what appears to be a Russian 60s Variety Show. It's weird, wild and WONDERFUL. Dig it....and HAPPY MONDAY!

Tasty Little Mod

As a big fan of all things 60s, it's no surprise I have always coveted the Mondrian dress. Inspired by Piet Mondrian's iconic painting, but created by Yves Saint Laurent in 1965. Hey, even the Partridge Family bus gave a little nod to Piet.


So imagine my deeeelight to discover that fancy baker extraordinaire Caitlin Williams Freeman had created a Mondrian inspired cake for the SF MOMA. Yes, I said a CAKE people!! Caitlin is one of the co-founders of Miette Patisserie, the most adorable bakery ever. Check out her notes and then some yummer pictures of the cake—which is covered in chocolate ganache. Mmmm. Anyone wanna meet up for a slice some day??

Up, Up and Away...

Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon
Suspended under a twilight canopy
We'll search the clouds for a star to guide us
If by some chance you find yourself loving me
We'll find a cloud to hide us
We'll keep the moon beside us
Love is waiting there in my beautiful balloon
Way up in the air in my beautiful balloon
If you'll hold my hand we'll chase your dream across the sky
For we can fly ... we can fly.

Up, Up and Away, by The Fifth Dimension
This song is such an easy listening standard, but the words are really pretty, don't you think?










+ Beat up, gray cardigan from Target
+ Boho halter dress that looks vintagy, but is really from Forever 21 (shhh, don't tell...)
+ Black adidas yoga pants
+ Kenneth Cole brogues
+ A big ol' bouquet of balloons from my sweet hubby Greg (leftover from a baby shower at his work)

It doesn't matter how old you are, balloons never fail to make you smile. If only I could really soar up into the sky, I would fly up over the mountains and land right in your backyard so we could share a cuppa coffee and and gossip about Jon & Kate, who our favorites are on So You Think You Can Dance....and are we really going to watch NYC Prep?? Hmmm....

Midcentury Graphics—German style.

In honor of Tante Maria, I thought I'd share with you some really cool vintage German print ads I stumbled upon. Flickr user allerleirau has a pretty fabulous collection of mid-century graphic design images—mostly from Germany. Wunderschön!

See even more of these lovely images HERE.