Day 2 of 365: Out to Lunch with Lisa

Day 2 included a sushi lunch date with my friend and long-time vintage partner-in-crime, Lisa. We started at Pop Up Shoppe on NW 23rd - it has been open for sometime now, but I hadn't managed to make it in. Okay, "for some time" turns out to be since 2008, but I'm so used to my regular haunts that it takes a while for me to try someplace new.

I have found over time that most vintage gals come in pairs of shopping buddies. When collecting became full-time for me, Lisa was the gal who hunted dark thrift stores and crowded estate sales with me. During what we affectionately call "The Salad Days" we were both selling media online - the economy was good, and the competition for vintage was low. We went out every Sunday on a vintage time warp, and came back with carloads of goodies. We both had VERY impressive wardrobes. Many of the pieces I bought during that time are what I'm working to fit back into now!

Julie and Lisa before heading out shopping, 2005

Lisa took all the outfit photos today, so all the details were captured! Maybe my favorite thing about the whole ensemble is what you don't see - the cherry print lining in the dress, that only peeks through the eyelet outer layer. Eeks! So cute. We used to have "Christmas" nearly every other Sunday, gifting things we'd found for the other through the week. The bow earrings and blue purse were both gifts from Lisa.

Darling sleeve detail

Aurora Borealis Rhinestone Necklace

Faryl Robin Shoes from the 2008 collection

1950s Cherry Print Lining

Two days down, 363 days, 50lbs and 6" at the waist to go.

Dress: Recently purchased at Magpie
Hat: Borrowed from my own inventory! It's for sale here
Shoes: Faryl Robin - I wish I'd bought five pairs, I'm sad in advance for them wearing out (I know they will.)
Purse and Earrings: Gifts from Lisa
Necklace: Gift
Umbrella: Purchased in a lot
Gloves: Estate sale purchase

365 Days, 365 Outfits, 50 Pounds.

So, I've been trying to come up with something that will motivate me to get blogging. And for something that will keep my motivated to lose weight. They're both challenges for me to be consistent about, for whatever reason.

Then, while at Viva Las Vegas, I met the author of this amazing blog: 365 Vintage Days

If you haven't seen it before, it's absolutely inspiring. She wore 365 completely different 1950s ensembles. My hat is off to her! (Heck, make that all of my hats!)

I'll admit, even being in the business, I don't have *quite* enough clothing - let alone in my current size! to make it through an entire year without a single garment repeat. But, I do love to mix and match separates, find new ways to use and pair the accessories I've got, and - when you count all of my clothing, across all sizes - not an unimpressive collection.

The challenge: Wear a unique vintage ensemble (reproduction pieces may be included) every day for 365 days - I'll start at my current 34" waist and plan to end with a 28" waist, which will allow me to wear pieces in my collection that I haven't put on in over three years. With your encouragement, I know I can make it!

So here we go with Day 1! Hopefully my self-photography skills will improve with time. My options for a place to set the camera were limited - forgive the tree branches!About the ensemble: I love brown with red. It lets the red speak for itself, buts lends a casual feel. Perfect for early spring in Oregon.

Dress: 1940s Red Gabardine Dress from Jumblelaya - this is current favorite, you're sure to see with paired with separated and accessories in varied colors.
Accessories: Wooden Pin, an antique store find. The bakelite is mostly thrifted, but one of the red was a gift from my father when I was 17, and a carved butterscotch from a Christmas present from my ex-husband.
Socks: Purchased deadstock at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender
Shoes: The Remix Scroll Platform Wedge

A Good Man is Hard to Find

So are good designers, who actually have time to work with you, and bother to LISTEN to you about what you want.

I was lucky to have come across Will of Will Thorpe Intelligent Design via my logo contest. He has great communication and really cared about what worked for me and my business.

He's designed multiple logos for my shop - my two signature favorites are from the black and green series:

He created really wonderful gift certificates for me as well, which I'd show here, but I find figure out how to put a "Void" across them! They'll be in the shop again for the 2012 holiday season.

Best of all, I don't  have to do my own banners anymore. I don't know about you, but I HATE photoshop. He's fast, and has a good eye.

You can see the VAST improvement from my own attempts:

Ugh. Yeah.

I had originally looked for a designer on Etsy, but the rates were outside the range I wanted to pay, and their product looked like cookie cutters, producing essentially the same thing for each client. Need a guy who actually pays attention? Contact Will and see what he can do to make your business a little more polished. Speaking of that, I need to be thinking about my summer banners.

It's just so hard when it's SNOWING in March!