Design Lover - inaeent

images via inaeent

I stumbled upon Alaskan Etsy seller inaeent, aka Laura C. Hewitt, over the weekend. Her Lovecraftian stoneware and porcelain tableware was an immediate favourite. Visit her personal site as well.

My eBay rebirth...maybe

Way back in 1999, before I started exhibiting my vintage collections here and here, I sold on eBay. It was awesome, I had close to 1500 positive feedback, was a Power Seller and had a loyal following of buyers. Then the scammers caught on to eBay. In around 2004, I was ripped off by Amy in Kansas City. She bought a vintage Burberry trench coat off me for about $800.* Once she received it she charged back her credit card and told me that's the way her and her Mom do business on eBay. She then cancelled her eBay account. I frustratingly navigated my way through eBay Help, Paypal Help, VISA, numerous Better Business Bureaus, and the Kansas City police department. Somewhere I came across a Paypal class action lawsuit. A settlement was reached and I received a little of my money back through the 'long claim form' but I was so disgusted by the experience I boycotted eBay and Paypal for five years.

Last weekend I took a chance and listed some items - just to see how things had changed. The first item I listed was a vintage Burberry jacket with a Buy it Now option. It sold in a few hours. The buyer has paid and the item has been shipped, however, the transaction is not complete as I don't consider it complete until the buyer has received the product and feedback has been left.

How ironic is it that the last thing I sold on eBay was a vintage Burberry coat and the first thing I sell in five years is a Burberry jacket? I'm hoping it won't turn out to be extremely ironic by having the same thing happen to me that happened in 2004. If all turns out well I look forward to stocking up on vintage to sell on eBay again!

* I had been ripped off by others but that was the biggest loss. In total, I lost over $1200 to online dirt bags - most, if not all of it, was in 2004.

What I Wore

1985

shirt - my Dad's
concho belt
black leggings

patent ballet flats
and a lopsided bob, of course

Quote of the Week - Albert Camus

Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous amounts of energy to be normal.

Tip of the Week - Sticky Zippers

Vintage piece with a sticky zipper? Rub a candle over it.

Vintage Oscar de la Renta 1980

1980

The Well Dressed Wife

image via The Tailor's Art

and the patient husband who pays the bills.
Anne Fogarty's 1959 'How To' has been reissued - and just in time for New Year's Resolutions.

Get it here:
Wife Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife

Anonymously follow me on bloglovin.

Functional Warm and Classic

Wigwam Worsted Wool Watch Cap $8.99 here

The watch cap - so named for sailors standing watch.

Quote of the Week - Marcel Proust

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

The Driving Shoe

With their soft leather uppers and studded soles dare I say driving shoes are both, fashionable and functionable. Why the the studded leather soles? They allow you to catch the edges of the pedals easily without slippage.

Shown:
Ralph Lauren/Tod's
Prada/Cole Haan
Gucci/Salvatore Ferragamo

Pretend you're not on transit

A rare late Autumn night of no rain and little traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge. Bad first 30 seconds of music courtesy of Sirius satellite radio.

Happy Birthday

Boris Karloff

One on, One off - My Dress of Choice

I'm addicted to these 'one ons' as of late.
Why?

1. There's no messing around with zips, buttons or other fasteners
   
2. they're great all season
3. I can dress them up or down
   
4. they're easy to accessorize
   
5. they're easy to care for - cold wash, hang to dry
   
6. they don't wrinkle ridiculously when I'm sitting in meetings all day
   
7. they layer easily
8. and I don't need to wear Spanx
   

Isabel Marant, The Row, Acne and Filippa K do some great ones.

Dress shown is James Perse

Men's Fashion Inspiration

Hong Kong '62 vs Filippa K '10

Mantis religiosa Runway Collection SS 2011

via

Quote of the Week - Madeleine Vionnet

When a woman smiles, her dress should also smile.

Google Ventures into Fashion and Boutiques.com

As you know November 17th was the launch of Google's venture into the world of fashion. A very smart venture - think it'll turn over more revenue than Ad Sense ;-)

I've set up my page so let's 'follow' each other.

My feedback so far:

1. I don't like the terms 'Love' and 'Hate' to choose my preferences, or the word 'Silhouette' to describe style/design.
2. I'd like to be able to rearrange the 'cover' photos on my home page by dragging and dropping.
3. I don't like that I can't control comments.
4. I don't like being slotted into a defined 'style'. Users should be able to create their own - that's why mine is empty.
5. Why no menswear?
6. Jewelry please
7. I can only email or share on Twitter. Does this forecast the same thing to you as it does to me?

If you're a merchant - Google wants you, and so do I so I can have more variety on my page!
Merchant Help Center - List Your Products on Boutiques.com

Vintage Emanuel Ungaro

1980

Tip of the Week - How to Leave a Party

Being an introvert, I used to be a pro at this - now I save myself the hassle and just don't go - it's so much easier. The technique outlined below should be saved for larger parties or those with extremely inebriated guests.

1. Party is set to start at 9:00. Arrive at 9:30
2. Spot your hosts and give the 'nod and smile'.
3. Chat with one, then the other. No longer than ten minutes in total.
4. Accept a drink - if offered, but leave it untouched. Beware of 'liquid courage'.
5. Work the edges of the room giving the 'nod and smile' to those you recognize. Remember, you're there to be seen not heard.
6. Keep your back to the wall so people can recognize you. You never know, you may need an alibi one day.
7. Within another ten minutes you should be out the door as quickly, but less painfully, as you entered.
8. Total commitment 20-30 minutes max.

Tip - think of yourself as the second hand on a clock skimming the edges until you're back where you started.

Channeling Camel Hair Coats

Stacy Reynaud

I was downloading some photos from last weekend, and - trust me - the above shot was totally unplanned. James Dean came to mind when I was looking for photos of Marilyn Monroe in her camel hair coat - I remembered he had one too. Voila. He's a lot cooler than me.