Eccentric Glamour: a Photo Shoot and an Announcement

A few weeks ago, my roommates from Oxford and I planned a roomie reunion. What started as a plan involving tapas, Sangria, and some kind of cake (preferably bigger than the tapas) slowly evolved into a Girl’s Night Out photo shoot (as suggested by Elizabeth (ahem, Evey) of Evey Photography, who recently won Silver for Solo Journalist Multimedia Story or Essay at the Worldwide College Photographer of the Year Awards). Everyone was psyched, but as the date loomed nearer, it occurred to us that we didn’t know what to expect from this photo shoot. All of us had been envisioning a Mary Kate and Ashley makeover scene (which inevitably happened in every direct-to-home-video as they emerged out of the revolving door of a schwanky shop in whatever city the plot thinly hinged around this time), but clearly, that was unrealistic. Fearing a flop, Elizabeth specifically asked me if I’d bring some of my hat collection, and while packing the day of, I went a bit overboard with all the stuff I brought, which resulted in the ensembles below.

Dress: Adrianna Papell

Shoes: Pour La Victoire

After seeing the pictures (of clothes primarily from my closet), it got me thinking. How many of us have odd, crazy, and/or eccentric pieces we’d love to wear but let collect dust in want of an occasion? As a fashion blogger, I seem to constantly accumulate clothes but often get nervous of repeating… It’s for this reason, I’m happy to announce that beginning January 1st, 2015 (just in time for your New Years Resolution), I will be able to offer a solution: the Eccentric Glamour Link-up.

How Will It Work?

The first three days of every month, I will host a link-up on my blog. The only requirement to join will be that your post showcase a forgotten or obscure item in your closet that, for some unfortunate reason of another, has fallen out of the circulation its magnificence deserves. Then, mention the link-up in your post and add a hyperlink to my page, allowing us all to appreciate the handsome gems we ladies dig up!

Let me know if you have any questions or opinions, I’m super excited about it, so also feel free to RSVP below. I’ll advertise continually as time grows nearer, but in the meantime, only 18 more days, and I hope to see you there!

Shoes: La Perla

Green Dress: Haute Hippie | Green Shoes: Mui Mui | Black (Dress worn as) Top: Kiki de Montparnasse

Roommate Love Forever!

All items without descriptions are vintage (with the exception of Erin’s tutu and cheetah dress, which were hers. If you’re super interested, let me know, and I’ll find out for you. Hope you enjoyed our looks as much as we did making them (though it’s extremely doubtful). Again, all photo credit goes to Evey Wilson.

Moor From the North: Bronte Country

There is a small place in the heart of every 19th-century British literature devotee that longs to walk across a moor. What is a moor? we ask. No one really knows, but we have a vague idea— it’s how Elizabeth won Darcy. If you walk around one for long enough, you might find Heathcliff, or if you’re particularly unlucky, the dread Count Fosco looming around Blackwater. They seem to be common places, but are rumored to have particularly bad weather and a lot of fog through which people trek for miles somewhere between early breakfast and tea time.

I had expressed my long curiosity of these mysterious places to my friend Olivia, who I met during my time at Oxford. It was then that I found out she lived in northern England, near the Lake District. Being a fellow enthusiast of English literature, she graciously invited me to visit, on what was to be rather a pilgrimage to the towns of Great British authors (Wordsworth! The Brontes! Beatrix Potter!). To get ready for our adventure, Liv packed me a care package full of Northern food. I was converted by Rhubarb and Clotted Cream Swirls.

Yorkshire Tea and Lancashire Cheese!

Our first stop was Bronte Country, or the village of Haworth in Yorkshire to see the Haworth parsonage (where all three sisters lived and in which Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were written). However, along the way we made a small detour into Rose & Co., and old school apothecary (and the background in the pictures), and a few vintage shops where I procured the navy velvet turban I’m wearing.

Rose & Co.

Downtown Haworth

Pasture behind the Bronte’s House

Bronte’s Creepy Parson-side Graveyard (which most likely poisoned their water source, and served as the fountain of Gothic writing)

What I’m Wearing:
Hat: Vintage
Dress: Le Cremieux (available at Dillards)
Blazer: Pendelton Wool
Bonjour Bag: Zara
Tights: Wolford
Boots: Hunter

I had a wonderful trip, and I can’t thank Olivia enough for the wonderful experience. Further, a warm shout-out to Simon (I didn’t forget you) for driving us all around the Lake District (and everywhere else) for a glimpse of Wordsworth’s house.

Worth it.

Boon from the Boonies: Estate Sale Treasure

‘Twas beauty that killed the beast!

I realize it’s Valentines, but I’m home alone watching King Kong by myself, so I would prefer to write about something entirely irrelevant to the holiday and fashion week.

My roommate and I are serious about some estate sales. Prices are negotiable. Discoveries are around every corner (and some of these old birds really fill every nook). You learn about tons of new old things that you never knew existed. Adventure is out there, and it’s so affordable!

Today’s Capture.

I can’t wait to force someone to wear these.

The only real cons to estate sales are that:
1. You never know how big the “estate” really is. Even when people put up pictures, it’s often quite hard to tell is that one shelf of books or are you really stocked? Do the three tables constitute “lots of furniture”? Do not lure me in to your glorified yard sale. I do not want your old knappy Keds.

2. There is a reason the estate is being liquidated, and it is often unpleasant. As I descend like a locust on old hats and hat boxes, it’s an ominous feeling to know the person that owned these articles is… gone. As my friend Dominick so aptly stated, “It’s a visible reminder you can’t take it with you.” I prefer the happy couples selling everything so they can escape to their dream home on the beach.

While the estate sales  just South of Atlanta are alright, generally prices are a bit higher and the estates are more heavily trafficked. One of the few reasons that I enjoy rural Indiana is because finally the laws of supply and demand have harkened towards my favor. Since being here, I’ve never paid more than $10.00 for a vintage hat. One of the few reasons that I enjoy rural Indiana is because finally the laws of supply and demand

Today I got:

Peter Pan Collar Dress:  3.25
2 skinny and one square tie: (75 cents each) 2.25
a crazy cool white puffball hat: 4.50
Score! 9.50

However, when you’re shopping do remember to inspect your merchandise. When I got home I realized that my dress has two holes in the waist….

How’d they know I needed to take in the sides?

To find or keep yourself abreast about estate sales near you, sign up for notifications at these very obviously named websites:

1.  http://www.estatesales.net/
2. http://www.estatesale.com/
3. 1st Dibs (though this one is national and based around luxury items)