From time to time we see rope details and anchors on accessories and clothes. It’s a style that never really goes away. I have always hated it. But I think maybe it’s a little like coffee; it has to grow on you. Now I feel old enough to sport the look. These things are super easy to find secondhand, and to give you some ideas I have found a few pictures. First two is Ralph Lauren and Peter Som. Remember not to go overboard, a simple detail is enough and you will look nautical chic.

One of my favorite secondhand stores, Vintage Amore, is having a winter clearance. I have seen some great stuff there lately, so do not miss this chance! To never miss out on the good stuff you should stop by the forum once in a while where all the new items are announced. I just wish I wasn’t so broke all the time…

I want to start a little project here. eBay is so huge it’s sometimes hard to shop unless you know exactly what you want. I have gathered a few sellers that I have either bought from or kept an eye on. I hope you guys will share your favorite sellers as well so that I in the end can make a huge post with all the sellers you’ll ever need. It will help both you and me to track down the best of it. I’ll start with a few and you can post your favorite sellers as comments to this post.

Exile Vintage

I’ve already mentioned this eBay store. Here you’ll find lots of vintage clothes, mostly dresses, that usually start at $9.99.

Le Robo

Beautiful vintage apparel that starts at $14.99. Some of these sell out a little expencive in the end, but if you keep an eye out I bet it’s possible to make a bargain.

Mama Stone Vintage

This store provides lovely clothes starting at around $9.99. All are very well documented with tons of pictures and is probably so far my favorite on eBay.

Pandora’s Pout

Tons of lovely jewelry at low prices. Here you’ll find pretty little bird necklaces or edgy flash earrings.

Frhapsody

Mostly vintage houswares with a nice selection of Scandinavian designs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, you’ll also find fabrics and accessories.

Tama Pieces

More jewelry in much of the same spirit as Pandora’s Pout. The prices are also good here. I especially love the anchor necklaces.

Timeless Vixen

I love this one. Items start at $12 but you will have to expect to pay a bit more. This store has alot of great stuff though.

Trashy Magazine

If you want to copy celebs this is the store of your choice. You’ll mostly find accessories, but some clothes as well.

Peanuts Charms

Charms, charms, charms, and some other stuff. What I like about this though is that you’ll find charms and pendants out of the ordinary, like golden caravans.

These are mine, now let’s see yours!

I am so broke these days. I feel like I say that all the time, but it’s true. While living on a student loan it’s hard to get the ends to meet. Usually I get by without too much pain, but now before facing a new season it’s extra hard. Spring items are starting to reach the stores and I am dreaming of warmer days while planning all the outfits I’ll be wearing. There’s so many things I want that I live in constant pain! First of all I need lots of new dresses, and to do this I have to eat cheap.

Pesto Baguettes

This is most suited for lunch, but I often make this for a quick dinner when I’m short on time. Don’t be frightened by the picture, it’s actually very good.

Tomatoes
Cheese
Pesto
Butter
Baguettes
Salt & Pepper

Slice a baguette in half. (Or do it the fancy way and make cuts in a whole baguette and put it all in the holes.) Mix together a spoonful of pesto, some butter, a little salt and a bunch of pepper. Put this on the baguettes. Lay on cheese and slices of tomatoes on top. Heat in an hot oven until the cheese is starting to get color. Eat and enjoy and think about that you’re getting one step closer to your spring wardrobe. For me it will be some nice vintage dresses like from this seller on eBay:

I need a white dress with lots of laces, a flowery dress, a shirt dress, a black wrap dress and a yellow dress…

I love these fun bags from Defunct Baggage. They are from $20 and up.

2006 is the year of legs. I say this based on following proofs:

1. The shoes are higher and more slutty than ever.

2. The belt has been moved from the hip to the waist making your legs look twice as long.

3. Tops are buttoned up and you won’t show alot of clevage so you have to work those legs.

4. The shorts has shrinked and the short 60’s dresses are still hanging in there leaving nothing but bare legs.

5. High waist pants and high waist skirts are here to stay for a while, that as the belt make your legs look longer.

Make sure to treat your legs gently and preper them well for spring. Some working out and tan won’t hurt either. And practice walking those heels!

Playful from Jean Paul Gaultier.

Black and white from Chanel.

Colorful and Spanish influenced from Christian Lacroix.

Flowers and laces from Valentino.

As many of you may have noticed waist belts are becoming a big trend. I won’t go too much into this as La Femme already wrote a great post on the topic (where I borrowed the pictures from) that you can check out here. In stead I would like to suggest these:

Clasp belts are such fun vintage finds!

My friend Silje told me about a skirt she bought that she thought I would like. And boy was she right! I had to share this with you. It is a high waist pencil skirt with suspenders in a wool and acrylic blend, it buttons up at front and has front pockets and a really tight fit. You’ll find it at H&M. It can go with so much: I’m thinking a rock ‘n’ roll t-shirt or just an ordinary white shirt. I’m so excited! (Thanks Silje, I owe you one!)

Update: I just realized that it might just be this skirt with the suspenders taken off. It looks excactly the same, and the suspenders are fastened by buttons so they come off easily. It just got even better: I can wear it in two different ways! Run off to H&M everyone!

As you know I have too many shoes I don’t wear, and now it’s time to do something about it. With the platforms predicted to be so big for the upcoming spring, I figured it was time to try stretching out the platforms I bought last year. They fit, but the straps are tight and it hurts when walking more than a bloc. I turned to The Budget Fashionista for help and tried out as follows:

If the shoes are leather, waterproof the outside of the shoes, then soak the entire pair underwater for about 2 minutes. Wearing a pair of thick white socks, walk around your house until dry. The shoe will mold to your foot.

What platform sandals look like with monkey socks in them. Sexy, right? There’s still snow outside so I haven’t been able to test the result in the best environment, but I’ve worn them around the house for a day, and no sore feet yet. First pair seems to be OK. Now it’s time to brake in other shoes, polish some, fix little scuffs and marks. Have the sidewalks carpeted. Do I think this will really make a different? Well, every summer I make myself the promise that I will wear all my shoes at least once. Now I understand that it’s not me, it’s the summer that is too short. I can still hope…

FLY is the new thing. A fashion Magazine on DVD, including moving pictures and music like Elliot Smith and Devendra Banhart and contributers like John Malkovich. It sounds too good not to check out. A quote from the press release:

FLY DVD is a departure from traditional print magazines that for decades have presented their stories and subject matter through a two dimensional silent medium. FLY is the first fashion and art “moving-magazine” creating an engaging and interactive multi-sensory experience integrating fashion, film, art, music and dialogue to stimulate, inspire and inform the viewer.

You can check out the trailer here. It’s sold in selected stores in London, Paris, NY, Milan, Berlin, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Miami and Chicago. But of course the rest of us can get it here. It’s not cheap, one issue inside USA is $45. I guess that this project can either go really well or really bad, too soon to tell, but it sounds exciting.

I love shoes. I never seem to get enough; there are always some pairs missing from my collection. I have them all lined up so I can look at them when ever I want. Sound familiar? I bet many of you feel the same way about shoes. I started thinking though: How many of my shoes do I actually wear? I decided to do a count to see where I’m at. Now I bet my number of shoes is small compared to real shoeaholics, but I ended up at exactly 60. Most of them are pumps and heels. I only own two pairs of sneakers (one that I’ve never worn). I have recently given away old shoes I don’t like anymore to the Salvation Army, so these are all shoes that I still like and plan to wear. The statistics tell me I could have given away way more:

# of shoes I wear regularly: 4 (Approx. 6,5 %)
# of shoes I wear from time to time: 10 (Approx. 17,5 %)
# of shoes I’ve worn a few times: 23 (Approx. 38 %)
# of shoes I’ve never worn: 23 (Approx.38 %)

Now many questions comes to mind: Am I too materialistic? Am I at all normal? Can any of you say you’ve never or rarely worn more than 75% of all your shoes?

I have previously mentioned the motorcycle look that seems to pop up here and there. I am myself desperately looking for a motorcycle jacket with no luck so far. At least I have got hold of a bunch of driving gloves which also are important. If we’re going to trust fashion week in Sao Paulo the motorcycle trend will be even bigger next fall. Already this spring we’ll see some black leather, mostly contrasted with cute dresses and light colors. All the white laces and skin toned colors we see for spring is the perfect contrast for this look. Aviator sunglasses that we have seen for a while and skulls is also essential and is the easy way to add some hardness to an outfit. To make it cheap have a look at the mens department at H&M. You won’t find good aviator sunglasses or skulls at the womens department, but there’s already a nice selection in the mens area.

I love the illustrations by Liselotte Watkins. They make me so happy just looking at them! I wish I could draw like that…

Don’t bother spending much time in front of the mirror. Hair next season is simple.

Ponytail: Ultra-practical is now ultra-chic.

Hanging straight: Leave your hair the way it is. Tip: Part it at the middle and buy a straightener.

Covered by a scarf or hat: No more bad hair days! Tip: Dress up the scarf or hat with a brooch.