Old-Fashioned Charms...

If my sister had the same ecstatic fondness that I have for vintage and costume jewelry, I'm pretty sure she'd wear these darlings more often. My sister  owns them but she rarely ever uses them at all. And because I can't bear to see them rotting away in the same corner of our ever sturdy dresser, I willingly take them out for dinner dates and lazy Sundays once in a while. They're pretty heavy and the locks are unusual. You have to turn the screw to fasten them in place. I don't really know if the stones are real or not. But heck, these babies look adorable either way! 

They're so adorable they inspired me to create my own recycled vintage-y accessories! Bits of fabric fillings, different colored-ribbons, some beads, a broken metal chain and my very basic sewing powers... and I'm traveling back in time again! This bracelet can double as a necklace when the ribbons are extended and the small round pillows can be filled with anything you have lying about.  

  

I'm sure that by now, you have begun to realize that I am nothing without my favorite polka dots and stripes!  This orange dotted fabric came from an old blouse of mine. And since I can't be 16 forever, for some weird reason, it just won't fit me anymore! So I decided to lovingly cut it into bits and pieces for my new, old-ish bracelet that's featured right here! :-)

Old shirts can turn into your latest treasures too! Here's a rosy beauty. Who ever had the right to limit green color to leaves, and grass and hairy garden pests anyway?

You don't have to travel back in time to wear genuine vintage jewelry. Time travel is a feat that is best left in the movies. But just in case you do succeed, would you mind saving some Victorian flounced petticoats for me? :-)

Recycling Medicine Vials!

Recycling has always been one of my many quirky passions. I'm a rat and I don't really throw anything away- except when they're biodegradable and rotting to the heavens! A trip back to the hospital for volunteer work had me pumping out antibiotics and what-nots for the patients of my beloved ortho-surgical ward, and in the middle of those 8-hour shifts and the many rubber ports I had to disinfect, discontinue and inject, a bright brilliant, almost ---ok so I'm probably exaggerating by now---- But you do get the picture, right? I'm not known for being the neat and tidy type. I like seeing my things cluttered about in this sea of colors and age-old dust from my rickety cupboards and drawers. I like looking at them and knowing I'd have to bring them to some form of order someday, when I have the time. But who does have the time right?  In my entire crafting existence, I have accumulated quite a pile of beads, buttons, metal pendants, plastic amulets, sequins and shells. So I took some of these medicine vials home, submerged them in a bath of bleach, laundry soap and water and hoped for the best. 

 And because I did not explore scrubbing as a possible option, I simply left these guys in the bath for about 3 days. It's a good thing I did not totally forget about them. When I took them out, the medicine labels simply fell off, tada! I rinsed them and let them dry out for a while and then...

 Voila! My beaded glories in these little glass heavens!

 Aside from my beads, and seeds and sequins, I had lace trimmings, fabric scraps, old zippers and other usable sewing odds and ends, so I took some of these tin cans, ate all of the goodies inside and cleaned them up!

 And by the way, just so you know, I don't throw old books away too! I even buy old leather-bound books from the local library sale once in a while. Cheapness.

 I got some glue, tore out a page or two and made a mache for my tin biscuit container. I love how the yellowed edges pile up against each other! I did not need any paint or coffee stain for this one. The pages are authentically old. Authentically. hahaha

Turn your junk into spanking new tidy-up buddies! Or simply love the colorful clutters of life!

Vintage Finds!

I found these two vintage dresses with their union labels still intact and a bit readable. They're fruits of a long happy hunting spree amidst piles of relief goods for sale in my local wet market.


I paid about 20 pesos for this dark blue and cream dress with a red lining around the collar. It's this awkward length and a size 18 so I don't wear it that often. I thought about cutting it and doing some modifications here and there, but I figured the union label makes this number totally one worth keeping in its original state.

The Union Label is still readable! This dress is probably from the late 60's or the early 70's...



Now here's another sweet surprise from the ukay2x pile! I got this hippie early 70's dress for about 10 pesos. There's no real damage, just a little rip along the shoulder area (nothing a needle and some thread can't fix). Its a size 10, so it fits me just fine and its from Lady Carol too!





I just might be starting a hobby here folks...hahaha

Vintage Union Label Dresses

A lot of articles say that its easier to date vintage clothing by checking out the Union Labels attached to them. Depending on the color and design of the label, you can find out when a certain vintage find was made.

Here are some useful bits of info from E-bay...

1963-1974





The trademark for the new label was submitted in 1963 with a first use date of June 28, 1963. It was registered April 21, 1964. The new label has the same scalloped circle with the threaded needle and the Int'l Ladies Garment Workers Union around the edge. The center changed to a dark circle crossed by ILGWU in white. In the dark arc above ILGWU, it says Union Made. In the dark arc below ILGWU, it says AFL-CIO. This label was usually printed in blue on white. Note the (R) on the label indicates it was printed after the TM registration date.

We have two examples of labels in other colors used in the early 1970s. They are both from foundation garments. There have been other examples with orange or red lettering, usually on lingerie or nightwear, and recently a black label was presented that dated from 1988-1995.




1974-1995


In 1974, ILGWU decided to change the colors of its label to red, white and blue. This is recorded in the records of the 35th annual convention, archived at the Kheel Center at Cornell. The Report of the General Executive Board to the 35th convention in Miami Beach, Florida, May 31, 1974 mentions the change in colors to "an all-American red-white-blue and the addition of the line 'Made in USA'" on page 79. (emphasis added) They explain it in part as a result of the need to support the fight against the competition from low-wage imports, particularly to strengthen the nation-wide anti-imports campaign. All label material prepared in conjunction with the campaign used the slogan: "Buy American: The Job You Save May Be Your Own."

Smol Goes Steam Punk!

I love period costumes. And though my day to day get-up may well be disturbingly ordinary ( I believe in casual Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays...), I do love dressing up for costume parties. The last time I did, I came as Wednesday Addams (hair extensions and all) but now I figured I'd try something much more challenging.

Steam Punk is an eccentric mix of Victorian colors and silhouettes with a Utilitarian flair. It screams Industrial Revolution. It brings a whole new meaning to "Rage Against the Machine". hahaha.

To put it even simpler, if Jane Austen married Sherlock Holmes, this would be it.

I detest commercialism and impulse buying. I am cheapness personified. So this little masterpiece is a mix of everyday things and stuff I found while rummaging through my closet, my Mom's closet, my Dad's closet, my boyfriend's garage and a quick trip to the thrift shop and the hardware store.

I'll be posting more pics and DIY tips for this Steam Punk costume soon! :-)

The Yellow Patterned Dress: A Murder Revealed

This post is a confession.

Yes, I admit to rummaging through my mom's closet for clothes that might look good on me. And yes, sometimes I tear down a dress in several pieces in order to fit my more modern sense of style (whatever that is). I confess to being swept away by the notion of possible fame as a style-recycling diva (a label I invented during my manic moments). Here is one project I am confessing for. And with the help of my little sister (who is not so little anymore), I came up with two separate tops from a single dress. Take a look!

On the background is my mom's closet, the same one I always raid when I am tired of tearing down my own set of clothes. These pair of pants are "ukay" too, and the belt is from the SM department store (during a sale of course). You can pair this with black pumps for a night out or some flats for more comfort.

I find the sleeves of this dress really vintage-y and unique. So I decided to play with the puffs by making her wear a pair of black shorts and her black prom shoes. You can wear this with flats too.  

She does this thing with her hair, they look a bit disturbing at times. I think they make her look like she's got lice or something, she thinks its cute. You decide.

Who needs models when you can bully your little sister into doing this for free? lol

Evangelista: A Haven for the Modern Fashionista

Welcome to Evangelista, a quaint neighborhood that hardly resembles the busy streets of modern Makati. Instead of skyscrapers and men in business suits the whole area is dotted with small stores that specialize in car parts. On first glance it may look like the ultimate haven for car mechanics and automotive specialists (whatever that job means).  

Yet several corners away, Hizon street blooms with a different promise. All it took was that single turn for me to realize that I was finally home! Vintage was everywhere! I now take this space to wholeheartedly thank the thrift store owners who allowed me to take picture after picture of their excellent goodies!

This bag is a Nina Ricci creation. The ribbon detail is just charming and it sells for just 1, 200php. Not bad!

This studded sling wonder from YSL is in excellent condition and is priced reasonably as well.

Here's a unique piece from Christian Dior, a vintage party bag with lots of character!

Who doesn't love Dior? This leather bag sells for 9-7k, depending on your bargaining skills!

Jill Stuart is famous for her mini dresses and this black lace number is a heart-stopper. For just 700php.

Louis Vuitton flats in orange and pink!

I may have forgotten the brand, but this pair is a beauty!

Vintage costume jewelry makes for a great collection.

These shoes are made for walking and shopping and partying...

Some more adorable bags...

Channel the Victorian in you with cameo pendants and a set of earrings. The one inside the box is a reproduction while the one outside is an original vintage piece.

No, you can never own enough bags!

This charming vintage comb comes with a mirror, the two items sell for 2, 500. A cheap price for authenticity.

It is a sweet irony that in modern Makati, there are age-old wonders waiting to be discovered.

These timeless treasures deserve a new home!