Discoveries: Part 2

On my way home from Capitola yesterday, I decided to take the local way home with my mother in law (who is visiting with us for a month) to show her what's around town. I love taking the local way because of all the vintage antique stores that are along the way and even though we are in the car, it's so awesome to be able to see the village's/town's old buildings and what stores that populate them. We made a quick starbucks stop in a small plaza in Aptos that also has a store called Warmth Company. My husband and I have driven passed this store several times and always wondered what kind of store it was but never really got the chance to go inside. Like me, my mother in law also enjoys spontaneous things so I suggested we visit the store. To my surprise it was the perfect type of store that I love. They have home furnishings, all sorts of accessories, books, antiques, bath and body, and all kinds of good stuff. The owners are just lovely as well and they have a blog on their website that have such fun post to read up on. Stores like this make me feel so happy and inspired:) I was particularly inspired by the crochet and knitted blankets that they are carrying and was inspired to make my own for this winter. I will definitely be visiting the store more often. 

Warmth Company

Here are some crochet/knitted blanket inspirations

via images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Inspirational Monday: Makeup Session

This weekend was filled with fun and memories, it's always nice to go back to SoCal (despite the hot weather!). 

I realized that as I am getting older, my interests have changed quite a lot. In high school when girls started to wear makeup, I told myself that I will always go natural (even though my skin was freckled with acne!!). That definitely did not stick.  Even though I don't wear it as often, the joy of trying and buying different makeup is just to fun :) Here are some easy tips blogger Garance Dore (love her work!) inspired me to try...

DIY: Proenza Schouler Brows

DIY: Phillip Lim Nails

Friday

Happy Friday! We are heading down to SoCal for a friends wedding tomorrow, can't wait to see family and friends and taste great food, have a great weekend!

Denim Edition

I will be adding by the end of tonight the following 3 clutches for my Denim Edition. I am loving this edition so far because it looks so simple and so classic. I will be adding more within the following week (after I make another trip out to the fabric store), you will definitely be seeing more animal themes:)

you can find them all here: micah olivet

Inspirational Tuesday

I missed my "Inspirational Monday" post yesterday (it's been surprisingly busy around the house) so I will go ahead and post several things that I anticipated to post this past weekend!

Intersection: N.Y. Fashion Week Downtown

Here is a link of the video that inspired me from fashion week (and more). I loved this video in particular because of the colors and uniqueness of each of the individuals that they captured.

Bill Cunningham

A humble man with an awesome eye for photography and art. Click on his name that links to where you can search his videos.

"I go out every day. When I get depressed at the office, I go out, and as soon as I'm on the street and see people, I feel better. But I never go out with a preconceived idea. I let the street speak to me."

-Bill Cunningham

Weekend Cap

The weekend is finally here! I'm looking forward to some window/actual shopping this weekend and hopefully a short trip to the beach cuz the weather is looking mighty fine!

I'll send you all off this weekend with this cute cap I purchased at H&M last week in SF and this photo from fashion week I came across that reminds me of it.

 style.com: tommy ton

 h&m

Denim Clutch

The last time we went down to SoCal, I purchased a few yards of a cotton denim fabric that was on sale. I didn't think much of it until recently I thought how denim is just a classic fabric and denim jeans never goes out of style. It is such a reliable cloth that is worn by many around the world. If we think back to when it was first introduced to the world, it started with Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss in 1873. They patented and invented the use of copper rivets on pockets to make the pants stronger for men who were working. It's amazing how denim has come this far and has such a large influence in fashion today. This, in effect, has inspired me to create several clutches in the denim fabric. Here is a sneak peak of what I will be putting up onto my Etsy store soon and some denim inspirations! Hope you love them as much as I do.

Denim Clutch

levi's

imogene+willie

style.com: tommy ton

style.com: tommy ton

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes."

-Yves Saint-Laurent

via images: levi's, imogene+willie, tommy ton

Colors

Made a visit out to and antique mall and stopped by one of many roadside fruit/vegetable stand on the way home. Both places had so many colors, here are a few photos!

 

hat display. loved the feathered hair bands, perhaps next project...? 

 vintage bottles

vintage radios

 crown of thorns pumpkin (these were so beautiful i wanted to take them home just for display!)

 lil purple pumpkin

Inspiration Monday

I know that many of us dread Monday. When I was working at corporate offices, I would always think that the weekends were just to short. Sunday nights I would try to enjoy the time I had left before I had to get up at 6am for work and would dreadfully count down the time that I do have. For those of you who feel that way, here are some inspirational videos to get you pumped and going and to inspire what you hopefully, love doing.

Alabama Chanin

USB Typewriter

The Bone Carver

Coach

With Fashion Week in NY and FNO, I keep hearing and seeing so many DIY projects at parties that so many designers and labels are holding. One of my favorites I heard about was Coach that had some of their favorite bloggers customize Coach's iconic duffle bag. After browsing their website I came to fall in love with their Legacy line of bags...oh, and of course I can't forget to mention the shoes.

Legacy Textured Leather Rory Satchel

Legacy Archival Top Zip Satchel

Legacy Leather Minnie Duffle

Legacy Rugby Striped Duffle

 Legacy Leather Tanner Tote

Bleecker Legacy Leather Weekend Tote

Pricilla Boottie 

(I loved these the moment I saw them, and then realized it has my name, w/out the 'S', still it's almost like it's meant to be)

Lucia Ankle Boot

New Therese Boot

There are so many more I want to add but then this post would be too long!

check out all images here: COACH

San Francisco

Here are some photos from our trip to SF this past Labor Day weekend with some friends that visited.

 Blue house on Lombard St.

Pretty pink house on Lombard St.

 Friends at Lombard St.

Zip Codes

 Street cactus collection

 Haight and Ashbury

 Sock World

 Bedazzled Tattoo Parlor

Wasteland

Vintage Finds

After visiting San Francisco (twice, with different guests) the past few days, I couldn't believe the big difference in cost between stores labeled as "thrift" and "vintage/antiques" and wanted to delve into why there is such a difference.

Here are my thoughts.

Stores labeled as "vintage/antique" usually have a nicer presentation in their products and most of the stores section off certain areas. Everything just flows well together. They also know what's in fashion and most popular, therefore, they price things higher than what we call "thrift" stores. I am also pretty sure that these stores go through many steps to picking certain types of items to showcase and sell in their stores which also may be added to their costs. Both my sisters also have a love for thrift, vintage, and antiques and my youngest sister spoke with a lady who sold women's vintage clothing and other items on her campus back in college. Apparently, they have auctions for all sorts of items from jewelry and clothing to kitchenware and tools. These are usually from abandoned homes or people who pass away and there is no one to claim their belongings. These items are auctioned off in bundles so most of the time, you do not know what the state these items are in, it's all about taking risks! Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. A store I visit once in a while back in SoCal, called American Vintage, apparently has a warehouse where they store and sort out their vintage clothing  (after purchasing them) most likely based on season and colors. They then ship the items to their stores when it comes to the proper time. I personally love vintage and antique stores and in my view are more like a museum. I usually do not purchase items from there but go in to look at all past time items and to be inspired.

The "thrift" stores are more so items that have been donated by people. The most widely known thrift stores that I am familiar with are Goodwill and Salvation Army. Many people go to these stores and end up finding treasure that they purchase for a mere price of say $8.99 for a vintage leather chair and then find out that it's worth a lot more. I personally shop at these stores a lot more than what you would call vintage stores because at most times you can find similar things at thrift stores and pay a lot less. I would say the downfall of these stores are how they display everything, but I guess that's what makes the experience more fun and valuable. I guess I would say that thrift stores are more like a treasure hunt. Whenever I walk into one, I usually don't have the mentality of searching for a specific product but I go with the expectation of finding something unique and of past time. And when I do find something I love, I usually do not hesitate in purchasing the item because the prices are usually reasonable and affordable.

All in all, my love for both thrift and vintage/antique stores will always be here. Whether I go in for just a browse or come out with a purchase, both ways I am satisfied with the fact that I am fed in a creative and inspiring sense.

Here are some things I scored at different thrift stores over the past 2 years. (I have so much more, perhaps I will show them on another post!)

 Vintage Gold Stretch Belts

Vintage Leather Clutch from Italy 

 Vintage Handheld Mirror

 Vintage Hat by Lipp Hats from NY

Vintage Billi Coat by BillyCoats

Vintage Leather Rider Side Purse

Fashion Textbook from 1986

Vintage Leather Beauty Pouch

"Everything I buy is vintage and smells funny. Maybe that's why I don't have a boyfriend."

-Lucy Liu

"I like vintage a lot."

-Kesha