Collections: Vintage Brooch

It was love at first sight. When I found this lovely leather flower. I actually think I pulled this out of a bad of scraps or something. It was a magical moment.

 

(Dress: Target (a couple years old), Skirt: Thrifted, Shoes: Thrifted)

Sunday is basically the only day out of the week where I get "really" dressed up. Sunday is the only day when I don't worry about dressing for the heat, which is really hard. I would wear my swim suit everywhere, if I could. Actually no. I wouldn't. As much as I love the summer, looking good while spending time outside is pretty much impossible. Do you have any tips for staying stylish in the heat? Because I'd sure like to know!

Carli

Vintage Brooch: Swift Eagle

I have absolutely no idea where I got this brooch. I think it might have come from my mother, or maybe her mother, or maybe her mothers mother... you get what I am saying. I love it. It reminds me of those elementary school days when we were learning about native americans and their culture. We each made paper indian chief hats and each had out own native name and animal. Mine was "humble bee paints sky with pollen" or something like that, but I remember being particularly jealous of a boy with the name "swift eagle flies at dusk". Not because my name wasn't cool, but because at the time I didn't think my name was cool. I pretty much loathed bees because me and bees have always had a strictly hate relationship. They hate me so they sting me, I hate them because they sting me. So I was pretty unhappy when I found out that I was a humble bee. But anyways.... I love this brooch! It is very unique and makes me feel like the swift eagle that flies at dusk that I fell like I deserve to be...

Carli

Collections: Vintage Brooches

Before I start... I should inform you that this is a very very sad story.

A couple months before I moved up to Utah, I discovered this little secondhand store called La Tienda and if my 4 years of spanish classes served me right "La Tienda" means "the store". (I would look it up to double check, but frankly I am too upset at the moment.) At this store there were a few gems hidden within a bunch of old lady stuff, which is good for me because I love the hunt of thrifting. It's so much better when you find something amazing after searching high and low. The strangest/funniest part about this store is that the owner had installed a TV in a central location of the store and played some kind of religious tapes of preachers yelling out sermons. I am not even sure what religion it was, but I was perplexed. The entire experience was strange, but I went back several times because I could always find something to love. The last time I went before I left for Utah I found these:

To date, these are probably my favorite brooches I have ever owned. EVER! I wore them all the time because they made me feel... good. Maybe it was the fact that for the first time in my life I had a golden chair and silver spoon. I would often stare at the little chair because I almost felt like I could sit in it if I was a tiny person, but it was flat. I was once again baffled.
Then I moved to Utah and was so very excited to wear my silver spoon and golden chair brooches for my new friends to see. Then the worst thing in the entire world happened... I LOST MY GOLDEN CHAIR!!!! I was devastated. So devastated that I have not worn my silver spoon since that terrible day. I know this seems a little too dramatic, and I agree... but I can't help the fact that I fell apart over a missing chair. It was sad. That crappy webcam photo is all I have left of once was.

I am not sure if I will ever get over this. Ever.

Carli

Collections: Vintage Brooches

I have always been a collector of things. In my childhood I had an extensive collection of rocks and stuffed animals. I literally had more stuffed animals then I had real life friends... I know. That may not be saying much, but in elementary school I was very popular. I don't know what happened after that. Anyways, since my childhood I have given up on my rock and stuffed animal collections and have turned to sweater vests (yes) and vintage brooches! A lot of my brooches came from my mother and grandmothers and a few from thrift stores. I have so many! I don't get to wear them as much as I'd like and I feel sad that they sit in jewelry boxes all the time (I have 3 jewelry boxes just for my brooches...) so I though it would be nice to take them out and share!

I did a little research just now and found out that this pin probably came from the 1940's! It's a little rusty but I think that gives it character and charm. I love to wear it on my favorite red sweater vest (see picture bellow). It's funny because when I wear it people will come up to me and say "Yeah, you are cute!" Except it's usually sweet old ladies and sometimes old men... 

Do you collect anything?

Carli