Twitter really has been my saving grace when it comes to finding amazing stores on Etsy.  The site is a gold mine of loveliness, but there is so much fool’s gold that you need to dig through to find the real deal…I can’t say I always have the time or patience to do that.  Instead I do my weekly key searches and then I rely on my lovely twitter gals to help me out. Yesterday I clicked on a rare and delectable treasure….

And that treasure is Hindsvik! The store is run by a couple who appear to have my taste/style, only way better.  They like clocks, lamps and the color blue, so I like them!  They also are such a prime example of what I like in an Etsy shop; great lighting, clear photos, simple props and quality products.  So to you Hindsvik, I say HIGH FIVE!

Find  a couple of my top picks from their shop below:

I did promise that I would muster up a post today, so here it is.

I seem to be really drawn to season 1 type outfits, possibly because I just love late 50′s fashion.  And for as dowdy and childish as they tried to make Peggy look, I just loved her little collared blouses and dresses. I found this little paisley gal via @joulesstar on twitter today. Again the dainty collar and cute, petite lines. This one has a great fall appeal.  I would probably throw on some chocolate brown tights and tan suede saddle shoes for the commute and chestnut Mary Jane’s for the work day.

I also recently found this dress at a vintage co-op in Chicago (I have no idea what the place is called, but it is near Reckless Records on the second floor).  It fit me absolutely perfectly, which rarely happens so I had to buy it immediately.  The collar was stained and it needed a mini repair, so I think I talked the gal down to $21.  I wore a fancy, black, lace slip as a reminder that I am actually an adult woman.  This dress was super fun and I enjoyed rockin’ it.  Now, would I wear it for a client meeting, probably not…but for any other day it suites me just fine!

*Sidebar: If you can read any of the book titles on my book shelf, please don’t judge.  I would say I have eclectic taste, but I would also be lying.

**Additional Sidebar: This is my signature pose.  I am actually incapable of posing any other way for a photo with only myself.

Hello my lovely readers,  It is Monday morning and I have had very little sleep.  I had full intentions of getting up super early and sourcing my latest Mad Men post, but my body would not cooperate.  A too fun weekend is resulting in a no fun Monday.  Please have patience with me. I know you already tolerate my poor grammar and short posts, but just this one last favor is all I ask.  I will post tonight, but if you think of anything you want to see in the meantime–send me an email and it will most-likely make it in.

Kendra

So I am sure that I have mentioned this before, but my sister and her husband used to own the most amazing vintage boutique called the Rockin’ Rose.  I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful the inside of this store was–it was any retro gals dream.  I personally enjoyed being able to shop and then barter (oh the joys of family!) The shop was located in Toledo, OH (my hometown) and in case you don’t know where that is…it is basically 45 mins from Detroit.  That being said…a major portion of the Toledo economy is dependant on making cars and car parts and the the recession hit Toledo pretty hard. Even when people couldn’t spend money, the Rockin’ Rose still had a regular stream of people who would pop in and admire the shop and hang out with my brother-in-law…it was just that cool.  But, indeed, the shop had to close last year.

The sadness could not last forever and it seems the old bro has emerged from mourning and decided to start an ebay store to continue to sell their amazing inventory.  The ebay shop is still in its infancy, so right now it is just the new goods that they offered, but vintage stuff is coming soon. I will be watching the shop like a hawk to highlight my top picks for you all.  In the meantime I thought I could interest you in some fun little rockabilly shoes by T.U.K.  in the Rockin’ Rose store. Oh and did I mention that the shoes are all under $30? You can’t beat it!

I don’t know about you, but I have had my fair share of bridesmaid dresses.  For a few years there it was almost getting out of hand. It seemed to be right about when everyone got settled after college/grad school, they needed to get hitched. I really am so grateful for all of my trips down the aisle, as it demonstrates that I have friends that love me. But did I always love the dress?  Hmmm…I can’t say I ever had an awful or unflattering dress to wear, but sometimes the material was just hard to pull off again.  EVERY bride will tell you that she wants you to wear the dress again, but really?  Can you really wear that silk taffeta dress again?  Well I am here to show you how.

I have included a photo of me above in a dress from my friend Mandy’s wedding last year.  It was from J.Crew and tailored to fit me just right, but with all the shiny greenness, it was just too formal for work.  So I decided to dress it down with accessories.  I pulled on a little pointelle sweater, black belt and spectator heels.  I think the dark, matte accessories help calm the shiny material and the more work appropriate shoes help pull the look together.  My co-workers were shocked when I told them the dress was a bridesmaid dress.  I have included some accessories below that may help you replicate this look with your closet full of pretty dresses.

Now you know that I just love a well-made dress, but do you know what I love more than that?  A well-made dress, sewn by hand with vintage reclaimed fabric at an affordable price.  Doesn’t that just get you so excited?  I love to think of who owned the fabric before and what it’s original intent was meant to be.  An apron, a tablecloth, curtains?

I found Call Me Captain on Etsy over the weekend and I just fell in love with her vintage inspired designs.  I also love that vintage fabric is being used to form the looks, it makes it feel more authentic.  Although the slight update of shorter hemlines and a more modern waistline can’t hurt either.  This gal also does custom orders, so you can skip that trip to the tailor altogether and have one of these gems made just for your beautiful curves.  I have a huge box full of old fabric that I basically call my wishful thinking box.  I know how to sew, I know what I like and what looks good on my body, but actually sewing an entire dress would take me years.  I currently have a lined wool skirt that I made for my friend Annie 2 years ago for her birthday and um…I never finished the hem.  Seriously?  Yup…that skirt has moved 4 times with me.  I am so ridiculous, which is why I need to stop pretending that I “could” make a dress like this an just pay a talented, professional person like Rachel of Call me Captain and call it a day!

My Husband asked me last night what a stylist does and what qualifies them for that position? Given my work with stylist’s for my day job, I had no definitive answer for him, but I wanted to illustrate that there is a large variance of skill level, roles and clients.  I thought a back-to-school shopping trip with Barret Wertz on ThreadBanger might be the perfect answer.  Enjoy!

Hello All,  It has been just a crazy month, don’t you agree?  The transitional month between seasons always throws me off schedule and to top it off I am doing a detox this week and next, which has completely confused my body.  Where are the carbs? The coffee? The cheese?  Not in my belly is where. *sigh* It’s good though, my body needed a little break from the gluttony and my skin is already starting to get a fresh glow!

So in honor of craziness, I give you my random retro selections, courtesy of Etsy!
I am STILL dreaming of my apartment being completely finished, which will probably never happen but this coffee table would be a good start.  I love the two-tone inlay on the top!

The sofa is still TBD, as the hubby and I really can’t agree on a style or color.  Let’s just visualize an aqua or pale blue one with these fun hot pink throw pillows!  I can’t wait to curl up and watch movies.  The one cushion allowance per person on the love seat is just not cutting the mustard—a gal needs space.

Now when you have a cute apartment, obviously it is your duty to entertain in said abode.  So here are a couple of additional accoutrement’s to include; this nifty little coffee pot and linens.  Hand towels to table cloths…I just love cotton in the kitchen and on the table.

Ahhh…beautiful Monday, here again.  I must admit that I am pretty excited for tights, sweaters and boots.  Fall is my favorite time of year and to tie my two favorite things together I am giving you some fall “Mad Men” style ideas.  As promised, I looked for some Betty-ish dresses.  Now these may be a little more season 1-2, but I think they are her nonetheless.

The shoes are the most amazing rich chocolate brown with a petite, kitten heel.  I presume these could be worn to walk to work, kept on all day and then they could carry you right into a little wine bar.  They would be adorable and appropriate at all avenues of a working gals’ day! (Sidebar: I actually was going to purchase these, but my insole is too high?  Have you ever heard of such a thing? My small block, flintstone feet stick again!?!)

Now, I could not decide between these two dresses so I chose to include them both.  The floral patterned fabrics, form fitted waists, sleeve lengths and amazing condition of both of these  numbers completed drew me in. The belted gal feels a little more work or Sunday entertaining, while the 3/4 sleeve could be dressed up for dinner or  a casual fall wedding.

I found all of these on the Etsy site for DearGolden Vintage.

Click the images to find the sale or follow her on twitter @deargolden.

Did I mention that I have an intense love for finger puppets?  I have no idea why that is or where that comes from, but I do.  I find them so adorable and not creepy like full-size puppets.  A couple of weeks back we were on a mini-road trip back to Ohio for the weekend and we stopped at Taco Bell (don’t judge…I love the bell as well).  My step-son got a kids meal, which of course came with a toy.  We stopped getting excited over these toys quite a while back because they are usually pretty lame!  To my surprise, Milo pulls out the coolest toy, EVER!  It was a thumb wrestling “arena” with Lucha Libre masks for your thumbs. Holy Cow!  How stinking cute is this?  I say High Five to whomever dreamed this up–it has given me lots of laughs.  Look at the little arms…please tell me you are laughing right now?

For those of you who are not familiar with Luch Libre, here is the Wikipedia definition: “Lucha libre (Spanish for “free wrestling” or free fighting) is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries referring to a form of professional wrestling involving varied techniques and moves. Mexican wrestling is characterized by rapid sequences of holds and moves, as well as ‘high-flying moves’, some of which have been adopted in the United States, and colorful masks. Lucha libre has also transcended the language barrier to some extent as evidenced by works such as Mucha Lucha and Nacho Libre. Lucha libre performers are known as luchadores (singular luchador).”

I am sure my love for finger puppets does not travel far so instead I did a little hunting for other Lucha Libre inspired goods. Enjoy! (Click the links to find/buy the goods via Sublime Stitching and some crazy ebay store.)