Flower Power

Vintage Dame ADORES flowers! I love the idea that a flower starts off as just a little seedling and then blossoms into a glorious creation. I think that all of us ladies need to remember that we too are meant to "blossom" into our very best, most fulfilled selves. The only way for us to truly manifest the lives that we are meant to lead, is if we love ourselves, take care of ourselves and honor what is special and unique about ourselves each and every day. Blossom Away!

For further inspiration, check out my lovely flower head lady, purchased on the amazing website Etsy:



Walk with a happy bounce in your step, in these J Crew floral lovelies:


A stunning 1940's floral dress from one of the best vintage sites out there - Posh Girl Vintage


Twirl like a dancing fiend in this beauty from Lafayette 148 NY, available at Neiman Marcus

Groupie Chic

One of Vintage Dame's all time favorite looks is "Groupie Chic" - a combo hippie & rock n roll style. This flow-y blouse is from Victoria Secret, can't you just picture Penny Lane wearing it? Calleen Codero's earthy, rocker-ish shoes, cuff and purse below are the best example of this iconic look. Her pieces are expensive, but SO worth it. Each item is made by hand right here in North Hollywood, using top quality Italian leather and various metals. My Mom bought me an amazing pair of her studded leather flip flops ($200!), but they are insanely comfortable and I have worn them to death. Keep in mind that this is not 1973, so don't get too carried away when working this look. But done in the right way, Groupie Chic is a classic look that never goes out of style.



To complete the look, modern bell bottoms by J Brand

Rock on Mama!

Leroy in Lace

I would like to introduce you to the newest man in my life - Leroy! What a face! I found Leroy wandering the streets of Los Feliz, looking skinny (and not in a chic way) and dejected. As he had no collar, I had to toss my H & M Shrug (circa Fall 2006), over his neck and tie a knot - very cowgirl-ish! I then walked him home and after a $2000 dollar vet bill we have all settled in. In honor of Leroy's lace fetish, here are a few of my favorite lacy delights....

Chanel Couture Spring 09 - to die for!

Insanely beautiful blouse by Blumarine

Delicate vintage lace lingerie gown circa 1908 from the website http://www.antiquedress.com

Witchy Style!

As a kid growing up in the 1970's in Canada, my favorite books were about a little witch named Dorrie and her black cat Gink. The Dorrie Series was written by author Patricia Coombs and her character Dorrie was wonderfully delightful! She wore a fabulous gothy black knee length dress and she even had a signature look - she wore mismatched socks everyday! She was my kind of gal, always getting into madcap adventures, but always somehow coming out on top in the end. Whether she was putting a spell on the evil Blue Witch or flying on a broom with her Mum, "the Big Witch," Dorrie embraced life and lived it balls out. Here's to fabulous witchy women all over, who live life passionately and with a little style!

Create your own Black Magic wearing these lovelies...

L'Wren Scott's Sorceress Worthy Capelet

Spell Cast to your heart's delight in this delicate bed-jacket by Elizabeth & James

Think Pink!

Here I am rockin a 1970's polyester chiffon maxi-dress at a summer wedding (bought at the AMAZING Toronto vintage store "I Miss You" on Ossington Street)

Vintage Dame loves pink! The bolder the pink the better! In college I had my room painted a deep fuschia, so gorgeous! That is until one of my gross housemates said it reminded him of a vagina - needless to say that wasn't the look I was going for! Pink looks especially lovely when paired with grey, white or even dark blue denim.

As the stylish fashion editor Maggie belted out in Funny Face:

"To the women of America..."—no, make it to the women everywhere: "banish the black, burn the blue, and bury the beige! From now on girls..." "Think pink! think pink! when you shop for summer clothes. Think pink! think pink! if you want that quel-que chose. Red is dead, blue is through, Green's obscene, brown's taboo. And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce —or chartreuse. Think pink! forget that Dior says black and rust. Think pink! who cares if the new look has no bust. Now, I wouldn't presume to tell a woman what a woman oughtta think, But tell her if she's gotta think: think pink—!"

For more pink inspiration, check out these lovelies from Net a Porter....

Doris Day would have worn this pink Vivienne Westwood stunner with a matching coat in "Pillow Talk"

Pink Secretary Chic by Roberto Cavalli, imagine it with a slim grey pencil skirt - delicious!

Swinging 60's pink lace by Sears, available www.poshgirlvintage.com

Here Kitty Kitty!

Leopard prints are a Vintage Dame Staple. Now to be sure, one must be careful when buying leopard print items of any kind, for many of the new leopard prints are quite wretched looking and/or just plain tacky. Buying vintage leopard is usually a safer bet, with coats from the 1940's-1960's being the easiest items to find. J Crew & Tory Burch both offer cute little leopard flats, which are a must have for all gals. I have been searching for years for a leopard clutch a la Diana Vreeland, if anyone finds one please ring me up. But remember, you're not living in the wild with the wilderbeasts, a little leopard print goes a long long way!

For lounging in St. Tropez, or at your neighborhood pool...

The perfect coat by Chloe, wear over plain black or dark jeans or nothing at all!

I would love to be the lady who wears this Dolce & Gabbana slip around the house...

Gotta love this vintage ad!

Cuter than cute flats by J.Crew

Amazing 40's Vintage Coat, wear with red lips and a ballsy attitude!

A Vintage Dame Soiree

I don't entertain very often, but when I do I like to make it a real Soiree! I like to create an environment that makes my guests feel special and excited to be a part of the evening. At my last birthday - my 40th! - I sent out vintage fashion invites and asked my girlfriends, (it was a dames only party), to wear their vintage finest. My dining room table is rectangular and I really feel that the best conversations happen around a round table, so I rented a round table, plus chairs, a tablecloth and napkins from a local party rental company. Party & wedding rental companies are a wonderful little secret, because if you're only renting a few items it is surprisingly inexpensive - and so worth it! I decorated the table with feathers, flowers, pearls, rhinestones...Vintage Dame Style is not for the Minimalist!

My hubby created a beautiful gourmet meal for us (his b-day gift to me!) and I made the Pink Halo Cocktails from The In Style Party Book. My mother-in-law lent me cut crystal glasses and that added such a chic touch. We played "The Vintage Dame Fashion Quiz" and winners won cool gifts that I had picked out at local thrift shops. Sample question: "At the beginning of Breakfast at Tiffany's, when Audrey Hepburn answers her apartment door, what is she wearing?" Answer - a man's white tuxedo shirt!" There were only eight of us, but man did we hoot and holler!

Another great entertaining trick - hire some help! For a very reasonable rate we had someone help my husband in the kitchen and with cleaning up. You can also post ads on craigslist for waiters and bartenders. Obviously you are not going to hire help all the time, but for special occasions it is a lovely touch.

And maybe it's because I've worked in fashion for so long, but I love getting a goodie bag at the end of a party! Plus it reminds me of being a kid, when we used to get "loot" bags at birthday parties. So all my girls left with a little gold gift bag filled with chocolate, Parisian Madeleines from my favorite bakery (sadly these were stale - always try the treats first!), an Etta James CD and a lip gloss that came in a tin with an Art Nouveau Lady on the front.

I felt so lucky to have all my lovely girlfriends celebrate with me - my friend Ayla even flew in from Salt Spring Island! It was a joyous evening that I will never forget!