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One Year: A Milestone

March 16, 2012 by archivesvintage · 12 Comments

The day I made a very important sale!

Feel free to skip my emotional ramblings if you want (I wouldn’t blame you); here’s a summary of this post: I’ve been self employed for a year! THE SHOP IS 20% off through March 20, 2012 to celebrate!

A year ago nearly to the day, I went into my job of five plus years and walked out a self-employed woman. This past year has absolutely flown by. It really feels like just yesterday I had insurance! And a steady paycheck! And a savings account! And was miserable. And was becoming a very angry, bitter, sad person.

This past year has been equally as rewarding as it has been challenging. I look back at all the hard work I’ve done to grow a business that I love, and am immensely proud (cue: me now in tears). I didn’t finish college; I don’t have a business degree – I’ve had to figure things out on my own through a lot of trial and error. I don’t have wealthy parents or anyone else to support me when things seem to be falling apart. This is something I have done myself.

Well, almost. I’m insanely fortunate to have a boyfriend who has been a pillar of support, advice, encouragement and witness to my successes and failures (not pretty, or easy…the man deserves sainthood for putting up with me). I was terrified to tell my family I took my quirky hobby of selling old stuff on as a full time business. In turn, they have been extremely kind, interested and emotionally supportive. Even Mark’s family has been overwhelmingly supportive! I’ve made some incredible friends through blogging and in real life (those lines are eternally growing blurrier by the day) throughout all of this, and sadly lost some as well. That’s been one of the most surprising things – losing friends when you need them most. True colors, as they say.

Balancing a business, domestic responsibilities, a relationship, friendship, family….shit – some days just getting dressed…it’s really fucking hard. I often fail at being a decent girlfriend/daughter/dog owner/friend/human. But this isn’t unique to me, or my situation. This is just being an adult, right? It’s impossibly hard to do ALL the things gracefully.

All this is to say that it’s been a crazy year.

Thank YOU. Thanks to every single one of you for reading, buying, window-shopping, commenting or even just quietly lurking. It means everything to me. Really.

Here’s to year two!

Filed Under: archives vintage, family, friends, history, life, love, vintage clothing, work

Chicago – Ft. Wayne – Chicago

November 15, 2011 by archivesvintage · 15 Comments

Yesterday Merl and I took a mini road trip to Indiana to pick up my vintage lot. Merl earns major props for not only getting up early, but taking an entire day from her own business to help me with mine! Couldn’t have done it without her.

I rented a cargo van to haul everything back to Chicago…boy did I ever need it! The trip was 3.5 hours each way, and the first leg of the trip we drove through THE most intense storm I’ve seen in a long time. Could barely see 10 feet in front of me, the rain was coming down so hard. This is me, eyes wide with fear, and my hands gripping the steering wheel for dear life. My hands are still sore today from how hard I was hanging on!

We made it to Fort Wayne alive, and were welcomed into a large office space FILLED to the brim with dresses, lingerie, skirts, blouses, jackets…(!) all ranging from the beginning of the last century right up to the 80s. Most of it is 40s-60s. I KNOW.

While we packed everything up, Merl and I let out gasps and exclamations every time we picked up something great, which was often. I still can’t even believe this collection belongs to me as I sit here writing! It took us almost 2 hours to de-hangerize everything. Here’s the after:

I’m trying to get everything as organized as quickly as possible, so things will be hitting the shop very soon! So many dresses!

Filed Under: 1920s, archives vintage, friends, life, photographs, shopping, travel, vintage, vintage clothing

Out with the Girls

September 7, 2011 by archivesvintage · 13 Comments

A few weeks back I attended a local fashion event which gathered some pretty fun and fabulous ladies. Truth be told: I really didn’t want to go, but Emily worked her charms and convinced me it would be a good time. She was right!

This red top was a quick alteration before leaving the house. I’m really getting into the habit of snipping the arms off vintage blouses! I don’t like long sleeves – if every shirt I owned had 3/4 or shorter length sleeves, I’d be very happy. It was 90+ degrees that day, so I preferred to have on as little material on as possible.

For some reason these shoes are showing up orange, but they’re pink! Pink and red is one of my very favorite color combos. I separated them by wearing this metallic thread vintage skirt that I don’t wear enough. It’s one of my most cherished items in my wardrobe!

I bought this ring last month at Seek Vintage. Merl and I had lunch and popped in afterwards to browse. Being on a tight budget, I promised myself I wouldn’t buy anything. While Merl was checking out, I glanced down in the jewelry display, and this ring caught my eye. The owner saw me peeping it and told me she’d bought it at a recent estate sale, which, after talking a bit, I realized it was from the same house I’d done a home buy at back in June! What a coincidence, no?! Chicago is such a small city sometimes. Being only $15, I had to get it.

Wearing blouse: vintage (thrifted), skirt: vintage via HaveLoveWillTravel, Shoes: H&M, Ring: Seek Vintage

After the event, Merl, Emily and myself snapped our outfit photos and grabbed one last drink before heading home. After a few glasses of champagne, it’s hard not to get a little goofy in front of the camera!

First image from Andrea, all other photos by Merl.

Filed Under: archives vintage, bloggers, chicago, etsy, friends, meetup, vintage, vintage clothing

A Tourist in Your Own Town

June 20, 2011 by archivesvintage · 22 Comments

When I saw this shirt on Etsy, it was love. Being on a strict budget, I restrained myself. But after repeatedly stalking it to make sure no one bought it and a 20% off sale hit that shop, it was time for a splurge. It’s a 1960′s blouse with Chicago landmarks!!! One of which I worked at for many years until recently. How could I not?!

Friday I had such a great day. I met up with coffee with some old friends, one of whom was visiting from Canada. I hadn’t seen her twins since they were newborns, and they’re now six! As an only child, I don’t have a lot of experience with children (read: almost none). So, when I was introduced to these two cuties, I did what I would do when meeting someone new: I stuck my hand out to shake their hands. If you want to render two six year olds speechless with confused stares, this is exactly what you should do. However, if you want them to like you….I think you should politely say hi (?). Just add “extremely awkward” to the list of reasons procreation isn’t likely in my future!

Wearing Top: Vintage via Capricious Traveler, Jeans: F21, Belt/Shoes: Vintage (thrifted), Silhouette Necklace: F21. Sparkly Necklace: Etsy

Why Working at home, running errands

After coffee, I headed out to source some new inventory for the shop. I’ve been experimenting, trying to think outside the thrifting box, and it has paid off handsomely! Expect some great things coming soon. Later I napped, and then picked up Mark from the airport; he’d been away at a conference all week. Luckily, he’s done with traveling for a while.

All in all, it was a leisurely, awesome day! And one that I couldn’t have had back in my 9-5 days!

I’ve had friends and family ask me about my choice to leave a secure job and focus on my business lately, as it’s been three months, so I’ve had time to settle in to the change. Was it scary at first? Absolutely. Are my finances tighter? You bet. BUT, am I happier? No question, without a doubt! I love the freedom to make my own schedule, work on a business I love, wear sparkly glitter heels because I feel like it, be at home all day with Atlas, and – this is the biggest shocker of all – cooking more home made meals! Yes, I’m learning to cook and kind of liking it (!). I definitely wouldn’t be able to get by without a very supportive partner and family!

All in all – best decision I’ve ever made! :)

Filed Under: archives chicago, archives vintage, atlas, canada, chicago, etsy, friends, life, love, shopping, vintage, vintage clothing, work

It Started Out Normal…

May 17, 2011 by archivesvintage · 17 Comments

Yesterday my camera had some kind of melt down, and half way through my outfit photos, it up and died! Usually I start with full body shots and move in for the detail shots later, but this time out of sheer excitement, I started from the bottom up.

You see, Saturday as Kim and I were setting up our booth for the Vintage Bazaar, she pulled out this pair of Zodiac boots. She was trying to tell me a story about them (some unknowing teenagers at the thrift store were making fun of their “ugliness”. Your loss, bitches!!!!!), but I rudely cut her off before she had a chance to finish. “ARE THOSE ZODIACS?! WHAT SIZE ARE THEY?!” I exclaimed and tried to keep myself from greedily ripping them from her hands before she could say, “uhh…size 8 1/2?”.

Zodiac is my most favorite brand of vintage boots – yes, even over Frye! I have a pair in the shop that are a size 6, which I have fruitlessly tried to make fit on my feet since they day I found them. They tend to run small, and it’s hard to find them in my size 8 – a fairly common shoe size. Kim gave me an awesome deal on these, and I’ve basically been living in them since Saturday.

Wearing Top/Jeans/Earrings: F21, Boots: Vintage via Pineapple Mint, Glasses: Warby Parker

Why Working at home & lunch with a special friend who popped in and out of town - Merl!!!!!!!

This is as far as I got before my camera crapped out. I figured I’d try and take some photobooth pics to finish things off. It started out normal and then….well, I think this is what happens when one works from home: