Mary Van Notes

all photos by Juliana V. Ljubisavljevic

Tiffany Blue Lace Dress: c/o Shabby Apple
60s flower hat: 57th St. Antique Mall, Sacramento
sea foam blue lace trimmed socks: American Apparel
60s pastel blue and pink and yellow heel sandals: Haight and Ashbury vintage
vintage purse: found on the street in San Francisco

I was asked to review this vintage inspired dress from the new spring line Mad Hatter from the online store Shabby Apple.  If you read blogs, you’re probably no stranger to this site that features women’s dresses, maternity dresses, swimwear and even shoes.  This is my second dress from Shabby Apple.  The first I won on Diversions blog.  With the first dress I received I had to exchange it, and I have to say the exchanging process was super easy, and stress-free.  The service they offer is top-notch.

I had a hard time choosing which dress to review.  There are a lot of great ones in the Mad Hatter line like I’m Late! I’m Late! and Frabjous Day, but I picked the Alice dress because I don’t yet have a dress in that sea foam blue hue.  I was really happy with the fit, and the cute details like the scalloped lace hem and the grosgrain bow on the waist.  I was surprised that the bodice was also layered with the lace.  I wasn’t able to see that detail from photos on the website.  And strangely the dress had a lot of static maybe from the packaging it was sent in.  I should’ve washed it before the shoot, but I thought the static had somehow dissipated, but alas it was still there, and you can see the dress bunching in some of the photos.  I’m sure a wash will do the trick.  But I’ll have to check the website to see how to wash this dress because the dress does not come with a label stating how to wash.  I also couldn’t find information on where the garment was made.  Those are the only drawbacks.  I was pleased to get a tag printed on a square of muslin about how Shappy Apple donates a percentage of profits with Unitus, an organization that offers microloans to the world’s working poor.

It’s funny that the spring line is inspired by Alice in Wonderland and this shoot I did with Juliana was so magical.  I felt like I was in a wonderland myself.  That little house is a little playhouse on its own property boasting a sandbox, and a tree swing.  Inside the little house was a bed, and even what looked like a working sink and sliding glass doors to the back.  It will forever go in my memory bank of images for dream house.  AND I got to hold a little chick.  Spring is here, folks!  Shabby Apple is offering 15% off sitewide with the code HATTER.

1960s red floral lace dress: AlexSandras Vintage Emporium, Portland
nude slip: came from another dress
red lace socks with bows on the back: costume shop
1980s black flats with embroidered kisses: Nicole Miller by Stuart Weitzman
vintage handmade tote: estate sale

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope you all are treating yourselves to some self-lovin’ and feel-good treats.  For me it was yoga, and dressing up.  Unfortunately the boyfriend is sick so we’ll be having a low-key evening.  We’ll be making some pizza together and watching The Simpson’s.

Seen as my bangs are still in a weird phase of growing out (maybe), I decided to try a faux bang/victory roll hairstyle as seen in this lovely tutorial by ThePinupNoire via Vixen Vintage.  My hair was still wet, so I’ll be trying this again with some dry hair.  I have to say, it was pretty fun to do my hair so different.

Nick and I made a new video.  This one’s for Valentine’s Day:

Luckily for me tagging along to my boyfriend’s work means hanging out at a zoo.  It includes lounging on a blanket in a closed off section of the park reading my kindle next to roaming peacocks, and walking the grounds saying hello to my favorite SF Zoo creatures (the river otter, penguins, seals, anteaters, grizzly bears, lions and of course the never-before-scared-me-but-now-they-creep-me-out tigers).  It also means taking exorbitant, sometimes silly and stupid pictures of my myself.  Scroll down for evidence of this.

1960s scalloped hem graphic floral print top: Freestyle Clothing Exchange, Sacramento
black trousers: Zara
vintage wingtip flats: thrifted
1960s wind-up watch pendant necklace: ebay

I bet if aliens came down to the SF Zoo they’d be more curious about this strange animal playing with a black thing on legs.   Why is she staring at it and smiling at it and then turning it over to look at it?  Curious creature.

The move into my boyfriend’s place was supposed to be temporary.  When it started to look like I’d be here longer than expected I got some of my things out of storage.  I’m much happier because of it.  It’s amazing how the items we have attribute so much to our well-being.  Just having these pieces out has made it feel a lot more like home.

Both these pieces were my grandmother’s. She had the Victorian lady on her vanity.  It’s an Avon perfume bottle.  The swan is actually an ash tray, though my grandmother didn’t smoke.  They’re both on a little quilt.  The first (and only as of yet) quilt I’ve made.  My grandmother helped me make it when I was in elementary school.  It came from a kit that I ordered through the Scholastic books catalog that would circulate through the classroom.  Does anyone remember those?  It was like a little newspaper catalog.  I used to get so excited to order books.

Yep, that’s me. And those are my bronzed baby shoes.  It seems like this is a dying tradition.  Do any of you have one?  I wouldn’t even know where to get something like this made anymore.  I completely treasure mine.  It’s possibly the one constant thing I’ve always had on my dresser growing up.

I found this lovely lady head vase on ebay last year.  She’s a welcome addition and holds my makeup brushes.  I’m a sucker for vintage vases and planters.  I might have to collect some more to hold other toiletries, and miscellany.

My cat light keeps me company on my bedside table.  She’s got a bow tie on, a hat with a flower on it and she’s holding a muff.  The cat is holding a muff!!!!!!  I love it.

Humpty Dumpty holds my book light, pens and hand cream.  Pens are a necessity for me.   I often wake up from dreams or get ideas right as I put my head to the pillow that I need to jot down quick.  There’s also my 5 year diary that needs its entry every night.

I probably shouldn’t be so attached to inanimate objects, but I can’t help it.  These things make me happy.  They make me feel like I’m home.

1960s floral rain slicker: Freestyle Clothing Exchange, Sacramento
1960s orange polka dot dress: Fashion Forestry
floral tights: UO
vintage espadrilles: ebay (not rain appropriate… I’m in the market for some cute rain boots)
ruffled umbrella: gift
MVN totebags are for sale!

My bangs are in need of a trim, so I’ve been trying new things with them.  It’s felt good to not have them in my face.  I’m considering growing them out.  Yay or nay?

I know it’s not Spring yet, but I can’t help dressing cheerful on a gloomy rainy day.  Gotta have that balance- it’s the Libra in me.  And yes, I often sport around my own merch.  The MVN tote bag is good quality, good size… so it’s often my pick for going shopping, etc.  And if you buy one you’re supporting me!  And right now that would help a lot.  Anyway, end of sales talk.

I hope your week is going well!

I just have to share my latest youtube obsession.  My friend Nick introduced me to the funniness, the absolute oddity of the man, the unique character, Wild Bill Fire Hands.

Now first watch this video to get a sense of this guy.  You’d think he was one of the characters on Tim and Eric. (BTW NSFW)

He’s a performance artist/spoken word performer/musician.  And he’s one of those precious souls who doesn’t realize how funny he is.  Watch this video where he boasts of how long he has been lighting his hands on fire while he accidentally lights his hair on fire.

And the crème de la crème is this scene from an upcoming documentary of Wild Bill trying to make a music video by scaling down a building on some rope while also trying to play guitar, sing, and of course, light his hands on fire.  Major kudos to the director for capturing such amazingness on film.  I can’t wait to see the documentary.

(pics taken by and with my fabulous sister)

vintage early 60s dress with purple velvet bodice, organza skirt with ruffles and velvet bows (the back of the skirt matches the front of the skirt!): Red Light Vintage, Portland
vintage early 60s purple velvet flower cocktail hat with veil: AlexSandras Vintage Emporium, Portland
white tights: thrifted
heels: Delia’s catalogue from high school : ) resoled a couple years back

I might believe in vintage gods.  I picked up that purple velvet hat on Saturday.  I didn’t know at the time what I’d wear it with, but I loved it and took it home with me.  On Sunday I walked into another vintage store on another side of town and found the purple velvet dress to match the hat.  They match too perfect  to not believe in some sort of vintage magic or guardian vintage angels.

I ended up wearing the ensemble on Monday night to the storytelling show I performed at.  The show  was awesome and I had so much fun.  I told a story I haven’t told publicly before.  Not even my sister in the audience knew it.  It was a packed 600 seat theater and I was high after the show for at least 24 hours.  Performing in front of a great audience, telling a story I haven’t told before… it was a real thrill.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Solonah of Vixen Vintage.   We grabbed breakfast, saw The Artist, and took some fun photo-booth pictures.  Please head over to Vixen Vintage to see more!

photo-booth pics via Vixen Vintage

It was a total blast.  Thank you, Solonah!

40s/50s Bermuda knit sweater: thrifted (only $1.50!)
1940s dress: etsy (also worn here)
floral socks: H&M
vintage salvatore ferragamo flats: ebay
satchel: Le Mode Accessories

I was back in San Francisco last week to accompany my boyfriend at his work installing an exhibit at the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate park.  He was also being filmed by the local news station.

I wore one of my latest thrift scores: a 40s/50s light pink angora sweater.  It’s always a joy to locate the vintage label while scouring the racks at a thrift shop.

I’ll be in Portland, OR this weekend!  It’ll be hard to visit some of my favorite vintage stores with little to no spending money in my pocket.  Back in the day Portland was my vintage mecca and I found some amazing pieces there that remain some of my favorites in my wardrobe.  It’s been a while since I’ve been back.  Last time I visited was while I was on tour in November 2009.  The reason for this brief trip is a performance I’ll be doing on Monday, Jan 23 for Back Fence PDX a live storytelling show.  I’ll be telling a story for the theme I DIDN’T THINK THIS THROUGH.

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., Monday at The Gerding Theater at the Armory, Portland Center Stage, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.  Tickets are free, but the reserved tickets are “sold out.”  Although some people reserve tickets and don’t use them so there might be some available at the door.  If you’re in Portland, I’d love to see you.  And if you know of any Portland fun things to do or see on the cheap, let me know!

70s dress: thrifted
rust colored tights: F21
oxford heels: Payless
satchel: Le Mode Accessories
necklace: antique store in Santa Cruz, CA
pearl ring: Laurel’s Bench; cameo ring: gift

Every once and awhile I go back to my roots and enjoy the simplicity of wearing a dress with tights.  It’s what I’ve worn for years, and will always go back to.  This dress is new-to-me.  I thrifted it for $4.  I’m planning on hemming it shorter with a double-tier skirt to maintain the print that edges the bottom.  Of course it’ll become yet another addition to my growing pile of pieces to alter and mend.  Oh, well.  Such is the life of a vintage enthusiast.

Speaking of roots it’s really no surprise that I grew up to become a comedian, and a person who makes silly videos on YouTube.  In middle school my childhood friend Sarah had a video camera.  We spent days making elaborate movies in silly costumes.  In one I played a robber and Sarah had thrown a chain around my neck when she “apprehended” me.  I said, “Stop.”  And Sarah kept acting right along.  I tapped her arm, and still no response.   I finally whispered, “I can’t breathe!”  Of course that lead to unending giggle fits.  I have to see if Sarah still has those videos, they’d be a riot to see. I’m pretty much doing the same silliness today.  I headed over to my friend Nick’s house and we made the first of many videos we’re planning on making together on our new youtube channel.   It’s pretty much the same as what Sarah and I did in middle school.  I think I’ll never be too old to have fun and be silly with a camera.  Here’s War: