Blizzard.

So I've been home in Virginia for the holidays and will be here for the next couple of weeks, which means that I missed the great New York City blizzard of 2010! Here is my dream snow day outfit, if only I had been there.

Dear Creatures dress//Fleece-lined tights//Fur earmuffs//Cashmere circle scarfCashmere mittens//Sorel boots//Toggle Coat

Stay warm everyone!

In Powder and Crinoline.

So I created this blog however long ago to share things that I'm interested in and things I've created. So far I've only been mildly successful at keeping up, but I've been meaning for a while now to write a post about my favorite golden age illustrator, Kay Nielsen. Children's book illustration is a particular favorite of mine, and from the 1880s to the 1930s is considered the golden age. Nielsen was a Danish illustrator who worked during the early 1900s and is counted among one of the greatest children's book illustrators of the time, along with Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac.

His style is art nouveau in influence, and thus his illustrations are extremely detailed and elaborate. The images I'm posting now are from In Powder and Crinoline (this blog's namesake!), an adaptation of the twelve dancing princesses story published in 1912.

Aren't his illustrations just beautiful? I never get tired of looking at them. I uploaded a few more to my flickr if you are interested, I had a hard time narrowing them down! Another interesting fact about Kay Nielsen is that he worked for Walt Disney for a while in 1939. He helped to illustrate the "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence of Fantasia, which is the really creepy one in case you can't remember.

Well enjoy the illustrations! Original credit goes to Golden Age Comic Book Stories for scanning the images. I hope to make this a regular feature.

Noël.

It's 4 am and I just got back to Virginia for Christmas. I bought my mom a fancy little present at Bergdorf Goodman, the fanciest store around! I love the pretty silver and purple wrapping. I feel a little delirious but happy to finally get in the Christmas spirit. Happy holidays everyone!

Simply Breakfast.

So I'm really in love with the blog Simply Breakfast. The concept is so simple, but there is something just so appealing about photos of breakfast food.


I am not nearly so adept a photographer, but here is my attempt at documenting that under-appreciated meal.

Orchids.

Hello again from Singapore! On Sunday we went to the Singapore Botanical Gardens to see their orchid garden; they have one of the largest collections of orchids in the world. Here are some of my favorites:



Love these colors.


Spider orchid. These are everywhere throughout the city!


This crazy twisty orchid was so interesting, but I can't remember what it was called. Anyone know?


Such a startling color combination. There were hundreds more, and all so beautiful! Singapore is such a beautiful city.

Singapore.

Surprise! I'm in Singapore. My mom is working out here temporarily so my sister and I are on a ten-day trip to visit her!







Here are a couple of pictures from our first day here. We walked around Little India and watched some of the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 race!



This was about as good of a picture as I could get of the race. Those cars move fast! I'll be posting more pictures on my flickr as the trip goes on, and I'll try and update this blog too!

It must be fall already.

Oh this poor little blog, I've been such a neglectful blogger lately. Unfortunately I have been stuck in a post-college graduation existential slump, obsessing over the question, "Well what the hell do I do now?" I still don't exactly have an answer, but luckily I finally have some exciting plans in motion. I actually feel ready to devote some time to this blog again! Here are some fall themed vintage gifts and latest thrift store finds. Please excuse the terrible pictures, I haven't gotten used to how quickly the daylight is disappearing yet. I thought the yellow light might add to the mood, but really it just looks sad.

Two beautiful leather satchels, both found at the thrift store! The bigger one is Coach, I was so excited when I found it. It looks a little like the Mulberry Alexa, don't you think? Unfortunately it was a bit pricey for a thrift store, so I made my boyfriend buy it for me for my birthday. I'm not sure when the smaller one is from, but it definitely is real leather and says "Made in Italy" across the front, which I thought was a little weird. The brand is Valentina.

The fisherman's sweater was my grandmother's from when she was in college, she gave it to me last Christmas. Apparently she and her boyfriend had matching sweaters, she knit him one then had him buy this one for her! How cute. When I get around to it and the light is better I'll take some more pictures, the tag is really cool too. It says that it was "Handloomed in the Donegal Highlands, Handmade in the Republic of Ireland." I haven't figured out quite how to wear it yet, the sweater fits but the sleeves are really short! My grandmother was so tiny. Also the wool is incredibly itchy, so I need to find a nice turtleneck and I'll be all set for winter.

The gray wool sheath dress is one of my favorite thrift store finds. When I get over my embarrassment of having my picture taken for a blog, I'll post some pictures of me wearing it. It fits like a glove! It will be perfect for interviews and for work if I ever manage to get an actual job.

I love these ankle boots, but they are just too big for me. I was thinking of setting up an Etsy shop at some point in the future to sell some of the vintage I find that just doesn't fit me, would anyone be interested in buying these? I'm worried because it seems like every single blogging, vintage-minded girl has an Etsy shop, I don't know if I would actually be able to sell anything. Sometimes it's so hard to pass up great finds at the thrift store just because they don't fit me, I'd love to be able to share.

The vintage cat-eye sunglasses are one the best gifts I've ever received. My boyfriend found them, turns out they are actual Ray Bans from the 1950s. Apparently I'm all about brown leather this fall, I've been wearing both of these belts a ton lately.

I'm working on revamping my blog layout, but keep an eye out for more posts! I'm taking an exciting trip soon, and will definitely be posting some pictures here.

Sandals.

I've been thinking a lot about shoes. To be fair, I'm always thinking about shoes but the problem is that I simply do not have the funds to buy the nice pair of summer sandals I've been dying for. So instead, I'll post here.

Seeing as how I'm on the cusp of graduating from college, I don't exactly have a lot of cash to spare. What little money I do have needs to go to a cap and gown. And beer, obviously. Here is my round-up of affordable(ish) summer shoes that I would love to buy as soon as I get a job. So you know, never.

Miz Mooz 'Hazel' Sandal, $99.95

I love the bohemian 70's vibe of these. Wood-heeled, retro style sandals are so cute right now. I'm finally starting to feel grown up enough to think about wearing heels on a regular basis, and I think these would be perfect for wearing with peter-pan collar blouses tucked into high-waisted shorts.

MIA 'Sweden' Sandal, $88

I feel like every single fashion blogger I follow has procured a pair of Swedish Hasbeens clogs lately, making me instantly jealous and coveting a pair of my own. Unfortunately those suckers are about $200 a pair, but then I stumbled on these. The exact same look for less than half the price. They are the perfect, casual, everyday summer shoe. Also they look so comfortable, which is important to consider with sandals.

Rocket Dog 'Lisbon' T-Strap Wedge Sandal, $44.99

I love these t-straps. They are just as casual as a flat sandal, but the tiny hint of wedge would keep my legs from looking too stumpy. (Listen, I'm short).

Jeffrey Campbell Wrap-Around Heel, $128

Ok not exactly a sandal, but man do I want these. The leather looks so soft, and I'm obsessed with the retro heel shape paired with a more modern strappy shoe. This nude color would look so great with flowy lace dresses at outdoor summer parties and barbecues. Definitely not so affordable, but I do have a birthday...

Frye 'Laurel Leaf' Flat Sandal, $158

Ok absolutely out of my budget. And while I'm not that crazy about the flat sandal in general for this summer (short legs remember), these are absolutely perfect. They have the hippie vibe that flat leather sandals really ought to have, and the leaves add just a touch of Grecian whimsy. These would be perfect to wear to a music festival with a floral print romper and big sunglasses. (Maybe these).

Well this has helped scratched my online shopping itch at least a little bit... If anyone would like to give me a job though, seriously that would be great. I need to fund my idyllic summer filled with traveling, outdoor parties, concerts, and obviously great shoes.

Braids.

My friend gave me a Joanna Newsom braid for our school's formal. Yes, the college I go to is so small we can have a dance with the whole school. Also, I wore a disco ball dress.

Baby Blue.

I'm sure this is the street style shot that will launch a thousand blog posts:

via The Sartorialist

Now how I would do it:

Now add:

Unbearably adorable. Now I'm off to scheme money-making techniques so I can buy that blue dress...

Joanna Newsom.

Joanna Newsom is quickly becoming a fashion world darling.

Joanna Newsom in Rodarte via.

(Also I just realized this pic is totally old. Oh well I still love the dress.)

Me (2nd from right) in the Rodarte for Target Go International version.

Not quite as cute but I still love the dress, next time I'm putting braids in my hair too. I think that would make it a little less Alice-in-Wonderland and a little more ethereal-fairy-girl like Newsom. Apparently she is interviewed in the new issue of Lula (which I am desperate to get my hands on)... I smell an It-Girl in the making.

Dresses.

I have a small, but I think not unimpressive collection of vintage dresses.

This one I was lucky enough to find in a thrift store near my house. I think it's from the 1940s, but it seems to be in awfully good condition. The only problem is that it is too big and long, so I'm contemplating selling it. It's just so pretty though!

This 1960s Mod number was my first ever thrift store purchase. I couldn't believe my luck when I found it, it was in great condition and fit me perfectly. I don't think I'll ever be able to part with this one.

I bought these two 1970s dresses from a vintage store in Cardiff, Wales when I was visiting there last spring break. I love the Marcia Brady quality of the pink one (I bought it for a 70s themed party) and the red one I wear all the time.

So that's it for now, I'd love to find some more floaty, 70s dresses and some full skirted 50s dresses.

Usagi.

Meet Pow Pow. He lives with me and causes trouble. He's lucky he's cute.