Fox Fur + Red Leather Trench

I found this red leather trench with fox fur collar while shopping in the old neighborhoods of Pittsburgh this past weekend. The coat was a total steal at $80, but at first I wasn't sure. Nothing against the coat, it's in perfect condition, but fur-collared leather trenches are my stylist Elise's "thing". You know, that friend who has such a distinctive look that they rock like no other, and you associate that piece with them forever? That's Elise and coats like this. She totally owns it. 

Buuuuut this coat is perfect and gorgeous, so what's a stylish gal to do? 

I went to see Elise, and she loved the coat just as much as I did. We chatted excitedly about how I'd found it, how much it is actually worth, and generally how amazing it is. Though she lusted after it, she helped me appreciate it more and insisted that I could also do the fur and leather look. 

I wasn't convinced. I'm really tall, but am slender and worried that this beast of a coat would wear me instead of me wearing it. I decided to live with the coat in my closet for a while, to marinate on it and see if I got more comfortable. I let it quietly (loudly) dominate and eclipse all my other, more demure coats. Every other piece in my wardrobe was just a mumbling slip of a thing, or too bulky, or nondescript in comparison. As many of my friends know, I don't hate to be the center of attention (ahem), and I began to think that this coat and I could get along for that reason. I lasted all of two days before I pulled the coat out and slipped it on. I was chatting with the contractor at my new house when I did so, and his eyebrows went up and a smile broke across his face as soon as I slipped it on. 

I took it as a sign! The man in cargo pants and a stained Hanes loves my coat, it's destiny! 

The reaction was all the validation I needed, apparently; I stepped out into the brisk end-of-November air and decided I was going to own that coat. And I did. 

I consider myself a pretty adventurous dresser, but even I have thresholds for styles I am comfortable with or not. I am grateful d to have knowledgeable and impeccable friends like Elise to encourage me to push my own boundaries and try new things. If Washington got a little more adventurous with their choices, we wouldn't have the Ann Taylor/JCrew/Banana Republic uniform problem that we do. Come on team, step out and put on your red leather trench! 

Live a little, and raise some eyebrows!

Vintage Christian Louboutin

You know I love to ferret out crazy-incredible finds, so I'm excited to show these immaculate vintage Christian Louboutins. 

They are beautiful gray suede size 8.5 at  It's Vintage Darling, and at $450, they're a steal in comparison to new C.L.'s. This is why I love vintage...because the gorgeous designer shoes are more accessible to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them. 

Unfortunately, they are exactly my size, and I'm moving this week and need to save my change for that. Drat! I'm sure someone will scoop them up quickly though; these staple shoes are a great wardrobe foundation.  

Such a great DC find. 

The Stylist

Met this fabulous stylist at IVD as she was sourcing for an EP cover shoot...I love her necklace from Anthropologie paired with her retro-masculine glasses

From the Back Streets of Pittsburgh

This weekend I went to Pittsburgh to spend some time with my extended family (heyyy 15 cousins!) and do some serious digging in the back neighborhoods of the city. I found some INCREDIBLE vintage deals that I'm really excited about; I will be debuting them throughout this week so keep an eye out. I am moving to a new apartment in DC (yes, again, I know...) this week as well, so thank you for your patience in advance. 

Huge street art installation: sequin camel

Love a little chevron!

More chevron...and these were the ones that I didn't buy

An Older Gentleman's Japanese Glasses

A couple weeks ago, I shot a reception at mid-century modern boutique Archer Modern. A little bit into the party, I encountered this gentleman, and complimented him on his black-rimmed glasses. He was surprised that I noticed, and was flattered when I asked to take his picture. 

After pressing him for more details, he admitted that he too loved his glasses, which he special orders from Japan. He loves them so much, in fact, that he bought them in several other colors. I love it!

As I'm apt to do, I got all excited and asked if we could do a really quick mini photo shoot. The result is the series below. You can tell we got sillier and sillier as we took more photos, as his deadpan expression I requested in the beginning began to fall apart into sneaky smiles and a charming little grin. 

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! If you've been following me on Twitter, you know I'm in Pittsburgh visiting family and checking out the vintage scene here. I've found some incredible little nooks and crannies and can't wait to share photos and the incredible pieces that I have found on my trip. 

Embroidered Coat

Here is another one of the incredible vintage pieces we found this weekend; this one is also from Secondi and has incredible embroidery and detailing. Love it!

Cool Weekend

Here are a few style shots from the weekend; I had a lovely low-key time sourcing vintage and shopping around for a few mid-century modern pieces for the Victorian townhouse I'm moving into at the end of the month with my cousin Jenna. I'm really looking forward to documenting our interior design process, which will involve a wild weekend sourcing pieces from barns in rural Maryland and Virginia. But more about that later! 

These shots are from It's Vintage Darling, Good Wood, and the Vice As If party

 I was hanging out in IVD on Saturday night trying to figure out what to wear, and this customer came in. She carried this outfit perfectly, and has such inspiring poise.

This attendant is rocking her father's glasses from the 80's with a vintage brocade jacket.

Oscar de la Renta Fur

While checking out Secondi this weekend, my cousin Jenna and I came across this vintage Oscar de la Renta fur. Divine. So divine. 

Here's the thing with vintage fur: it's sustainable. I know animal activists everywhere will be up in arms that I'm endorsing wearing fur, but I do so with the caveat that it was previously owned, loved, and that I'm just giving it a second (and fabulous) life. That is evidenced by the initials or name undoubtably embroidered on the inside of almost every vintage fur...I love that special detailing!  

Little Wing(tips)

Miss Nina O'Neil's little shoes. Love her mix of tights and little wingbacks. 

Nighttime Tweed

Hey team Tweed, here is the second installment of some super-tweedy snaps I grabbed during the Tweed Ride After Party at Smith Commons. 

My very sassy bow tie is brought to you by Eliot Payne of Accoutre, a local bow tie company that redesigns vintage long ties into edgy, nearly-rock and roll bow ties for the stylishly inclined. Clearly I had to get involved.