Ok! Sunday!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Alison, Carinne, and I, the "Ladies of Wink Pinup," are gathering this evening for a fun photo shoot. I will reveal the details later, now that you're interested.

It's dang cold again, and boy am I a big baby. I have mentioned my coldness to at least three people so far this morning, and I only opened the store 27 minutes ago. Exactly 27 minutes ago.

To fight the cold, I decided to be a vintage pseudo-cowgirl. I am wearing a 1950s inspired dress with a built-in crinoline, along with my trusty sidekick, Black Cardigan. Also in the mix are green cotton knit over-the-knee-socks (so cozy!), brown leather boots (the 20 year old, comfy pair) and a 1950s white half-slip. Vintage screwback earrings and a decorative tie-on collar. If you're wondering how this getup is fighting the cold, I'll tell you. It's fighting with style. If you're wondering how this combination reads "cowgirl," I will tell you that too. It's a state of mind. A state called Cowgirl in my mind.

Now all i need is a pony and I'll be all set! And a lasso! I will wrangle you into vintage clothing whether you like it or not, y'all!

Today's 10% discount secret: sing a verse from Bon Jovi's "Dead or Alive."


Bye now!

300 Something...Wool, infuriating technology, daily discount secret code

Hello. Hi there. I am grumpy today because my computer is rebelling and won't let me move my curser, which makes it VERY difficult to get any work done. I'm acting like a lunatic as a result. "No COMPUTER?? Why, how EVER will I SURVIVE?" I think it's funny that computer issues can make us so mad, it's not like I'm starving or something. I mean, this magical book-shaped piece of technology which allows me to type documents, view pictures, read the news, and speak to people in far-away places is cool but it certainly is not a necessity for basic survival. What a brat I've become. Lame.

Ok! Today's dress is a 1960s black wool number with satin trim. Cute three-quarter-length sleeves. It has some very cool details, as pictured. I threw a bow and a bunched up millinery veil in my hair, mostly because I didn't feel like spending the time required to hide the bobbi pins I stuck in there today. Accessories are great for hiding things like pets, if your landlord doesn't allow them.

The brown sweater tights are my favorite part of the overall outfit because they are warm, and warm makes me happy.

Have a great Saturday! Today's secret discount code: you must clap your hands twice and say "clap on, clap off - the clapper." The other option is to become a follower of this blog. If I see you've been added to the list today, you'll get the discount next time you visit!

See ya!

Layers and Pinups and Snuggies! Oh My!

Holy Moly today is cold! Today is another day for layers. Onions have layers, ogres have layers, and I, once again, have layers. This fashionable pile of clothing consists of another pair of heavy gray tights, black cotton knee-high socks over the tights, a black vintage full slip, a cotton 1960s-inspired dress, that trusty ol' black vintage scarf, and a floral and gold ribbon to keep part of my hair warm.

My leg also wore a mustache as a disguise today.

It is so cold that I find myself getting anxious when I have to do things like answer the phone or any other motion that requires not being squished into a ball and shivering. I think I need a Snuggie. Never again will my arms need to leave the warmth of high quality fleece and also I can spend my nights being a Druid. Carinne and Jeff, I'm talking to you. If you are not Carinne or Jeff, please click here.

I have a special announcement! There is another blog that you MUST check out! I mentioned the pinup photography going on here at the shop...read this!

Today's fashion message: who cares about "fashion rules??!!" If anyone ever tells you that you should not wear black with blue, brown with black, white after Labor Day, a giant swan dress, cheese in your hair, or any other such nonsense, please stare them down and make them cry. Really, I think we can all agree that there are more important things to worry about in the world. I like to write about clothing every day for fun, but that's what it is. Fun! Let's not take ourselves too seriously, shall we? I like you.

Discount secret of the day: point at me and yell "It's aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!" to receive 10% off one item in the shop!

300 Something Meow

Hi!

Today's outfit is a retro-inspired high waisted fishtail skirt, a white sheer 1950s top, that black scarf again worn around my neck, and a beautiful hair piece by my good friend Janessa Lanning. Take a look at her wonderful jewelry and accessories: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lalala08

Speaking of Etsy, as you know, UnderWired has an Etsy shop. But did you know that Tina Hemmerle, the Happy Hooper has one too? http://www.etsy.com/shop/oldnewsboutique

The handmade skirt I'm wearing was a much appreciated gift from my mom for Christmas. Check out the designer here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MaisyBrownReproRetro

Is there something on my face is this picture? Today's secret to getting 10% off in the store is...

You must walk up to me and say "Meow. I just said meow. No i didn't." OR

If you get here after 3:00 and Tina is here, you must YELL "Tina! Bring me the axe!"

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Wednesday - Hooray for Hair

Hi!

I'm on the go today! Tina Hemmerle is in the shop all day being awesome. If you walk in and say "Hello Awesome Empress of Hoopdom," she will give you 10% off one vintage item in the shop. True story! Anna Mattison yelled the secret code yesterday and received the discount on a great 1960s dress. Option 2: mention the mysterious message hidden in one of today's photos and still receive 10% off one vintage item.

Today is a fun day for hair. Multiple twists and approximately 7 kablillion bobbi pins. The white silk flowers from the other day. Yesterday's vintage scarf which was used as a belt is now in my hair, mimicking a snood. And the weirdest thing happened this morning. I found a black cardigan in my closet and put it on. Who knew? The little white collar is a cute accessory today, and the earrings are vintage 1970-something. They were my mom's - she gave them to me because she is nice. Thanks Mom!

Scarves - one of the coolest inventions ever. They can be belts, hair accessories, neck accessories, tiny blankets for cats, napkins, makeshift bags to tie onto a wooden stick for when you run away from home...this list goes on.

Have fun today, and go see Tina! She rocks.

300 Something 1-26-10...Perfection, Anger Curtsies, Skirts and Dresses at the Same Time

Howdy there, Folks!

Today is Tuesday, which means that UnderWired is open! I vacuumed and dusted, and now I am typing my greeting to you while simultaneously planning my to-do list for the day. If you come into the shop today and yell "I love stuff, yeeeeeeeeee-HAW!" I will give you 10% off any vintage item in the store. I am serious, and this offer is only good for January 26, 2010. Please come in and yell this, it will make my day.

Today is a day for skirts and dresses at the same time. I woke up and thought that it was a nice day to wear my vintage beige wool skirt. I also thought that it was a nice day to wear my cute black Empire waist dress with puffy sleeves. The dress is being worn as a top over my skirt today. This dress is sometimes worn as...a dress, but I usually wear a pretty crinoline underneath it because of its extra short length. You will see it again, it's a favorite of mine. Today is also a day of layers. Under the dress/top, I am wearing a 1950s sheer white shirt. I like the neckline created by this combination. I am wearing my Coro brooch again, but as an actual brooch, rather than a hair pin this time. And to pull the whole outfit together, I have tied a black sheer scarf around my ribs for cuteness. I now think I'm the cutest lil' thing ever, and I'll arm wrestle anyone who disagrees. See the anger curtsy photo? Now you know I mean business.

So, now to my next rant. Perfection. I wanted to let you know that you are perfect. I was thinking this morning about how so many people feel awkward or insecure or apologetic about themselves, their personalities, and their appearances. And I came to the conclusion that everyone - every individual - is perfect. You are the only you that ever was and ever will be, so there is no standard or mold to conform to. Really! You can be shy, outgoing, flashy, or subdued. You can be funny or serious or grumpy. You can look however you want. You can decide what is right for your body and your life because they are YOURS! You're the original and everything about you is perfect! Ta-da! Now go out there and have a great day and be proud of yourself because none of us can even come close to being you for one second.

Talk to you again tomorrow!

Lisa

Monday is for relaxing, eyebrows, seahorses, and muumuus

Hi!

Monday and Wednesday are my days off, and casual wear is often in order, since sometimes, I like to lock myself up in my house with my cat army and read all day or watch movies or eat apples or hide under a blanket or try to invent time travel.

Today's cozy outfit is a vintage muumuu over jeans, and - yes, I know this is shocking - a black sweater-like garment, which could be mistaken for a black cardigan because it is one. You can't see them in the picture, but even my off-white cotton socks are vintage today! Seriously, they are circa the 1950s.

I had trouble getting a photo today, even with my camera's timer, so there is a picture of me petting an invisible cat in the mix. Also, there is a great picture of my eyebrows. I hope you like them. My eyebrows, I mean.

Hair - Soaking wet. Twisted and pinned and topped off with a pretty ribbon which was part of a batch of miscellaneous and completely wonderful Victorian accessories I once received. Also featured in the hair are pretty white flowers. These show up a lot because I love them and I'll tell you why. Take a seat. When my husband and I got married, we ran off and didn't invite anyone. It's our way. Anyway, my parents had a lovely dinner for us and my awesome in-laws when we returned. With the dinner my Mom gave us two beautiful crystal champagne glasses and around the stems were white silk flowers. These are some of those flowers.

Also! I loooooooooooove seahorses. Another long tale for another day. Moving on, Tina Hemmerle (thehappyhooperstudio.com) makes these super cool Lucite rings with neat-o designs decoupaged onto them. I am wearing the best one in the whole world, with a huge seahorse on it! Seahorses! Fu-evah!

Don't forget that you can meet Tina and see some of her great work at UnderWired on Wednesdays all day, and Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.!

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

300 Something - Fairy Tales, Tim Burton, and a Word on Vintage Fur

It's Sunday! Sunday at UnderWired means Friday for me! Sunday night is a time of magical wonder, a kick-off to my weekend. Hooray for stuff!

Today's outfit is inspired by fairy tales and Tim Burton, and is brought to you by the color black. First of all, I am constantly cold. So here's another black cardigan. I probably have the largest black cardigan collection on the East Coast. In fact, there is a different black cardigan hanging over the back of my chair as I type this. What a weirdo. I am wearing many layers to stay warm. You can't see it, but the first layer is a 1960s mock turtleneck with back zipper. Then, another frilly 50s slip (don't leave home without it!). Then, this lovely 1950s dress which was given to me by my good friend Jackie Lima, an incredibly talented artist living in Easton. Then, a cinch belt to pull it in a bit (the size is just a tad off), THEN another cardigan, THEN I pinned a fur collar onto the cardigan. Same black heels as yesterday. The nice thing about wearing so many layers is:

1. Warmth
2. Full body coverage insurance in case your skirt gets caught in something. It happens. A lot. I've been saved from total embarrassment on a number of occasions by my trusty slips.
3. Don't like your outfit? Start removing layers and make a new one!

Here's where the fairy tales and Tim Burton come into play. I like the way a big skirt and a little fur brings to mind Little Red Riding Hood. I like to think that she took matters into her own hands and had a wolf-flavored snack. Now on to Tim Burton. Big fan. I pretend that I look like Lisa Marie in Sleepy Hollow when I wear this outfit. It looks nothing like the dress she wore, but whatever. Also, the multiple buckles on the cinch belt bring to mind the many belts on good ol' Edward Scissorhands. I have a crush on him. Maybe this belt is holding my entire body together. You don't know.

And now for a quick word on vintage fur. I am a vegetarian. So? Well, I have been asked on occasion why I wear vintage fur if I don't eat meat and love little creatures. The reason is that I also believe in recycling and respecting things that have been around for a long time. I would not buy new fur or knowingly contribute to the fur industry, which promotes and continues the cycle of slaughtering animals for their pelts. However, in my opinion, it would be an act of complete waste and disrespect to throw away a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, like the black and white 40s coat pictured here. Especially if that piece contains materials that were once living. Fur is a line that some people will not cross, and that others make up their own rules for. I have drawn my line, and I do carry vintage fur in the shop. Vintage. Never, ever, new. You may have had zero interest in that topic, but there you have it! Wanna hear me talk about more stuff? I can talk all day long, just ask Sean. Come in to the store today and find out exactly how many words I can say in one visit.

300 Something with Danielle Schmidt, Me, and Some Big Ears

Hi!

It's Saturday! Know what that means? Time to read this blog and find out all about how to look fancy when you go out tonight!

Meet Danielle. She lives in our lovely Lehigh Valley, and is a photographer, a videographer, an artist, a great person, a beauty, and also one of the staff at Blue Sky Cafe, right down the street. Get their Island in the Sun salad, the garlic croutons are to die for!

Danielle is a preferred customer here at UnderWired because she is fun, sweet, happy, and loves to hang out and smile for the camera. In today's photos, she is wearing a black velvet dress while demonstrating how a change in accessories is all you need to change the whole outfit! Big hat = 40s glamor. Fur wrap and pillbox = serious 60s. 1920s style head piece (by Tina Hemmerle of the Happy Hooper - check out her site www.thehappyhooperstudio.com) = drama. Real drama. Danielle almost ate those wax grapes and that is dangerous, kids. In the casual pic, Danielle is showing off her brown leather jacket, also purchased here, and being the Fonz. I guarantee that we'll see more of Danielle in this blog. Because i wuv her sooooooooooo much! Hooray for Danielle!

Now for today's dress here at the shop. Cool black dress with Mandarin collar. Another black cardigan to fuss with all day. Vintage slip peaking out to add interest. Those same black heels again, and Gramma's clip-ons again. Seeing a pattern here? It's ok to wear things you love a lot. It's also ok to not match perfectly. I don't like to match so much. I am wearing a green vintage ring that I really like even though there is no green in my clothing. I just like it, wanna fight me? And I am wearing gray tights because i like them too! Wear what you love and what makes you feel great and go out and be awesome. And today's hair decoration is a huge black velvet bow. It was once part of a 1940s dress which fell apart, and now it's in my hair. I like to hide things in my hair. Things you might find there:

1. bobbi-pins (stored for emergencies)
2. cats
3. your wallet
4. an extra toothbrush
5. cookies

See ya tomorrow!

300 Something - Friday is for Giant Eyeballs

Happy Friday!

In today's post you will see: a giant eyeball, some creative hair ornamentation, sneaky ways to make a dress fit, and goofy pictures of me trying to maintain my composure while taking pictures. Of myself. Alone. I keep yelling to myself "you're a TIGER! Your a LAMA! You're a JACKASS! Work it WORK IT!"

And tomorrow, we will include special guest Danielle Schmidt, showing off her beautiful self in some clothing she bought here at UnderWired!

Today's outfit: black dress of undetermined age with gray floral pattern. It is not as old as it looks. You can tell by the plastic back-zipper and the stitching style. It has quite a few tiny moth holes, but you really can't see them once it's on, and anyway, who cares. Moth holes can make you look a little creepier if you want them to, which i think is great! (Disclaimer: moth holes do not need to make you look creepy).

This dress is a little big for me, so I tied a fabric belt at my ribs to pull it in. The belt, along with the stitching at the natural waistline created a very pretty and romantic silhouette.

There is a ribbon at the neckline, meant to be tied in front, but I said "no! I hate the way this looks! I don't wanna!" and tied it behind my neck instead. You can ALWAYS manipulate your clothing to look pleasing. Belts, pins, ribbons, scissors, you name it!

Today's hair ornament is actually a vintage Coro brooch that I bobbi-pinned into my hair. And to finish everything off, I wore my Gramma's black clip-ons again. I like to have a few pieces of clothing and accessories that can look great with everything. The black thrift shop heels were in yesterday's and today's outfits again.

Oh! I am also wearing a black tank-top under the dress to achieve a bit of modesty. Did a little mystery ever kill anyone?? No, no it didn't, unless it was a MURDER MYSTERY, in which case, that was the point.

There you have it! Stay tuned for Danielle tomorrow!

300 Something - Thursday is for Purple!

Hello!

I have a treat for you today! In addition to today's 300 Something pictures, we have a special guest - Carinne Buzutto - one of Wink Pinup's lovely ladies! She is modeling an absolutely amazing late 30s/very early 40s black and white formal gown. The bodice is VELVET! Dreamy! If you are a David Lynch fan, you will understand why the photo brings to mind the Black Lodge of the Twin Peaks series. And Carinne is giving us a version of her "mysterious face" in this photo. The full "mysterious face" will blow your mind! So beware! This lovely piece of fashion history will be on etsy soon, once some small repairs are made. Come on in to the shop and blow some kisses at it!

Today's outfit is a lovely vintage purple/lavender and white floral pattern dress. Just about everything in this getup is a product of the late 1950s/early 1960s. The inspiration for today's ensemble is:

1. I needed yummy fabric today - check

2. I like purple - check

3. I love to stick random items in my hair (veils, feathers, flowers all made it into the hair today)

The black sweater will be added and removed all day as I complain about being too hot or too cold. It's an ongoing topic of conversation. Wanna come in and talk about it?

Wearing vintage is a great option for many, many reasons. First, it is great to reuse items, keeping them out of landfills. It is also important to keep these items in circulation to be enjoyed, keeping the memories and lessons of the past and of loved ones alive, and inspiring us in our day-to-day lives.

Another wonderful thing about buying vintage is that it allows for so much creativity and CHOICE. Why try to squeeze yourself into skinny or low-rise jeans if you don't like them? Why feel like you need to wear the color that your favorite magazine says is "hot right now" if it makes you look like you're sick? There are a hundred million ways to wear vintage because it has already been in style once, and now it has no rules attached to it. And you can find the right lines, shapes, and colors to fit YOUR body. Work with your own unique traits, rather than trying to mold yourself into someone else!

Three Hundred Something Casual Wednesday

Hi!

Today is casual Wednesday, for a number of reasons. First, Wednesday is my day off. Which means that Tina Hemmerle, the Happy Hooper (thehappyhooperstudio.com) is holding down the fort at UnderWired all day! Go see her and give her a high-five! Buy a hoop! Get some vintage goodies! Go next door to Deja Brew and get some coffee! Eat at Blue Sky Cafe! Get a haircut at Eskandalo! Visit Clothesline Organics and Home & Planet! Make a day of it! I like exclamation points.

The other reason that it is casual Wednesday is that i am painting our Wink Pinup room so that we can photograph all our glamorous retro sweeties this weekend! Want to know more about this? Of COURSE you do:

Wink Pinup is attached to UnderWired Vintage Boutique, here at 337 and 335 Vine Street in Bethlehem, PA. Wink Pinup is run by yours truly, Carinne Buzzuto, and Alison Leigh. We are taking Valentine's photo appointments now! Get hair, makeup, styling, and photo for $20 for your sweetheart or for yourself! We specialize in beautiful retro pinup photography that makes you shine like the fabulous person you are. Contact us at winkpinup@gmail.com for even more info. and visit us on Facebook!

Ok, now for second installment of Three Hundred Something Days of Vintage Fashion.

Ok, so on a casual day, I might wear jeans, but the outfit still has to be vintage or I just don't know what I would do with myself. Probably stay in bed. (Issues). Today's concoction went like this:

Hair down today. My hair was all "I don't want to be twisted into knots today" so I was all "ok." Now on to the top. This is where the creative part happened. This top was actually a very cool 1960s dress. I still wear it as a dress occasionally, but it must be worn with layers because I shrank it in the dryer. It is wool and I accidentally threw it in the machine with a bunch of polyester. Oops. But now it's multi-purpose, so no harm done!

The jeans are a thrift shop favorite. Not vintage, but vintage inspired, and the boots are about 20 years old. The scarf is a 1960s gem, and I couldn't resist wearing it to create a vague similarity to Daffney from Scooby Doo ("so totally YES!" exclaimed Tina).

I really like the standard Myspace photo quality of this one picture. Thanks to my darling husband, Sean! The smock/model's coat/lab coat is worn to protect my clothing and also to make me look like a vintage mad scientist. Note how the red paint stains make me look really authentically covered in blood. Awesome!

So there you have it! Casual Wednesday at the "office!"

Three Hundred Something Days of Vintage Fashion

Happy Tuesday!

Today is a special day, because I am starting a cool project at the brilliant suggestion of my good friend Liz Choi.

A few months ago, Liz mentioned that she thought it would be interesting if I posted pictures of my fancy-pants outfits on my blog every day. For those who don't know me, I like to wear pretty and sometimes over-the-top vintage outfits every day. Hence the vintage store/really big closet. I love being creative and I love dressing up. It goes like this each morning: "hm...I wonder what my hair wants to do today." Once I find out how my hair feels (my hair is the boss, I never do anything it doesn't agree with), I choose some clothing and accessories that go with the vibe created by the design I have squished my hair into. It is a really fun process with often surprising results, blending items from numerous eras to create an overall super fun completed project. It's like wearing a painting but less messy.

Today's hair and outfit is inspired by vampires, the early 1800s, and the color black. Why, you ask? Well, it went like this:

"Hair? what should we do today?" After my hair was done, I added a gorgeous 1950s/60s millinery veil with purple flowers, and then ran around my bedroom throwing clothing all over the place (sorry Sean) to find complementary pieces. What I chose were a 1970s polyester black dress with tie front, a puffy-sleeved Victorian-inspired top, tights, black thrift shop heels, a 1950s cream silk scarf, and my grandmother's black clip-on earrings. Oh, and we can't forget the 1950s frilly slip underneath. NO lady would go without a slip, but neither would I.

Back to the vampires. I have always loved creepy things, especially vampires and werewolves, and i am thrilled by the current variety of vampire-related entertainment at my fingertips (hello True Blood!). Also, I was talking to my buddy Brian Evans last night, and I am going to help him design a logo for his anti-vampire club (more about that later. Also, yes, it's anti-vampire, but it still has vampire in it, right?). So, the converstaion, my obsessive watching of True Blood, and my love of wearing black because it matches all my other black clothing created today's outfit.

I fashioned the overall look of my outfit to reflect the early 1800s (Empire waist dress), the vampire craze (protective scarf around neck and dead stare :) ), the color black, and awesomeness.

Here are some pictures i took of myself. You might think i took them out of vanity, but really, I took them out of narcissism.

UnderWired is Open for Business in South Bethlehem!

It really happened! After weeks of painting and organizing and cleaning and moving, UnderWired has reopened at 337 Vine Street in South Bethlehem! We are right across the street from Deja Brew (delicious!) and close-by to Eskandalo, Home Base, Clothesline Organics, Home and Planet, and Loose Threads, just to name a few of the wonderful businesses over here.

If you haven't stopped in yet to check out the new cozy space, please do so soon. The inventory is lovely, the store is gorgeous, and I am constantly eating (that might not be a perk for you, but it makes me REALLY happy).

See you soon!

Re-opening in South Bethlehem!

WOWEE!

UnderWired in on schedule to re-open at 337 Vine Street in South Bethlehem on Thursday, January 14! The doors will open at noon, so COME ON DOWN! Tina Hemmerle of the Happy Hooper will also be there and so will her hoops! Vintage clothing, hoops, and YOU! In South Bethlehem! See you there...