Westervin Wear: Maxi-mazing!

My maxi dress arrived! All the way from the UK, via Joy. Sure, it makes a pretty bold statement, but I think it’s still pretty versatile. I wanna wear it everyday! Above, I’ve paired it with my suede high-heeled boots (from Farm & Fleet, no lie), my mustard yellow pashmina (scored at the Salvation Army), and a vintage gold bracelet (I think it was my grandmother’s).

Going for something a little more classy here, with simple accessories: black & gold heels from Pay Less (at least 4 years old and still rockin’) and these gorgeous geometric earrings from To The Metal (thank you, Marina! they’ve gotten so many compliments).

Putting on my crazy-cheap white leaf earrings from Forever 21. The yoke of the dress is washed out in the other pics, but here you can see how the geometric pattern continues to the neckline. Can you tell how much I lurv it?

Another dressed up variation here, with a secondhand maroon jacket and matching vintage slingbacks (from the Salvation Army and Goodwill, respectively).

For something a little more casual, I threw on my old Target sandals (wish I had these instead), my favorite faux leather jacket (on sale from Zara), and the giant seashell ring I got in Bloomington (from Cactus Flower). So what do you think? Still too crazy? Or bold and beautiful?

Westervin Wear: Abridged

I take a lot of pictures and write a lot of posts throughout the year, but that doesn’t mean they all make the initial cut. We believe in editing here at Westervin. However, when your record company needs a new track, and you just haven’t put anything new on tape, it’s time to flip the disc and crank up the b-side. Here’s a Westervin Wear post from fall (how I miss those crunchy leaves and light jackets) which no one has seen, until today!

{ Vintage sweater & boots, necklace from Tree & Kimball, jeans from Urban Outfitters, handmade cowl }

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Westervin Wear: Seashells & Foam

My beautiful necklace from Miss Pompadour deserved a special outfit!  { After the jump: Vintage Dress, Secondhand Raincoat, Watch from Target, Shoes from Yes Style }

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Westervin Wear: Lakeside

As Brian mentioned last week, I’ve been sporting some fancy fall duds, and boy howdy has the weather been nice. I hate to admit it, but for the first time in my life I think I’m truly appreciating fall. Don’t get me wrong—I’m still a summer girl, but the past few weeks have been beautiful… and just perfect for some layered fall fashions!

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A Westervin Wedding: Tablescape Attempt

As you can probably tell, we’re a little bit preoccupied with this whole wedding thing. Our current project is to figure out what food and drink to serve our lovely guests and how exactly to serve it. Enter mock tablescape #1. We didn’t have everything we were thinking of using for this first attempt, so we kept it simple: mis-matched vintage plates that we’ve been collecting, salad greens as floral arrangements, asian pears for rusticity sake, mason jars because we have some.

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Westervin Recommends: September

It’s been a while since our last recommendations, but our gifted guest blogger Sarah Hughes has made it worth the wait. Boy are these a treat!

Annie Dillard

{ some party from unexpectedtales }

With The Maytrees, Dillard manages to write a book that is not about love and death, but TOTALLY IS.  I don’t want to write a book review of this particular book, but I want to recommend Dillard, because I lost my breath reading her prose. I’m in phase where I’m feeling particularly disenchanted, and Annie begs you to stop being like that.  Seriously.  It made me love Cape Cod while I was there, even though it was raining atrociously and I hated all the tourists who made the lines to get clam chowder long.

Giving your stuff away for free

{ the couch in the street by Jessica Gardner }

This is a post about karma.  I don’t really believe in karma, so let’s call it physics.  Some law of matter says that there is a finite amount of matter in the universe.  It cannot decrease or increase; it simply changes.  I feel that way about stuff.  There is always the same amount of secondhand, curbside furniture in the universe, and it is your responsibility to give and take with balance.  If you try to make money from things you did not purchase, that is like trying to circumvent the laws of physics.  Or karma.  They seem really similar.

Grüner Veltliner

{ hang me out to dry by Jena Ardell }

I know white wine season is almost over, but give this one a shot.  I really like the Höpler vineyard, which I had at a local restaurant and couldn’t stop mentioning every time I had a sip.  You can find them in the German wine section. They’re pretty reasonably priced, and they are the wine equivalent to granny smith apples, fresh laundry, and clean air.

Making your own sushi

{ Hippo Sushi by Koala Joe }

We’re about 5 years late on this. It’s as easy as people say and gives me an excuse to eat pickled ginger by the jarful. I’m gonna go and try to predict more trends now.

Giveaway: Vintage Elephant Pencil Holder

EDIT: This giveaway has ended.  Enter our current giveaway here!

Readers, meet Lexington.  Lexington is an easy-going elephant who likes loud music, a warm, dry climate and holding your colored pencils.  Lexington may have been born over thirty years ago, but he’s a spry chap.  And guess what, folks.  Lexington wants to come home with you!  Richelle Davies, mother of a creative 8-year old (Spy-themed Birthday party, anyone?) and the vintage shop Hopgrasser, has kindly offered this vintage pencil holder for our first ever vintage giveaway!   Before we get to the rules, though, let’s have a chat with Richelle about the joys of thrifting.

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The Shopping Sherpa: Vintage Rompers

I come bearing gifts.  Vintage rompers!  As promised.  These are just a few of my faves from Etsy, but there are plenty more to choose from.  And don’t be afraid to go hunting for a bargain romper at your local thrift stores.  This isn’t a new trend, people.  The romper has been around since before you were born (probably).  Now go get your romp on!

ROW 1:  Tropical Orchids Romper from Bethakabetty; Neutral Tone Floral Romper from Vintage Grime; Peacock Floral Onesie from Natty Paint

ROW 2:  Stars in Your Eyes Romper from Bombshell Bettie’s Vintage; Khaki and Teal Romper from Beta Boutique; Cream Military Romper from Allen Company Inc.

ROW 3:  Ethnic Print Romper from Agnusdei; Apple and Velvet Romper from Bottle of Bread; Purple-Blue High Waist Romper from Ma Petite Amy

Secondhand Staples: The Tapestry Bag

From carpetbaggers in the 19th century to the fashion mavens of the 1960′s & 70s to the vintage lovers of today, this latest Secondhand Staple has been around the block a time or two.  And with so much variety — dainty florals or shaggy geometric patterns, tiny clutches or over-sized duffel bags — the Tapestry Bag should be a wardrobe essential.  Heck, if you’re like me you’ve got more than one!  Check out my latest find {above}, snatched up from the Salvation Army for a steal!  So if your wallet and keys are looking for a new home, get ‘em one of these gently used numbers…

{ Purse Perfect $18 from Objet Petit A }

{ Fall Festival $26 from Lucky Vintage Seattle }

{ Charlotte $19.95 from Sweet Cottage Dreams }

{ With White Lucite $25 from Vero Vintage }

{ Bohemian Gals Night on the Town $21 from Myrtle Dove Love }

{ Earth Tones $32 from Babylon Sisters }

{ 70′s Blue $18 from Afresh Vintage }

{ Poppins $30 from The Exhausted Etiquette }