Lust List: Mad Men

Ok, I know every vintage fashionista on the planet has latched onto Mad Men by now, but can you blame us? The amazing wardrobes alone are more than enough to keep me interested. Then you throw in the dashing leading character, Don Draper, great dialogue and a historically rich plot and I'm hooked! Unfortunately, I am way too cheap to buy cable, so I have to languish in the darkness for a few more months until Season 4 comes out on video. . . I need you Don Draper!
Meanwhile, I am trying my hardest not to read about the first episode on-line, and if I hear people discussing it I will act like a spoiled child and put my fingers in my ears. But, I can look at photos. . .

*I'm usually more of a Joan than a Bette, fashion-wise, but check out this killer blue lace number!

BIG news!!

So, I've been sitting on this for a while-- but the big news is that I bought a vintage store! Ok, to clear things up, I am not opening my own brick-and-mortar store (yet), but I did purchase the contents of a store that had to close suddenly.  Now I have a storage space full of beautiful vintage dresses, jewelry, suits, hats, scarves. . . even some furniture!  I'm a little overwhelmed, but I've been hard at work the last couple weeks designing a new fully-functional e-commerce site to sell on.  There aren't many products on it yet, but you can take a look here. Now, my plan is to put a lot of time and energy into this website, and eventually (when the timing is right and I can find the perfect space), I will open a store.
Well, I've got a lot to do-- back to work!

Retro Chicago

So I only live about 3 hours from the grand city of Chicago, but unfortunately I've never been able to take the time to really know it. It seems whenever I'm there, it's only for an afternoon or maybe one night. I'm always desperately trying to squeeze in a couple hours at the Art Institute, or a tiny bit of shopping in Wicker Park, or a meal at one of the many, many restaurants I'm dying to try.  Well, this weekend was pretty special because I was finally able to spend 2 whole nights in the windy city.  Of course, that's still only scratching the surface, but I got to do everything I really wanted to do, and in the end it was a lovely retro-themed weekend.
Friday evening we grabbed a drink at the oh-so-famous Signature Room bar on the 95th floor of the Hancock Tower.  It was kind of annoying waiting in line to ride the elevator, and of course the drinks were a little over-priced, but the bar was really beautiful as was the view. We caught the last few minutes of daylight, and as the sun turned bright pink and faded out of view there was a magnificent thunder storm in the distance.

Afterward we headed over to Wicker Park for a little Italian food at Club Lucky.  The restaurant was charmingly decorated like a retro diner (although I think they were going more for martini bar), and the food was fantastic.
On Saturday, I was left to fend for myself most of the afternoon. . . which was fine with me. I, of course, headed straight to the vintage shops clustered mostly around Wicker Park. Unfortunately, I didn't have a lot of luck shopping, but I did see a lot of cute things-- especially in this place called "Lenny and Me".  They have a small boutique that carries an array of lovely vintage clothing and accessories, and then in the back there's a surprise gallery. Also, a block or so down they have a sister store: Lenny and Me Home.  This store is quite large and filled to the brim with vintage and repurposed furniture and decor as well as more vintage clothing.

Saturday night I met up with some girlfriends for a bachelorette party. We stayed at the beautiful and chic Hotel Allegro.  The decor was clean and modern with a funky retro twist. Here's a sneak peak at the wallpaper in the lobby. . .

As you can imagine, a Saturday night bachelorette party in Chicago can get pretty wild. But before the debauchery and dancing started, we stopped in for a quick drink at the Beauty Bar.  Ok, the crowd was a little lame at 9:30, but this is the most adorable bar I've ever been in. . . the walls have glitter in them! And you can get your nails done while you sip your martini.  Amazing.

Market Day Iowa!

I'm sooo excited about this Saturday!  Market Day Iowa in Des Moines is going to be a ton of fun-- dozens of vendors with funky vintage and handmade goodies.  . . Awesome!

No, I wasn't in Europe this weekend. . . the next best thing, though-- VEGAS!  What a strange place! We wandered around in a sort of daze, admiring the Disney-esque architecture and the totally American, completely over-the-top decadence.  Vegas is a really strange, unique mix of high and low.  For example, you can be shopping at Marc Jacobs in the Bellaggio and a group of guys without shirts on, carrying "yard stick" margaritas might walk by.  So, just to balance out these "glamorous" Vegas pics, lets see some not-so-glamorous ones. . .

I especially love the "American Hot Dog" billboard behind the showgirls. . . .

I did have a blast, though.  And I didn't lose any money (didn't win any either). . . . Unfortunately, I also didn't get to do any vintage shopping.  Although, I did come across a beautiful shop in the Venetian, called "Designer Vintage".  It was a boutique filled with lovely, insanely overpriced "designer" vintage items (though many things didn't even have tags on them).  I suppose most of the women who shop there don't know what things are worth, and don't have a problem paying $500 for a 1950's cotton dress.  Ah well.  Viva Las Vegas!