He's a Magic Man.

I attempted to do some thrifting these last few weeks before leaving the country, but all trips essentially amounted to nothing.  It's always disappointing when you go through a period of misses, but I guess that's what makes your next finds so special.  I just wish we had a better selection of thrift shops where I come from.

So, due to the fact that I'm craving vintage, I stopped by the Prance and Swagger etsy shop to check out the selection, and lawd, if only I wasn't hoarding my money for England.

Blah this hat!  Today Ma and I went to Marshall's to buy a piece of carry on luggage (doing things last minute is my bag) and I found a similarly soft and slouchy Cynthia Rowley hat with some tuft of furry material in a position analogous to these feathers.  I couldn't get Ma to buy it for me, but perhaps that's a good thing, because I want this so much more.  

Usually the classic band Ts just don't do it for me because the whole look has just become too mainstream.  But I certainly couldn't pass up a Heart shirt.  Try to understand, try to understand, try try try to understand...

I like my dresses knee length or shorter and fitted to my curves, and the shinier one is, the better.  So, this dress and I were made for each other, yes?  I can't deny that I am drawn to most (Re: all) things gold lame.  Wish I knew how to put the accent on that e.

Okay dolls, here's the deal.  Tomorrow I'll be catching my flight to London, and it's probably going to be a few days before I can get my shizz together and let you know what is up.  Fear not, I am going to return armed with photographs and hopefully amusing stories about the mishaps I inevitably create.  Please e mail me or comment with any of your recommendations for things I should see/do in London while I spend my first month abroad there!

Final note: Of late I've been receiving some of the sweetest notes from readers on IFB and through my e mail.  Hearing from you means the world to me, and it always leaves me giddy and inspired.  Quick shout to the lovely writers behind The Button Owl, Apples and Oranges, and Seven Style Notes - three blogs you need to check out.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with your questions, comments, or whatever, there's nothing I love better!

Only Lame things Rhyme with Druzy

So, I've been noticing a lot of jewelry designers are working with these raw looking druzy stones. And I think I like it. So I did an etsy dig for some cool options. I'm a fan of chunkier options, and I'm in a necklace phase, so that's what I focused on.


Beijo Flor's shop

Besides this really beautiful and unusual color, I love the big chunky chain on this necklace. It's definitely a statement piece, and I think it would really pop against girly blouses or dresses and give them a bit of kick.


My Cellar Door's shop

Orange is my favorite color, so I always love Citrine. There are lots of versions of this kind of druzy necklace out there (see directly below in amethyst), so it's a good bet that you can find a nice one in a color you like AND in your price range.


kiskastyle's shop


Kahili Creations

This gorgeous polished geode on a thinner silver chain has the feel of something you could wear almost daily with a wide range of outfits, and it would still make what you're wearing seem a little bit cooler and more unusual. I see the druzy/geode as a very summery type of accessory, especially this one. Can't you just see that cool surfer import girl who came to your high school who made khaki shorts, a tight t shirt, and sneakers look completely hot? She was tan, perfect i-just-rolled-out-of-bed-hair, toned everywhere for no apparent reason, and usually sporting a simple but unusual necklace like this. Guys wanted to date her, girls wanted to be her. Particularly, I wanted to be her, because I was never effortless. But for 32.50, I could own this necklace, and feel a little bit closer to being that kind of girl.

Cool Find on Etsy

I was doing an Etsy dig for some handmade goodies to post on, and I stumbled upon something really really neat.


photo via the sea fairies' jewelbox store



photo via luellarose's shop



photo via Orion's Treasures store

These really beautiful pendants are called "Harmony Balls" or "Bali Balls". They come from India, and the balls that are encased in the intricately worked sterling silver cages apparently make beautiful, musical sounds when taken out of the cage and rolled in your hand. In my opinion, they make really stunning and unique pieces of jewelry! If you search for them on etsy you get several beautiful options for different price ranges. I'm really thinking about snapping one up from Orion's Treasures myself!

Browsing Etsy: Vintage

Last night, when I should have been getting ahead on my mounds of college reading, or perhaps sleeping, I was wide awake and browsing etsy for some vintage finds. Now, I consider myself pretty savvy as far as technology goes. My phone has a touch screen, I'm typing on my macbook, I surf the internet on said touch screen phone, I have a digital camera, I have an ipod (WHEN IT'S NOT BROKEN FROM WATER DAMAGE), you know. But I've never used ebay or etsy until recently. This is NOT BECAUSE I didn't know how, but because I was totally wary of just buying random things from random people online.

Recently though, I scored a totally awesome birthday present for boyfriend for a totally awesome price on ebay (secrets secrets!), and I was sold. Now I'm on ebay constantly, although I refrain from engaging in all the bidding wars I want to join. So this led me to spend some more time on etsy, which has a large range of shops with some really great vintage finds. Thus, back to the point at hand. These were my favorite things that I found



This belt is from the 80s, and I love the bright colors and the gold bauble in the middle. I have a corset-esq elastic belt for cinching seen here and here, and though I like it quite a bit it doesn't always have the right look, and it's also a bit loose. I bought the smallest size, but it doesn't hug the body unless I'm wearing a few layers. I like that this one is a departure from the basic elastic belts we see around.

Vintage Dooney and Bourke Purse

Photos via Decades of Baltimore etsy shop

I recently got my own Dooney and Bourke bag (compliments of my wonderful God Mother!) and it's gorgeous, and I'm kind of obsessed with the classic nature of their bags. This little cross body bag is totally adorable, and though my friends and family would poke fun that it won't hold half of the stuff I normally lug around with me, I think it would be perfect with a sundress for going to fairs and browsing flea markets and the like. And when I imagine that I looks so happy and carefree! And my boyfriend is also wearing clothes of a much different era in my head, but that's another story.

60s dress

Picture via the StilettoGirl Vintage etsy store

This is the first thing that caught my eye. StilettoGirl Vintage has an amazing selection of vintage items, especially clothing, and I spent a good amount of time clicking through. I thought this dress was absolutely adorable and I had to restrain myself from purchasing it right then. My only qualm? It's Gettysburg colors! So I don't know if I could get away with wearing it in the burg, I might seem a little, over-spirited. Whatever, you know I'd wear it anyway. Love!


photo via PrettyRaccoon Clothing etsy store

At first I thought that PrettyRaccoon Clothing was a shop for contemporary clothes, but I'm silly and missed the Vintage link. They're selection of vintage is also pretty impressive, and it's definitely geared toward the younger buyer, so there were a lot of things I was interested in. my favorite piece was this pretty yellow dress though. In keeping with the Dooney and Bourke bag vision, I guess I'm into the idea of flowy, innocent looking sundresses for the upcoming summer. Let's see if I hold myself to it! In any case, the color is gorgeous, I like the tiny pleats, and I just want to wear it all the time. Oh summer, come soon.