From the category archives:

Personal Style

My Animal Jewelry Farm

July 17, 2012

Hi Guys,

Last week I showed you some of my favorite high-end fine vintage jewelry favorites. Very out of my price range but fun for day dreaming. Today as promised I wanted to show you some of my favorite costume vintage animals from my own collection. I am an avid collector of animal jewelry and I am just showing you a small sampling of some of my favorites. Expect to see many more posts in the future of my jewelry zoo.

This vintage elephant pendant is probably from the late 60′s or 70′s. I had originally designed it for Corvus Noir but I liked it so much I decided to keep it. I love the vintage star and moon chain that I added.

You know me I love cats and I could not resist this vintage 1960′s necklace from the “garage” in NYC which is a big indoor flea market every weekend

I bought this vintage 1980′s leopard pin at a tiny street flea market on the upper east side last summer in NYC. I love all of the enamel detailing and those emerald-green eyes. I was hoping I could turn it into a bracelet but if not I plan on wearing it on the shoulder of my vintage faux leopard coat.

Just a little note. The pieces below are inventory from Corvus Noir that I love. I will be reworking them and putting them up for sale on the site in the future. If you are interested in any of them shoot me an email. They can be custom designed to your liking.

Vintage enamel fish and rhinestone pendant from the 1970′s. It is pretty gigantic and very unusual. I love the red, green, and blue enamel and the large tail.

This vintage tiger pin from the 1980′s is one of my favorites of all time. It looks like it took a bath in rhinestone and black enamel. What really sold me on the piece was its size. It was the biggest tiger pin that I had ever seen!

I found this vintage peacock pin from the 80′s I think back in 2009 at a now closed antique mall in NYC. I think the hearts along the tail are the cutest detail and I probably have yet to rework it because I don’t really want to part with it. it is just to darn cute.

Hope you are off to a productive Tuesday morning. I wanted to share some exciting news. My dear friend Amanda and I have started a new blog together called Thrift Sisters. Our new blog is devoted to vintage and will showcase our favorite vintage finds, collections, and inspirations from NYC and Austin. We are very excited about working together and starting this new venture so have a look! Don’t worry though, I will still be 100 percent devoted to Corvus Noir too.

Lauren

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My Own Neck Cuffs

June 22, 2012

As promised, here are some pics from my personal collection of neck collars. I am so happy that I have stumbled upon so many signed vintage pieces. A signed piece really is a collectors dream. The signature makes it much easier to date the items. And with vintage I always feel like I am the only one wearing it and know that it won’t turn up in Forever 21. Austin and the surrounding suburbs have been a gold mine for vintage jewelry. I am constantly finding new and beautiful things each week but am going on a shopping freeze, although it is very hard to!

vintage Whiting and Davis snake collar. I have the matching bracelet and earrings, a great find from Ebay years ago!

how amazing are the tiny teeth and delicate scales. So much attention to detail

vintage Monet necklace from the 40′s or 50′s found in an antique mall in Round Rock Texas

vintage Napier necklace from Memphis Goodwill only 79 cents and my moms 90′s heart necklace

vintage 1950′s Trifari necklace from Austin antique mall and for only 12 dollars!

DIY two necklaces made from a vintage belt

vintage 40′s or 50′s Napier collars found at thrift and vintage stores in Austin and Georgetown

vintage Napier collar. Love the egyptian revival feel

Lauren

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Holiday Wish List For The Boys

December 19, 2011

Happy Monday,

I can’t really dread this Monday since Christmas eve is on Saturday night. I am definitely looking forward to the holiday. To kick off the last week of holiday wish lists, I thought it would be fun to post a list for the boys in our lives. Husband, boyfriend, father, brother, friend, this wish list reaches out to all of them. I personally love to shop for Craig. I really like his style so it makes it very easy for me when I shop and we usually just go together. He picks out what he likes and I choose what I like. No stress which makes it a great activity for both of us! And for you ladies or gents out their who don’t love the style of your significant others, the holidays are the perfect time to add the things you do love to their closets. Click on my pinterest board for all the links and to see some extra’s that didnt make it below.

For The Boys Wish List

1. Uniform Wares Watch- has a vintage feel with the missing numbers. Reminds me of a watch Don Draper would wear

2. Filson Wool Messenger Bag- Craig would love to carry this plaid mans bag to and from work every day

3. Marc By Marc Jacobs Cell Case- most cell cases are soo boring. I love how this one has a creepy guy in a wife beater

4.  Balenciaga Wallet- studs underneath leather, yes sir!

5. Persol Sunglasses- tortoise-shell and a light brownish lens makes such a great color combo

6. Lanvin Tie Pin- I think it is time to bring this retro trend back

7. Ralph Lauren Polo Black Collection- really like the sleekness of the bottle. Wouldnt mind having it as decoration for the bathroom

8. Portable FM Steroe Boombox- plug your Ipod or phone into the box for a convenient but fun music experience

9. Digby & Iona Signet Ring-  not only used to adorn your finger, the ring is also a working wax seal, so cool!

10. Tommy Hilfiger Belt- nice nautical feel

11. Miansai Bracelet- For the outdoorsy guy who does not like to wear alot of jewelry

12. DSquared2 Boots- love all of the dark colors. Would love to buy these for Craig but they are way too expensive for my budget, boo

13. Prada Money Clip- the old school way of carrying your money around

14. Tommy Hilfiger Tie- would look great with the Tommy belt. Two accessories for one look equals score gift

Happy Shopping,

Lauren

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Valley Of The Dolls Fashion

December 8, 2011

Hi all,

One of my favorite old movies to watch is Valley Of The Dolls. I don’t think it got the best reviews but I sure do love it and am blown away by the amazing 60s fashion and music. The movie takes place in both New York and California and it is such a treat to see the hair, makeup, and clothing of the three main characters. The 60′s was such a great time period in fashion and I love to see it come to life when it was actually filmed. One scene was filmed on the boardwalk looking over the east river where I spent so much time. That was very cool. I thought it would be fun to create three looks for each of the main characters with clothing and accessories that would complement their style. Everything is vintage from 1st Dibs. Click on my pinterest Valley Of The Dolls board to see links to each item.

Neely O’Hara is known for her loud over the top hollywood behavior and style

Jennifer has a much more bohemian laid back sense of style.

Anne is elegant, lady like, and very glamorous

Which characters style do you relate to the most?

Lauren

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Street Etiquette

November 15, 2011

There are soo many good personal style blogs that I read and enjoy everyday yet they happen to be all female. I have yet to come across any male style blogs until now. I am loving the personal style of Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs, owners of the blog Street Etiquette. Their aim is to showcase personal style from an “urban perspective.” It is so nice to read about style from a males perspective and inspiring as well because I think fashion should be just as important to men as it is to women. Personal style in my opinion is important to ones relationship with their significant other. I think you genuinely  need to be attracted to that person and the way they put themselves together is a part of that attraction. I had a boyfriend who dressed in horribly baggy jeans and pants and wore oversized tee shirts with cartoon logos on them. I hated the way he dressed because he looked like a child, not a man. One of the things I loved when I met Craig was that he knew how to dress. He had his own personal style and genuinely enjoyed dressing not for me but for himself. It also makes it fun when we go shopping because he does not complain about how bored he is but actually appreciates the hunt for that perfect piece.

Back to Street Etiquette, they worked on a lovely collaboration called The Black Ivy that I just love. The project is a “tribute to the first black colleges that paved the way for our generation and created a common ground for hardworking, like-minded individuals.” I love the way that the project was shot with collegiate style clothing. It makes me want to go back to the school in the 50′s and 60′s. The clothing has a great vintage feel to them yet high fashion at the same time.

 

 

 

Lauren

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Mermaid Parade

June 20, 2011

On Saturday we went to the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island with our friends Michael and Amanda and had the best time. We had to wear costumes and the majority of mine came from my closet. The look I was going for was a 1940′s pin up sailor girl from Pearl Harbor. And I remembered that I had a vintage looking navy romper that I bought on sale from Urban Outfitters last summer. The romper was perfect and I paired it with silver sandals, a reworked vintage anchor necklace, tiny American flag, and sailor hat. The last two items I luckily found at a party store the night before which totally transformed the outfit. I finished my look with a dramatic cat eye and bright orangey red lipstick and white cat eye sunglasses. Amanda looked amazing as a mermaid with a beautiful jeweled bra and a bright red wig, so glamorous, and lots of glitter on her face. When we were at the parade we took lots of photos and also had others asking to take our picture and pose with us. It almost felt like being famous for a day, so fun. Craig also went as a punky sailor and Michael a Captain of a cruise ship.

Coney Island was crazy that day and jam packed. It was hard to see the parade but we hung out after on the boardwalk to people watch and saw some amazing costumes. One trend that I noticed was lots of topless women. They covered themselves with nipple coverers but were pretty much on display for all of Coney Island to see. I definitely recommend that everyone living in NY stop by the parade next summer, it was a blast! Pictures below, a few NSFW so be careful.

Have a great Monday

Lauren

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Long Bob Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo

April 20, 2011

So I got my hair did yesterday and I love love love it! When I was walking to the salon from the train I wasn’t planning on cutting off more then a couple inches from the dry ends. But jokingly I said I was thinking about chopping it all off and Mary got really excited about it. She told me that a long bob would look great and I had been contemplating for days rather or not to go short and just decied to go for it. She cut the length off right away before the color so I didn’t have much time to talk myself out of it. And I am really happy I cut it all off. It feels great to let all of that hair go and just have a fresh start. Its not too short but short for me, passed my shoulders a little and a little longer then my color bone. It was cut a little choppy so I can wear it messy, a little wavy with no fuss. And my color is a mix of red and brown, lighter on top and darker on the ends. It will be fun to see how it grows out and then in 10 to 12 weeks when I go back for color I can decide if i want to go shorter again or grow it longer, I am thinking shorter though. Its fun to be on the opposite side of the spectrum now. Some hair inspiration below.

still loving Alexa Chungs locks. I don’t think I would go as short as hers but I love it

love the color in this shot

 

Really loving Olivia Palermo’s long bob too, really pretty color too

love the red in this shot

Which do you prefer messy and bohemian or sleek and modern? For me I am thinking messy

Lauren

 

 

 

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Hair Today Different Tommorow

April 19, 2011

So I am going for my it’s been over 12 weeks time to get my hair “did” color and cut routine. This time around I was having a struggle on what to do to my hair. I am pretty sure on the color, just a fresher more vibrant mix of reddish brown but the cut has left me in confusion. I have been wanting to grow my hair to extreme lengths for years and right now it is super long. But when I see pics of Alexa Chung with her short messy bob part of me wants to take the plunge and chop it all off. I have done that in the past, never went shorter then my chin though. I have never been a fan of the BH90210 short boy hair, not for me. Whenever I have cut if all off though I almost seem to immediately regret it and long for my long hair again. We even spent the weekend watching reruns of My So Called Life and Angela’s hair has me in envy as well. Again I was like should I cut it short and dye it bright red, because it looks so darn good on her, haha. I decided to play it safe this time around, do a little trim, maybe some more layers. My contemplations below all via google.

I think I am going to go for a beachy vibe, not in color but in extra long and wavy messy.

ultimate hair envy, Kirsty Hume

Opposite end of the spectrum

Anyone else getting their hair done today, let me know what look your going for?

Lauren

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Hair 101

February 28, 2011

It is my goal on this blog to have more original content posts. I have lots of things in my apartment that I would love to share so I thought why not start with hair. I have been growing out my hair from a horrible hair cut I had in L.A. for the last 4 years. I had it cut at this trendy barber shop on Fairfax and the guy butchered my hair. I literally cried on the way home and had to go back to have someone fix it. I felt so ugly, it was a mix between a mullet and a shag, just awful. It really does feel traumatic when someone ruins your hair and I am sure all you girls out there can relate. Anyhow, my hair right now is very long which makes me very happy and requires alot of maintenance. My favorite products below.

Because I color my hair every 10 to 12 weeks I have begun using L’oreal Ever Pure shampoo and conditioner. It is sulfate free which is great so it does not strip your color. On top of that it is also 100 percent vegan and I just love it. It makes my hair feel very soft and healthy and does not dry it out. And it is cheap too, under 10 bucks a bottle and can be found at any drug store.

John Frieda Radiant Red- My hair is dyed a natural looking auburn brown shade at the moment and I use the red shampoo to bring out my natural red highlights as well as to help maintain my color. I like to use it once or twice a week.

L’oreal Expert Intense Repair Masque- This deep conditioner is expensive, around 50 bucks but completely worth it. My hair is very thick and can get dry, especially from coloring. The mask makes it very silky smooth, comes in a big tub which lasts for months since I only use it once every one or two weeks.

Mane and Tail Detangler- Whenever I brush my hair after I wash it I need to douse my hair in the spray so I can actually get a brush through it. Such a life saver, without it my hair would be in knots. This brand is used on horses hair so you know it will be good on human hair as well.

Aveda Paddle Brush- All I can say is I have been using this brush since high school, every couple of years I buy a new one. They are around 18 dollars and are the only brush that feel good on my hair and actually can make it through the thickness.

Moroccan Oil- Love this product. I only put a little bit on my hair either wet or dry and it makes my hair more polished and smooth. Perfect to keep fly aways actually away.

Redken Glass- I have been using this product since college. Put a little on after you blow dry or flat iron your hair to keep it very sleek and smooth.

Sally Hershberger Wave Spray- It has a nice beachy smell and I spray on the ends of dry hair to scrunch it up and make it look a little messy and undone.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray- perfect for that I am on vacation but not really sea breeze hair. I use it on both wet and dry hair to try and bring out my natural waves.

Hope you enjoyed my first beauty product post. I will be doing many more of these soon. What are your favorite hair products?

Lauren

 

 

 

 

 

 

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George Boy

November 3, 2010

This Halloween post is coming a little late but better late then never. Dressing up like Boy George was not easy. It took forever and lots and lots of hairspray and ribbon tying to achieve the look not to mention lots of makeup. I am not going to lie, I felt much better when all of my make up and hair was back to a normal look. But it was fun for a couple of nights. When we left a bar Saturday night a homeless man yelled out hey its George Boy, that did make my night. Craig had a last minute costume change again and went as CC Deville of poison.

All of the clothing I am wearing came from my closet and is mostly vintage except the H&M pants and the boots were thrifted. Craigs shirt and jacket are vintage too.

What do you guys think about our costumes, did we pull it off?

Lauren

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