Grey Skies Blue Skirt

Well here it is in action. The Clever Nettle skirt I received in the summer, and wrote about the other day. I finally got my act together and finished this post. I also went back and added a bit to the last one, as i just felt it wasn't quite as good as it could have been.

Top- Forever 21
Belt- Thrifted Ralph Lauren
Skirt - Clever Nettle
Tights- Target
Shoes Urban Outfitters
Necklace- Corvidae
Hat and Gloves - SoCo Antiques

Lol! I'm losing my hat!

Check out how beautiful the detail is on these gloves! I'm actually going to need to do just a touch of repair work on them as their age is showing a little, but these are old girls and are frankly in tremendous shape!

The netting is in perfect shape on this sweet little hat. I LOVE the pom poms. this is another of those things that i have always adored that is currently experiencing an online trend. A lot of the other (more well known) blogger ladies have taken to adorning themselves in cute little pom poms. I'm loving it.
This shoot was kinda bittersweet. I was glad to finally get some photo's of the Clever Nettle skirt, but one of my favorite places (to shoot, shop, and be) will soon be gone. Southern Comforts Antiques will be closing their physical doors on the 31 of January. It breaks my heart. It's been a crazy ride for them, and they just can't stay together. I'm planning on helping Wendy with learning ETSY so they won't disappear altogether, but it won't be quite the same. I'll keep you all posted. The good news is more people will have access to their amazing goodies! They will be donating to a special blog giveaway soon(probably mid-end of February, so keep checking back.
Luv,
Vanessa*

P.S. If you would like to support SoCo Antiques with kind words (or just to follow them for updates) you can follow them on Facebook HERE

Crown Town and Southern Comforts, together at last

One of my favorite shops in the world is Southern Comforts Antiques in Concord, NC. Unlike most antique malls that allow stuff to pile up in a most unattractive manner, SoCo treats their shop as a boutique. They treat every single item as special and give it a place of honor in a vignette. Each tiny scene is displayed to make you think about the origin, use, and history of each item involved. Frequently turning the original purpose right on it head, to give it a whole new use. And they are quick to think up new ideas, making SoCo an ever-evolving gallery of history. It’s not unusual for them to rearrange the entire shop 2-3 times a month. In doing so, they make stuff that is literally decades old seem so fresh and new! In conjunction with beautiful furniture, vintage accessories, and the most unique retro dishware, they specialize in carrying items with the hopes of them getting a second life in a crafter’s capable hands. They search out buttons, sewing patterns, game pieces, ephemera, vintage beads, books, lace, millinery flowers, tins... ...the list goes on. All carried with the intent of catering to crafters with an unusual taste and sense of repurpose (as well as history).

They have taken this desire to involve local artists to the next level and have invited the members of Crown Town Handmade to participate in an exclusive event just for us! This Saturday (July 31) from 9:30 am – 5pm a group of us crafty types will be selling our wares to the citizens of Concord. Alongside Crown Town’s finest will be local author and historic re enactor Nancy B. Brewer, to promote her new book Carolina Rain. So join us this weekend for Arts, crafts, history, and yummy snacks. We will be having a great time, and we hope you can join us!

Luv,

Vanessa*

Uncreative Title

A lovely rust and wood bridge lays just in view of my apartment. I have been itching to get out and photograph on it, but just haven't really had the time. I finally grabbed a few minuets to shoot this evening, and I learned a few things.
One, use the sun. I should have attempted to shoot from the other direction.
Two, shoot a bit later. If I had waited about 30 minuets or so the sun would have been a bit lower and warmer(colored).

Vintage Dress, Delias* Cardigan, Tights?, Salvatore Ferragamo flats courtesy of Southern Comforts, Necklace by Me!


Three, Have fun! The more I enjoy taking the shot the better it looks! And Smile woman! SMILE!
Last note.
It's 90 + degrees out. Why am I in a cardigan and tights?
I couldn't dress weather appropriate if I had a stylist.
So yes, I was warm.
Luv,
Vanessa*

I'm back!

I am So back! After taking basically a month off of my internet shenanigans I have returned. Hopefully to bring you lots of exciting stories, photos, and hopefully weekly features. Lets begin with ...
Crafty Purchases!
This one is going to feature I items I have purchased to use in my crafty endeavours. Sometimes it will be showing several items (one of a kind or close to it) that I intend to use for jewelry (or something else nifty). Others I will focus on one commercial item and review it. This would be spledid oppourtunity for the thousands upon thousands of companys who have been reading my blog in anticipation of an invite to send me free things. I know you are now, as we speak, boxing up your finest goods for me to get my hot little hands on. I can't wait for it all to arrive.
(man I'm funny)
So without further a due,
Crafty Purchases!Lets begin with the ones I need to explain the most. These are sacred heart Milagros from ALAMO2003 on ETSY

Milagros (also known as an ex-voto or dijes) are religious folk charms that are traditionally used for healing purposes and as votive offerings in Mexico, the southern United States, other areas of Latin America, as well as parts of the Iberian peninsula. They are frequently attached to altars, shrines, and sacred objects found in places of worship, and they are often purchased in churches, cathedrals or from street vendors.

Milagros come in a variety of shapes and dimensions and are fabricated from many different materials, depending on local customs. For example, they might be nearly flat or fully three dimensional; and they can be constructed from gold, silver, tin, lead, wood, bone, or wax. In Spanish, the word milagro literally means miracle or surprise. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Next up tiny tiny little cross charms from cOveTableCuriOsitIEs on ETSY
And all of these lovelies come from one of my favorite shops on the planet. Southern Comforts in Concord,NC. They have the best most unique items at the best prices and the staff (well the two of them) are so helpful.

This concludes the first edition of
Crafty Purchases!
Many more to come so stay tuned!
Let me know which is your favorite purchase and what you can't wait to see become gorgeous jewelry!

Luv,
Vanessa*

Put A Ring On It

Ring from WooHoot on ETSY

In case anyone has missed it, I really love jewelry. I kinda obsess over it. Necklaces are my favorite, followed by earrings, but I very rarely buy them. I will, however, buy the Hell outta some rings. I adore how big rings make my already tiny hands look even smaller. I love the weight, i like to watch them move as I type or wire wrap. Weird right?Just like gloves, I love how rings accent and draw attention to my hands which are one of my favorite human features. They are so important! They are how most of us create. I know one of my greatest fears is damage to my precious creators, My nimble little spinners of magic. To quote Sandra Oh (yes I watch Grey's Anatomy. I don't know why. I don't even like it anymore. Don't judge me)
"My hands are tiny little geniuses." Love love love love the owl and the Carnelian.

All the rest of these are for sale at Southern Comforts in Concord N.C.

Luv,
Vanessa*

Seeing Red

And Loving it! Enjoy these fabulous photos all taken at Southern Comforts Antiques.




Happy Valentines Day all! (However you may celebrate)

Luv,
Vanessa*

Working in a Winter Wonderland

SO I spent my Tuesday helping out at my mom's shop (Southern Comforts) in Concord,NC. She and her friend/business partner run this super cute Vintage and Antique boutique. Being biased aside, it really is my favorite Antique shop. The way they combine their styles to create the most amazing place, Gosh.
It really just blows me away. The romantic, shabby, chic style they have, and the wide range of goodies they carry give them such a mass age appeal. They customers range from 15-90!
They completely redecorate almost every month, and that is no small feat with their location being a two story house. Their Christmas and Halloween set ups are my favorite! And the shop is glittery with magical little trees every where you look. They rest in Antique doorknobs, and are lovingly knick-named "Knobby Pines" They sell for $6.95-$20. I want a whole Forrest of them.

I also love posing for photos there, because there is so much to pose around! I feel like I just fit the decor.Abercrombie&Fitch Sweater(purchased second hand at Honeysuckle Hollow another of my all time favorite shops), Quicksilver Dress, Target Leggings, Vintage Belt, Vintage Dingo boots, Jewelry all my design)

Anyway, I love thier shop. It makes me want to get Christmas-y. I need to go find a tree. Now.
Luv,
Vanessa*