I really, really should have worked today, but after the Vacation Of Which We Will Not Speak Again, I badly needed a day of fun. So I played hooky with Lisa. First we had lunch at Green Tango. And I have to interject here, since my appetite came back it has been voracious. I had breakfast today at about 8:30 and lunch at noon, but that was too long to wait so I had some cheese and crackers at about 11. I ate my whole salad at Green Tango, and those salads are huge, I don't usually eat the whole thing. Then in the evening, again I was famished so I had some pastrami and cheese around 6, then we ate a big dinner (steak and mushrooms and asparagus) at 7:30. I hope this settles down now that I'm eating well again, and I'm not super hungry like this all the time.
After lunch we drove out to Beggars and Choosers in Pittsboro. It was great! I have to say, today rivals the Ethel Dress for successful vintage shopping. I was looking for accessories to go with the clothes I make, and boy oh boy did I find them. I bought:
- two pairs of shoes: black and brown slides with laces, and tan shoes with buckles. The ones with buckles need to be cleaned, but both pairs fit really well. I think the slides are actually a little more recent than the look I'm going for, based on the shape of the heel. But they're comfortable and cute as the dickens, so I had to buy them.
- a mink hat. I've never worn real mink before. It's comfy and warm and has that tall 60s shape. The lady in the store (who seemed to be the owner) told me that it's male mink, which is thicker and warmer fur. I don't know if that's true or not but it sounds good.
Lisa and I talked some about our feelings on wearing fur. Neither of us would wear new fur, but vintage fur is a trickier issue. On the one hand, since it's pre-owned you aren't causing animals to be killed for your coat. That happened decades ago & the responsibility rests with the original owner. On the other hand, you are still contributing to the aesthetic of wearing fur. (Lisa said that she was even uncomfortable with fake fur that's too realistic for that reason.) I'm not sure what I would do in the extremely unlikely event that I inherited a fur coat (which has happened to a friend but will never happen to me -- I just don't have relatives who wear mink). But I'm willing to wear fur accessories like this hat or a fur collar on a cloth coat.
- A tan hat decorated with an iron cross and white leather chin strap. The iron cross is super cool, but it's the chin strap that sends it over the top into utterly fabulous. If it doesn't go with my polka dot dress, I'm going to have to make a new outfit to match it.
Also bought but not photographed:
- A cute little brooch shaped like a daisy that will look good with my summer dresses.
- Two vintage patterns, including one which I had seen on Ebay and tried to get, but had been outbid. It's of a top, skirt and garter stockings. Imagine the possibilities! I am going to start combing Ebay for wild knit fabrics.
- a badly stained dress for $3 which has very nice beaded trim, which I will remove and use on another outfit.
- a cute little black and white skirt.
There were a couple of disappointments, including some tall boots that were a little too big, but the most amazing things were two hats designed by Schiaparelli! With the original tags still on them! For only $65 each! I tried them both on but the one I liked best was too big.
I didn't intend to spend so much, but I did have my Stoneline Christmas bonus in my wallet -- cash no less -- and everything was so cool, and the prices were so reasonable. As we paid and gathered up our things, the owner kept saying "Come back soon, I restock often!" I guess I must seem like a big customer. What she doesn't know is that I only buy like this a couple times a year. I'm going to have to get dressed up in my new shoes and hat and one of my best outfits, and go back there to show her.
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