Vintage Vienna

You Don't Bring Me Cabbage

2012-01-24T04:43:00.000-08:00

When you are delivered collard instead of callas,

showcase the stuff anyway*

* happy are those who want what they get, or so...

Flaking Out

2012-01-14T03:23:00.001-08:00

Lately, I'm digging a snowflake sweater pattern, as evidenced by these wardrobe additions (Anthropologie, thrifted Sisley). No real flakes have fallen in this usually snowy neck of the woods yet though.

Chez Moi

2011-12-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

This year's mini tree.

Medieval Militia

2011-12-04T10:02:00.001-08:00

Who knew a medieval christmas market would be so popular? Queuing up for a mug of mead midst swords and maces was slightly disconcerting with people jostling around and getting impatient. In all my years living here, it was also my first time at the military history museum (photos) but certainly won't be my last.

To Fur or not to Fur

2011-11-26T04:17:00.000-08:00

While I would not want to add to demand by purchasing new fur, I think buying it second hand is acceptable. I thrifted these two pieces recently; the second was a random strip which I turned into a collar with a ribbon and which keeps me nice and warm at temps below zero!

Barcelona

2011-10-02T04:28:00.001-07:00

Around Town

2011-09-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Birthday Finery

2011-08-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

for the fancy dinner

(dress I bought 20 years ago, second hand cardigan, thrifted belt and clutch)

for dinner and drinks with friends

(Catherine Malandrino top, Sandro Ferrero trousers)

Pucci

2011-08-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

...just kidding, second hand Sisley.

There's no shaking this habit.

Fleamarket Style

2011-06-01T02:59:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Flea Market Style, I recently went hunting and was thrilled to find the bread bowl below still waiting for me in a thrift store after over a year. Now it languishes between other finds on my Scandinavian sideboard:

Couches can wear a pashmina too!

An old and a new find make for a Japanese corner in the bookshelf:

This thrifted curtain lay in a cupboard for years, now it shall serve to keep out the cold air in the bathroom!

Lalique and co.

2011-05-22T05:32:00.001-07:00

All this glory is currently on show at Sammlung Leopold!

The Star

2011-03-17T00:21:00.001-07:00

Estrella Morente at the Konzerthaus

Fierce and Foxy

2011-01-23T05:32:00.000-08:00

Katherine and I discovered this obscenity at the Vienna Fleamarket yesterday, but didn't get it for fear of being shot down on the street.

Grey Blues

2011-01-16T03:39:00.000-08:00

Vienna is grey, grey, grey again as it always is in winter.

Wearing color helps get over it a little.

The Crypt

2010-12-30T11:20:00.001-08:00

Marina was here for the holidays and this is where we spent it.

The imperial crypt is kind of an important place to visit when in Vienna, and during the few centuries I've been in and out of the city, it never occurred to me to go see it until now! These are just a couple of sarcophaghi details, the tombs are simply awe-inspiring, some shaped like entire ships. Bet Dracula would have liked one for Christmas!

Vintage Date to Note

2010-12-16T10:58:00.000-08:00

Lady of the Manor

2010-12-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

Photo: Elle

Today, I can imagine prowling around the well stocked library of a huge, heated mansion dressed comme ça.

Collages

2010-12-12T04:25:00.000-08:00

Just dug these out again.

Snowy Night

2010-12-04T23:08:00.001-08:00

Tree outside my window

Giddy Up!

2010-11-27T01:05:00.001-08:00

Scarf: thrifted

Top: Armani Exchange

Jodhpurs: second hand Kentucky

Boots: Salamander

Pants for the holiday season;

extra pounds can be concealed under the bags!

You Can Leave Your Hat On

2010-11-21T06:23:00.000-08:00

Finally found the perfect man's hat, meaning one that fits!

Can anyone can tell me why heads were so small in the past?

Paisley scarf: Mantero, thrifted and gifted

:-)

A Room with a View

2010-11-13T03:27:00.000-08:00

Looking down onto the heart of Vienna

What I'd Wear...

2010-10-28T10:21:00.001-07:00

...for rambling on the moors. As one does from time to time!

Sperl on a Sunday

2010-10-25T06:37:00.000-07:00

Polyvore!

2010-10-24T00:23:00.001-07:00

I've been resisting this for ever, but being ill and stuck at homes makes you do crazy things. This is my outfit of choice today for tea at some fancy pancy place with cake trolleys. In reality, I will be bundling up for coffee at Cafe Sperl.

Lazy Colorful Saturday

2010-10-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

Ama in mid-yawn.

Vintage Tales

2010-10-22T05:36:00.001-07:00

Second Hand Boutique

Althanstraße 7-9, A-1090 Wien

Tues - Fri 11:00-18:00

Sat 10:00 - 13:00

On my way to the doctor's today, I happened upon this newly opened vintage/second hand boutique in the 9th district. Each corner within has a story to tell, and Mrs Chuda will relate them to you if you have the time. For example, why the flowers from a man who bought a Panama hat will forever remain displayed. Or the history of the beautiful old cashier machine. Despite an hour of chatting, I never got around to buying anything, but will return, hopefully with a tale to add.

Goldfish

2010-10-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Got these gorgeous goldfish cards for my birthday a while back. Curious as I am, I wanted to see what else Heather Toupin was up to. Click here for her range of screenpainted goodies!

Gypset

2010-10-21T01:26:00.001-07:00

Scarf and shoes: Sevilla

Jacket: Italy

Jeans: Vienna

Mas Sevilla

2010-10-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

¡Sevilla!

2010-10-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

Leisure

2010-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Golly, it's been a month since my last post! Still trying to squeeze in the odd thrift store or fleamarket visit between a heavy work load - and it has paid off. One of my finds is this pretty new beanie at the biannual Neubaugasse fleamarket yesterday, at which I also discovered a great non profit cafe / second hand music and book store. Can't wait to spend a lazy, rainy Saturday there sipping coffee and browsing CDs!

Carpetbagger

2010-08-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

My latest find - a vintage Furla bag/clutch!

Revealed...

2010-08-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

the painting on my outfit posts.

I painted it about 5 years ago and will never part with it, despite several offers. In the same color scheme - one of these lovely novels by Anita Shreve (thrifted). It's ridiculous, but a book's cover determines whether I will buy it or not. Thankfully, these books are really worthwhile reading too!

Bestiarium

2010-07-31T23:39:00.000-07:00

Walton Ford: well worth seeing.

Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose...

2010-07-18T01:24:00.000-07:00

Gala Darling started an inspiring series of posts called "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems". Part III pretty much sums up the rules for buying I have been living by the last two years. If you have been affected by the recession (like I was in 2008), having to make do with less needn't be completely depressing, but the start of an adventure that may change your life in fundamental ways.

Looking through my favorite blogs this morning, I just realized again how much reading, viewing and blogging has made the rough road back then less hard to swallow, and life just that bit more exciting now that I don't have to be so careful anymore. For example, I notice and appreciate the small things instead of constantly yearning for that Big Thing to finally happen. I spend much less money because of the patience to find things when they want to be found (second hand or discounted) and make use the things I already have more often.

Most importantly, I no longer feel more money would make me a happier person. Which is pretty big, if you ask me.

Cameo

2010-07-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yet again, Béla makes a surprise appearance!

Everything but the t-shirt is preloved. Even found Béla (and his shy brother Ama) at the animal shelter...

Morning Glory

2010-06-30T09:36:00.001-07:00

Another work outfit.

Love the light this morning, making colors look so soft.

Compare with photos below taken in the evening.

Comeback

2010-06-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

Finally, that connecting piece for camera and tripod turned up (after weeks), and it's back to business. Feeling skirty lately!

Hiatus

2010-06-19T02:31:00.000-07:00

Hi again and sorry for the disappearing act.

Things have been busy around here, a vacation was taken, the football is on; clothes and style have had to take a back seat. Just wanted to share with you these stunning Uzbek wedding garments Marina and I tried on in a shop in Turkey chock full of droolworthy textiles and jewelry. Isn't this just so much more livelier than plain white?

Tea for One

2010-05-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Thrifted this cute little pot holding one cup's worth today.

A selection of "Proper moments for drinking tea":

When one's heart and hands are idle.

Tired after reading poetry.

When one's thoughts are disturbed.

Shut up at one's home on a holiday.

Engaged in conversation deep at night.

Before a bright window and a clean desk.

Returning from a visit with friends.

On a day of light showers.

In a pavillion overlooking lotus flowers on a summer day.

Having lighted incence in a small studio.

After a feast is over and the guests are gone.

When children are at school.

In a quiet, secluded temple.

Ch'asu

What are your favorite moments?

Never Say Never

2010-04-25T03:29:00.000-07:00

White jeans. Yikes.

Top and shoes: second hand

Bag: vintage

Jeans: Esprit

Random Shots

2010-04-12T10:53:00.001-07:00

Stairwell

Ama and Bela

Orthopedia

2010-04-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Since spraining my big toe about two months ago, I can't wear high heels and even most of my lower ones anymore (hence many visits to the recycling bin and second hand store). Luckily, I own a ton of sandals, but weather being still wintry, I have been browsing the shops, live and virtual, for some closed shoes for an affordable price. Is it just me, or is foot fashion simply ridiculous right now? Sky-high platforms or a bit of cloth sewed to a piece of leather sole, with nothing in between. Hardly comfortable. So I found these Italian species in a second hand store. They felt so good, I just had to take them. Now I am worried that my style is becoming Florida retiree... aaah!

Art Nouveau

2010-04-10T08:46:00.001-07:00

Thrifted these two gems today!

Take a look inside...

Inspiring, huh?

I can't believe I've had a Lalique for so long. It's been lying at the bottom of my jewelry box minus a chain and one wing. When I was visiting in the States, my mom and I went through her boxes and found the missing link! Think it's about time take it to the jeweller and then out for show.

More from Jupiter

2010-04-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

Been waiting forever to wear this second hand art print dress - paired with a leather jacket today, with sandals already in a month's time hopefully.

Farewell Winter

2010-03-20T02:27:00.000-07:00

No boots for the first time since October!

Bejewelled flats purchased at TJ Maxx.

Yesterday

2010-03-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

No name silk scarf found in a second hand store

(cheesy photo of me wearing it here)

One of many monasteries seen driving back from Melk in a blizzard.

A friend and I dropped in a restaurant along the Danube to warm up by a fire and have the best potato soup and poached char ever. Not that we had a chance to try anything else. our waiter decided what we were having, from wine aperitifs to apricot tiramisu and schnapps. I like men who take charge, but he went a little too far when he brought us the melange he suggested instead of the cappuccinos we meekly ordered!

Klein, aber Oho!

2010-02-20T22:37:00.000-08:00

Anne Klein, found in Fl

Eclectic

2010-02-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

This is rather an international outfit:

Beret and skirt were thrifted in Vienna,

the tights bought in DC,

the blouse discovered in a consignment store in FL,

and the heels in a vintage shop in Berlin!

A Walk in the Park...

2010-02-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

Liechtensteinpark at 5 pm

...A Trip in the Dark

When the Moon is in the Seventh House...

2010-01-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

Exhibit B:

To be paraded this Friday night

Big fat silver, copper and bronze necklace

Discovered in an amazing vintage store in Jupiter

Apropos, Jupiter is the lucky planet

;-)

Mariposa

2009-12-31T05:49:00.000-08:00

Entered a store today and left with an armful of different colored pashminas sporting a butterfly motive, just because they were so beautiful! I really wanted them all for myself, but after an age of agonizing, opted for the red one, and packed all the rest for female friends and relatives - stupidly before taking pictures though, so I can only present these two specimens.

The butterfly is an apt symbol for the coming transition, methinks. Whatever ideas or plans have been evolving in secret over the last year may hopefully burst forth in 2010 and take flight! Wishing you all safe take-offs!

A Very Merry...

2009-12-24T05:19:00.001-08:00

www.hangler-reisen.at

...Christmas to all and sundry!

All the Hermes You Can Eat

2009-12-09T03:46:00.000-08:00

Dawn

Dusk

How it came to this is perfectly described by KT in the Clouds, fellow blogger, vintage lover and scarf wearer in this here post.

Chain Mail

2009-11-27T23:05:00.000-08:00

Not being able to teeter on tight tootsies anymore, I traded a pretty pair of brown boots with pointy toes and stacked heels for this vintage evening bag made in Florence:

Hope you all in the US had a tasty thanksgiving, I'm having a do tonight, have prepared pie already yesterday and will be sitting by the oven most of today dousing the bird in the finest wines known to mankind!

Ask Not What the Fashion Industry Can Do For You...

2009-11-21T23:26:00.000-08:00

Image: H&M

Der Standard, an independent Austrian newspaper, has an interesting article on fashion in its weekend edition. Klaus Mühlbauer, the GM of fashion enterprise Mühlbauer questions whether, since the emergence of stores such as H&M, Zara and Topshop, people are better dressed? While some think they are special because they have a (cheap) copy of something seen on Chloe's runway barely a week ago, we actually look more alike than ever before. The sad part is that this shopping behavior is rendering small boutiques a dying breed.

Where does the solution lie? With us consumers naturally! If you must be fashionable, why not purchase only a few items from (insert designer or celebrity)'s collection for H&M, while slowly building up a quality wardrobe from smaller, and (gulp) more expensive stores, which will last you for years and which you can mix and match with every season's trends. If you think you can't afford better pieces, think again. What costs more: buying several inexpensive items a month which have to be replaced a year later at the latest, or investing in one well-made item every few months which you can wear for the next 5 to 10 years?

Batwoman

2009-10-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

I'm not fond of costuming for Halloween, Fasching (Austrian carnival) or any other occasion. Party pooping isn't my thing either though, so tonight I'm wearing a second hand (80s?) Lagerfeld that looks kind of batlike to me. Wish you all a creepy evening!

Versatility

2009-10-30T13:18:00.001-07:00

Hurray to Sharon who made a great find and shared the quote below from it:

'What Makes a Great Wardrobe? Versatility is the key word, which means having clothes that cope with every situation, so you don't have to rush out to buy something new the minute an invitation drops through the letterbox. The aim is to extract the maximum of looks from the minimum of clothes with the least possible effort and expense. A clever wardrobe has limitless permutations; will accommodate all the new clothes you do buy and can be worn even when fashion changes.'

Do you purchase something new for every special occasion, or are you easy prey to salesladies ("Oh, you can't buy that without taking this belt/sweater/blouse too!)? For the longest time, I certainly was. Thanks to the rule of not buying anything unless you can think of at least three items you already own to wear it with, however, I am getting closer and closer to my sartorial goal: To build up a wardrobe of items which I love, fit properly, are flattering, timeless and can be combined endlessly! This pink cardigan (second hand DSquared) is one of those pieces. I have been wearing it almost every week since months and have not tired of matching it yet!

Look Ma, no Black!

2009-10-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Thrifted this sweater the other week, its slight rosiness caught my eye. It makes a nice difference to my usual cream, already I have worn it three different ways!

Linus

2009-10-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

Come winter, and I get out my security blanket, uh, scarf again. I really should purchase an alternative, to relieve this one of the responsibility! Do you have an item of clothing that just make you feel all cozy and safe? Or perhaps one that brings you luck?!

Ranch Dressing (with Cats)

2009-10-26T01:25:00.001-07:00

Once again, Béla tries to steal the show!

Maybe these two just need their own...

Caspian

2009-10-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

I was granted the coolest task of photographing Caspian before their gig in Vienna last night. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for the performance, but they were so charming and gave me their new CD "Tertia", which I have been listening to non-stop since! Check them out if you are into experimental, instrumental post-rock, seriously, they are good.

Black IS the New Black

2009-10-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

I've been mega-lazy on the posting front lately, shame on me. Here's what I am wearing today (blouse gifted, skirt thrifted), having totally over/underdressed in this outfit to a party cum gig a few days ago. Thought I would forgo the black for once, turns out everyone was donning it and I felt like a very sore thumb indeed!

"She Cooks as Good as She Looks, Ted"

2009-10-03T00:09:00.000-07:00

Stills from The Stepford Wives (1975)

As silly as it sounds, part of my fascination with this film has to do with Katharine Ross' slinky yet classy outfits and long beautiful hair. While pastels colors often wash out blondes, those muted yellows and dusty pinks really enhance her complexion. Makes me want to go out and get a Color me Beautiful make-over!

Eyes Like Saucers

2009-09-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

Perhaps not the most flattering sunglasses, but I am considering purchasing this jacket. It is part of a petite designer suit - second hand of course, and therefore affordable and worth recycling the skirt.

Lately, I've been feeding clothes containers with jumbo sized portions; it feels sooo good to have more space and order in the apartment. Even good shoes (which never were totally comfortable) went in. Must be a sign of age when comfort is more important than beauty!

More Geisha

2009-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Taken during a viewing of "The Beast in the Shadow", which is more of an aesthetic experience than groundbreaking cinema. I just love the slow and studied movements of a tea ceremony, or mixing wasabi with soya sauce - they render these banal tasks so much more meaningful! And now, my yen for a kimono or two even is even greater than before!

Meowrrr!

2009-08-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, ladies and their house cats are frequently seen to be lying about on Vienna's tram tracks, didn't you know?

Polly Want a Cracker

2009-08-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

Photos: Niki Weitzer

Top: thrifted Marc Cain

Skirt: thrifted Anne Klein

Sunnies: Little Joe's Gang

Cam-Ra-Ha!

2009-08-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Anyone seen "Happy-Go-Lucky"?

My camera is back and in use - here by Niki Weitzer.

Sunnies courtesy of Little Joe's Gang.

Happiness...

2009-07-12T10:25:00.001-07:00

...is a worn scarf.

Today, my scarf supplier, the ever generous Foulard Addict, let me have this baby for keeps! I celebrated by wearing it out as soon as the words were uttered (actually, I've been wearing it ever since it arrived in the post a week ago). He has lent me several precious scarves before, but for some reason, I fell in love with this one - with its green/rust contrast and animal print around the edges, it is so versatile, and will be the centerpiece of this summer's wardrobe!

Lounge Lizard

2009-06-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Vintage Rasurel tunic

The Magic Number

2009-06-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

All good things come in three... more holiday photos to come!

Selfish Gene

2009-06-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

My commode cum bedside table

Do you ever find things for other people and end up keeping them for yourself? That's what happened with this lacquered peacock carving I found in a charity shop yesterday. Sorry Mom, it was meant for you!

Italian Leather

2009-05-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Bought within an hour of being in Italy:

Leather bomber jacket and sandals!

Mini-Break in the Mountains

2009-05-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

Lienz, East Tyrol

Viennafair 2009

2009-05-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

I liked these pieces.

'Fraid I can't remember who the artists are though.

The venue was so big - check it out here!

All Suited Up

2009-05-09T02:39:00.000-07:00

Also scored yesterday!

Harris Tweed!

2009-05-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ye thrifting gods! Last night, I watched the wonderful film on Daphne du Maurier and spent half the time sighing over her masculine and tasteful outfits. Today, on a hunch, I visited the only British charity shop in town, and to my utter bafflement, found a swathe of Harris just waiting to be tailored into a skirt and cape (hope there is enough material)! The ladies there said they came across anything like it in the store before.

Old Things

2009-05-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

Kabyle (Algerian) necklace, vintage ostrich leather bag

Due to being extremely limited in spending on unneccesities, things purchased and inherited yesteryear are finding themselves back on my person. Often you just don't know how to wear something for ages, and then Eureka! your style has changed and it all falls together!

Trees

2009-04-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

Taken in the Botanical Garden

Easter Greetings

2009-04-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

www.saintfds.org

Come to the Fleamarket

2009-04-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

at the Transporter

on April 18 (from 1pm onwards)

details here

I will be selling off the result of my spring cleaning there - which is considerable. If you come over and say hi, you get an additional discount!

Charity Shop Find

2009-04-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

Happened upon a thrift store in Clapham North just before getting on the plane back - and found a Patrizia Pepe jacket. Hurray for English charity shops! They open on Sundays and stock so much nicer clothing than those here. Had I been able to stay in London longer, I could have probably revamped my entire wardrobe for under a hundred pounds!

Short Break

2009-04-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Behind the Curtains

2009-03-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

Ribbons and Bows

2009-03-22T03:25:00.000-07:00

Found at an Easter fleamarket today

Spring is here...not

2009-03-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Turns out it wasn't the laptop, but my modem...

Do you find your outfits improve in certain seasons? A friend of mine is definitely a "Winter", while I feel more attractive and comfortable in summer clothes. I was so looking forward to soon wearing some of the items I thrifted in the States (ie, this turtle neck and skirt), but great big watery flakes of doom started coming down just a couple of days ago, with temperatures to match, brrr!

Ouches

2009-03-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

Laptop hasn't been feeling well since a while and must go to hospital. He will miss you and is looking forward to communicating again once he is all well again!

The 70s

2009-02-28T04:27:00.000-08:00

I love 70s shirt cut and collars, it's just a pity cheap and itchy synthetics started replacing good quality fabrics. But hold on, hipster gear is still around and intact today, so it can't be that bad! This shirt was made in Florence, that might also explain things...

Lapels

2009-02-21T23:50:00.000-08:00

Visited an old thrift haunt of mine yesterday (which only carries items from the 60s-80s) not planning on buying anything, of course haha. The blazer is 100% cotton, trés 80s and made in West Germany. Lately, I've become obsessed with warm greys and blazers and can't believe my luck in finding both in one piece!

Braving the Elements

2009-02-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

It may not look like it, but it is freezing today, and several cups of restorative tea were indulged in after a lovely, long walk (you can see the snowflakes if you enlarge the photos by clicking on them!)

9, Liechtensteinpark

A Path with Heart

2009-02-14T02:19:00.000-08:00

Saint Valentine

Wishing everyone a happy Valentine's Day!

If your heart isn't taken,

take it somewhere it wants to go....

Ladystyle

2009-02-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Thrifted in Alexandria, VA

Chanel bought at Duty Free (I had a reckless moment!) and necklace thrifted yesterday. It reminds me of Lady Melbourne. If I don't end up wearing it, I might try to remodel it into something like this or this, or it'll become a give away!

Art for Every Day

2009-02-06T23:47:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Emilie Flöge by Gustave Klimt

artarchive.com

Yesterday after work, I went to see the exhibition "Sparklers: Emilie Flöge and Jewelry of Wiener Werkstätte" at the Wien Museum. The WW was an institution established in 1903 that created works of craftsmanship in a very distinct style, shifting emphasis away from the opulence characteristic of the fin-de-siécle to simple shapes, minimal decoration and geometric patterns, and setting ornamentally semi-precious stones instead of diamonds. Influenced by the English Arts and Crafts movement, the designers (Hoffman, Moser, Wimmer-Wisgrill, Czeschka and Peche) closely collaborated with master craftsmen to produce the typical WW look.

Brooches designed by Josef Hoffmann

wienmuseum.at

Emilie Flöge, partner and muse of Gustav Klimt, often posed as model for WW jewelry, and sold it at the fashion salon she ran with her sisters. She herself designed and wore eccentric outfits, often donning a reform dress patterned with the black and white stripes and squares also reflected in the minimalistic decor of their rooms: a perfect example of the credo of the WW, namely, to imbue all areas of daily life with artistic design!

Salon "Schwestern Flöge"

thebluelantern.blogspot.com

Belle D'Aube

2009-02-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

I've been drooling over Deneuve's outfits in "Belle de Jour" lately. Those mini-dresses, those shoes, and she had a different gorgeous coat on every day! Well, if I can't have her clothes, at least I held her pose in the bathroom yesterday, when for some inexplicable reason (probably the new machine), I put woolens and delicates through a rough washing cycle which shrunk a favorite pullover and a new pyjama. I'm still so mad at myself, because it's not the first time. Does this happen to anyone else? Anyway, waking up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday when I wanted to sleep in also had it's rewards - seeing possibly the only slip of blue sky there will be this weekend!

Back from Vienna,

2009-02-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Driving by the Capitol

Virginia to Vienna, Austria. Seems my family has a thing about Vienna. It's been a couple of days and yet I am too jetlagged to take photos of my new/old purchases over yonder (they aren't earth-shattering, I had such bad luck with thrift and vintage stores - most of them being closed on the day or at the time we turned up!), so here are some images of how I spent most of my time - at home, sweet, home with Sasha, my mother's cute little pit bull on the couch watching the inauguration, and oh joy, TCM, a channel that plays classic films all day long and commercial-free.

It also took some time to explore all my mother's new antique and flea markets finds of which the house is chock-full, as well as hundreds of art catalogues and coffee table books. My lovely mummy even gave me an amazing book on masks which I may showcase later. That portrait up there, by the way, is of her in younger years.

Mainly, I wanted to drive around taking in the sun (after 4 months of almost solid grey and overcast skies here, I had pretty much forgotten what it looks like) so she chauffered me aimlessly through the back roads of Northern Virginia where we shook our heads at ridiculous replicas of Versailles, Tara and the White House scattered among the woods - who lives in these places?

And then we visited my old favorite, Great Falls Park:

Could have stayed here watching the water forever. Actually, I could have stayed in the States for a very long period of time. You can say what you want about it, but people are a darn sight friendlier than in this beautiful but morose birthplace of psychoanalysis!

Common Threads

2009-01-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

I spent the morning at the Textile Museum in DC, taking in an exhibition of rugs and textiles collected by the Hajji Baba Club - wealthy experts and aficionados of Oriental rugs who traveled far and wide to seek out specific patterns. If I had moolah, I guess I would too!

images: textilemuseum.org

Change is in the Air

2009-01-22T04:51:00.000-08:00

vintageholidaycrafts.com

Well, hopefully, seeing as I came all the way to Washington DC for the inauguration! Actually, my mother lives close by where, due to the masses and the temperature, we remained at home all day watching the event on TV. It is absolutely frigid here and I admire everyone who stood around since 6 am waiting to catch a glimpse of the new president.

Thrifting is also a priority while I am here, but the vintage store I was hoping to visit is closed for the entire period of my stay. Instead, we went to a second hand book store in Reston and the Goodwill in Falls Church, VA yesterday. The latter is about 50 times bigger than the 2 charity shops I visit in Vienna! I found 2 summer skirts, 2 warm vests, 2 tee shirts, 1 turtle neck and a crocheted cardigan (this is starting to sound like a certain Christmas tune) for an average of $ 4 per item, what a score!

I still want to find more vintagey or folksy stuff - can anyone recommend a good vintage/thrift store to visit in the Northern Virginia/DC area?

Wrap Up!

2009-01-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

These temperatures make me want to remain huddled up in blankets all day - which is just what I did after thrifting this one! It actually warmed up to 0 degrees Celcius though and I got rather hot and itchy at work - apart from what I believe were incredulous looks from co-workers. Ah, the corporate environment does stifle the artistic soul!