Threadbare Flea Markets Dot Com

Honestly, I expected there to be far more junk the elderly have left behind sitting around in flea markets. Of course, I only stopped by one, but aside from expired cosmetics, kitschy porcelain kittens, sunglasses of questionable quality, and garden vegetables, I could barely find anything. I did, nevertheless, snatch up a few lackluster items.

The first is a set of two military pins. From what the internet has helped me ascertain, they're grade E-4 and US Marine Corps. Dating them, however, has proven to be difficult. The clutches read "Ballou Reg'd" and "Jandy Reg," which leads me to believe they're from the 1960's, most likely Vietnam.

Otherwise, I also managed to grab a set of English bone china Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec themed tea mugs from Royal Windsor. They're not expensive china, actually relatively cheap, but the set of four was inexpensive and Lautrec is one of my favorite artists, so I couldn't restrain myself. 

They include Aristide Bruant, Jane Avril, La Goulue, and Divan Japonais.

Among other noteworthy things I did not purchase there was an overpriced WWII Good Conduct Medal and a 1940 New Zealand penny with King George VI on the obverse (the latter which I will probably come back for next time, to be honest).

Moral of the story- don't expect much from flea markets, and do your research before opening your wallet.

Costume Institute Part One: Yves Saint Laurent

Public archives are the greatest thing to ever be great, especially when it comes to major museums like the The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to its extensive archives of artwork, the Met also has a database called The Costume Institute, its historical fashion branch. Anything from a Mantuan dress from the late 17th century, to jackets by John Galliano, The Costume Institute archives it all by the thousands. Since digging around public archives is a pastime of mine, I figured I would share my favorites from this one, featured by designer, starting with Yves Saint Laurent.

Born in French Algeria in 1936, Yves Saint Laurent was a prominent French designer who, after working extensively for Dior, started his own company. Known for its incredibly constructed, yet feminine silhouettes and its introduction of prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear), YSL remains one of the leading French brands to date.

Evening Ensemble
Silk
Fall/Winter '83-84

Shoes
Feathers, Leather, Synthetic
2004

Pantsuit
Wool
Spring/Summer '70

(House of Dior)
Cocktail Dress
Silk
Spring/Summer '59

"L'Eléphant Blanc" (House of Dior)
Evening Dress
Silk, Metallic thread, Glass, Plastic
Spring/Summer '58

"Refrain" (House of Dior)
Cocktail Dress
Silk
Spring/Summer '58

Dress
Wool
Fall/Winter '65-66

Evening Ensemble
Silk, Metallic thread, Beads, Sequins
Spring/Summer '80

Old Suitcases and Co.

Among the myriad of my grandfather's old attaché's and books that my father showed me this summer (all of which I wanted to keep, in all honesty), I found a suitcase. Cleaning up some years ago, my father had stuffed it full of old books and left it behind a sofa. I spent an hour or so rummaging through it, flipping through books filled with plays and other literary works.

More than the books, however, I wanted the suitcase. With a quick paint job and some W2, it would be good as new.

Anything from "The Music of Foreign Nations" to
"The Secret of the Siberia Platform" to "Dictionary
of the Amateur Gardener".

"HEY, PEOPLE! Collection of one-part plays against the
imperialist war, and the bourgeois and fascist morality"
1967, not-so-subtle literary propagada.

Apparently produced in the Leather Goods Factory of
Vilnius in December of 1974. Price- four rubles and eighty
kopeks.

Count Tishkevich and some historical reenactment

This summer I visited the Palanga Botanical Garden, a quiet little sanctuary of plant life, ponds, and plenty of benches that help to escape the ever-present and overwhelming uproar of Lithuania's main resort city. To my delight, I entered the garden during one of their main summer events, a historical reenactment of sorts.

Every Thursday during the summer months, the garden, which was established on the estate of famed Lithuanian count Tishkevich, let loose in the park some 10-15 reenactors dressed in early 20th century garb. They wandered about, largely ignoring the park's regular visitors, and mimicking the daily activities of the Tishkevich family. A gardener trimmed shrubs and conversed with a visiting cyclist; a maid helped prepare tea; a governess strolled by with younger children. The "Tischkevich family" itself strolled about the garden, went for rides on a rowboat, and conversed at a table, all while a violinist played along with several classical pieces (including a slightly mismatched Oginski Polonaise). It was quite an experience. Personally, I just wish the garden had included a dozen or so more reenactors to really flood the place. Either way, here are a few shots of the event.

Banana Republic and how it will be the financial death of me

A few months ago I discovered that one of my favorite stores, Banana Republic, had created an exclusive Mad Men inspired collection which would debut sometime in August. I'm already used to expecting ingenious and quality creations from Banana, but I feel like the store crawled around in my head for a while, compiled all of my tastes in clothing and pop culture, and spat them out in this line. This Banana/Janie Bryant collab is the greatest thing to ever be great (and terribly expensive). Here are some of my favorites from the collection.

From what I've heard from employees of Banana who have gotten an early peek (and a %50 employee discount...), the shoes for the collection are absolutely stunning, but the clothing is not made from the same quality material that one would expect from the store. Apparently, many are awkward fabrics that are difficult to shape or iron, yet cost the same as a regular silk Banana dress.

Nevertheless, this is a brilliant campaign, and I can't wait until the leftovers seep into the sales rack so I can actually afford them.

Banana launched the collection just a few moments ago, as I was writing this, and you can find it here. To celebrate the event, the store is also having a cocktail party tomorrow (or today, if you are east of the central time zone), where customers buying merchandise with their cards will receive a complimentary cocktail. Information here.

KBH

This blog has been barren for the past month because I have spent a significant amount of time trekking around Europe, stopping in Denmark and then continuing on to my Eastern European homeland, Lithuania. Finding internet access is equivalent to capturing a unicorn there, so I was entirely on my own.

My summer journey started off with a couple of days in Copenhagen after flying in from Reykjavik. I stayed at a fantastic B&B with a sometimes awkwardly humble Danish man who fed his guests fresh buns and coffee for breakfast.

Otherwise, here are a few things I managed to see.

Danes must be very fond of equestrian sculpture.
There were so many.

I'm fascinated by different nations' post boxes I can't help it.

Obligatory.

Nyhavn was easily my favorite place. I have such an affinity for ships and it was just stunning.

Overall, I'm a tad disappointed I didn't get to spend more time in the city, but it was wonderful regardless. Although a bit expensive, I must admit. The one beer 60 DKK gets you can buy you seven in Lithuania.