Secondhand Chic

On the hunt for a good book about vintage clothing, I discovered Christa Weil's Secondhand Chic: Finding Fabulous Fashion at Consignment, Vintage, and Thrift Shops. This book is a treasure chest of information concerning fabric, care, and fit. Weil explains the advantages and disadvantages of fabrics as well as how to develop your knowledge of fabric based on touch. There is, also, a wonderful section on the hallmarks of quality clothing and diagrams that illustrate what to look for. Weil, also, discusses visual and feel cues to help you decide if a garment fits properly. There are even a couple pages dedicated to laundry icons, so you won't shrink your new purchase. I highly recommend this book if you are looking to expand your knowledge of clothes or if you are interested in vintage or thrift shopping.

Don't forget to enter the Captain Wentworth's Boating Party Giveaway!

Things i LOVE Thursday

Having an amazing audition

(fingers crossed)

Creating a memory jar

Going to see X-Men: First Class

(loved Wolverine's cameo)

Reading Ravenous by Dayna Macy

Listening to "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge

Working all night on set

(and counting down the hours to sunrise)

Wanting to try lavender soda

Following Happy Brittany's Miss USA journey

Participating in Captain Wentworth's Boating Party on Vvb32 Reads

Desiring these fabulously heeled shoes

What are you loving today?

Captain Wentworth's Boating Party Giveaway

Jane Austen Seaside by Icedivastar on Polyvore.com

Velvet of vvb32reads is featuring me in her Captain Wentworth's Boating Party event. Pop on over to her blog to read my advice on dressing for this seaworthy occasion. If your feet are tired from all of the festivities, enter below for a chance to win a pair of footzyrolls! The rollable ballet flats are compliments of the company, and the winner will receive the red snakeskin in a size 9/10. If this is not your size, the shoes will make a fabulous gift for your party loving friend.

To Enter Giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below with your email

Extra entries:

1. Subscribe to The Fashion Planner

2. Follow me on twitter (@akaleistar)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Giveaway open until midnight, June 15, 2011.

Open internationally.

Holiday Memory Jar

It was way too hot to do much outside today. While sorting through keepsakes, I remembered an idea I had seen in a magazine about displaying mementos in a jar. I filled a jar from Ikea with small souvenirs from a cruise I went on a long time ago. The bottom of the jar is lined with a small paper bag to give the feel of sand. Inside is a bundle of cinnamon sticks, a pair of sunglasses, a butterfly bracelet, a couple keychains and plastic rings, a luggage tag, and a handful of various Caribbean currency. I'm rather happy with the way it turned out. Perhaps I'll make more and fill a shelf with memory jars or use the jars as book ends.

Paper McQueen

There is something nostalgic yet whimsical about these Alexander McQueen paper dolls. The cover has me itching to drive to the nearest bookstore, so that I can flip through the book and see the other designs. The description says that the book includes three dolls and over 30 costumes. I may not be able to fill my closet with McQueen but these paper reproductions are perfect for my budget.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Listening to a little Eminem

Rereading a childhood favorite

Helping a friend brainstorm party favor ideas

Wanting this pretty dress

Belly dancing

What are you loving?

Passage To The North does Vintage

Pop on over to my Etsy shop for some vintage delights! In the store you will find a fabulous square dance dress from the 1960-70's and a fantastic 1950's Hawaiian dress. I'm, also, selling a few dresses and costumes I've made. Vintage shopping/selling is my summer project, so more items will be added throughout the summer. I'd love to hear any ideas about running a successful Etsy store and the kind of vintage items you would like to see.

What are your summer plans?