printer's alley

Photos by Neil!

Navy Polka Dot Dress, Leather Belt - Thrifted

Gold Dust Oxfords - Urban Outfitters

Denim Motorcycle Jacket - Forever21

Printer's Alley in downtown Nashville is famous for its seedy past and present. It's a short stretch of road that's filled with nightclubs and bars that were open for business - even (and especially) during Prohibition, but it has a history as old as Nashville itself. The Alley has housed dozens of famous performers, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams being a couple.. but today, it's mostly frequented by tourists. And ghosts, allegedly.

Neil and I stopped by the alley on our way to work to scope things out for the first time. I'm not much into country music but I've always loved downtown Nashville. It's the most urban part of our city and it's influenced a lot of artists I admire, like Bob Dylan and Gillian Welch. And the buildings are magnificent. The Hermitage Hotel deserves a visit, not to mention the Ryman Auditorium and the Frist. And you can definitely have fun at old fashioned honky tonk bars.. depending on who's playing, of course.

Today, I spent the afternoon with my good friend Kim as we went through her stash of vintage pieces, including the prettiest 1930s sheer organdy dresses and Edwardian lace gowns I've ever seen.. and tonight, I'm playing Dragon Age 2 with Neil until the early morning hours. This might just be the perfect day.

shop update! autumn velvet and patchwork denim.

Shop update! One lovely beige fringe cape, a lamb's wool sweater, patchwork denim shorts, a soft white blouse, long black velvet skirt, and polka dot maxi dress - all added to the shop.

All items currently in the store!

shop update! sailor stripes and wood wedges.

1970's Beaded Flora Cotton Top

1980's Navy and White Polka Dot Dress

1970's Cutout Leather Platform Heels

1970's Wood Wedge Braided Sandals

1990's Blue Denim Dungaree Jumper

1990's Drop Waist Striped Sailor Dress

Etsy update! Everything is newly added to the shop.

I'm excited for a post I get to share with you guys tomorrow about a little black dress I recently received and turned into a peter pan collar blouse.. until then, Happy Monday!

etsy shop update! a denim blue summer.

Shop update! The blue liberty print dress with pink flowers and the high waist pleated denim shorts are in the shop. The navy polka dot dress and cotton floral overalls will be added soon.

Thanks for the compliments last post, as well as the DSLR advice.. you ladies are the absolute best. And for any of you who haven't entered my sewing giveaway that would still like to, hit it up! The giveaway ends Wednesday.

a new job, a new camera!

Shopping for work clothes!

Well, you guys, I finally get to catch you up on some recent news. I just got a job at American Apparel in downtown Nashville! A lovely girl that works there found my Etsy shop and asked me to come in for a photo interview, and as it turns out, I got the position.

Because you're required to wear head-to-toe American Apparel while working there, I won't be able to stick to my sewing summer vow completely. This is the only shop I'm allowing myself to buy from, though. And since I have to buy so much AA (not that I'm complaining.. that store is magic), I thought it might be fun to post some of my work outfits from time to time.. maybe once a week, maybe more or less. I know I won't be able to wait til next week to show you guys some of my recent finds there.. honestly, I'll probably post an American Apparel outfit tomorrow.

Their sheer lace tops and high waist chambray trousers are perfect. Not to mention their abundance of preppy styles, collared shirts buttoned up to the neck, and pastels. Man alive, I might spend everything I make there.

I also just got this lovely camera from Neil as a (very!) early birthday present.. it's a Canon EOS XS Rebel! This will be my first DSLR, and I'm so excited to figure it out and start really using it. I've been playing around with it and watching a million YouTube tutorials, trying to get the hang of an SLR. There is so much to learn! I hope my photos do the camera some justice. Should I name the camera? I think I should. What's a good name?

Last but not least.. my in laws came to visit this past weekend for Neil's birthday, and my mother in law Nancy brought me a large box completely filled with old sewing patterns. Apparently, her friend's mother had patterns sitting in her attic and had no use for them anymore, so when she heard I had started sewing, she gave them to me. What an amazing find! The patterns range from the 1980's all the way back to the 30's, and I can't wait to put them to good use.

There was a good number of children's patterns in the mix, and one of my favorites was the lovely little red dress with a matching doll dress in the photo above, near the center. I'm wondering if I should make them both for my niece Stella.

What exciting news have you guys had lately?

denim blue

Vintage Polka Dot Dress - Etsy

Blue Ankle Socks - From my childhood

Strappy Wood Sandals - Madewell

Denim Bow - H&M

I had fun with blue dye yesterday.

I received the polka dot dress in an Etsy order this spring. It was an extra little surprise from a lovely seller who had intended to sell it but accidentally exploded pen ink all over it before she had a chance to list it. So, she sent it my way! Instead of trying to get the blue ink out (which the seller had already tried with no luck), I chose to match the ink to the dress. If you can't beat them, join them.

This is what the dress originally looked like.

I also dyed a cream colored blouse that once belonged to Neil's grandmother, and I love the transformation. It makes me want to dye everything I own now. Just for a change.

It's Neil Winter's birthday tomorrow! We're going to celebrate tomorrow night and into the next day with picnics and evenings out and record stores and vintage shops and other surprises, and I will take a million pictures. I'm making a romper in the morning for the occasion.

Neil's birthday celebration will also mark the end of clothes spending and the beginning of my sewing summer. Remember my new summer resolution? Until my birthday in September, I can't buy any clothes (unless it's a thrift store piece that I'm reworking). I have to create any new additions to my wardrobe by sewing them from scratch. I'm excited and a little scared, especially since I'll be traveling and inevitably crossing some cool stores, but it'll be good for my creativity, my sewing skills, and my checkbook. There is a tiny exception to the rule due to a fun new job I just began.. more on that later!

And last but not least.. vintage lace bloomers and a handmade cream lace and ribbon bow are up in the shop now!