plaid jumpers and navy military jackets

Some of my favorite chilly weather layering pieces from Closet Case Vintage.. I wanted to share. I can't get over the coolness of that blue military style jacket with the silver buttons, or that rose printed tank top.

Giveaway winner announcement tomorrow!

etsy shop update! tommy hilfiger and bill blass hang out.

Vintage Crushed Velvet Mini Dress

Vintage Bill Blass Ruched Crop Top

Vintage Tommy Hilfiger Military Blazer

1950s Red Velvet Pillbox Hat with Ribbon Bow

New to the shop today! This as well as a Pendleton wool sweater and pretty Marie Antoinette suede heels.

Just to warn you guys.. I've been on a heavy trousers kick lately, which means I might be posting more than my usual number of outfit posts this week and they may all have something to do with pants or shorts. I found a pair of high waisted wool trousers at Goodwill on Saturday that I've managed to work into every outfit I've had on since then. Granted, from Saturday to Monday only technically allows me three outfits. But still.

Happy Monday, all!

etsy shop update! military blazers and dresses with poinsettias.

Vintage Red and Black Velvet Poinsettia Dress

Vintage Teddy Bear Bow Christmas Top

Vintage Tiny Fit Military Blazer in Navy

Shop update! Including a 70's sailor dress with red tie, a plaid school girl jumper, and the ruffle dress I posted about this weekend.. thanks for all of the comments about the dress fitting me well! I do feel really comfortable in it and it is ridiculously fantastic, but I almost feel guilty holding onto items these days - and especially around the holidays. I've talked to you guys about it before and since then, I've tried (mostly in vain) to keep items for awhile, but only a handful of pieces stay in my closet. I think as I evolve and my style evolves, I'll have greater discernment when it comes to buying what suits me for a long while and what suits me for a short season (I'm already regretting selling the emerald trim marching band dress.. that thing rocked).

Also, don't forget about my Twelve Days of Christmas sale - it ends on Friday! And if you're near a bookstore, be sure to pick up the latest issue of Lucky Magazine.. Rhi's shop is in there!

I've been thinking of upgrading to a better camera, but I'm not 100% positive it should be an SLR - maybe just a really nice point and shoot. What do you photographers suggest?

etsy shop update!

Shop update today! This and more, including the bohemian ivory knit vest I found at the bluegrass festival and my favorite listing of the week - this black military style blazer. 

I've been thinking a lot about the Helping Hands thrift store at the bluegrass festival, and how happy I became when my mom told Neil about it. I think I'm approaching that addicted stage when it comes to thrifting.. I can honestly say that I get more excited when I see a Goodwill now than when I see an Urban Outfitters.. is that normal? Well, whatever it is, it makes me glad. 

Thrift stores used to overwhelm me. I was so jealous of Rhiannon and Ashley, because they always seemed to know exactly what to look for, and I was completely lost. But now that I've been thrifting on a regular basis, I've started to get the hang of it! It isn't so intimidating anymore!

The one drawback to selling vintage is that in the midst of searching, you kind of forget to keep things for yourself - I always feel guilty if I hold onto an item, even for a week, before sending it to the shop. Do those of you that sell vintage feel this way sometimes, too? I think Rhi has talked about this before. (I'm so glad those leather and suede boots aren't my size, because I'd be wearing them and having a severe guilt trip if they were.)

Because of this strange shame I have when I hold onto items, I'm going to deliberately try to hold onto the white military blazer for awhile, at least a few weeks, before putting it on Etsy. One item in 70 isn't bad, right?

Thanks for the birthday plan suggestions! It turns out our friends Joel and Zach are sticking around until Friday, so they'll be here to celebrate with us! We are for sure going to the hot dog restaurant, and (because I'm admittedly a huge Harry Potter nerd) sneaking Godiva chocolates into the Harry Potter 6 IMAX show late that night! During the day, we're visiting my parents, having an awesome lunch there, and then doing a shopping run around town at fabric stores and UO and other vintage places, too. Yeah, I'll be dragging three boys into a craft store.. behold the power of birthdays.

24 years old. Insane. I need to think about this year before writing about it.. what it means to me to be approaching my mid-twenties. Is this where I imagined I'd be? Big city, starting out my own way on a path that I'm passionate about, being unequivocally poor and still, magically being provided for.. yeah, this is really what I imagined (or at least hoped for). Definitely not the married part, but to be honest, I'm ridiculously thankful for that surprise. If 24 is anything at all like 23, I'm satisfied.

bluegrass festivals and military jackets in autumn

Photos by Neil!

White Military Blazer, Green Plaid Skirt - Thrifted

Navy Tights, Tan Cutout Heels - Urban Outfitters

Gray Tank - Banana Republic

Diana Camera - Yard Sale

Today Neil, Joel, Duckie, Mom and I went to a bluegrass festival in Thompson Station! Lots of overalls, bad jokes, and barbecue. And good music, of course.

The skirt and military blazer I'm wearing are both from the kid's section at thrift stores, so I'm basically half little boy, half little girl in this outfit. The little boy blazer is a new favorite of mine.. both the plaid skirt and the blazer have matching gold buttons, and the blazer has a lovely sailor-themed patch! And I braided the front of my hair in honor of that perfect Erika Hendrix collection I posted about a few days ago. 

I bought the Diana camera for five bucks at a yard sale in Nashville. It has a great look to it, but I'd like to actually use it.. Do you guys know where I can find film for vintage cameras?

Mom was the one that found out about the festival, and I'm glad she did.. the bands were great and it was fun to catch a glimpse into the small community that put the festival on. The people were all really welcoming and friendly, and wow, they can bake! There was an auction for chess pies, carrot cakes, and all sorts of lovely looking bread loaves. In response, I ate a funnel cake.

A huge highlight to the festival was the church sponsored thrift store! This is a place in the middle of nowhere, which means no hipsters have gone through it recently.. and it was wonderful. The shop was filled with old dresses and heels, mostly from the 1960's, as well as an older crowd that may have owned them.

Here are my Helping Hand thrift store finds.. tweed jacket, Pendleton wool jumper, a 70's knit white vest with wooden buttons, alligator pumps.. all of this (AND a pair of fringed shoes that Neil bought) for six dollars! That was all we were charged! How do these wonderful church ladies do it?

My favorite finds are the peter pan collar plaid blouse and the 1970's red, white, and blue pumps. The other two pairs are from the 60's, which makes me love them.. but not as much as the 70's heels.

I'm having a blast with the guys staying over (except for the toilet seat always being up). Joel and Duckie have even gone thrift store shopping with me and feigned interest in what I was buying! We've watched a million Harrison Ford movies, argued about politics and music, went to the best 24 hour restaurant in Nashville, played computer games, started a fire. It all just feels really natural, as though humans were meant to live in larger groups. We split a bottle of wine (red wine beats white wine up) when we got back tonight. And watched Harrison kick some bums, of course.

Does anyone have any good ideas of what to do on a birthday? I turn 24 on Wednesday! The Tennessee State Fair is that day, which sounds fun.. but there's also a hot dog restaurant in town that we haven't been to yet, as well as an old, historical movie theatre that's new to us. And besides that, I have an early present Urban Outfitters gift card to spend. And Arrington Vineyards is having a wine and cigar night. In other words, I need help with this decision.