Off Season Shopping - Shimmer, Sparkle and Shine For Summer

Since  we've just seen the runway shows for Spring 2011 and Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are already sending email about their Resort Collections, I've got warmer weather on my mind.  Not to mention that we just a week of not warm but hot sunny days here in Los Angeles, a true Indian Summer.
Is it too early to start thinking about shopping for next Summer?
I don't think so, especially when there are benefits to off season shopping.
Look what I found ON SALE at Couture Allure Vintage
Naturally, I paired these vintage dresses with estate jewelry from Beladora.com.
Let's start with this shimmery little number, cute isn't it?

A 1950's Gold Wiggle Dress on Sale for $145

Yellow and White Diamond Earrings $3850

Yellow and White Diamond Ring $3850

Also on sale at Couture Allure is this sparkly lilac sequin dress 

Vintage Lilac Sequin Cocktail Dress $50

Amethyst and Diamond Earrings $1150

Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring $1850

Finally, Couture Allure has this slightly psychedelic beaded shiny gown in shades of green

Vintage 1960's Beaded Floral Evening Gown $50

Carved Peridot, Orange Sapphire and Pink Tourmaline Earrings $4450

Peridot and Diamond Cocktail Ring $3750

Now...if I buy one (or all three) of these dresses I'll be appropriately outfitted if someone just happens invites me to a poolside cocktail party.
Just saying, it's good to be prepared because you never know what the future has in store for you.

Around Town - The Santa Monica Vintage Expo

After years of following Mary Kincaid's Zuburbia blog, I was pleased to finally get a chance to meet Mary last weekend at the Vintage Clothing Expo show in Santa Monica. 
Mary is a specialist in vintage clothing with the eye of a museum curator.  She can spot a Lilly Ann, a Suzy Perette, a Galanos, a Ceil Chapman or just about any other classic American fashion designer at a distance.  Her blog is highly informative with posts about vintage designers, where to shop for vintage items, vintage picks of the week and a weekly eBay round up. 

So, not only does does this busy woman blog, she has an online boutique where each item in her vintage collection is hand picked for its special design aesthetic. 

I'm really excited for Mary because she will soon have her vintage clothes featured on 1stDibs...and if that isn't a recipe for success, then I don't know what is.

(perhaps Beladora will be invited to join the 1stDibs crew one of these days...........)

Summer Shopping Spree - Estate Emeralds and Vintage Oscar de la Renta

How amazing is it that in the Estate Jewelry world that we just bought the emerald earrings and ring that perfectly match our Fred Leighton emerald and diamond necklace aka my signature necklace from my profile picture. What were the chances that an international private client would just happen to want to sell these pieces...and we would just happen to want to buy them. 
Here we have Mademoiselle de Ville, in her gray t-shirt, modeling the suite. 

Now...I just have to put my mind to it and find some fancy schmancy black tie gala to attend where I can wear these emeralds....and my vintage Oscar de la Renta evening gown, recently purchased from Couture Allure Vintage.

Miss de Ville thinks that the gown is a little too "saloon girl", whereas I prefer to think of it as Belle Epoque.  At any rate, no one will notice the dress if I wear it with the emeralds.
Now...bring on the black tie events....I am ready and willing.