Fellows that were in the mood.

Saturday was spent day-trippin in Atlanta with my two brothers, Milo and Miguel. We were visiting our grandpa who migrates from Montreal to this southern cosmopolis to soak up some sunshine (January and February are the darkest and coldest months in Montreal).

By mid-day my brothers decided it would be a good idea to stop by Lenox Mall. 

Most of our time at the mall was spent in the men's section of Zara. There, Milo and Migi tried on jeans that rolled at the bottom, lace up sneakers, and the occasional plaid button down, too. But what really caught my attention, were the cotton t-shirts.

Zara currently has some of the most delicious cotton t's. Soft and airy, you can tell they're the good stuff and are not going to 'ball up' if you wash and dry them one too many times.

Though empty handed, I did hear this tune on the radio...

Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers,
dance on air
They had style, they had grace
Rita Hayworth gave good face
Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you
Ladies with an attitude
Fellows that were in the mood
Don't just stand there, let's get to it
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it
Vogue, vogue ...

Sometimes all a girl needs is some spontaneous Madonna.

February's Fashion Slice

Who is that girl?

Photos by Lizzie Cuthberson

Caroline Desanctis is à la mode and she couldn't be any other way. Natural light sprinkled through her homemade curtains as we enjoyed peppermint chip ice cream sundaes at her beautifully decorated retro duplex. That's when Caroline said something that said it all, "I don't own sweatpants."

And not everyone could do it, but Caroline can. Infact, there is little Caroline doesn't do. Besides always looking her best (ehm, not sweats, ever!), this rockabilly role model bartends, serves at a soccer pub, sells vintage clothes, models, and is an Avon rep on the side. Oh, and did I mention her line of I (heart) Mac N' Cheese handbags?

But lets start at the beginning.

"In seventh grade I took Home Ec. and I thought it was the coolest thing. Making scrunchies and little totes, I was bitten!"

Caroline is crafty because she can make things, but her talents are not restricted to her hands; she has also developed an eye for design and for what looks good.

"When I was a freshman in college I didn't know how to dress. I would experiment with clothes, wear mismatching plaids or an ill fitting A-line skirt because I thought it looked cool."

She eventually started working at a vintage clothing store and out of curiosity tried on some of the garments.

"That's when I realized that if I wear something that excentuates my waist I look better than if I wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt."

Unfortunately Lizzie (our fabulous photographer) and I did not get to frolic in Caroline's closet. But lucky for us Caroline did have some beautiful recent purchases, a buttercup yellow gown from the 50's and a plaid mermaid dress, decoratively hanging on the bathroom door. And of course, she also showed us a lovely detailed blue dress suit. The girl loves to shop and knows where to shop.

Lying near by a shrine of Marilyn Monroe in the living room was a small metalic case with a silver cord handle. "It's a cigarette case on one side and a compact with a mirror and lipstick applicator on the other side!" Apparently the only cigarettes that fit in the handy-chic compartment are Lucky Strikes. "They're my favorite cigarettes."

Lucky girl.

After explaining to Lizzie and I how to remove lipstick from its applicator to another more fabulous one (it's kind of a process, but totally worth it) I asked her how she knew so much about all these old-school tricks. "I just do my research." Whether about earring-backs (from an earlier Fashion Slice post she could tell my pink earrings were from the 20's or 30's because of their screw on backs) or how to do hair for a a heart shaped face, Caroline learns the facts from vintage magazines and/or books.

But one recent publication that Caroline lives by is Dita Von Teese's Burlesque and the Art of the Teese/ Fetish and the Art of the Teese.

"I bought this book by Dita Von Teese and it's about looking your best all the time because that's what girls who used to dance Burlesque did. They were always advertising, as she says in the book. Like if they went to the post office they would dress amazingly and it would get them noticed. People would wonder who is that girl?"

It's hard to define Caroline. Aside from working all the time and looking great while at it, this fashionista also models and designs her own handbags.

I asked her how she came up with her Pin Up persona, Daphne Double Deuce.

"Well Daphne Double Deuce is a name I came up with that's a combination of a few things. 'Daphne' was Jack Lemmon's female alter ego in 'Some Like It Hot' and I've always just loved that name. It's the first name I think of when I think of a 1950s broad. The 'Double Deuce' part is a play on words because I have double D's, haha!"

While her modeling has been printed in various publications and online, her I (heart) Mac N' Cheese handbags are a little more elusive since they have'nt been officially launched yet. But I got a sneak peek at a Mexican themed tote with bright pink lining and a magnetic snap. It was AWESOME! Let's cross our fingers and hope Mac N' Cheese will be in stores soon.

At the end of our ice cream interview I couldnt' help but ask, "so what is your favorite shade of red lipstick?"

In less than a second, Caroline cooly responded,

"That would be Rouge Bingo by Dior."

Worth every penny (3000 pennies, to be exact) Rouge Bingo doesn't need to be removed from it's aplicator because the casing is already beautiful.

"And it's the red that Dita Von Teese wears, too."

Well now we know.

The Columbia Valentine

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the perfect gift probably is, too. There are some incredible boutiques, shops and antique stores in this town and with a little shopping around one can find the perfect 'i love you.'

These vintage screw-on earrings were just $3 from the Old Mill Antique Mall on State Street. The little rhinestones add just a touch of delicate light to the surreal bouquets, so adorable when nestled on the ear lobe and peeking behind strands of hair. Located on 310 State Street in West Columbia, the Old Mill Antique Mall is just a couple of blocks down from @116, a new favorite brunch spot of mine.

These beautiful rectangular Willow earrings are really something. They were just $14 from the Portfolio Gallery in 5 Points.

I recently purchased this shabby chic cotton tote from PackRats on Greene. Though it's not for Valentines Day, my friend Stacey turns 23 this month and she loves floral patterns.

I would say how much it cost, but I'm worried Stacey might check out my blog and find out! So lets just say it was under $20 and for a handmade purse that's kind of a steal.
Check out the PackRats Blog at, http://packratsshop.blogspot.com/ !

Pretty Little...Boxes?

Would you like that gift wrapped...Miss?

Pretty little things come in all different shapes and sizes, but the shape and size of the box is rather standard. The box is the first impression and, therefore, it's kind of a big deal! There are few emotions as big as the one that comes from opening a small delicate box. that is why I always re-use my little gift boxes (little gift pouches work, too!) Whether Tiffany blue, bright China red, or plain white with a ribbon on top, there is something special about these pocket sized packages of mystery. And that is why it is good to have a couple lying around, because not every piece of jewelry comes with a box. Sad, but true.