DIY Cutout Boots!

I bought these old boots a few years ago from a thrift store, but I was just thrifting today and I saw tons of old boots that would work great for this project. So after you've picked your favorite pair, now is the time to get your creative juices flowing. Think about cool shapes and placements for your cutouts. It's hard to see in my boot on the right, but I have a triangle cutout on the top right of the shoe and another triangle shaped cutout at the toe. You can draw shapes on the boot or just go for it like I did. Take your box cutter  or exacto knife and make shallow cuts first and then gradually get more aggressive with your cutting. Keep going until you've broken the skin and fabric underneath. Have fun and be careful!

FYI these look pretty cute with socks too!

Monroe's Cutout Cape

Monroe was born in 1959. Her mother was a huge Gentleman Prefer Blondes fan and every other Marilyn Monroe movie for that matter. She consequently was named after the actress but to her mothers dismay shared no characteristics or personal traits with Marilyn. She was brunette and had no interest in bleaching her hair. She was petite, thin and didn't want to be seen as sexy. Her favorite article of clothing was this crochet cape with arm cutouts and scalloped bottom. Her mother decided that she would pretend that her cape was Marilyn's white dress from The Seven Year Itch and she would make Monroe stand above the floor heater so that the cape would fly around. 

Scalloped Cape $38. Fits size XS-M

Cassandra's Crest

Prep School was a breeze for Cassandra. She loved all of her classes and always stayed late to help tutor her classmates. She enjoyed reading so much that she made it a point to read at least one book a week that wasn't assigned reading. Her school didn't require a uniform but Cassandra wanted to look the part. They say dress for success and Cassandra wanted lots of it. Hopefully you don't have to wear a uniform but if you want to channel some of Cassandra's smarts or maybe if you're a huge Harry Potter fan you should wear this dress. 

Navy Crest Dress $32. Fits size M, approx 4-6

Ava's Culottes

Are you ready for spring? I sure am, and so was Ava in March 1971. She wore these adorable plaid culottes to a picnic in the park. Ava played fetch with her dog and ate crackers and cheese with her friends. I can't wait for Spring so I can have a day like Ava's, we can do it together because I found a few of these little cuties.

Plaid Culottes $22

Fits size XS or 0. Available in other sizes too.

Samantha's Hawaiian Muumuu

This spectacular pleated hawaiian muumuu was previously owned by Samantha. She lived on the island of Kawaii and was the most popular girl in her senior class. In 1973 she donned this hot pink muumuu to a school dance and let's be real, everyone wanted to boogie with her. She wore her hair in a high bun with flowers poking out from one side. So if you feel like dancing you should grab this gorgeous dress and don't be surprised if theres a line of people waiting to shimmy with you.

Hawaiian Muumuu $36. Fits sizes 0-6, maybe even bigger; theres a lot of room in this thing :)

Darling Dita and her Velvet & Pearl Dress

Dita looked stunning in this LBD as she drank wine on a boat one late night in 1981. The night was dark and the fog dense. Everyone had seen her sipping drink after drink all evening. She asked her cheating husband to walk with her to the head of the boat and without hesitation she quickly pushed him off. The music was too loud to hear his screams and the fog too thick to see his flailing arms. Dita knew it was the only way she could get rid of him. She threw her glass of apple cider and never looked back. Clever girl got away with it. Planning on any mischievous acts? Hopefully not murderous ones, but if so this may be the dress for you.

Black velvet & pearl dress by Taurus Nites $42

Label says size 12 but fits like around size 6-10

Come and get your cape!!

This sunday Vintage Story & Live in Love will be hosting an event at my house. I have been working super hard making these capes while still collecting amazing vintage garb. Come check it out. The capes are made of recycled and reworked men's flannels. Look fashionable and save the earth! What??!!!!

Cape $78

                           

                           

                           

Vintage Story now at In Residence!!!!!!

IN RESIDENCE + VINTAGE STORY

11.2.2011

the latest to hit In Residence…

Amazing one of a kind pics from LA based Vintage Story.

“Hanah’s search from gems begins by blasting classic jams and dreaming of the 70′s.  Her journey ends when she has founds the perfect hidden treasures for your to make your own….”

What does that mean for you?
Fantastic finds from Hanah’s adventures in searching hi and low…estate sales, thrifting, vintage warehouses, you name it!!

Buy a piece from her collection and receive and email back just for you with the complete story behind your find. HOW COOL IS THAT!?!?!

Shown here, what we call the “missoni cosby jacket”- a little missoni chic a little bill cosby kitch. Great with her vintage dresses or over jeans and just completely cute…Just like Hanah!

Thanks Rachael!! Go check out Vintage Story at In Residence 

2051 Sawtelle Boulevard Los Angeles, Ca

http://inresidencela.com/

DIY Shoe Sticker-ing!

Ok so I love all things handmade but also tacky. After much thought I combined the two and came up with shoe stickering. I found sticker sheets at Michael's, they have a bunch of different prints and fun solid colors. So all you need is a sticker sheet, scissors and a razor blade or an exacto knife. I cut a strip of the sticker paper about an inch longer and wider than I knew I would need. Then I stuck the first corner of the sticker down on a straight corner of the back of the shoe. I gently placed the sticker down and pulled taught once I had it in place, I went all the way around the heel and used a razor to cut off the excess and around the top and bottom of the heel. Try not to cut the shoe with the blade! Don't worry if you mess up just cut another piece and keep going. Think of shoe stickering as nail painting; if you chip the polish just put on a patch coat. I hope you like these beauties, I sure do. Sorry for the blurry pics, my camera hand isn't very steady!

Soseh's Fringe & Embroidered Gold Skirt

This skirt belongs to Soseh. Soseh visited Vintage Story recently and purchased this gorgeous skirt. Soseh is super fabulous, always fashionable, and so fun to be around. She was attending a Hawaiian themed wedding and couldn't just go in any old flower printed sheath. Soseh's take on a hawaiian outfit was this gold leaf embroidered maxi skirt. She paired it with a black silk button down and tons of blingy jewels. Of course she was overdressed but she was also definitely best dressed. Keep shining Soseh!

Krissy's Crushed Velvet Dress

Meet Krissy; she's spunky, funny and cool. She loves the outdoors and loves animals. Seriously, she freaks out every time she sees a puppy; its awesome. Anyway Krissy bought this green velvet ruffled dress from Vintage Story and I can't wait to hear where she will be wearing it to. I haven't seen her in it yet so she must be waiting for a special occasion. She looks so great in this dress!

Thanks Krissy!

Roberta's a Lady in a Red Dress

In 1979 Roberta's favorite color was red. She always wore a red lip and red nails. She loved this red dress with a great popped collar and trench coat-like back. She wore this dress to a bar with some girlfriends and her beauty got her unlimited free drinks. It was all fun until a man tried to cop a feel and got a drink thrown in his face. Feel the drama in this fabulous dress.

Lady in Red Dress $28. Fits size 2-6. Elastic waist.

Addie's Cross-over Jumper

Addie was a medium who helped dead people cross over to the other side. In 1982 she helped a suffering family send their grandmother to the light. That day she wore this great navy suiting striped jumper. So cute to dress up or dress down. You may not be a medium or a psychic but helping people is contagious. Come feel some of that spirit in this dress.

Jumper $28. Fits size Small

Margaret's 60's Floral Dress

Margaret attended her last cotillion in 1968 wearing this dress. Margarets mother had made her attend these balls since for years and she was tired of it, so she spiked the punch with rum. The head mistress did not agree with Margarets doings and she was swiftly kicked out. Evoke the bad girl spirit of Margaret and maybe you'll have the nerve to do something you've wanted to do for a long time. Made of super soft velvet-like material. The top is black with buttons and the bottom is floral printed. 

Vanity Fair polyester dress $52. Fits size Small or 2-4

Jane's sweater climbed the Berlin Wall

This special little sweater was made in West Germany by Mondi. Its a great knit sweater with black satiny decorative. Ok now for your vintage story. Jane was 19 years old in November 1989 in East Germany. She and her friends had spent their entire lives never entering West Germany and couldn't wait for the liberation of their country and for the unification of their people. On November 9, 1989 crowds of East Germans climbed the Berlin wall and celebrated with the West Germans. Jane will never forget this sweater because it was the first thing she bought once she climbed over the wall. 99 Luftballoons!!

Mondi Sweater with black detail $26. Fits size XS-SMALL

Olivia's Out of this World Dress

Olivia was a waitress in 1953 in Mobile, Al. She waited tables at an outer space themed diner. She delivered tasty burgers and delicious milkshakes wearing this rad triangle detailed dress. This dress is crazy, sexy and cool all at once. You'll look out of this world in this dress. I dare you!

Victor Costa Dress $36. Fits size 2.

Tabitha's Double Breasted Cardigan

Tabitha was a bee charmer. She loved bees and loved their honey even more. In 1980 Taby collected enough honey to fill 10 jars without using any protective gear! She was amazing and so was her wardrobe. She once owned this double breasted cardigan with pipe detailing down the arms and on the borders. Whether you want to charm a bee or a person you should snag this great cardi.

Fuchsia Wool Double Breasted Cardigan $28. Fits size small.

Jeraldine Jackson's Turban $45.

 

Bonnie's Brown Velveteen Dress

Bonnie was a hot mama. She wore this sexy velveteen dress to dinner with her boyfriend and before she knew what hit her an engagement ring was in her champagne glass. Ladies, I'm not saying that if you wear this dress you will definitely get engaged but I am saying that you will look hot in it. Look at the scalloped neckline, how cool is that? Rock this dress at night and you'll look outta sight!

Brown Velveteen Dress $36. Fits size 2 or Small

Pamela's Pretty Paisley Skirt

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you, left you, without a dope sheath to dress you, dress you, dress you. RIP Aaliyah. Ok, so I was in Mexico for a week and it was bomb. But now I'm ready to show you some lovely things. Starting with... Pamela loved the outdoors. She particularly like bicycle riding. I wouldn't recommend bicycling in a skirt but for cutes sake the model is attempting to ride. Pamela also loved wearing color and pattern so this skirt had it all for her. Although she didn't ride in this skirt she did spend lots of time picnicking and walking in the park in it. Brighten up your day, and go outside in this pretty paisley skirt.

Paisley Skirt $22. Fits size 0-2