Building a Travel Wardrobe

I am packing tonight and I am planning to bring a lot of accessories that don't take up much bulk or weight, but that add a lot to an outfit.

Necklaces, belts, and bracelets should add some interest and texture.  

I am taking several blazers, some solid (tomato red, black) and some textured/patterned (leopard print, cream and grey tweed).  The top piece is a fur vest which can be layered and goes with almost everything.  

 Basics in neutral colors round out my clothes options. 

Ballets in a nude and perfect suede will give my feet a break from boots.  

One clutch for night and two scarves round out the add-ons.  

Packing reminds me that I should donate things that I don't love.  The best should be for everyday glamour, not just when traveling!

Laura x

Faux Jetsetter

The suitcases are out!  I leave for England on Friday and because I am super compulsive, I have already begun to lay things out for my suitcases.  I resisted actually bringing them out until today.  

I recently finally upgraded from a large monster pink suitcase which could barely fit in my Dad's car to invest in "grown up" luggage.  I finally won't be embarrassed to get my bag off of the carousel.  

I am looking forward to time with friends and family in the UK although I will be missing my family and friends back at home. 

Keep tuned this week to track my struggles with what to back while I try to take the Glamorous Pursuit abroad!

Laura x

Santa Baby

 

 Dress: Vintage; Belt: J Crew; Nude Fishnets: DKNY; Heels: Zara

I think the best thing about fashion is that you don't have to take yourself too seriously.  I love dressing in a way that makes me smile and even if I look a bit ridiculous, I am usually game for it!  

 I was happy to play Mrs. Claus for the evening and host some good friends. 

Glamour can be defined as "charm," and these friends and others who weren't able to come have it in spades!

Special thanks to my brother Luke who played paparazzi for the evening. 

Laura x

Mrs. Claus and Cocktails

I am playing hostess at my holiday party tonight.  Perfect occasion  to use a lot of my bar glasses and have a good time with friends. 

I like to have people make their own drinks and try to give them lots of options: Vodka, Gin, pineapple and cranberry juice, grenadine, and a garnishes like lemons, limes, raspberries, and of course gummy bears! 

 I collect bar accoutrements, but unfortunately I don't get to use them too much.  Some are useful, some are just for show! (tiara). 

Outfit for the night, vintage Mrs. Claus dress. 

 Mixing cocktails in Mrs. Claus dress and heels totally impractical, but impractically glamorous.

Laura x

Vintage to Vogue

I grew up loving books and as I began to love fashion and art, I particularly loved coffee table books.  At an antique store in Ithaca, I came across a large pink leather bound book which contains Vogue magazines from October-December 1957.  I am so inspired by Vogue and have subscribed since I was a teenager.  I still can't believe I found this!

The book contains so many inspirational images and documents Vogue in the post-war period before ready to wear clothing began to replace couture. 

 

The book is stamped "Elmira College Library."  I like to think of the college students who read this when the issues were current.  

 

This book is a reminder to take time to think about my wardrobe and invest in classic pieces (especially coats and dresses) rather than fast fashion. 

Classic pieces are always glamorous.

Laura x

Red and Tan Art Deco

Dress, Blazer, Boots, Belt, and necklace all J Crew (didn't realize that until I posted this!)

 I love the lobbies of the art deco lobbies that are in downtown Pittsburgh.  They have such saturated colors and ornate details.  I love these elevator doors. 

This silk safari-style dress is hard to wear in the winter, but I tried to bulk it up with black tights, stacked heels, gold accents and a leopard belt. 

This lobby reminds me that there can be beauty in the most seemingly insignificant things.  Glamour is all about the small touches that create a big picture. 

Laura x

How To: Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath

I love Christmas decorations, but usually just things that are really shinny or sparkly.  My Mom and I made these wreaths over Thanksgiving out of vintage Christmas ornaments that we found.  Maybe you will want to keep your eyes out for the bulbs and make one for your own home. 


The first thing is to find vintage Christmas bulbs.  We found ours at thrift stores and the more ornate ones at antique stores.  The style of wreath that you chose will dictate how many bulbs you need.  The full one has probably 40-50 bulbs on it.  The tinsel wreath needs about 20 bulbs.  Look for colors that you like and a couple with special elements for the top layer.  

You will also need a foam wreath, a glue gun, and some wire to hang the wreath when you are finished.

A glass of wine also helps!

I laid the ornaments out so that they were easy to reach and so I could see the color theme as I started to put the bulbs on the wreath. 

Start by gluing the bulbs around the inside of the circle and then the outside of the wreath.  This will allow you to lay the foam wreath flat on the counter and then build up from there using your best bulbs for the very top.  

 This is the mult-colored wreath in progress. 

Ornamentation without Foundation

 

Peplum top with leather details (Urban Outfitters); Blazer (Zara); 

                                             Pencil skirt, Belt, and Necklace (J Crew);

A mansion left to decay and its sadness and beauty attracts my eye each time I pass.  There is something about an abandoned house that is a blank slate that allows me to imagine what it looked like and what it could look like one day. 

This house is also like my style in a way.  It has lots of ornate details, but none of the basics.  Just like the house has beautiful stained glass and masonry work, but no boards on the porch, I have sequined skirts and velvet heels, but no jeans that I really love.  The gift/curse of vintage shopping is that I find some great pieces (which are usually for special occasions or work), but the thought of going shopping for staples like work pants doesn't provide any of the thrill. 

If fashion is all about fun, I will keep my sequins and velvet, and all of the fluff, but add in some more basics. 

What could be more glamorous than that?

Laura x