SHOPPING VINTAGE.

Wearing vintage clothing is one of those things I've always wanted to do, but never felt I could pull off (I've written about this here before). For starters, let me just say that all my clothes should probably be tailored: I have broad shoulders, a short torso and big boobs, but I can generally find stuff that works off the rack in regular "modern" bricks-and-mortar and online stores. Not so with vintage clothes; to begin with, the clothes' material and lengths are quite different, and so whenever I trry anything on I'd often end up looking like the queen of Planet Frump. Not great. But I've always loved the shapes and patterns on vintage clothing, and often find myself perusing vintage Etsy shops and wishing I could wear the clothes I see—or purchasing vintage-inspired clothing at stores like Anthropologie.

But then I read Joy's post about making vintage clothing work for your body type, and how she has almost every vintage piece she owns tailored. The "before" and "after" photos are pretty striking—a simple hem makes such a difference—and so many vintage pieces do have such great prints. So I started perusing Etsy shops and actually ended up buying a couple of well-priced skirts with pretty patterns that will probably just need to be hemmed. My tailor lives within walking distance of my house and is really reasonably priced, so I'm excited to see the difference her work makes with my treasures.

Also, one thing I've discovered in just the little while I've been Etsy vintage shopping: While there are really delightful pieces out there, not all vintage is pretty. Remember the '80s and '90s, people? I do, and with a few exceptions, I don't have a whole ton of desire to revisit that clothing. Vintage shopping, even online, requires sifting. I'm not great at that, but the results seem to be worth it.

Do you guys wear vintage? More important, do you get your clothes altered? Do you love the difference it makes?

Photos from the sweet vintage shop This Vintage Girl.

Hall pottery.

A few weeks ago, while browsing Instagram, I stumbled across a photo of this gorgeous white ceramic casserole dish with gold polka dots. Though I'm often loathe to ask people where they get things (those kinds of questions seem to take over a lot of the bigger Instagram feeds I follow, and while I get that it's meant to be flattering, it's mostly just really off-putting to me), I totally dismounted my high horse and asked the user where she got the dish. She very kindly let me know that it was vintage—an eBay find—and I very quickly began obsessively scouring the Internet to find something similar.

Turns out the dish was made by Hall, a pottery company, and their ceramic pieces aren't hard to find on Etsy or eBay. I quickly found the exact casserole dish I'd been coveting and scooped it up, and last week I also found a white-and-gold-polka-dotted coffeepot that I couldn't resist—turns out I got it for a steal, because it's enormous (the photo doesn't do it justice). Both the coffeepot and the casserole are really heavy and well-made, and while I don't think I'll be using them much for actual cooking, they'll absolutely make gorgeous display pieces. If you were ever asked to describe a "Megan" item, these would be it.

Any great eBay/thrifting scores of your own to share?

Young Frankk.

So, last weekend I took a step towards my "wear more jewelry" goal and got a big red statement necklace (courtesy of my wonderful mother. Thanks, Mom). You guys, I love it. It's so bright and it goes perfectly with everything from my favorite navy-and-white striped shirt to my favorite all-around shirt, which features red-handled tennis rackets (no, I do not play tennis; yes, I get asked that question whenever I wear this shirt).

Anyway, now I want to buy all the jewelry, and these pretty pieces from Young Frankk are calling my name. I first discovered Young Frankk via Pennyweight Goods, and I'm so glad I did: The pieces are really lovely, the kind you'd wear every day. Consider both of the bracelets above added to my birthday wishlist.

Are you guys big jewelry wearers or could you go without it?

Shannon Kirsten calligraphy.

Shannon Kirsten (who, in addition to being a local artist, did my bestie Kate's amazing bridal shower invitations) is now offering calligraphy  services in her Etsy shop. Shannon has the best handwriting, and I can't wait for an excuse to have her make placecards or the like for my next big bash. So pretty! (The white on black is my favorite.)

White Faux Taxidermy.

Let me be clear: Taxidermy is not my thing. Like, at all. It kind of freaks me out. But these resin deer heads from White Faux Taxidermy, which come in a variety of colorful, sparkly options, are so cool, and I have to say: I wouldn't mind having one in my house (that green and silver one is particularly awesome). What about you: yay or nay?

Kari Herer prints.

How beautiful are these prints by Kari Herer? I am in love with them. Thanks to recent spendiness (yes, that's a word), after this weekend I'm putting the kibosh on shopping for awhile, but these are definitely going on the wishlist (or the, ahem, birthday list). Wouldn't a framed group of three look lovely in a bedroom?

Rooted in Succulents.

Holy moly: These monogrammed succulent planter boxes from Rooted in Succulents are amazing. I want an "M" so, so badly. Totally awesome, right?

P.S. I don't know what it is, but despite my black thumb, I am really into plants lately. I bought a dwarf Meyer lemon tree a few weeks ago and I'm kind of in love with it, and I'm itching to start a herb garden. Any gardening tips are much-appreciated—I grew up with huge orange trees in my backyard but never actually did anything to care for them, and, um, I've killed succulents before. So yes: tips welcome! xo

(via DesignLoveFest)

Seventh Tree Soaps.

So I pretty much squealed with glee when I saw these adorable owls from Seventh Tree Soaps. Cutest things ever, right? They come in different scents, and in such sweet packaging...

Man, I love soap.

(via Gloria)

Shannon Kirsten paper goods.

Loving this beautiful wedding paper suite by local illustrator, photographer and stylist Shannon Kirsten. The lavender is such a soothing, refreshing and kind of unexpected color, and the hand-painted lettering is so pretty.

Shop here.

Inkkit.

Oh, Inkkit: You are making my sparkle-happy, metallic-loving little heart go pitter patter.

Shop: here.

Feeling dotty.

This may be the most beautiful coat I've ever seen: Vintage, mohair, ivory with blue polka dots...and ringing in at a whopping $895. You know, pocket change. 

Let's spoon.

Speaking of things for the kitchen, aren't these wooden spoons from o ME and o MY delightful? Stirring a big pot of soup with one of these pretties would make me very happy.

Loving: Cloud bread boards from Snug Studio.

I love a cute-shaped cutting board, so these cloud bread boards from Snug Studios really struck my fancy. Aren't they sweet?

P.S. Cloud-shaped marshmallows and cloud cookie cutters.

loving: bags from death and texas.

loving the simplicity of these great bags by death and texas (the striped one doubles as a handlebar bag for bicycles).

loving: gold ceramics from up in the air somewhere.

i discovered the wonderful shop up in the air somewhere sometime last year, and i'm so glad i did. i don't own any of susan's lovely pieces -- yet -- but i routinely check her shop to see (and drool over) the pretty new things she's added.

here are some of my recent, gold-themed favorites (featuring polka dots and stripes -- are you surprised?); most of them have since sold, but no worries: there's still plenty in the shop to tide you over.

p.s.: some other new and awesome gold goodies: rifle paper co.'s gold notecards. so pretty; always a favorite.

photos via up in the air somewhere; layout by me.

loving: boo and boo factory jewelry.

totally smitten with boo and boo factory's colorful leather jewelry, particularly that necklace in the lower righthand corner. wouldn't it look perfect with dark jeans and a white t-shirt?

loving: snoozer loser.

pretty, pretty scarves from snoozer loser (i love that magenta one with the gold scissors print!).

loving: oh leander

so, how sweet are these pieces from oh leander? i love each and every one of them, but that "hello, sunshine" mug, in particular, has stolen my heart.

photos via oh leander; layout by me

loving: long winter farm's perfume oils.

recently,  after realizing that my dresser had become a graveyard for almost-empty perfume bottles, i ordered a couple of perfume oils from long winter farm. because i'm a sucker for anything peony, i chose that scent immediately; i also decided to order the honeysuckle scent because it's one of favorites and never fails to remind me of the best of florida (just like orange blossoms).

the perfume arrived yesterday, and i am happy to report that both scents more than live up to my expectations. the peony is sweet and heady and very true to the scent of the flower itself; the honeysuckle is a bit milder but equally similar in scent to its flower.  i have a feeling the honeysuckle will quickly become my everyday scent; i'll save the peony for those occasional nights out on the town.

loving: elephantine's "two loves" necklace

rachel's jewelry is some of my favorite, and her lovely blog is always a source of inspiration. so it's no surprise that i'm loving her newest piece--this necklace, sweetly named "two loves." isn't it pretty?