Things you never knew you needed until now...

Midnight Bow Clutch by Davie and Chiyo

Woodland Fairy Tale Bed by Attila Design

Modern alchemy candles at Unica Home


Memory Lane Necklace by Red Heart 13


Southern Peach Lip Balm by Vintage Bella


Do Not Faint card by Yardia


Acai sugar Scrub by Live Laugh Love Soap


Raven Couple sculpture by Woodswise


Suitcase pillow by Olive


Tabac eau de toilette from Portland General Store

Monday Mischief: In Every Father's House a Treasure

I spent the day with my wonderful family yesterday for Father's Day, and after lunch my dad invited me and my boyfriend over to "go shopping" in the house [like he often does]. Perusing his tables and shelves full of vintage toys, dishes, books, games, and records, I was reminded that my fondness for kitschy, vintage trinkets and beautiful antique baubles undoubtedly comes from my father. I also realized: a.] I get my shopping addiction from my father. b.] I get my taste for all things strange and unusual from my father -- an eccentricity that seems charming, in his case!

Just thought I would share a few snapshots of some of his current treasures [they are on an ever-rotating cycle]:

My dad and my boyfriend playing vintage games:

My dad made my boyfriend's day with these hockey and basketball games from the 70's:

Some goodies I took home: Pink glasses, little vintage floral trays, and a ceramic bud vase...

And some crazy new necklaces, including a giant owl charm [which I gave to my friend Kate] and some Bakelite charms...oh, and me being a goofball, as per the usual.

All-in-all, a very fun day! And, yes, don't worry -- my dad got a present, too!

Weekend Reads: Links to the Strange and the Beautiful

What are you up to this weekend, my dears??

* I am going to: attend a wine-tasting and post new items on my Etsy shop.
* I need to: go grocery shopping...and buy my Dad a Father's Day gift. Oops!
* I hope: I will have time to play a game of tennis with my boyfriend and watch "Fingersmith."
* I wish: I could go for a lazy float down the river with some friends and some cold beverages.
* I will probably forget to: read for my dissertation research. OK, so that's more of a conscious choice ;)

And I'm sure I will be doing some blog-reading. Here are some of my favorite recent links. Enjoy:

♥ Vintage Bathing Beauties at Child of the Moon -- bring on the ladies with real hips and thighs!

♥Un Siecle de Pin-Up at Au Carrefour Etrange features feisty 20's calendar girls.

♥ Bonnaroo Style at Vogue...next best thing to being there?? *Sigh*

♥ Rossetti and His Baubles at Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood explores Rossetti's obsession with jewelry.

♥ The Uniform Project -- 1 dress for 365 days! A true inspiration for frugality and creativity in dressing.

♥ Nerd Boyfriend -- the absolute sexiest and most adorable men's fashion blog imaginable.

♥ Louboutin Still-Lifes at Because I'm Addicted features the breath-taking ad campaign for Louboutin's new collection.

♥ What We Wore at Square America Archives chronicles all the wonder and randomness of regular folk's fashion through the years.

A Damn Fine Cup of Coffee...

Just had to share this adorable treat I bought for myself at The Great Northern's shop on Etsy. I think this is going to look perfect in my little kitchen! Can you guess the reference? Here's a hint: it's from my favorite TV show of all time. ..

Barbara Hulanicki and The Biba Girls

I feel a fashion-metamorphosis coming over me lately. Does that happen to you from time-to-time? It seems that roughly every two years, I start getting bored and restless with my personal aesthetic [and with my closet, to be frank]. I find myself wanting to shed my skin like a chameleon and find a new persona to inhabit. Don't get me wrong, it isn't drastic [except to me] but it is very rejuvenating! For the past few years, I have been going through a very casual/minimal/80's phase of dressing. I've enjoyed the ease and comfort of this style, but recently I have found myself yearning for some romance, some bohemian frivolity, some eccentricity in my wardrobe.

News of the upcoming Biba documentary could not have come at a more opportune moment! If you haven't seen the preview yet, you really must check it out. It will make you want to take a time-machine back to the 60's, and visit the original Biba store in London -- land of the Biba Girls, with their soft curls, big floppy hats, granny dresses, and 30's-inspired fashion...

Everyone from Twiggy to the gorgeous girlfriends of rock stars shopped at Biba. The look was decadent and dark, but with a playful edge -- deep, rich colors intermingled with chunky platforms, long lashes, and bright makeup. The Biba look consisted of what Hulanicki called "Auntie Colours" - Hulanicki described them as ‘look[ing] like a funeral.’ These colours were blackish mulberries, blueberries, rusts and plums.

Hulanicki herself was a marketing genius, far ahead of her time in her conception of the shopping experience: the store was marketed to a younger generation of women, and unlike the other stuffy, formal department stores in London, Biba encouraged women to experiment in the shop with makeup and to try on and play with clothing combinations.

The Biba logo also played a crucial part in Biba’s success; the logo was gold and black which reflected the growing taste in youth for art deco. The logo was designed by Antony Little. To create a look for Biba in the first store, Little painted the Biba sign above the shop and blacked out all the windows. The blacked out windows didn’t allow the store’s interior to receive any sunlight which was vital for the Biba’s art nouveau atmosphere [wikipedia].

I'm officially smitten with the Biba look, and look forward to incorporating more of the rock-n-roll romantic vibe into my wardrobe. Aren't the Biba girls just too gorgeous for words???

If you love vintage Biba as much as me, you should also check out Hulanicki's website, chock full of old photos and ads for the store in its heyday [as well as some of Hulanicki's new looks!]