new treasures!

I finally charged up my camera and took pictures of my recent vintage purchases...

Polka dot romper: Delia's

red heart printed dress: Imonni (Long Beach, CA)
orange and white cat: Petfinder




floral (with eyelet trim) skirt: Warehouse 1333 antique mall (Long Beach, CA)
I want to shorten this to right above the knee, it's too long.




strawberry pocket skirt: Imonni

this skirt is simply amazing!






tooled leather saddlebag: Long Beach Antique & Collectible Mall
I've been looking for one of these on Ebay for awhile but shipping is always quite high because the bag is really heavy. I found this one for a decent price so I just went for it.




braided leather belt and woven purse: St. Vincent de Paul thrift store (Orange, CA)
it was 50% off day when I went, so I got the belt for $1 and the bag for $2.50 :)





orange fondue pot with stand and 8 fondue forks: Orange Circle Antique Mall (Orange, CA)
Don't you love how my cat is a camera hog?




totally 70s drinking glasses and orange mushroom salt shaker: Orange Circle Antique Mall (Orange, CA)



I bought this dress on Ebay a few months ago, I believe it was once a maxi length dress because it's been shortened and hemmed.



I haven't worn this yet, I bought it last summer at Red Light Vintage in Seattle. Gorgeous though.




excuse the black undergarmets :P
I got this on Ebay a few months ago... another altered 70s dress... used to be long, now a nice more modern length. Very polyester!


That's it for now!

fashion inspiration: katy perry

About 2 weeks ago I was reading the Image section of the LA Times (which is like the fashion/style section) and came across a big article on Katy Perry. I don't listen to the radio or watch MTV, so I had never heard of her. The article was all about her fashion style and a little about her new album coming out. I think she dresses so damn cute... think rompers, 50s dresses, high waisted shorts, fruit accessories, rockabilly mixed with 80s. She looks exactly like Zooey Deschanel. Her music is actually extremely catchy and likable. It may be a little immature for this 26 year old, but I don't care, it's FUN FUN FUN :)

I bought a pair of high waist jeans from Forever 21 last week but they are just way too 70s. I think they look good but I don't have the courage to really wear them because they look too hippie-like for everyday wear. They're so high they go above the belly button. Alas, I've decided to return them and use the store credit to purchase this lovely fringe purse from For Love 21 - that way I can add an element of hippie-ness without looking like I'm wearing a Halloween costume with the jeans.

As a replacement for those jeans, I found these from Old Navy which as still cute and wide leg, but the rise is much more... modern and I love the front patch pockets. Unfortunately they are only available online and Old Navy doesn't offer any free shipping discounts. Perhaps later this week after the F21 jeans have been returned and the new sandals received I will consider purchasing.

I think I've reached my limit on shopping for this paycheck. After a certain amount, the guilt and thrifty-ness sets in and I slam on the breaks for spending.

Unrelated to shopping, I've put this book on reserve at the library:

"Jennifer Brandt grew up in a family heavily involved in the fashion and movie industry. She embraced a culture that fostered extreme creativity, a wonderful fashion sense, and an obsession with everything Hollywood, everything vintage, and everything glamorous. Brandt knows every nook of L.A., from Echo Park to the San Fernando Valley–and everything in between. Vintage Los Angeles will be a colorful tour of this glittery town through original color photography, as well as charming vintage photos and relics.

Brandt showcases the best of vintage life, including famous Los Angeles hot spots such as:

•The Rose Bowl Flea Market–a great place to find antiques

•Sunset Hyatt House–dubbed the "Riott House" because of its sordid rock n' roll past

•Mashti Malone's–where else could you find Iranian rose water ice cream?

•Bob's Big Boy–where the Beatles ate on their first US tour

•Chateau Marmont–Hollywood's decadent vintage love nest

•and many more.

Brandt's unique old Hollywood voice will carry the reader through these spots, revealing historical information, juicy star–studded stories, and delightful anecdotes. Vintage Los Angeles is the dreambook for any stylish, secondhand soul with a vintage aesthetic, appreciation, and absolute love of "the hunt." Complete with interviews with famous vintage–collectors, indie bands, actors, and Hollywood connoisseurs, Vintage Los Angeles is a trip down memory lane with a modern and delightful edge."

It sounds really interesting and fun and I'll be the first to check it out because it's on order but I'm the first to have reserved it. Can't wait! Comes out next week.

I'm finally feeling better now so I figured an update was in order. I received my Penny Loves Kenny flower sandals but I decided they weren't worth the $50, especially because the bottom is light suede.. which means as soon as my feet sweat, they're going to be disgusting. I returned them and am awaiting my refund. In the meantime, I searched and searched and finally came across a very similar style for less, from Bakers.

This style is called the Fontana and sells for $39. It comes in 4 different colors. I happened to snag it at 10% off so I paid like $35ish. The unfortunate thing is that I had to pay for shipping so it didn't end up much less than the Penny Loves Kenny style but at least this isn't suede on the bottom. This is that imitation leather stuff that actually doesn't get the awful black footprint on it (I have another pair with this material and it remains clean!). I also like that it's half black and half silver so it's a bit more versatile.

Once I charge my camera, I'll post pictures from yesterday's antique mall/thrift store adventures. I took my dad to the Orange circle for Father's Day (a day early) and we did some antique shopping. Antique malls aren't exactly bargain basements, but I did score 3 vintage 70's flower tumblers, a bright orange mushroom salt shaker, and a complete 70's orange fondue pot kit (with 8 forks) all for $26. I love to use Yelp to help me locate thrift stores in other cities. I found one off the beaten path in Orange and lucky for me, it was 50% off day. I got a woven leather purse, a woven leather belt, and a VHS tape of the Incredible Journey (for my summer camp counselor job) all for $4.

Can't wait to hit some more thrift stores soon, especially in Ventura county.

being sick stinks

I've been at home sick with what I think is the flu since Tuesday afternoon. I'm FINALLY starting to feel better today. I actually put on clothes rather than pajamas and I did my hair. I'm enjoying a break from contact lenses and makeup though. I've been so good and haven't spent any money in the last 2 weeks. I get paid in 3 days and I've been carefully calculating what I will treat myself to. I was going to purchase some Minnetonka fringe boots but I've just changed my mind and bought these Penny Loves Kenny flower sandals. I think I will get more use out of them this summer and I can always get the Minnetonkas next month if I still want them.

I got them from Endless.com for $49. That includes free 1 day shipping (I'll get them Monday since I ordered them on a Friday), free return shipping, and I didn't have to pay any tax because I live in California. Not bad. They're sold out in my size on Zappos and DSW. Yeah, I charged them, but I'll pay them off Monday :) Aren't they lovely?