vintage spring lookbook

Here it is.. Blooming Leopold's vintage spring 2011 lookbook! All of my favorite finds of the season, stored away until today. These pieces are all headed to the shop tonight, handpicked vintage from the late 1930s all the way to the early 90s. Eyelet lace, seersucker, madras plaid, chambray, liberty print cotton, creamy silk.

Photos shot by Neil at beautiful Percy Warner Park. This was a fun afternoon to spend outside, the weather was perfect and everywhere we turned was another pastoral setting, right in the middle of Nashville. The little purple weeds dotted an entire hillside, which made me think of visiting the wind-swept moors of Haworth as a kid (although Nashville is not as pretty and quite a bit warmer). All of this scenery makes me miss living in the country.

More photos here. Lookbook items hitting the shop soon!

long, plaid skirts on belmont boulevard

Photos by Neil!

Pleated Plaid Skirt - Thrifted

Gray Tank Top - Banana Republic

Wood Sunset Sandals - Madewell

Skinny Belt - Forever21

Neil and I took these photos around Belmont Boulevard area, this gorgeous neighborhood filled with wrought iron fences and extravagant homes nestled between craftsman cottages.

I'm definitely jumping on the long skirt/long dress bandwagon this fall.. it's a trend that I can really get into, especially since I just started wearing maxi dresses a couple of months ago and the magic hasn't worn off just yet. The length always intimidated me before since I'm short, but the comfort and ease of long skirts far outweigh any reservations I have about my height.

It's still chaotic here.. boxes are really beginning to pile up. We're preparing for a yard sale we're throwing this weekend, as well as the move - which has officially begun! We're plotting paint colors for our living and dining room and I am more than open to suggestions, inspiration, photos, anything you guys have that's interior design related! I think mint green and gold have to be involved in our new home somehow.. not necessarily together.. and a wall covered in mismatched art. Any ideas?

summertime braids and prairie dresses

Vintage Pink Liberty Print Gunne Sax Dress - A trade for a pair of handmade gingham bloomers

Vintage Zodiac Ankle Boots - Tennessee Antique Mall

White Lace Socks - American Apparel

Gold Heart Locket - Forever21

Just recently, Neil and I drove over to Fort Negley Park to take these photos. We had to fight mosquitoes, fire ants, and a cactus to get some pictures in, but it was worth it.

The dress I'm wearing is very similar to the maxi Gunne Sax dress in navy velvet I own.. the structure is basically the same. I traded the dress with a lovely girl from Georgia in return for a handmade pair of bloomers. She wanted a pair of the 1940's style chambray bloomers I made last May, except in a blue and white gingham (photos soon!). Of course, I said yes.

And speaking of handmade.. the powder blue rose hair barrette is in the shop, as is the vintage eyelet lace ruffle skirt.

Now for some sad, but eventually promising, news. I'm taking a short break from blogging for the next week. I've needed time to clear my head and let new inspiration in for some time now, and I know it'll be good for me. You fellow bloggers know how time consuming blogging can be, which in itself isn't always an issue.. but when you feel pressured to get a post in, creativity can start to run a little thin. That's why I'm excited for some time to rethink my approach to this blog and dream up new visions and ideas.

I'm going to dedicate a good amount of my time off to really learning my new camera, which I can't wait to do. I'm going to mess around with sewing, watch old movies, show up early to some local estate sales, and maybe even finish a book or two. It'll also give me a chance to update the Etsy shop with some lovely dresses and things that I've promised you all a long time ago! Soon, I'll be back with an overly ambitious Sewing Saturday, a sister-inspired outfit post, a shop update filled with prairie dresses, and maybe even a giveaway from a screen printing friend.

See you all in a week!

hazy summer florals

High Waisted Taupe Riding Pants - American Apparel

Vintage Floral Crop Top - For sale in the shop

White Hair Bow - Handmade

Leather Wood Wedge Sandals - Madewell

I'm still very much figuring out my camera, so this was an experiment with taking timed photos on my own. The sun was setting in front of our house so I grabbed my tripod, borrowed this floral crop top from my Etsy, and braided my hair. I love the haziness and soft focus of the photos.

Also - these taupe riding pants! My favorite purchase so far from American Apparel.

Florida was wonderful. I fought the waves with Neil for what seemed like hours! We pushed our way deeper and deeper into the water until I was too short and he had to pick me up so I wouldn't get submerged. Besides that, we ate good seafood and played mini golf, which I officially suck at and wouldn't mind never doing again (mini golf.. not eating. I'm good at eating).

Now I'm working on a belated shop update! Also, working on a Sewing Saturday post that just never happened this weekend. All of this visiting has really set me back on blog work, so I'm going to do some serious catch up this week. I have photos of a friend's home I want to post, a pretty new Gunne Sax dress from a lovely girl I made a handmade trade with, and some exciting Nashville news to share.. more soon!