Momentairly Obsessed With...

retro spring dress.  I'm absolutely dying for Spring over here. I'm over tights and scarves and the bitter cold mornings. I just want to slip on a sundress and get my bare legs under those warm rays. Until I can do that, this dress takes me to that place.

wraparound watch.  Yeah, I know, I already have a gold watch. But, let's be real, one just isn't enough. And I bet this would fit perfectly in one of those little plastic Easter eggs. I wouldn't even ask for multiple eggs, just one!

JT's 20/20 experience.  Mike was the most awesome boyfriend to surprise me with this CD earlier this month. Not gonna lie, it contains some baby-making music...but also some excellent Motown-style jams and I just can't get enough of!

illustrated coffee cups.  Aren't these cups killer? I am fantasizing about all the different designs I could create to cover to-go coffee cups...Wouldn't that be a super cute idea for cups at a wedding hot chocolate bar? Obviously I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. Also, check out this blog in general, great inspiration and beautiful design with every post!

cadbury mini eggs.  I have a love/hate relationship with these little sweets. I love them to death and hate that I can't stop after 3 (or 4, or 7). It's really the only Easter candy I can't live without (and does anyone find it a little disturbing to know that Cadbury is owned by Hersey?).

bling band.  I think there comes a time when you deserve to treat yourself to something very pretty and extra nice. And I think this ring could do the trick! Super cute and dainty, if there ever comes a day when I actually have a real wedding ring, it would stack nicely. Okay, so two eggs in the Easter basket, the watch and this :)

New on Fairview Place

Throwback 70s Plaid Vest, $17

I remember when I first started Fairview Place it was all vintage and thrifted items. I had always planned to introduce clothing into the mix, but never wanted to commit all the time to searching, mending and measuring the items. However, the last week I've been preparing the clothes for their big debut on FP and cannot wait to show you these lovelies! Be sure to check the shop this week and support your local businesses!

 1960s Grey and Red Ruffled Dress, $23

 Gradient Pink Mesh Dress with Black Polkda Dots, $27

1980s Roffe White Ski Jacket, $45

Vintage Handmade Angora Womens Sweater, $22

Tan Showoffs Kitten Heels, $14 and Gold Seychelles Peep Toe Pumps, $25

1950s Blue Plaid Pancho, $26 and Red Wool Winter Coat by Jill Jr., which already sold!

Costume Breakdown

I finally got my wish. The dragon and knight costumes. I've been asking Mike to do this since we first met and finally (four years later) we transformed ourselves - and seven of our friends - into the most awesome medieval court I've ever seen. See what a little convincing can do?!

Mike's costume was actually handmade from his father's girlfriend quite a few years back. Talented lady, right? At the last minute we realized he didn't have a sword or shield so Shawn (who flew in from Portland for the occasion) and I whipped them up out of beer boxes and aluminum foil.

Shawn claimed the Jester costume early on in the process. She bought the dress from a thrift store and made all of her accessories! Can you believe that? I absolutely adore the shoes (which had bells at one point). And her mini Jester hat is actually made from a yogurt container - definitely my favorite part of the costume. We made her staff from a wrapping paper tube while watching The Addams Family (part II) and eating quesadillas. What a glorious evening.

As for my costume, it took a little more work. I bought the dress at Burlington Coat Factory for $15. I found a children's dragon cape costume at a thrift store ($7), but shortly realized I couldn't just wear that and call it a day. So I got wings from the Dollar Tree ($1) and added cereal boxes, coat hangers, pipe cleaners, green fleece ($2) and the cape material. I created the mask from a paper mache base I bought at Target ($2), and collaged it with crepe paper ($1) and the cape fabric using Modge Podge. The shoes are also from a thrift store ($1.50) and I spray painted them ($4) to match. Finally, I used the leftover cape material to make little hand covers (velcro and a pipe cleaner ring kept them on). So I was right around $35 for the entire costume. One of the more expensive costumes I made lately...but the dress is pretty kickass so I'll get some use of that.

Just Had to Share..

Reason #236 why I love collecting, buying and selling vintage and antique goods. It just warms my heart to know the little things in life can evoke such wonderful memories and feelings.

From a Indiana girl who bought this locket last week from the shop:

You will never know how much this means to me. My Grandma recently died and she left me this locket. It has a picture of my Grandma on one side and my Grandpa on the other. My Grandpa died in 1999, after having a series of strokes starting in 1991. My Grandma being a nurse took care of him at home, on her own that whole time. He ended up a vegetable really and totally helpless. But many years after that she was going through her jewelry with me because I design jewelry and she wanted my opinion on some things. We found this Avon locket and I opened it up. My Grandpa was grumpy to say the least, but here was this picture of him not only healthy but smiling. Grandma said he had just given her the locket for some holiday or another. She was an Avon addict. And then she said I could have it and I burst into tears right there. I didn't want to take it because there are so few pictures of him smiling. She just made me promise that when she passed I would put a picture of her smiling next to him in the locket. And then last year she passed away suddenly. It was a horrible shock to our whole family. She was the glue that kept us all together. When I got the locket out months later, hoping it would help my grieving process, I was horrified to find it was falling apart. I have been looking for a locket the same size to replace it with, so I wouldn't have to cut the pictures smaller and damage them,but I had no luck.

Only now, more than a year after her passing, did I think to look for the exact locket. I was so elated to find you had one and in great condition. It will mean so much to me to be able to put my Grandparents pictures in it and I can only hope it helps a little bit with the devastation I still feel.

Thank you is all I can say. I can't wait to receive the locket.

Start Shopping!

I've been tossing around the idea of making Fairview Place an all handmade shop, since my felt food and books have been doing pretty well online and in the local market. In reality, I know I will still peruse my beloved thrift stores for those one-of-a-kind finds. I also know I won't pass them up, therefore, Fairview Place vintage will always remain.

With that said, I want to free up some space in my Fairview Place closet for new goodies (and the excess felt food), so I'm having a big Summer Sale. Some items are up to 50% off! Jewelry, bags, house goods...I want it all to go!

Thrifty Thursdays

I fell in love with this shirt when I saw it on Pinterest. However, the price was not so lovely. So, I decided to make my own version using a shirt from my closet as a pattern. It was so simple and took less than an hour to complete. Here's what you do.

I used this yellow shirt as my pattern (found it at a thrift store for $1). I traced the shirt onto some wrapping paper and omitted the sleeves.

I made a front and back by drawing a deeper neckline for the front of the shirt. I also drew horizontal lines to ensure arm holes and side angles were even.

 

Use your new patter and cut out two pieces in the fabric of your choice. I found this fabric at Walmart for only $2 a yard. Sew the shoulders first, then the sides, stopping about 4 inches from the bottom (so it splits - see the first photo). Turn in and sew the neckline and bottom edges to prevent fraying and you're all finished!

Madewell

So maybe I'm a little behind the times, but I got my first Madewell catalog in the mail and I'm in love! Not only are their clothes super cute and I wish my closet was full of their outfits, but the design is terrific. Of course the photography is nice, but the fonts are quite lovely, the layouts of the product pages are fun and there's a city guide of Paris with a map and callouts.

Now, who wants to take me on a shopping spree through the store? Anyone??

Vintage Fashion Photographs

Three unnamed photographs, I would die for that hat
and coat combo on the right!

I came across this fantastic collection of fashion photographs from the early 1900s while perusing the Library of Congress and had to share. The entire set contains more than 60 images from 1900 to 1918, showing off the latest trends, mostly from Paris.

(left) Premet Tailor suit by J.M. Gidding or inspiration for Tim Burton?
(right) Shop girl in L.A. modeling a "sheath gown" with rubber boots = sassy lady!

(top left) Collat evening gown, which I would totally wear now!

(top right) Poiret model for "Gimbels" a NY department store

(bottom left) Debutante Summer evening gown by Jenny, isn't that a little warm for the Summer?

(bottom right) M'lle de Joire gown, seriously what's up with that hand?

(left) Pacquin Race Gown, love that umbrella!

(right) Quilted silk on chiffon with gold thread, and yet another dress I would wear now :)