Wearing vintage: Lace Knit Cardigan and a Despearte Updo

Woof!  (Sorry about the gratuitous dog photo and pun (not sorry)). This week has been hot and muggy, and it's forcing me face the music.  I'm going to have to really try some new things if I want to grow my hair out this summer.  For the last couple of years I have been chopping it pixie short during the hotter months.  I love having short hair and find it really freeing, but I've also been dying to do up-dos, and for that, I have to get past this bob length I have going on.  For this summer, I predict lots of headscarf looks, which is what this outfit was all about.   This particular updo I would like to name the "It's too hot to care" coif, because it was 95 and humid on Tuesday, when I wore this ensemble.  Despite the bobby pin mess in the back, I really enjoyed the look of and built my outfit around the scarf.    I typically shy away from black, as I enjoy navy and brown as my neutrals of choice, but the scarf demanded black.   As a result, I also wore these shades of yellow and gold, which are out of my wheelhouse.

The deets
scarf: 1950s silk constellation scarf, a gift from my sister
cardigan: 80s does 50s lace knit vintage, thrifted
tank: urban outfitters, ages ago
lace skirt: Vanity, not some place I typically shop, but I loved this piece!
flats: Urban Outfitters
purse: Vintage Coach
bracelet:  Vintage copper with enamel, a gift from my mom

I must admit, I quite liked this outfit and would wear it again!  And then of course, there's Greta.   She says hi, and wants you to know that thing that you're eating looks delicious. 

See you soon!
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what i wore.... a month ago

This spring / early summer has been surprisingly moderate and I am relishing the weather.   I'm an odd bird, in that I don't like to pile on too many layers, even when the weather permits, so when the weather turns hot I am often guilty of wearing too-short shorts.   What can I say?!  I'm a corn-raised American girl and I have a short and wide torso, so I need to play up something, and it's definitely not my dainty upper body. (*ahem*builtlikeafootballplayer*ahhchheemmm*)  I'm not complaining.  My less-than-petite build makes me difficult to knock down in contentious settings, like half-off day at the Value World when I am fighting for my life for a size 10 pair of boots *theoretical* and I've been known to rock it out in a match of sand volleyball *events may have been dramatized for your entertainment.*  The point is, I wore this ensemble a few weeks ago during a similar hot spell to the one we're experience now.  Ohio River Valley, what humid torture do you have in store this summer? I love love this little 50s jacket!  I think it provides a nice foil to short shorts and distracts from the general mid-section area from which I prefer to draw attention away.  The loose cut is cool, it's cotton, and....... 

...there are tiny fish in little fish bowls all over it!  I love me a good mid century novelty print, and I am challenging myself to experiment with more voluminous pieces in my wardrobe.  Double bonus:   the lapel is open at the bottom, so I can lounge casually with my hands in my "pockets,"though I dare not keep anything of value in them.  They are not reliable stuff-keepers.

The deets
novelty print jacket: 1950s, thrifted
turquoise tank (not shown), H&M
extra-long abstract clutch: Felix and Jayne, older style 
dipped quartz necklace: Creature Comforts on Etsy 
tan short shorts: hand made by someone, thrifted
shoes: BCBG from TJ Maxx


Be warned, this may be the first of many installments in the summer short - shorts series. 

XO!

outfit post: Girl in a Concrete Jungle

Hi, my name is Amber, and I take outfit photos on a semi-annual basis.  I just took a long scroll through my blog, and noticed that this is something that I touch on so rarely and randomly, and it just so happens that yesterday was one of those days.   I felt particularly confident and comfortable in this outfit.   I'm hoping I get my act together and do more outfit posts in the future, because I'm really excited to share some of the vintage pieces I've collection and my view on styling them.  

The Foundation
Beautifully tailored coral modern trench:  thrifted, Jones New York
Jungle Cats blouse: 80s vintage, thrifted
Jeans: Old Navy Flirt skinny jean, my new favorite, and on sale right now for $17!

The Accessories
70s leather bag:  thrifted, and I could have sold this bag a million times in the shop, but I'm really glad I kept it!   Some day I will tell you the zany story of how it came to be mine.
fringed ankle boots:  Target, on sale a few months ago
snake wrap bracelet:  ca. 1970s Whiting and Davis, a birthday present I bough for myself at my favorite antique mall
necklace:  vintage, thrifted.   The necklace is one thing that I wish I hadn't worn that day.  Looking at these photos, I think it took away from the blouse and made the whole thing busy / a bit sloppy.  It was an afterthought and it shows.

I LOVE this wall outside of our apartment.

Just two kittens in the jungle.   This shirt is actually painted, and it's nutty. 

This 70s tassel bag and Whiting and Davis Bracelet are two of my favorite things ever! The face I am making is not. 

I wore this outfit Friday, May 24th on an explorative trip in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine district.  I dropped off a resume at a sweet design firm and lifestyle shop I'm hoping to intern at, and then Matt and I struck out into Newport, Kentucky, where I got both a vintage Coach bag and a parking ticket.            ***Simultaneous cheers and jeers, but mostly cheers.  I'll take it.***

XO,

First "What I Wore" post!

Today was an undeniably beautiful day, no jackets necessary. It inspired me to put forth a little effort, which was nice after spending another lone weekend in winery logo wear. It isn't great, but I thought it was bloggable. This is my FIRST "what I wore" post, so they'll get better with time. My outfit includes:

a sweet little red 70s dress with WHITE SEAGULLS all over it (!)

a fantastic 1960s beaded handbag

a blush lacy slip peeking out around the hem

and some great boots from TootiesCloset, a great shop on Etsy with a killer selection of boots and handbags at no-brainer prices.

Speaking of getting better with time, I picked up a bottle of 2007 Creekbend Chambourcin, which will be an absolutely lovely wine. The local co-op carries a couple of Oliver Winery's estate wines, and 2007 is officially two vintages ago. I'm excited for its silky, subdued raspberry goodness. A quick visit to the local salvation army turned up some great knitwear, a couple of lovely dress, and a totally steampunk/art deco waffle maker. Coming soon to PirateVintage and BirdsChasingBugs.

What a great afternoon!