TrendListr, a New Online Vintage Marketplace

Originating from the UK, since we don't have "car boot" sales in the US -- is our term "flea market"?

Trendlistr contacted me about helping promote their new online marketplace for Vintage, launching on 2/9/17. It sounds like an interesting concept: sellers held to high standards for items and photography posted, and no upfront listing fee.

Their Instagram @TrendListr will give you the best sense of what's to come:

[source]

[source]

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Along with IG, other social media portals are their
Blog: www.trendlistrblog.com

Twitter: @Trendlistr

Facebook: /Trendlistr

They might feature SpyGirl in a blog post and asked me these burning questions:

How would you best describe your stye? 

What do you all think, "Crazy Cat Lady"?

What is current dream item you want to purchase?

Dansko red/black shoes as seen on Poshmark, in not my size:

Who is you're favourite designer/high street store and why?

I always hate this kind of question. I'm a Gemini, THERE CAN'T BE JUST ONE!

Still ruminating on my answer.

Off the top of my head, Chris Francis, (though is he a "designer" or an "artist"?) and Fluevog.

Guess I'm a tad shoe obsessed these days.

Let's reconvene after TrendListr launches and see what we think!

#tbt Hey Valentine, Be Mine

Yep, it's that time of the year again.

[This one predates my birth by 4 months]

These were saved in the Baby Book that my mom kept. She did a great job recording all my "firsts".

Share some Valentine's love (or regrets)!

52 Pick-me-up: Amber / Passion, Part 2

•••

Patti's Visible Monday is back in session, the epitome of a Passion project. Patti certainly inspired me to start my own weekly link-up, though I'm more restrictive and feel the need to have a theme. This week on 52 Pick-me-up, we're going with the color AMBER and the word PASSION.

I told you about my latest creative passion yesterday (shoemaking), today I give you a shirt with amber
(and honey and rust and olive):

It's a Kikit by Maurice Sasson shirt, remember that brand? A gem from Larry's stash that fits.

I wouldn't say that the amber Pantone chip (in middle) gives a sense of the fiery glow that I think of when I think of Amber the gemstone. "Honey" and "Amber" were some of the more difficult colors for me to define with a paper chip. I did Google Image searches, took screenshots (trapped on my broken iMac. Could replicate here on the laptop but too lazy).
Some beautiful earrings came up in a Poshmark feed yesterday that shows it better:

Amber Clip-on Earrings on Poshmark

Yeah! AMBER!
Linking up with Visible Monday.

Wearing anything Amber? Have a Passion for something or someone?
Link and tell!

SpyGirl Watches: L.A. Frockstars -- From Grit to Glamor

CREATED/ 

I enjoyed L.A. Frockstars so much on the Smithsonian Channel. Sadly, the episodes are no longer airing and the Smithsonian website only has tantalizing snippits to cause you to crave more so that you'll download it from iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon. And to pray for a Season 3!

I never got around to posting my One to Watch from the final episode six. I really wanted to capture a sketch of Sarah, but that was not in the cards. What captured my attention was not even a person, it was an outfit!

This was pulled for the costume designer Mark Bridges.

In the episode, he talked through his design process and shared bits of his character reference book -- old school style analog collaged inspiration:

[While trying to fact check, I made a sad discovery: 

Noooooo! I'll have to pay for downloads too!]

Anyway.

I did my own bit of costuming -- to me, this ensemble screamed MELANIE!

I had the opportunity to meet Doris at The Way We Wore yesterday (well, yeah, the shop IS only 10 miles from where I live) and what a treat. You know how when you meet a blogger pal, it's like you already know her? I felt that I "knew" Doris from watching L.A. Frockstars, it was so strange (in a good way). I had a quick tour of all the nooks and crannies of Doris's domain, including the Inspiration Room next door. All I could think in there was, I want to organize it so that I can look at and touch EVERYTHING. Was I having an Enid in the Scarf Closet flashback? Perhaps!
[No photos. I didn't want the capturing in the way of the experience.]

I was given access to screeners of all six episodes of Season 2 back in February. I have since downloaded Season 1 and 2 on my own dime. The above verbiage is all mine.

[Enid] V is for Vicky Peck's Vintage Scarf

ENID/

Transcription:

4.25  V
Victory over these blasted scarves will soon be mine.
I foresee only ONE MORE WEEK.
Cannot wait.

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 -- 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

A Dab of Yellow

PURCHASED/ LINKS/ 

Yellow -- some love it, some not so much.
If you want to join in on this week's 52 Pick-me-up Yellow challenge but will end up looking jaundiced if you wear it, how about trying an accessory or two? There's always GOLD, that qualifies!

I'm featuring a scarf and a necklace that I got at Carmen & Ginger's in Providence. It's a really cute shop in the Arcade downtown. If you're in Providence, check it out!

Why was I drawn to the yellow?

The scarf is a classic nylon burnout Florida souvenir square:

The necklace is just plain weird:

Nautical and yellow. Yup.

And how about a look at that painting that I match:

Santa Barbara Night, oil on canvas, 36.5 x 18", 1975

It's vintage Anne M Bray and part of my Mom's collection. (She has a lot of my work!)

One more day to add your Yellow to this gathering of lovelies:

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.

52 Pick-me-up: 30s

PURCHASED/ GIFTED/ LINKS/ 

It's 30's Week on 52 Pick-me-up!
It's all about bias cut dresses with lingerie details.

OK, maybe I have some vintage silk chiffon bias cut lingerie camouflaging my 40's dress.

And maybe the shoes are more 50's?

They are beautiful but WAY too small! I'll be selling them on Etsy after my road trip. Leslie gave them to me.

I also have on a mother of pearl brooch that Bella of Citizen Rosebud gave me.

Not sure of its vintage either.

I suggest that you visit Sammy Davis Vintage who will give you the lowdown on authentic 30's styles.
Me, I got as close as I could. So can you! Link and tell!
PS: this was a total costume moment. I stayed on the back porch in this look.

52 Pick-me-up: Go Green

CREATED/ PURCHASED/ GIFTED/ PURLOINED/ 

It's almost St Patty's Paddy's Day, when everyone wears green. Let's be sheep and do it too. Baa!

Severo found this coat for me. It's too heavy to wear around town, but it's fun to pose on the back patio with it.

What's underneath:

Patucci made the necklace. It includes SUPERBALLS!

Labels of the vintage coat and scarf:

Did Leslie give me the scarf? Was it her mom's? Can't remember.

Don't risk getting pinched on St Patty's Day. Go green, then link and tell!

An InLinkz Link-up

Inside the Box: Too Too Much Muumuu

Larry and I made jokes about this one when we pulled it out of the bag: what IS it? A muumuu/tablecloth?

It's a home sewn marvel.

In its own way, it DOES look better on.
The lace on the sides is set into the seams so it sticks out.

It measures 53 x 34" Roomy!
I like the peasant blouse styling of the lace inset + gathers in the front and back:

The lace sleeve hem detail is clever yet strange (the running down the side seams aspect).

But there IS the problem overall --  it's made with horrible 70s two-way stretch nylon. It doesn't breathe. So it gets VERY WARM. Not so good for summer wear. (Winter muumuu for the ski lodge, anyone? Layer it over your long johns!) In addition, if you wore this while BBQing, it might melt. That would be unfortunate. And painful.

I know you're needing this in your wardrobe now. Hahahahaha. Not.

The Spirit of 74" - A Red, White, and Blue Muumuu

That's what it says - 74"! 

When I first pulled this out of Larry's bag of treasure, all I could focus on was the muumuu-sized portion of
red, white and blue in, yes, a fairly hideous tropical print on stiff cotton.

We made jokes about it.
That's what Larry and I do.
I figured it was some sort of Class of 74 school spirit dress. Hey, I'm from the class of 74, I'll take it...

Now there's an "interesting" sleeve...
might have worked better in rayon...

Here is the prize that I didn't find until I shot these photos:

"Compliments of
Marshall J. Wilkings
potentate"

WHAT???

I googled hawaii matadors:

a lot of sports stuff -- no surprise

Then I tried "hawaii matadors"
sometimes adding quotes makes all the difference:

Look! The exact same verbiage as my label!

Here's a screen grab of the link:

I couldn't believe it...
IT'S A SHRINERS SHIRT!!!
Look at the price he has on it!

My muumuu was made for the shriners' wives!
Cause for celebration, SpyGirl style:

Happy 4th of July, whichever day you take to celebrate.

Linking up to IFB Project #54

[Update -- 7/2013: That $485 Shriner shirt is still available. Big surprise, no?]

[Update #2 -- 7/2017: Yes! Still available!]