Showing posts with label dresses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dresses. Show all posts

Monday, April 9, 2012

the older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune

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happy monday to you! and... happy birthday to me! :o) yep, it's official - i'm 37 years young as of last thursday (4/5) and i'm not exaggerating when i say this was definitely my best birthday yet! 

to tell you the truth, i had sort of been dreading this birthday - i was feeling old & uninspired as the days approached and certain the day would pass w/out any real excitement to speak of. but, my sweetie had other plans - including a gorgeous box of the most luxurious macarons this side of the atlantic, a bunch of colorful balloons, and a relaxing picnic in the sun. it was perfect - the sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom, i was with my love and i had a special birthday outfit picked out just for the occasion.


you may remember the diy red lace 'miu miu' spring capelet i made and shared with you last week. well, i used the same tutorial by FtAshion to create another special capelet for my birthday using textured mint green cotton fabric & a candy pink velvet ribbon. i've really been obsessed w/ pastels lately - mint green & pink especially - so i decided to combine the two in this capelet for a whimsical fairytale or children's book feel. i used a bit more fabric with this one than the last to give it more of a romantic 'bunched up' look in the back. funny thing is, i originally bought this dot-textured mint green fabric years ago to make curtains for my sewing room and ended up ultimately making pretty much a valence through which i inserted a ribbon instead of a curtain rod and now call a capelet! ha, ha. 


the dress is probably the most amazing vintage piece i own - a gorgeous 1950's betty draper-style white cotton dress - simple, elegant and in near perfect condition. the fabric is so lush & heavy - the craftsmanship so impeccable... and, it fits like a dream. every time i think about selling it i hear a voice in my head that screams, "are you crazy?! you will never find a dress like this again!" i paired it with my white 'marilyn monroe heels' and a vintage gold Monet chain that belonged to my sweetie's grandmother and i couldn't have felt more feminine. 


overall, it the was the absolute perfect day - the highlight being those incredible parisian macarons from L'Artisan. i can honestly say that those macarons are the best things i ever eaten in my life. period. not the best macarons i've ever eaten, the best things i've ever eaten ever! i could on and on about how amazing these macarons were but i'd probably have to write a novel or at the very least a lengthy thesis to properly describe the emotions & sensations i experienced while eating these little masterpieces. i think i actually described them as "demonic" and "obscene" at points b/c they were just that mind-blowingly, intensely good - total foodgasm. i can't even imagine what they must taste like fresh - my god! i think a trip to san francisco to find out is a definite MUST!! my favorite was the vanilla bean - the cream in the middle is most certainly the closest one gets to heaven on earth, i assure you. i've been walking on cloud 9 for days since eating these macarons and the dreamy haze hasn't worn off yet. these macarons are life-changers, i tell you. life changers!


xoxo
 emilia 

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

inspiration - bora aksu & the realms of the unreal

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images: new york magazine

i don't usually pay a huge amount of attention to most of new york & london fashion week but couldn't help but notice bora aksu's autumn/winter 2012 collection at lfw this year. i am absolutely smitten with the london-based turkish designer's gorgeous collection which he has described as "romantic with a darker twist" and was entirely based on the story and accompanying watercolor illustrations of henry darger's in the realms of the unreal, with bora's girls mimicking darger's seven vivian sisters. check out this fascinating huffington post uk article to learn more about how the epic story influenced the collection on all levels.

i am particularly enamored by the "fantasy heroin" aspect of the collection as expressed through the gorgeous color palette, contrasting silhouettes, rose brocade, and sweet bows, collars & crochet trims. the knit dresses are also a marvel and those patterned tights are to die for - so lovely paired with all the interesting fabrics, wallpaper-inspired prints & textures throughout. my absolute favorite look is the bubblegum pink georgette & brocade dress with peaked shoulders and lamé collar - fierce and sweet!

this site has even larger pics of the collection including shots from the back that are well worth taking a look at for the impeccable details... just phenomenal!

xoxo
 emilia 

Thursday, February 23, 2012

inspiration - red valentino

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images: style.com

red valentino's fall 2012 lookbook is pretty much all a girl could ever ask for - at least one that has always dreamt of fairy tales, faraway places, and magical & extraordinary things. i love the thought of living in an animated world just like the backdrops for this adorable collection. 

i've been a big fan of red valentino's creations each season but am particularly smitten with this collection as it embraces a soft sweetness and a harder gothic darkness with equal weight while featuring a lot of interesting structural & textural elements. there are more than a few details from this collection that i'll be appropriating for my own spring & summer wardrobe - most notably altering a few of my skirts to mini-bubble skirts and adding pom pom fringe to a future pleated skirt design. i'm really loving the modern mini skirt silhouettes, gorgeous knit pieces (so crazy about that first dress) and all the vintage inspired touches throughout.

i'm also incredibly intrigued by that plush outfit as i've been madly attracted to materials like old quilts, vinyl, leatherette & plush teddy bear fabric lately for making pleated skirts but don't have the kind of sewing machine you need to handle those heavy-duty materials. it seems like i'm going to have to look into getting a tougher machine soon that can handle my wild imagination. and, maybe some of my very own hand drawn, snow white-inspired wallpaper as a backdrop for my real-life fairytale!

xoxo
 c. emilia 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

inspiration - meadham kirchhoff

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you've probably already seen pics of meadham kirchhoff's S/S 2012 collection floating around, but i just had to add my two cents in as this is one of the most exciting collections i have ever seen in my life, ever, and i'm pretty much in love with every single aspect of it down to the tiniest detail.

i don't even know where to start - the pastels, the bright colors, the stork feathers & pom-poms or the playful nods to harajuku girls, marie antionette and all those beloved lisa frank & sanrio stickers from my youth! this collection kinda makes my head explode - i want to wear every single piece of the collection so i can finally get a "deranged dolly" look going full swing. i am loving the pastel make-up and big, crazy hair as well and will definitely be borrowing heavily from these looks for spring (although probably toning it down a bit!)

i can't even fully articulate what about this collection has got me so gaga - it's so overwhelmingly pleasing that i'm pretty much speechless. it's just pretty much a perfect mixture of all the color, texture & imagery i love in life wrapped up & tied with gorgeous beaded bows & feather pom poms... *swoon*!

really, i can't say it enough - this collection kills me dead.

xoxo
 c. emilia 

Friday, December 23, 2011

happy holidays to all!

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have a wonderful holiday weekend, everyone!  i hope all of your christmas wishes come true...

xoxo
 c. emilia 

*outfit details - vintage red velvet dress / ASOS white tights w/ hearts / secondhand mary janes / diy pink velvet hair bow

Thursday, December 22, 2011

new in the shop -

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well, it's better late than never...

i've finally added a few vintage holiday party dresses to the shop just in time for that special new year's eve bash you may be attending. i meant to add a small handful of party dresses last month before the holiday season began but somehow this entire month has gotten away from me with all the preparations for christmas. it's been a cheery, wondrous, glee-filled holiday season so far and i'm excited to gather with friends & family this weekend to celebrate.

the shop will be having a 20% OFF SALE starting christmas day and running through january 5th, 2012 to celebrate the "twelve days of christmas," or christmastide. that means 20% off of everything in the shop - what a great way to say goodbye to 2011 and kick off the new year! 

xoxo
 c. emilia  

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

a madeline christmas

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here's a quick peak at my god-daughter amelia's christmas gift this year - a vintage french schoolgirl-inspired outfit complete with dress, hat, coat, satchel and plush madeline doll.

can you believe i scored these amazing finds at an estate sale this summer up in detroit? the sale was the biggest i'd ever seen featuring vintage children's items with a ton of 60's and 70's vintage girls' clothing, toys, and decor. the most bizarre thing is that these items weren't together and i didn't even realize i had all the pieces for the ensemble until i got home. the satchel was pointed out by a friend in the basement and the coat i found near it inside a paper bag, all rolled up and dusty. the hat i found in a second bedroom upstairs, also super dusty and buried under a pile of stuff. i love vintage hats, so i bought it for myself and didn't realize until i had gotten home that it was a tiny child's hat complete with ribbons and way too small for my big head. the madeline plush i rescued from a pile of old toys and the dress from a random closet with a million things scattered about.

i'm pretty sure amelia doesn't read my blog yet since she's not even 3, so i don't think it's going to spoil the surprise if i share these pics before i wrap everything up and send it off. plus, i already sent pics to her mama the second i pieced the ensemble together months ago so she knows it's coming. i can't wait to see pics of amelia in her little french schoolgirl inspired outfit!! it's going to be a couple of years until she can fit into it but i'm sure the wait will be well worth it!

xoxo
 c. emilia 

Monday, December 12, 2011

inspiration - lu flux

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images: lu flux

i've really been digging on lu flux's spring/summer 2012 collection lately - the candy colors, polynesian details and her signature witty playfulness. if you're not familiar with lu flux, she's based in london and makes all of her garments out of organic, reclaimed & vintage materials so as to consume less and reduce waste. this is ethical clothing at its most luxurious and takes the concept of making something new from something old to a whole new level. 

i'm also totally in love with the styling of this collection - that cotton candy hair and the nude heels are just the perfect mix of classic elegance and whimsical eccentricity. if you haven't look at lu's past collections, do yourself a favor and check them out for a real treat - i love the modern shapes & styling and her knit & antiquated patchwork pieces are not to be missed. take my word for it - you will be inspired!

xoxo
 c. emilia 

Saturday, December 10, 2011

new in the shop - vintage 80's

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i just added a few vintage 80's pieces to the shop today and thought i'd share my favorites with you here.

it isn't often that i come across 80's vintage clothing that both fit my body and style but, i have to admit - i'm really loving the fierce, edgy silhouette that shoulder pads can add to a look and how slimming they can be... those broad shoulders really accentuate & slim the waist! vintage leotards under skirts are my new favorite thing ever - i love the added layer without the added bulk - super versatile. throw in a siouxsie-style casual black stripe dress and navy blue shrug w/ cream applique border trim and you've got yourself some classic vintage 80's threads.

i hope you're having a great weekend so far!

xoxo
 c. emilia 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

indian summer

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here are a few pics i snapped in my back yard earlier this week before that crazy indian summer weather  hit. 

i'm wearing the most fabulous vintage lavender knit dress, which is available in the shop now. it is so comfortable & cozy and the most beautiful shade of purple you've ever seen -  it mixes so well with all those yellows, oranges and browns of the falling leaves and adds just the right pop of color to the autumn landscape. 

it goes rather perfectly with my big orange reading chair - don't you think? this chair lives on our porch all year long and i drag it out to read, crochet or drink tea by the maple tree on sunny days. autumn is the best time for this but there aren't too many more days left for me to sit in my big orange chair and daydream while watching the clouds float by. maybe i'll be lucky enough to have one or two more chances this month before winter weather sets in.

i hope you are enjoying your week so far!

xoxo
 c. emilia 

*outfit details: vintage lavender knit dress // dyed vintage full slip // vintage leather belt // "jenn" platform heels - jeffrey campbell // vintage beaded purse // miniature heart necklace - michelle change

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

hygienic dress league

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here are some pics of two new pieces i just added to the shop - a fantastic bold & bright vintage geometric print shift dress and hip ivory rain coat.

i took these pics in front of the new hygienic dress league mural that popped up on the "pythian castle" building in downtown toledo recently. the hygienic dress league is a husband & wife street art team / corporation from detroit who use gorgeous advertising-style pieces to spotlight abandoned buildings and self-promote their faux brand. if you have a minute, watch the video below to learn more about their art and process.

during the shoot, i was approached by a homeless man who said he had lived in toledo for forty-two years and had never once seen this building used for anything. word on the street is that it belongs to a very wealthy out-of-towner who comes to visit the site every decade or so but has yet to turn it into something. no one knows why he holds on to it or if he ever plans on doing anything with it - either way i'm really grateful that the hygienic dress league blessed our fair city with one of their amazing street art pieces. this mural really pops - it brings a smile to my face and a boldness & hipness to toledo that we can really use.

xoxo
 c. emilia 

*outfit details: vintage geometric print dress // vintage ivory rain coat // black sheer diamond pattern tights - dkny // black suede slouchy boots - guess // black leather bag w/ bow - jessica simpson // black fabric belt - vintage // rings - forever 21
video: donna terek - the detroit news