Ahh–it’s Monday, and the weather outside is truly delightful! Typing this blog outside on a blanket has me craving some fall top picks *wink* SO…for this week’s VIP Home, I scoured the Etsy world in search of five top picks to be the lucky features for this year’s VIP Etsy Top Picks: Fall Edition!
Now, without further ado, take a look at these 5 awesome shops + my favorite of their fall listings. *yawn* I think I am going to take a nap in the yard now–or walk down to Starbucks for an afternoon pick-me-up *wink*.
YUM! Doesn’t this candle just scream FALL! Not to mention the warning label is pretty cute *wink* Check out Etta Arlene here to see what other awesome soy wax candles she has for fall!OMG! I am so in love with this handmade, ceramic pumpkin! Not only is it a wonderful piece of art, but it is also made in one of my FAVORITE CITIES EVER–New Orleans! Check out Hurricane Pottery here + see what other awesome pieces are avaliable for purchase.This snazzy, hand-lettered canvas is perfect for fall + year-round! We all need a little reminder every now and again to give thanks, so why not let our reminder be handmade?! *wink* Check out ADE Prints here on Etsy.I don’t think I have to explain why these painted Mason Jars are awesome *wink* BUT the neutral hues makes them perfect for fall and every season in between! Check out BeachBlues on Etsy here.And…last but not least–who doesn’t love a hand-painted pumpkin mug?! Click here to visit MaBelleViolet’s shop + see the other awesome hand-painted goodies she has!
Share your favorite fall Etsy finds with us on Facebook here!
Last Friday, I took a little day-trip to the lovely city of Nashville, Tennessee to see the Italian Style exhibit at the Frist, eat at an all-gluten-free restaurant, and shop the local vintage scene. Despite the hot and humid weather (welcome to the South *wink*), the family and I had a magnificent time–such a magnificent time that I just had to share a little bit of the adventure with y’all! So, slip on your cowboy boots, y’all, because this is a Nashville edition of VIP Scrapbook *wink*
WOWZA! The inside of The Frist was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I felt like I was back at Biltmore–wandering the halls, distracted by the exquisite architecture.Those ceilings > all other ceilings.Check out those mouldings! AND–they’re metallic. I am in love *wink*
The ceilings in the stairwell at The Frist. Totally feeling inspired now–someone get me some silver and black paint and a paint brush! And…probably some painters tape. *wink*This amazing sculpture in front of The Frist is from the Jaume Plensa Human Landscape exhibit on display now.View from the top of the stairs at The Frist. Look at that architecture, y’all! Kind of makes me want to move to Nashville…but I think New Orleans has my heart *wink* Too bad I cannot make NOLA in a day-trip *sad face**PAUSE* Let me take a #selfie.OMG. Look at this menu–I could eat ANYTHING from it I wanted! Oh…what a relaxing feeling! Although I do not talk about it often, I have Celiac disease and traveling with it really…well..stinks. Whereas most people can stop at any restaurant they please without worry, my life isn’t that simple *wink* There is SO much research involved to find out where I can and cannot eat when traveling, but thanks to my mom, we were able to eat at the all-gluten-free eatery, Amot, in Nashville. Whether you have Celiac or not–the food at Amot is to-die-for! I give Amot 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, and a VIP happy dance *wink*Grilled cheese for days. Kind of makes your mouth water…doesn’t it *wink*I like to be silly sometimes…okay–all of the time *wink* What do y’all think of these vintage specs I tried on at the Hip Zipper? Bless, my mom is not a photographer *wink*VINTAGE GOODIES! Woop! Woop! Stay tuned to the blog later this week to see ONE–and only one–of my new vintage (accidental oxymoron? *wink*) pieces. Y’all will have to stay tuned to see the rest!
I am attracted to sparkly things as a moth is to a flame! I wonder why moths are attracted to flames? I am going to go research that before I forget. Here we go. According to www.earthsky.org, “Scientists think moths aren’t so much ‘attracted’ to the light of a flame as they are disoriented by it.” Well, that explains why I buy so many vintage sparkly tops. I am disorientated by their luster!
Fascination and admiration for shiny, sparkly things is nothing new-not even vintage or antique, but ancient! Hop in the VIP’s time machine and travel back to the times of pharaohs, kings, queens, and gypsies.
How would we define sequins? Would we say that they are tiny pieces of shimmering plastic used on wedding gowns and prom dresses? To fully understand the meaning of sequins, we have to take a look at their history. Sequins date back all the way to Ancient Egyptian times. “Blonde waitresses take their trays. They spin around and they cross the floor; they got the moves. You drop your drink then they bring you more. Walk like an Egyptian, Walk like an Egyptian, Walk like an Egyptian, la la la words I don’t know, walk like an Egyptian….” I could not resist singing and dancing that catchy tune! I digress. Egyptians drilled small holes into their coins and attached them to their clothing to represent wealth. This ancient adornment was not just for the living. “Archaeologists have found mummified pharaohs wrapped in sequined cloth,” says www.worldette.com.
Sequins were used in centuries past to bedazzle the clothing of royalty and the rich as a sign of power and prosperity. There were some kings and queens who had “sequins” made from super thin gold discs, and even traveling gypsies embellished their clothing with gold coins to show off their wealth. Talk about a statement ensemble! I would love to have a real gold sequined outfit. I bet it would be a bit heavy and uncomfortable. I am thinking that it would be dry clean only. My apologies, back to our little fashion history lesson.
A variety of vintage garments had “sequins” made of pearls, metals, crystals, celluloid or other early period plastics. When the 1940s approached, a substance called “gelatine” was discovered. Gelatine was used to create sequins; however, soon after the invention, it was discovered that gelatine sequins could not be near heat or water. Talk about a “one-night-stand” garment! Manufacturers stopped producing these fashion disaster bedazzlements pretty quickly after discovering that they would not hold up to real life situations.
Sequins did not stop there, but enough about that! I encourage each of you to do a little fashion research on sequins. Now, it’s time for VIP tips on how to wear vintage and modern sequined garments!
VIP Tips on How to Wear Sequins:
SequinsandDenim: First, go shopping for a vintage cocktail blouse, or go to the back of your closet and find one, and pair it with dark denim straight leg jeans for a “wear it anywhere” look. To take this ensemble to the next level, roll up your jeans and pair with neutral or black stilettos. Let the blouse do all the talking!
SequinsandBlack: Pick yourself up ANOTHER vintage sequined top (because a girl can never have too many!) and pair it with black. Wear it with a frilly black skirt or black trousers, or even wear it over a little black dress! Black is the perfect hue to make those sequins sparkle!
LayeringwithSequins: Layer a modern, short-sleeved, sequined sheer top over a solid colored, long-sleeved blouse to create a mesmerizing “work-to-play” ensemble. For added drama, look for a blouse and skirt combination in the exact same hue.
LettheSequinsDotheTalking: When wearing sequins, keep your jewelry to a minimum. Diamond stud earrings, a few silver or gold bangles, and a statement ring are all that is needed. The sequins deliver all the impact so feel free to go sans jewelry.
SequinedAccessories– NEVER EVER wear sequined accessories with a sequined garment. I am all about self-expression, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! Sequined accessories such as headbands or belts pair well with iconic denim.
Sequins aren’t just for proms, weddings, and trips to New Orleans. Their stellar personality deserves to shine all the time- day or night, winter, spring, summer, and especially fall.
This dress is from Thursday’s Headlining Designer, Annie Griffin. I love this collection because the fabrics and colors are simply gorgeous. I wish I could have bought the entire collection right then and there! I am obsessed with everything Annie Griffin!
It’s been several days since (isn’t there a Barenaked Ladies song that starts out something like that?…) Anyway… It’s been several days since I was at BFW…Now, looking back at all of the pictures I took and reading all the posts I can find on it…it’s hard to believe that I was actually there! I am still stoked that I was introduced to Karla Simmons, Ph.D. from Auburn University. She informed me about the Project Design Week being held at Auburn University on July 15-20…so hoping that I get to attend this amazing opportunity! Are you interested in attending the Project Design Week? If you are… here is the link that will tell you everything you need to know! http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/summerexperience/projectdesignweek.htm
In this blog post, I’m sharing my favorites from Thursday’s show. It was sooo hard narrowing down the pictures…
Without further ado…
Molly Franks, absolutely a fabulous job!Adore. What else is there to say!:)What a precious little black dress modeled by Molly Franks!Awe… the Annie Griffin girls! You two girls honestly created some pretty awesome things that I am so excited that I got to see in person!I want to give props to all the hair artists who worked so hard to make every model look fantastic!This creative Rising Design Star made a dress out of computer wires! And yes, those are working lights at the bottom of the dress! Still amazed by this creation…I have to give the makeup artists 5 stars…actually…6 stars because they did such a wonderful job! I wish I had a personal makeup artist….I am still amazed at this dress…Loved this Rising Design Star’s design! So creative!This must have been extremely time consuming, but totally worth it! Soooo darling:)Winner of the BFW Rising Design Star Challenge! That dress was an astounding work of art but….there is no way that dress was comfortable!MayMay Cates.Another magnificent design by Travis Mackey!I am a huge fan of this color! Can I paint everything this color now?…Dress designed by Holly Griffin Thomas, one of the Rising Design Stars! This dress is so cute and funky, truly a work of art! This dress was modeled by Holly’s sister, Anna Leigh Thomas Arsenault.
Well, there you have it readers…part 2 of the BFW coverage by the Vintage Inspired Passionista herself! I know, it is such an honor;) haha… Anyway… I wanted to let all you fashionistas know that I will be attending the New Orleans Fashion Week March 21-25! I am so pumped for spring break to get here so I can go to NOLA! Stay tuned for next time blog followers for the BIG reveal of what I will be wearing to a special event this Saturday!
vintageinspiredpassionista.com 