I don't want to be a bore with woes of moving. There are certainly woes, but I'm almost done... I think?
So, instead - here are some photos that Jeff and I quickly took last week while I was taking a break from packing... This dress. It's one of the older things I own and by far the most bizarre....
Culottes. Yes.
And they almost touch my ankles.
Two elements that do not belong together but in a pretty butter yellow silk fabric with this beautiful carnival type detailing at the bodice, or at least that's what it reminds me of.. somehow I can't help but feel like all it needs is to be set free from its culotte ways and made into a normal dress. I don't care how old it is! I just don't think I can get fully down with the culottes!
There's a funny tale about how I found this dress. It happened by luck, and it just proves how much old junk magic is in New England, hoarded and protected by their insane/sweet owners that will share beautiful stories about collecting when they were a teenage boy in the 60's when thrift stores first got their start, or about how they used to have a theater company with their sister in the 40's/50's with twinsie acts and matching dresses. And they are truly and genuinely excited to pass their treasures onto a new home.
I call them my piles of luck, and I'm achingly leaving them and New England behind... I don't want to hate on California, but I feel like it's this funny place where everyone goes to find their own kind of magic.... I'm hoping there's some left for me.
...I have one more dress that came from the same pile of luck as this yellow one. It reminds me of fishing piers and late sunny afternoons. A dress that's so perfect for San Francisco I'm saving it for Hyde Street Pier and Grace Cathedral Hill. Oh, heck. California here I come!
42 comments:
You always look so beautiful! The dress is so lovely with the yellow flowers as background.
Those are beautiful photos- the yellow flowers especially. Best wishes on the move and finding new spots for treasures and stories.
oh, no. keep the culottes as is - you can most certainly pull them off and it makes that piece even more special. gorgeous photographs...
I kind-of like the culottes actually :)
Good luck w/ your move! Its always exciting to embark on a new adventure.
These really are the loveliest photos!!! I'm sure you'll find just as wonderful places to buy vintage in California, though I'll definitely miss all your New England stories and pictures!
These photos are stunning! You look so pretty :)
aww, these pictures are just lovely! Every new outfit you wear just gets prettier and prettier. You are such an inspiration for me, and tons others, this I know!
Good luck with the rest of your move! I can't wait to see this other dress you are talking about! :o)
I just moved from CA to Williamsburg, VA. The leaving-home-heart-wrenched-away part lasted even until I pulled up to the new house. Then the oh!-I-am-finally-arrived took over. Don't underestimate the psyche's ability to dramatically change. And take care of CA for me!
sooooo pretty :) I love it, what a major score!
i didn't even realize they were culottes! and really, I really honestly can't think of another girl who could wear this dress and look as stunning as you do!!!
i am sure you'll find your own brand of magic over there!!
Beautiful photos.
xoxo
J
www.talkprettytome.blogspot.com
I love that hat of yours, so bohemian and it looks so great with the yellow cullotes. good luck in SF. I lived in LA for two years, a transplant from the north east as well and it is great there.
I agree that the culottes look great on you. There is lots of vintage here, it's just more pricey unless you get lucky which I have many times. You will love it here, it's got great energy and people are really nice! Good luck on the trek maybe I'll run into you soon! I am planning a clothing swap full of lovely ladies let me know if you are interested and I'll send you a invite! You can always bring a friend as well! :)
well, is it repetitive to echo just how beautiful you look? that's some very special culottes you have right there. the photos are full of magic. and i'm sure you'll find some magic in CA, you're bound to!
Aw shucks...I probably tell you too many times, but you really are the dreamiest most magical 'lil lady I know! A true inspiration! Just the way you write, the things you say, and the stories you have, and not to mention the prettiest of pretty pictures you take in the dreamiest of clothes. Truly a special lady! OK, corny-ness over!
xx
I like the culottes as it is. it's original and fits you perfect with that hat. I hope you will find similar treasures in San Francisco.
Welcome to California! I don't know how it will compare to Boston to you, but I love living here.
by the way, you look so beautiful.
Keep the culottes! They look great!
Such gorgeous pictures! I happen to love culottes, I think you should keep them!!!
These photos are stunning!
You look sooo beautiful! I don't know many people who could pull off that length with as much grace as you do... As for the magic, well, these pictures look just magical, so I'm sure you'll be able to make some of your own, hehe...
Gorgeous long dress. These photos are beautiful
x
Down with the culottes! Haha, I just wanted to say that. You look wonderful and summery. Yellow is a great color. I hope you enjoy California. As for myself, I'm longing to visit New England.
you are a dream! these photos look like you've just floated out of a film about a 1940's ingenue.
you pull these off exceedingly well. I think you should keep them that way (though I totally understand as I am generally anti-culotte myself).
have a safe move!
so pretty :) good luck with the rest of your move! (i live in northern california and wouldn't move anywhere else...i hope you enjoy it here!)
The dress is lovely! You don't really need to change it to look perfect, it look s perfect already! Good luck in california!
Nooo please don't change the pretty! I was just thinking how nice the length was, and then when you said they are culottes my heart skipped a beat. x
Oh my - that's one of the sweetest, loveliest dresses I have ever seen.
-Andi x
I've been reading your blog for a few months and I just had to comment today. You'll definitely find your bit of magic here in CA. There's plenty to go around. I think it's one of our natural resources!
your outfit is so beautiful and you are so magical...your gonna do fine in california.
can't wait to see you on your journeys in SF!!
You always find the most adorable pale yellow things! This prettiness should really be left untouched... It's weird how it has a 70s vibe to it, maybe because of the hat...
these photos take my heart! that dress is lovely. will be so new, exciting, different to hear your california-dreamin'-stories!
You are lovely - perfect end-of-the-summer look!
And, don't worry, California has more than enough magic to go around. You'll love it there!
It's sad that you're leaving the New England area (I still can't imagine life anywhere but here-born and raised!).
Also, those don't even look like culottes. *shrug* Maybe its just the pictures.
On another note, I was wondering what your favorite vintage, consignment, thrift shops are in the Brookline, Boston and Cambridge area (really if it's accessible by T I'm there). I've recently become interested and would love some suggestions.
LOVE your style
yes, california has its own magic. i left four years ago, but was born and raised a california girl. the author francesca lia block sings california's praises on a high note. read "weetzie bat" if you haven't already.
Gerat pics!
I'm sure there is still some magic left in California, being that I am here basking in it...I can vouch for it:)
Good luck with the move!
that dress is stunning! You look lovely in all of these.
I really love love love the photos of you sitting in the flowers!
In my blog you can win 55 bows right now, all made by me. Have taken lost of nice photos to. Visit if you like!
I love you in that hat! gorgeous photographs as usual poppiesandposies.blogspot.com
xxxxx
These are so pretty!!!
I love the hat!
Julie
sweetheartdarlin.com
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