vintage

Melrose Trading Post

I finally found myself at the Melrose Trading Post this past Sunday. Joe and I walked over in the early afternoon, which was nice in theory.. 91 degrees in actuality. Despite the sweltering heat (am I high maintenance? no, it’s OCTOBER!) we made it to Melrose and Fairfax without melting. The trading post was impressive and HUGE. I wanted just about everything I saw and was pleasantly surprised by the range and amount of jewelry, furniture, clothes, vintage machines and knick knacks I saw everywhere. We walked, we photographed, we pined, and we got nachos. I even managed to score a vintage black and brown leather Dooney & Bourke cross-body purse for thirty-five bucks after a little haggling on the way out. The $3 entry free (didn’t it used to be $2?) is well worth it, especially if you’re really going there to shop.

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Photos c/o Joseph Speer

3 Things I’m Currently Obsessed With

3 things I’m currently obsessed with..

ImageVintage Floral Bathing Suits.

There are very few things that are as satisfying as finding the perfect bathing suit. Last year it was the fringe suit. This year it’s the vintage floral suit. The high-wasted bottoms help hide the tummy while the top’s corset-like build helps shape the torso. And really, when it comes down to it, they’re just so damn pretty.

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Crystal Inspired Jewelry.

Just stunning. (And so cooly feminine.)

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Galaxy Detailed Clothing.

I’m not sure if it’s a subconscious throwback to my Star Wars days or merely an incurable love for tie-dyed fabrics, but galaxy style shirts, leggings and shoes are my most recent desires of the heart. Mysterious yet fun, dark but bright… I want to be wearing this pattern every day of the 2013 summer.

D.I.Y. Vintage Postcard Canvas

My poor kitten was spayed this weekend, meaning my poor self was stuck at home most of the weekend keeping an eye on her (okay, so it wasn’t so bad to have some quality kitten time.) Regardless, this was the perfect weekend for a D.I.Y project that didn’t require any shopping trips, leading me to the creation of this Vintage Postcard Canvas. Pretty, sophisticated and fun.

Here’s what you need:

-A Canvas (any size works)

-A Postcard Booklet

-Mod Podge & Sponge Brush

-A Pencil

-Scissors

-Tape

STEP 1: Begin making a collage of postcards on top of your canvas. Once everything is in a place that you like, tape the postcards in place on the canvas.

STEP 2: Once the postcards are taped onto your canvas in the pattern that you want them in, flip the canvas over and trace along the visible back sides of the postcards where the canvas ends. Next, carefully remove and cut each postcard along the lines that you have drawn, and then return the postcard to it’s place on the canvas. Do this one at a time with each postcard.

STEP 3: Use a sponge brush to carefully layer Mod Podge both behind and on top of each postcard. Make sure that the postcards are in their proper place when doing this. Once finished, allow the canvas to dry for one hour.

SECRET STEP: Once your board has completely dried, if it has some bumps or airpockets in it, I recommend placing it upside on a hard, flat service with a heavy book on top. Leave it like this over night, and everything will be smoothed out by the next morning! I promise!

VOILA! And you’re done!