the greatest show on earth

circus girl image (upper right) by todd bates

here i am next to my muse and inspiration behind this year's halloween costume - the beautiful ringling bros. & barnum and bailey circus girl pictured above and captured by photographer todd bates. 

isn't she absolutely beautiful? i don't remember how i ran across her picture but i was immediately mesmerized by her and her expression and wondered more than ever what it would really be like to live and travel with the circus. my authentic vintage circus costume was acquired this summer at a yard sale - i almost died when i saw it and couldn't believe it actually fit. i couldn't believe my further luck when i found out the ringling bros. circus would be performing in toledo this halloween weekend - what a crazy coincidence! i just had to snap some pics for the full effect and added a few shots of my circus memorabilia for a little circus montage.

i spent all day saturday running around in this thing and most of today - i never want to take it off! don't think it didn't cross my mind to just sneak into the circus with my costume to join up and run away with them - but, i figure i should stick to working on one dream at a time and i've already got my little vintage shop. :o)

happy tricking & treating!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

mad monster party?

a new halloween eve tradition we've started around here is a viewing of mad monster party, now that it's available on netflix instant. 

this has got to be one of my most favorite things of all time!! i am a huge, huge fan of stop motion animation, especially the vintage stuff - it's so fun to look at all the amazing models and inventive ways they came up with to film splashing water, explosions, and hilarious song & dance numbers. the style and feel is reminiscent of rudolph, the red nosed reindeer but it's a full hour and a half long. 

every frame of this film is gold - it was so difficult just picking out these few to share with you. from the quirky monster characters to the corny jokes, francesca's numerous wardrobe changes to phyllis diller's contagious laugh - this gem from 1967 has got to be one of the funnest ways to get into the halloween spirit! 

happy halloween everyone!!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

DIY print gocco shirt

here are a few pics of a thrifted shirt i embellished with a random triangle pattern using my print gocco (the same process as used for the detachable collar post last week.)

i used the method illustrated in this tutorial since i don't have the gocco hand stamp for fabric printing. it's pretty much like miniature silkscreen printing using a credit card instead of a squeegee and a tiny paper screen instead of a sturdy wooden or aluminum one. i didn't take any pics of the actual process this time, but i'll be doing more printing soon and will make the effort to document it all next time.

i found it pretty challenging to print on this ultra-thin polyester material - the ink went right through to the other side so i had to make sure to have some blotting paper underneath to avoid any smearing or accidents. the fabric was so difficult to control versus paper, which you can easily tape down entirely for a smooth surface, and at one point things started to get really messy. so, after each pass, i ended up using a blow dryer to dry that triangle before moving on to print the next one so i didn't have to worry about getting any of the ink on me or having the shirt fabric fold over on itself causing an unintended smear.  

the design wasn't planned, i just mixed up the colors and spontaneously started printing and adding/overlapping shapes until it felt done. i used to be so controlled about the printing process (you really have to be when you're doing editions) but lately i've been taking a  more improvised approach and using the screen in unplanned ways just to see what happens. the experiments aren't always a successes - i completely ruined a perfectly good thrifted dress trying to print cat heads all over it only to find out my design was way too detailed and looked like big black blobs all over. still, it's fun to try and challenge myself and push my conception of the gocco even farther as an art medium. 

for now, i'm still experimenting with adding embellishments to garments here and there (i will share a  different geometric shirt next week) but i'm already thinking seriously about designing and printing some original fabric for when my sewing skills catch up to my printing skills. this might just have to be a resolution for next year - i've wanted to design wallpaper and fabric with this thing forever. now, that i'm finally starting to learn to sew garments (more on this later) i think it's about time i start experimenting with my own prints.  

so many possibilities... so exciting! 

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

new in the shop -

images: detail from "circus agu" by merav keet / stripe dress w/ navy skirt / "if you lived with the circus" by ann mcgovern cover detail via iconoclassic / red polka dot dress

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these are my two favorite dresses in the shop this week!

i don't know if it's the stripes, the dots or the colors but they both remind me of balloons, vintage carnivals and the circus - so fun! i just finished up a nextflix Carnivale marathon last night but that's not the only reason i've got the carnival/circus on the brain lately - my halloween costume this year is circus-inspired. i've been putting the final touches together and am so excited for this weekend! i'll never tire of the magic and wonder of the circus and the glorious colors and stripes of vintage big tops and sideshow tents - i'm just sure i would have loved to live with the circus.

xoxo
☆ c. emilia ☆

inspiration - helen rödel

truth be told, i've been trying to learn to knit for years but have never managed to keep up with it. i'll learn the basics and then inevitably forget soon afterwards only to end up back at square one time and time again. i promised myself this summer that i would sign  up for a knitting class during the fall and vowed to stick with it but, i have to admit, the entire process still felt a bit daunting. 

then, last month i ran across images from helen rodel's 2011 spring knitwear collection on one sheepish girl and i was instantly smitten. i watched the fashion show above and this documentary right afterwards, which reveals the method/process behind the construction of these amazing pieces to be none other than crochet. crochet?! yes, crochet! and, i realized... that's it! i'd never even considered starting with crochet and had no idea such gorgeous, modern and uber-cute garments could be created - i am still in awe that the popcorn stitch even exists - where have i been?!

so, i went back and looked at more of helen rodel's intricate, exquisite work for inspiration and watched the documentary about ten more times before immediately heading off to my local yarn shop to get started. so far, i've learned three different stitches (mostly through you-tube tutorials) and have made myself an ear warmer/headband for winter which i will share with you soon (from a free pattern i found on ravelry.) 

i am totally obsessed and kind of wish i could just stop everything and crochet all day long. is this normal?! i can't wait until i get a little time to myself this week to get started on my next project - a chunky cowl neck sweater in charcoal gray... so exciting!

xoxo

☆ cristina emilia ☆

library trip

i wasn't kidding last week when i said all those adorable schoolgirl-inspired dresses in the shop were making me excited for a trip to the library. i couldn't wait to get there to look for books on crochet, check out some graphic novels, and peruse this month's fashion magazines! 

can you believe how beautiful, tranquil, lush and bright this space is? the main toledo public library building downtown is truly fantastic and one of my most favorite places in the whole city. check out all those magnificent plants & trees by the reading areas, gorgeous illustrated terrazzo tiles, and the exquisite dale chihuly piece sitting right in the middle of it all! i could hardly believe my eyes when i first came to visit this library - dale chihuly has been one of my favorite artists for as long as i can remember and, on more than one occasion, his work has changed me forever. it makes sense to me now that this piece lives here considering that toledo is the "glass city" and dale chihuly is the glass master.  

this is my schoolgirl outfit of choice - if i had to wear a uniform all over again (yep, twelve years of catholic school right here) i would hope that it would look exactly like this. i don't think i'd have minded school as much if i got to pair this darling aqua jumper with all sorts of shirts underneath and/or skirts over top every day - uniforms should be fashionable and fun, don't you think?

xoxo 

☆ cristina emilia ☆

*outfit details: aqua mini dress/ jumper - vintage, shortened // red long sleeve blouse - vintage // gray ribbed tights - dkny // black suede flats - vintage // brown leather satchel - vintage // locket - the black apple // rings - forever 21

workspace

here's where most of the magic happens! from listings and blog posts to lightroom and photoshop, this little work space of mine is where i end up spending most of my time for the flying carousel. 

i've recently made over my entire work room - rearranging the shelves, moving the desk and apparel hangers, organizing the accessories, and trying to find the most efficient ways to both display and store everything i need on a daily or weekly basis. my room is tiny, and if i could have it my way i would have 3 desks just like this one instead of using this surface as a sewing table, office desk and sometimes clothes and paper depository. but, after this last makeover i'm really starting to fall in love with how tiny it is (so cozy,) the soft light & beautiful views from my desk, and the ballet shoe-pink walls. 

next week i'll give you a bigger peak at the room, including the shelves and hangers that hold all my inventory. for now, enjoy the little details of my workspace that make me smile everyday.  

xoxo

☆ cristina emilia ☆

DIY detachable collar

image: rookie

DIY projects are pretty much my favorite thing ever. so, when i ran across this great tutorial on rookie about making your own detachable collar i was pretty psyched to get started. 

i've been playing with the idea of making a detachable collar - à la miu miu - for some time now but never actually got around to doing it. so, a big thanks to marlena of self constructed freak for putting this tutorial together and motivating me to finally make one for myself! 

above, you'll see my first detachable collar - i started with a purple polyester shirt i got at a garage sale for $1 and used my gocco to add a small pink star to either side. it's subtle (and kinda difficult to see in these pics) but it's adorable and i love it and it's found its way into more than one of my recent outfits. in this outfit, i'm wearing a vintage dress & belt, vintage nine west platform wedges and large gold hoops. 

after owning my gocco for almost 6 years, i only recently started using it on fabric and clothing after finally ordering some fabric ink. and, i've got to say - i'm totally loving it. it's different than printing on paper, and there's a bit of a learning curve with each fabric, but overall i am giddy over the results and possibilities of customizing all sorts of attire. 

i'll be sharing more of these projects with you soon!

xoxo

☆ cristina emilia ☆

*outfit details: vintage brown long sleeve dress // diy detachable collar // peach belt - vintage // rust suede wedges - vintage nine west // large gold hoops

closet visit - "matilde"

i just had to share closet visit's second film "matilde" in case anyone missed it. 

i feel like this takes what fashion bloggers are doing to a whole new level!! combining my obsession w/ video & film with my intense love for fashion - really, what could be better?!!

i have been blog crushing hard on closet visit lately and am so glad that they've added these short film projects to their repertoire. "matilde" is their second short film and it is shot in such a lovely way - from the art direction to the styling, it's all pretty magical. it features closet visit muse and former subject matilde riccardi in a "very whimsical and fairytale-like (way) that conveys her sweet personality and style." 

so beautiful... enjoy!

xoxo

☆ cristina emilia ☆

new in the shop -

i am totally in love with these four amazing schoolgirl inspired vintage dresses that are in the shop right now!

aren't they just darling?!!

i was a bit disappointed when i wasn't able to get the shop up and running in time for september's "back to school" craze. now that it's open and halfway through october, i suppose there really isn't any reason i can't still indulge in one of my absolute favorite looks and fashion inspirations - the schoolgirl's uniform. these dresses really make me want to pack up my books and head off to the library! 

i don't know which one is my most favorite - they're all so darn cute.

wherever you are, whether you're in school or not -  i hope your semester is going great so far!

xoxo

☆ cristina emilia ☆

make any wall into a stage

today, i'd like to share with you a bit of the inspiration behind the creation and concept of the flying carousel.

 from pics of old hollywood starlets to small pieces of paper and ephemera i've been collecting for ages, the items detailed on the inspiration board above have been some of the most influential in determining the direction and aesthetic of the shop besides the actual vintage pieces themselves.

while developing the particulars, i was feeling a bit obsessed with all things french (as i often am) and i came to the conclusion that i wanted the store to have the look and feel of a vintage french carousel. i imagined that if i eventually had a physical location for the store it must, of course, have a working vintage french carousel right in the very center adorned with gold trim & hundreds of sparkling lights (well, a girl can dream can't she?) the glimmer and shine, the muted pastels and fairytale-like ambiance of the vintage carousel - this is the essence i would like to capture.

i've always loved the carousel as a metaphor for the passing of time ("something wicked this way comes" was a favorite as a kid) and it seems particularly relevant in the case of vintage clothing. these special pieces are experiencing a rebirth as they find themselves being worn, cared for and new again - afresh with modern relevance as a cycle comes full circle. 

i wanted to make sure the elements of whimsy and curiosity were central to the concept, beyond the normal amount you would experience on a carousel ride, and also wanted to evoke a sense of imagination and creativity that takes inspiration from every time and everywhere to create a unique style or beauty never seen. so, i chose to incorporate the concept of flight into the name - to add that visionary element of the endless possibilities of the creative soul. 

here's a quick rundown of what's on the board:

1. bette davis - i share a birthday w/ her and from a very young age i secretly thought this made me a just a tad more glamorous (ha, ha.) her confidence & intensity = legendary.                         

2. queen of hearts - i absolutely adore this particular set of vintage alice in wonderland illustrations       

3. illustration detail from "your demise is inevitable" by eve englezos & josh moutray of icecreamlandia. i've been carrying around this packet of illustrations since 2006 when i bought it at SPX b/c they are really, really great.

4. beautiful hand-made paper from nepal.                  

5. vintage fashion illustration - i love the drama and use of negative space here

6. luxe cream stationery with detailed french crown rubber stamp.

7. page from "aggregate sampler"- a gathering of artists proofs from the making of aggregate memory by lisa onstad & macy chadwick. simply beautiful - this work inspires me endlessly.

8. detail from a postcard featuring "bound / unbound"- a painting by rajkamal kahlon.

9. cake wrapping paper from paper source.

10. gorgeous pattern on the back of each "your demise is inevitable" illustration card.

11. louise brooks in a black tutu - where my obsession with the dark bobbed haircut began. lovely.

12. the perfect muted, vintage yellow.

13. another page from "aggregate sampler."

14. detail from a "DIY gift box"rubber stamp - just cut, score and fold!

15. alice - oh, how i love her look.

16. carousels - all kinds - from muted vintage french carousels to their colorful, modern day counterparts.

17. vintage fashion illustration - so simple, so cute!

18. handmade japanese paper - reminiscent of vintage carnival or circus stripes.

19. luxe cream stationery with cursive "bonjour" 

20. veronica lake looking adorable in a military outfit. the juxtaposition of feminine / masculine elements is one of my most favorite fashion formulas to toy with - i'm a total sucker for uniform and military-inspired looks and veronica does an absolutely smashing job here. 

i hope you enjoyed this "behind the scenes" tour of what inspires me!

xoxo

☆ cristina emilia ☆

hello... and, welcome!

i'm cristina emilia - a rookie online vintage shop owner & first-time blogger - and i'm so excited to finally have this blog up and running to connect with you!

i'm an east coast girl whose currently living in the midwest but wishing she was on the west coast. it's been a dream of mine to own my very own vintage shop since i was 19 so the fact that it's happening now - after all these years and detours through life - and, that i have a chance to document and share the process with you is beyond exceptional.

the blog was inspired by the girls (and guys!) i read and follow every week - you'll find my favorites in my "inspiration" list. these amazing, creative & passionate bloggers have given me the courage to say - "why not?" - and take a chance with my starting my own blog to share my life and loves with you!

i think it's going to be a blast - won't you take a ride w/ me on the flying carousel?

xoxo

*outfit details: black bowler hat - vintage // blue & cream pattern shirt - vintage // mustard & cream pattern bow tie - vintage // gray shorts - thrifted, shortened // rust tights - ASOS // black 99 wedges - jeffrey campbell // black purse - vintage