Research & Development: Vogue, Vogue, Vogue.

Big things in the works. Research includes flipping through my girl Amedee's library of Vogue's spanning the 80's through the 90's. So glad she has kept these all these years.

What Happens in Vegas...JACKPOT!!

Been back from Vegas for awhile but wanted to share the "jackpot" of my hunting in LV. Chanel goodies galore...handbag and jewels from the 90's shoes are modern but we don't hate on Chanel...ever. Big win in my book any day!

Something For The Ladies: The Goods! Are Coming to NYC!

I am setting up my Goods! at this one time only event in NYC this weekend. Open to the public, I'll be along side some of the finest brands offering the new and old! Here are the details:




Get your wallets ready ladies!!! This Saturday and Sunday, March 21st & 22nd at Valley in NYC, M.I.S.S. is teaming up with The Goods! to bring you a weekend of shopping, and beauty treatments! Shop vintage clothing and accessories from The Goods! and Funky Fanny's and pick up something new from Cubannie Links, Princess of the Posse, Office Tramp, Too Fly, Covet, Dirty Librarian Chains and Agapantha. Book your appointments NOW for one of the following beauty services offered by Valley: Manicure, Pedicure, Waxing or Facials. Receive 10% off all service if you spend $50 or more during the event (discount must be used the same weekend). We're doing it from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. both days. Come shop with us!

For appointments call: 212-274-8985. The shopping event is CASH only, although some vendors will be accepting credit cards via Pay Pal! Valley accepts all major forms of payment.

M.I.S.S. March: "Let Your Dreams Run Free"

March is "Women's History Month". Over at M.I.S.S. we decided for our monthly calender to pay tribute to Florence Griffith-Joyner, aka "Flo Jo" and do nails inspired by her wild and flamboyant style on and off the track. Using a pair of Nike track shoes circa 1999 and a pair of 80's leggings turned "one leggers" here's what we came up with.



Be inspired by the women that have come before you, the ones that are laying ground in the present and those yet to come. In 1988 this woman made history with three Olympic Gold Medal wins and broke the World's Record in the Women's 100m Dash. Florence Griffith-Joyner aka "Flo Jo" was dubbed the "fastest woman in the world" and although World Records and gold medals support that statement, Flo Jo not only ran fast but her unique sense of style on the track could not be denied. Let's start with those nails!!! At one point they reached lengths of 6.5"! For the 1984 Olympics in L.A., she maintained a more manageable length of 4" and painted three red, white and blue and a fourth gold for the medal she had hoped to win in the 200 meter dash . . . she ended in 2nd and with a silver medal. On and off the track she sported wild nail style. In 1985, after the track season ended, she styled friends' nails and hair in the evenings to help make ends meet. Flo Jo knows nails.



Read the full story and download the desktop image and calender here!

What Happens in Vegas...Day 5

Headed out to the LV fleamarket this day and hit up a couple of shops. My high-light? 60 pairs of deadstock coil shoelaces...kicks ain't ready!

What Happens in Vegas...Day 4

I wanna get HIIIIIIIIGH! And that's exactly what ensued on the 4th day in Vegas. Tradeshow duties done and with Michelle still in Vegas we drove wild through the streets and wreaked havoc on the second hand stores in LV. I'm not sure they knew what hit them. And by the end of the night we were both so worked-up up on our shopping high that Michelle missed her flight...cause she kept saying that she left at 10 p.m. when in fact she was due to arrive back in Oakland at 10 p.m. OOPS! It's cool, that vintage Chinchilla wrap I found for her was well worth it! She did a dance and all that proves it ;)

Here's a little taste of what Day 4 brought forth...

What Happens in Vegas...Day 2 & 3

Day two allowed no time for shopping...so sad! Day three I bought these BANANAS deadstock visor shades from Replay/LaBomba Vintage, hey I never claimed to not be a dork ;) Did a little bit of shopping after the tradeshow craze was over...

What Happens in Vegas...Day 1

Posted up in Vegas this week for the tradeshows....and of course...shopping! Yesterday I hit up 4 shops before having to head to the convention center. Here's The Goods! I found...including Prince's boots...wonder if he's missing those??

Nina Goes Home

Here are a couple more additions to the Nina Shoe archive in NYC. 80's gold mesh cowgirl boots found in the Bay Area and a pair of 70's platforms hunted in Eugene, Oregon. Glad The Goods! could help you find your way back home.

RE-UP: NYC...February

Here's a bit of what you can find from The Goods! in NYC...go and get some ladies!

Marmalade Vintage...



Daha Vintage...

NYC...Ready, Set, GO!

Thought I was a gonner fer a hot sec...yeah, had the worst Flu of my life...body hurt like "please kill me now"...but I kept reminding myself of my BFF Alice and how she recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy au natural...and I figured I'd live through the flu if she lived through that. So my NY travels have been postoned twice but I'm getting on that plan tomorrow morning!! Here's a tiny taste of my booty that I'm bringing to you NYC! Ready, set, let's Go!

RE-UP: NYC...January

It is BRICK on the East Side. And for some reason I rushed out to NYC...well the reason was (besides business) I really wanted to dance...so I scheduled my trip around dance parties....which proved to be a WIN! More on that later. Here's some of The Goods! now available to you New Yorkers...Get it Girls!

Daha get's a little...


Marmalade get's some...



Zachary's Smile get's re-stocked...

As Seen In Lady Caprice

French-based magazine, Lady Caprice recently did a feature on Lori Lobenstine, founder of Female Sneaker Fiend. As a members of FSF, Lori asked Gabriella (Mama Clothing) and I to submit photos of our collections for the piece. I stopped counting at 100 prs a long time ago...included some of my vintage Gucci bag collection too!

Tastemaker Interview on William Yan dot Com

I connected with William Yan on Twitter, a somewhat new-ish social networking site that has recently become a bit of an obsession of mine. William was so kind to feature me as a "Tastemaker" on his site...read the full interview here. Thanks William!!



Follow me on Twitter here!

Mama x The Goods!: F/W '08 "Mi Vida Loca"

So, since I claim to be SO BUSY all the time, I should be sharing what it is that has been keeping me sooooo BUSY, right? Well, this past November I got together with Mama Clothing to style her Fall Collection, "Mi Vida Loca". The collection was a mix of the 40's Zoot Suit feel meets the Chola look form the 70's and 80's. We ran through San Francisco shooting at Dolores Park, in an old Church and ended up at the garage of Last Originals Kar Club memeber, Velez. I brought out the vintage Nike Cortez, old english buckled webbed belts, chola purple nail polihs, Ben Davis, work-wear denim and chinos form the 50's and 60's, 80's stretch denim jeans and skirts and of course the bamboos earrings...at least two pairs. Here are some behind the scenes picts, video and the final out come. Girls, it ain't easy...but damn it is fun!

Some behind the scenes footage...

And here is a source of inspiration...Mi propia vida loca circa 1989.



See more behind the scenes action here and the full look book con musica here!

RE-UP: NYC...December Goods!

Here's what I stocked my NY accounts with recently...Marmalade vintage also received another bounty of tiny sized shoes and boots (4.5-5.5), so if you are a "tiny dancer" The Goods! has got you! Get it Girls!

Marmalade (Non Tiny Dancer Sizes)

Daha Vintage...

Zachary's Smile...

Valley NYC...

Gettin' Funky with Funky Fanny's

I manage to make it out to BK while on my monthly NYC visit...I don't know why that seems like a task to me, I know it's not really that far. But when there's vintage involved, there is no distance too far, rain, sleet or snow, I am there! ATWG teamed up with BK's vintage vixen, Serci aka Funky Fanny's to throw a little vintage sale extravaganza at the Pillow Cafe. Radio Rose provided the soundtrack for the night (I know I've said that before but that IS what she does!) and the ladies shopped! My connection to Serci goes back a couple of years ago. While on the hunt in Las Vegas we crossed paths at Savers, the thrift department store. If was the friendliest of encounters, believe me there is plenty of the goods to go around. We chatted briefly and that was that, until this event. Happy to be reconnected!


Serci aka The Funky Fanny and her homegirl.

Rose and I...YO, I think the vintage had me under it's control...possessesd by the vintage? I think yes.



CubAnnie Links with the light, light eyes...also possessed by the vintage.

RE-UP: NYC...October Goods!

So, here's some of the latest and greatest that I brought out to NYC a couple of weeks ago. Also dropped new boots and booties to Zachary's Smile but didn't snap picts, sorry!!! Valley has been stocked with 40 pairs of boots...get 'em girl!

Marmalade...



Valley NYC...Zodiac Boots for daaaaaze...

Hold Me Close Now, Tiny Dancer.

I don't discriminate against small size shoes aka 'tiny dancers'. For those that do, that's fine more little shoes for me! I'm talking size 5 and smaller. Mostly I hunt and gather them for my 'tiny dancer' crew...I have a handful of girlfriends size 4-5. Crazy, right? I know! Here's some recent T.D's that my tinyest dancer of 'em all, Pauline, hooked-up! Slangin' the vintage out the car, yeah you know me.

RE-UP: California Select Vintage

Been bringin' the bizness to California Select Vintage over the past few months. They now have 30+ California Select Vintage boutiques within American Apparel retail stores!! So if you happen into one of the stores and see these deadstock 80's leather purses, belts or some deadstock 'vegan' (ultra-suede) purses and belts...know that themzzz The Goods!

RE-UP: NYC...August

I will spare you the excuses as to why, why, why...Hopefully the slew of post to come will be explanation enough...The "Stylin' 'n Profilin" happening in the last 4 months will unfold on this here blog. Soooo....here are The Goods! that made there way to NYC in August....might be a boot or two left!

Marmalade...



















Zachary's Smile...
















Foley & Corinna...

What Happens in Vegas...Day 2, 3, 4...

So, things got hectic in Vegas last week...M.I.S.S. covered all the shows in 3 days all while we (Gabriella and I) doctored colds...being sick in Vegas is more fun than you could ever imagine! Think about it...cigarette smoke, AC's and hot, hot, heat...yeah makes for gooooood times. So, here is the rest of my Vegas booty *PAUSE*

I had to jet back home on Thursday so shopping wasn't in as full effect mode as the past...I did manage to hit up 17 spots.

What Happens in Vegas...Day 1

Ok, so this is really what happened on my way to Vegas. Drove down yesterday and made a stop in Bakersfield to do a little hunting. I had hoped for slutty/trashy heels and boots a la "Wild Pair", I'm real, it is Bakersfield...more farm town than fashion mecca. Well at some point their lived a fashionable lady with sophisticated taste for fine and sexy Italian shoes in this town. I am not mad at that at all!!! Wish she was an 8.5/9 but I can't have it all now can I. A couple of other random finds in the mix as well...Celine scarf, totally random ;)

Coutorture.com and The Goods!

New York has been crazy busy!! What's new, I know, I know...I'm always busy! Last week I ran wild thru the streets and showrooms of NY pulling for a photoshoot for Coutorture. The shoot was on Friday. It's a Fall Trend editorial modern vs. vintage. It's gonna be good!! Here's some behind the scenes footage...stay posted for the real deal late this week! And see more behind the scenes action on Coutorture.com!

The "Godfather" Hero kept me going!!

The Keeper of The Boots.

Still in NYC. Part of my deal on this trip is watching this cute little guy. And in turn he watches after the boots. Meet Rocket of Rock It Retro.

The Goods Have Landed.

Me and The Goods! landed into NY Wednesday morning. After a connecting flight in The LBC and a red-eye into JFK, it only made sense that I posted at the wrong baggage claim (thinking I had taken a direct flight form OAK as normal). Waiting, waiting, waiting for my goods and nothing. So I start to walk to the claims office to see what was up and there where my goods, at a different baggage claim chilling. I'm in the NYCity for two weeks. Holler!

Ransackin' Sac Town.

Last week was a bizzy one!!! Headed down to L.A. for four days and then spent the weekend in Sacramento shopping and catching up with a few friends. The booty was in full effect mode! I hit about 15 spots and some secret appointments. Here are some of the highlights visiting Cali's Capitol.



A couple of highlights...First up, I stalked a pair of these boots on eBay earlier this year. They weren't my size, I just adored the design and was sad when I missed the auction. We'll their they where at Goodwill waiting for me...Still not my size but whatever...


So, as the day goes on I stumble upon these...OMG!!! How random. My thoughts are that the upon booties are the cheapy knock-off version of this below Via Spiga style. Crazier things have happened but this was kinda crazy. AND these are my size...YES!!! And I have the high heal version already...and, and, and.


And someday I hope to find these in my size!! This is the second time these Zodiac boots have come into my life. First time was a 7 and these are about 10-11 and deadstock...jazzy loafer meets boot dressed in pink...so hot.



Some random shots from the day...







I wanted to but I just couldn't...


If you can't read this it says "Liz's Pirate Ship". Yeah, that's not my car. Someone needs to tell "Liz" that there's only room for one pirate in this town ;)

The Best of The East Bay 2008 Party

A couple of weeks ago I set out to The East Bay Express's 'Best of the East Bay Party' at the Oakland Museum. A free, all ages event featuring art, live entertainment and food/merch vendors. See my full write-up here. I swaaaaaare I just expected to have a fun, free night of Bay love and culture. I didn't even think for a moment I would be copp'n some amazing vintage too! WTF! I think The Goods! FIND me at times.

Silk Victor Costa ruffled bolero from Icon Vintage...


Alley Cat top from Dolled Up Vintage...



Betsey Johnson 'punk label' body-suit amazingness, complete with thumbholes from Dolled Up Vintage...

The New Hype.

Maybe your old enough to remember Hyper Color by Generra. Those magical t-shirts made of color changing fabric? They would react to heat/body temp and change colors on your body. I remember thinking how funny it was when they would change color in the armpit area, a dead give away if you weren't keeping you cool. A year ago or so, Azevino & Florence re-introduced this magical fabric into their collection. And now American Apparel has jumped on this bandwagon as well! I kind of expected them to do it sooner. Read more about the Hype at M.I.S.S.

Here's some of the O.G. (Original Goods!) from the P.C. (Personal Collection)...Unfortunetly the "hype" doesn't last forever...this bad boy ain't changing color for nothing these days, hot and bothered or not.





The new new...

Wild Style: Hottub x The Goods!

A couple of weeks ago, local Bay Area Band, Hottub had the amazing opportunity to open for M.I.A. in SF. I had the amazing opportunity to style out the ladies of Hottub for the event. It was straight-up BANANAS from start (4 p.m.) till finish (330 a.m., although the after party went until 5 or 6 in the morn). Here's what the ladies rocked, behind the scenes details and some of my inspiration. See my backstage action post over at M.I.S.S. Crew!

Ambr33zy rocks her mom's wedding veil, custom hat by Le Femme D'Jour, Necklaces by Office Tramp, vintage leotard and lace top from The Goods!, leggings from American Apparel customized by The Goods! and airbrushed by Darryl at The Zone and Adidas Consortium Oddity Confusion Pack Forum Hi from Harputs.

Coco Machete freaks a custom hat by Le Femme D'Jour, mini dress by Cristalette, customized vintage tank from The Goods! and airbrushed by Darryl at The Zone, vintage leggings from The Goods, customized Bamboo Earrings by The Goods! and her own vintage boots.

Loli Pop sexes it up in a vintage fringed t-shirt (500 beads!!!) from The Goods!, vintage animal onesie from Down at LuLu's, Bracelet from Office Tramp and Adidas x Harputs Forum Hi's from Harputs.

Inspiration...



That thang I do...attention to details...

M.I.S.S. June 2008 x The Goods!

Check-out these throw back jammy's we used for the M.I.S.S. June "Playmate"! From my personal collection of vintage footwear for the water and beach...Nike Aqua Socks and Foot Dig booties! Go here to download the calendar!

The Joan & David White Collection

I recently put together a mini collection of vintage Joan & David shoes for Marmalade Vintage. Joan & David circa 80's/early 90's are some of my favorites! Italian made, leather lined (or Italian lined as the dork in me likes to call it), and great/amazing designs...all important qualities in vintage, esp. craftsmanship, which helps them to last and last over the years. No flaky, mulching boot liners in these bad boys (you know what I'm talking about!) So I present "The Joan & David White Collection" available exclusively at Marmalade NYC, for details on sizes and prices please contact the store directly. xoxo

Testing 1-2: The Goods! x Jay Perez

Last month I got together with my friend Jay Perez, to shoot some fashion flicks for one of his classes at the Academy of Art College. He said he had a donkey mask and a tiger mask and I went from there. I instantly thought of fanciful dresses and frills and lace! And of course some 80's elements. I have some older pieces in my collection...Victorian, teens and twenties and I've always wanted to use them esp. since they are literally disintegrating! Not my fault, it's the way I found them but some fabrics, esp. silks, do not stand the test of time unless stored in an archival fashion...which can be very costly! But, that's another post. So here's what we came up with and some of the behind the scenes antics!

Jay's final work...




And some behind the scenes action...

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H&M's Tribute to Marimekko

Today the H&M Tribute to Marimekko dropped in stores world wide. Marimekko is a Finnish textile company that's has been around since the 50's. Their textiles can be noticed by the bold patterns and often times bright colors. The H&M design team dove into the massive archive at Marimekko and created a 70 piece collection for men, women and children. It has been said that fashion icon Jackie Kennedy put Marimekko on the international map when she wore their dresses during her husband's 1960's presidential campaign. See some of my favorite picks from the H&M women's collection and a couple of the Original Goods! from my personal collection circa 1980's.

Catz Out the Bag with M.I.S.S. Crew!

So, you've probably heard me talk about my side project, M.I.S.S. Crew. My friend and co-founder Gabriella of Mama clothing and I were recently interviewed by Catzie Vilayphonh of two.one.five magazine, for her column Catz Out the Bag. Read the full interview here!



At M.I.S.S. we also did a series of interview's for the month of March called "Women Making History" in honor of Women's History Month...we featured over 30 women doing big things and to close out the month we included ourselves...read the full story here!

The Goods! at Girls Love Shoes

Girls Love Shoes or GLS is a retail store and archive located in NYC's Lower East Side. Owned by sisters Zia and Dana Ziprin, they have taken a ladies love for shoes and created an dreamland of wall to wall vintage shoes!! I am pleased to be apart of this vast collection of shoe goodness and hope you can experience it for yourself on your next trip to NY. If you can't make it to NY, lucky for you they recently launched there on-line store, so you have no excuse! See the bounty of shoes I just brought out on my trip to NY this past week.