the spade's place

Pictures of Andy and Kate Spade's apartment via The Selby makes my heart pitter patter like mad. What character! What color! Things I love about their home: vintage furniture, art & photographs EVERYWHERE, books piled up on desks and windowsills, and the elegant clutter. (I'm a firm believer in clutter if it looks good!)

Not only do I adore Kate as a designer and businesswoman (I read her Harvard Business School case a few years ago, and it's brilliant), I think her family and home are positively charming. See more photos here!

vintage posters

I love vintage posters, so when I found this collection of glamorous posters from L'Oreal, my employer, I almost squealed in my cubicle! Click, save, and post. They're really representative of the history, style, and breadth of L'Oreal's many famous brands -- too lovable! I want some for my walls back home...

a recent acquisition

Now that I'm back home in the suburbs of Philly for a brief summer vacation until June 1st, it's so much easier to keep up with blog posts -- hooray! One of the best things about being home are the amazing thrift and vintage shops everywhere. Here's my bounty from today: a vintage Dooney & Bourke saddle bag circa the 80-90's, I believe. Bee-you-tee-ful. So happy!

Edit: Also, I'm in the process of organizing/getting rid of all the mess in my closet at home -- who knew I had so much junk! Salvation Army, expect a visit soon.

holy thrifting!

Lots to tell you! So much on my mind -- movies, birthday updates (my 21st was this Wednesday!), etc. And eventually, I'll get to them, I promise... but right now, all I can think about is how much I'm tempted to go to the Lower East Side tomorrow to check out the new Hester Street Fair, exams-studying be darned!

Hester Street Fair was started by Suchin Pak, an MTV correspondent. (Remember her?) I love that her next step was entrepreneurial -- starting a flea market is pretty unbeatable. Business + Shopping, how ideal is that? (Hmm, maybe I should start a flea market?!) I certainly know that instead of studying for finals...

Wouldn't you? :)

(poster by ashley g)

Thrift, NYC

Yesterday, my friend Perry and I randomly bought a painting at Billy's Antiques on Houston Street for our film shoot next weekend. We weren't planning on shopping, but sometimes when you see something so spectacular (in our case, an an abstract portrait of a woman that stands literally as tall as me!), you just have to have it! That rush we felt in finding the painting reminded me again of how much I love scouting for treasures in New York City. I guess my heart really does belong to flea markets and thrift stores! So it's only appropriate to share with you some of my favorite places, right? Check out:

The Brooklyn Flea. Amazing vendors & booths, all weekend long. Go!


The Market NYC. I think it's time for me to visit again.


Angela's Vintage Boutique. I have so many goodies from here.

That's just three to start you with. More later! xoxo

the thrifting game

Some people gamble, others skydive or bungee jump, but I get my thrills from thrift shopping. Passionately and often. Because thrifting is undeniably thrilling.

It's a sport, a hunt, in which you must find the best bargain before your equally stylish, sharp-eyed competitor. And it's a game that requires superb judgment, immense physical stamina, and true understanding of oneself. Like any skill, constant practice makes perfect. Soon enough, you may just find yourself in the big leagues, fighting over 1 euro scarves and tunics in the Paris vintage markets like the thrift princess you are. (PS: All the cool girls, AKA moi, go here.)

Like in every other game, thrifting has its rules: buy it if you love it and drop it if it stinks. Which means, keep what you absolutely cannot live without, and move away from the ratty, pit-stained, moth-ridden rag! (Even if it's Gucci! Just don't do it!)

As your skills accumulate (o.2 seconds to discern crap from pure gold) and prizes amass (YSL wool skirt? Betsy Johnson silk vest? Check. Check.), sit back and bask in the glow of your very eccentric closet. And then go ahead and blog about it. (I would love to hear!) Tell all your friends. Because the best part about the thrifting game is showing off your loot!

*Some new thrifted goodies in my closet, from me to you. That's my third pair of cowboy boots -- I'm addicted!

POV: two of my favorite CEOs/entrepreneurs

I love having the privilege of reading about the amazing people behind my favorite companies and products. I'm a huge fan of vintage e-store ModCloth and can't get enough of Tarte beauty products (remember this?), so I was thrilled to find their respective CEOs + their New Years resolutions featured in this Inc Magazine article. Check 'em out:

Susan Gregg Koger, who founded ModCloth the summer before her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon, aims to find a mentor (Me too, Susan!). She also strives to make time for daily journal entries, travel to Asia, and improve her photography skills.

Maureen Kelly, who started Tarte in a teeny, one-bedroom apartment in New York in 1999 (Happy 10 year anniversary!), will launch a limited edition line of products developed in conjunction with celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow. Her other resolutions include making time for her two boys and hitting the gym "even if it’s getting up an hour earlier".

Bravo to young entrepreneurs! May we continue to be inspired by them, professionally and personally.

(Photos via Inc Magazine)

recently thrifted...

Mexx blazer... old, scuffed leather, full of character. So in love!

verseau vintage

Morning my loverlies! I just stumbled across the most delicious Etsy shop, Verseau Vintage. Everything is so adorable and totally affordable -- made my heart beat a little too fast! I'm forbidden from purchasing because of my traveling expenses while abroad, but pretend shopping is just as fun, right? My favorites are...

Gold Beaded Evening Bag


80's Striped Colorblock Cardigan (looks comfy!)


Metallic Boho Wedge Shoes (in exactly my size!)

Happy shopping! I'm jealous. :)

vintage sale!

Over at The Greedy Seagull. Now why am I not a shoe size 7? Grr.

dressing up for fruity dancing

Prague vintage | My local fruit/vegetable store | Dancing in front of the "Dancing Building" | Desserts (crepes and berry dumplings!) | My friend's collection of beer cans. (More here!)

vintage looks

I'm completely smitten with these gorgeous pictures from the 50's. That bathing suit and that lipstick! This couple recently celebrated their 60th anniversary, too wonderful.

via cup of jo

vintage b & w

(photos via lolitas)

I love old black and white photos. Aren't these so lovely and elegant? Also, take a look at some never before published Audrey Hepburn photos. I adore her. I mean, working on a year-long project devoted to her as early as the eighth grade shows some commitment. We've been pals for years, Audrey and I.

french obsession

(photo via etsy)

First it's Parisian breakfast, now, it's back to the spectacles. I can't get enough of anything French related this week! I just had my bangs cut in an edgy, thick short bangs plus long straight hair kind of way -- sort of European, no? (Make sense?) Wish I had these funky rhinestone vintage cat eye eyeglasses to complement my new 'do. Sigh, I so want to look like this mademoiselle.

unglamorously glamorous

Some things may seem common-day and even boring, but sometimes, in photos, when captured in the moment -- they look so fascinating! I love the simple tone in these pictures and the fact that things like drying racks and pots and scuffy flats can all be stunning in their own way. They are effortlessly, easily, sweetly, unglamorously glamorous to me.

(photos via 2or3things and thrush vintage)

And suddenly...

Like a light-switch that suddenly decided to turn on, my body lurched out of its 48 hour food-poisoning induced, Sprite-and-toast sustaining hibernation around 7 pm last night. I went from feeling like a member of the undead to happily scarfing down Spice pad thai (whilst watching Transformers! Awesome movie!), hitting up bars and thrift/vintage stores, and being a much better hostess to my friend Ming.

I think she really enjoyed her stay -- especially the shopping part! She scored some amazing deals -- a YSL blue wool skirt, an American Apparel dress, and a gorgeous Moschino red couture dress -- all for less than $50 total. And I bought the above very new-looking Zara coat for eight bucks. Yay to bargain shopping and fun friends and a sad weekend turned wonderful!

Quick updates and a pic!

As promised earlier, here is my $3, crazy ribbon & rhinestone covered 80's sweater! I like it a lot -- it's loud and fun :)

Other fashion-related news:

• I adore the material and shape in this shirtdress
• The title of this blog post, and its subject, cracked me up
• Jason Wu is living up to his reputation -- his line is feminine and well constructed, and the models wear tiaras!
• Little baby Harlow and her fur coat -- cuteness overload!
• Betty's blazer-and-dress look is gorgeous
  
• I love James Coviello's Fall '09 collection, so funky-aristocratic!
  

Have a lovely weekend, my dears! I am wishing my friend a happy birthday tonight, and hope not to stay up too late. Eek, I think I may be catching old lady syndrome, with crazy sweater symptoms and all!