Is it possible that my hair could look remotely similar to Karla’s here if I were to cut it short? Dangerous. Maybe I’ll just obsess over the adorable vintage-inspired frocks on her blog — like this to-die-for number from my favorite, Shareen Vintage — before I get ahead of myself.
{Photo via Karla’s Closet}
Last weekend, for one of the first times in my life, I threw myself a proper birthday party. Generally, I have some grand idea for a party that after a couple failed attempts at organizing turns into a quiet dinner with the boy or something similar. Last year, I pawned off the planning on the boy and I must say he did a bang-up job – with a Twitter account and everything! But this year, given the theme I had in mind, I knew I had to make things happen for myself.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the beach. And I’ve loved vintage clothing for just about as long as that. I can still remember pining for one of those silly retro swim caps adorned with brightly colored daisies throughout most of my childhood. So when I started to see retro swimwear popping up, even at pretty mainstream stores, I knew it was time. I had to throw a retro beach party.
As usual, I had grander plans in mind that what panned out (i.e., renting a beach house in Malibu with a semi-private beach), but plan B just out front of Crystal Cove’s Beachcomber Café turned out to be a good one. Equipped with some games, towels, umbrellas and, of course, vintage swimsuits, the boy, me, and some amazing friends – including our very own Celeste — frolicked on the sand all day long. We got lots of compliments on our suits and the party theme. But the best part was all the great photos we got to take (highlights above).
So that does it for Summer Bucket List item No. 5 – but not for retro beach parties altogether. I’ve still got my eye on one of those Malibu beach rentals for next summer ;)
A new fashion blog about friends mixing up similar clothing pieces in different, awesome ways? We love it! And we love it even more because the adorable Eyvette, one of the co-founders of One Thing Two Ways, is a dear friend of mine and Kim’s. She always looks chic and cute when we see her, so it’s only fitting the rest of the world gets to see her outfits, too! Yay.
I love that so many retro fashions are in right now and that finally the trend has trickled all the way down to bathing suits. Bathing suits are the one item that I’ve never felt fully comfortable taking down the retro road alone, but with high-wasted suits and boy-short one pieces taking up residence at Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, even Forever 21, it’s a lot easier to imagine sporting one on just a regular old beach day.
Here are just a few of the retro swimsuits catching my eye lately – and a couple that I’ve purchased as part of Summer Bucket List item No. 6!
Dolly Gingham Maillot from Anthropologie – It seems it’s already fall in Anthropologie land because their website says this suit is no longer available. But you can still find it on eBay — and maybe even for less money!
Most fashions at American Apparel tend to come with the caveat of weak construction, and in the case of bathing suits, the result is often that too little is left to the imagination. However, if you’re careful about your choices, you can find some great retro styles that still have a little modesty built in. Including these two styles (in melon and lemon, respectively — actually much classier than they look in the strange American Apparel photos), which I’ve purchased for Summer Bucket List Item No. 6.
UO Ruffle One-Piece Bathing Suit – Urban Outfitters actually has a number of retro styles in its swim collection this season, but this is my favorite. It’s so sweet and classic. And if you’re a little skittish about going full retro, this is a safe way to stay on the border between modern and vintage.
Beach Honeycomber One Piece from Mod Cloth – This is a great pattern in another retro, but modern, swimsuit. Mod Cloth has a number of classic retro styles that are both playful and practical at the same time.
Of course, I’m still on the lookout for a truly vintage swimsuit. I’ve tried on a few and let me tell you, we’ve come a long way in swimsuit construction. It’s no wonder women took a little longer to jump on the surfing bandwagon. Still, I know, just like my favorite swim shorts — my dad’s from the ’70s! — I’ll find something that’s that perfect mix of vintage and modern.
Glamorous Swoop from Eunice & Sabrina Moyle’s Pinterest (original source not found) – The old-Hollywood look of this hair-do is to die for! http://pinterest.com/pin/21181060717265027/
Heidi Doody from Mr. Kate – I get the sense that Kate’s hair is very much like mine, so I think I’ll be visiting her blog often for tips and style ideas. http://www.mrkate.com/2010/06/30/heidi-doody/
Side Ponytail with a Teased Crown from Total Beauty – This has Zooey Deschanel, who’s my go-to style-icon, written all over it. http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/retro-hairstyles/p112392/page3
Twist & Pin Side Chignon from Hair Romance – Love the color, love the style. http://www.hairromance.com/2010/11/twist-pin-side-chignon-how-to.html
Chanel from Bumble and Bumble – This is how I always envision my hair looking when I decide to cut it short. If only … http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/style_book/look.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT914
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You know how every girl has her own style obsession – something that if she doesn’t have just right, it completely ruins her entire look and maybe her entire day? Like for some girls, it’s shoes, for others, it’s purses. For me, it’s my hair. You probably wouldn’t guess that by looking at me because most of the time – so frustrated with my failed attempts at something decent-looking — I go with the default messy bun.
I’ve always been this way – probably because my hair has always caused me so much grief. It’s kinda curly, kinda straight, kinda thin and kinda thick. If I straighten it, it gets wavy when introduced to the smallest amount of moisture and if I wear it curly, it gets flat within minutes. This becomes especially troublesome during vacations when I see other women – even other travelers! – with beautiful natural locks that seem to just mold so well to whatever environment they’re in.
And then – and this is my latest hair woe — it only grows to a certain unimpressive length, starts getting even harder to control and forces me to chop it off with the unfulfilled hope of finding a haircut that will finally work just perfectly.
Now that my hair is probably its longest in history (just past my shoulders – sad, I know), I’m trying my darndest not to cut it short. But it’s killing me, you guys. I can’t do anything with it. So I’m on the hunt for hairstyles that can get me out of my messy bun funk but still won’t require much frustration. I thought I’d share some of my recent finds (links above) and hopefully help any of you suffering with the same haywire hair woes. Enjoy!
Do you know what an alpaca obsession looks like? I do. And it’s name is my mom. A couple years ago, my mom got really into alpacas. I mean, really into them. She joined a club and everything. (I didn’t even know there was such a thing.) They sent her a postcard with a watercolor painting of an alpaca on the front and I laughed for days. And teased her mercilessly. That is, until she sent me the most amazing compilation known to man: 25 Alpacas with the Most Amazing Hair Ever. The title is true. They do have the most amazing hair ever. And looking through the list, I honestly felt as though I could identify every alpaca’s celebrity lookalike – or as I like to call it, “style icon.”
Mom, I apologize for my teasing. You’re right: Alpacas are quite incredible creatures — with a sense of style I can only hope to aspire to one day.
{Photo by Kerstin Joensson via Twisted Sifter}
Pretty hair inspiration just because. :)
And I hope you guys had a wonderful, relaxing holiday weekend! I had a great time visiting Kim and our friend Cheryl in Monrovia on Saturday, and my sister and I ate our hearts out in San Diego. Oh my, the portions at Hash House a go go are the biggest I’ve ever seen in my life, and the two of us dug into an amazing guava cake at Extraordinary Desserts (I would’ve loved to share pictures but my phone was dead for most of the weekend because I’m terrible at charging it). Gah, still full. But deliriously satisfied. Hope you had a fun one, too!
{hair photos via Kate}
I just discovered the Etsy shop The Tailor’s Stories, and have fallen madly in love with their beautiful selection of vintage dresses. Every piece is feminine, adorable, and retro, and there are so many great styles, colors, and patterns to choose from. Summer wardrobe, I am so ready for you!
I just loved looking at all of the stunning gowns on display at this year’s Met Costume Gala, but the real treat was Vogue’s after-party photographs of everyone mingling in black and white until the wee hours of the morning, dressed to the nines and looking so classy that all it feels very Old Hollywood for a night.
Celeste
Kim
