Analogue Chic

Posts Tagged ‘shopping’

*Not at all exhaustive.

Thanks to my husband’s employer, my vacation this year was a  long weekend in Philadelphia. That is not a complaint, in any way, except that he was working most of the time. So it was a weird solo-trip-together… But a much-needed change of scenery.

I was able to revisit some of my favorite spots from my first trip to PHL with my sister about 4 years ago?? (That seems like a long time, but it’s probably accurate.)

I also got to visit some parts of town that were new to me (which was easy, because Sis and I didn’t venture too far on our mini-trip back then).

Read the rest of this entry »

I did a reconnaissance mission to Kohl’s for you, to see what’s good and what should be left behind.

Honestly, I think this was the first time I’ve actually shopped at Kohl’s. I don’t regularly shop at department stores, only for targeted missions: finding an interview suit, picking up shirts for my husband, or, as in this instance, grabbing a new mattress pad on sale. I just don’t have the budget for regular priced retail, and I prefer the thrill of the hunt at secondhand shops.

But I know that some of you might be dedicated department shoppers, or sales-seekers, so I took a jog through the women’s section to see what’s up.

Great styling from Daisy Fuentes – belted floral dress with utility jacket.

I couldn't have put it together better myself.

Read the rest of this entry »

Photo courtesy the Neighborhood Squirrel.

I'm so lucky to have awesome clients.

Leslie, whom I affectionately refer to as the Neighborhood Squirrel (she is very cute), has just reviewed my Closet Editing service over at her site, as one of 365 Things to Do in Greater Danbury.

Leslie is a creative blogger and stay-at-home mom, who investigates fun events and services available in the Greater Danbury, CT area. Like a lot of moms, her personal style got sidelined after having the little ones. Lucky for me (and her), she had a great instinct for what worked for her, and just needed some objective guidance.

Read the rest of this entry »

You better! It's going to be fun and stylish!

Meet me in person, grab some chic vintage handbags and accessories for spring, as well as semi-precious stone jewelry by Piedra Posy, all while hanging out at one of the best local consignment stores.

It's a great way to spend (or start?) Girl's Night Out!

*I hope you used your best movie-preview-guy voice for the headline.

Image of Rosey Grier* via Extreme Craft

Hand-in-hand with sustainability is independent, handmade design.  You've surely heard some buzz the past few years about the handmade revolution, neo-craft, Etsy shops, and indie fashion.  There was a documentary, Handmade Nation, and there is a global campaign, the Handmade Pledge, allowing consumers to publicly declare their support of handmade production.

This new(ish) crop of small business-folks and designers fills in the gap between producer and consumer that is left empty by face-less big box retail store.  It reflects a demand for connection with the people who create the products we buy, while often– bonus– also being environmentally and socially conscious.

(*I decided to illustrate this piece with the most revolutionary crafter I could find: Rosey Grier, an American pro football player who was also way into needlepoint, and published at least one needlepoint how-to book.  A manly man of color, rockin' the needle and thread. More on Rosey Grier here. More manly men doing needlecraft during WWII, here and here.)

Probably the best thing about buying handmade is customization.  Most indie designers and crafters will be happy to customize their wares for you, and even create an original design or custom order.  Just get in touch with them– we actually answer our email!

So I've put together this very brief, handy guide to handmade fashion and gifts to get you started on the yellow brick road to handmade for the holidays, or any occasion.  All of the larger handmade showcases have great search capability, so you can narrow down your results by location, color, material, etc.  Happy hunting!

Etsy

The largest and most well-known showcase of online shops for handmade and vintage wares.

Artfire

Similar to Etsy, with searchable listings of handmade and vintage.

Smashing Darling

CT-grown, global showcase of independent fashion designers.

DeviantArt

While it's mainly an online portfolio site populated by anime fans, you can find unique art prints and other wares.

ModCloth

Well-known online marketplace of indie fashion, and a dash of vintage apparel and housewares.

Analogue Chic

Yours truly, with upcycled fashion, vintage apparel & accessories, and personal style services. I also offer custom orders and gift certificates.

Of course, it's not about the stuff, but about the people.  I hope you're able to spend some sweet quality time with all the peeps you love.  Happy holidays!

'Tis the season… for a revolution.

(Unfortunately, I can't properly credit this photo because the website I found it on is defunct, and the squawkbox url has since changed hands. But it's darn clever.)

Do you know how many proverbs there are in the English language having to do with money? Exactly 253.* 

Have you ever wondered why there are so many monetary proverbs? It's because they're all true.

Money talks, it makes the world go round, and you should seriously consider putting your money where your mouth is.  It also ended apartheid in South Africa.

But I'm not going to rant or preach here.

I'll just pass on to you these online shopping sites that will help you do some good if you choose to spend money this holiday season.  Whether you want to choose sustainable products and support the environment, or buy products made with traditional techniques and fair labor, these links will be a great starting point for you.

Cosa Verde

An online showroom of sustainable, handmade items, categorized by environmental and ethical impact (recycled, vegan, etc.).

National Green Pages

A directory of all kinds of businesses that are dedicated to the environment, audited by Green America (consumer advocacy group that also works with Ebay on World of Good, below.)

Equal Exchange

Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, cocoa, and gifts.

Ten Thousand Villages

Well known company, with brick & mortar stores, that offers fairly traded gift items.

Ebay's World of Good

Ebay's marketplace for environmentally and socially positive products.

SmartlyGreen.com

A portal for all of the brands and online shopping sites you already use, which donates a % commission to Cool Earth, a rainforest initiative.

Don't forget non-tangible gifts as well– there are lots of ways to make a donation to a cause, or support the environment and sustainable economic development, in honor of your loved one.  Be sure to check the organization's ratings before sending a payment.

*This statistic is based on nothing but my very active imagination.  Who has time to go counting money proverbs?…

Hey, just a note to let you all know, I recently set up shop at Cosa Verde, kind of an online showroom of environmentally- and socially-conscious designers and crafters.
And they picked 2 of my items to be featured today!
Check it out!

image via DevPunk Studios

You can meet me and see my wares at these upcoming events:

Jewish Summer Festival

Sunday, August 23, 2009,12:00 – 6:00 pm

Congregation B’nai Israel, 193 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT

Taste of Danbury

Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009

12:00 – 7:00 pm both days

On the Green (Ives St.), downtown, Danbury, CT

Hope to see you!

I have been working part time in a women’s clothing store for a few months now, trying not to spend my paycheck before I leave the premises.

No joke, there are very few women under 50 that I have stopped as they were looking around to compliment them on their ensemble.  Most of the customers are in jeans and Ts.  But if I’m lucky, about once a week, I encounter a woman of a certain age who just has it together with some flair.  There have been a few ladies in on their lunch breaks from the nearby corporate offices who have these very creative monochromatic outfits: a seafoam green skirt suit with matching shoes and coordinating accessories, for example.  Today there was a lady in a very lovely outfit of shades of khaki and white, with a lovely straw hat and coordinating bag.

My love of older women’s style just culminated in this ‘Sartorialist Blog’ for the AARP set: Advanced Style.  Thanks to Dress A Day for the link.

Lots of hip ladies and gentlemen just racking up fashion points.

Image copyright Advanced Style

This blog discovery fits perfectly in with a concept I’ve been pondering for a little while, at least.  I love being the "greeter" and working the floor at the store, helping people find what they need.  I take a lot of mental notes, observing and listening to people.  The way I get through this job, which would otherwise be menial, degrading, and draining, is 1. I love clothes, and 2. I make it a game, pretending it’s my store, and I’m doing personal fashion styling for the customers.

Most women, of any age group, have difficulties with fit, especially in dresses and jeans.  Middle aged women have very little selection in ready to wear, and don’t even get me started on the ugly, poor quality clothes that are offered for senior ladies… There is a sort of average standard sizing system, but clothing brands don’t all use the same measurements – and not every-BODY is a standard size.  For so many people, shopping is a frustrating and demoralizing experience.  It seems obvious, but it’s still mind boggling that clothing retail and the fashion industry aren’t doing a better job of getting in touch with their customer base. 

UPDATE: Here’s a link to a rant on plus size style from another favorite blog, DC Goodwill Fashion.

So, I’m not going to lay out my whole concept here, but clearly there is a market here with steady income that needs to be satisfied, not to mention an exciting, challenging field for fashion design.

There is at least one person on the vanguard, designing chic, flattering, feminine clothes for women of the ‘third age’, without resorting to the Talbots/Chicos, preppy-meets-bohemian rut — that is Fanny Karst of The Old Ladies Rebellion.  Brava!

UPDATE UPDATE: An MSN.com piece on the search term "muffin top", aka women’s hips.  (Recently at the store, I was unpacking a shipment of undies, and one brand was featuring their power to eliminate muffin top.)  Really, since when is it a bad thing for a woman’s body to curve out from her waist?  Where else are you going to put your hips?!  The only reason this might look awkward is because your jeans are the wrong size.  This is not a newsflash… Next Analogue Chic project: a book on how to buy clothes.  Please…