Seconds of Style #28: Animal Print

I went second hand shop trawling the other day and dug up an absolute treasure that has quickly become my favorite new piece of clothing. In amongst the diamante denim jean skirts, pink toweling mini's and ten year old Glassons pencil skirts was a very special, vintage high waist diamond pleat leopard print skirt! I have a not-so-secret obsession with animal print - the tasteful silk scarf, cashmere cardigan type of course - so I was thrilled to find this little gem. I had to take the hem up a bit but otherwise I kept it as is. I am wearing it with a Forever 21 grey tee, vintage chains and watch, wooden platforms from second hand store and a second hand denim jacket from SaveMart (the jacket is actually a child's jacket which I love because it means the sleeves are half length and it's cropped in the body).

Seconds of Style #27: Auckland Antiques and Collectables Fair

I popped along to the Antiques and Collectables Fair in Mt Eden a few weeks ago and was in heaven once again! I loved the Retro Fair back in November but my taste is definitely more antique than retro so on stepping inside the hall my eyes lit up with delight. There was loads of glittering antique jewellery, beautiful etched glassware, original toys full of history and colourful crockery as far as the eye could see. I picked up a four strand gold necklace that I have worn nearly everyday since the fair, I'll pop some pictures up of it tomorrow. I really loved all the antique toys, I think the detail and materials are completely superior to whats on the market today. I'm not sure when the next fair is but as soon as I know I'll make sure to post the info.

Art Deco Ornament from Ritzy Bitz

True Glamour: Vintage engagement rings

Antique Fur Monkey

Seconds of Style #26: Sophisticated Sequins

I got this amazing sequin top at the Retro Fair a few weeks ago. Someone had cut the sleeves and hem off and hadn't bothered to finish it. I bought it to mend it but just really loved how the raw edges made it even more unique, so I left it as is. 

I wore it out dancing with my girlfriends, we went to 1885 Britomart, down town. I hadn't been there before and I was so impressed! Fantastic music, just cheesy enough to dance to with some good indie tracks thrown in, and reasonably priced bubbly. Get there early though, it gets pretty crazy.

I wore my sequins with a By Malene Birger blazer, Topshop skinny jeans, Country Road heels and vintage necklace and clutch.

Seconds of Style #25: The Wonderful World of Etsy

If you don't already know about Etsy then you are seriously going to thank me for this post. Etsy is an online community of Handmade and Vintage stores. It is a place to get lost for hours, find every beautiful little thing your heart desires and support new talent and small businesses. Etsy is a five year old American founded company with a desire for the world to "Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade". There are Etsy traders in over 150 countries with hundreds of thousands of sales made every month. So, this month I thought I would take my obsession with collecting vintage clothing and accessories to a new level - I have officially opened my own Etsy store! I am so excited about this and now have a legitimate reason to spend all day trawling through hidden away second hand stores. Below are a few of my favorite Etsy finds of the day and a little selection from my Etsy store, aptly named Seconds of Style. It might be a little late for International Christmas delivery but there is always post Christmas money to be spent. Happy shopping!

Love Mae: Wrapping Paper

Lalilouche: Bliss Bride Ivory Silk chiffon soft bra

Brilliance Found: Bow and Arrow Sterling Silver Charm Necklace on 12kt Goldfill Cable Chain

Liberina Bags: White Frida clutch purse

Brilliance Found: Little Skeleton Key Ring in Raw Brass

In Blue: leather journal handprinted custom for you anatomical heart

Girls Can Tell: pinball machine video game geek - floursack tea towels

The Naked Squirrel: Vintage Floral Fabric Banner

Seconds of Style: Baby Blue Striped Pleated Skirt

Seconds of Style: Navy Blue Tiered Maxi Skirt

Seconds of Style: Black Silk Peter Pan Collar Shirt

Seconds of Style: Bottle Green Bermuda Shorts

Seconds of Style: Black Leather Mary Jane's

Seconds of Style: Black Tuxedo Style Jacket

Seconds of Style #23: Style Inspire 4 - Vintage Leather and Fur

I decided that since December is 'party month' I would go a bit glam for this weeks Style Inspire. I personally always need loads of inspiration during this time of year or I just end up wearing the same thing to every party, which is definitely easier but no where near as fun.  I'm wearing a vintage fur cape that I got at a flea market in London, vintage leather panel mini skirt, Country Road silk blush cami and Zara heels.

I have to say that styling myself for this blog is really encouraging me to experiment with my wardrobe. Sometimes it can be a bit scary to wear something 'out there' but I'm really starting to realise that life is too short to wear jeans and t-shirts every day. 

I am a vintage girl through and through but I still love good old Country Road for basics, especially their little silk cami's. They generally use a very muted and gentle colour pallet making their collections wearable and easy to blend into everything you currently own. I think a blush camisole is an absolute must for summer. 

My heels are from Zara and I LOVE them. The neutral tone means I can wear them with absolutely anything yet the criss crossing and weaving of the straps mean they still make a statement.

A few quick tips...match your lipstick and nail polish, it always makes you look very 'finished'. Try tucking your tops and cami's into whatever you are wearing on your bottom half, it defines the waist and really dresses up a look. Lastly, use necklaces to wrap around your wrists, the twisting of chains always looks glamorous and polished.

So for the next event you attend, have a second look at what you have in your wardrobe and jewellery box and choose something a bit more exciting than you usually would, I promise you will enjoy yourself!

Seconds of Style #21: White Lace

I'm getting all excited about summer now that the days are getting hotter and a lot of that excitement is about being able to wear all the beautiful vintage dresses I bought while travelling. Here are a couple of pics of a vintage cotton and lace dress I bought at the Portobello Road Markets from a lovely French woman. A little tip for wearing vintage maxi dresses, use a bit of cotton roping or a distressed leather belt to bunch the dress up around the waist when you don't want to wear it long. 

Wearing vintage white dress, boyfriend cardi from Zara, sunglasses from Max and vintage chains

Seconds of Style #19: The Sweet Smell of Vintage

I thought I should put up a few pictures taken during my recent travels through Europe. These images are from a perfume factory in Grasse on the Côte d'Azur in France called Fragonard. The Walnut, propeller and berry were vessels to hold swabs soaked in perfume. They would be worn in pockets, as necklaces or attached to a pin on the wearer. I have to say, I think these are simply beautiful. I would love to see some necklace charms made with these in mind.There is just an unlimited amount of inspiration to be taken from the past.

This walnut shell would hold a swab soaked in perfume

An incredibly interesting shape and design

Unique perfume bottle