Vintage Roadtrip

Road trips are even more fun for thrifters. If we are speeding by an unnamed town and spy a mannequin poised on the sidewalk, brakes are applied. 

Packing. Can you believe I narrowed it down to just 2 hats?

This week, my Gypsy Sister and I traveled from Charleston, through Georgia, down to St. Augustine, Florida. 

Ready for a day of touring St. Augustine in the Florida sun. All three pieces thrifted. I adore these sunnies, purchased from the New York Goodwill, just off 5th Avenue, on a cold and rainy night.

Joelle and I visited The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, and feel that she may have brought us thrifting blessings.

On the same road as the shrine, this sign called to us like a Siren.

We opened the door, and walked into a photo shoot. In addition to selling exquisite vintage fashion, The Way We Were will rent clothing. This lovely lady is attending a themed wedding in this dress.

The darling owner faffs about in caftans

Just up the street is Antiques and Things. I had no intention of entering the store. I did however admire the rows and rows of teapots and decided to walk inside just to see if I could get a picture of them.

Gasp! This place is huge and jammed in no discernible order with dead animal claws, pictures of Elvis, a chamber pot, hats, scarves, jewelry, vintage dresses, canes, lamps, stuffed animals, and possibly Amelia Earhart's plane. 

I walked out with an amazing silk cocktail dress and these antique French crystal chandelier prisms. As soon as I got home, I rewired them for earrings. Surprisingly comfortable, just as long as I remember not to swing my head around too quickly. I could rip an earlobe that way.

WWJCW? What would Joan Collins wear?

Next stop: Vilano beach. This bathing suit is classic 80s with a sequined snake ring. I had visions of walking onto the set of Dynasty as soon as I saw it. The whole outfit is thrifted and I felt incredibly glamorous as I schlepped down to the beach with my neon chair. 

The next day was devoted to Savannah, Georgia. Oh, Savannah, I love your tenacity, your wabi sabi glamour, your acceptance of character, and dedication to preservation.

It was raining rivers when we arrived, so I've blatantly stolen this exterior image from their fb page.

Joelle and I have been following Gypsy World Savannah on social and planned on stopping in …  right after a picnic lunch at Bonaventure Cemetery, where we visited the grave of Johnny Mercer. 

Quite literally packed floor to ceiling 

Dripping in jewels

We were greeted by the proprietress Lisa and became fast friends as we swapped stories of traveling cross country in vans. 

I will be back Gypsy World. You have so many fun events, and I live just up the road.

Charleston Promenade '19

The Hat Ladies of Charleston look forward to this event all year. It is an opportunity to put on our finest duds, and for me, my most over-the-top hat. The Promenade in Charleston, South Carolina is a traditional Easter parade and proceeds from Washington Square, down Broad Street. Locals and tourists line the sidewalks and we are joined by family, dignitaries, and media favorites.

This year was extra special for me because my bestie Joelle was in town from Dallas and joined us for the fun. She deserves an award for being the most mellow, easiest-to-get-along-with, enthusiastic, supportive friend. She is up for going anywhere, trying anything, and tirelessly takes photos of me for blogs and grams, while I ham it up like a drunken B movie actress.

We are a contrast in stripey-ness. 

The Top Hat of The Hat Ladies of Charleston, Archie Burkel

Rosie shows us how to do The Charleston, as the Dixieland jazz band plays.

This fabulous feather chapeau was custom made by local milliner, and Hat Lady, Suzanne Hardie.

This exquisite headpiece was found at the Salvation Army.

• The fabulous creation on my head is far too artistic to be merely described as a hat. It is a couture sculpture by Romer Millinery, purchased at The Hat Shop in Soho.
• The jumper is going to be my summer go-to, J for Justify, Ross. $13.99
• Blue suede purse, Salvation Army, Maryland, $1.99
• Fawn suede shoes, Gentle Souls, South Carolina Goodwill, $5.99
• Earrings are upcycled antique crystal prisms from a French chandelier,  Antiques & Things, St. Augustine, Florida. $6 each

Just a little red

Occasionally, I practice restraint.

Midnight ritual – French press and dessert

Valentine's is not a night I usually go out. Alas, when My Man About Town checked his theatre tickets, he discovered they were for that evening. And who are we to turn our noses up at a night on the town?

As much as I love wearing red, I was in a a more understated mood. Well as understated as giant ruffles can be, I suppose. It's a rare night in Charleston when it is cool enough to wear velvet, so I took full advantage. I was feeling very 1975 London Biba in silk ruffles, velvet jacket, and velvet pants.

The first little touch of red came from these vintage glass beads – my mother's collection.

Next to my favorite box at The Dock Street Theatre, MM.

This little clutch is my go-to bag. The color reminds me of a cherry red Chevy. It's just large enough to hold my phone, keys, and glasses.

You just never know where you will make a fun fashion find. Can you believe this marvelous cuff bracelet came from the Cracker Barrel gift shop?

My Man About Town is dashing, and oh so Austin Powers, in his red velvet jacket. As usual, we don't tell each other what we are going to wear; we just show up and are delighted at how well we coordinate.


Silk blouse: Ellen Tracy, Goodwill, $4, completely deconstructed and re-sewn to size
Velvet jacket: Atelier, thrifted a decade ago, and still going strong
Velvet pants: White House/Black Market, thrifted
Patent Leather clutch: $1.99 Community Thrift
Red Suede shoes: thrifted
Wrap: Black velvet and red silk, thrifted
Glass beads: from Mother's collection, dating back to 40s through 60s
Bracelet: Cracker Barrel gift certificate

Sunday Brunch

There is nothing I love more than a last-minute invitation. The surprise. The spontaneity. The chance to dress up. So when that happy little bling sounded on my laptop, I was delighted to see it was my Man About Town, inviting me to brunch.

La Patisserie, Hotel Bennett

It's been a bit cold and dreary here in Charleston and bare legs were out of the question. And who says you have to wear pastels to brunch? 

The outfit I chose was about as far as you can get from what my mother called "Sunday Go To Meetin' Clothes." The chilly temps were a great excuse to try out my latest risky, fun buy, vegan leather pants. One of the many rewarding bonuses of thrifting is trying edgy pieces you would not ordinarily spend the money to purchase. If your outfit looks atrocious on you, sell it, donate it, and you have only spent a few dollars. In this case, $4.

My blue velvet scarf is longer than I am tall. Perfect for bundling against the wind.

We brunched on King Street and then decided we would take a walk and visit the newest hotel to open in Charleston. Hotel Bennett did not disappoint. Miami Deco meets Hollywood boudoir. 

The insanely over-the-top, metallic wallpaper makes me swoon. 

This is sure to become one of the most Instagrammed spots in Charleston, and we were there the hour it opened. We saw at least a dozen friends who had all come out to appraise and support Charleston's latest attraction.

A completely fun, spontaneous day. Charleston: go out for brunch; return home at 9:00 p.m.

Scarf: Waist Not Want Not, $10 
Vegan leather pants: H&M, Community Thrift, $4
Shoes: Madden, Community Thrift, $4
Top: friend's closet, $15
Patent leather handbag: Forever 21, $20

A private sale

Vintage finds South of Broad

Charleston ladies are the sweetest ladies. Being a member of The Hat Ladies of Charleston, has not only fueled my headwear addiction, but brought the most wonderful women into my life. It was my incredible, good fortune to be invited into the home of one of our Hat Sisters, Susie, for her private downsizing sale. 

Susie lives in the Historic District, known as South of Broad. This is quintessential Charleston. Many of these homes date back to the 1700s and are preserved with a loving attention to detail and authenticity. For Susie's privacy, I won't show the exterior of her house, but I did take a little wander around after the sale to show you some other lovely sites.

The sale began at 10:00 a.m. I arrived at 10:07 and this was the site. Do not get between my Hat Sisters and a good deal on a hat. 

Oh my goodness, there were hats and hat boxes displayed all through Susie's lovely, light-filled home.

The minute I spotted this vintage beauty, I slapped it squarely on my head and wouldn't take it off.

Then I spent a bit more time wandering through the neighborhood and down to The Battery.

This is what $2,700 a month gets you in Charleston. Charm, but no plumb bob.

Between the hurricanes, and the centuries, and the earthquakes, absolutely nothing is level in Charleston.

Saturday morning traffic jam South of Broad.

This isn't the first time I've encountered guinea fowl commuters in this neighborhood. 

This bowl is my favorite story of the day. For months now, I've been looking for just the right thing to put atop my round dining table. This is Susie's bowl, and she placed it in my hands, as a gift, when I was leaving her house. It can be heart breaking to vacate the home in which one has spent decades creating memories, and parting with treasures accumulated over a lifetime. Susie carried this bowl in her lap the entire flight back from a trip the Bahamas. She collected every one of those shells herself. Susie was able to send it to a new home with a Hat Sister she knows will treasure it as much as she has.

Thank you Susie for a wonderful day and new memories.

Summing up the holidays

People love to complain about the holidays. For me, the busy-ness, the hub bub, the travel – it's all a marvelous excuse to get dressed up. 

The first occasion of the season was the traditional luncheon with my beloved Hat Ladies of Charleston. Kathleen and I complemented each other perfectly. As a Hat Lady, I'm constantly working on the exact head-tilt so we can both fit into the frame, without clashing hats. 

Fascinator: Amazon, $10

Blouse: Friend's closet, $8

Leopard belt: Salvation Army $2

Spandex pencil skirt: Amazon $12

Next up, holiday concert at The Gaillard with My Man About Town. His jacket is a micro-ribbed velvet corduroy. 

Ruffled rain jacket: Reinvented Upscale Resale, $25

Taffeta cocktail skirt: Ross, $13

I admit to being completely snobby when it comes to dressing for the theatre. Good heavens, I saw someone recently, in athletic wear, in the front row. Coco Chanel was rolling over in her grave. And with that, comes the little confession that I am wearing a $5 T shirt in the photo above. 

Red T shirt: Forever 21, $5

Shoes: Community Thrift, $1.99

Pom Pom choker: DIY $4

Forever, I have wanted a top hat forever. Believe it or not I found this beauty, new of all things, at the Scottish games this past fall. It has a lower crown, and is quite like a riding hat. 

Naturally,  I had to dress it up with 3 yards of tulle $9, ad a vintage pin, $2.

Here I am, out our second Hat Ladies holiday event with our stunning Top Hat, Archie Burkel.

Black v neck sweater: Gap, Goodwill, $4

Red patent leather clutch: Community Thrift, $1

And the big event I keep in the back of my mind all year while thrifting, The Spine Ball. 

Gold lame gown: Goodwill, $3.99

I never met a rhinestone I didn't like.