My Week in Review

This week I...

Ate this:



Delicious (and amazingly fat free) peanut butter frozen yogurt from Butterfield Market on 77th and Lexington

Wore these:


The weather in New York has been absolutely atrocious. It rained almost every day last week. Good thing I have my trusty Hunter Lady N boots to keep my toes dry. Unfortunately these are sold mostly sold out online.

Saw these:



I went to the Met earlier in the week and was bummed because the rooftop bamboo exhibit was shut down due to the rain and the Costume Institute was in between exhibits. I ended up checking out Leon Levinson’s photographs of people on the New York streets from the ‘50s through the ‘80s He’s basically the original street style photographer. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in NYC.

Military Looks Courtesy of Etsy

I think one of the common misconceptions about Etsy is that everything on the site is craft fair material. And I don’t mean the cool, indie craft fairs, I’m talking the bags of potpourri and creepy doll clothes kind of craft fair. And while there is a small amount of that kind of stuff on the site (Hi, Regretsy), there is also an overwhelming abundance of really cool and well-made pieces for us fashion minded folk. To prove it, I’ve been searching for items that fit into one of the biggest trends this season: military. The result? An abundance of great items at a fraction of the price that you’d pay in boutiques or vintage shops. Here are some of my finds:

A boyfriend blazer and military look in one!

Backpacks are my bag of choice for fall

A wallet is a subtle way to incorporate the military trend into your wardrobe

These glasses will look chic for years to come

Great boots pull the whole look together

Love the sexy side slit and buttons on this skirt.

Estoy Loca

Every year at about this time, I start to get anxious about the arrival of spring. I’ll cross the street just to feel the sun on my face for a few blocks and my feet literally ache for a pair of sandals. I guess that’s why I’m craving a look reminiscent of a Mexican pueblo with embroidered dresses, tooled leather and huaraches.

I’ve got a few Mexican-style pieces to list in the shop but my camera has had a boo boo so I can’t shoot anything till I get it fixed. Yuck!

Just discovered this site Spool No. 72 and I'm in love! Pleasant Cove dress, $66

Indian Saddlebred tote, $164

Huarache flats, $35

This top is kinda crazy and kinda fabulous, $38

I'm a sucker for tooled leather. Vintage clutch, $22

Experimenting with Vintage Lots

In the short time that La Poubelle Vintage has been in existence, I have been experimenting with different ways to keep the shop stocked (vintage clothes don’t grow on trees, coincidentally). My initial approach was to scour my favorite thrift shops and flea markets looking for passed over goodies but since I’ve recently found myself with increasingly less free time (thanks unpaid internships!), I’ve been searching for new ways to find interesting pieces.

I’ve bought a couple of lots from eBay which means that you pay a fairly low price for a big box full of God-knows-what. Some attempts have yielded oddities like a puffy floral windbreaker and denim jumpers galore. But my most recent lot, which came from eBay seller niidii, was a delightful surprise. Here are a few of my favorite pieces that just came in, all available in the shop.

May or may not have worn this shirt to work the other day...whoops.

Loving the Victorian-ness of this super frilly top!

Wiiiishing these boots were my size or they'd be mine, all mine.

I'm saving this one for spring...

Shopping for Bakelite

Bakelite bangles galore from Gaslight and Shadows Antiques

In an effort to make my blog a little more vintage focused I’m starting this series where I’ll provide tips for finding the very coolest vintage stuff. To get the ball rolling, I’m focusing on Bakelite because I just think it’s darn cool.

Dandy Bakelite silverware from Eddie Ross's blog

What is Bakelite? Bakelite was essentially the first kind of plastic ever made and because of it’s strength, it was widely used to make lots of stuff like purse handles, kitchen doodads, radios and of course my favorite jewelry! Although Bakelite is still produced in limited quantities today, the majority of Bakelite products you’ll find these days are vintage. Bakelite also comes in a range of colors and opacities. Part of the reason that I love it so much is because of the dark shades of yellows, greens and reds that are perfect for fall and winter weather.

Vintage Bakelite pin from Decatique Studios

Where to find it: eBay is a great place to find loads of vintage Bakelite pieces. Those crafty Etsy members have also used repurposed Bakelite to make some really unique accessories. Though many vintage sellers don’t have the most sophisticated websites (which makes sense I suppose) but if you can navigate through the sites, there are some great things to be found. Bakelitejewelery.net and Citrus Avenue Collectibles have huge selections!

Custom Bakelite cufflinks from 19 Moons

Is it real? As a collectors item, Bakelite tends to be on the expensive side so there are several tests you can do to determine if that goodie that you’re pining for is real or an imposter. The first and easiest trick is to rub the piece with your fingers to warm it up. If it’s real, the heat will cause a chemicaley formaldehyde smell. You can also run it under hot water and wait for that same smell. Another way to test the authenticity of Bakelite is to knock two pieces together. If they’re both real, you’ll hear a deeper clunk sound as opposed to a lighter clink sound that comes from other plastics. If you’re hardcore enough about your Bakelite, you can also try the test that many experts use which is taking a cotton swab soaked in 409 and rubbing it on the piece in question. If the swab turns yellow, that means it’s real, if not, you may have a faker.

Bakelite ring by Petit Oiseau

Happy shopping!

Introducing...

...My new Etsy shop La Poubelle Vintage! I've been working for the past few months on putting together my first vintage collection to be sold on Etsy and it has finally launched. It's a mix of high and low vintage pieces and like a true budget babe, I'm keeping the prices as low as possible. Please check it out and let me know what you think! Here are a few pictures from the store.

Nautical Sweater Blazer, $35.00

Carmen Marc Valvo Mini Dress, $55

80s Sequined Dress with Back Cutout, $45

Polka Dot Tunic, $15

Fall Layering Essentials

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, not just because of the changing leaves, beautifully mild temperatures and hearty fall foods, but also because of the flexibility it gives me in my wardrobe. By layering, I can make my summer favorites last a few months longer while still trying out some of my new cold weather purchases. Since living in New York, I’ve also found that this time of year, temperatures can change quickly so layering is an absolute essential. In the spirit of layering and wanting to show off a couple of new purchases, I’ve decided to highlight some of my favorite cover-ups.

This navy blazer is my go to piece in the fall and spring. It’s actually a boys prep school blazer that I bought on eBay for dirt cheap. I’ve found that boys blazers have a great fit for me, tight in the arms and slightly boxy through the body.



This ruffled jacket is my newest purchase resulting from a recent trip to H&M. I think it’s the perfect combination of ‘80s decadence and romantic ruffles.



This leather motorcycle jacket has been in my closet since high school and only fuels my misgivings about getting rid of clothes, as I had thought about donating it many times in the past and now wear it almost daily.


Another new baby from H&M. I’ve been dreaming about a longer tuxedo jacket all summer but I couldn’t resist this cropped version when I tried it on. The $35 price tag made the purchase a necessity.


Even though this sweater reminds me a little bit of a Christmas-themed bathrobe, it’s about the comfiest thing I own. I usually throw it on for running errands since it pairs perfectly with jeans and moccasins.