10 Tips for Thrift Shopping

I like to shop. I shop at thriftstores weekly, does that count as a lot? I can understand why someone might assume that this is materialistic, and in essence, yes - it is. I am collecting material items, but allow myself to defend....myself. The act of thrifting is something different than waltzing into a Forever 21 soley to distract my mind from reality or fill a void like a broken hearted lover does with a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Don't get me wrong, I have done that (the Forever 21 thing and the Coffee Toffee Crunch thing). Unlike fast fashion retailers though, thrifting comes with a thrill - walking into the mothball smelling and occasionally itchy unknown. Thrift Stores are in a way our own little modern-day museums of anthropology. You have NO CLUE what treasures you will stumble upon whilst you peruse amongst the belongings of the departed or the items previously stowed in attics until someone finally decided to donate them (thank you, someone). When you find that weird and wonderful something, it is the best feeling. And that's the difference.

With all that said, I can state with enough confidence that I've got some thrifting skillzzzz, and I would like to share them with you, lover.

1. Scan aisles for color and texture: This is skill I acquired only in the past year or so. Thrift stores can be a bit over whelming. Instead of thumbing through every item on a 20 foot rack (particularly if you plan on hitting more than one shop in a day especially if you plan on hitting more than one shop a day) scan slowly with your eyes. Look for colors and patterns you love or good texture in the clothing. You know when something is well made by the feel of it. When an item catches your eye take a better look. No need to put your eyes on the entirely of every piece of clothing in a thrift store.

2. Inspect like mofackin' inspector gadget: For realzz. Look for loose or missing buttons, tears and/or doo doo stains. (Sorry I'm not sorry I went there). If it has any of these, move on. Which leads me to #3...

3. If it needs too much work or doesn't fit, don't buy it: Unless you are a DIY ninja or the piece is AMAZING OUT OF THIS WORLD DYNO-MITE, don't bring home things you'll need to alter/fix. You will most likely NOT get that stain out. You will most likely NOT take that dress in. You will however end up with bags full of clothes at Buffalo Exchange/Beacons Closet/Your neighborhood consignment shop hoping they will throw you some bones for the items that you never got around to altering.

4. Take your time (it's supposed to be fun and fascinating): Secondhand stores are like museums. For full thrifting satisfaction don't just look for a specific thing. Have a good laugh at some of items. Marvel in the weirdness of it all. It's fun to treasure hunt! I like to take my time and look in every section. If you're in a hurry or with someone who doesn't necessarily dig on digging in thrift stores all the fun will be RUINED!!! RUUUUU-EEEEEEEEND!!! (I yelled that at the sky with my fist in the air for added drama)

5. Wear your thriftin' clothes! Many thrift stores don't have dressing rooms. It's good to wear something comfortable and easy to try things on over (tights, t-shirts, flats, sandals or skirts for example). Don't be too prideful to pull a dress over your head in the aisles. Really, no one there gives a care. Also, bring a pair of socks incase you want to try shoes on. And for the love of all things holy, wear underwear.

6. Venture outside the women's section: You can find some great plaid button ups in the youth section, or cute little jackets and coats. The men's section has a plethora of oversized dress shirts and chunky Cosby sweaters. (I've found some great shoes in the men's section too!)

7. Home Goods is a DIY haven: I've always found home good DIY's to be easier than anything that has to do with sewing. The home goods sections in a thrift store is a wooden/metal/plastic junk pile of inspiration! Pretty much any item in this section can be painted and spruced up. (Candle holders, frames, vases, etc).

8. Ask when they restock: Typically thrift stores have certain days when they haul new items out (specifically furniture). Ask a friendly clerk! Show up early too for first dibs!

9. Go off the beaten path: Take the time to drive 15 more minutes to a more obscure part of town. Everyone LOVES the "novelty" of thrift stores, but many people aren't going to drive to the "less economically affluent" parts of town to really treasure hunt. My favorite thrift stores are in places I don't otherwise normally go. The Goodwill in Santa Monica? Not fabulous. Sun Thrift in Sun Valley? Booya.

10. Don't forget the jewelry: I use my phone to tell time. Watches? Fashion statement. I love buying those little gold and silver watches and wearing 2 or 3 at once. Retro men's watches are cute to stack too (see here). Also, you can find tons of far out broaches and maybe even a bolo tie in the jewelry case at a thrift store.

BONUS*** Do yourself a favor and if you're going thrift shopping go to more than one place in a trip. If you strike out at one place, chances are you'll do better at the next.

License to Eel

 Guys. Be honest. Do I look like an Easter themed business woman? I was super pumped about this outfit (see: happy little trees on skirt with bows and matching vintage eel skin clutch) then I walked proudly out of the room and Jonathan looks at me and enthusiastically says "Easter!" Yes, babe. These are Easter colors. All of them. Dammit! It momentarily made me doubt my ensemble, but then I did a skirt spin and all of my worries were forgotten! Skirt spins have that effect, have you noticed?

Okay, I know what you're thinking, "Hold UP sister....did you say EEL SKIN?" Yes, yes I did. I had no idea when I purchased it what it was. I could tell it was well made because of the quality of the stitching and lining. I figured the material was some sort of vinyl. It almost looks like a someone took a green magic marker to this thing. Upon further inspection I found the label said 'Hand Made In Korea Genuine Eel Skin'. Well, there you have it. I'm basically accessorizing with sushi.

{Clutch: Vintage (Similar)}{Shoes: Seychelles (similar)}{Blazer: Thrifted Anne Taylor (similar)}

{Boustier: Chelsea and Violet (similar)}{Glasses: Flea Market (similar)}{Necklace: Nordstrom Rack}{Skirt:Vintage}

Vinyl Veekend: The English Beat

I don't know about the rest of you, but Spring is upon us in LA. Lots of beautiful warm sun shiny weather. If that is not the case for you, I'm so sorry. Perhaps a listen to The English Beat will brighten your day! (It will). A little bit ska, a little bit mod, a dash of punk and maybe a pinch of new wave...if you like The Clash or The Specials, you will most likely bop your head to these brits. (We saw them at The Granada in Dallas not to long ago with Fishbone, and they still got it!)

Thrift Store Haul

1. Floral Tapestry Weekender- Everyone is pinning the shite out of those tribal weekenders (including myself). When I saw this Tapestry Weekender at Goodwill I thought it was a lovely alternative. It's well-made and was totally worth 14 bucks. I have a sneaking suspition Tapestry is about to get reeeal trendy. I bet we'll see some form of it in Urban Outfitters soon.

2. Blue Felt Hat with Strange Fluff- Jonathan eyed this one. $3. Honestly I haven't figured what to wear this with yet. That "gym sweatshirt" light blue heather is a toughie. Any suggestions?

3. Vintage Velvet/Ribbon Pillow- This matches the quilt on my bed perfectly, and even if it didn't vintage-y pillows you can pretty much toss anywhere to spruce up an otherwise boring nook and/or cranny. It was so sweet, I had to get it. I'm pretty picky about housewares in thrift stores, but this one spoke to me. $3.

4. Floral Thangs- The brighter pink dress is your stereotypical 90's dress...with a super rad cut out in the back. I'm gonna Drew Barrymore this mofo and rock it with some Docs. The cream skirt with the bigger floral pattern is a very special find. It's a super high waisted skirt that is the perfect floor length. If it was wintery enough I'd wear it with a bright turtleneck. I think I'll keep it forever. :)
Dress: $7 Skirt: $8

5. Macrame-ish Handbag- I just haven't bought a good little bag in a while and this one will do all spring and summer long. Does macrame ever go out of style? What? It did in the 80's. Well, let's give it another chance. $4

6. Vintage Sheet Music- I love finding old books and paper in thrift stores. We use this for collages. Jonathan uses it more than I do for his art in general. I really can't get enough of this stuff though. The old paper and fonts are so romantic. The dusty, muted colors of old sheet music is the stuff of my dreams.

You have any thrift store scores of late? I've been on a rampage!

Sunny Side of the Street

You know those simple things people talk about...the ones that make life worth living? That's what evening dog walks with Jonathan, Delilah and U.B. are. Although, I need to work on getting off of my ass and actually going on them every night instead of once or twice a week. When I do go though, the sun usually hasn't tucked behind the houses yet, and we can still walk in warmth with looooong shadows in front of us. We don't talk about anything too important, just what we need to get done that week or plans for dinner. Though I've lived in this neighborhood for 7 months, it is so chalk full of cute little houses I see new things on every walk I hadn't noticed before. Accent doors, tiled mosaics incorporated into landscapes, adorable gardens with rose bushes and lemons trees. And if we're lucky, the field at the foot of our 'hood is open and we can play fetch with the girls. (Fetch = we throw the ball and they might chase after it if they feel like it and bring it half way back, drop it and eat some dirt). I love those little dirt eaters. 

Links A La Mode: February 14th

Yipee! Happy to be apart of this week's Independent Fashion Bloggers Links a La Mode. Check out the other awesome bloggers I made it with!! And go to www.heartifb.com if you're a blogger and not already a member. They have tons of helpful information, and it's a great tool to use to meet like minded people!

Love, Prints & Inspired Style

Edited By: Taylor Davies

This week’s IFB Links a la Mode round up is a mish-mash of things that have me feeling very inspired on this Valentine’s Day. Some posts are about love and love stories (talk about fashionable couples!) some are all about amazing prints, and some are drawing inspration from cult classic films (Clueless!) and chic new exhibits in New York. Enjoy the round up and have a love-filled day!

 Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup: February 14th

• 5 Dimes For 9 Lives: ’As If’ Clueless-Inspired Post
• Cosmolawlitan: I’ll Pass – Some Labels Skipping New York Fashion Week
• Elegant Idiosyncracy: Confessions of a Fashion Obsessed Art Student
• Fashion Moriarty: The Fetishisation of Youth in Fashion
• Floral Mess: 5 Ways To Mix Prints
• Flounces and Flashes: Oscar De La Renta Gives Galliano A Comeback
• House of Jeffers: IFB Conference February 2013
• IFB: Amy Odell Asks Jennine Jacob & Others About ‘Finding The Next Bryanboy’
• Informed Style: Fashion Love Stories Pt. 1
• Miss City Chic: DIY Simple Tassel Bracelet
• Nothing to Wear: Dirty Thirty
• Style Curated: Shoe Obsession: A Preview
• Style Sizzle: Embrace Spring’s Fashion Trends Without Spending A Dime
• River City Chic: A Girly-Girl’s Guide to Leather
• Runway To Style: Victoria Beckham’s Lengthy Sensuality
• TLV Birdie: Live it Local #9: Black & White By Castro
• The PhotoGramps: Tribal on Trial
• Undercover Dress Up Lover: Snakes
• Anjelais: Tomboy Aeternus: A Style Journey
• What Would You Wear If: …You Were A Hitchcock Heroine

SPONSOR:

Shopbop New: Skirts, Pencil, Skirts, Pumps, Wedges, Flip Flops, Satchel Bags, Hobos, Lady Blazers, Ferragamo Flats, Jason Wu Bags

Versatility of a Black Dress

{Dress: Thrifted Vintage} {Boots: Sam Edelman (I found these on sale at LF in Santa Monica for $75!!!!)}

 {Fly Away Cardigan: Chelsea and Violet (similar)} {Star of David: Vintage, Gift from J} 
{Seahorse: Dolly Python Vintage} {Hat: Laced With Romance} 
{Talon Pinky Ring, Sunglasses: Melrose/Fairfax Flea Market} {Bracelets: Various}

I found this amazing black dress at a Thrift Store a couple of blocks from our house. It's my Lady Mary in Mourning/Stevie Nicks dress (if you haven't caught up on Downton Abbey, Lady Mary along with all the Granthams, is in mourning....I won't tell you why, but it I will tell you I cried). I love the drop waist and the lace detail along the bottom.

I had such a hard time deciding what to layer with this bad boy. Do you ever stumble upon a piece you feel so strong towards, the first time you wear it you just can't decide what else in your closet will do it justice? You don't want to wear anything that will over power it because you want it to shine, but you want to pair it with other parts that will be perfect supporting characters....do I sound neurotic? I think I might. With this dress, I thought about a boxy denim jacket, tried a couple of blazers and finally landed on this fly away lacy cardigan. I thought it was a little too obvious/matchy, but it looked good so I went with it. Also Jonathan was doing that lurking thing, where he's ready to go, but doesn't want to "pressure" me to hurry, so he doesn't say anything...he stands at the doorway and stares blankly. I usually try to hustle a bit when he's starts in on that. (He's a very patient man).

What would you have paired this dress with? Can't wait to test it's versatility.

(Feeling a little under the weather with a cold right now, excuse the lack of enthusiasm. My eyes may or may not have been crossing when I wrote this).

xo.

Chocolate Éclair's: Valentines Day Dessert

By: Hang Knighton

A note: This is the first installment of a regular guest post series by my best gal pal, Hang. She is a super duper rock star and seriously excels in a place where I feel as helpless as a kitten up a tree: The Kitchen...and I'm not so bad behind the lens so we decided to team up! She regularly entertains and cooks for 4-8 people at a time, and she does it all with a 2 year old at her feet or on her hip. Hopefully we can learn a thing or two from her series of posts (hopefully once a month!) 

Oooh-la-la, I do d’éclair! Is it a fancy no fry crème filled doughnut…or is the doughnut a fat American abomination of this delicate beauty? Eclairs are such a simple dessert but for some reason the dessert gods are out there clouding us in their éclair mystique. While I found this recipe on about.com I compared it to those of Martha Stewart and the CIA cookbook as well as a few others. I find it’s always good to compare recipes because after a while you can see which ones speak to your culinary sensibilities and you can also assess which steps or ingredients might be safely omitted or adjusted. Sometimes you don’t need that extra stick of butter or that extra cup of sugar nor do you need to make an ice bath for such and such. If the final product is high-fivable with friends and your man or lady smacks your bottom and winks while licking pastry cream off their lips, well, I think it’s a success! So grab a few simple things from your general grocer and voila! You will soon earn the rights to draw a skinny, swirled at the ends mustache on your sweaty upper lip while gesturing to be stuck in a giant box.      

Pastry Cream 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes 

Chill : 1 hour… It won’t be the end of the world as you know it if it doesn’t chill that long. I most certainly didn’t have the patience but for 30 minutes, maybe? 

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups whole milk

3 egg yolks

¼ cup granulated sugar

1/8 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:                                                                                          

In a small saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until it is just hot enough to steam. While the milk is warming, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, flour, and cornstarch until the mixture is completely smooth.

Once the milk is steaming, add half of it, whisking constantly, to the egg mixture. Add the milk and eggs back into the hot milk, continue stirring, and heat it for 1-2 minutes, until the custard reaches 170F on a digital thermometer and is very thick. It should be the consistency of pudding. By the time I rummage through my unorganized drawer for a thermometer it would definitely be too late. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and chill before filling pastry.

Pate a Choux (Pastry Dough)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup butter

1 cup water

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

Preparation: Makes enough dough for 8 medium-sized pastries

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter in the water. Add salt and flour, and stir until a sticky batter is formed. Take the batter off the heat and beat until it cools to about body temperature. Using a stand mixer is ideal. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the batter is smooth.

Preheat oven to 425F and lightly grease 1 baking sheet. Or just pop a sheet of parchment paper on the baking sheet and you are good to go. Spoon the prepared basic choux pastry dough into a pastry bag fitted with a wide, plain tip and pipe 8 5-inch lengths onto the baking sheet. It can also be spooned directly onto the baking sheet for a more rustic approach especially if your piping skills are lacking. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the éclairs puff up and turn golden brown. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before filling.

Chocolate Glaze

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (I prefer Lindt)

1/2 cup heavy cream

Make the chocolate glaze while the éclairs are baking and cooling. Place the chopped chocolate in a heat safe bowl and set aside. Heat the heavy cream just to boiling over low- medium heat and remove from the heat immediately. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and stir until it forms a thin, smooth consistency. Set the chocolate glaze aside at room temperature for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

To assemble the éclairs:

Fit a pastry bag with a medium-sized plain tip and fill it with vanilla pastry cream. Insert the tip of the bag into the end of an éclair and pipe about 2 1/2 tablespoons of pastry cream into it. Gently spread 1 tablespoon of chocolate glaze onto or carefully dip the top of each filled éclair into the glaze before serving.

Granny Chic: The Appeal of Dressing like Nana

{Jeans: Helmut Lang} {Shoes: Chinese Laundry} {Bag, Shirt, Scarf: Thrifted} 

{Sweater: Urban Outfitters} {Cat Glasses: Dolly Python}

I experience this sometimes: The sudden urge to dress like a grandma. Or at least be inspired by the collective Granny style consciousness...whether it be the Nana who still smokes cigarettes and floats about town in her muumuu and oversized sunglasses, or the MeeMaw who rocks knitted sweaters and scarfs in her hair and peers at you through cat glasses. This outfit isn't too over the top, but the glasses and the scarf were enough to satisfy. 

I like to think other girls who are into playing dress up have the Granny Chic impulse too. I mean, am I alone here? I do have a hypotheses as why every now and then I have these sudden urges:

Grandma's don't give no fuck. 

Honestly I hope when I'm older my personal stylings are as fun and easy as I imagine. I'll wear whatever lip color I want with whatever giant, gaudy pair of clip on earrings, huge sunglasses, high waisted elastic sparkly pants and/or muumuu with cute, yet comfortable shoes, gobs of jewelry and a very very funky hat that every 20 something fashionista wishes she had the nerve to rock.

AND I WILL DO THIS ALL WHILE HOLDING A SMALL DOG IN MY ARMS THAT PROBABLY DOESN'T LIKE YOU. 

Maybe I'm looking too much on the bright side, but that sounds pretty rad. To be at the age where self-conscioiusness falls by the way side and you REALLY wear whatever you want. NO ONE will judge you, in fact they will respect you. 

So sometimes I wanna dress like a granny. Don't you? 

Here are some women that knock my socks off:

(ALL OF THESE IMAGES ARE FROM ADVANCED STYLE. ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING AND INSPIRATIONAL BLOGS EVER)

Vinyl Veekend: Phosphorescent- To Willie

To Willie is the first Vinyl Veekend recommendation that has been released more recently. To Willie is an album comprised of 11 Willie Nelson songs handpicked by Matt Houck (the singer-songwriter behind Phosphorescent).  These aren't just any Willie songs, but hidden gems you probably haven't heard before (This excludes Texans. I know we've heard every Willie song under the sun :)).

In the 70's Willie recorded an album called "From Lefty to Willie". It was 10 Lefty Frizell songs Willie loved sung and recorded Willie style. (Willie Willie Willie is the word of the day). So here is Phosphorescent's To Willie album.

The idea is just so sweet. The music so good, DUH. Yes, you could just buy this on itunes, but in my snobby fucking opinion if you're listening to Willie Nelson in any capacity it should be on vinyl. All the little cracks and scratches that come with listening to a record really add to the ambiance of this album in particular.

Man. It makes my heart ache for Texas. I love you Willie.

(Our friendbro Zach showed me and Jonathan this album. So...thanks Z).

Tribal on Trial: Guide to Purchasing Trendy Patterns

I'm not a huge trend follower. Never got super into the high-low cut, didn't really dig those Jeffery Campbell platforms and I don't think I have once ombre'd myself in anyway. However, here I am wearing tribal jeans. (I see the irony of blogging being super trendy and me being a blogger. Let's move past that). 

Well, yes I went on a bit of a rant about the trendiness of certain patterns (tribal print being one of them) in this post. I can understand how it may seem hypocritical that I'm striking a pose in them here.  However, I'm finding this seemingly hypocritical situation a fabulous opportunity to share my opinion on purchasing trendy anything... patterns in particular. It's best to buy cheap OR invest big. Let's take tribal for example. I got these jeans at TJ Maxx for $20. They don't fit like my Helmut Lang jeans, but when I'm feeling funky, they do the trick. When Tribal is COMPLETELY dead like disco (actually disco lives on in my heart. The Bee Gees are winners forever) I can sell these to Buffalo Exchange and i won't have broken the bank. 

OR

Invest big in pieces that would authentically have a tribal pattern. A bag, a jacket, a beautiful blanket for your home, or a well made rug or a TeePee. I really believe that if something is authentic and well made it's never going to go out of style. See: Turquoise Jewelry. 

anyhoo, 

On the Dior sweater: Is it just me or do other Thrift Store Junkies find that Dior is the most common higher end designer found in thrift stores? Seriously. Sweaters and blazers gallore. Has anyone else noticed that? I mean, I'm not complaining. I love this sweater, and every blazer and shirt I've found for Jonny. I'm just wondering why vintage Dior seems to be the most common designer in thrift stores? 

Sick Dudes: Bill Murray, Macklemore and Others.

 It has been quite some time since I have done a men's post. I used to do regular installments of sick dudes, but somehow it phased out. A homie of mine was telling me the other day he'd like to see me do more posts on man-style. If there's one thing the blogosphere is lacking it's men's style. So, here it is the totally raddest most stylin' dudes of late. 

This is a preeetty strong way to start out the post. I feel if you don't know why this dude is sick you might need to have your peepers examined. It's the little details with him: Velvet textured pocket square: sophisticated. Crisp white shirt sans collar? What a dare devil! Mixing metal accessories? And is that a purple iphone I see? This man is breaking the boundaries of gender specific colors a la Prince. And there is also the minor detail of his perfectly salt and peppered wiley dreads. 

{image: http://thegiftsoflife.tumblr.com}

This was my favorite shot of all the photos of Bill Murray in the latest GQ. He is the sickest dude of all. I'm particularly digging the ease in which he sports the brightest of blue cardigans in this shot. (Also, his shoes and pants. Eeeeeeeee!) 

{image source}

Men, there is no shame is rocking clothing with animals printed on them, but let's face it: the screen printed T's from Urban Outfitters in the style of a thriftstore find are getting a little majorly boring. This guy's shirt is next fucking level. So is his pose. 

{image: The Sartorialist}

This is what happens when Punky Brewster and Dwayne Wayne get together and have a Strong Black Man baby. 

{Image: The Sartorialist}

Yes Macklemore. Yes to your gold chains. Yes to your Air Jordans. Yes to the snake skin around your neck. Yes to the mixing black with brown and pulling it off. And to the hat, yes. Yes. A MILLION TIMES YES!

{Image: Dirty Laces}

Soft Tones and Smart Shopping

I'm laughing into my hair (eating it???)  in the first picture because Jonathan straight up called me out on making a "blue steel" face. He was all, "babe, don't make that face." I don't know what the big deal is. I was just trying to be a super model. 

Anyhoo, this is a casual look for me (a bit gussied up with the shoes. Honestly I put chucks on after these shots). I really love soft dusty tones because they complement my fair complexion. As opposed to neon. Neon makes me look like Jessie Spano. It's not the best. 

I saved a bundle on this outfit. The shoes were my mom's, but she is clumsy and falls a lot, so she gave them to me. Wedges just aren't the wisest choice for her. I love these Sam Edelmans 'cause they have little shoe collars, I can flip 'em up or down, depending on my sassiness. The sweater is Free People, but I found it at TJ Maxx while I was getting my "Maxxinista" on. The jeans are Helmut Lang, and I scored them at Nordstrom Rack for 65 smack-a-roos!!!! HELMUT EFING LANG. They were originally liiiiike $300. Booya! 

Why is it so satisfying to share your savings with the world? I feel a lot of people get satisfaction out of doing this. With so many high dollar fashion accessories and items being status symbols (i.e. the Loius Vuitton bag, the Hermes scarf, the Tory Burch flat (if you are a suburban soccer mom)) you would think one would be less inclined to tell you that someone else farted in their J.Crew pants but they got them on consignment SUPER CHEAP. I'm sorry I had to go there. A friend told me the other day, he didn't like buying second hand pants because he knows someone else farted in them...I laughed hard.  

For me thriftiness is a status symbol. Shopping smart and thrifting doesn't come easy for eveyone. In fact I would go so far as to say that it is a skill that is learned and perfected. 

Do you share your savings too? What is it about is that makes us so proud?

{Sweater: Free People (similar)} {Bag: Lula B's} {Jeans: Helmut Lang, Nordstrom Rack} {Scarf: H&M, (old)} {Shoes: Sam Edelman} 

Vinyl Veekend: Shangri-Las

The Shangri-Las aren't just any saccharine girl group form the 60's. Spooky is a word that comes to my mind when I listen to their tunes. (Also, there are identical twins in this group, so ya know...that's kinda creepy. We all have The Shining to thank for that). It's not that the Shangri-Las aren't poppy, they are...and they're fun and sing-songy. The voice of Mary Weiss just has a tinge of desperation that other female voices of the 60's lacked. The teenage angst in their tunes clearly influenced pop punk music of the 70's. Blah blah blah.

Another bad-ass thing I just learned about them: they were known for being "tough girls". They sang about hot boys with dirty fingernails and cool shades. So rad. Also, Mary Weiss got busted by the FBI when  carrying a firearm across state lines. (Thanks Wikipedia)!!! She was all, 

"If some butthole sneaks into my hotel room again, I will not hesitate to shoot a mofo."

Go getcha some Shagri-Las. They aren't just a novelty 60's girl group.