polka dot

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i feel as though i have broken some sort of personal record for the number of times i’ve worn this polka dot dress this year. who knew that something as distinct as polka dots could turn into such an essential neutral in my wardrobe? it may have to do with the color because i feel like it goes with almost everything. but it may also have to do with the cut and size of it. somehow, it just feels so right when i throw it on.
i have definitely become a creature of habit when it comes to getting dressed lately. i find a certain formula, and i stick to it. whether that be particular colors, particular combinations, or just a handful of base items that i wear over and over again. i like it because i feel like i’m getting a lot of use out of many of my clothes, but i suppose i’d be lying if i said i wasn’t itching to do some fall shopping. there’s so much i want that i’m actually overwhelmed and haven’t made any decisions just yet. but i have a feeling it’s on the way. oh my poor wallet!
sweater: thrifted vintage sweater
pin: oh my cavalier! rabbits brooch
dress: vintage polka dot dress from we move vintage
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dooney & bourke bags

i know i already recently tempted you with a recent post about some of my favorite handbags from ll bean, but after pulling out an old thrifted dooney & bourke bag yesterday, i felt the urge to check out some of their more recent inventory. and i have to tell you, i think i’m in love.  these classic bags made of thick, sturdy leather are right down my alley. and in all honesty, the price point is quite right compared to many of the luxury leather brands available these days.  and i love that they’ve stayed true to their heritage and kept many of these great designs, because they’d practically pass off as vintage.  and you know i’m a fan of that!

all images via dooney & bourke.

snoozer loser

i know i’m not necessarily the type of girl who wears a lot of patterns, but trust me when i tell you that i have a serious soft spot for novelty prints.  so when i received a newsletter featuring the spring 2011 collection from the new york based collective, snoozer loser, i basically went nuts over these incredible scissor prints! and i’m equally in love with the perfectly matching seafan and birdcage print skirts.  in fact, i like them all so much that i’m having a hard time deciding just which piece i want.  and while i know the prices are a little high, i’m gonna go out on a limb here and say they’re worth the price since they’re made of 100% organic cotton and individually printed so that each piece is one-of-a-kind.  but if you can’t quite make the price commitment, i love that they also print these cute scarves in a number of different patterns as well.

some exciting news!

today is a special day because i have some exciting news to share with you: i am now officially a modcloth blog writer! that’s right, in addition to writing calivintage, i am working full-time as a member of the modcloth staff. and you have no idea how anxious i’ve been waiting for today to finally make the announcement! basically, it’s my dream job and i feel so incredibly fortunate to have teamed up with such a cool company.

in honor of the occasion, there is a little interview with me over at the modcloth blog. and of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me either here on my blog or over in the comments section at modcloth and i will be sure to answer you.

but basically, things around calivintage are going to be pretty much the same. i’ll still be doing the usual lineup of outfit posts, inspiration, cycle chic, and street styles. i’ll still have sponsors, though i will be having fewer of them, and obviously modcloth will no longer be one of them.  my work at modcloth is going to be separate from my work at calivintage, so i urge you to check out the modcloth blog to see what fun stuff i’ll be posting there, but you can still expect to find me here as per usual!

loup sportswear

i suppose it’s rather ironic that i chose to write about sportswear the day after i announced that i just injured my back, but that aside, it’s a topic that’s been on my mind a lot lately. ever since i came back from my bike tour this summer, i’ve been thinking a lot about fashionable sportwear. mainly, if it even exists, and where to find it. so when i recently discovered loup, my heart skipped a beat. this line of sportswear is heavily inspired by classic american designers like claire mccardell and the resulting pieces have a perfectly vintage aesthetic. while they’re targeted for the tennis buff, i find that many of the pieces can work for a larger range of activities, and i certainly wouldn’t mind picking up a few pieces to wear cycling, hiking, or for a yoga session.
i was instantly in love with the photos for the upcoming spring 2011 collection as shown above, with cheery jump shots of comfortable knitwear with a nautical vibe. and i’m equally appreciating the fall 2010 collection shown below, with comfy knits in classic grey, black, and white. once again proving that you don’t have to get decked out in spandex when it’s time to work-out. (though i fully understand that the heels are just for looks!)

over the weekend

i almost didn’t write a post today because, well, i’m out of commission. i’m not sick, but i somehow managed to injure my back over the weekend and i’ve basically been limited to laying on the couch, laying in bed, or pathetically propping myself up at the computer because i can’t seem to tear myself away from it! but avalonne (the girl from hk, ldn, and sf) saved the day with these lovely photos she posted from our brief meeting at the alameda flea market yesterday. it was quite nice to bump into her in her perfectly 70’s get up. and i really enjoyed reading her account of the day, and only wished that i had been able to stay longer!
unfortunately for me, moments after our lovely little shoot, i got a terrible pain in my back and felt as though i was acting out some ridiculous scene from a sitcom where someone throws out their back and everyone laughs as they hunch over, unable to stand back up! i’ve never injured my back before, and i would certainly love it if you could share any stories, tips, or hints with me since i could definitely use some advice. regardless, i’m sure i’ll be fine in a couple of days and back to my flea market adventures as per usual!
oh, and i almost forgot to mention my flea market outfit. i am currently obsessed with this cool sailor jacket i bought for sale on gilt groupe. even though i often think of sailor styles as being very summery, i think this is going to be a nice one to layer up with my fall wardrobe, don’t you think?
jacket: bensoni sailor jacket from gilt
top: vintage t-shirt
skirt: american apparel full woven skirt
shoes: vintage anne klein flats
photos taken by avalonne and her friend, shy. see more at the girl from hk, ldn, and sf.