foremanphoto

If you live in Austin you may have picked up a copy of RARE magazine, the fashion issue, in the last couple of weeks. If you have, you may have noticed a surprisingly fresh fashion spread.

*please excuse the wonky cropping.

The fantastic thing about this is that Alan Foreman, the photographer, is a native! Or a local... who knows how long he has lived here the point is that he does! Austin does have it's own burgeoning fashion scene but Mr. Foreman's resume includes various international ELLE'S, Blackbook, and a Vogue (Spain according the web site.) Those are credentials we don't see much of here because they hoard them in NYC and other such bright lights big cities! I also happen to know that he and his wife have started a brand new model management company, the absence of which was, in my opinion, a void in Austin until now. They have girls flying all over the country, signing with major agencies, appearing in NYLON for goodness sakes. Enough of that, you'd think I was trying to work with the man or something... ahem. His work speaks for itself.

xo

Green eyes, she's not a monster.

*The song of my summer. Believe it.

So, My life goes one of two ways. 

I am either bored, listless, doing almost nothing on a daily basis (and you know what they say, only boring people get bored)... 

OR

I am in-over-my-head style busy. I am panic stricken in the face of endless tasks and to-do's, making me want to take a bottle of lambic to my bed and watch netflix instant movies in a puddle of booze.

I am very firmly planted inside the latter of these two possibilities. I have to say, I prefer it. I like being addled, if you can believe it. I like being occupied. I have never gotten into yoga because they're constantly badgering you to clear your mind, as if that is possible. I find pilates much more pleasant and calming because your brain is so distracted by the mechanics of the exercise (for example, pull your stomach up, ground your pelvis, keep your toes active and grow taller from both ends! All at once!!) that you do forget your life for an hour or so... without all the cosmic, spiritual hoo-ha that makes me so uncomfortable*

*not that I have a problem with spirituality... I just don't like to mix exercise with my soul.

Moving on. 

So let's examine the situation. Here is what is happening-

 1. My munchkin, aka "Da Pook" is off in Montana for the week at her Grandma and Bom-Boms house. She is having a blast. She is fishing, going to farmers markets, having play dates with outdoorsy kids and having the run of the place obviously. 

          Having all this freedom is nifty and all but I miss her. Don't you? In case you forgot how missable and almost edible her adorable little head is,

Avery models her new, thrifted, grunge-y sun dress.

So yeah, it's nice sleeping in and being my own boss (ahem) for the week, but I want to SQUUUUUEEEZE her!!

2. I have two kind of HUGEASAURUS styling projects coming up at the end of the month that are keeping me enslaved to the computer and the closet for most of my days. First I will be going back up to Houston to work with Page Parkes modeling agency again, styling test shoots for models with the amazing Tommy Chung. We should be shooting even more girls this time, which means even more clothes and even more hours standing on my stinkin feet!*

*this is not complaining. This is me toning down how awesome-tastic my job is.

I'm looking forward to working with the whole team again. Alot of the shots from the last shoot turned out really well!

Sheets from the last shoot

Immediately following, Tommy and I will be shooting a fall eco-fashion story for a magazine I cannot disclose yet. I have to admit that at first the idea of doing a completely "green" shoot wasn't ringing by bell. I didn't know a whole lot about eco-friendly designers a week ago and I pictured a lot of crunchy, art-school looking garb. I have been pleasantly surprised! There are more options and better quality offerings than I could have imagined!! In case you're as naive as I when it comes to the subject, some of my favorite sustainable/environmentally responsible fashion discoveries have been,

The Battalion

 

*I may have to spend months searching, but I will find that cape from last season. I will.

POPOMOMO

Lina Rennell

*I adore that bathing suit and fringe belt!

Bahar Shahpar

*that little floral frock is achingly sweet.

Also, a couple of great sites/resources that I discovered, and you might also like, if you aren't up on the eco-tip yet,

* TheFourHundred- A great little online "showroom" for higher end eco-labels. Ashley Watsons recyled leather belts are wondrous!

* TheGreenLoop- I imagine all truly green glamour girls know this one inside and out. A dizzying aray of goodies that won't push your carbon footprint any farther.

* Gorgeously Green- Your comprehensive how to be green and look good doing it web site. I will be frequenting this one a lot as I try (I said TRY) to convert my beauty product collection to an all natural selection.

So I don't expect to start blogging regularly about "going green" and whatnot, but the more I find the more intrigued I am. My particular mission for planet earth is currently focused on RE-USING and I am happy that way. For now. All in all, I am VERY excited about our eco-fashion story and cannot wait to show it off here!

3. (Yeah, we're still counting) I have been thrifting like a MANIAC. Not only do I have big plans for Magnolia Family Vintage, which has unfortunately been neglected in the face of the rest of my life, but I have been newly inspired in the search for my OWN collection of secondhand treasures. I'm going to use this opportunity to show off some of my newest acquisitions,

*Vintage sunglasses, Goodwill

*Vintage cross stitch handbag, Goodwill

*Big Ol' platforms! Salvation Army

*Lace top, Salvation Army

*I can't lie, I ebayed this United Colors of Beneton frock!

*Rockabilly-esque halter dress, Goodwill

*Low-heel platforms, Goodwill

*I got this pretty, cotton Necessary Objects dress from Buffalo Exchange. I love it. And I did flash on purpose to cover my face. AND YES I AM WEARING FLIP-FLOPS IN PUBLIC. Ugh, I think the Austin heat has broken my spirit...

That's not even the lot of it! I may start hosting thrifting boot-camps in the near future. I still get the question " How do you find cool stuff?" pretty regularly. I have tried to explain it but I may have to take it a step further. Seminars? Pamphlets? We all learn differently.

4. And as if this blog hasn't gotten EPIC enough in length, I have one more thing to report on. I recently got together with several other Austin bloggers for a hot, steamy, sweat filled (we were outside after all) photo shoot to accompany a piece in the Daily Texan.

We are the voice of Austin... apparently. We are a handsome bunch if I do say so myself.

Little Leigh, the articles author, wore a splendid thrifted top. So of course I took her photograph... against her will.

Tolley Moseley over at Austin Eavesdropper wore her MFV garage sale earrings!!

It was a blast to meet other bloggers and I can't wait to see our mugs all over the front page of UT's newspaper in the near future.

So while that is the last drop of blogging I can handle today, I want to let you guys know I'll be hosting one of those nifty Chickdowntown giveaways here!! I have seen them on a lot of other great blog (haven't won anything yet, sadly) and now I get to do my own! Joy! Just so you know, winning or being given FREE new clothes is basically the same as thrifting. I promise. So, keep checking back for your chance to win something lovely and covetable...

Seacrest Out.

Our First Blog Sale!

So here is the thing. I have A LOT of stuff in the upstairs "inventory closet." I have been hoarding and collecting and snatching up VINTAGE odds and ends for a long time now. It's compulsive. I have enough stuff now to admit, even to myself, that I have too much stuff. By stuff I mean awesome little odds and ends from bygone eras. I don't know how to classify it, in its breadth of time and object, except as "stuff." I am not lying when I say I love it all. I do! I never pick up anything on my expeditions that I don't ooh and aahh (or at least coo) over. I just don't need it all, can't store it all in an organized manner, don't have the time or energy to list it all on ebay, and certainly cannot bring myself to donate it away anonymously. How could I?

I am working now on getting the Magnolia Family Vintage ebay store back up and running. I expect it to hit sometime next week. I say that like it is a missile, honing in on you. Maybe it is. While I have been going through the clothing, looking for models, picking up new stuff to sell, it occurred to me that it is time to start anew, in a sense. I have let the closet and the shop become poorly edited and sloppy. The pile I have amassed over time has become an obstacle. Things get lost in the drawers, items that need attention and repair get neglected, and things I should have sold long ago get forgotten on their hangers. So, this blog sale is the first of many steps to clearing out and getting new perspective on the "Magnolia Family Vintage collection."

On a side note, to anyone reading this who may be IN AUSTIN (locals only!)...

I want to have a yard sale! A big ol' cleansing ritual of house and home! I am looking for a partner in this venture because, well, I don't have a yard. If you, or someone you know, have any interest in co-hosting a big "get rid of stuff in a community friendly way" event, please let me know. I am looking to sell vintage, new clothes, formal gowns, albums, shoes, books, baby clothes, toys, and brick-a-brack. I'd love to find a sale-friendly location and another person or family unit to collaborate with. I'd appreciate any help and any ideas on this matter. I am honest, friendly, clean, and I would be happy to bring a cooler of refreshments to you. Inquire within.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

PLEASE READ!

So, as for the sale, I have listed below several items I am willing to part with. I have given a short description of each item and I guarantee that every item in this sale is VINTAGE. Who knows how this will go, it is completely experimental for me. There are more items ready to sell, I am just waiting to see how this goes!

• I'd love to hear feedback and to know if this is a selling format I should pursue occasionally. Or not.
  
• There are more photos of each item included in a FLICKR SET.
• My pricing is not arbitrary, there is a system. I am not looking for best offers or to trade. I tried to make sure I was staying in the low end of the price spectrum on all the items.
• I have no idea how long I will leave this up for. If it goes alright, maybe a few days. If it does not seem to be working I guess I will leave it up for less time, ha. Point being, if you want it, please go ahead and buy it or you may miss out!

PAYMENT-I put the price of the item ABOVE the photo of the item. If you want to purchase said item, please EMAIL ME at

magnoliavintage@hotmail.com

If you are the first person to email me then the item is yours. When you receive an email response you can send payment to my Paypal account and the sale will be confirmed. Please include your name, address, ITEM NAME and shipping preference (see below) in your email to me. If you happen to live here in Austin and want to buy something, I'd be happy to accept cash, you just have to come to my home.

SHIPPING- Anywhere in the United States, I can ship your item Priority Mail for $4.99 or regular mail for $2.99. I will ship promptly.

QUESTIONS- Please feel free to comment or email me with any questions!

On to the sale...

SOLD

"Sailor Moon" 1980's earrings $5.00

Painted metal with tiny rhinestones. Approx 1.5" top to bottom.

SOLD

"Pearls Before Swine" 1970's mirrored-back necklace charm $7.00

Approx 2" top to bottom, mother of pearl, slightly heavy, ornate frame, and the back is a mirror! See photo.

"Amber Preserves" 1970's Pin $7.00

Approx 1.5" side to side.

"Sally Sells" Charm, decade unknown $7.00

Kookiest little item award goes to!! Check out the tiny little hand dangling there...

Shell is Approx 2" long.

"Benjamin Button" Pin $4.00

Approx 2" long

"Fringe Benefits" 1970's poncho $18

One Size Fits Most. Dress form is size Medium.

SOLD

"Eye Full" 1970's pendant necklace $9.00

Actual magnifying glass! See photo for length.

"Gold Leaf" earrings, decade unknown. $5.00

SOLD!

"Debutante" 1950's necklace $9.00

SOLD

"Bow-tie" 1980's necklace $9.00

"Blue Blood" 1970's long necklace $9.00

Flapper Style, heavy plastic beads.

SOLD

"Statesman" 1960's Charm Bracelet $7.00

Oregon, California, Utah, Texas, Virgina, Italy.

Plus one charm that says "Gamble and Weep, Don't and Sleep"

hmm....

SOLD

"Sagittarius" 1970's necklace $9.00

"Bermuda Triangle" 1970's earrings $5.00

"Three Points West" 1970's necklace $7.00

SOLD

"Flower Power" 1960's bracelet $10.00

Hard to explain, this bracelet accordions in and out. Opens to allow your wrist and then closes in around it. So beautiful, photos do not do it justice!

"Hoot" 1970's necklace $7.00

"Chain Gang" long necklace $9.00

One of my best estate sale finds! Truly better in person.

SOLD

"Op Art" 1960's necklace $ 9.00

"Floral Arrangement" 1960's Handmade Apron $11.00

Perfect Condition!

"Spray Paint and Hair Spray" 1980's leather purse $18.00

Original tags, genuine leather, zipper closure.

"Layer Cake" 1970's large black bead, tiered necklace $9.00

SOLD

"Madonna" 1980's multi-layered necklace $7.00

"Watercolor" 1960's handmade apron $10.00

Tie in the back shows some wear.

SOLD

"Pushing Daisies" 1960's handmade apron $10.00

SOLD!

The Vogue Sewing Book 1975 $9.00

Good condition, not perfect. Book cover is worn at edges.

Some sample pages...

Oh God my hands! My eyes! I can't do anymore tonight.

I will list the rest this weekend. Belts, shoes, more jewelry, lots of vintage purses. Hope you enjoy browsing if nothing else. If your friends would enjoy browsing as much as you do, please let them know on my behalf! Til then xo