Why Vintage?

My latest musings and thoughts have been set towards vintage clothing. Why do I dress the way that I do? What is the true appeal of vintage and pre-owned goodies? After asking myself these questions, I came up with a few illustrated answers I think are worth sharing.

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{This top was a thrift store find. It is a smooth silk and judging by the construction it was hand made. A huge bonus to it's handmade quality, it fits like it was made for my body measurements!}

Vintage styling can be an expression that says "Hey! I'm not so down with main stream culture!" In a way it is a rebellion against status quo. I am not completely dissing contemporary fashion and style, I am merely expressing my freedom of choice. Mixing vintage with modern is a great way to have a very full and rich wardrobe.  

{This dreamy mint colored sun dress is another thrift store find. My heart jumped a little when I saw it. I also squealed with joy when it fit perfectly.}

By wearing vintage I am paying tribute to women I look up to. Women such as my grandmothers, mother, and aunts. These are people who worked hard and looked great doing it! I was raised by my mother to take pride in how I dressed. A person's impression of another is strongly based on looks. Why not put your best foot forward? There is a certain great feeling that comes with dressing well.

 {This funky beauty was a generous gift from Kelsie McNair, owner of the vintage boutique With Lavender and Lace in Norfolk, VA. Check out the facebook and give it some likes :-) Thanx Babe!}

On a more material level, I feel like I am rescuing and reusing something that is a quality made item. If it can last as long as it has, it was made right the first time. Some people may have qualms with used clothing but once laundered or tailored most clothes can be good as new.

{I scored these lovely shoes at an antique store in Richmond. Having a size 9 & 1/2 can prove to be a challenge in the shoe world. When I do find great shoes in my size I almost always buy them.}  

 It is all in the details. Small cut out shapes, intricate laces, screen printed patterns, etc. Vintage clothing tend to have amazing and quirky details. It is this attention to detail that makes a piece of clothing unique.

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What vintage or reused beauties get you excited about dressin up?

Girl's Gotta Eat

Monday of last week, Robbie got his wisdom teeth pulled out. {OUCH!}

Trying to live up to the saintly nature of my namesake, I decided to create this wellness soup for my dearest. Fortunately, this soup is not only healthy, but it is tasty! 

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To make this gloriously green soup, you only need a few ingredients that you may already have in your fridge and pantry. 

3-4 handfuls of dark leafy greens {baby spinach, baby chard, & baby kale}

1/2 cup chopped onions

2-3 large garlic cloves {peel & chop}

1 teaspoon salt

4-5 grinds of fresh black pepper

2 cups veggie or chicken stock 

1 tablespoon butter or earth balance 

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Directions:

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When I tasted this soup I fell in green leafy love. To make it into a meal, I put together a few simple snacks. Frozen grapes are super simple but a snappy cool treat in the summer. Avocado wedges on top of goat cheese cream cheese is a delicious topper for my favorite water crackers. 

Hope you all try this delicious soup and add some veggies into your daily meal routine. It would be an easy recipe to alter to your taste. You could easily change it up by using different veggies or by simply adding a hard cheese such a parmesan cheese. 

Heat Wave

     
 Summer weather has officially arrived in Ghent. Everyone I know is taking shelter at a cafe, local shops, or any place with air conditioning.The Impressed studio has yet to receive this modern gift of A.C. What this weather has brought us is extra quick, extra strong drying power for the kitchen towels I dyed this week. It is fun to pretend that the apartment is actually in some tropical Caribbean city. The bright citrus colors of the towels hanging from the fire escape railings truly add a Carnival kind of feel to the place. Thank you to summer for such lovely musings and free and natural drying methods.

Post Test Tie Dye Day

    Here are some results from my tie dye test day. I am very pleased with the results, apart from the mess in my studio. These brilliant colors were well worth the wait. Avocado, Aqua Marine, Raspberry, and Golden Yellow mix and meld together to create joyful kaleidoscope.    

 

Above is an example from the Spiral technique.  

 

This Avocado and Aqua Marine beauty was created from the Fan Fold technique. 

  

Remember the "Carrot"? Pictured above is the carrot unraveled. 

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The rest of these pretty things were free styles. What do you think?

 

After these successes I am super excited for Saturday and to share these techniques!