Fab-o Chapeau

Have you ever seen such a sassy hat? I found this 40s hat at Shangri-La on Roscoe. And I'm in love.

An open letter to the hat-wearing folks of NYC:

I spent the traditional New Year's weekend with friends in New York, and it was lovely. And I love New York, especially because it has some of the best people watching ever. I applaud the bold style choices of the New Yorker, and find it refreshing that so many hats are sported for style as well as function. To the man with the olive fedora on the uptown 4 this morning, bravo! You clearly care for your beautifully made hat, and know just the right curve for the brim. To the blonde hipster chick at St. Ann's Warehouse at yesterday's matinee, you know how to perfectly perch a porkpie. However, I'd like to lobby against the masses of Urban Outfitters, etc. -style fascinator headbands. Sorry, ladies, they look a bit cheap. For a few bucks more, you can get yourself a beautiful handmade number that no one else has. Hats are the best place to go vintage or handmade, because it really shows. And everyone remembers the girl in the hat. For real.

A Toast to St. Catherine!

I'll be there celebrating, will you?

(St. Catherine is the patron saint of milliners!)

Use it or Lose it.

I forget that most people didn't grow up in a house full of antiques.  And in regards to anything pretty and old, it seems most people have a sense of wonder that borders on fear. As in, afraid to breathe too hard anywhere near something that was made before 1960. Often, this is not a bad thing, as lots of things should be preserved and carefully handled. However, some things need to live out their intended purpose. Like this vintage (maybe Victorian?) black glass trim I bought at an auction. Oh the look of horror, "you're going to sew that onto a hat? But it's a hundred years old!". Well, yes. I am going to (lovingly) sew that onto a hat. What good will it do me sitting in a box? You buy a new pretty dress, you wear it out (and maybe avoid red wine). You buy an old pretty dress (or trim or tea towel), you do the same. I might as well show it off and put a little history on that hat. Plus, it ultimately makes my hat cooler than yours. 

Yellow Flower Found!

I finished the little fascinator for my friend's wedding and it's so sweet. She's only seen parts of it so far, but I think it's totally her style. I love that she's putting these personal little touches into her wedding just to make her happy; like yellow shoes and a sassy little veil. I think that with big events and traditions, people too often get caught up in what they are "supposed" to do, and not what the want to do. So cheers for yellow shoes and a funky fascinator, and all the best to my dear friend rockin' down the aisle. 

Thrift Store Find of the Week

A funky, fabulous 1960s (?) hat with this great Venezia label. $2.50. 

The Yellow Flower Hunt, Part II

More options, less flowery, again at Tinsel Trading. Awesome. 

The Problem Child

While some single gals focus on their cats, and others on their houseplants, I prefer a more creative, frustrating and potentially hazardous distraction of the crafting variety. And, like cats and plants, sometimes you have a high maintenance project on your hands. Sometimes you craft yourself into a corner. Sometimes you do both. I made this little straw cocktail hat two years ago and it sits, unfinished and ignored. Maybe I just haven't found the perfect trim. Maybe a friend's off-handed remark about it looking like a hat for a funeral made me harbor negative energy toward it. Whatever the case, I'm pulling it from its place of shame in hopes of some inspiration. 

Yellow Flower Hunt, Part I

So a very dear friend of mine is getting married come September, and she wanted a funky vintage-inspired hat with a little veil to replace the whole shrouded-in-white bit. And she really wants a yellow flower on it. Mission: to find the best yellow, funky, vintage-inspired wedding flower in the world. Of course, I started at Tinsel Trading...

Thrift Store Find of the Week

A real wool Deerstalker hat! As modeled by Mr. Holmes. Great condition, British-made and smelling very much like moth balls. $3. Awesome.