Baby it’s cold outside. Time to check out our great selection of coats. There is some dynamite cashmere from the 1950’s, when “cashmere” meant warm soft and endlessly durable. We also have a couple of 60’s era faux leopard coats so you can look sophisticated like Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate.” Warmest of all, there’s shearling, beaver, and mink, some real, some faux, all vintage.
Uncategorized
How about these for christmas?
1990-present, Beautiful Things, Style, Uncategorized
Just arrived: cherry red pair of Balenciaga sandals. They are marked size 7 1/2, but fit more like a 6 1/2. There’s only one pair here- so maybe you can be the lucky one. Come see!
Holiday gift ideas
Uncategorized
It’s getting down to the wire for holiday gift ideas. We have lots of bags made by “One Swell Gal,” Natasha Keller, our in house designer and fashion maven.
More gift ideas: For ladies, we have lots of warm leather gloves, wooly scarves, sassy French Berets, cozy cashmere socks, essential oil perfumes, and scented soy candles from Southern Alchemy. For men, there are sleek leather wallets, ski sunglasses, leather jackets, felt hats, and cashmere sweaters.
1940’s full skirt coat
1940-1950, UncategorizedWe purchased this coat from our friend Betty, who lives in Corning, NY, and is 97 years old. She is more energetic and positive than most people a quarter her age, and we look to her has a great example of how to live.
This 1940’s coat features a nipped in waist and a full skirt. It has a lovely shape, with sleeves that start wide under the arms, and get tight around the wrists (warm!) and the full bottom has such graceful movement.
Screen printing
1990-present, Style, Uncategorized
We are putting together a great collection of screen printed dresses, shirts, tote bags, note books, and zippered pouches from a number of talented designers, including: One Swell Gal, Blackbird Letter press, Deadworry, Track and Field, and Made with Love By Hannah. 
Our favorites are the ones with references to nature and old printing styles, like this sweet Bunny Rabbit tote.
The curious sofa
1920-1930, Windows
Our Halloween window is taking a page from “The Curious Sofa, a pornographic work by Ogdred Weary.” This slim little volume is actually the work of the great illustrator/writer, Edward Gory, and no one does creepy better than Gory. In the window we are showing a 1920’s pale green flapper gown, a turn of the century Tuxedo, a velvet sofa, and a diamond adorned arm reaching out from underneath. Happy Halloween everyone!
Remembering Irving Penn
1940-1950, Beautiful Things, Windows
In the early 80’s a teenage girl picked up a book of extraordinary photographs of ordinary people, and decided then and there that she wanted to be a photographer. The book was the work of Irving Penn, the famous fashion photographer for Vogue. His portraits featured very plain canvas back drops, and his studio made use of the North light. We designed this window in memory of his passing away this week. The dress is a 1950’s Suzy Perette version of a “New Look” gown. There are a couple of 50’s era Vogue magazines on the black trunk. The camera is a Burke and James 8×10 view camera. Mr. Penn’s photographs continue to inspire.
1940’s velvet and tulle gown
Beautiful Things, Uncategorized
A lovely lady visited the shop this week with a pile of dresses from “When I was a young girl.” She still looked like a young girl to me, but, she said she no longer had occasion to wear these beauties. “Yes, I had wonderful times in these gowns, but nobody dresses up anymore.” It’s nice to be reminded of what people used to wear to a party. This dress is a celebration in its self.
1950’s chiffon gown with velvet rugby stripes
1950-1960, Beautiful Things, Uncategorized
Here’s another of the many great gowns that have arrived in the store this week. This one is a 1950’s chiffon with sporty looking graphic velvet stripes. Wear with Cinderella’s glass slippers or pink Chuck Taylors.
Apple Harvest Festival
1990-present, Special Events, Windows
We did a “William Tell” window for the Apple Harvest Festival on the Ithaca Commons this past weekend. What a wonderful event. Local farmers bring all kinds of exotic apples, grapes, pumpkins etc, artisans display crafts, Brotchen Cafe serves unbelievable apple strudel, and thousands of people have a really good time.