Thrifting in Brooklyn

It's been a few weekends now, but I wanted to share my finds from a vintage shopping trip in Brooklyn. A friend and I decided to go to Park Slope, Brooklyn. We got really lost (since we had never been out to Brooklyn before) but we found our stores, which were all within ten minutes of each other.  I wore heels and thought I was going to die when we got to the first store, but I was quickly distracted from my foot pain by some very stylish vintage clothing!

The (painful) shoes I wore for the outing.

The bags of goodies I came home with!

First stop? Hooti Couture. Owner Alison is just a riot and her prices are right. The shop is pretty compact, but full of great things (especially the jewelry). I found a vintage YSL bag for $50, but sadly left it behind, and my friend got a sequined and beaded bolero from the 80s in great condition for just over $30. 

Check out Alison's website for more info.: Hooti Couture 

Next, we headed a few blocks over to Odd Twin. I really loved this place. The clothes are marked by their decade, the prices are reasonable, and there's a lot to choose from. Belts, jewelry, and scarves were plentiful, but there weren't many bags to choose from. 

I got a wish answered! I had been looking for a black blazer, but what I found at Odd Twin was more than I had hoped for and for just $24. The blazer has tuxedo type cut, is velvet, and has pearl buttons.  Heaven! 

A button was loose and a inch of lining needed to be re-sewn. Simple quick fixes and it fit perfectly!

The jacket on me.

Buttons on the jacket sleeve.

My second find of the day: a high-waisted, kilt style, circle skirt. It hit just above the knee. Perfect for my "petite" (let's use a nice word for short) frame. I got this for $24.

Click for more information on 

Odd Twin Trading Company. 

Front view of the skirt.

The skirt's pleats from behind.

The last stop of the day was Yona Lee Vintage. It was a little pricier than Odd Twin. It was a well edited store, had a great selection of coats, and a 25% off sale!

You can find Yona Lee Vintage at: 

186 5th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11217

I found a great menswear style vest. (I wanted a real men's vest, but sadly I am petite and they made me look really childish). It's a rose color and is made of thick wool. An exciting find, for sure, at $20!

Back view of the vest.

The last purchase of the day was this scarf. My friend pulled it out of a box full of scarfs and I remarked on how cute it was. She let try me it out and I'll admit that it looked a little outlandish on first glance. Gray and black sheer leopard print with gold thread running through it? Yeah, no! But once I put it on and found out its price ($10) I was sold! 

Expect a review of how I wore these soon. My goal is to style and photograph the pieces I bought in Brooklyn while I'm here at home. If you get a chance to go shopping in Park Slope, you definitely should! It was a great day and I definitely found some lovely vintage pieces!

Emily

Paris Parts 1, 2, and 3

Oh, I went a little crazy compiling looks from Paris, but there was clearly a lot to choose from. I tried my hand at some collages. For not using image software in a while, I'd say it went pretty well. Have a look (click on the picture for a larger version):

1. Rick Owens- Quite a powerful statement here. Super heros! 2. Looks from Mcqueen's final collection. Ornate and thouroughly impressive. 3. Ann Demeulemeester- I love this red, also used in 4. (but not) 5. by Maison Martin Margiela. 6. Great mix of leopard and gold at Balmain. 7. Vionnet 8. 

Shorts at Azarro. 9. and 11. Céline looks by Phoebe Philo. 10. and 12. Dior- one casual look and one devistatingly cute blue dress.

1. Giles Deacon- leather top and skirt. 2. and 3. Two full skirted looks from Louis Vuitton (one of them in great brown leather). One of the best collections this season, in my humble opinion. 4., 6., and 9. Dries Van Noten- I loved the leopard scarf. A great touch! 5. and 8. Balenciaga- layered peach dress and a newsprint top over skinny cut pants. 7. Stella McCartney. 10., 14., and 16. Obviously, I loved Lanvin. Alber Elbaz really hit it out of the park with his pleating and tailoring. 11. Ostrich bow heels at Vuitton. 12. Another Vuitton look. This bustled skirt is really amazing. I love it pared with the sweater. A cardigan would look great, too. 13. Two looks from Chloe. This collection hit a chord with me. Very classic and wearable. 15. Balenciaga heels- we'll definitely see these in print soon. Looks like a loafer made from children's toys. 17. Dries wedges.

1. Giambattista Valli. 2. Stella McCartney- a train added to a beautiful  hot pink, silk t-shirt dress. 3. Purple YSL look- abundant color in this collection. 4. Valentino. 5. Black and white YSL look with a fur shawl. 6. Miu Miu. 7. Hermès long, black, leather trench. 8. Rochas- This collection was one of my favorites. Tons of color at Rochas! 9. Roland Mouret. 10. Valentino white mini dress. This is really well tailored--sorry you can't see it very well! 11. and 15. Valli again, but these skirts are just amazing! 12. YSL- If this an excuse to wear yellow, I'm so in! 13. Hermès- pumpkin colored tights are definietely something to consider. 14. A similar color at Miu Miu in a cute mini dress. 16. Stella McCartney's red lace is just beautiful. 17. and 22. Nina Ricci ensemble and shoe. Copping also showed sheer back dress and blouses (as seen below 5.). Gorgeous detail. 18. and 20. More Rochas, more color, more fantastic cuts! 19. YSL royal blue look, but the feather detail in the back is just beautiful. 21. YSL shoe.

How exhausting! I've got some fun things in the works, though now I need a break as compiling this post was a few weeks in the works! The warm weather here at home is definitely reviving me from a winter slump. A good thing because I hear the weather has been just awful since I left NYC.

Hope you enjoyed this!

Emily

Photos from Style.com

Ideas? And Chanel

I'm in the middle of compiling my picks from the Paris shows and another post from a thrifting trip I took this weekend. I'm also going home this week, but I'm trying to think of how to jazz up the blog with a new header. I'm just not sure how do it: a drawing, a graphic, etc... Throw any ideas you have at me.

Meanwhile, I was looking at Chanel last night and I started laughing. Chanel isn't usually funny,  but how great was it to see models dressed like Yettis in fur pants, jackets, and bags? Definitely a needed breath of fresh air after a few very serious seasons...

Chanel

Impeccably well cut fur pants. I wonder how these would feel on...

More great boots seen here with a fur skirt suit.

Fur added to the classic Chanel suit.

A ruffly confection with those boots!

I really like how the shoe part of this boot has a glacy, icy feel to it.

Ice-like, lucite heel.

A fur bag never looked so good.

Only Karl could make arctic weather exciting. For now, though, I am waiting for spring!

Emily

Photos from Style.com

Through Rain, Sleet, or Snow

Last Thursday I was off and on my way to Madison Square Garden for a John Mayer concert. I'd been looking forward to it since November, so it was very exciting. The snow started falling, and truly it was some of the worst weather to travel in. Especially when your form of transportation is predominately your own two feet. My umbrella turned inside out, I had to wear my snow boots, and I couldn't fathom wearing something cute out. The concert made it all worth it, though. However, trying to get back to school after it started blizzarding was a whole different story.

The snow falling on my way back.

John singing away. He makes the best faces.

I bought a t-shirt at the show and this is how I wore it a few days after...

My I "heartbreak" NY shirt (named for his song "Heartbreak Warfare") a black Richard Chai for Target skirt, black tights.

This very heavy metal belt purchased at Urban Outfitters.

My Steve Madden Girl shoes. Very grown-up for a girl's shoe!

I love how even the most mundane, boring items of clothing (like a t-shirt) can be brought to life with some clever styling. It's a fun task and can inspire some great outfits. 

Emily

Pucci, Prada, and Dolce! Oh, my!

I went a little overboard with the Italian collections, but I found some things that I was just crazy about! Have a look...

Pucci

A really subtle, gorgeous use of a Pucci print. Totally wearable...

A mini dress for someone brave.

Dolce and Gabbana

I was surprised to see upwards of 60 looks. Most were undies and blazers, but it was so stylish! I loved this look. Comfy sweater, cute skinnies, and a very sexy bra under it all...

Bottega Veneta

Sack dress and fishnets. I am definitely going to try fishnets this season.

Prada

I love the sixties/Mad Men look. I wish it would last a few more seasons...

These sweaters look so warm. Practical, too!

Salvatore Ferragamo

A great look: a long trench over winter shorts. 

A serious shoe that I'd like to see with a mini dress or skirt.

Marni

This was a very kooky collection clothing-wise, but the accessories were stand-outs.

An orange-y red matte leather bag. Love this.

Armani

If anyone can make green velvet look totally chic, it's Armani.

Modern Holly Golightly, in velvet, too.

More orange!

Just a little peek here...

Reader Sutton was right, I did forget Proenza! Here it is:

Proenza Schouler

Great print. Still loving the trapeze silhouette. 

Another great winter short...

I loved this take on a saddle shoe...

Excited to see all of the Paris shows? I am!

Emily

All photos from Style.com