Shop Update

I've been taking photos like mad this week and I'll be adding several new items over the next few days. Unfortunately, these may be the last updates for a while since PayPal, in it's infinite wisdom, has decided they need to hold all my funds for 21 days despite the fact that I have never had any disputes filed against me, and have had only positive feedback. Needless to say, I'm a tad miffed right now.

At least I have  quite a few items in the pipeline, including two more London Fog trench coats, one from the 60s and one from the 80s, an awesome checked 80s blazer from high end clothier Austin Reed, a pretty pink pointelle sweater (for my girls in the Southern hemisphere) and a handful of skirts and dresses.

I also managed to add a very pretty 1990s wrap skirt and a really high quality fair isle boyfriend sweater yesterday.

Just added:

Vintage 90s Ornamental Stripe Wrap Skirt

Vintage 90s Fair Isle Cabin Sweater

Coming soon:

A Rare Night Out

Last night I got to fly the coop for a little while and take in an Elvis Costello show at the legendary Ryman Auditorium here in Nashville. He is reunited with his backing band the Imposters this tour, and they have revived the Spectacular Spinning Songbook, a humungous wheel with the names of 40 songs on it. Audience members were escorted to the stage by his lovely assistant Lola to spin the wheel, and either sit at a vintage bar on the stage and enjoy the performance, or become part of the act by dancing in a go go cage (I was a bit surprised how many participants took him up on that, considering how short the line at the bar in the lobby was). The set was a fantastic blend of retro living room and old school carnival.

This was my fourth Costello concert and so far my favorite. In addition to the selections from the Spinning Songbook, he did a short set of Americana tunes for his first encore and his delivery really blew me away. He even strode away from the mic at a couple of points and sang unamplified, taking advantage of the Ryman's unsurpassed acoustics (better even than Radio City Music Hall).  I don't know how he does it, but the man just gets better and better with age.

Mad Men Style

I am really missing my Mad Men this summer. Apparently, the show missed it's slated July premier date due to a contract dispute between creator/producer Matthew Weiner and AMC, and now the show won't return until March of 2012. Sigh...

At least we can get a style fix by checking out the Mad Men fashion flipbook on AMC's website. This makes great inspiration for me, as I've begun visiting estate sales recently and I'm really hoping to add more clothing from the 50s and 60s as a result.

I do have a few items from the period in the shop already. Here's a sampling:

1960s Kelly Green Pumps

1950s Green Bouclé Coat: $72

1960s DeLiso Debs Stilettos with Rhinestone Accents: $54

1960s Metallic Brocade Maxi Skirt: $59

Welcome Fall Sale

Cozy up to fall by taking 10% off your entire purchase at SadieBess through this Sunday with coupon code WELCOMEFALL.  We have fabulous vintage pieces befitting all the latest fall trends in the shop.

Earthy Plaid Blazer: $32

Pleated Plaid Skirt by Brooks Brothers: $36

Cream Mohair Sweater: $42

Woolrich Striped Button Up Sweater Vest: $36

10% Shop Donation to Oxfam Through September

For those of you who are not already aware, SadieBess is donating 10% of all profits for the months of August and September to Oxfam to aid in the ongoing food crisis in the Horn of Africa. I picked Oxfam because of their high scores from philanthropic rating agencies.

For more information about Oxfam's current programs in East Africa, visit http://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/east-africa-food-crisis.

In the interest of transparency, I'll be posting a PDF of my donation receipt at the beginning of October.

Music Inspiration: Anna Calvi

I really can't say enough good things about British singer/guitarist Anna Calvi.  Imagine if Siouxsie Sioux and Jeff Buckley had a baby, and that baby was about ten times more talented (no offense to the late great Buckley or dear Siouxsie). Throw in some heavy reverb and a touch of flamenco, and then you're getting close to describing Anna Calvi.

Her eponymous debut album was released in the US in January 2011. Unfortunately I didn't learn about her until about a month ago, but she has been playing almost non-stop at my house since that time. Not only does this woman have serious pipes, she is also a guitar goddess, and her first release is also one of the best produced records I think I have ever heard. I've even been keeping my eye out for turntable on my frequent jaunts to the local thrifts because I am dying to hear it on vinyl.

As incredible as Ms. Calvi is, I wouldn't care if she turned up at her gigs in a burlap sack, but she also happens to be incredibly stylish to boot. I mean, no one rocks the red like Ms. Calvi.

Photo by Ivo Kendra

Red 80s Puffed Sleeve Trench: $38

Navy and Cream Striped Tank Dress: $34

Navy and Red Ferragamo Heels: $46

Brooklyn Twang

Today I have an outfit inspired by independent country artist Andi Rae Healy. She's a singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY, and I think her track Little Flame is amazing. Andi Rae's music is available on iTunes and at andirae.com.

80s Flutter Sleeve Floral Mini Dress: $26

Distressed 80s Dingo Brand Cowboy Boots: $44

I can't seem to shake this Fetchin Bones earworm...

This song has been haunting me for the last few days. I think it's because of all the 80s clothes I've been collecting lately. Maybe if I listen to it just one more time...

This North Carolina band should've made it big, but they were probably just a couple of years too early to ride the wave of popularity that alternative music experienced in the early 90s.

Not only is this an awesome song, but the video makes for great 80s fashion inspiration. Just keep your eyes on singer Hope Nichols and bass player Danna Pentes, I'm not so sure about the looks the guys are sporting here. There are also tons of great candid shots on their Facebook and Myspace pages, if you want to see what 80s rockers really wore when they weren't being styled for music videos.

Lots of New Listings Coming

I'd been holding off on making new listings for a few days while I awaited the arrival of my new display form. Then I got a big 'ol box from UPS yesterday, so I was able to take tons of photos today. It will take me a while to create listings for it all, but here's a taste of what's coming to the shop over the next few days...

1970s vest and dress set, 1980s genuine camel hair coat.

The 80s does the 40s- navy blue peplum top/skirt set and maroon wrap jacket/skirt set.

Romantic fall skirts- a handmade prairie maxi and a tailored paisley pencil midi.

80s Attitude

This tune by 1980s alt rockers The Godfathers always gets me going in the morning. 

I've picked out a few 80s pieces with a little edge to go with it. Enjoy!

1980s white leather double wrap hip belt with silver studs: $26

Ladies 1980s new wave blazer: $36

1980s plaid mini kilt: $24

Hi there.

Vintage Sadie

My name is Sarah, and I have a little vintage shop on Etsy.  I first fell in love with vintage in the tenth grade, when my poor put-upon father dragged me down to the local Salvation Army store so that I could get my very own 'boyfriend blazer', and hopefully quit stealing his. I think he was tired of having the sleeves wrinkled from being rolled up, and of finding stray candy wrappers, lipsticks, and tampons in his pockets. I remember being awestruck by the racks and racks Lawrence Welk style gowns, polyester double knit separates, and fabulous, funky accessories. I'm pretty sure my father had to drag me out of there after well over an hour. I did have my very own menswear blazer when I left, though. I remember it was a subdued grey check, and smelled faintly of old man and moth balls. I was hooked.

Another passion of mine is music, so I'm going to pepper my blog with my musical inspirations because 1) it's my blog, and I do what I like, and 2) I'm kinda lazy, and pasting in a link from YouTube is easier than writing a fully fleshed out blog post. So there.

So anywho, I hope you will enjoy it. Or at least not want to stab yourself in the eye with a felting needle after reading it.

XOXO Sarah

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