introducing.. a peter pan collar giveaway!

Well guys, here is the first part of my handmade spring collection! I've been busy sewing several spring pieces over the last couple of weeks, and these include a number of detachable peter pan collars for the shop. I'll be adding collars in a variety of styles to the store soon.. cream with lace trim, navy and white stripes, plain white, denim.. but for now, I've decided to give away my first collar to one of you!

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know which peter pan collar you'd like - the denim collar with the bow closure or the navy floral collar with hook and eye closure. The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced one week from today! This giveaway is open to all readers, but be sure to leave me an email address so I can notify the winner.

Detachable collars will be hitting the shop very soon - keep an eye out!

sewing saturday! future projects and vintage finds

Sorry, no sewing progress today.. I'm taking a bit of a break from Sewing Saturday. Instead, I'm sharing next week's potential projects!

I'm giving you guys control over this one. Which blouse should I make - a 1950s crop top in quilted cotton fabric or a peter pan collar blouse with long sleeves in rose colored broadcloth? Whichever blouse gets the most votes wins.. just let me know via comments!

Here are the pieces I found while antique shopping in Lebanon.. vintage crochet collars, a pretty 1950s bed jacket, and a couple of Holly Hobbie portraits - one an embroidered piece with brown ankle boots and a patchwork skirt. It seems I'm reliving 12 again, and I'm alright with that.

In preparation for my spring vintage lookbook (coming next week!), there will be no shop update tomorrow. Instead, I'll spend that time working on the shop and adding items I intended to list in earlier weeks, so keep an eye out for new listings and even lower markdowns in the sale section. Hope you had a great weekend!

shop update and sale! plaid shorts and peter pan collars

Shop update! Vintage emerald velvet dress and 1960s peter pan collar dress, along with plaid shorts, high waisted rayon trousers, and a sheer mauve sweater - all new to the store tonight.

Also, beginning tonight - I'm having a pre spring sale! 30% off all items in the shop.. one week only! Enter the coupon code SPRINGFORIT upon checkout.

Happy Monday!

recent glittery finds, future spring projects

A bit of sad news.. I'm still waiting on my Valentine's Day dress sewing pattern, which means I couldn't start it this week after all. So instead of beginning my holiday dress, I thought I'd fill you in on a few pieces I've found recently - as well as a couple of sewing projects in the works for spring!

The glittery UO oxfords, cameo necklace, and sewing serger are some of my favorite Christmas gifts.. I can't wait to figure out the serger! Already, I've bribed my friend Lauren with coffee and dessert in return for instructing me how to use it. The black wide brimmed hat, sheer knit sweater, cable knit ivory sweater (currently in the shop!), and 1960s plaid dress were all thrifted finds. The ribbon was thrifted as well - a huge lot that I found for only 5 dollars. That pastel pink dress was a gift from lovely Quincy, and I found the quilted liberty print apron at Pre to Post Modern.. I'm definitely planning on making some Valentine's baked goods in that guy.

The rosy pink broadcloth will be used on a peter pan collar blouse I'll be making as soon as I receive the pretty pattern. And I have every intention of sewing wide legged, high waisted trousers come spring. Not to mention, detachable peter pan collars. I purchased a plain antique white cotton for the collar, but I'd love to mix it up as well.. maybe with some navy dotted swiss fabric or in polka dots? Any suggestions?

Neil and I are headed to Atlanta in the morning, and I can't wait.. happy weekend!

mixing patterns

Peter Pan Collar Silk Blouse - Vintage shop in Atlanta

Knitted Floral Skirt - Handmade

Braided Belt, Suede Platform Heels - Forever21

Opaque Tights - American Apparel

Styling my handmade knitted skirt! This is my try at mixing floral patterns, and I'm really liking the concept.

The soft pink braided belt was a cheap Forever21 find.. only 2.50. And the black suede platform heels were pretty reasonable, too. I needed a pair of dressy shoes, although I can't tell you I'm comfortable with stiletto style heels. I'm a chunky shoe person, mostly.

I've been stocking up on all sorts of crafting supplies lately - fabric dye, crushed velvet (for a Valentine's Day dress?), floral and pom pom trim, sewing patterns. The one thing I'm really stumped on is what fabric to choose for future bedroom curtains. We've been staring down boring white blinds since we moved, and I need some drapery inspiration. Maybe antique white embroidered curtains? Maybe gilded golden ones with vintage fringe?

I'm looking forward to spring projects but am trying to stay in the winter mindset, as we still have a good three months left of it. Why do I always want cold weather clothing to end once New Years hits? I'm longing for summery dresses and lace rompers again.

Interviews with lovely photographers and pictures of pretty apartments coming up soon.. so many things I'm excited to share with you. Stay tuned!

shop update! black knit mini dresses with lace collars

Just a sample of what will be in the shop super soon.. knit mini dresses, velvet and denim, a black silk blouse, high waisted trousers with pleats, and a few more - including faux fur and peter pan collars.

UPDATE: All pieces now in the shop!

Happy Monday! Sharing a quick and easy sewing project with you tomorrow.

christmas as a southern affair

Vintage Velvet Collar Coat - Closet Case Vintage

Simple Black Oxfords - Etsy

Vintage Peter Pan Collar Holiday Dress - in the shop

Vintage Two Tone Satchel - thrifted

Black Hair Bow - American Apparel

A week or so ago, my mom was leading a Southern Homes tour for a group of out of state visitors, and she asked if I'd come along and help out. As it was a golden opportunity to check out lovely sites like Ferguson Hall and Rippavilla Plantation in all of their holiday glory, I knew I had to tag along.

While Rippavilla is grand with a very mixed history (blood stains on the wall and plenty of ghost stories - or so I hear), James K. Polk's former residence interested me the most. It's almost unassuming from the outside - the house of America's 11th president, it's a simple two story home with a light brick exterior and forest green shutters - but inside, it was opulence. A favorite feature of mine from homes of that era (and of Rippavilla's) is the pattern mixing.. notice the striped wallpaper in a leaf motif with the burgundy medallion carpet, all thrown in with rich velvet drapes and golden fringe and ornate chandeliers. They piled extravagance upon extravagance in those days and didn't even bother with coordinating colors. And it's glorious.

Exterior shots are of Rippavilla Plantation and the Polk Home, interior shots are the Polk Home.

It's Christmas Eve tomorrow! Neil and I are driving to his parent's house tomorrow evening to celebrate. Hope you all have a fantastic holiday!

snow day. forest green wool and velvet

Forest Velvet and Wool Coat - Vintage Etsy trade with Meaghan

Cream Peter Pan Blouse, Super Opaque Tights, Black Bow - American Apparel

Velvet High Waist Shorts - Madewell

Platform Lace Up Boots, Two Tone Satchel - Thrifted

Yesterday, the sky was filled to the brim with snow.. the only way you could really tell the difference between it and the ground were the tree lines and weeds that popped up here and there.

Neil and I braved the cold long enough to take these photos, and also to play with our little scruffy terrier (who would stick her snout in the snow and reappear with a frosty face). I love this tiny green wool and velvet swing coat - its velvet peter pan collar and bows at the puffy sleeves, its short length and subtle pleating. I traded with Meaghan last winter, swapping a few of my shop items for the jacket, and sadly I haven't had too many opportunities to wear it. I thought it'd look great with a creamy blouse and velvet shorts, so I wore it out while Neil and I went Christmas shopping yesterday afternoon.

The platform shoes and satchel are a couple of my favorite thrifted finds recently, and both were under 3 dollars! The lace ups are awesome in a really ugly, 90s grunge sort of way, and the purse is the perfect shape and size for me. Not to mention, navy and dark, coppery brown look wonderful together.