The Highs and Lows of Online Secondhand Shopping

On Saturday, I experienced the distaff sides of online shopping.
Two packages, two distinct experiences.

The first that I tore into came from Suzanne Carillo's VintageBySuzanne Etsy Shop.

Look! It's a present!

Suzanne blogged about this item and as soon as I read her words "it’s just not my vibe" I pounced.

Cool buttons!

It is my vibe it most certainly!

Package number two: Fluevog Supervog Safety Oxfords, purchased on eBay.
A "smile" greeted me as I opened the envelope
(Yes, I paid $14 postage for shoes wedged into a tyvek shipping envelope without any padding).
This was not a happy smile to see:

[Thinks to self: On noooooo. Expensive cobbler repair. Let's see how they fit].
[On dear. They were very large looking].
Advertised as Size 7.5, they were MEN's 7.5.
10" footbed - 1.5" too long! And both shoes have the sole splitting issue in front.
Damn. They are really pretty (albeit heavy) shoes.

Comparing sizes: a shoe that fits, a shoe that doesn't.

I went back online to check the photos of the listing to see if I'd overlooked the flaws, and to see how the sizing had been described, but the detail photos and additional description [which I didn't know about before. EBay newbie, me] were gone.
I asked for a refund and was issued a purchase price refund, without the shipping. So perhaps this is how the seller makes his money? I don't know. I messaged the seller to see if he wanted them returned, crickets.
I guess their destiny is my Poshmark shop. Sigh.

Have you experienced any online shopping highs or lows? Do tell!

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday.
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup

#SecondHandSeptember Household items

Originally "homewear" in the prompt, I'm figuring today's second hand items are appliances, furniture, rugs, etc. (Kitchenware is on 9/27).
I already showed you about our (literally) massive collection of used washers and dryers.
We also got our fridge off Craigslist!
[I will add a photo when I find one. Later.]

Just last week, a friend was clearing out space in her apartment and she gave me her flat files.
I can fit all the larger unframed artworks in these. They are currently stacked on top of the metal flat files also shown in the above link.

Yet another corner of the living room gets cleaned up. Yay!
That lasted about two hours.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

#SecondHandSeptember Charity Shopping Like a Pro

Let's refer to the notes I took back in 2012 at the TxSC (Texas Style Council) Conference during a Thrifting 101 Field Trip to Savers:

Link to photos from the shopping trip

Can you read my scribbles? The most important notes:

Shopping tips:
Pay attention to fave areas, start there
Keep running shopping list
[Quality garments have] inside as good as outside
[To determine] when a piece made:
Zipper metal - pre 70's
ILGWU Union label will date [helpful link]

Things to bring:
Measuring tape
Hand sanitizer
Flashlight to see holes

Wear:
Tank
Leggings
so can try things on over

Wash everything when you get home
Biz for stains (if no metal on garment)
Dryelle [at home dry cleaning product]
How to remove smells from leather via Suzanne Carillo
More cleaning advice from Suzanne

Best advice of all:
Instead of measuring a garment for fit by holding it up to your waist,
hold it from your navel to the middle of your back!
genius, right?


Have any additional advice? Add in the comments!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

#SecondhandSeptember Online Secondhand Shops

EBay
I only recently started shopping off of eBay. I believe I held off from fear of getting addicted. Also the bidding thing was off-putting, annoying (getting out-bid at the last minute), and too tempting in the "getting invested in the bidding itself and paying too much" issue. I favor the "Buy it now" deals.
Then there are the eBay Alerts. A problematic situation in terms of my Fluevog obsession.
Every morning in my email this:

Those oxfords. The "new match" has been taunting me for at least a month!
Someone with a 7.5 foot buy them, please!

Craigslist
is great for household items
I got these flat files years ago:

[black lettering from original owner]

Then there was the day Severo discovered the "free on the curb" section of Craigslist:

disclaimer: this includes the broken washer and becoming broken dryer (on right) that we replaced

I'll leave it at these Big Two.
Maybe you have a favorite smaller site? (aside from Poshmark, which I discussed on Day 5)
Add it in the comments section -- OK to paste links.
Or add a visual/blog link to the Link Up Party!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

#SecondhandSeptember Reasons to Buy Secondhand

Oxfam is the instigator of #secondhandSeptember and this morning I went to the source:

View this post on Instagram

Today is the first day of #SecondHandSeptember! Are you wearing your upcycled shirt? Your second hand shoes? Celebrate with us by regramming this film and find out why we are saying no to new clothes to protect the planet and beat poverty! #SustainableFashion #ClimateChange

A post shared by Oxfam GB (@oxfamgb) on Sep 1, 2019 at 12:11am PDT

Inspiring, yes? I think that sums up 2) Reasons to buy secondhand nicely.

photo by Aaron "tango" Tang

My first visit to a charity shop or thrift store or secondhand shop (that I remember) was the summer of 1971. I bought a red button down shirt with a Peter Pan collar (what ever happened to that?), a long sleeved thermal "dress/slip" (it was upstate NY!), and a gingham midi skirt that I wore well into the 80s.
[cannot find photo. Will add when I do]

But wait! Didn't I get my most favorite skirt ever at a church tag sale in Troy, NY in the spring of 71? I'm thinking maybe! Or not (after finding the post for the link).

Our first foray into "shopping" secondhand was probably raiding our mom's closets, amiright? We all tried on Mom's shoes. I swiped her striped Skyr turtlenecks. Bwahahahaha. Sorry, Mom.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Harlequin Rainbow

Did you see it on Instagram? The $6 silk Ungaro shirt that I got last Sunday?
I wore it on Wednesday:

Ommmmmm. Taste the rainbow.

I wore it on Thursday:

Glowing in afternoon light.
I must walk around with my arms extended at all times.

It's beautifully made. French seams inside:

Perfectly aligned pocket and center front:

Covered buttons.

All I can say is Ooh La La!

Tomorrow my mission is obtaining the Hula Pie plate. (See last week's post)
Hula Pie is A Thing, BTW. A Kimo's of Lahaina Town, Maui thing.

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike

52 Pick-me-up: Topaz / Enlightenment / Courage

••• 

Today, a rainbow vomited all over me:

I had pulled the leggings for TOPAZ week, but was having trouble styling them.
Why not go full pattern on pattern?
Time will tell if this look leaves the back patio.
Courage, right?

How about the shoes????

I have been bragging on Pinterest and Facebook about these treasures.
Snagged Friday at a local charity shop (Silver Lining on Washington Blvd in Culver City) for $60.
They are the most beautifully made pair of footwear I have ever handled.

Handmade in El Paso by Tres Outlaws, they are still available new online for $2500!!!!!
Yes, they are alligator and yes, they are slightly creepy. And they have extra long pointy toes.
This video came to mind when I tried them on:

I'll be linking with Patti's Visible Monday.

Topaz / Enlightenment / Courage: link and tell!

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Quest for that Special Dress

CREATED/ LINKS/ 

Tonight the final episode of Season 2 of L.A. Frock Star airs on the Smithsonian Channel at 9pm.
Where did the time go? This past week has been super crazy and I posted my One to Watch on social media via Instagram but never got the time to write up a blog post.

Here is my One to Watch from episode five, Quest for that Special Dress, Lauren Thompson, the director of L.A. Frock Stars.

Link for the video clip.

I'll post the sketch from tonight's episode as soon as I get it done on Instagram like I did with the above. I can't predict WHEN that will happen. I've got a lot of last minute stuff to do for my art exhibition that went up last Sunday. The opening reception is this Saturday, 5-8pm at TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica (details here). What on earth will I wear?

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- The Frock Market

CREATED/ LINKS/  

This week, my one to watch is Mara Hruby, a singer/songwriter from Oakland, CA.
Mara needed a dress for her gig at The Mint. I sketched the second dress that she tried.
You can see her perform in the dress that she chose in this video:

I also found this interview on YouTube:

A highlight of Episode 4 was Doris and Sarah traveling to Chicago to a most amazing estate sale.
I still can't get over how the whole second floor of the house was packed full of things to wear.

Here's the link to a clip.

Only two more new episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel on Thursdays at 9pm.

They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

Breaking news! 
Doris will be doing a live Facebook Chat on the L. A. Frock Stars page next Monday, April 13 at 11am PST.

The Way We Wore asked me to join in to ask a question. Alas, I'll be at the day job (making plaids, no doubt) so will one of you attend in my stead? Thanks, dolls!

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Golden Age of Hollywood

CREATED/ LINKS/ 

Rai Alexandra is my muse from L.A. Frock Stars, Episode 3. There were many many great moments in this episode, including Shelly and Sarah visiting Damon Devine, Yma Sumac's former personal assistant. (Link to video clip).

This week, Rai is the one who lit up the screen for me*. When she emerged from the dressing room in this Christian Dior-inspired pouf dress -- GODDESS ALERT! She absolutely glowed!

(screen grab from L.A. Frock Stars)

New episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel every Thursday at 9pm.
They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

*I can't sketch Shelly every episode -- or can I?

[added 4/11]

This post was selected for IFB's Links à la Mode, Thursday 4/9 edition.
Check out these other posts sharing the spotlight, including my blogging buddy Suzanne Carillo:

• A Handful of Stories: Shooting Outfit Posts With the Olympus OMD-EM10
• Attire Club: The Men’s Guide to Wearing Pastel Colors
• Bibi Shelter: Jeremy Scott for Adidas Original Fragrance Launch
• Charlotte Lucy: Alexander McQueen/Nick Waplington: Working Process at The Tate
• Flip Flops and Furs: A Benefit for Scotty’s House
• Funky Jungle: 5 Fashion ‘Must Haves’ I Don’t Own
• A Glamorous Revelation: To Write Love on Her Arms
• Jodie’s Touch of Style: Leggings With a Tunic After 50
• Ms. Fabulous: Winners of the 6th Annual Fashion 2.0 Awards
• Prime Butterfly: 5 Magazine Trends That Need to Die in 2015
• Purushu Arie: Celebrating the Spirit of the Seventies
• Riva la Diva: Easy DIY Valentino-Inspired Dress Tutorial
• Ri(t)ch Styles: How to Pick the Right T-Shirt for a Guy
• Sly on the Wall: A Hair Story
• Spy Girl: L.A. Frock Stars—Golden Age of Hollywood
• Storybook Apothecary: Swimwear Looks for Every Style
• Suzanne Carillo: 10 Important Life Lessons I Learned From Watching Mad Men
• That Paki Blog: Illustrating Pakistan Fashion Week by Mahoor Jamal
• TLV Birdie: Watch Your Mouth
• Wear It Fair: Vintage Styles for Work, Rest and Play

SPONSOR: Shopbop Coupons: Theperfext, Katin, and Black Wedges,
Sperry Men’s, French Trotters, Red Heels, Nude wedges, Plaid Dresses,Leather & Lace Dresses

Want to be featured in Links à la Mode?
Read the clarified rules and submit your links on this page: Links à la Mode.

Spy Girl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Vintage Rebranded

CREATED/

Episode 2 of L.A. Frock Stars aired last night, did you happen to catch it?
One of my favorite scenes was when Doris and Shelly Lyn visited the studio of
costume "jeweler to the stars" Joseff of Hollywood.
(Here's a video clip of that part).

I love Shelly Lyn. She is a Goddess.
She said something about respecting the "ratios" of one's body in Episode 1.
I must get her to elaborate on that now that we're Instagram pals!
You can see examples of her amazing jewelry designs here at Reikolyn.

New episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel every Thursday at 9pm.
They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars -- Vintage Ninja

CREATED/ 

Did you catch the premiere of L.A. Frock Stars Season 2 on the Smithsonian Channel?
It's lots of fun and informative too.

Episode 1: Vintage Ninja has us join Doris, the owner of  the Hollywood Boutique The Way We Wore®, in New Hope, PA attending the Whitaker Auction. She finds and bids on some boxes of real treasure -- castoffs from FIT's (Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC) archives. Oh how I wish I could rifle through those boxes! We also get to watch the store staff pull garments for stylist Seth Chernoff who is looking for garments for Tori Spelling.

I sketched Doris in her "vintage ninja" treasure hunting outfit:

New episodes will air on the Smithsonian Channel every Thursday at 9pm. They are rebroadcasted, check this link, then click on the specific episode for air times.
The same link will also lead you to streams of all six episodes of Season 1 (for now).

Who will I sketch next week? Come back next Friday to find out!

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. 
The above verbiage is all mine.

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frock Stars

I have been invited to preview: 
L.A. FROCK STARS on the Smithsonian Channel 
PREMIERING THURSDAY, MARCH 19 AT 9PM ET/PT

Sophomore Season Once Again Features Vintage Fashion Guru
Doris Raymond and Her Hollywood Boutique The Way We Wore®
Smithsonian Channel will premiere the second season of its critically-acclaimed original series L.A. FROCK STARS, which follows the doyenne of Hollywood vintage, Doris Raymond, and her Los Angeles shop The Way We Wore®, on Thursday, MARCH 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The new season will be comprised of six hour-long episodes. Among those who stop by The Way We Wore during the season are burlesque artist Dita von Teese, designer Jeremy Scott, actress Debi Mazar, actress Kirsten Vangsness, top Hollywood stylist Jen Rade, American Horror Storycostume designer Lou Eyrich, stylist to the stars Seth Chernoff and Academy® Award-winning costume designer Mark Bridges.

In a series US Weekly called “a feast for the fashion lover’s eye,” and the New York Times said was both “refreshing” and “engaging,” L.A. FROCK STARS features Raymond and her colorful staff assisting an endless stream of clients, from celebrity stylists to top fashion designers, all searching relevant pieces of vintage fashions from the past. Raymond is prized for her tenacity in finding hidden gems and for her encyclopedic knowledge of designer fashion. Back for season two are store manager and vintage virtuoso Sarah Bergman, and sales associate Shelly Lyn, who is close to launching her The Way We Wore inspired jewelry line. A new face this season is assistant store manager Angelika Sjostrom, a recent vintage convert, whose intelligence, enthusiasm and cheerful disposition have made her an invaluable asset to the store.

Raymond, an expert in the history of vintage clothing, has been buying and selling vintage clothing for over thirty years. Her boutique sells women’s fashions from the 1900’s to the ‘80’s, ranging from high profile designers to the world's most iconic fashion figures such as Versace, Chanel, Halston, Dior and more. Over the years, Raymond has also supplied wardrobe for numerous film and television productions, including Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle.

[most of the text above is from the Smithsonian Press Release]

Stay tuned for episode recaps and some Digital Catwalk action, Fridays after each episode airs.
Meanwhile, I want to brush up on Season One, which I somehow missed.

Here's Doris! (just her head -- can't reveal the whole sketch until March 20!) 

See interviews with the store staff and more on Smithsonian.com

TARDIS meets Marie

PURCHASED/ GIFTED/ 

Here are more blue items from my closet to comply with Maricel's TARDIS Tuesday link-up.

Having suffered from a hellish week of color matching output on a color laser printer (the activity that I loathe most at work), I opted yesterday for ultimate comfort in the footwear department. You see, we work upstairs, and the color printers are downstairs. I live in fear of tripping on the stairs and breaking some limb. Most of last week I wore my trusty White Mountain Mary Jane clogs that Leslie gave me (you know the ones -- I wear them almost every post). By Thursday, even they hurt my feet.
Today, in anticipation of more hell, I wore my old padded suede Purcells. Why did Converse discontinue making these?

note TARDIS Otis beverage transporter:
c/o Otis Alumni Association 

My feet were happy, I was happy.

Here's a closeup of the shirt:

I bought it #secondhandfirst from Foreign Affair in Providence, RI last April. I was mesmerized by the unusual weave.

Also of interest is my new little friend who appeared in the back yard on Sunday:

Look at those eyes! "Mom, can I keep her?"

I've already named her Sweet Marie (Antoinette). She needs a full checkup and flea bath at the vet before she can come inside. Oh, how I hope she sticks around!

Flashback Friday and some hats

PURCHASED/ PURLOINED/ LINKS/ 

I'm in central upstate New York at my mom's. That's our old summer house behind me. It's still closed for the winter. Mom built an all-year house on the same property, closer to the state highway.

I deliberately tried to position myself to mimic this family photo from 1970:

I'm wearing my then favorite button embellished tee and very short suede miniskirt.

"glamor" shot

I've been wearing this outfit a lot lately.

Trying to be a human sundial in Burlington VT. Hard with no sun.
(photo by Persis Worrall)

I found the hat in a Tibetan shop on the Haight in SF a few years ago
Got the #secondhandfirst scarf from Citizen Rosebud's Etsy shop
Got the #secondhandfirst quilted corduroy shirt at Foreign Affair in Providence, RI

Cavorting on the great lawn at the Inn at Shelburne Farms with Annie and Persis

Hats x 3!

Linking up with Style Crone's Hat Attack.
You MUST click over to see her glorious Dior floral chapeau. Puts all those festival floral crowns to shame.
Also linking with Citizen Rosebud's Secondhand First party, since I'm wearing two secondhand items that are first rate!

Check it Out

AFFILIATE LINKS*/ PURCHASED/ PURLOINED/

There's this for $488:

Max Mara Studio

Disegno Houndstooth Check Longline Cardigan

Source: *Lyst.com (affiliate link)

But lucky me, I found this vintage Montgomery Ward raincoat for $12 on the sale rack at Foreign Affair in Providence, RI.

No, I'm not in prison. This is the view outside my motel today.

This is part of the "Splurge vs. Save" Campaign hosted by Credit Card Insider. Maybe it will appear on their blog!

Since I was so "thrifty", I'm adding this to Bella's Secondhand First linkup.

Sonic Sunday: Mary Foster Conklin

PURCHASED/ GIFTED/ LINKS/

Meet Ms Mary Foster Conklin:

Isn't she divine?
A voice like velvet, that one.

I saw her perform on a very wet Saturday night with Mark Winkler at Vitello's in Studio City.

Mary hails from NYC, and it was a treat to see her on the left coast.
You New Yorkers -- be sure to get on Mary's email list so you can catch her next gig.
She has CDs/digital downloads available for the rest of us.

She graduated a year after me from Emma Willard (our high school).
Her transformation into a stellar chanteuse was forged through tough life transitions.
I'm so happy that we've reconnected.

this photo by Severo
Mary wanted me to tell you that she's wearing a $20 Norma Kamali for Walmart dress.

Mary is one of my angels. She quickly knit up two chemo caps for me when I needed them back in 2010.

Here's what I wore for the gig:

Glamour closeup for Style Crone's Hat Attack:

My dupatta (indian scarf) is secondhand from Sahara Vintage Boutique, in Artesia.
All items sold there have been donated and a percent of the proceeds benefit the Sahara organization,
which helps battered women in the SoCal South Asian community

Linking up all over the internet, because I'm that kind of gal.
Bella's Secondhandfirst
Sacramento's Share in Style [Music]
Style Crone's Hat Attack

Austin Advent -- Uncommon Objects

Uncommon Objects:
1512 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 [they had to move!]
1602 Fortview Rd, Austin, Texas 78704Resistance is futile... you WILL find something that you MUST buy!

Here are some of the uncommon objects that have gone home with me:

moderne lamp

beautiful japanese kimono yardage
that I made into a tunic

funky glasses

letterpress fez stamp

If you are into Shriner gear, there are some vendors that specialize in it there.