Fashion Blogs

I’m loving both of these dresses that came out from the same thrift store because both are different in their own right.  The solid black Shoshanna dress with the stitching, collar & sleeves are what I find unique about this dress.  The black & white Jackson Pollack inspired DVF reissued wrap dress is timeless.  In 1997 DVF relaunched her line of wrap dresses and each season has included a reissued print or 2 from her 1970′s collections.  So this Jackson Pollack print was a print from the 70′s a

I walked out from the thrift store with both the short sleeve Prada red shirt & long sleeve Dunhill shirt for ME.  This is the perk that I love about my job, I hunt for luxury treasures all day long and when I find a little somethang somethang for me well it just makes my life so much sweeter.  I can’t think of any man on this planet that wouldn’t love to find and to wear Prada or Dunhill especially at thrift store prices.  The thing I absolutely love about thrifting is that I find items that ar

So far I’ve found scarves by: Dior, Halston, Hermes, Pucci, Valentino, YSL & now I can add Cartier to this list.  I was shopping in an antique booth when in the corner of my eyes I see a scarf basket and you know me I’m not one to pass up on checking out scarves.  I kept pulling out scarf after scarf until I spotted the Cartier one in the basket.  I looked at the rolled edge the vibrant colors and of course the tag.  It’s in excellent condition looks like it’s some sort of commemorative scarf fo

I love the difference in fabrics on this blog posting, the DVF is silk velvet with the vintage Genny classic nubby tweed fabric.  It just doesn’t get anymore yummy than this.  I didn’t flinch for one second when I saw this 2 piece Genny, made in Italy, suit in the thrift store, not one second.  I knew instantly that I would grab this and run to the counter.  This pattern is classic and the construction of this suit is impeccable.  The richness of the DVF silk velvet sheer blouse is sexy in its o

I stumbled upon a few great vintage clothing boutiques online and I taught I would share a post for members looking for great vintage clothing and accessories. You can learn more at: Vintage Clothing Boutiques.

Our first issue for 2013 showcases vintage shapewear, burlesque and the stunning fashions of Chi Zhang!

<div> <div style="width:420px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/maniera/docs/maniera_-_vol1issue5?mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=burlesque" target="_blank">More burlesque</a></div></

Somehow the GODS were with me when I was thrifting this day because I first picked up the black silk Oscar de la Renta scarf and then minutes later I scored this new, still with tag,Oscar de la Renta skirt.  So I started off by finding 2 Oscar de la Renta pieces and then I found this AMAZING Michel Klein white jacket made in France with fabulous buttons.  Just look how this is constructed in the back of this jacket…  It’s STYLISH beyond any words can describe and yet at the same moment subtle.  

One of my favorite clients recently came into my boutique (Doubletake) she’s 92 andSTYLISHHHHHH.  I was showing her a few fantastic items in the store one being a Lanvin lingerie gown that I have in the store with a black patent leather belt and a red Nicole Miller bolero jacket and she just DIED….  I pointed out to her that the Lanvin was indeed lingerie and I said “no body cares that this is a nightgown when you add the accessories to it that just disappears”….  She said “I totally agree with

Fabulous fashions from Beijing, swimwear from Brazil, animation from Australia, Gooey chocolate cakes from the UK, Burlesque from the USA, the human face of robotics, vintage shapewear and more! Check out the latest edition of the real life MANIERA
http://mymaniera.com

<div> <div style="width:420px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/maniera/docs/maniera_-_vol1issue5?mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open public

Our readership has been steadily increasing over the last few months, and we have a readership that crosses the globe and is, just like our editorial team, truly international.
We look forward 2013 with excitement and one of our goals is to get you, the reader, more involved in the content of the magazine. We want to hear from you! Do you have an idea for a feature? Are you a writer and would like to contribute to our magazine or website? Are you an artist or photographer or know one you would li

I love this abstract painting from Shoshanna, and that’s exactly what I call it, the silk top is like a piece of modern art.  It’s very  fresh and when I saw it in the thrift store I grab first and ask questions later….  Who knows how this amazing treasure found its way into a thrift store but their loss is my (our) gain.  Shoshanna launched her line in 1998 and has quickly become synonymous with chic sophisticated STYLE so much that Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus & Sak’s all carry this brand. 

If there’s one thing I love finding it would be Halston and if there’s one thing I love finding it would have to be vintage Calvin Klein….  Who doesn’t love finding Halston?  I’m a huge fan of this brand and love it when I am lucky enough to find vintage 70′s Halston dresses…  it’s rare but such a treat.  I have to say when I found this black vintage 80′s Calvin Klein I was quite pleased with myself, I must say.  Vintage Calvin Klein is very collectible and yes it was made in the USA that tells

I have no idea who designed this navy silk poncho but it’s so over the top HOT HOT HOT that I just had to buy it when I was thrifting.  The great thing about this silk poncho is that you can basically wear just about anything underneath it and be VOGUE as the day is long.  Wear a belt with this or even wear the longest strand of pearls on the planet and this will give you the look everyone wants.  I wasn’t about to pass on this bright yellow summery Shoshanna dress with eyelet fabric by hell no.

<div> <div style="width:420px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/maniera/docs/maniera_-_vol1issue5?mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=burlesque" target="_blank">More burlesque</a></div></div>

I had to contain myself when I saw the Pierre Balmain label on this white linen top at the thrift store. Really I had to contain myself. It’s my dream to find a 1960′s Balmain gown at a thrift store and pay just $6.00 for it, yes that’s actually a dream of mine…. So until that day comes true finding something modern from Balmain will do.  I remember my first trip to Paris back in the 80′s, I stayed with my friend Terri who was a BIG time runway showgirl back in the 80′s and she worked the Balmai

I’m back on my blog after the Christmas holiday visit to my family in Texas and our cross country road trip funeral for Mitch’s dad.  We were so busy during the funeral I really didn’t have time to post another blog post where I took Mitch’s 12 year old nephew thrift store shopping for his grandfather’s memorial services… I took Joshua shopping with his father and immediately Doug, his father,  found him the perfect wool jacket and I found him a nice shirt, tie, pants (2) and shoes.  Oh yes and

My eyes really peeked up when I saw this Gianni Versace label inside this animal print sweater and when my partner Mitch saw it he grabbed it for himself…  I have no idea if this sweater was designed for men or women but at the end of the day who really gives a shit?  It’s a unisex sweater in my opinion so when Mitch grabbed it and ran off with it I was ok with it…  Who doesn’t want to wear vintage Gianni Versace anyways?  I can think of no-one!  Doing research for this blog posting I Googled Gi

Recently I was just at the  Indianapolis Museum of Art to see “An American Legacy: Norell, Blass, Halston & Sprouse” exhibition and to say it blew me away would be putting that mildly.  Bill Blass is American Royalty and finding vintage Blass is Royal alright!  I couldn’t believe my luck when I scored this velvet cropped jacket & skirt by legendary Bill Blass, it’s so fresh and modern as the day it was first designed.  VintageBlass NEVER ever goes out of STYLE and if you see his goods in a major

I just wanted to tell every one of my readers Happy Holidays and thank you all for reading my blog.  I will be traveling to Texas to see family so I won’t be updating & blogging until I return which is Dec 31st 2012.  Until then please revisit my old blog postings and please share my blog with anyone you think might enjoy reading how you too can learn to shop “green” and shop for STYLE.  

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This is just one of the many perks I get while I’m out thrifting for my clients and that is finding ME some luxury goodies… This black Ermenegildo Zegna v- neck tee shirt was brand new and I know this from the look & feel of the fabric as well as that “new” scent.  Love this Italian men’s fashion brand and I’m lucky enough to have salvaged plenty of it throughout my thrifting days…  When you see this label out thrifting GET IT for your boyfriend, dad or yes yourself!  This brand is sold exclusiv