I Want Candy...on My Clothes.

Just a quick post about this new top I received in the mail yesterday from the very- talented Kanaro: I love it!! I tend to be drawn more to dark colors and neutrals, but there is just something about this top I couldn't resist. It looks like it is covered in yummy little gumdrops, and it just feels like summer incarnate. So sweet! Thanks Kanaro!

A Charming "Peep" into the Past: The Victorian Stanhope

I always get rather giddy when I buy an antique. Not to sound corny, but there is just something about owning a piece of history that gives me chills [the good kind]. You never need an antique, you just want it. It is often instinctual and irresistible -- the siren call of the past? For me, it feels less like owning something and more like taking care of something that needs love.

This past weekend, after browsing lustfully through the beautiful antique jewelry in Wicked Darling's shop, I was overcome with curiosity and an unexplainable desire to own this bizarre, but lovely trinket pictured above. It is called a Stanhope [dating from around 1900], and it is a miniature photographic lens inside of a pendant...



I had never even heard of Stanhopes before this discovery, so I was surprised to learn that they were popular trinkets in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Each one contains several tiny photographs, and in order to view them, you hold the Stanhope up to a light and peep through the tiny hold in the end [they were also referred to as "peeps"]. The Victorians were quite enamored by photography, so it makes sense that these fairly inexpensive novelty items would have been popular with travelers and tourists. The one I purchased from Wicked Darling has 4 photos of Niagara Falls inside [probably purchased by a couple on their honeymoon!?].



This image of a Ferris Wheel is an enlargement of a microphotograph used inside of a Stanhope.



In 1862, a man named Rene Dagron established a factory in France to produce Stanhopes, which were then sold all over Europe and and the U.S. Stanhopes could be found inside a wide variety of objects, including: crosses, writing equipment, jewelry, smoking paraphernalia, perfume bottles, and more. To learn more about Stanhopes, check out this website on their history and manufacturing.

These are a few lovely Stanhopes for sale on ebay right now:






Examples of other "peeps" from the Stanhopes website and Camera Oddities:

This is an enlarged image of the the lens of a Stanhope that Wicked Darling was gracious enough to send me. It is truly such an amazing invention!

I cannot wait to receive my own little "peep" into the past...I will definitely take photos when it arrives!

New Accessories at A Single Charm Vintage!

New goodies in my shop: some great deadstock circle sunglasses, boxy vintage bags, sweet summer jewelry...and more. Stay tuned later this week for my Spring-inspired items [rompers, soft blouses, and some silky blazers, to name a few!]

And, I'm happy to do international shipping!

Things I Never Knew I Needed Until Now...

I'm always a sucker for a Victorian lady...and these tags would be so cute attached to a prettily- wrapped gift! Check out the quirky, nostalgic stationary and tags by DarlingDillyDilly.

The pattern on this lady-like top reminds me a bit of 1950's barkcloth, and the collar is stunningly architectural. For more one-of-a kind clothing creations, visit Supayana.

Any allusion to Marie Antoinette [or to cake, for that matter] immediately wins me over... Blu Lima has a cheerful collection of hand screen-printed posters.

I seem to be drawn to jewelry that combines daintiness with a touch of masculinity...this necklace does that perfectly. All of eRosas jewelry manages to be feminine, without being too "girly."

Fluffy, puffy flower pom-poms hanging from my ceiling? Yes please! Pom Love creates unexpected decorations, perfect for parties or everyday decor.

An engaging discussion about sin over a cup of Earl Grey seems like a jolly good time! How fun and kitschy are these plates? Visit Vandalized Vintage for more dishes featuring mature content.

It looks and feels like a sweet whipped-topping, but it's soap!!! YUM! Take a peek at all of the delightful soap creations from Fairy Bubbles...

Best of both worlds: the childhood jelly-bracelet [except in leather] meets classic gold. Kikastyle offers gorgeous celebrity and runway inspired jewelry that is easy on the wallet.

So clever! I love silk scarves, and this ingenious necklace/scarf creation is so versatile! Check out Gilbea for more.

I was going to say that my boyfriend would LOVE this quirky monster t-shirt...but, I admit I want it, too! Luchaworkshop makes clever, witty T-shirts and art prints, perfect for the geeky guy or girl [like me]...

as if i needed proof

if someone makes you smile,

don't make them frown.

if someone holds onto you so tight you can't breath,

don't run from them in fear.

if someone says they love you more than anyone else,

don't look them in the eyes and walk away.

everyone is loved by someone else,

whether they like it or not.

and the love i feel is a love that stays that way rain and shine,

close knit snuggles,

far away wishes.

everybody needs to feel loved,

even by the homeless man who you give your spare change to.

there really is nothing in this world that beats being held by someone who you would leave your world for.

someone who you'd start new with because you'd know you'd be okay with them by your side.

and that someone for me will be close again soon.

she is the queen of my sex

to me this is one of the most famous photographs ever. vivienne westwood store opening. the stores name?? SEX

i don't like pamela anderson. but she personifies sex just as vivienne westwood does.

i am beginning to love blue so much more.

i would sell my first born for these..(i'm hoping i'm having twins)

xoxo

to be in love like this is almost hate.

Nancy Spungen never wrote a song or played in a band in her life yet she has assumed a position in rock mythology that has made the the image of her tumbling peroxide hair and kohled eyes as immortal as Sid's and forever joined as punks most famous couple.
Mixed up kid, music lover, exotic dancer, prostitute, groupie, starf***er, drug addict and lastly girlfriend of Sid Vicious dead in the Chelsea Hotel New York. One view sees a manipulative siren - 'nauseous Nancy' - leading Sid Vicious to his death through drugs - 'A Titanic waiting for an iceberg to happen' said Johnny Rotten.
Another view sees a young disturbed 19 year old girl just following a dream in music, falling in love with another damage case and becoming a tragic doomed couple at odds with the world ending in premature violent death. A death and a life forgotten in the media frenzy as her partner and alleged killer, Sid, died soon after.
Nancy Spungen on her own was always destined to be a girl in the back of someone else's photograph. Sid Vicious and death gave her infamy. Who was the real Nancy? As usual the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Monday Mischief: 10 Reasons to Love...the Romper?

I'm going to be honest, I have been resisting this trend since last summer. Truly, I thought I was immune to romper madness. I kept telling myself things like, "I'm too old," "Not waif-ish enough," etc. But, I have been won-over! I found a couple of cute rompers to sell in my Etsy shop, and before I knew it, I was sporting one out to a party. They are actually flattering, comfortable, and cute...shocking revelation! So, here are my top 10 reasons to love the romper:

[I am wearing my amazing new/vintage boots from Cherry Pick Vintage...love them to pieces!!]

1. You can find one at practically any thrift shop.

2. They are super-duper-comfortable.

3. You don't have to sit like a lady if you don't want to.

4. They make you feel like a kid again.

5. They won't blow up over your head when it is windy.

6. They look equally good with boots, sandals, flats, heels, etc.

7. They make an excellent swimsuit cover-up.

8. You can do a somersault without fear of immodesty.

9. They are flattering and forgiving.

10. They are really hot right now!!!

[1 Reason NOT to like the romper: it makes going to the bathroom a tad more complicated...]

pool of water or the pool of your soul.

ellery new season.

i love it when you wake up in the morning all nice and warm under your covers. nothing can take that first moment away from you. where its just you starting your day. this is the moment where you can decide what the day will bring to you. whether its going to be good and profitable and fun. or whether the five and a half hours sleep will catch up on you and truly bring you down.

then there are the mornings when you wake up and you're not alone in that bed. or in that bed at all. when you're in another bed. with a boy. not just any boy. this boy is cookies. and he's called cookies for one of two reasons. one-he's just a littlin and two-due to his love of my gluten free cookies.

those mornings are different for me. because those mornings mean if i haven't woken up entangeled in his limbs, as soon as i move i will be.

those mornings make it even harder to get out of bed.

heres to the aforementioned man who loves me.

these shoes belong to one of the COOLEST people i know. jax. like $8 from vinnies. fine form. he's the kid with http://deckhead.blogspot.com/ uber uber cool cat. looks just like BusyP. only a fraction shorter.

this is how i like to offend people. with my choice of clashing colours with my hair. and being obscene in the street.

i want my bag.

topshop should have sent it to me by now.

and now its sold out.

i hope for its safe delivery home.

to me.

New Items at A Single Charm Vintage Today!

Just in case you're up for some weekend Etsy shopping, I've just added some more vintage clothing to my shop! Have an amazing, relaxing, friend-filled weekend my dears!

Bali

Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago. Bali is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, 145 km long and 80 km wide, 3.2 km east of Java. It lies about 8 degrees south of the equator. Its surface is 5,700 km². The highest point of the island is Mount Agung, 3,142 m high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains range from the central to the eastern side of the island with Mount Agung being the easternmost peak.The cooler dry season from April to October is the best time to visit Bali. Denpasar is the capital of Bali.