Archive for the ‘Shopping & Gifts’ Category

Josy Collection

Friday, March 12th, 2010

joy-collection

While in Toronto last week I attended the Toronto Vintage Show. It was my first time attending that show. While there I met a very talented vintage costume designer named Joanna Syrokomla who not only runs a business providing costumes for both independent film and television in Toronto, but she has also found time to create her own line of reworked vintage jewelry. Her two year old collection of bracelets and necklaces are made from very unique vintage buttons and other reused materials.

When asked how she got started she tells me, “A good friend had a couple yellow buttons on wide elastic he wore and I started playing with layering buttons and jewelry parts to make these cuffs. The thrill of the chase for the buttons is a major part of my joy in making them as well as the appreciation for the art, design, and history each button provides.”

Her cuffs range from $45 to $75 depending on the age and rarity of the buttons. The necklaces are priced at $200. You can find her “Josy Collection” on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/people/josycollection.

I’m A Little Tea Cup

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

tea-cups

I was never a tea drinker until about a year ago when my mom introduced me to the flavored teas. Now I’m hooked! It was a great alternative for me who was a major soda drinker.

 

One thing I really love are the mix and match little tea cups and saucers that were made popular with Shabby Chic style. There are so many cute patterns that have been designed over the years. And they are super cheap if you are not looking for a set. You can pick some up at thrift stores or flea markets.

 

I like to have my one special tea cup and saucer at work. I can’t explain it, but by making my “tea time” special it really helps to calm my nerves and just have that short break from the craziness in my office. I will dunk my tea bag slowly while I read over emails. I will take a long sip and reflect on how I’m going to nicely reply to that sender. You should try it! It really works!

 

These are my favorite picks from Etsy this week:

 

1.    Top left green floral $6

2.    2nd row black rimmed $10

3.    Top row blue floral $9

4.    Top right blue floral $14

5.    Right yellow & white stripe $48 set

6.    Bottom Yellow $35 set

7.    Bottom left green leaf $50 set

Sprint 2010 Color Trends

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

aqua

Beautiful aqua and turquoise blues are the hot color this Spring. They really give your wardrobe this bright bunch, and at the same time are very cool and soothing. Aside from finding these zinger colors in your clothes you can also incorporate them into accessories for a little pop.

1) 3 strand wood bead necklace from PlaidPonyVintage.com.
2) 60s Christian Dior Poppies & Stripe scarf $145 from PoshVintage.com
3) Big Blue Marble Vintage Beaded Necklace $24 from PlaidPonyVintage.com
4)  Vintage Turquoise Flower Enamel Pin $15 from PlaidPonyVintage.com
5) 50S Lucite Bangle bracelet $65 from PoshVintage.com

Shop NYC Tours - Episode 3

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Amarcord Vintage Fashion

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

amarcord

amarcord2Amarcord Vintage Fashion is a long standing staple on the vintage circuit. Owners Patti Bordoni and Marco Liotta, specialize in upscale European vintage from the 40’s – 80’s. They have two store; one in SoHo Manhattan, and one in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There is also a vintage archive showroom for industry professionals located in Brooklyn. You can also catch Amarcord at the vintage trade shows such as the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show.

 

Starting this weekend Amarcord Vintage Fashion wants to show some love to all those vintage lovers out there. They are having an overstock sale just in time for Valentines! Get 40% off select pieces. The pieces featured range in era from the 60’s to the 80’s, and the sale really offers a chance for vintage lovers to get their hands on some amazing collectible, classic pieces that have never before been discounted ….including:

 

·         Dresses by Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Gianfranco Ferre’, Thierry Mugler & Sonia Rykiel

·         Skirts by Celine and Missoni

·         Coats by Christian Dior, Moschino, Etro & Geoffrey Beene

·         Burlesque-inspired items by Guy Laroche

·         Nautical pieces from Ungaro

·         Plus some seriously amazing stuff from Comme des Garcons, Pauline Triger, Courreges…and more!

 

Here are details on the sale:

 

START DATE:      Friday, February 12th, 2010
END DATE:          Sunday, February 28th, 2010

SALE:                     40% OFF select items, including men’s & women’s clothing, bags and shoes.

LOCATION:         Amarcord Vintage Fashion

                               252 Lafayette Street

      (btwn Prince & Spring)

      New York, NY 10012  

      tel/ fax: 212.431.4161

      Hours: Mon – Sat 12 – 7:30; Sun 12 – 7

Shop NYC Tours Video - Episode 2

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Shop NYC Tours Video - Episode 1

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Clements Ribeiro

Monday, January 25th, 2010

clementsribeiro_atualI have written about the design duo Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro before. They are the designers behind Clements Ribeiro who often use vintage and antique trimmings to create their very unusual design collections.

 Inacio explains, “The projects are all about up-cycling. When Suzanne and I restarted our business we were painfully aware of the sheer amount of brands and products crowding the market and felt somehow uncomfortable bringing in more stuff. Hence our concentrated collections - stronger individual pieces on a smaller range - as well as our concept collections we call Projects. These are made out of unique pieces which come about through a thematic recycling of vintage materials combined with high end crafts. “

Now they are unveiling what they call Project Number 4, a five piece collection built around vintage scarves. The pieces (a dress, blouse, and skirt) are made from mismatched scarves from the 40s-80s. There are also two merino wool sweaters embroidered with silk scarf scraps.

There is a presentation called “scarf mania” running from Sunday January 24th – Wednesday January 27th at the Palais Royal. The pieces range from $650 for a top to $1800 for the dress. You can pick one up when it hits shelves in May at Barney’s New York and Blake in Chicago.

Resort Fashion

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

resort

1.    Sailor style top from Bows & Bandits $48.

2.     Military style shorts from Charlette Russe

3.    Vintage Pucci sunglasses from Solakzade.net

4.    Vintage costume enamel shell earrings from Catwalk10021.com $225

5.    1980’s JOSEPH BARRERA RUNWAY NECKLACE from Catwalk10021.com $1100

6.    Resort Fashion: Style in Sun-Drenched Climates

Keys to Style

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

keys-to-style

Vintage keys have been quite popular as a motif for the past year. The antique, ornate designs found in old master keys or skull keys make for great design inspiration. VSG first reported this jewelry trend in early 2009. Shortly thereafter Tiffany & Co. came out with their collection of key necklaces which have been quite popular.

Now key jewelry can be found just about everywhere and at every price level. The antique key design is most often found in necklaces, earrings, and on charm bracelets. One thing to note is that key are not the only motif coming out from this trend. Now we are starting to see more decorative key holes. These designs are used primarily in necklaces and brooches.

1. Antique brass short skeleton key hanging on brass tone chain $10.
2. Brass Victorian Keyhole Escutcheon Pendant Necklace $34
3. vintage key hole lock necklace $10
4. Diamond Accent Key Necklace In 14kt Yellow Gold $281.25
5. Vintage Heart Key Hole Necklace
6. Diamond Fleur-De-Lis Key Necklace In Sterling Silver $120
7. Antique-Style Key Necklace In Sterling Silver and 18kt Yellow Gold $176.25