5 pattern day

This girl isn’t afraid of patterns! It’s a 5 pattern kind of day. Can you guess what each item is?

(image by: vivien chin)

olly oxen free vintage

Just went to the opening of the Olly Oxen Free Vintage Store on Sunday. Owner Suzanne Palmer has opened a great little Vintage store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I found out about it through Kelly (pictured standing at the storefront). There’s a great selection of vintage women and men’s clothing as well as accessories, shoes, jewelry, records, books, and other miscellaneous items. There’s a 1960-70’s vibe to most of the clothing. There is even a rack of hand inked patterned clothing from India in 1971, never work. Fun, colorful, retro prints. Bohemian and mod. You’re bound to find something and best of all it’s really affordable. I love vintage stores, but they are definitely a strain on the pocketbook. Here, I felt you are bound to find something great at every price range! Kelly and I both walked out with great pieces (she’s modeling her’s above).

Olly Oxen Free also holds a donations based yoga class on Tuesdays from 7p-8:15p. Also on slate for extracurricular activities are film screenings and workshops. Really great idea to make a retail space in to a community gathering point. I’m all for that.

Check it out next time you are in the area. It’s off the Montrose stop on the L train.

Hours:
M – closed
T – 1p-6p (Yoga 7p-8:15)
W-S – 12p-8p
SUN – 2p-8p

Olly Oxen Free Vintage
137 Montrose Ave.
Brooklyn, New York
11206
(347)731-2860

(images by: vivien chin)

monster dog

Saw this at the pet store while getting a toy for Kali. For $30….

famous frocks

Embarking on new adventures! Just purchased this book, “Famous Frocks: Patterns and Instructions for Recreating Fabulous Iconic Dresses” by Sara Alm & Hannah McDevitt. I just bought a sewing machine to learn how to make my own clothes as well doing some artistic material explorations if the machine can handle it. I’ve never made my own clothes before, but this book seems perfect. The are dresses from the 1930’s-1980’s I believe. Seeing some patterns for Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Jackie O, Diana Ross and more. Perfectly matched to my love of the retro and dresses. Ready to design!

rainbow sandals

Success!  There is FINALLY a Rainbow Brand sandal shop here in NYC. Stumbled upon it the other day.  I didn’t know where I would get them except in CA or online…lol…too bad they last soo long that you never really have to buy new one’s often.  I’ve had mine for atleast 7 years and they look like they could last 7 more.  Just so durable and comfy.

245 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012-3546
(212) 966-8858

(image by: vivien chin)

bare lace

Very risque dress by Marchesa.  Love the design.

(image from style.com)

changing of the guards x 1000

Amused by this pic.  The jumpsuit is covered in graphics of the London Changing of the Guards.  By Peter Jensen.

(image from style.com)

DVF_fashion week

Always striking designs from DVF.  Excerpts from DVF’s Fall 2010 line at Fashion Week this week.

(images from style.com)

fashion week_jill stuart_fall 2010

Attended my first Fashion Week Runway show on Monday at Bryant Park.  Here are excerpts from the Jill Stuart Fall 2010 collection that I saw.  My pics were from the side, so thought I’d find some more straight on shots of the clothing.  The show was in the NY Public Library (at the end of Bryant Park).  Love the red coat, and the dresses and the hats are great.

(images from style.com)

mini crochet project: cropped bolero

Just completed my first piece of clothing for myself!  I’ve graduated from the world of scarves and simple beanies.  I’ve been working on teaching myself to crochet and just completed this red cropped bolero.  It took be about 5 days or so off and on to complete.  Pretty happy with my first attempt at making clothing.  It’s a very cute bolero and hope I will get many wears out of it. 

The pattern is from the book, Stitch ‘n Bitch Crochet: the Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller, which I’ve been learning how to crochet from.  Debbie Stoller also is  known for the original book, Stitch ‘n Bitch: the Knitter’s Handbook which is also good to learn from or get a refresher from if you forgot how to do something.  Both have lots of patterns and are good books to have around if you are advanced or just starting out.  They are easy to follow and have lots of humor and anecdotes in them that make the book fun and not a dry instruction book.

Tackled this project, what shall I try next?

(images by: vivien chin)