Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe

Black Velvet If You Please

1960s/Camelot Vintage Ben Barrack New York Evening Gown...find it here.

 

 

Safe & Sound

Before we possibly lose power for who knows how long, I just wanted to send my best wishes to my readers who will be affected by Hurricane Irene hitting the East Coast, especially those in NYC, as it seems you will, for certain, be targeted by this crazy storm.  Be as safe & sound as you possibly can be, see you on the other side.

(image courtesy of New York Traveler )

 

Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

 
(photo credit: Elle April 2011 p.166)

"Since its opening on the Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has played a leading role in style and design innovation. Its timeless pieces have been worn by style icons including the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. This exhibition will explore the historical significance of the firm's contributions to jewelry design in the 20th century, including the establishment of Van Cleef & Arpels in New York with the advent of World War II. On view will be more than 350 works including jewels, timepieces, fashion accessories and objets d'art by Van Cleef & Arpels, many of which were created exclusively for the American market. The exhibition will examine the work through the lenses of innovation, transformation, nature as inspiration, exoticism, fashion and personalities, and will include design drawings from the Van Cleef & Arpels archives."  (Smithsonian)

The Perfect Shoes & Arthritis

Half asleep, coffee in one hand, remote in the other and my laptop teetering precariously on my knees as I settle in for my morning routine (well, now you know.)  "If only Anderson Cooper were on CNN in the morning" I think to myself for the one millionth time, waiting for my Yahoo reader to load.

"Daily Blog Check" tab shows a metropolitan ex~housewife has dyed her hair red again, men in Paris are wearing long scarves, Seth Aaron Henderson is coming to RI, Hollister Hovey made the pages of ELLE Decoration UK (congrats!), and The Trad is asking about sweaters....I click.

The sweaters, I concur, are hideous.  But what about that lovely pair of red velvet shoes?   I'm certain he snapped this photo just for me!   Could they still be there?  Where exactly is he shopping?  I read on. 

The Arthritis Thrift Shop
1383 3rd Ave
between 78 & 79th

I giggle...The Trad at The Arthritis Foundation...must be the cold weather...I laugh out loud.  The twinge in my right knee reminds me I'm not that far behind. 

I Google TATS and find a phone number.  I call the number.  A nice guy answers the phone and actually goes looking through the store for the shoes (who says New Yorkers aren't friendly?!)  The painting (which is $750) he finds...the shoes he does not.   I thank him profusely and hang up the phone.

I can practically hear my knee laughing at me, saying "That's what you get!"....

Congrats to whoever beat me to them, let me know if they don't fit....

(photo credit: The Trad)

ONE HOT 'N JAZZY SUMMER LAWN PARTY

Well, despite the greatest effort to NOT miss this fabulous New York event, I once again lost track of the summer weekends and missed the annual "Governors Island Summer Jazz Lawn Party (2010)".  So who knew that last Saturday, the day my Mom and I chose to have her annual yard sale, would be the hottest, muggiest, most humid day of the year so far?   As I sought cover under the colorful beach umbrella we embedded into her front lawn to give us shelter from the sun, little did I know that I had sold out on a chance to attend this fabulous venue for a mere $45.00 . . . well, I really did forget, but for all the unsightly sweating and interacting with strangers all day, I would much rather have endured it at the Jazz Party!   So while I was making a half hearted attempt to pedal my wares, less than four hours away this is what was goin' on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think you can tell, from the all the smiles and the overall glow in the photographs that it was a wonderful success!   Almost everyone (with the outstanding exception of "The Sart" himself, shocking!) dressed for the occasion and did not let the heat be an excuse to be a slob.  A lesson many could learn in our modern, slovenly clad world.  

Take heart, though, if after viewing these lovely photographs (you can find another fabulous set of photos here)  you, too, are kicking yourself silly for not making it to this fabulous venue:  there will be a second lawn party held the weekend of August 28 & 29!!  I'm in, anyone else?????

Just remember, proper dress required!
   
 
 

A SUMMER AT TIFFANY

"Be it a jewel or toy, not the prize gives the joy, but the striving to win the prize." 
~ Owen Meredith (Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton)

While true in many instances of life, this may be one exception to Sir Bulwer-Lytton's poetic quote.  A few weeks ago I learned of a Give~Away via Lily Lemontree.  The host was Sarah of My Little Boudoir, and she was generous enough to host a give~away to win a signed copy of this fabulous book:  

Summer at Tiffany
by Marjorie Hart. 

Having a rare spare minute or two, I entered the give~away and spent a few hours day dreaming (while ironing, that is)  about how great it would be if I actually won...just the cover photograph had sent me reeling into old~world New York...

Half awake, waiting for the coffee to finish perking just after 6:00 o'clock this morning, I opened my "mail" and found this:

Hi Michelle,

Good evening. I wanted to let you know that you were selected (using
random.org) as the winner of the signed copy of "Summer at Tiffany" on
www.MyLittleBoudoir.com!
If you'd like to send me your mailing address, I will get it sent off to you
this week.
Here is the link for the post as a reminder:
http://mylittleboudoir.com/2010/05/01/give-away-signed-copy-of-summer-at-tif
fany-by-marjorie-hart/
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks for your
support...

Best regards,

Sarah
MyLittleBoudoir.com

 

Oh joy of joys!!  The prize giveth the joy! 
Thank you, My Little Boudoir, you made my day!

 

A BIT MORE GRACE

Hello everyone. . .you may have noticed that I "re~posted" (is that a word?) my post about Grace Kelly's fantastic style (it was originally on THE RED VELVET SHOE BLOG).  There is a method to my madness!

I found this in my morning paper one day last week and just had to let you know about it:

I'm sure the gowns will be just amazing!  And the exhibit as well, here is "le link" for you to take a peek!

Let's go to Sotheby's!!

Autumn in New York~~my favorite time of year to be in the city. . .such great walking weather.  Maybe you are fortunate enough to live "in town"~~has anyone seen the exhibit?  I may just have to take a road trip before the month is over. . .which it almost is, isn't it?

Of course if I make it to New York I'll have to do some window shopping at Tiffany's. . .

I'll let you know if I go!   

Michelle