Macarons and marigolds

This week has been pretty crazy, between my dance studio's dress rehearsals and recitals and a truly absurd amount of schoolwork. Today was a nice break, though. My mom, sister, and I decided to spend the day hitting a few estate sales, buying enormous macarons from a French bakery, drinking coffee, and finally, stopping by a local farm for their annual strawberry festival.

I rarely put any effort into getting dressed on estate sale days, but I decided I wanted to be a bit fancier today. This breezy rayon skirt (printed with columns!) and chambray top with candy-like buttons seemed just right. The top was pretty rumpled by the time I got around to snapping photos, but it seems silly to post only photos of clothes that look barely lived-in.

This year, I convinced one of my senior dance students to use the song Ghosts by Laura Marling for her solo. The music video definitely references the Day of the Dead, and since marigolds are associated with the holiday, my sister suggested that I make my soloist a marigold barrette to wear onstage. Marigolds have been on our minds ever since, so we made sure to pick up a few particularly fluffy-looking ones.

Outfit details:
1960's chambray top via Lawrence
1980's skirt via Allen Co.
Anthropologie sunglasses
Forestbound bag
H&M flats

Candy-striped

I had this ensemble from the Met on my mind when I found this striped blouse on ebay. I don't usually buy reproductions, since what I love most about vintage clothes are their long histories, but I couldn't quite resist the ruffled sleeves and red and white stripes. Plus, the blouse was made using vintage fabric and a vintage pattern, AND it fits into the carnival theme that's been inspiring all my outfits lately, so I'll give it a pass.

Over the weekend, I went to a much-raved-about flea market in Tarentum. I was bummed I didn't have more luck there, but I did snag this clutch embroidered with "Philippines 1945" and the name "Julia." Maybe it was a gift from a woman's boyfriend in the military? Or a honeymoon souvenir? Or something else entirely? Regardless, it charmed me in the way that only pretty, old things can, and it seemed appropriate for it to make its blog debut in front of Phipps Conservatory's beautiful greenhouses.

Outfit details:
1930's reproduction blouse via ebay
1930's skirt purchased at a local antique store
1945 souvenir clutch from the Philippines purchased at a flea market in Tarentum, PA
Coach belt
Seychelles heels

Off-duty circus girl

A few weeks ago I jokingly told my sister that I just want to dress like a girl wandering sadly through an abandoned carnival during the 1930's or 40's. I don't have a concrete reference for that comment--just vague thoughts of dust bowl feedsack dresses, striped skirts whipping in the breeze, and messy curls. In any case, my next few outfit posts will all be in that particular vein. Paired with a dance leotard, this satin and nylon striped skirt seems like the sort of thing that an off-duty circus girl would wear. Perfect for wandering through a park on the way to my internship this week.

Outfit details:
Dance leotard
1940's skirt via Allen Co.
H&M flats

Old lady clothes

I figured that I wouldn't have a whole lot of time to blog during the last few weeks of the spring semester, but I had no idea that I'd abandon this blog for an entire month. Sorry about that!

I've been enjoying the three-week break between the spring and summer semesters. Last Thursday I went to an estate sale that I wouldn't have been able to visit during the school year, and I found a pile of amazing stuff--a pink rayon 40's dress, an Edwardian slip and blouse, a gorgeous 20's step-in, etc. My sister and I have also made a huge dent in our washing/mending pile, and I started listing things in my etsy shop again. Now, I just need to squeeze in a few outfit posts.

First up is this 40's skirt I purchased at the estate sale I wrote about in my previous post. The woman who passed away was an antique dealer, so most of the items I picked up at the sale were stock for her shop. However, this skirt came from her own closet, and for that reason, I think it's pretty special. I love the graphic print and the gathered detail on the back. Plus, this outfit strikes me as something a fabulous 90-year-old woman would wear, so I'm deeming it a success!

Outfit details:
Urban Outfitters blouse
1940's skirt purchased at an estate sale
Seychelles heels
Early 20th century Gladstone bag

Surprise estate sale

I hadn't planned on posting today, but this morning my sister and I got a phone call about an estate sale with vintage clothing from the 20's and 30's. (Of course we dropped everything and made our way over there!) The sale was run by the late woman's daughter, who told us that her mom was an antique dealer with a soft spot for vintage clothing. While she had an amazing clothing collection, with Victorian blouses, Edwardian underthings, and 20's shift dresses, my sister and I found a lot of accessories and housewares as well.

The best part about the sale was talking with the family. Sometimes family-run estate sales can be a little bit sad and uncomfortable, but the folks at this sale were so joyful and excited to encounter two girls who love vintage as much as my sister and I do. When I got back to my apartment, I snapped a few photos of our purchases, and I wanted to post about them with the sale still fresh in my mind.

A 1950's green velvet fascinator, a floral papier mache tray, two 1920's photographs, a 1920's crocheted handbag, a leather wallet from the early 20th century, and a pile of vintage hankies.

A closeup of the 1950's fascinator.

An Edwardian step-in that I couldn't leave behind in spite of a few stains and pinholes! I also bought a slip dress from the same era, and both will be getting a good soak once I finish up all my end-of-the-semester schoolwork.

I didn't even take photos of everything I came home with; there's also a 1940's rayon blouse and skirt set, a pair of 1920's heels, two vintage picture frames, and an old advertisement for a hat shop! I still feel a little high on vintage, and hopefully, I can redirect that excitement into all the final papers I've yet to write... I may be a bit scarce over the next few weeks, but I hope to be back soon with more photos and maybe even an outfit post in that 40's blouse and skirt.