Wedded Bliss.... or Wedded Miss?

It's the time of the year when there seems to be a wedding every weekend. Correction: there IS a wedding every weekend, and lots of them, especially in a wedding destination town like Charleston, SC. Is it possible to get tired of it all? Can you get tired of looking through snapshots of joyful, glistening guests on dance floors, of clusters of happy hydrangeas and sweet jasmine, of resplendent layered cakes, shy ring bearers, and love, true love? Ok, maybe not love, but I DO know that it's possible to get a little weary of seeing the same. old. dress.

Alright, I know that not every dress is the same- hey, I've been to Kleinfelds. I've seen "Say Yes to the Dress". But I also see about 10 brides every weekend stepping out of churches, posing in gardens, strolling down cobblestone streets, and rolling by in horse-drawn carriages. I am amazed by how similar they all look on what is supposed to be "their day". It seems to me that the little details and personal touches that ladies rely on in their everyday wardrobes have disappeared into a sea of white, strapless mediocrity.

I didn't choose white for my own wedding dress, but I'm a pale, freckled redhead so it wasn't a great option for me. Plus I was never that girl that dreamt of the big poufy white gown. I wanted gold lamé.

From now on, every time I pass a cookie-cutter bride smiling sweetly and boring me silly, I choose to imagine her in one of these vintage confections....



These amazing creations are all for sale at one of my new favorite etsy shops: RedHouseVintages

two new treasuries for t&a

Check out the great new treasuries we're featured in! The first one is a collection of sweet pink snowflakes and it includes Adrian's 100% silk scarf from Milan! I love the Donna Reed Apron and the vintage nutgrinders- mostly because to my knowledge I have never seen a nutgrinder, per se, and these are vintage AND have little matching snowflakes on them. Who needs not only one nutgrinder, but a matching set? Gotta love it.
Spring is quickly approaching! Are you ready? You might need Adrian's funky shift dress... or that gorgeous brown parasol if I don't get to it first!!!! Bring on the SPRING....

Happy New Year!

t&a has been featured in another great etsy treasury! Check out "Ring in the New Year" by fellow etsian samsstuff. Our vintage satin clutch with matching gloves is included! This treasury is also featured on another of my favorite sites, Handmadeology! YAY! WELCOME 2011!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The newest sparkly creations and pretty vintage treasures are going fast this time of year! I know many ladies who are going to be very happy this holiday season with their new baubles. Despite the inevitable pounds, I love love love this season! People tend to don their shiniest jewels during the holidays, and that always makes me smile.... plus the cookies are good too.

t&a featured in an etsy treasury!

Check out this great treasury "Perfume - after the book by Patrick Suskind" by fellow etsian nakedvavang. It features our vintage fleur de lis loafers!

Polka Dots Forever!

The other day I was wearing a "vintage style" polka dotted skirt that I bought at H&M in New York a few years ago. (sidenote: I miss H&M- we don't have one in Charleston and I think a grassroots petition-signing movement is in order, but more on that later.) Back to the dots... I was wearing a retro 50's circle skirt with bright candy-colored dots all over, a happy go lucky kinda skirt that swishes and spins and makes people smile. As I walked down King Street, I heard someone casually say "polka dots are back." Wait. Did polka dots go out? I feel like it's one of those enduring patterns. Yes, they can have a vintage feel when they appear in vintage designs, but I personally don't remember a time without dots... and I would not want to live in that time anyway. Polka Dots Rule!
Maybe it's because there is something inherently feminine about them. So much so that when I asked my 5 year old son this morning if he liked polka dots he said, "polka dots are for girls and stripes are for boys". He elaborated, "lines and shapes are for boys. kittens and polka dots are for girls". When I asked him where he got that information, he said, "I do NOT like kittens and polka dots and I am a boy. Everyone knows boys and girls like opposite things" Hmmmmm. His ratonale is dubious in my opinion, but anyone who has had a five year old knows better than to argue. And you certainly cannot argue that there are far fewer mens' designs that incorporate dots, neckties and pocket squares excluded of course. And now...

an homage to the enduring presence of the polka dot,
courtesy of some great etsy shops

etsy shops from right to left: CleverVintage, AdoreVintage, VintageDarlene


etsy shops from right to left: TandAboutique, Retrolabs, AdelinesAttic


etsy shops from right to left: Szwzzy, HepCatClothes, NodToModVintage


etsy shops from right to left: InTheDesert, NodToModVintage. SeamsClassic