A Little Grunge Never Hurt Anyone

{ vtg. cardigan } | { vtg. shirt } | { boots }
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Splurge or Save: The Peplum Jacket

There's something about garments with an exaggerated peplum that I just love. Maybe it's the ultra defined structure. Maybe it's the clothing equivalent of dotting each "i" with a little heart - a perfect flourish.

Some people will probably say that you have to have a narrow body today to be able to pull off this style, but I think that if you pick the right cut and the right pieces to go with it, most anyone can get away with it.

Things to keep in mind when choosing a peplum top or jacket: (1) While the peplum itself is full, make sure that the garment has a slim fit in the arms and bodice. If it's not quite right, take it to a local tailor - it's inexpensive to have clothing taken in a bit, and it makes a world of difference. (2) Go slim with the bottoms as well, as in ultra skinny jeans or a pencil skirt. Any extra volume at the bottom and it will look like you're drowning in your outfit.

Now the question is: which to choose? Splurge on this glamorous jacket from Givenchy, a mere $4145.00, or save on this Tibi striped peplum jacket, $495.00?

Bohemian

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This incredible unseasonably warm weather (which is taking a slight siesta today - we have snow everywhere) has led me to 100% believe that spring is like, three days away. Every morning while getting dressed, I have a little conversation with myself that involves wondering whether I can wear platform sandals yet. I can't, but I have settled on open-toed shoes a few times.

And since spring is almost surely, very nearly here, I can start thinking about summer too. Summer is filled with floaty bohemian dresses + skirts, and I've begun adding to my collection of 1970s dresses a little ahead of time:



Dress number one was a lucky thrift store find ($5.00 people!!) - it needs mending in a couple of places, but it's lovely nonetheless. Dress number two was an ETSY purchase from the very lovely Sally Jane Vintage.

Weekend homework: Let's collectively wish for spring, and it will be here in no time!!

Cuffed

I just came across these hand-painted and/or hand-wrapped bangles from Aramar this morning, and am already smitten. An armful of bracelets is an easy way to create a focal point for an otherwise plain outfit. And who wouldn't love to have some of these brightly colored, hand-crafted pretties dangling around their wrists?

It's difficult to choose, but I think my favorite is the yellow with the bicycle - it's just so bright and fun!

More designs in Aramar's ETSY Shop

Neon

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Neon is still looking like it will be quite big for spring, and while neon is probably not what you'd call "classic", I'm certainly glad that it's sticking around for awhile longer.

Neon brights are flattering on absolutely everyone, no skin tones excepted. When thinking about what neon color to choose, you want to stick with the same color palette that you'd normally wear: if you have paler skin / hair, and yellow isn't normally great on you, neon yellow isn't going to look any better. (Notice how in the last two pictures, you notice the brunette first & then the sweater, whereas on the blonde, you almost only notice the dress.)

If you have a lighter complexion and hair: pinks, reds, and blues.
If you have a darker complexion and hair: greens, yellows, and blues. and reds. and pinks. (you can pretty much pull off anything.)

P.S. - I'm hoping to snag a pair of these Audrey Silk Mules, also from Acne.

Kimono

Country Living recently had a feature on how you should be lounging around the house in a pretty kimono instead of an old bathrobe. Most of the pieces in their story were new, though I can't help but be drawn to the feel, patterns, and look of antique silk kimonos instead.

Want It Now: Vintage Afghans

{ Vintage 70s Afghan Blanket } and { Vintage Multi-Colored Crocheted Afghan }

Whenever I come across pretty vintage afghans at antique markets, I want to scoop them up and take them home. They're a little broken in, so the yarn is super cozy; the colors are always crazy good; and (as I imagine it) they've been lovingly made by someone's little old grandmother. They're also typically inexpensive - especially when compared to new knitted or crocheted blankets - and a great way to add bits of brightness and warmth to rooms in the fall and winter.

Want It Now: Vintage Home Style

{ Air Plant in Blue Bird Cage } and { Vintage Glass Brass Box }
{ Antique Composition Doll } and { Vintage Wooden Chairs }
{ Vintage Industrial Metal Paperweight } and { Clay Horse Head Bookends }

I'm rather an impatient shopper. Once I decide that I want something, I want it right then and there. New shoes, a coat, a good cup of coffee, pancakes, a different bedspread... whatever. Yes, I realize this is not the most admirable of qualities. But I fear at this stage in the game, I'm probably stuck with it.

This kind of a desire to have something right away is a problem when it comes to home design though. For most things I really prefer vintage pieces, but it's not as though you can run to Target and find that great antique bookcase that you've been pining for.

It takes time. Sigh.

Working part time at an antique store helps with a bit of expediting, but for everything else there's ETSY. In the last year of so, a pretty incredible crop of sellers of great vintage design pieces have popped up. I'm always cooing over some strange.precious little porcelain doll or metal.wood industrial furniture.

Do you have any favorite home design stores.sites? If you have a post about design goodies, I'd love to know -- you can share your link using the widget below!!

Want It Now: Kilim Drawstring Bags

These handmade Kilim bags from A Kind of Guise are perfection. The folks over there have taken some of the rugs that they'd brought back from a trip to the Middle East, and made limited run of bags for what they're calling The Kilim project.

I'm smitten with the fact that they're not only "recycling" vintage materials to craft their goods, but also that each of these bags would have it's very own origins story behind it. While most products have country of origin labels, it's far cooler to be able to know where exactly the materials from your bag came from, when they were gotten, and who made them into something wonderful.

Want It Now: Vintage Cat Eye Glasses

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When I was younger, I had to have braces, and I had five years of allergy shots. It seemed to me that the one thing that I didn't need to have help with - vision - was really the only thing with a pleasing solution. Nearly all of my relatives were (as I saw it then) blessed with the need for glasses.

Thankfully it doesn't seem to matter any more whether or not you have less than perfect sight - pretty frames have become accessories in the same way as jewelry: a little extra ornamentation never hurt anyone, right?

Me & City

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld in Me & City's AW 2011 Lookbook. I think the collection is filled with gorgeous 1960s throw-back pieces, and the shoot is lovely. Though I'd also wager you'd be able to snag yourself an actual 1960s leopard print coat that would be equally as cool.

Black Friday . Small Business Saturday . Cyber Monday

Pretty Little World is having a sale!! Come and see!!

All . Caps

Technically speaking, I probably should just stop looking at shoes altogether. If I don't look, I won't covet quite so much. But since that's probably not going to happen, I'll just post when I find especially good shoes, and you all can covet with me!

These remind me of Tinker Toys, but for your feet. I think I like the nude/peachy version best, as you're drawn to the crazy wooden heel rather than the straps.

Get them from Solestruck

Bedazzled

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I seriously couldn't be more thrilled that people are starting to drape themselves in even greater amounts of sequins during the day. Sparkle = the more the merrier! I tend to temper my use of sequins a bit around here, as most girls on campus seem to acquire their entire wardrobes from Victoria's Secret Pink. (True story: at the local grocery store, my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw a college girl wearing VS tap pants as shorts. Look it up ladies: it doesn't matter how good your legs are, those are underwear.)

Anyway, if you're like me and want the shimmer but need to lessen the glitz a bit, here are some options:

☆ A Very Little Bit of Sparkle: { Revlon Gold Coin Nail Polish } + { a gold glitter polish, like Deborah Lippmann's Boom Boom Pow }
☆ A Medium Amount of Sparkle: { Miu Miu Gold Glitter Pumps }
☆ Like, a Lot: { Alice & Olivia Sequin Mini Dress }

Calypso

Lately I've been obsessed with trolling through the fall/winter lookbook at Calypso St. Barth. The site makes winter seem as though it's going to be created by the Sugarplum Fairy. (Which, by the way, if anyone knows how to make that happen, lets get on that!) Somehow sequined maxi dresses and lounge pants make the coming cold weather seem a little more bearable.

Vintage . vs . Runway

A recent issue of Marie Claire magazine had a fun spread on really vivid pieces for fall. I was immediately attracted to a gorgy bright kelly green sweater coat... until I saw the price tag. The coat, by Les Copains, was listed at $2895.00. Not gonna happen.

The coat was especially a tease as I'd remembered something very similar from a vintage shop in Cleveland... something very similar that I had, of course, not purchased.

Though as luck would have it, it was still there on this last trip!



Mine has a little wear ("character") to it, though as it's virtually the same coat, and substantially less $$$, I'll take it.

Camel

Recommended { save }



Left | JCrew Academy Coat in Sandstone | $325
Right | JCRew Wool Icon Trench in Camel | $325


Recommended { splurge }



Left | Thakoon Wool Blend Trench Coat | $1970
Right | Joseph Wool and Cashmere Blend Coat | $1095

I know that everyone is falling all over themselves to be the brightest and most colorful this fall, but I really think that you can't go wrong with a classic pairing, like a wool blend and soft camel color. Almost any style or silhouette - trench, shawl collar, cape, swing - is going to be the perfect polish to any outfit. Besides, you can always toss on a pair of jewel-tone pants (I like the yacht blue or the bright dahlia) to brighten up the look.

Tip: Look for a vintage fur collar - like this one - to add to your coat in the chillier months. This saves you the $$$ you'd spend on a new coat with fur // you can transfer it easily to other sweaters and coats // and you can find a variety of real or faux, plush or sleek, light or dark