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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Outfit Post: Go Ask Alice


I've received some wonderful gifts recently. One of the girls who run Atlas (the shop where I am selling a rack of my vintage) is a gorgeous, stylish creature named Crystal, and she paid me a high compliment when she described my style as "Sixties Meets the '90s." I mean I love mod, and I love the innovative styles of the 1960s, but my era of identity definitely comes from the grunge era. And I like things a little dirty. Pure sixties retro is often a bit too pristine for my taste, so I like to "dirty" up my vintage a bit. What I mean is that I like things cut up, frayed, and having a patina of age about it. I don't need my vintage to be in mint condition- I like a garment with a bit of history. Dog-eared and frayed at the edges, suits me.


Psychedelia Oh Hell Yeah: The 60s meets the 90s in a unique Rosebud patois of stripes, florals + vintage
Maybe that explains why today's outfit is one I really enjoyed wearing. There's nothing special about it really, except that I felt really special in it. The outfit is actually built around an incredible brooch from the wonderful Lynn of Dylan's Dress. She, like me, is not only a FROCK FREAK (we love, love, love our dresses!) but she's also a budding artist/entrepeneur who sells on Etsy. She creates and sells wonderful handmade brooches- ya'll know I love a good brooch, doncha? 

 I saw her Alice/Heart brooch on her blog not that long ago, and begged for it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this TREASURE! It's from an original Alice in Wonderland illustration, a picture of Alice set on a handmade clay heart. Below the heart hangs a silvery pendant of a rabbit's head. The brooch, like me, is nostalgic, poetic, and a bit worn about the edges. Lynn: Thank you so much for this gift! Friends, if you love literary, hand crafted objects d'art, please visit A Bit of Birdsong on Etsy. There are so many lovely things there, including this beautiful Alice in Wonderland brooch.

#SHOPSECONDHANDFIRST 99% Thrifted. 100% Wonderland.
Now Wearing: 
  • vintage 60s print scarf 
  • Miu Miu Sunglasses (8 years old)
  • vintage 50s bed jacket
  • cotton cami top, thrifted for $1
  • Alice Brooch c/o A Bit of Birdsong
  • D.I.Y. cut offs
  • vintage 90s Joan+David boots
“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.”  -Alice in Wonderland

31 comments:

  1. MelanieMay 15, 2013 at 11:34 PM

    You are in the perfect city to let your grunge spirit run wild, but I love how you mod things up. You do elegance wonderfully too. I like rough edges - it shows a lived life. Lynn's brooch is beautiful.

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  2. The CrankyMay 15, 2013 at 11:42 PM

    This outfit is definitely you, and using a bedjacket as outerwear? Simply brilliant.

    Love the vid...that's one of my faves.

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  3. mispapelicosMay 16, 2013 at 12:35 AM

    Wonderful inspiration ( adorable Dylan) and wonderful you, my dear Bella.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  4. Señora AllnutMay 16, 2013 at 1:24 AM

    wouuuauauuu, love your whimsical inspiring outfit, and all that grunge+sixties vibe!, that brooch is really a fabulous piece! and bedjackets make great bolero jackets!
    you're gorgeous, and love your shorts!
    besos & wonderland

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  5. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 1:59 AM

    you look scrummy and that brooch i can see why you love it! God girl you got some pins on you! xxxx

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  6. Meghan EdgeMay 16, 2013 at 4:58 AM

    You look gorgeous! :-) I love your style and that's a great way of summing it up. Might have to use this look as summer inspiration.

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  7. VixMay 16, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    A fab comment and a perfect outfit! I love those shorts and Lynne's brooch is a treasure.
    Clothes are much better with wear, tear and personality - bit like us old birds! xxx

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  8. SuzanneMay 16, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Such a unique brooch. Also...those boots...LOVE!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  9. AnonymousMay 16, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    I like that - 60s meets 90s. And this outfit is so cute. I love the jacket, and with the boots and cutoffs, cute becomes sexy! Grace Slick would be impressed, and jealous!

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  10. AnonymousMay 16, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    I'm in love with and inspired by that brooch!!
    Love the outfit, too--especially the boots!

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  11. JenmarieMay 16, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    The top looks great on you! I like the patterned straps and trimming. So cute!

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  12. OfeliaMay 16, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Bella en el pais de sus maravillas!
    The best quote is that you like to "dirty up your vintage"!

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  13. vintage honeybeeMay 16, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    This is hands down my favorite outfit so far. You look bad ass. I love that top and that brooch is to die for. I would have begged for it too. Love Love.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  14. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Lovely outfit although the neat nik in me wants to cut the frays off the shorts! I can't help it .. lol

    Monica
    www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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  15. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    the perfect outfit! One of my faves :)
    Hugs
    Reeves

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  16. CurtiseMay 16, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Oh yes, clothes that have lived a bit, like people, are always more interesting. This is a great look on you, Bella, love the addition of the little bed jacket, and Lynn's brooch is adorable.
    Alice and Grace in one post? Perfect! xxx

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  17. Claire JustineMay 16, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    Love you style and your outfit :0)Your boots are awesome...

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  18. thorne garnetMay 16, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    I miss grunge.

    Is that song about drugs? Hm......

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  19. Lynn HastyMay 16, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Oh, Bella, I am flattered beyond words. You look adorable! I am in love with that pink jacket you have on!! You described a style that I love better than I ever could have described it myself. I like a bit of grunge too, but only in the gentlest way! LOL. What a paradox, but it works for me! Thank you so much!

    xoxo
    Lynn Dylan

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  20. Forest City FashionistaMay 16, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    I had no idea Lynn was making brooches - that Alice one is just soooo cool! You are rockin' a nice mix of grunge with a 60's vibe.

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  21. KristaMay 16, 2013 at 10:56 PM

    Bella I love that even though this outfit is tough it's still girlie! The brooch Lynn made is really sweet in a scuffed knee kinda way. I love the romance of it!
    Xxoo

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  22. FASHION TALESMay 17, 2013 at 4:51 AM

    I love all the little details in this outfit. I was so obsessed with Alice in Wonderland growing up ... and I still am! I also remember going to Atlas in Seattle. Happy weekend! /Madison :-)

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  23. Flora CruftMay 17, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    Look at that pretty bodice on you, so adorable, and I love the Alice brooch!

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  24. CityScape SkybabyMay 17, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    You look very elfin and beautiful here Bella, I like things not too perfect too, and I love Lynn's jewellery, she has great style and a lot of heart as well. I've often looked at her site and planned to treat myself to something from there, still haven't done it yet but I will. xx

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  25. GeeGeeMay 17, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Pastel colours on you - surprise, but definetly fits well! I love you coifure, too with the scarf.

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  26. FrancaMay 17, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    You do 90s style so well!

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  27. UnknownMay 17, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Sixties meets 90's fits your style perfectly, I Love it! This soft color palette is stunning on you, including the lip color and the added touch of that wonderful brooch and headband.

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  28. Ulla-MarieMay 18, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    Great look!

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  29. Crystal Hammon, ABC, MLSMay 18, 2013 at 4:14 AM

    Expertly styled, as usual. Love the color combination. And here, here on your notes about pristine vintage. It sort of drives me batty when people reject a vintage garment over its imperfections!

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  30. No Fear of FashionMay 19, 2013 at 5:28 AM

    Saying there is really nothing special about this outfit is the understatement of the year, my dear.
    It looks so unique, so you, so daring. I thought you said you had to dress down a bit in the area that you live in now. Hahaha, I don't call this dressing down. It is more: Hello this is me, let's have fun!!!
    Which I love about you.
    The brooch is really cute. I will pass the address on to a friend of mine who loves these things.

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  31. UnknownMay 19, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    Love the Alice quote and brooch! You find the neatest treasures. I'm hoping to have some shopping money soon and I'd like to check out your shop and some of these other shops you've featured. It's always a pleasure reading your blog! Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

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You are rad. Thanks for your comment!