Lucite International, owner of the LuciteLux(R) cast acrylic brand, today launched a Pinterest giveaway to bring attention to its inaugural JUST IMAGINE Awards program.  Followers of the brand’s JUST IMAGINE Awards board on Pinterest have a chance to win one of three prizes made with LuciteLux(R): a vintage handbag, an Alexis Bittar cuff bracelet and a Jonathan Adler vase.

To win, you must create a Pinterest board entitled “JUST IMAGINE with LuciteLux(R)” containing a photo of the JUST IMAGINE Award logo and the phrase “justimagine” between now and June 10, 2013 to be eligible. They can post other images of products made with LuciteLux(R) to their boards or rename an existing board “JUST IMAGINE with LuciteLux(R)” and pin the logo image. To learn more, visit here.

I’m entering! Are you? If so, good luck!

It’s that time! Time to spring clean. And closets need a good cleaning out as much as the rest of your home. Carolyn Schneider, expert bargain shopper and author of The Fifth Edition of The Ultimate Consignment & Thrift Store Guide, offers the following tips on how to efficiently clean your closets

1. Separate Your Clothing Into Four Categories:

Category 1-To sell to a consignment store. Is the item classic, a high-end brand, and in great shape?

Category 2-To donate to a thrift store. Is the clothing older, or from a less well-known brand?

Category 3-To reconstruct. Do you love the fabric, color, or pattern? Do you enjoy crafting, and/or having one-of-a-kind pieces?

Category 4-To keep. Some clothes are timeless staples or have emotional attachment, and belong in your closet for good.

2. Organize Your Closet by Seasons

this will make year-round cleaning easier. It will also give you a better sense of what you need to shop for, and what you may have too much of–in which case, see steps 1-3 above!

3. Know What to Consign for Maximum Profit

When choosing items to consign, designer labels will reap most profit. Items for consignment have to be cleaned, pressed, on hangers, and no more than two years old.

4. Learn How to Give and Receive

When donating to thrift shops, put the items you are donating into large plastic bags. At the store, request a receipt for tax purposes. The IRS allows you to deduct fair market value for items, which is the price the items will sell for in the thrift store.

5. Keep an Inventory List of Items you Would Like to Consign and Donate

Getting your different clothing to its new home may not happen all at once. Keep a running list to stay organized, and so you are not cleaning them back out of your closet next spring.

6. Recycle with Style

Don’t throw out those ripped jeans, turn them into a new and unique handbag! Reduce waste, save money, and update your style by creating new pieces with old clothing. Browse Pinterest or DIY blogs for ideas and directions.

image source: Dear Pao

Today is the opening of The Great Gatsby. I bet you are going to the movies this weekend to see it right? Well I can say I was lucky enough to attend a very Jay Gatsby affair at a real life 1920s Hollywood mansion. I was so thrilled to be Heather Petrey’s, of LA Fashionsnob, plus one to Sue Wong‘s Fall 2013 collection preview.

Sue Wong is a master at taking glamorous vintage looks and transforming them into sequined, feathered and beaded modern interpretations. Unlike many designers who take vintage inspiration and strip it of its intricate details, Sue Wong pays homage to past decades with an equal appreciation to the lost art of details that make vintage garments so special. She did not fail with this Gatsby inspired collection. Modern flappers and enchantresses were dripping with figure flattering gowns covered jewels, lace, chiffon, feathers and beads. It’s as if Daisy Buchannon invited her glittering friends for a frolic in her grand home.

The event was held at Sue Wong’s glorious mansion in Los Feliz. The Cedars was built in 1926 for MGM director and screenwriter Maurice Tourneur. The historic Hollywood was referred to as the Talmadge Estate after silent screen star Norma Talmadge who along with Errol Flynn, Marilyn Monroe, Bela Lugosi, Howard Hughs, Jimi Hendrix, Lou Reed, Johnny Depp, Dennis Hopper, and many others, have called this home.

I channeled my inner flapper girl with a 1960s does 20s drop waist dress, a 1970s lariat necklace, a custom made 1920s necklace. You can check out some personal style images on my Facebook page

1920s Gatsby style is going to be huge, I predict for several seasons. I would highly recommend a piece or two from Sue Wong’s collection. Every piece was lovely.

In the meantime, check out some images from the event..

all photos property of Heather Petrey/LA Fashionsnob

What have you scored lately? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

I have been looking for a more practical jewelry armoire. The problem is they didn’t really exist in the mid century. At least  I can’t seem to find any. With the exception of this one…

George Nelson rosewood and painted metal miniature six-drawer jewelry chest on stand. Image courtesy of Bonhams.com. via CollectorsWeekly.com

And best of luck to anyone trying to find a George Nelson jewelry armoire. Isn’t it gorgeous?! Hm. Maybe I can hack one!

So I was ready to settle for this modern armoire with a definite mid century look.

The walnut stain is perfect with my current bedroom furniture. But the universe is against me right now. This style is sold out! An espresso color version is available, but it’s way too dark. I am back to square one. So I am asking for help!

Does anyone know of any mid century, retro, vintage inspired, not ugly jewelry armoires to control my chaotic jewelry collection? Leave a comment!

I saw them stacked up on a table at the far end of the store – four beautiful vintage storage boxes covered in the most glamorous gold, silver and cream quilted vinyl.

I will admit publicly that I am not the most organized person so these beauties were quickly MINE! Not only did I cure my need to discover vintage treasure, but I can get organized in style. Who would want an MDF shoe organizer when they can have these?

When I opened one up, the treasures continued. The original order for with the cutest design. If I could order more from this company using THIS order form, I would!

Style Me Vintage: Weddings by Annabel Beeforth (Chicago Review Press, Distributed by Independent Publishers Group) is a lovely new book for all the blushing brides who want to recreate dreamy weddings from the past. The photography made me swoon. So many images of beautiful brides and tons of vintage and vintage inspired details to make your wedding outfit not only period correct, but glamorous and fun.

The book is FULL of information and suggestions on how to create the wedding look of your dreams. It is broken down by a general information section at the beginning, a comprehensive visual and instructional guide on all the eras from Edwardian to the 1970s (good 70s ladies!). It even includes suggested scents, inspirational photography and film, a label guide and a list of suppliers. Each era also lists typical details of a wedding gown and look of that era. At only 175 pages, this book is chock full of information, resources, and inspiration if you are planning a vintage wedding.

Some vintage fashion books tend to give you just the history of fashion. Style Me Vintage: Weddings does a really good job of telling you exactly how to make vintage styles work for you and your body.

Excerpt:

There is something so wonderfully feminine and elegant about 50s wedding dresses that they appeal to many brides today—but be mindful of your body shape. The hourglass silhouette suits many body shapes, particularly those ladies with a fuller figure, but a dress with layer upon layer of tulle might overwhelm a tiny frame. Also, because the emphasis was on the nipped-in look, many original 50s wedding gowns available today will feature a very small waist, so it is critical you attempt to try an original gown on for fit before committing to buy it. A specialty alterations service may be able to modify a bodice to create a more comfortable fit, but this isn’t always possible.

It’s important to mention that those tiny waistlines of the 50s were given a helping hand by good corsetry! To create a similar, authentic silhouette, you may want to invest in a modern-day alternative set of underwear. Speak to a lingerie specialist, or even a dressmaker, who will be able to advise you on where to buy a suitable waist-cincher, if required.

Even though I am not planning a wedding, I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. The “real bride” looks and the modeled looks all offer inspiration beyond just the bid day. I can see some of the accessories, cakes and decor working for any special event. Multiple candy colored petticoats and floral topped cupcakes? Yes please!

Style Me Vintage: Weddings would make a perfect gift for a soon-to-be bride, a wedding or party planner, or anyone who deals with special occasion or vintage events. I’m sure my sister is going to secretly borrow it from my vintage resource library!

credit Joanna Brown Anova Books

credit Anova Books Joanna Brown

Anova Books Joanna Brown

I came across a small stack of vintage cookbooks from the 1950s recently. Originally I was just attracted to the covers and art (yes I am THAT girl that buys books for their covers). I had to keep these two – one for the man and one for me. The Betty Crocker cookbook has a dedication written from one woman to another about how much she will love this book since she is so busy these days. Cute!

In celebration of all things domestic, I am giving away eight short format cookbooks. All of them are from 1950. One even has a milk delivery receipt!

Here’s what you have to do…

• follow Debutante Clothing on Facebook   or
• follow on Twitter   or
• retweet, share, or email this to a friend if you are already following

UPDATE: Oh and please leave a comment below letting me know how you spread the love!

Also, if you are a vegetarian, let me know if you want a veggie cookbook in the comments!

I will choose eight winners at random next Wednesday 5/1

Good luck!

Ever wonder why some vintage dresses are so so hard to wear? It seems amazing how teeny women’s waists were in the past. Have we changed all that much. NO! The secret to getting that Joan Holloway hourglass figure, even back in the 1960s? Shapewear!

Check out this wonderful infographic on the history of shapewear and you’ll see that wearing vintage doesn’t take the perfect body. It takes a bit of magical underwear!

Find your best fitting shapewear at Herroom.

It never fails. Vintage dealers and shoppers wondering out loud why one vintage dress is worth over $200 in a boutique when an equally cute one at the flea market costs $40. Dealers wondering why they can only get $80 for a 1950s dress while another dealer gets almost $400 for a similar dress. Shoppers looking for something unique and pretty, grumbling about the $300 price tag.

The truth is, there are a number of factors that play into the value and price of a vintage dress. Vintage clothing really is not for the fan of fast fashion. That mentality goes out the window if you want to wear vintage. Here’s why…

1. Sourcing Vintage Is Time Consuming

The closest the vintage clothing marketplace has to a fashion week or Market, are vintage fairs and vintage expos such as the Santa Monica Vintage Expo and A Current Affair. These vintage marketplaces are highly curated so every piece is highly wearable. Vintage shoppers and dealers alike get to reap the benefits of someone’s hard work and dedication to find these gems. Of course the price tag will be higher – the hard work has been done.

But if you go to a flea market or thrift store, you have to do the grunt work. You have to sift through packed racks of really ugly pieces, damaged items and unwearable vintage do get the bargain basement prices.

Would you rather dig or pay someone a convenience fee for finding fabulous vintage for you?

2. Taste Level – The Eyes Have It

Anyone can source old clothing. The real talent comes when you can trust the dealer has a good eye – the unique ability to find beautiful pieces that are wearable, relevant and unique. This skill cannot be taught. No matter how many fashion books you read or how many episodes of Sex and The City you watch. Being able to pick out good vintage is a gift, like singing or painting. The best dealers have keen sense of design, construction, detail and combining history, fashion and sociology.

3.  Cleaning and Mending

It baffles me how many dealers on Ebay are able to sell “Minty” dresses. Where are these golden pots of vintage dresses? Because most of the dresses I have found need some kind of repair or restoration. A falling hem, an incorrect alteration, a tear or busted zipper. Vintage dealers have a love affair with their pieces. Each one is hard to part with because we know how special and rare they are. We want to bring them back to their glory as much as possible while still keeping a profit margin.

A dealer who is willing to clean their merchandise before selling it really cares about their customers. I wouldn’t want someone to receive a vintage dress that smelled of moth balls or nicotine. There is something to be said about customer service. It’s the equivalent of shopping at a department store that offers impeccable service, even if those jeans or that jersey dress could be purchased for less at a store with no customer service perks.

4. Scarcity

So I’m one of those kooky people that believes in the power of abundance. I firmly believe that I receive from the Universe as much as I give to the Universe. Sometimes that comes in the form of love and kindness, and other times the Universe repays me with pretty 1950s dresses! But as much as I pray that the Universe send me a lifetime couture Chanel piece,  the reality is that good vintage is being picked a feverish pace by everyone. People are going coo-coo for vintage. Great for sales, but finding good vintage is getting harder and harder. Especially for those of us who love mid-century and older vintage. So when a vintage seller can offer an array of beautiful frocks and baubles, you have to realize how difficult it was to find that piece for you.

So the next time you fall in love with a pretty, frilly thing that makes you feel like a movie star from a black and white film, don’t think twice! Grab that dress and run to the cashier before I do.

[image source: Reginas Studio - Etsy]