Adventures in vintage, part 3

It's hot as hell today, but that didn't keep me from going thrifting as planned. Here's what I ended up with:

A raisin-colored shirt (not vintage, obviously), a fantastic beaded clamshell evening bag, and some shell beads and leather cording from Amonite (the bead store). Clearly, I had shells on the brain.

The clamshell bag was from Flashbacks, and they had a great selection of vintage clutches in the style I love. Vintage vinyl bags don't do much for me, but I adore the beaded ones that were most commonly made in Japan (this one was made in China, but it's the same idea). It's entirely possible I will keep going back to Flashbacks and buy out all their beaded bags one by one, because I can't get enough of them.

Here's another shot of the clamshell:

It's going to be great for evenings out when I like to travel light, as well as cocktail parties, weddings and the like. Ooh! So excited!

And, for the sake of historical accuracy, here's a vintage top I tried on in a store called Rags. The asymmetrical style grabbed me. Once I had it on, I realized the style reminded me a bit of the marching band uniforms we wore in high school.

I kinda dug the style but I think we can all agree that the bright peachy color is wrong on me, yes?

Here's another garment I tried on. I couldn't stop laughing/crying long enough to take a picture while wearing it...it's from the 80s and has that triangular shape. The sort of shape that gave me linebacker shoulders. It also hit at the strangest spot on my midsection. Sorry, but I think 80s silhouettes are beyond ridiculous.

Anyway, for the clamshell bag alone, I call today's shopping trip a rousing success.

Adventures in vintage, part 2

My neighborhood is chock-full of thrift shops, highly selective vintage shops, and everything in between. And you know what? I never check them out.

I'm not sure why this is. It's partly because I think most junk shops sell, um, junk, and I have no interest in junk. I like shops that sell higher-end vintage stuff, but they are often sort of snooty, unwelcoming places with prices to high for me to stomach and few items that actually fit my lifestyle.

Anyhow, drunk on the success of finding a great vintage dress on etsy, I set out to explore the neighborhood offerings a bit. I got let out of work early today, so had a bit of afternoon to spare.

Not-so long story short...I was pleasantly surprised.

First stop: this place. It's run by the local Catholic church, but you'd never guess from the sign, would you?

Inside the store, a black-and-white checked skirt caught my eye. The label said "Valentino, made in Italy." Umm...THAT Valentino? Anyway, it was a smidge too small. Same for a camel-colored Neiman Marcus skirt. They were both beautiful pieces...if I had it in my heart I'd try to sell them for profit. You know, like the assholes on etsy and eBay I like to rag on.

Next I stopped into Wear It Again Sam, which looks like this:

They sell glorious, mint-condition artifacts of yesteryear, and the prices reflect that. it's more like a museum than a store. They did have some reasonably priced silk scarves and clutches/small purses, though.

Lastly, I popped into Flashbacks:

Flashbacks has an annoying atmosphere, and vintage clothes are jammed right next to crap from Target and Forever 21 that people sold to the store for beer money. However, since I can appreciate vintage goods AND Urban Outfitters Circa 2005, it's not so bad. I almost hate to say it, but I found several awesome things here, and plan to go back tomorrow and buy them. Look at me - instituting a waiting period on purchases! Aren't I responsible?

There are scores of other charity and vintage shops in the neighborhood that I have never explored despite living in Hillcrest since August. Needless to say, my mission tomorrow is clear.

Adventures in vintage, part 1

In the past, I thought that selling vintage stuff on Etsy was a big ol' racket. Scouring junk shops and flea markets, buying all the good stuff and selling it for profit on a site that's designed to help small-time artists get a leg up? Umm...ok. Take it to eBay, please.

I've come around, though. It's thrilling to be able to search for a specific term like "vintage boots size 7" and have a great selection of relevant items pop right up, rather than sorting through racks of clothes, shoes and accessories in some dark, smelly shop lorded over by a persnickety shopkeeper. Granted, I sometimes enjoy sorting through the mounds of crap at thrift shops, but I appreciate order and efficiency, too.

Maybe I'm just smitten because the 60s minidress of my dreams was lurking on etsy, in a store called mapetiteamy.

You'd think that a gray sleeveless minidress in gray in such a timeless style wouldn't be too hard to find, but you'd be wrong.

Here it is. Twenty-five bucks, plus $14.50 in shipping because it's coming from Canada.

Here's to hoping it fits--I think I have a good handle on my measurements, but you never know.

(Needless to say I found a lot of vintage goodies on Etsy to share with y'all. They are coming, so stay tuned!)

Old crap in its natural habitat

La Mesa antique stores Flickr set

As promised, I tore up some antique stories today. I didn't hit gold - all I brought home was a beautiful ring that cost $5. I did see a mirror and a mirror tray I might go back and buy if I still like them next week.

All in all, the antique store I visited in Portland had a lot more stuff that skewed to the taste of casual collectors like me. The La Mesa antique stores had plenty of beautiful stuff, but a lot of it skewed toward cutesy stuff your Scottish-Terrier-obsessed Great-Aunt Martha might have - not stuff that's "cool" enough for he average yuppie (me) to take home. And there was nary a mid century nightstand or credenza to be found! Oh, the horror. Still, I had a blast and plan to visit more stores around the area next weekend, because I have no life.

On a mission

Vintage ceramic hands. Photo from restyle's Flickr stream.

Jazzed up by all the fun I had at the Stars antique mall in Portland, I'm going to invade all the major antique stores in San Diego. I've poked around a few, especially those in Hillcrest, but it's time for an all-out assault. No old crap will escape my gaze or grubby hands.

Besides wanting to inhale dust for the fun of it, I'm on a mission to expand my collection of vintage mirrors - including hand mirrors and mirror trays. I would also like one of those ceramic hands that were used as glove molds (I think) - they're great for rings/necklaces. But who knows what old crap will call out to me?

My short list includes:

• Pat's Corner in North Park
• Antiques on Kettner in Little Italy
• Broadway Antique Mall in Lemon Grove
• La Mesa Antique Mall
• St. Vincent de Paul Village

Tomorrow I'll probably hit up one of the antique malls. I figure they'll be a good starting point.

Wish me luck!

Best of San Diego Craigslist

Ring ring ring ring ring ring KERMIT PHONE!

$35 on San Diego's Craigslist.

I saw the sign (and boy, was it shiny!)

I love gilded signs. They seem to be reserved for law firms, title companies, stately old hotels and European pubs. They lend the business a sense of gravitas, even if it's just a crummy little law office or vomit-encrusted drinking hole.

I actually think gold and a lot of other metals look better as they age. New, bright gold - especially fake gold - can look tawdry. But aged gold has had its disposition mellowed out; it whispers softly rather than screaming "hip-hop diva" or "blinged-out soccer mom."

Anyway, using cool gilded signs as inspiration, I looked for aged metal jewelry on etsy. I don't know if you know this, but etsy is a treasure trove of artists who find vintage jewelry elements (beads, broaches, pendants, watch fobs, keys, what have you) and brilliantly rework it. I pretty much have to change my pants after I browse through my favorite sellers' stores.

Golden pheasant necklace, $35
This, folks, is the necklace that started it all. I bought it recently and cannot take it off. Lucky for you, there's another one available. Well worth $35!

Oh So Breezy earrings, $23

Antique filigree locket, $38

'Persuasion' Necklace, $44

MaryBeth necklace, $29

Paint it Gold earrings, $32
Though the brass is heavily oxidized in this picture, you could carefully polish it for a more golden patina.

Parlor Games necklace, $29

Sofya vintage earrings, $28

Ornate and lovely necklace, $28

'Gin' necklace, $38
This is perhaps my favorite of the bunch. Be the envy of all your friends on Friday and Saturday nights! (or whatever other nights you drink...I'm not judging.)

'You are my nectar' necklace, $84

[The gilded signs at the top of the post are from my Flickr favorites.]

Note: You'll notice this post is labeled "old crap." That is not a dig at any of the beautiful objects described herein; rather, it's my cheeky nickname for all the antique objects I absolutely love, covet, stroke lovingly, etc.