a melancholy winter. a bit of etsy inspiration for a gothic day

It's December! The month of tinsel and staying in and getting fat on holiday food!

As winter approaches, I can't help but dream of snow - but not in the I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas sense. I've been into the idea of a stark, monochromatic world to take pictures in - dark, bare trees against a cloudy white sky with white on the ground is my idea of a good place for a photo shoot in the wintertime.

I think I got onto this kick because of P's pretty pictures from a Melancholia Exhibition she recently attended, as well as images from the Tim Burton exhibit going on at MoMA. These darkly beautiful images have made me want to translate them into an outfit or a shoot of mine of some sort, preferably with a desolate or tragic feel and some form of a masculine touch (I've been so obsessed with wearing Neil's bow ties lately, I'm trying to find a way to put one into every outfit). If I could steal Rhi's jet black hair and style it into some form of a tousled-yet-elegant Victorian up do, I would in a heartbeat.

And if we had snow, this is what I would wear, care of Etsy.

Vintage Fox in the Snow Coat by Persephone Vintage (Isn't this coat ridiculously fantastic? I love its full fur skirt.. so unique.)

Vintage Sheer Lace Blouse by The Aurora Vintage

Vintage Bow Pumps by The Pudding Store

Black and Creme Collared Playsuit by I'm Your Present

Vintage Black Boiled Wool Cape by IKAHN

Speaking of Victorian.. Black Eyed Suzie's shop is filled with images perfect for an gothic inspired day. Her dolls are handmade and have the prettiest, most intricate details, all with a bit of a dark feel. (Thanks to Jess for introducing me to her shop!)

That's all for today! I'm headed out in a short while to see Neil's band play at the Arcade, and I'm wearing a floral dress I bought at Goodwill recently! While it's not very gothic, it is black with ruffles at the skirt and cool bows at the sleeves. Can't wait to show you all.

etsy shop update! faux fur and marching band attire.

Vintage Black Velvet, White Lace Babydoll Dress

1970's Mini Pleated Dress with Emerald Ribbon Trim

Vintage Leather Navy and Gold Waist Belt

Vintage Handmade Chambray Jumper with Beehive Embroidery

Fresh shop update today! These items as well as a vintage faux fur collar and yellow 1960's smock dress!

Well, it's Thanksgiving week! Neil and I are taking off for Illinois on Wednesday to stay with his parents for the festivities.. smoked turkey and baked mashed potatoes and a croquembouche made entirely of pumpkin and chocolate doughnut holes. And I know exactly what I'm wearing for the celebration. With all of the puppy distractions this past few days, I completely forgot to mention that I found my dream holiday dress - a 1960's velvet dress with a full skirt and a vivid, vivid red hue. I'm going to make those red winter berry hair combs tonight so I can wear one with the velvet dress. This dress just can't wait til Christmas.. I've got to show it to you now. And by now, I mean in a few days.

Don't forget about the Love, Simone cupcake skirt giveaway - hurry, it ends Wednesday!!

what I found at the flea market

This past weekend's Tennessee flea market was one of my absolute favorites. It was filled with interesting booths and even more interesting people (I had a long talk with a musician who played with Lawrence Welk and Jackie Gleason, met Ella Fitzgerald, and dated Dinah Shore.. and is now selling a book about it). The whole place was filled with stories.

(I'm drinking a homemade eggnog latte right now. That's got to be breaking some pre-Halloween rules. I had to say that.)

Here are my flea market finds from this weekend!

Vintage tree ornaments in pretty shades.

Wonderful old sheet music (I'm an Edith Piaf champ now), a cute child's bow tie, and the BEST deadstock 80's heels (courtesy of Aria's booth).. they were exactly what I was looking for in a heel, they fit me perfectly, and I'm loving them already.

Two vintage dresses - both not my size, sadly, which means they're hitting the shop on Monday. The 50's cocktail dress has glorious velvet trim, and the gingham jumper dress is deadstock.

Tons and tons of lace. And vintage velvet ribbon! I know my next crafting project.. I'm going to use that baby blue lace trim in the back of the photo, find a black velvet dress at the thrift store, throw some elastic in, and make a tiered lace trimmed skirt with it.

Here is my new fur cape I mentioned in my last post! My mother in law Nancy bought it for me, and I'm so thankful.. it's exactly what I wanted. I think it's from the 30's or 40's. A rough old woman with the greatest Eastern European accent sold it to us, saying that she found it at an Indiana estate sale. The woman who had owned it also had a seal fur that was custom made for her, and this was another custom fur (although I'm an idiot when it comes to furs and I have absolutely no idea what animal it came from). I feel like Lauren Bacall when I wear it.

I also found a fantastic Brownie Starflex camera with a flash and film still inside! It's sitting above our White Stripes poster on the wall.. which puts our vintage camera collection number at three.

Time to get into the Halloween mood and watch some cheesy vampire movies!