Handbag Heaven

"Lucky Me" Kiss Lock

I may have mentioned my fondness for footwear, but I haven’t yet touched on the love affair I have with handbags. A gorgeous new bag can provide pure joy and has the power to take a simple outfit straight to over-the-top fabulous. My best bags are conversation starters, show stoppers and often envied by passer-bys . And that’s just the star treatment I receive when I tote around my Lux De Villes.

I recently purchased their Sin City Kiss Lock bag in Black (pictured below)- a first class ticket to handbag heaven. It has a very retro, yet contemporary feel to its quilted, black, patent-leather design. The silver dangle dice are the perfect Sin City accessory and the leopard interior adds a bit of drama each time you open the kissable clasps. What I love most about this bag is the seamless transition from day to night. I can throw it over my shoulder to run to the market or swing it from my arm for a night out on the town. The patent leather makes it super simple to clean and shiny black matches just about anything. Did I mention I’m in love? So much so I went back for seconds.

"Sin City" Kiss Lock

I spotted this spectacular leopard bag (above) at a trade show a few months ago and from that moment on I was infatuated. I'm very particular with my leopard prints and this bag hits it right on the mark. Since drooling is not a very classy thing to do, I had to remedy my problem asap and order the Lucky Me Kiss Lock bag pronto. This purse is a real head-turner with its luxurious fur-textured leopard pattern, 50s-style silver kiss-clasp and striking red rose accessory. While you can definitely use this bag daily, I save it for special occasions or to add a pop of “wow” to an ordinary outfit. And I’m not finished with Lux De Ville yet either... I have my eye on their sparkly Getaway Kiss Locks and their ultra glamorous Lucite line.  Love, love, love the Lux... ♥

www.LuxDeVille.com

Unique-Vintage Boutique

Vintage fashion trends come and go with mainstream designers like the tides on a summer beach. And if you’re a retro girl, that often means that brick-and-mortar shopping (aka - the mall) isn’t always your first choice - or even an option - when it comes to finding a fabulous bit of modern nostalgia.  Don’t get me wrong, I love online shopping and I love the amazing independent designers who are providing us with glamorous, reinvented ensembles.  But sometimes I want to browse in person. Sometimes I want to feel the fabric and see the color. Sometimes I want to try it on.  I recently stumbled upon the most amazing place - a shop dedicated to all things modern retro. A big shop. With beautiful clothes. And handbags. And shoes. By our favorite indie designers. All there to touch and feel (and drool over). I felt like I had died and gone to retro heaven.

Unique-Vintage is beautiful boutique on the quaint and trendy Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, California. Divided into three sections, this unique shop offers glamorous designs for retro girls of all ages. If you’re looking for the perfect prom dress in the style of Audrey Hepburn, this is your shop. If you are oogling over the latest dresses from modern designers such as Lolita Girl or Heartbreaker Fashion, this is your opportunity to try them on and feel just how luxurious they are in person. The third section of Unique-Vintage is dedicated to the retro bride. They offer the most beautiful wedding dresses that even Grace Kelly would be proud to wear.  I want to renew my vows just to shop in this section and wear a gorgeous 50s inspired gown.  

Unique-Vintage also has their own line of clothes designed and inspired by nostalgic fashion. Halter swing dresses, wiggle dresses, swimsuits and separates are offered  in a wide variety of colors and designs. The owner and creator even uses metal zippers for an extra authentic touch. I recently purchased a tiki-sarong dress from their custom line and I fell in love with the fit to my curves, the fabric, the colors and the feel. And then... the best part... I walked out with my purchase that same day. I love online shopping, but that impatient part of me often wants it now.  

• On Saturday, October 29th they are hosting a Halloween Costume Haunt with The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Good Day LA.  It’s from 1-5 pm and includes Halloween costume ideas from the 20s-60s.

If you aren’t a Southern California girl, you can still experience Unique-Vintage online. And if you ever get a chance to vacation out west, skip the theme parks and put U-V on your must see list!  

www.Unique-Vintage.com
2013 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506
818-742-6210

Every Day Retro Glamour Tips

Yesterday I had the pleasure of returning as a guest on the Vintage Life Radio program hosted on Women’s View Radio Network. We chatted about retro Fall Fashion, some of the new television shows coming out that help influence this growing subculture and my favorite topic - retro glamour. The hosts, Louise and Deb, are hoot to chat with and I thought it would be fun to create a post today about some of the tips and tricks we discussed on the program. You can listen to the full interview here:

Retro glamour doesn’t have to be saved for the weekend or a big night out. If you love and live retro style every day like I do, or would like to incorporate some easy tips into your regular routine, here are some quick glamour tricks to bring the classic beauty out of you every day.

• Think Technicolor!: A pop of color is an easy way to brighten up your outfit and pull a look together. Bright turquoise, ruby reds, sunny yellows, emerald greens... Whether it’s a sweater, skirt or accessory, a pop of color adds a lot of 50s flavor. Carry the color all the way through your outfit. Don’t be afraid of vibrant color combinations: Right now I’m loving shades of yellow, deep reds or fuchsia pinks paired with aqua blue. It’s dramatic, it’s different and it’s brings your outfit to life!

• Eyes & Lips: I never leave the house with grooming my eyebrows and putting on lipstick or gloss. It makes me more "put together." I tend to favor red hues because it's lively and bright (and red is classic retro), but during the day I try to tone it down a bit or soften my reds with other shades and/or gloss depending on what I’m wearing. A nice, arched brow and colored lip is the frame and foundation for your face. I use an old school Maybelline eye-brow pencil for my everyday, out-the-door look. Nothing fancy to it. There are also plenty of “stay all day” colored lipsticks on the market now that truly have lasting power. They will help you keep your color on your lips and not on your coffee cup. Don't forget to keep your smile white and bright too!

• Accessories: A colorful headband, a flower hair clip, earrings, vintage-style eye glass frames, a colorful scarf... all of these little things can add just the right pop of retro, class and glamour to any outfit. 
• Shoes & Handbags: It doesn’t matter what you wear - from denim jeans to a cute sundress - the perfect vintage-inspired bag can take whatever you are wearing and turn it up a few fabulous notches. I love a pop of red in a cute sandal to liven up jeans and a t-shirt, and a leopard handbag can add excitement to any plain, black dress. 

• OWN IT! The best advice of all is to own your look and your style. Wear it with confidence. Find the styles that work for you and wear it proudly! You don’t have to go to extremes to have that classic, glamour look of a time long ago everyday!

Here’s a special treat... Some Fall Fashion advice from the retro beauty Jessica Lynn Gahring of the hit reality show, NY Ink (she loves teal too!):

"So we are on set here at NY INK and are on Day 2 of filming for our 2nd Season! NYC weather is getting cooler and the colors in the Subways are definitely changing... in terms of fashion, well of course! :) My favorite transitional color from Summer into Fall is teal... it is not only a vintage fashion MUST HAVE but it is coming back in FULL SWING! Teal looked bright and vibrant in the summer and is easily paired with all of your Fall browns & grays! There is no doubt you'll find me wearing plenty of teal in the airing of our 2nd season.
I also have a tendency to embrace the faux furs which is even easier in the Fall when the weather gets cooler. It is likely that you'll scope me wearing a vintage sweater paired with some fun fur boots, either wearing a tight pencil skirt or high waisted capri on the bottom! Pack your heels up for the indoor weather and change into those sexy fur boots that will make heads turn! ;) Plan ahead for the colder weather but DO NOT let your fashion & sexiness slip away just because it gets a little "nippy" outside... if you will! xx"

Jet Setting with Pan Am

Travel has changed tremendously. Sky rocketing gas prices, extensive security check points, long lines and expensive fares make air travel less and less desirable each year. Gone are the days when getting to your destination was just as exciting as arriving there.  And unless someone is hopping a short flight for a quick business meeting, most passengers forsake style for comfort. But now there is a way to take a little get-away every day and look cute while doing it.

Pan Am Brands now offers vintage-inspired Pan Am travel bags with their classic blue and white logo design. Travel, laptop and even gym bags are available to retro up your day and add some vacation dreaming to your wardrobe. And if you want to spot your suitcase quickly at baggage claim, check out their luggage line - this decade’s version is complete with wheels.  I can’t make up my mind which bag is my favorite (I’m leaning toward this “Originals” hat-bag), but to carry a mini, messenger or even a diaper bag with this unique bit of kitsch is sure to get you noticed. Bon voyage! 

Above is a replica of the bag Pan Am gave to their First Class customers on flights to Europe.

Visit Pan Am Brands or
Get Go Retro for a wide selection of choices.