Giveaway via Yellow Press Weddings

I'm honored to be part of a giveaway on the lovely new blog Yellow Press Weddings. Marni and Kayla's posts are always stylish, unique, and they have the greatest wedding ideas. I'm basically obsessed.


How to enter to win a $25.00 gift certificate:
First, become a follower of the Yellow Press Weddings blog. After that you have up to three separate opportunities to enter:
1. Visit my shop. Go back to the Yellowpress post and comment on your favorite item.
2. Blog about this giveaway! Go back to the Yellowpress post  and comment with the link to your post.
3. Tweet this giveaway! Go back to the Yellowpress post  and comment with the link to your tweet. (Please tag tweets with @yellowpresswed so we can track them).

Etsy Spotlight: Salvage Life

I've been a fan of Salvage Life Vintage on Etsy for a long time now. The curation of clothing, jewelry and accessories is just fabulous. But, there are some especially fun items that store owner Beth has been repurposing-- altering them from their original, sometimes unloved or forgotten, states, and giving them new, fresh, fashionable life!

Headbands made from bow ties.

Skirts, shortened and embellished with bows!

Beth graciously answered a few questions for me regarding her recent projects.

A little bit about you? 

I live in lovely Long Beach, California with my husband and one year old daughter. I spend my days at home with my daughter Ruby and together we run Salvage Life from a tiny breakfast nook in my 1923 bungalow. I have a BA in Merchandising and Design from Cal State Long Beach. 

What inspired you to start repurposing vintage pieces? 

I try to look at everything in life through the lens of potential. "What else could this be?" is a question I like to ask if something just isn't working in it's current form. A lot of what I sell isn't altered and it doesn't need altering, but sometimes I run across an item or category that needs a little face lift. My philosophy is to leave quality pieces alone, so I only alter things that are less than 20 years old or have damage of some sort. The backs of the bow ties used for the headbands were damaged and the skirts are from the 90's to the present. 

Do you have any tips for picking pieces to repurpose?

1. Don't destroy the value ~ Many vintage clothing pieces have value that lasts beyond the current season, so don't cut something up that is in perfectly good condition.
2. Leave the sewing to the professionals ~ If you know how to sew well, then reconstruction will be a lot easier, but if you don't there are lots of seamstresses out there who can do it for you.
3. Imagine within reason ~ think of all the things a garment could be become and then balance that with what's in style and what looks good on your body.

Thanks, Beth! I didn't even realize until now that we are Long Beach neighbors. It's just a great area for vintage finds.

Lastly, here's one more fun resource that can be found on Beth's blog, a video on how to properly select vintage clothing for your wardrobe! 

LA Renegade Craft Fair

This is a bit late, but I thought I should still post about how much fun the Renegade Craft Fair at the Los Angeles State Historic Park (which I honestly didn't know existed) was. It took place on July 24 & 25. A bit hot, but so many fantastically talented sellers. Craft fairs are always inspiring, both for sellers & wanderers! Got some goodies, at some yummy crepes, had a blast. Here are some highlights.

The boyfriend and I keeping shady in the sun! 

Adorable plushie letters from lepetiteelefant

 

I love dinosaurs! These cuties are from a tiny little bit's store.

Ain't it the truth? SEIBEI's hilarious shirts.

Squid Ink Kollective's shirts rule--            People (and dogs) staying cool

the bf has narwhal on a segway :)           & enjoying the free photo booth!

    

Urban Craft Center of LA's crafty booth     I covet all of Berkley Illustration's work

Kata Golda's cute display

The New Inspirational Poster

So we've all seen the traditional gag-worthy inspirational posters with the word in all caps below the oh-so-inspiring photo plus tagline (and all of the parody versions that make fun of them). But, the sentiment is nice.  I think the new trend of quote-themed art prints is a brilliant replacement. Anyone who has seen my quote blog, Seed of Wonder, knows that I'm a quote addict. Quick bits of wisdom from some of the greatest writers and thinkers? Yes, please.

Here are some of my favorites currently on Etsy. I covet all of them, but the books print is already hanging on my wall! Not only are the quotes inspiring reminders of how to live life for the better, the details are beautiful to look at! Any room would be lucky to have them.

     

"Wild Air" print by The Wheatfield      Abe Lincoln print by Mary Kate McDevitt

 

Morrissey print by The Black Apple       Jefferson Airplane Rock Blox by SuzannaAnna 

          

Mad about "Mad Men"

My latest Etsy treasury! Check it out here, and leave comment love.  I am enjoying the new season so much, even after just 2 episodes. The show just gets better and better. I really respect show creator Matt Weiner for staying so true to the time period!  

I'm even on a 60s fashion and music kick (probably along with the rest of the fans). I just want to be Joan Holloway (er, Harris). Is that too much to ask? 

Book Worm Treasury

Feeling bookish tonight. Here is the latest treasury. Check it out here! Click to give some love to the sellers & help them get featured. Alright, off to read before bed. How appropriate, no?

Treasury Thursday

Here are some Etsy treasuries that I'm loving this week. 

First, "We go together," curated by Dusty Drawers, who has an ephemera/vintage-inspired jewelry shop that is just as sweet.  I love the theme of pairings and doubles-- so simple, but so poignant. The muted colors are gorgeous, as well. 

Second, "This American Farm," curated by Vint Condition (such a fun & clever store name!). This treasury sets such a mood and era. Reminds me of the Dustbowl, or at least of my last trip through the midwest.

Third, this "1. 2. 3." treasury curated by Candy Crack Creations (check out all the cool key necklaces) is just such a fun concept. Reminds me of those desktop calendars made from photos of numbers, and of cutting up magazines and pasting words together when I was little (no, not for ransom notes!)

Finally, "Retro Kitchen Love" is the mood I've been in lately-- a style I'd love to have in my own kitchen-- is curated by Cookbook Addict. How appropriate! Check out all her vintage cookbooks for sale; so nostalgic. 

Thanks to the wonderful goods from all the sellers and the great design eyes of all the curators! 

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

Treasury in honor of the upcoming trip on Wednesday! Click the link and check out all these amazing Etsy sellers.

Choose Happiness

My latest treasury. I'm gearing up for summer, people... Hope you are too!  Check it out here.

Treasury Thursday

Tonight, I bring you some treasuries that are not only beautiful, but are helping me relax because they remind me of sunshine, spring, warmer weather, the beach, drinking wine and enjoying the blue blue afternoon sky.  If you're an Etsy-er, leave these folks some click & comment love. Both the curators and the sellers deserve it!

1) "Sunsine," curated by Nancy Wallis Designs, is just that-- a little bit of bright peeking through the clouds on this peculiarly cloudy day in Long Beach. The bright yellow is such an eye-catching, pop of color; it makes me want to buy some sunflowers for the dining room.

2) "This Love is Silent," curated by Lesha's Workshop, not only has a lovely & poetic title, but it reminds me of an afternoon picnic in a winery, reading Shakespearean sonnets and watching the sun slowly set. Mmmmm. 

3) "Get on board!," curated by Le Chou Chou (love that name), has one of my favorite themes right now-- nautical! I love the primary colors, the stripes, the simplicity, the vintage nature, the bold graphics, and perhaps most of all, the fact that it reminds me the ocean is just a short jaunt away and I should go enjoy it! Ahoy!

4) Finally, "Golden Teal," curated by Kate & Company Jewelry Designs, is the perfect combination of spring colors-- light aqua & dusty yellow. Makes me excited for dress season, birdies chirping, flowers blooming, and iced green tea. Pure loveliness.

Treasury Thursday

A few favorite Etsy treasuries for this late Thursday evening (or early Friday morning) while sipping my coffee and sitting in my snuggly pants. Mmmmm laziness.

1) This "Through the Viewfinder" Treasury, curated by lesleysico, is a vintage gem. I love the colors and the vibe-- it makes me look so forward to the rest of spring, to warmer weather, to budding flowers, and to beach days. 

2) This "Golden Green" Treasury, curated by PluckingPendants, is such a rich, warm color-- my favorite, in fact. Green is so soothing, and these picks make me want to read a book under a tree.

3) This "Sweet Lilac Dreams" Treasury, curated by outodry,  is just so precious and girly. It makes me long for the day I will have a guest bedroom that I can decorate with soft linens, lace curtains, and lavender sprigs. One day. 

4) Finally, this "Marigolds" Treasury, curated by muppetloon, is so vibrant, I couldn't resist. I'm not usually a big orange fan, but this collection has be so lighthearted and happy that I might have to reconsider.

Artist Spotlight: Sophie Blackall

Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections blog/artwork is amazing. These are my favorites, so far. I want to cover my walls with them. Lots are available for purchase in her etsy shop. 

Embrace Your Inner NERD

Bound to the house the past few days with an awful sore throat, I think the lack of exposure to civilization finally gave me the giggles. I made a treasury this morning/late last night dedicated to our inner nerd. I quite like it. And it features some outstanding sellers, like steppie, whose ninja and panda drawings always make me smile, and Evie Tees, a fairly new seller who features HARRY POTTER shirts! What? I know. Check the treasury out here.