This just in: Three Bishops Trunk Show TODAY, Oct. 27, 10am-6pm at April Lane Exquisite Footwear- 3911 Camp Bowie Blvd. Ft. Worth 76107; 817-732-7700.
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
October 27, 2010
September 26, 2010
Statement Jewelry at the Dallas Flea
While at the Dallas Flea earlier this month, I also had the pleasure of meeting two great vendors, Hope of Hopella Designs in Austin and Martha with The Silver Importer in Dallas.
Hope’s jewelry is organic, refreshing and nature-inspired. I really like the blue opal necklace and handmade earrings, but my favorite is the twisted pearl earrings.
Hope (far left) & Family
Hope Biba Twisted Pearl Earring
Forged brass wire delicately pirouettes around a small pink pearl. I love pearls, and the way these are suspended within the wiry tendrils is very attractive and, well, almost poetic. When I last checked, prices ranged from just $14.00 to $126.00, which is a steal for such beautiful, hand-made jewelry. Click here to check out Hope’s Etsy site.If you like bolder jewelry, then The Silver Importer is for you. Martha’s selection is great: it includes sterling silver and gold jewelry, including precious, semi-precious and other beautiful gemstones.
The Silver Importer
One necklace in particular stood out. An embedment of pearls on cascading hammered silver discs create a dramatic effect so arresting that it may have caught the attention of Ann Boleyn or Marie Antoinette herself. Even better, the prices are reasonable, so it’s nothing to lose your head over.
The Silver Importer- Statement Pearl Necklace
If you’re in Tarrant County, fear not, The Silver Importer does trunk shows in Dallas and Fort Worth. Click here for the schedule of events.
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
September 9, 2010
Fort Worth Hot Spots for Vintage Fashion
Vintage Obsession
For vintage clothing and accessories, I frequent Kalen Ruiz’s Bess & Evie’s Vintage and Eastside Antiques in Fort Worth, TX. But before I go into why I love these two gems, I want to explain why I love vintage in the first place.
Vintage clothing and accessories are about more than fashion to me. Wearing vintage is one of the most intimate, tangible and immediate ways to connect to a past, either your own or someone else’s.
Without getting too sentimental, I remember how special it felt (and still feels) to put on my Grandmother’s brooch or wear my Great-Grandmother’s 1950′s wool skirt suit! The tactility of these items immediately evokes a sense of closeness to my loved-ones and gently coaxes fond memories from the recesses of my mind. Vintage fashion is a way for me to remember, and pay homage to, the women of my family.
For me, vintage is personal, even when I don’t know the person who previously owned the piece of clothing or accessory. What I do know is that when a piece is special, I intuitively inherit any perceived sentimental value attached to it. I feel the “life” of the clothing and the life of the previous owner are intertwined, and thus respect for one induces respect for the other.
Finally, this reciprocity is what makes vintage so unique and indispensible. Someone’s past connects to your present. So when you walk into a vintage store, it’s not just a space filled with old clothes and jewelry. You are perusing collections of memories and experiences, some of which may become a part of your own life.
When I want to spice up my own life with a “new” vintage piece, I look to Bess & Evie’s Vintage and Eastside Antiques.
Bess & Evie's Vintage
Located just outside of downtown Fort Worth on Foch Street, Kalen Ruiz’s quaint new boutique delivers the best in vintage clothing and accessories, from Western belts and boots to Burberry trench coats! As a fashion merchandising major at TCU, Kalen’s selection of pieces is informed, relevant and refined.
Jewelry by Lorie Watson
Burberry Trench Coat
Pearl and Crystal Rings
I saw some of the most mesmerizing beaded sweaters and blouses; I dare any woman not to feel instantly glamorous in one of these. Also, I’m obsessed with owl and lion jewelry and lo and behold, B&E’s had both!
Gorgeous Beaded Sweater
Another Amazing Sweater
Sequined Blouse
Kalen and her crew continuously shop estate sales and more to find items you’re sure to love, and moreover, the prices are amazing! Click here to learn more about Kalen and Bess & Evie’s Vintage, or here to watch Kalen on Good Morning Texas.
Bess & Evie’s Vintage; 931 Foch St., Ft. Worth, TX 76109; (817) 877-1300
Eastside Antiques
A visit to Eastside is always an experience! I’ve been going there since December 2009, and each time I find something special. I think I can officially say that I am addicted to this store!
Each year, Gary, who manages the store and who’s last name I don’t know and don’t need to know since we’re on a first name basis anyway, travels to Massachusetts to amass more trinkets for vintage aficionados to pour over. I think he just went this July or August, and the store is now overflowing with all kinds of gleaming goodies tucked away in glass cases.
Ladies in Waiting- Cameo Brooches
Vintage Brooches
More Vintage Goodness
Gary, gentleman that he is, has been kind enough to select (ahem, hide) pieces for me that he thinks will be of interest. I even have my own jewelry tray with my name on it…Gary, have I told you lately that I love you? That without you, my vintage collection would be nothing and that because of you, my jewelry closet overfloweth? It’s true!
Coro Necklace and Earring Set
Various Brooches
I worship Eastside Antiques, and in one visit, you will too! Bring cash or checks, though. Eastside is old school, through and through.
Eastside Antiques; 3132 Handley Dr., Ft. Worth, TX 76112; (817) 492-4200
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
August 19, 2010
Tax Free Weekend and Other Dallas/Fort Worth Events
Hello All:
Here are some awesome events that have come across my desk that I want to share with you.
Lucy, owner of Accents, always has the most fashion-forward, feminine dresses and jewelry! You may remember the post I did about her a while back and I can’t say enough great things about her and her store- her happy hours are not to be missed!
Kinetic Exhibit is a company owned by a friend of mine that hosts bi-monthly art parties in the coolest spaces in Dallas. KE best explains the concept on its website: “As social entrepreneurs we seek out raw, unoccupied spaces in creating our pop up galleries to transform the community through art.” This social experiment/experience is another event that is not to be missed!
byrd & bleecker, Fort Worth’s premier paperie, is having a spectacular clearance sale starting today through September 4th! Wonder if they still have those fabulous Noshii brooches?!
See below for details.
1. Accents- Fri. Aug. 20th; 4:30-8pm
TAX FREE HAPPY HOUR. FRI 8/20. BUY 2-GET 1 FREE STOREWIDE
Accents in West Village
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/accents.wvillage
3699 McKinney Avenue #502 | Dallas, TX 75204 |214.252.3870
Located across the Avalon salon, next to the Gap
Accents in Arlington Highlands
3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd. #173 | Arlington, TX 76018 | 817.472.5566
2. Kinetic Exhibit: Patterns, Dreams & Withdrawal- Aug. 20-Sept. 20, 2010
Opening Reception:
Friday, August 20, 2010
8:00pm-12:00am
Da Space Dallas, 4217 Bryan Street Dallas, TX 75204
Tickets are only $7 and may be purchased online or at the door.
3. byrd & bleecker- Back to School Clearance Sale- Aug. 20-Sept. 4th
2962 Park Hill Dr. at University (By TCU) Fort Worth, TX 76109; 817-924-2973
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
August 17, 2010
Restaurant Week 2010 (Aug. 16-22)
What? Food on a fashion blog? It’s not unheard of. Many a fashionista moonlights as a foodie. Just look at Atlantis Home’s fabulous author Judy Aldridge. Not only are the rare furnishings of her home decadent yet inviting, but she also manages to capture the same mood with the recipes she posts. You can find recipes for dishes that are healthy and hearty, like zucchini fritters or red bean chili, to those that satisfy the sweet tooth (mixed berry pie and orange chocolate chippers, anyone?)
In the spirit of food and fashion, I am excited that KRLD Restaurant Week is upon us again. Presented by Central Market, guests can order gourmet, 3-course prix-fixe dinners for only $35 at participating restaurants in Dallas/Fort Worth (tax, tips and drinks not included). Proceeds go to benefit North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope Home.
In Fort Worth, I personally enjoy Cast Iron at the Omni hotel and Ferre Ristorante e Bar but I’d also like to try out Top Chef Casey Thompson’s Brownstone, located in Fort Worth’s quaint but posh West 7th development. In Dallas, you can’t go wrong with Dakota’s Restaurant, Samar by Stephan Pyles(get the black rice with fried squid or the potatoes and chorizo!) and Nobu.
So once again, here’s an opportunity to look good, eat good and do good for others. Bon appetit!
For reservations, call the restaurant directly or book online through Open Table.
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
December 31, 2009
Bringing the Old In with the New Year!
Hello Everyone,
As we count down the last couple of hours of 2009, I’m reminded of the old adage “Out with old, in with the new!”
That’s all well and good, but I firmly believe that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. In other words old doesn’t necessarily equal obsolete…
We all know fashion is cyclical- for better or for worse, trends do repeat. I must admit, the 80′s revival, or should I say revulsion, left much to be desired. I mean, c’mon, acid-washed jeans, shoulder pads and harem pants? Hot mess!
Unlike the 80′s, one trend I hope never dies is the glamour of the 20′s, 30′s, 40′s. I do believe a vintage resurgence is around the corner: this year Essence did a gorgeous spread featuring chanteuse Amerie in 1920′s flapper apparel and Vogue’s September Issue featured a piece titled “in the mood,” paying homage to the smoldering sultriness of 1940′s garb. Classic, tasteful, timeless. What’s not to love?
Luckily, right after Christmas, I was able to score a few vintage treasures myself, courtesy of my Mom and Eastside Antiques on Lancaster in Fort Worth. Eastside is a veritable treasure trove of vintage baubles- I discovered an entire jewelry section I apparently missed on my first visit there months ago!
They had all kinds of tassle necklaces, brooches, rings and so much more- on sale! And the real treasures of Eastside? The sales associates! They are so sweet, knowledgeable and helpful. I WILL be shopping there again!
Eastside Antique's treasures!
Thanks Mom for the vintage fur stoles, hats and handkerchiefs and thanks to Eastside Antiques for the necklaces, gloves and pins! (I’ll be back for that 1950′s Christian Dior hat!)
Vintage gloves from Eastside Antiques
For more information about Eastside Antiques, please visit them at 3132 Handley Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76112, Wed.- Sat. 11am- 5pm or call 817-492-4200. Be sure to ask for Gary!
I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
More vintage treasures from Fort Worth
