Stumped by Vintage

Silk dress? 1960's vintage (from The Vintage Marketplace) Shoes? Guess, thrifted  

Bracelets? Random mall shop and craft stand 

Purse? Art Deco Beggar's Purse (I was strong, put it on Etsy here... one of its cousins up too) Jacket? Costa Blanca 

Matt is generally a handy guy. I am generally not so handy. I know I joked about road rage a few posts again but what I really have is technology rage. Something goes wrong with my computer and I flap my hands, say questionable phrases and throw the laptop at Matt.

'Fix ittttt!'

Yeah, not my finest moment.

I'm a bit better with landscaping equipment. When something goes wrong, I flap my hands, say questionable phrases that include the words 'John Deere' and then breathe. I go through everything that has ever gone wrong before to see if I can actually diagnose the problem myself. Not that I know much mechanical stuff but if the exact thing has happened in the past, I can remember that and go from there. Still, sometimes I have to call Matt or ghostbusters.

That said, this amazing little pouch from the 1930's completely stumped Matt. I asked him to check that the volume of my phone in the purse was off and he had no clue how to open it and get the phone through the top. He handled his confusion with grace though, no hand flaps or cuss words. It's pretty simple really, the lid pops open and the gate expands to allow for fashionable phone and lipgloss storage.

Vintage; keeping Matt humble and Jentine fabulous* since a long time ago...

*Clearly I am not so humble, I referred to myself in the third person. 

Kimono, Kimono, Kimono

Kimono? Vintage (one on etsy here and modern version here and a sale one here) Dress? Thrifted 

Belt and clutch? Thrifted Necklaces? From all over, similar tassel one on etsy here

'Kimono, kimono, kimono...' 

That is probably all I remember from My Big Fat Greek Wedding (though I have faint memories of some questionable hair styles?...) but that line pops in my head every time I see a kimono. And as kimonos are having a fashion moment, that little quote is on high rotation through my brain.

I actually found this kimono in the Halloween section of a Salvation Army for a couple of bucks last year. There's a thrift tip for you; the Halloween section can be golden for vintage. It takes some searching because you have to get through 22 naughty polyester cop costumes (synthetics, so naughty...) and 67 Disney princesses before you get to the kimono but I would say it's worth the hunt. 

I guess now that I have a shop, giving out thrift tips is less about blog content and more like sharing some industry secrets. If you feel the need to share this insider tip, please don't use my name, just list me as 'a source'. Isn't that how all truths are discovered? A 'source' on the Internet? 

Slouch

Shoes? Converse (here) Pants? Vince Tunic? Vince, consigned at Refinerie (they now have stuff online!) 

Jacket? Zara (similar but better with a hood)  Purse? Roots Collar? Friend's grandmother 

Necklace? Vintage Whiting and Davis (I got it for the shop  and I should sell it but it's so cute!)

If I had known how comfortable these Converse were, I would have jumped on this trend (or really, a classic for many people...) a long time ago. Instead it took me going to Target to look for a shelf so I can stuff more stuff in the shop and finding myself 7 minutes later in the check-out with a shelf... and a pair of shoes. 

Also comfortable? My stretchy leather pants... hence, two outfit posts in a row with the same pants. Then again, the morning of the day these pictures were taken, I was up at 5:45 a.m., wiggling myself into this amazing 1950's lace dress and some high heels for a prom special we taped at Refinerie (it's so pretty inside!). The dress is beautifully cut and fits exactly but like I said on Instagram, I had to get my mom to drive me around that morning because my arm movement did not allow for my regular sharp left turns or road rage. After a long (but fun) morning in my fancy get-up I was more than happy to trade them all in for my Converse and leather pants. 

Amazing 1950's wiggle dresses make you confused between feeling freaking fabulous and feeling like you want to go home and hug your nearest pair of trackpants. 

The Birthday Boy

Silk top? Vintage Leather Pants? Vince Purse? Vintage (I was going to put it on Etsy so it could be bought off this post but someone snatched it up in the shop immediately... you know who you are...;)) 

Ring? Vintage Shoes? Guess, thrifted Coat? Vintage

I wore this to take Matt out for a birthday dinner last week. I wore sparkly things and Matt had steak and all was well. 

I am aware that I sometimes make a light hearted characterization of Matt on the blog. He's my good-natured, pun-loving (yeahhhh... I went there) photographer who will offer to let you take home one of our cats while simultaneously carrying around one of those cats. There is obviously much more to him than that but he has his life and is not interested in being some major or minor player of any kind in the blog world. That said, Matt is the best part of my day to day life. His steadiness grounds me, his positive attitude buoys me, his jokes (oft repeated) still make me laugh and his lack of recycling keeps me fiery. 

It really is a pleasure to grow older with Matt. And to take him out for steak.

Spring Exposure

Dress? Vintage Holt Renfrew Shoes? Guess, thrifted Clutch? Vintage 

Necklaces? Clyde's ReBirth (similar to shorter one here and exact longer one here) Cuffs? c/o Unikati (here) 

Earrings? bebe (old,but found these hand made ones on Etsy here and here)

Big weekend over here. It felt positively spring like and people responded with family walks, BBQ's and drinks on the patio (all this according to Instagram). I responded by taking some time to pick out a cool 70's dress for my first real leg baring of the year. I don't know whose priorities are in proper order...

I'm kidding, I love spring walks and patios but I'm still feeling pretty crappy so that just wasn't happening. I'm not telling you that I can't shake this stupid cold and general lousiness for your sympathy. It's just for my mom's sympathy. I know she'll read this post and text me to make sure I'm OK and then tell me to go to bed. Sometimes you just want to be coddled by your Mama;)

Less Talking, More Walking

Skirt? The Edit Tee? Old Navy Necklace? Clyde's Rebirth (smaller version here) 

Cuffs? Unikati (c/o here) Shoes? Thirifted

Ugh, I don't have that much to say. I would but I'm really ill (Ok, I've got a cold...) so my head feels like it is stuffed with cotton balls and it took me an hour to get the pictures uploaded for this post because I am a snotty, slow sloth. I know people love to go off on the 'man cold' but I can never join that conversation because when I get sick, I get a little whiny and a lot useless and Matt is usually a patient super hero about it. He will get me soup, cold medication (cue debate on their effectiveness...), water, blankets and tell me to just forget about the to-do list and go to bed. Too bad he can't write my blog post for me...

Good thing this skirt doesn't need a long blog post. It's pretty sassy and speaks for itself.

5 Faves

Jacket? Vintage (two similar ones on Etsy, here and here) Shoes? Land's End (here)

Jeans? 7 for all Mankind  (no holes, darker wash here) Shirt? Thrifted

 Necklace? Clyde's Rebirth (similar here)

I realized, as I uploaded these pictures, that this is an outfit comprised of 5 of my favourite pieces worn at the same time. I also realize, that as a fashion blogger, saying something is 'my favourite' can be a little empty. It's true, I have a lot of favourites, mostly because I have so much room in this beating heart...
But seriously, I like a lot of things. This crazy jacket posted a while back is certainly a favourite, but I don't have much opportunity to wear it, plus, wearing it with a seat belt is seriously complicated. These favourites are slightly more practical and thus are rotated heavily.
We all know I wear the Clyde's ReBirth necklace enough to upgrade my relationship with Merl from friend to spokesperson. The jeans and loafers (still 50% off and still comfortable) are more recent additions but they get worn all the time already. Mostly because skinny jeans that don't bag out and cute flats are probably a retail girl's uniform (and I shall never complain because I went through the maroon phase of the Tim Horton's uniform... Canadian readers, you remember that I'm sure...). The fringe shirt, an old top from a mother-of-the-bride ensemble, is a surprise basic that I throw quite often after its debut on the blog here. And finally, the 60's dalmation coat... Every time I wear it I get people offering to buy it from me. But even though I didn't wear it enough this winter because the temperature rarely went warmer than 'this is absurd and I'm going to stay inside with my blankets and cats', I'm still happy I decided to keep it.

And there you have it; 5 favourites, 1 outfit. This outfit is stacked, kinda like the Chicago Bulls in 1992*.



*totally just googled for an appropriate sports' reference.. 

A Glam Moment

So listing on Etsy is never going to be my favourite thing (I`m surprised we don`t have to fill out our life story with each listing...) but releasing new collections is definitely pretty fun. It`s cool to pick something completely different every time and to pull a mini collection out of so many decades. It`s not like these pieces are all in the same style but somehow it works together and it`s just interesting to find that thread of cohesion.

I originally had a totally different idea and I was gushing about it all to Julie just the other weekend, but then I realized that I have a ridiculous amount of jewelry and accessories (a beautiful problem to have) and so we have a glam accessory collection. Maybe I should capitalize that (not just capitalize on that...), a Glam Accessory Collection. An edited collection with loads of sparkly jewelry, chic evening bags and some bold 70`s chains. I think all these things can be worn for fancy times in your life but I`m also a big believer in wearing the fancy with a white tee and jeans.
Also, it`s worth mentioning that the costume jewelry of decades past is often such good quality. Hence, they have survived all these years. It's hard to describe exactly but a lot of the vintage pieces just feel good. Nice and heavy metal pieces, glass stones and solid closures. Built to last, like Fords, you know?

My favourites from this collection include this 1970's Avon perfume ring in its original box (which looks as modern as if it were released today... seriously... and it's sold), this unusual and dramatic 60's rhinestone necklace (edit: whoa! that sold within a few minutes of listing... but it's the one draped over the gold clutch below) and this beaded shell bag (sold too...) because it's just so cute on that long chain. Oh yes, and duh... these shoes that glitter beyond anything I've ever seen.

   

Note about the pics: I spent some time taking these pics one afternoon this week in between 67 other things I was doing (trying to do...). I went out that same night with a friend and I told her I hadn't had dinner yet because I was too busy all day getting stuff done. And then I told her that it was tiring to chew huge wads of gum and attempt to get a good picture of a bubble on the self timer of my phone. And how I could hardly breathe in my strapless Alan Cherry silk dress (that just made it into the one picture but it's amazing and you'll see it come summer!) because I was wearing it over my pants and running back and forth trying to get the right picture. So basically I was tired and overworked from wearing great vintage things and taking pictures of myself. Ha...
Of course, there was more to my day that made it busy but I'm the one who decided that what this Etsy collection really needed was pictures of me chewing Hubba Bubba. And in that moment I realize I'm kinda living some version of the dream. And it's hard and complicated and weird and... pretty darn cool.

** Whoa guys, most of the collection went really fast! Thanks for liking this collection so much! I'm tickled pink!

Life Tips

Pants? Rag and Bone Sweater? Thrifted Necklace? 70's vintage (available on my Etsy soon!) 

Trench? Vintage Etienne Aigner (here on Etsy too) Glasses? Duckworth by Warby Parker (here) 

I look real dour in the first picture but that's just the sun blinding me. It was sunny and borderline pleasant out and I was probably just so confused by the genuine warmth.

I also felt pulled together in this outfit, which is mostly an optical illusion I am presenting. Throw on a trench and walk with purpose (see picture 4*) and you look like you have it all together. Life tips from Jentine. You are welcome.

Another tip? I'm putting this necklace (a.k.a. The Compliment Gatherer) and a whole bunch of fun accessories on my Etsy later this week. I'll miss the necklace but don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone...? 

And that there was a life tip by Joni Mitchell. You are welcome for that too;)

* It's kind of an odd picture and I'm holding up my pant leg to avoid dragging it through the mud but I included it because I like that Matt captured such a random shot. And because it looks like I am going places.