Friday, August 28, 2009

Going Home & Coming Home




photos by Dan
My little sister Sarah - 50s Black & White Print Bow Tie Peplum Dress & Vintage Red Bow Tie Italian Pumps
Me- 60s Blue Round Neck Dress & Striped Sacco New York Platforms

For the past couple of weeks I had the opportunity to go home for a wonderful visit with my family & reconnect with friends. As much as I would have loved to jet off to Europe for a cultural experience sometimes you just need a vacation where you grew up. There's just something about pulling into the driveway of my parents house, even after a 17 hour cannonball drive. While I was home, I went to the lake in Alabama where I jumped off a 45' rock into the water, water skied, & relaxed. Went to my first high school reunion. So wonderful to see my classmates! Then, whenever I had a moment, I thrifted most of middle Georgia. It was a blast! I kind of felt torn to come back.

photos by my Mom!
Chimney Rock, Lake Martin
Finally made it up on skis!

photo: my beautiful best friend from high school - Julie & me!

But, being back in New York has recharged me to get out there & see what all is going on in this big city! This weekend we're going to hit some of the galleries & museums. I'm excited to see what shows are going on around town. Well, gotta run get started.



photos by Dan
goodies I found in Georgia!


Have a great weekend!

little peach

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Liberty of London


Right before I left for vacation, I did a vintage trek through Brooklyn & found the perfect fall Liberty print dress! The silhouette is an interesting twist on a shirt dress. With pleats down the front to the waist, & lovely navy blue buttons down the back, it has interesting details without being over designed. This is a piece I would move into.....tights & boots & done! This particular Liberty print is called Pepper & was designed in 1974 by the Jack Prince Studio.


photos: by me
Sarah wearing vintage Liberty print shirt dress - Georgia

Liberty of London is my absolute favorite when it comes to florals & prints. The fabrics are so so versatile. I seem to wear liberty all year long! They are timeless & effortless....complete ease with beauty. I found a few other Liberty print pieces on Etsy great for fall & in between. I want them all!

Cafe Society Dress - Thirteen Bees - 13bees.etsy.com

Vintage Mini Dress with Lace Hem - Pangs - pangs.etsy.com

Liberty Floral and Bird Print Skirt - Kthrn - kthrn.etsy.com


Hope you enjoy your Thursday!

little peach

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

McDonald's Horse Supply = boot heaven!



photos: by me
top: McDonald's Horse Supply sign
middle: McDonald's front door

bottom: Jennifer Haney-shop keeper
Gwen Mitchell-shop owner


Finding new boots as fall sneaks up is one of my essential August-September hunts. From fall to spring, boots are strapped on my feet almost non stop! One of the best sources for the perfect pair of boots is McDonald's Horse Supply. Last year I bought two pairs........1. classic black English riding boots & 2. caramel colored roper boots. I usually don't splurge like that all at once but I was completely torn & just simply couldn't leave without both! You know what, they were investment pieces. Worth every penny. Being nearby on my trip home, I swung by to check out the new inventory. Three pairs are already on my wish list! The thing is, these boots are as authentic as it gets. If you ever have the opportunity to pop into McDonald's you'll see equestrian riders, ropers, & farmers frequenting the shop. They carry a well edited stock of Justin boots, Georgia boots, & Tony Lama, just to name a few. The owner, Gwen Mitchell is always there. She is just as hospitable & knowledgeable as can be. My first trip in she offered to make a pot of coffee & this time she offered up some sweet peaches she had just sliced up. It's so refreshing to go to a shop where an expert is there to answer all of your questions on fit, style, maintenance, etc. One of my absolute favorite shops, anywhere! My only regret is that I should have taken more photos for you to see just how neat of a store it is.

photos: my black riding boots
vintage floral mini dress & caramel Justin roper boots


What's your idea of the perfect pair of boots?

little peach

Monday, August 24, 2009

White Diamond

photo: by me
My mom going into White Diamond
wearing: liberty print dress

As a young girl, my mom use to frequent one of the local barbecue restaurants known as White Diamond Grill & Bar B-Q. We both have fond memories of this little gem. My favorite trip to White Diamond was right before I was leaving home for college. My dad took me there for lunch. We ordered the barbecue plates & talked about how exciting college was going to be for me.



photos: by me
bbq plates- fried pickles, french fries, white bread, brunswick stew
sweet tea & lemonade


Throughout college I would come back to this place when I had a big appetite & craved something from home. It is way off the beaten path, almost in the country. A white concrete structure with an outside walk-up window make up the facade. When you walk in, the little dining area feels like it must be similar to its original form. Bar stools at the counter with wide booths along the walls are the best seats, but the tables scattered through the middle aren't bad either. It is a very modest space & completely authentic. It's a no nonsense type of eatery, with excellent food. Over the last few years, there has been a barbecue explosion in New York. I must say that none of them compare to this little spot down in Georgia. The house sauce is a tart mustard base full of flavor. It is complemented by the batter of the fried pickles or the fresh cut french fries. The Brunswick stew is another one of my must haves, it's so savory & little healthier than the other menu items. The sweet tea is so good I had three huge cups full. It's even better if you order 1/2 & 1/2 (part lemonade & part sweet tea). Order the brownies on the way out, they are unbelievable! So far, I haven't had an unsatisfying meal at White Diamond. The owners, Tina & Jimmy Evans can always be found manning the counter on any given day. They are so friendly & have a great sense of humor.

photos: by me
Tina & Jimmy Evans- White Diamond Grill Owners
Front Window

The dining room attire is anything goes....jeans & t-shirt with your best cowboy boots.....perfect! No fuss, just a good ole meal. If you are ever down in Georgia you should definitely look up White Diamond Grill.

little peach

Thursday, August 20, 2009

in the orchard







Every trip home is marked with a trip to our local peach orchard & packing company. The scenery of pecan trees & wrap around porches makes me want to move out to the country. It's a peaceful & calm type of natural beauty.



My sister Sarah is always up for a visit out to the country for some peach muffins & fresh peach ice cream so, we jumped in the car and drove to Lane Orchards in Peach County, Georgia. Before we had our goodies, we toured the grounds a little. If you are ever in the heart of Georgia you really should take a trip out to Lane. It's a fourth or fifth generation family run farm with rows & rows of peach & pecan trees for acres & acres....one of my favorite spots in the south.





I was beyond excited to have Sarah home for a few days, too. She is one of my favorite people to photograph. As an art major in college, she was my model for just about every series I did. Sarah has such a unique look. She has this athletic & feminine beauty that is classic & fresh all at the same time. Perfect for clothes from the 40s. With hair that just plain isn't fair, she has the most elegant wavy blond locks you've ever seen & just a few freckles frame her aqua blue eyes. The epitome of grace.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

birthday cake & goodies




After arriving in Georgia last week, it's been nonstop! My little sister Sarah cooked up a storm for my birthday of southern vegetables & puff pastry. Delicious! Then she did the sweetest cake & coffee set up in my parent's dining room. The cake was amazing....homemade caramel icing over a buttery pound cake! Oh my gosh, it was goooood! My grandma brought over butter pecan ice cream to go along with the cake, what's better that that? We had a blast cracking up over old stories. It was so nice to just spend some time together.



Check out the vintage hand embossed Venetian bag Sarah gave me. She found it at the local antique store. I love the shape of the bag! The top has an accordian style closure with a medallion shaped lid. This is my new favorite item in my closet/suitcase right now! What's the best birthday gift you've ever received? What's your favorite item in your closet right now?


little peach


Monday, August 10, 2009

monday, monday, so good to me.




photos by Dan:
40s cotton striped belted dress
camel wedges


collage by me:
U.S. map & film capture from "Two for the Road"

It's Monday! I'm usually not so thrilled with this particular day of the week. However, today is an exception because I'm suiting up for a road trip down to my hometown in Georgia. We're technically not departing until tomorrow, but today's been fun with the planning, to do lists, packing, & organizing.....plus, I'm walking around town in a pretty lovely dress from the 40s. This week & the next will be full of all kinds of grass root adventures.

1. my very own Southern food tour......bbq, soul food, cookouts, birthday cake!
2. high school reunion.....I swear the last ten years went by in about 15 minutes.
3. Savannah.........if I'm lucky!
4. St. Simons's Island......Sure hope!!!!
5. my family!....they belong up top
6. untouched thrift & vintage shops.........yippeeeee
7. my little sister modeling the new finds....oh yeah
8. there's no place like home....it's true


I'm really looking forward to recharging for fall & finding great things along the way!


little peach

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

new in the shop this week

photos by me (left & middle) & Dan (right):
60s navy & white belted trench
vintage white blouse with organza collar
vintage lilac crepe trench blouse




Hope your having a wonderful week! Here are some new items that just went into the shop. Great pieces to mix in with your summer wardrobe for the transition to fall!



photos: Spur magazine, August o9 issue



Flipping through the August issue of Spur magazine, I found quite a few pretty hair ideas. I've been wanting to mix it up a bit but can't seem to decide on how. Short hair is wonderfully easy but sometimes I miss having a bun or french twist. What do you think? Any new hair ideas? I think I've had every length out there from Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. When one season begins to wind down I start itching for a change. How about you?

little peach

Monday, August 3, 2009

Day in Brooklyn via East Village


photo by me: Vintage finds in Brooklyn



Leonora Russo
photo by Jake Chessum, New York Magazine
Look Book by Amy Larocca

Staying local this weekend, I went to brunch with one of my dearest friends in the east village on Saturday. She travels for work a lot so it's always a treat to snag her while she's in town. We met at Cafe Orlin on St. Marks Place. It was great to sit outside chatting & people watching while we ate. I was so happy to have a lazy, slow summer brunch before fall arrives. By the way, the pumpkin pancakes there are divine! I haven't really been in the east village much lately but it's pretty much a guarantee to be inspired by the cool, edgy style all around. It's a place where the envelope is pushed with fashion. The people down there are self styled without looking like their in costume.

After brunch, we headed over to Brooklyn for a little vintage shopping. I'm soooo excited about the new pieces I found for the store! We poked around Williamsburg all afternoon. Once we exhausted ourselves shopping, we went to a cute little dessert shop for some refreshments. Sitting next to us on a bench out front was the famous Leonora Russo. She's known as the "Queen of Williamsburg". I was amazed at how she knew everyone walking by us by name. I mean everyone! I guess that's what happens when you live somewhere for 60 years. She seemed to have a very bold but fun personality that was directly reflected in her style! That's what I love about New York, the characters that exist in each neighborhood. Despite the constant change of the city, it really does have it's permanent fixtures.