O(live)'s Favorite Things

As promised, here are the finished products of all my (mom's) hard work!

I have always known that due to my poor artistic abilities, I could never be a designer.  But getting to help make something from the first idea to the end product was so fun.  Even if all I did was make a sketch a kindergartener would laugh at and iron pieces of fabric and play with the cat in the corner until it came time to iron again.  Luckily my mom is so talented, she understood my scribbles and made real patterns from them!

 
From left to right: hot pink satin foldover clutch, cotton psychedelic "festi" bag, wool-lined faux fur wrap with satin tie

I went with such a bright color for the clutch because I have quite a few bright dresses in citrus hues that I plan on wearing at night during the summer.  Sort of my own little tribute to 80's Miami.  I kept it plain so it can go with a wider variety of dresses, although I was seriously thinking about adding some spiky studs.  Ultimately, I decided against it though because I feel studs are on their way OUT.

The cotton psychedelic "festi" bag is meant to schlep around with me to all my summer music festivals (Coachella, Seattle Music Fest, maybe more).  The crazy print and color selection came about when it was decided I needed something that would match-slash-clash beautifully with whatever crazy outfit I end up in that day.  It comes complete with a shoulder strap so it won't fly off while I'm dancing and jumping around.

Lastly, the wool-lined faux fur wrap.  This one is my mom's own design, which I had nothing to do with other than picking out the color of plaid I wanted for the wool lining.  The ribbon is so beautiful: a raw-edge double-tiered satin.  It's in the details!  Also, so chic. 

Plenty more where this came from at Tellaveja's online shop. 

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

Image property of V is for Olive

Conscious Little Rock

I've been spending a lot of time indoors the past two weeks.  A few days ago, a big snowstorm hit the area and it's also too cold to do anything outside except run to the car (or from the car to the door).  I spend my time inside drinking coffee, reading, looking up random things on the internet, working on other projects, and helping my mom with her designs. 

Mostly I'm utterly untalented and relegated to cutting fabric, but I like hanging out down there.

I'm most looking forward to using my "Festi" bag at all of the summer music festivals, and my vintage faux-fur collar.  Pictures of finished products to follow.

Buy Tellaveja here. 

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

All photos property of V is for Olive

Vintage Advantage: Michigan Edition

Last weekend's flea market in Pontiac produced a few interesting things...

Go with the Greats: a spiffy jazz album, a Harper's Bazaar Chanel ad circa 1951 (which I plan on framing and hanging in my Chanel-box-themed black and white bathroom), a large red bangle with mirror details, and a tiny gold bangle made for a toddler that fits my freakishly small wrist.  The gold-dipped cottonwood tree leaf necklace is not from the flea market, but I did buy it on this trip and it looked nice with the other jewelry.

Yesterday, my mom and I went to Ann Arbor to drop off some of her designs at various boutiques.  We stopped into Star Vintage, one of my favorites.  It's like all the good stuff from the Salvation Army in one place, from fur coats to records, furniture, accessories, and especially dresses from the 60's and 70's.  And the staff are so friendly! 

I also love the fact that you have to walk down this creepy staircase and to the back of a basement to reach the entrance, a sliding glass doorwall.  It's always freezing in the hallway, and the shop is warm and toasty, with a nice mix of oldies and hipster hits playing low on the speakers.  I always imagine I'm in 1960's London whenever I visit this place.  I don't know why.  It just feels right.

Unfortunately, I didn't find anything this go round.  I'm being very picky about what I buy because my suitcase weighed 48 lbs. on the way here, so I have very little room.

We also stopped into The Get-Up, which had a really fabulous selection of red and pink dresses for Valentine's Day.  I only tried on one short, frilly pink dress because it reminded me of a tutu.  But alas, it was too short and found it's way back to the rack.  I hope it finds a good home on a slightly shorter person.

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

All photos property of V is for Olive

 

Trash Bag Friday

Um, what?

This $1,960 waterproof concoction from Louis Vuitton (she prefers to be called "Raindrop Besace") is the latest hot mess to come our way courtesy of the people that brought us the classy elegance of the monogrammed bag (so you can let everyone know exactly how much better than them you are with a just a brief glance down to your shoulder).

I love Marc Jacobs, I really do.  He's an absolute genius.  And I totally get that he is being ironic and funny in designing this trash bag-as-purse.  Eco-friendly, recycle-chic...this is his little way of poking fun at the crazes people join in on when they're scared, as well as not taking himself too seriously.  Maybe he's also come to hate what a Vuitton handbag has come to symbolize.

However, this bag is atrocious.  DO NOT PASS GO.  But, the next time you're on the market for a $2,000 bag, you can pass the Louis Vuitton store and head into a Marc Jacobs store instead.   

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

P.S. - Yes, I am sitting at home on a Friday night blogging about ugly trash bag bags.  That's just how cool my life is right now.

Image and source courtesy of Huffington Post via Refinery29.com

Skip to my Lou

As documented, I have been a fan of Lou's style and attitude for awhile now.  Style.com has caught on, and posted this beautiful video of Lou dancing to music composed especially for her by Canadian pianist Gonzales, directed by Stephanie Di Gusto. 

I have been reading the memoirs of Pamela des Barres and Marianne Faithfull and have become obsessed with their hippie way of dressing.  Of couse, I have to add my own spin on things and make it a bit more luxe.  There will probably be sparkles involved, which they would approve of anyway.  I'm already dreaming of spring, when I will have an excuse to wear feather headbands, cotton dresses with crazy prints, and the opportunity to take off and go camp on the beach somewhere for the weekend if I so choose.  Lou is a modern day version of the free spirit way of living that those women embodied.  Just watch the video.  Such a happy '60's romp.

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

Video courtesy of Style.com, images courtesy of PameladesBarres.net, Selfservice.wordpress, BBC.com, LavieBoston.wordpress, Mickeinslive.de, FotoBarron.com