And to start, I am taking a glamorous and relaxing trip to beautiful Belize! My friend Dawn Shipley and I are going to relax in the sun, sip tropical drinks and eat anything that comes from the ocean. Yum! Of course packing for a vacation is always a fun sport. How to look like a bon vivant on a TJMaxx/Marshalls budget? I am planning on packing fun vintage floral dresses, lots of striped separates and fun jewelry. Costume changes will be necessary.

I will definitely take pictures of Belize, and of course the beautiful food. Most importantly, vacay style shots. It will become my personal Resort lookbook. Ha!

Mrs. Lilien always has lovely resort living inspiration. I love her style. And so does Jonathan Adler, Trina Turk, and Lilly Pulitzer! Nuff said. This outfit is my ideal of a very me, very jet setter outfit.

image1: Johanna Ost

image2: Mrs. Lilien

There’s a running joke in the Rockabilly scene about flames, dice and cherries being the symbol of the 1950s infatuated followers of this subculture. Cars, tattoos, clothing – you name it. Anything can be made more “Rockabilly” with these calling card symbols.

Prada tapped into the style and marched statuesque models (a very opposite body type for Rockabilly girls) around a vintage gas station in sexy playsuits and glamorous skirts, complete with flamed out stilettos. And you know what? I love it!

I’m not too Rockabilly to love Prada’s whimsical take on the 1950s look of young women who may dress properly for school during the day, but run with bad boys in loud cars at night. And those shoes! I want a pair just to display in my home. Dare I say they are the Cadillac of shoes?

If you would like to see the beautiful video campaign click here: Prada’s 1950s Inspired Spring Collection

Well it’s been a while since I have posted. My life has experienced many changes. Some the worst, some for the best. One change is my motivation towards exercising. I know I know, such a cliche for the new year. But I actually made no resolutions for 2012, other than to do things and participate in activities that make me happy. And research shows that exercise is a natural mood booster. A more vain reason for my new healthy lifestyle is that I need to get bikini ready for a fab trip with my friend Dawn an island off Belize in March!

We are going to be glamorous jetsetters and enjoy a luxury vacay  – another mood booster!

Today’s Lovely Monday image made me smile. Who EVER looks that cute while standing on the scale. I’m curious what recipes were published in this book. Think they were Atkins like?

Enjoy your Monday!

image source: The Painted Woman

In order to work in the vintage fashion industry, you really have to be a information sponge and avid researcher. Tracing history and trends in fashion, analyzing fabrics when no easy fabric tags existed – these day to day sleuthing skills require a deep level and knowledge and a pretty hefty library of fashion books.

Luckily I love researching and collecting fashion books as much as I love collecting vintage dresses! Today, one of my fave online flash sale marketplaces for home products, Joss and Main, has a gorgeous collection of style books for sale. I picked up three – Valentina, Balenciaga – Venet – Givenchy, and a book I have been wanting for a while, Resort Fashion.

Shipping is a bit slow on Joss & Main, but their selection of products are always fantastic.

Not a member? No worries! I’ll invite you.

I know it’s been a while since I last posted. After getting ready and selling at A Current Affair (post coming soon), I decided to take a week off and focus on friends, family and decorating for the holidays. I was hoping I would find another pink flocked Christmas tree, but my impatience got the better of me. I ordered a fake pink tree one from Sears.com. I miss the pine scent, but it is just as cute!

And speaking of pink. Check out these lovely young Londoners in shades of pink. I love that they punctuated potentially safe winter weather outfits with punches of pink. And no candy ass pink either. Bold doses of hot pink! Very Debutante Clothing ala Schiaparelli. My kind of girls.

My Christmas tree and these lovely ladies have definitely brightened my Monday.

As lovely as my Thanksgiving was, spending time with family and enjoying yummy food, I am sort of glad 2011 is coming to an end. It’s been a roller coaster of a year. Sometimes exciting, sometimes downright scary. I am currently busy getting my house all dressed up for the holidays, including searching for the perfect pink Christmas tree. I would prefer a real flocked one, but I struck out last year.

And speaking of dressed up…I came across this gorgeous 1950s dress on Etsy. The gold and light green make it a perfect holiday dress without being so cliche in terms of color. What I love about this dress is that it is not so holiday that you couldn’t wear it any other time of the year. And it feels like it can easily transition from holiday to spring. I can see wearing this with some killer patent leather booties or some pumps with some serious hardware – gold studs maybe?

What are you searching for this holiday season?

Dress available from Custard Heart Vintage on Etsy.com

I am so excited to tell you that I have been asked to speak at this season’s Orange County Fashion Week! I will be on a panel, along with Heather Petrey of LA Fashion Snob, on blogging basics. I’m a bit intimidated because I actually get a set amount of time rather than a Q&A discussion panel. And it’s a fancy hotel in Costa Mesa and everything!

Orange County is more than just beach and casual wear. The OC, as we call it here in Southern California, is generally considered an affluent county with tons of great and high end department stores and super chic boutiques. Historically though, they are the reigning trend setters of the whole California-beach-surf look. If you are in Southern California, I hope you can come out! I’d love to see or meet you!

So, fellow niche fashion bloggers, what should I talk about? Any pearls of wisdom you would want to share with newbie bloggers? Let me know your suggestions in the comments below!

I hope you had a lovely weekend. But if you dread Mondays like me, here are some images of some lovely roses I picked from my overgrown rose bush. I hope they make you smile like they did me. Have a lovely Monday!

Oh, I picked up these very glamorous ceramic white and gold rimmed dishes at one of my favorite thrift stores a few weeks ago. I love how they frame the vase. I’m sure there was a third piece in the set’s previous life.

Ooh! Or should I say Booooh! This sounds like a good event. the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire is coming to Northern California. Somehow I think the finds are going to be way too good for Halloween costume use.

They will have 50 dealers in three ballrooms- all handpicked by faire curator and co-founder of the Alameda Point Antique Fair, Sandra Michaan.

Highlights include dealers specializing in vintage designer accessories, menswear, military, bridal, and from every era from Victorian through 1980’s.  Price points will vary- there will be some serious bargains to be had as well as pristine, collectors’ items that are priced accordingly.

And something I thought was VERY cool, Operation Care and Comfort will be setting up a station at the faire collecting donations for American servicemen and women serving overseas.  Bring anything from personal care items (toothbrushes, shaving needs, etc.) to fun things (inexpensive/disposable cameras, phone cards, etc.) to Halloween treats (American candies!) to drop off when entering the faire.

The deets:

Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire

at the O Club, 641 West Red Line Avenue, Alameda CA 94501

Friday, Oct 21^st “First Stab” 6-9 PM $10 entry fee (also admits to Saturday show)

Halloween Costume Contest at 8PM

(entertainment by Blue Bone Express and cocktails by St.George)

Saturday, Oct 22^nd First Buy 10-11 AM $10 entry fee, 11 AM- 5 PM $5 entry fee

Free admission to children 16 and under.