trespassing

I had a fantastic birthday the other day.  I spent the morning in and around Detroit at a few of my favourite vintage shops. Later I met a friend for a lunch. 

I found this dress at Lost & Found Vintage in Royal Oak, where I had a great time treasure hunting with Gregory, one of the store clerks.  It was nice to get his opinion on some of my choices, and also for him to have me try a few things that I would have otherwise not selected. 

I loved the colour combination of this dress, but it wasn't until I paired it with my ankle boots that I knew I had to add it to my purchase pile.  It reminded me of something I wore in high school, with army boots - a look that I plan to resurrect this fall.  

Dress (thrifted, Lost & Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI. $22). Clutch (thrifted, Value Village Thrift, Windsor, ON $5 last seen here). Boots (Topshop). Bracelet (Giles & Brother). 

Photos C Miller

treasure hunting

Silk kimono (Lea Gottlieb). T-shirt (Urban Outfitters). Jeans (F21). Boots (Topshop). Metal Clutch (vintage, Jones & Co. Windsor, ON. $38 last seen here and here). Sunglasses (Ray-Ban). Store - L&K Antiques, Tilbury, ON.

The silk kimono was actually purchased at a swimwear store (new not vintage, although it could pass as such) however, I have always felt that it was far too beautiful to just wear to the beach.

Who is Lea Gottlieb?  As the founder of Gottex, 'Lady Leah' as she was affectionately known, sold the company in 1997 after 41 years as the chief designer. At the age of 85 after leaving Gottex, she started designing under her own name - Lea Gottlieb. She lived to be 96. Read more here

Photos A Mingay

my uniform

Having a go-to look that works for both day and night is quite possibly the easiest way to get dressed.  Currently, I am all about denim and sequins.  Every time I shop I tell myself that I have enough sequins in my closet to dress a small army, but inevitably I find 'the perfect' piece to add to my collection.  I fell in love with this jacket last week when I found it at Lost & Found Vintage in Royal Oak, MI.  Even though it is a bit big, I love the way it drips off my shoulders when paired with a simple silk tank.  Easily this look can go from day to night by layering on some jewelry and switching up the flat boots with a pair of heels. 

Sequins jacket (vintage, Lost & Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI. $28). Tank (Old Navy). Jeans (BDG). Boots (Topshop). Sunglasses (H&M). Rings (Etsy, H&M).

Photos A Mingay

polka dot mini

Dress (thrifted, Regeneration, Pleasant Ridge, MI. $13; alterations to take this dress from a 1x to fit $30). Hat (H&M). Boots (Topshop). Rings (Etsy).

Photos A Mingay

coach and horses

Dress (All Saints). Shirt (thrifted, Lost & Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI. $12). Suede kids jacket (vintage, Lost & Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI. $20). Boots (Topshop). Necklace (Aldo). Hat (H&M).

Photos A Mingay

jacket makeover

Sometimes something that is not quite perfect just needs to come in contact with a razor blade!  This fur vest was a coat last week.  After being inspired by a vintage find (that I didn't purchase), I paid a visit three visits to my seamstress who refused the work because she said that I could do it myself!  After her third refusal and a little instruction, I went to work.  First taking a razor to the lining in the sleeves, then to the fur.  She recommended a razor vs scissors to avoid actually cutting through the fur.  Good tip! I also removed the GIANT shoulder pads. I then hand sewed a binding (made from the removed lining) to the body of the jacket, rolled the edge and hand sewed the lining of the jacket to the binding using a blind stitch (as per my instructor).  Voila, $50 in alterations costs saved.  Not to worry, I keep my seamstress very busy, she can afford to push back every once in a while.

Rabbit fur (vintage, Value Village Thrift, Windsor, ON $25). Leather jacket (Zara). Beaded dress (H&M). Booties (Topshop). Cuffs (H&M). Personalized 'belongs to ghrlunltd' perspex clear clutch (MNO logie; buy it here). 

Photos A Mingay