CLUTTERINA

My dad had this perfect pair of well worn black leather boots that I loved. There are many photos of me as a tiny tot walking around in them. They would about hit my knees back then.

I often come across similar ones at thrift stores, which always remind me of my dad’s original (which are still too big.) Finally, a couple years ago, I found a pair in perfect size and distress. Pa’s boots of my very own!

Worn here with the crop pants that I dug out from the dusty warehouse a while back, Dream Society tank dress worn as top, and thrifted jacket. A shortish day at work: was not going to be on my feet and/or crawling/climbing around all day, so I took the opportunity to look less farmer-ish than usual.

Nice weekend for all, I hope.

I wanted to list some items on Ebay on Thursday in between the face stuffing sessions that were Thanksgiving lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, the office light blew. We didn’t have a spare, and stores were closed. Although the bulb got replaced the next day, my nose was already too deep into a book to start anything productive. It ended up being a weekend of lounging around and staying up late reading. I did have a quick photoshoot on Saturday for work, which provided a leisurely long drive and non-familial human interaction to nicely punctuate the weekend.

Will definitely be putting stuff up on Ebay this week, though, as I am super ecstatic about it, still. The relaxing weekend is in the nearly distant past now. Had a couple of rare no-shoot days, and I quickly snatched the opportunity to wear something less construction worker-ish and put on a skirt for Thanksgiving. A partly ruffly one, no less! Although, apology for the assault to your eyeballs, as apparently I am shamelessly lazy when it comes to setting things up properly to take my own photo. So it goes. 

Years ago, still relatively new to thrifting, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these amazing vintage boots for $3. “Ummm, why???” I remember looking around in disbelief and total confusion as to why they were still there, in front of me, with no one nose-diving to fight me for them.

Being a veteran thrifter now and seeing these boots again, I can’t help but still ask myself the same question. Best part: they were 50% off = a dollar and fifty cents. Isn’t that just madness???

Anyway, they are perfectly my size, width and all. The platforms are thick and bouncy rubber, so they would be considered a modern equivalent of “comfort boots”. After I wore them on a winter trip to Detroit years ago, they have been sitting in the closet at my parents’. I guess it’s kind of their thing to be neglected? No idea. As lovely as they are, I can’t believe I let them sit in the cast away land for 8-9 years.

Then last week, suddenly, like waking up from a dream, I wondered where they were. Accusing my sister of holding on to them, etc., I was looking EVERYWHERE for the boots. Alas, they were finally found, pale and dry, in the closet of years-ago items with little spiders crawling around the underside.

So here I am, readopting my long neglected child who looks gloriously happy after some leather conditioning. They were originally orangey yellow, which I promptly distressed by rubbing on some black shoe polish. Good ol’ times!

I’ve been trying to keep mum about the 2nd shoot for Optare Vintage but can’t do it anymore because I’m about to BURST. So here’s a really quick sneak peek, and let’s pretend this post never happened!

I AM SO EXCITED about listing the second batch in the upcoming week. Full editorial will be up on Optare Vision when I’m done with selection, which will probably take some time due to the craziness that is now my schedule and the achiness that comes with loving your job just a little bit too much. This is why I am planning myself a very long and very hot bath starting…..now.

TGIF for REAL. There’s a possibility I might pass out after the bath and wake up on Monday morning.

3 shoots today, and I still managed to sneak out for a quick treasure hunt at The Fav Shop. As soon as I arrived, the ladies dug up something from out back and handed them to me. “This pair of jeans is $10 because they are Seven. The other 2 look like your size, see if they fit.”

Sweet.

The Seven did not fit, too wide and too short, which is a shame because the wash was beautiful. “The other 2″, on the other hand, fit me like a glove. Perfect waist, perfect length, perfect colors, perfect price.

Off to the register I went, and ba-dum-ching, she rang my 2 pairs of True Religion Joey Big T fleece pants (khaki and black) for 5 bucks each.

WHAAAAT!!

photo from Denim DNA

I AM IN LOVE WITH THESE PANTS. I’m big on the idea of fake pants that fool people into thinking you are wearing proper jeans. Only you know you are all cozied up in pajamas and are ready for bed at any given moment.  I’m wearing the black pair now, and I don’t know if I will have the will power to take them off EVER. Add some snuggle socks to the equation, and I am done. Tomorrow’s all-day photoshoot is going to be so cozy and yummy and ummmmmmmmmm!!!

Will it be too much if I bring a giant snuggle blanket to wrap around myself, you think? 

Driving home from the studio last week, I excitedly slammed on the brake when I saw an opened warehouse with clothes piled high to the ceiling. Spotting a shirtless man moving stuff around inside, I asked if I could come climb around on his piles of clothes sometimes. I’m not sure if he could understand everything I said, mostly because I was excited and probably didn’t make much sense, but I got a card out of him and said I would call.

Saturday, I armed myself with a paper mask, old shirt, saggy jeans, and BluBlockers (as dust goggles) and drove over. There were 4 people working in between mountains of clothes, throwing them (along with their dust) high in the air separating them into different piles. I dug, I climbed, and I dug. Not wanting to offend anyone on my first trip, I decided not to wear the mask, and after about an hour, I was way done.

With 12 items on my arm, I walked over to the guy who chuckled, “How much money you got?” I pulled out the $4 from my pocket and handed it to him. He waved it around and said something in Creole as everyone laughed. I bet it was along the line of, “Look, I got 4 bucks for letting this dummy dig around our dusty crap!”

Alas, I found a pair of Prada pants, a plaid shirt I’m wearing right now, the cutest jumpsuit, the MOST AMAZING dress among other things. It was too much fun. I think I’ll wear the mask next time, though. 

Will try to take some photos!

I’m about done with the first batch, as there are only a couple things left to be put up. Now we are planning for the next photoshoot, and OH MY GOD it’s so exciting! It must be a good sign I’m having so much fun with this. Finally it’s REALLY exciting to get rid of stuff. I can’t believe it.

On another note, seeing all my pretty things on a pretty model made me wonder why I never wore them. After all, most of the stuff is my size. Granted, it is well-documented how difficult it is to look cute in my line of work, but still. So lately, coincidentally, as the weather changes, I found myself making more effort in wearing things I never wore before. I have abandoned my Crocs for the most part, except on the longest of shooting days. I recently wore 3 pairs of cute boots in 2 days! Very exciting compared to what I am used to: 2 pairs of Crocs in 5 months.

And you know how cute shoes make you feel that much happier about everything? I do!

CANT WAIT to do the photoshoot already, except I have quite a hectic work schedule to stick to. Luckily, I love my job to death, and being busy is very fun and exciting too, so it’s good all around.

I now leave you with my newest lovelies available now at www.optarevintage.com or direct Ebay link here

I about died when I saw Ebayfashionaddict’s write up on my Ebay stuff here as a fab new vintage store.

FAB!

*weeps with joy*

Thank you Elana!!!

The only thing I’m afraid of is I will be spending more money now that I’m following her blog. Eek!

Wow, I’m really running with this! 19 items up now, total. 4 will be ending this weekend. Check out the newest 5:

All available here

What!

I have like 100 more items on Ebay right now!

Ok, I meant 10, which I put up over the span of 2 days. But this is the most I have ever had stuff up ever. So exciting. Check them out! Bid compulsively, and be happy!

I am wayyy to tired to link each photo, so please go to www.optarevintage.com or Ebay page and see all my awesome wares being heavily pimped.