If you are lucky enough to call the LA area home, then I will say that you have to attend  an event being pulled together by Clever Vintage Clothing in Culver City. The vintage extravaganza brings together over 10 vintage clothing designers/dealers and sounds like the perfect place to finish off your summer picnic dress purchases.

If you happen to be a midwestern dweller (like myself) or an east coast crooner (which is probably 50% of my readership), I ask that you do not fret.  The affordable finds of Clever Vintage are also available on Etsy!  You heard me, a California vintage boutique, filled with carefully curated pieces and amazing prices is right at your fingertips.  I have my eye on this little number.

Last night was my Etsy night.  I choose to plunge in and keep my search terms very vague so I could cast a wide net. I went with the generic “mid century modern” and wow, that term sure delivered page upon page of loveliness.  One store, in particular, caught my eye and it’s called The Sunday Times Market.  The couple that host the shop sound just about as cute as can be and if they lived in Chicago, I would totally make them my friends (even though they don’t like kimchi!)

I picked a few of my favorites from their line-up; but with all the colors, quality vintage and amazing photography you will see that it was hard to choose just four items!!!  I also suggest that you check out their site for good measure.

p.s. My coffee press broke this morning (again?!?) I had to use a sieve to drain my stinkin’ coffee. Why does this keep happening to me?

I am sure that I must sound completely lame, but quite frankly it takes a lot to get me excited about anything, especially the release of doll photos and the launch of a DVD.  So, I refuse to fight it.  I mean just look at this mini Joan and her cute little outfit.  (Although it really seems that could have made her proportions a little more Joan-esque, no?)

So back to the issue at hand, I have been hauling my life to and from work in a canvas tote that I received at a luxury suite for L’Oreal (which was a work event) a few years ago.  That’s right, I own plenty of beautiful lovely bags and I am walking around like a homeless person carrying a dirty old one.  What is wrong with me?  I am including a picture of the bag.  PLEASE NOTE: I usually keep the slogan facing me!

So my quest to you is this: I need to find a large commuting bag, that is cute, washable and ready for spring!  It has to be a bag that, if necessary can be set on the floor of the train (extreme circumstances only!)

The future is looking brighter already; I have a long weekend ahead of me, one of my bestie’s and her husband and are going to be in town and we are one day closer to spring!  Can you feel it?

I decided to just post a cute outfit that Iwould like to be wearing today.  (I have wanted the shoes for months, but because my lovely friend and co-worker Renee already owns them–I refuse to be a copy-cat.)

We sauntered over to the shoes because this particular store always has good vintage dead stock and quality stuff.  As we were walking down the isle, I began telling my sister how the last pair of shoes that I got there had actually started to disintegrate while I was at work–it was summer and kind of hot and I had these BEAUTIFUL navy blue and white spectator heels on.  I was just minding my own business sitting on a conference call when I uncrossed my leg to find half the shoe was stuck to my calf. ha!  Totally gross.  It was right about this time that I found a “brand new” pair of black, wedge spectators.  They were in perfect condition and ready to be mine!  So I swooped those little suckers up.

Let’s progress to Tuesday–The morning started with me battling my dress slacks and literally bending the metal clasps to make them fit.  Then snow, so I wore my mountain boots to work.  Finally I got to put on the new shoes and a new blouse and look mildly presentable.  It wasn’t until about noon that thte shoes started to feel a little uncomfortable.  I ignored it because I have a weird (oddly shaped) foot and shoes hurt a lot.  Then I noticed that I kicked my file cabinet shut and it left huge scuffs on the door.  hmmmm….  That’s weird.  I invetigated and sure enough the leather felt uneven and kind of rippled from kicking (it was more like lightly pushing the cabinet shut).  Next I am sitting in a meeting and look down to notice that my heel fell off the one shoe–mind you this is a wedge–how does that happen?  The final straw came an hour later when I looked down under my desk to realize half the sole of the other shoe had completely fallen off.  I looked around and realized there was shoe debris all over my entire cube area.  How embarrassing!

I had actually thrown the shoes in the garbage when my friend Jess mentioned that I should do a post about it.  Sadly I have no before pictures because I didn’t honestly think this would happen to me once let alone twice!!  My sister said I jinxed myself by mentioning it while we were shopping–I think that particular shop may just store mass products in hot storage allowing lovely vintage to dry rot while maintaining it’s adorable exterior.  Any theories?

The pics are from my iPhone, but should give a pretty good indication of  the damage.  I actually cleaned up the floor before this photo, so the remains are just a fraction of the destruction.

That brings me to Swell Vintage and their amazing re-designed and re-purposed vintage jewelry. The proprietor of this lovely shop, Frankie, is absolutely adorable as well.  I follow her on twitter (@swellvintage) and she is quite the treat.  Below are two versions of her pocket watch necklaces that are a slightly larger version than mine, but just what I have been in the mood to accessorize with.

Jessica of What I Wore appears to be the mastermind behind Vintage Where? and I am so excited to see that someone took the time to do this–it is such a great idea.  So please fill in your favorite hot spots!

Yeah, I said it!  I’m putting a little Christ back in the season.  This year especially–I just haven’t been feeling well and haven’t gotten into any of my normal routines.  It is Dec 16th and I haven’t even filled out one Christmas card or wrapped one present.  It’s absolutely painful to think about how much still needs to get done.  My only saving grace is that I bought a poinsettia and hosted a dinner last weekend for friends that looked  mildly seasonal i.e. green goblets, white plates and red flowers.  *sigh*  Is anyone else having this problem this year?  Am I all alone?  I swear that I want to be more motivated, I just can seem to ignite the fire.

I almost posted pictures of pretty parties and food that I found online, but thought that might be a little soul-crushing if anyone is in the same boat as me.   Instead, I am sticking with the paper theme and posting some lovely retro holiday cards that will, hopefully, inspire me to get my sad carpal tunnel stricken hand a writing this weekend.  Please feel free to taunt or make fun of me–I usually find these methods motivating.  Or you could tell me how much you have already completed and maybe I will feel compelled to catch up?

I have been slowly trying to build my collection back up.  I am due for some personalized letterpressed note cards with my married name, but those are a little pricey to request as a gift.  I also need to up the ante with my thank you cards, the dollar bin at Target always has these really cute note cards that I keep grabbing, but the quality is a little lame.  I thought I might add the journals below to my holiday wish list this year.  I like that they have a retro vibe, but are modern and covered in cloth.  I found them in the Bust Magazine Shop.