Flea Market Fashion

A couple of weeks ago I came across a Made By Girl post entitled, Festival Fashion written by Carlinn of Superficialgirls. She featured a really cool compilation of hippie, bohemian pieces, and it got me thinking about other outdoorsy looks, like the ones I see at flea markets. I've been a flea marketer for years, and still get excited walking up and down the aisles hunting for that next bargain or treasure. But I've never really thought of a distinct flea market style. I think it may be because I've seen so many diverse styles at flea markets, from over-the-top vintage to Gothic to anything in between. And perhaps it's easier to associate a style with festivals because the look is so entrenched in a movement— hippie or counterculture, and flea-markets... not so much.  I perused the web to look for sites that feature stylish flea market looks, and found these hip ensembles:

{fashionist}

{sincerely jules}

A lot of the flea market posts I came across also "talked" about wearing stylish, yet comfortable outfits such as flats and loose clothing. All good advise of course. But there are  some other specific issues I like to consider.  For instance, I may wear closed-toe flats that are easy to clean if I know I'm going to be walking along a dirt path, rather than a paved one. Or I may wear simple, form-fitting clothes if I think I'll be trying on a vintage dress over my clothes (because there's no dressing room). Or still, I may want to carry a cart or wagon so I don't have to truck around that great, life-size ceramic dog I've finally found after weeks of looking (... maybe that's just me, but you get what I'm saying). Oh, and don't forget that magnifying glass to inspect those delicate, vintage jewels. I could probably go on and on. But fret not, I've compiled a few key, stylish flea market pieces.

asos sun visor| alexander wang t-shirt dress|lulu frost silvertone necklace|

anthropologie magnifying glass| keds leather espadrilles|

anthropologie madrid tote bag| welcome companion wagon

Comfortable, right? I think the red leather Keds are adorable. I'm also one to add a dose of extravagance (like the Lulu Frost necklace) with my casual clothes. It feels so refreshingly out of place. What flea market looks do you like?

So Matchy-Matchy

I think we can all agree that for the last decade and a half (probably more) wearing color-coordinated clothing has been considered passé in mainstream culture. For many, it tends to evokes images of over-the-top dressing, or just plain bad 80's outfits, something like these.

{images clockwise: pinterest| gotsuits| dmag}

I truly apologize if I have offended anyone with these examples. For I am well aware that there are those who enjoy this style of dress. And at the very least, I can appreciate the passion behind these dramatic get-ups— it  takes a certain amount of energy and time to match this much.

But while such dedication to coordinating will always be too esoteric for my liking, matching has indeed made a comeback.  You know how they say fashion always repeats itself? Well, I've actually lived long enough to see old trends return. Take leggings for instance. I wore them in the '80s when I was 12 several lifetimes ago. And although I swore I would never wear them this go round, the force was apparently too strong and I caved in. Nevertheless, I'm pleased to say I found a way to wear them in a way I feel works for me. But anyway, I digress.

My point is that when a trend or fashion statement is considered outdated, one can be sure it will rear it's bold head again sometime within the next one or two decades. I think it's just human nature to revisit the old when it no longer feels, well old. I think this is the case with matching. After reading countless fashion magazines, watching fashion television, and perusing fashion blogs over the last few seasons, I have come to see matching, at least in moderation anyway, in a different light. If done properly, it can evoke images of elegance and sophistication, kind of  like this.

{image: lifeviadelanceydamevintage}

Or like this.

{image: flickr}

With the onset of the organizing trend, I think people are looking to appear neater, more polished. And  matching seems to capture this ideal well. Here are some updated matchy-matchy outfits, or should I say cooordinated outfits that have caught my eye lately.

{image: lateafternoon}

{image: haikuambulance}

{image: richesforrags}

{image: entertainmentwise}

{image: louisvuittonvialucky}

{image: manrepeller}

{image: ellevn}

My favs are the first and last outfits. Which ones do you like?

My Fibi & Clos

With spring  around the corner, it's about that time to start thinking about sandals, no? Whenever I wait until the weather is warm to buy sandals, I have a hard time finding good ones. So when Fibi & Clo offered to send me a pair of their sandals for review, I jumped at the opportunity.

{image: fibi&clo} 

Fibi & Clo is an online boutique that sells ornate, jeweled sandals and accessories. Texan-born AnaLiza Alba founded the company in 2009 while living in New York with her two cats, Fibi and Clo.  She wanted to find a way to visit home more often while still maintaining her career in advertising. So she decided to host shoe parties back home, giving her the opportunity to sell shoes and spend time with friends and loved ones. Talk about great problem-solving. I always love hearing stories of young women with such get-up-and-go.

Fibi & Clo's line of  sandals, include both flats and wedges. I chose the Smoke Cascade flats. It's the jeweled cross strap that caught my eye. I usually have to try on quite a few flats before I find that "right" one. You know when a pair of flat sandals looks good in the store, but when you try it on, the fit is awkward and the back of the shoe never seems long enough even though it's your size? Well, Fibi & Clo's sandals aren't like that at all.  They fit me perfectly. Which ones do you like?

By the way, this is a sponsored post. That means Fibi & Clo gave me a pair of their shoes (Yay me!) in exchange for a review. Thanks so much guys!

What's Your New Year's Eve Look?

 

{image: sittingtree blog|dresses}

Hey all. Hope you are enjoying your holidays and managed to take some time for yourself. I was chatting with my best, good friend Myriam  this week, and we talked about all things holiday, hers and mine. She told me about a  little holiday party she attended complete with all the trimmings— wine, champagne, and hors d'oeuvres. It sounded lovely. I like the idea of getting dressed up and attending a fabulous holiday bash. With two little boys running around, my life is more about football games and recitals rather than lavish parties. But a girl can dream.

Our conversation got me thinking about what people typically do on New Year's Eve. Some go to glamorous bashes and others go to small parties or get-togethers. Still others go to church, and of course there are those who stay at home.Personally, I like to find myself in church on New Year's Eve. It goes without saying that our choices are dictated by both our circumstances  and our feelings. And, our choices don't necessarily reflect how we feel about where we go. There are those who want to go to lavish parties. Others feel obligated to go, but would really rather go to a more intimate affair with  friends.  Then there are those stay-at-homers who may feel lonely and wish they had some where to go, and others who enjoy staying home. I say wherever we find ourselves on New Year's Eve, we should make the best of it. One way of doing that is looking our best wherever we are. Research shows if you look better, you feel better, right?  I've collated a number of pieces I'd love to wear no matter what my New Year's Eve plans are.

This look is for  folks who dress for a black tie affair. Their New Year's Eve is nothing less than fabulous, and they can wear the most uncomfortable shoes because their host has arranged for a chauffeur to take them to the party.

1. Koture Glitter pearse clutch  2. Kate Moss for Topshop  3. Gucci

4. Dolce & Gabana  5. Temperley London sequin gown

6. Miu Miu  7. Jil Sander coat

8. J.Crew necklace

Here are some cute pieces for those going to a lower key, yet chic affair. These folks can let their hair down a bit and have fun with friends or loved ones.

1. DVF lip clutch  2. Jil Sander  3. Gianvito Rossi Velluto  4. Oscar De La Renta bib necklace

5. Topshop  6. Gold peplem Top  7. Rachel Gilbert 8. YSL

  9. Alexander McQueen  10. Shopbop

Who says church is dull? If you have a date with the Divine, you'll have fun in these stylish pieces. Growing up, the hard and fast rule was women never wore pants to church. And to that I say, rules schmules (whatever that means).

1. Kate Spade brush stroke purse  2. Topshop knitted jumper  3. Jil Sander metallic clutch

 4. Rachel Zoe jumpsuit  5. Topshop sequin pants

6. Donna Karan  7. Christian Louboutin

These pieces are for those who choose to luxuriate in the comfort of their own home. They may not have a place to go, but they look fabulous nonetheless.

1. J.Crew vintage pajama set  2. Carine Gilson playsuit  3. Floral tunic

4. Eberjay pajama set  5. Anthropologie loungers

6. Stella McCartney  7. Free People

Which pieces do you like? Whatever look you choose for New Year's Eve, make sure you enjoy yourself. And have a safe and blessed New Year! See you in 2013.

Turban Fever

Some say you can find inspiration where you're least likely to expect it. And I wholeheartedly believe this is true. Last week I attended my 6-year-old son's  internationally-themed Christmas recital. His classmates were dressed in all sorts of ethnic garb, but one little girl in particular caught my eye. She was the sweetest thing dressed in Spanish-inspired clothing complete with a turban and ruffles. I know turbans have been quite "the thing" for some time, but I never really envisioned myself in one. Sometimes you have to feel it to wear it—you know. When I saw this little girl in her turban, she was so cute in it that I began thinking how I could wear one and constructed an entire outfit around it, all in my head. (I tend to do that when I get inspired). Here are some more  chic and stylish turbans/ scarfs that inspired my outfit (seen below).

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{image: karla's closet}

{image: dibblephoto}

And to this I say, 'work it Ms. Ma'am!'

{image: simpleandchic via pinterest}

{image: nina detwa}

This is Ms. Nina Detwa. Check out her site and you'll see why she is the turban queen.

The Dress: Almeria

The Turban: Nurmiclothing

The Bag: Kara Ross Punella Confetti Clutch

The Shoes: Christian Louboutin Chalumo

The Bracelet: Anthropologie

The Earrings: Josey Wales

How would you wear one? Or maybe you haven't thought about wearing a turban. Either way, it's an interesting moment when you never thought about wearing something and then all of a sudden get the urge to. Has that happened to you? Tell us about it.