Remember I mentioned that I’d be modeling? Well, allow me to tell you more about it and also show you some pics that were really fun to shoot!!

Slip Boutique is an awesome vintage, modern and consignment shop with a twist. There will be art that will be showcased as well as a studio where you can learn some fine sewing arts as well as take classes in Photoshop and Illustrator.

The brick and mortar shop is located at 6016 NE Glisan Ave., Portland, OR 97213.

I’m so pleased that I’ll be collaborating on some images for their etsy shop in modeling some of the vintage fineries. The shoot on Monday was so inspiring and I can’t wait to possibly do it again in the very near future. I like to play dress-up and this was a great way to work some gorgeous vintage pieces into the equation.

Here are some pics:

I especially loved that hat, but of course it wouldn’t fit my big, fat head!! Yikes.

Remember that each of these items (and many more) are for sale at Slip Enterprises’ etsy shop!!! Click on that link for more details, including pricing and measurements.

Random vent: I know emphatically that I am not a fan of bad and ugly scarves, hippies (for the most part), and those who choose to be willfully ignorant and also pretend to be virtuous and innocent when they are anything but. Thievery is also something that I won’t tolerate. Ugh. Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, thanks for letting me vent.

The rest of today finds me working and then going to my beloved Pilates Sculpt class at Studio Blue Pilates PDX. I cannot recommend this studio enough.

Stretches, love and light, J.

Enough of the TMI category for a bit. I’ve just created that subcategory and will put some of the more recent, dramatic posts into there so that I can micromanage some of the past miseries. Misery micromanaging?

Anyhow, I remember that I had mentioned a haul that I had scored at Forever 21 recently. Here are some pics.

That pic was taken yesterday and is what I wore for the Easter egg dyeing get together. Me and some friends gathered ’round to do a time honored tradition. With anything other than traditional Easter dyeing kits. Here is a pic of some of the results. The two in the corner are mine and I appeared to be the only one doing abstract art. Ha. I’ll post other pics of the magnificent eggs when I get express permission from all parties involved.

A couple of other bonus pics:

In the meantime, you’ll know that you can find me doing this a lot. Web shite and more projects on the horizon.

Love and light, J.

Hi there, readers. I’m guest contributing to June’s site today and hope to be given this opportunity again. Just think, I’ll be published! I’ve finally arrived.

It seems as though other fashion sites and fashionistas are always trying to find the next big foray in the world of fashion.  It comes a time when one must throw their hat in the ring; you could say.  Though, having left behind the Fontaine fortunes, it is now impossible, nay improbable, to exert influential control and bring about change in every chic metropolitan area in this world.

While many would throw in the towel, I would still hazard to make a wager.  I admit that is actually quite unfair, for I am unequivocally certain that I possess the clairvoyant powers to envision an occurrence of fashionable portent.  You see, June and I come from old-world Gypsy blood, granting us the ability to find a mark in a crowd or an heirloom in a pile of trash.  My prediction:

The Bowler

The bowler, at nearly 160 years old, was originally commissioned for keeping your head covered while riding horseback.  It has in recent years nearly become a fashionable cover for the ladies.  It has never quite caught favor with the menfolk, even with them resting on the crowns of iconic, ultra-violent droogs.  However, that was back in the 1970s, when hair was king and hats were worn by “The Man”.

Now, Hollywood is at it again, this time positioning the hats just above the brows of some the most desirable men currently in the game.  And in a much more tolerant of seasons with great designers expanding their line up to cover these craniums.

As an owner of one such hat, what’s not more sexy and classic than a bad boy in a bowler (with a bit of eye makeup)?!

Now the matter of procuring a fine bowler, or even a nice hat, is a more of a stretch.  The bowler, in particular, has yet to reach mass markets like Express Men or Gap. The quality wildly varies between costume shops and on-line stores. It’s definitely buyer beware, as you may up with a thin and hard felt covering.  My suggestion is to look local.

In Seattle, WA, there is none that compares to Byrnie Utz, which has a range of colors, quality, and service. I am certain there is a similar establishment in your neighborhood that can be found with a little Google gumshoeing or asking the man on the street.

The bowler is a wonderful place to start for the hat phobic and especially if you have a bigger brain, like me. Actually, I tend to need larger sizes to accommodate my dome and it’s so very important to have the best fitting hat possible. When hats fit correctly, they are immensely flattering, and the bowler is a style that is truly timeless.

Here’s a fit guide that will help you look your absolute best.

I first gazed upon it last year in Seattle at the Luly Yang boutique in downtown Seattle. Ordinarily I don’t think that butterflies are the end all be all anything for me. I understand their symbolism, but I’ve never understood the horrific butterfly tattoos that the tacky gum-popping high schoolers have been getting for what seems like an eternity.

I might make a butterfly exception for this dress.

Monarch Butterfly Dress

Allow me to introduce you to some of the new acquisitions in my closet.

First is this (slightly slutty, tight and low-cut) vintage dress, circa 1980′s. It’s a wrap dress, lacy and shiny, with rhinestones galore. Now I need to find the proper occasion to adorn myself in it.

It cost me 99 cents. Yes, under a dollar.

80's lacy vintage dress

Rhinestone closeup

Two pairs of shoes also made it home with me.

The first pair is a pair from JOEY, which apparently retail for a lot if you look at department stores and the likes of Nordstrom Rack.

These are a Mary Jane style with a covered platform. The toe is pointier than what I’m used to, but they are still highly wearable. They cost under $4.00!

JOEY shoes pic 1

JOEY shoes pic 2

Last, but not least, are the Steve Madden heels. They remind me of the designs of Christian Louboutin and they have a unique sole. The sole is leopard/animal print, and they were an absolute steal at $6.49.

I can’t wait to wear them with all sorts of outfits, including leg warmers. Hey, how else am I going to survive with the ridiculous Seattle winter and snow that will soon be upon us? I wish I were kidding…

Steve Madden heels

Steve Madden heels pic 2

I’d mistakenly been under the impression that it was mostly tacky knock-offs. Things that would be considered stylish IF you were someone’s grandma. How wrong I was. They also have a 100% money back guarantee and have a lot of great items in their clearance section.

Shoes and boots first.

$39 Peep-toe pump

Peep-toe pump with cutouts and buckle straps. 4″ heel with 1/2″ platform. $39.

Suede platform pump

Sueded platform pump. 3 3/4″ stiletto with 1/2″ platform. Regularly $44, on sale for $34. I like the gray better than the black ones.

Peep-toe Mary Jane pump

Peep-toe Mary Jane pump, 4 1/2″ covered heel, 1″ platform, regularly $49, on sale for $29.

Knee-high patent boot

Knee-high patent boot. 3 3/4″ stiletto heel, 1/2″ platform. Regularly $89, on sale for $59. I’m not certain about them since they remind me of a quilted handbag. Plus, I’m not into golden tones, but somehow they’d work in my closet.

Suede boot with ruffle

Suede boot with ruffle. Regularly $74, on sale for $59. These are definitely right up my alley and are my favorite item on the website, so far.

Tiered skirt

Tiered ankle length skirt, 38″ long, rayon shantung, machine washable, regularly $64, on sale for $39. Of course, it comes in black.

They have an intriguing collection called Shape Fx with the tagline “Make the body you have look like the body you want.” Shapewear built right in to help you in places. Fascinating. The only “shapewear” that I’ve experienced is vintage girdles and tight-lacing for a year.

Here are a couple of items from that collection.

Hold-you-in high-waist skirt

Hold-you-in skirt. Of course, it comes in black and is described as having strategic seaming that creates a slim, sculpted silhouette. Sounds good to me.

I’m sort of on the fence about this next piece, this dress. I do appreciate a sheer overlay every now and then.

Cap-sleeve mesh control dress

Cap-sleeve mesh control dress.

As far as accessories, I found a couple of items that might be worthwhile.

Elegant frame clutch

Elegant frame clutch. Covered in floral lace and is 10x16x3. Regularly $49, now $39.

Sheer lace gloves

Sheer lace gloves. Regularly $29, on sale for $15.

There you have it. I am always wary of ordering from someplace new to me, but I might have to make an exception before some of these items are gone. Fall is approaching, although you wouldn’t know it lately. I’m over the freakishly hot weather we’ve been having in the Pacific Northwest. I will be glad to see it go!