Vintage Fashion

I told you about my quest for a vintage vanity or jewelry armoire. My current storage solution for my vintage costume jewelry consists of cardboard boxes sitting on my bedroom floor and an array of smallish jewelry boxes. But I couldn’t help picking up one more. How could I pass...

Imagine my surprise on Monday morning when I opened an email from a client. To my amazement, I learned that our hats were featured in NBC’s Preakness Coverage last Saturday! To view the video, please click here: Polly Singer Hats at Preakness

Some girls love diamonds. I love Lucite. Beautiful, plastic crystal-like gorgeousness that is sculptural and modern. Lucite jewelry was an inexpensive way to to wear fun but luxurious looking accessories. Designers really never intended it to be a faux stone like rhinestones are to diamonds. The designs were always whimsical, sculptural or surreal. Sort of the antithesis of formal costume jewelry. And now Debutante readers get a chance to win one piece of Lucite, vintage or modern, of your very own. Lucite International, owner of the LuciteLux(R) cast acrylic brand, today launched a Pinterest giveaway to bring attention to its inaugural JUST IMAGINE Awards program.  Followers of the brand’s JUST IMAGINE Awards board on Pinterest have a chance to win one of three prizes made with LuciteLux(R): a vintage handbag, an Alexis Bittar cuff bracelet and a Jonathan Adler vase. Source: zincdoor.com via Lucite Lux® on Pinterest Source: alexisbittar.com via Lucite Lux® on Pinterest To win, you must create a Pinterest board entitled “JUST IMAGINE with LuciteLux(R)” containing a photo of the JUST IMAGINE Award logo and the phrase “justimagine” between now and June 10, 2013 to be eligible. They can post other images of products made with LuciteLux(R) to their boards or rename an existing board “JUST IMAGINE with LuciteLux(R)” and pin the logo image. To learn more, visit here. I’m entering! Are you? If so, good luck!

It’s that time! Time to spring clean. And closets need a good cleaning out as much as the rest of your home. Carolyn Schneider, expert bargain shopper and author of The Fifth Edition of The Ultimate Consignment & Thrift Store Guide, offers the following tips on how to efficiently clean your closets 1. Separate Your Clothing Into Four Categories: Category 1-To sell to a consignment store. Is the item classic, a high-end brand, and in great shape? Category 2-To donate to a thrift store. Is the clothing older, or from a less well-known brand? Category 3-To reconstruct. Do you love the fabric, color, or pattern? Do you enjoy crafting, and/or having one-of-a-kind pieces? Category 4-To keep. Some clothes are timeless staples or have emotional attachment, and belong in your closet for good. 2. Organize Your Closet by Seasons this will make year-round cleaning easier. It will also give you a better sense of what you need to shop for, and what you may have too much of–in which case, see steps 1-3 above! 3.

I have an addiction to vintage jewelry. I wouldn’t say I pile it on everyday. Just buy it by the handfuls. Especially when the handfuls are already beautifully displayed, curated and priced to sell for me. These were all purchased at one time. A very stylish older woman must have passed them on. We are kindred spirits. Sequins, rhinestones, roses and plastic. YES PLEASE! What have you scored lately? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Help! I moved into my new house five months ago yet my vintage jewelry and accessories are still in boxes on my bedroom floor. Not exactly a domain for inspiration or relaxation. I used to have a Heywood-Wakefield vanity, but that is going to be sold and waiting patiently in the garage. I actually don’t really want another vintage vanity. As pretty as they are, they never seem to have enough storage space for my massive collection of vintage jewelry. I have been looking for a more practical jewelry armoire. The problem is they didn’t really exist in the mid century. At least  I can’t seem to find any. With the exception of this one… George Nelson rosewood and painted metal miniature six-drawer jewelry chest on stand. Image courtesy of Bonhams.com. via CollectorsWeekly.com And best of luck to anyone trying to find a George Nelson jewelry armoire. Isn’t it gorgeous?! Hm. Maybe I can hack one! So I was ready to settle for this modern armoire with a definite mid century look. Tradit

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Here is a link to the Wall Street Journal Video that they did on Monday.  I am discussing Derby Hat Trends.

I am a thrift store snob! I was pulling out of Starbucks when I saw a new-to-me Goodwill. It’s located in a city that I would not say has a reputation for style, but I thought, hey you never know. I saw them stacked up on a table at the far end of the store – four beautiful vintage storage boxes covered in the most glamorous gold, silver and cream quilted vinyl. I will admit publicly that I am not the most organized person so these beauties were quickly MINE! Not only did I cure my need to discover vintage treasure, but I can get organized in style. Who would want an MDF shoe organizer when they can have these? When I opened one up, the treasures continued. The original order for with the cutest design. If I could order more from this company using THIS order form, I would!

On Christmas Eve, my little sister was engaged. Even though we knew it was coming, I still cried. Weddings and marriage are such a beautiful rite of passage. It’s no wonder some brides lose all sense of control when it comes to planning their wedding. Brides who want to get married in retro or vintage style are doubly stressed – every detail not only has to be beautiful, but period correct! Poor grooms. Style Me Vintage: Weddings by Annabel Beeforth (Chicago Review Press, Distributed by Independent Publishers Group) is a lovely new book for all the blushing brides who want to recreate dreamy weddings from the past. The photography made me swoon. So many images of beautiful brides and tons of vintage and vintage inspired details to make your wedding outfit not only period correct, but glamorous and fun. The book is FULL of information and suggestions on how to create the wedding look of your dreams. It is broken down by a general information section at the beginning, a comprehensive visual and inst