She's a Hoot

My friend Genevieve loves Owls (so does Ali). Genevieve really loves them because she is a funny person, the life of the party...and she says she's "a hoot".

Who doesn't need a mascot to remind them that they are witty and fun to be around? This is a vintage owl belt, a mere $14 on Day Lab, a website that carries quirky vintage items most of them less than $30. I bought myself some sweet HB initials there over the winter, although I might look a little too O.G.* in them.

*That's "Original Gangster" for those of you born later than 1985, ref: Ice-T.

Please Do Not Stare, Unless You Cannot Help Yourself...

Aren't you tempting, sitting there taunting us on a cake plate no less?

Vintage snakeskin and possibly croc *sigh* clutch. Available at Louis Boston, maybe.

I almost feel like Barney's NY wishes they were as cool and edited as Louis Boston.

This little reptile-skinned confection (wearing a sparkly something) really nails that one-of-a-kind feel every other boutique department store is trying to capture in their corporate nets.

Bravo. And sign me up.

The Best of the 80's

In no particular order, and loved equally by me. I am sure there will be someaddendums as I lament in future days.


1. Swatch. The scratch and sniff, available in three flavors sold at The Limited for $25. I wore mine until it turned yellow. This was my first of several swatches (of which I can only locate one). My brother had the Jellyfish, first men's Swatch.

2. The music. Still the only thing we are really allowed to celebrate somewhat publicly on mocking "80's Nights". But you know those people are loving the flashback.

3. ELLE magazine. Thank you to those editors during the 80's. It was my first fashion magazine and I got it religiously from age 10 until now. I especially remember the one they published backwards because they did a poll and some high percentage of women read magazines back to front. Innovative and I don't think anyone else has done it again to this day. Even Seinfeld copied them on that one.

4. Guess Jeans - the triangle logo on the pocket, zip ankles, and the ads.

5. Micheal Jackson who deserves his own number in this line up. The posters, pins, #1 songs, the dance moves, videos...all fond memories of many sleepovers in friend's basements.

6. Benetton. I love that logo.

7. The Goonies. I had a major crush on Sean Astin. Had I known he would grow up to be 5" shorter than me, I probably would have tried a little harder at age 11.

8. Friendship Pins - the legitimate beginning of my jewelry design happened in my BFF's basement (Melissa). If only I had the arsenal of tools then that I have now. We are still BFF today, and we are still designing jewelry. Funny...

9. Hello Kitty. A trend that started in 1975, Melissa and I really embraced this kitty in the 80s. It was my life's mission to have every bit of Hello Kitty gear out there. The mini colored pencils, every pad of paper, stationary, figurine, stuffed animal. The thing is, now we could not keep up. Target even has a Hello Kitty toaster.

10. My pink Sharp radio. Many many mixtapes from the radio (Open House Party) were made on this beloved treasure. It sat in a shrine to the 80's in the 80's near my inflatable palm trees. Long live FM, pop music, and this plastic radio.
Look at that thing, it's gorgeous.

Latest and Greatest Wants.

I love elephants for more than one reason. I am politically in favor of elephants, this bracelet in particular. It's Cavalli, nice work on the costume jewelry. Currently on sale for $490 on vivre.com.

Also available is this delicious, but slightly pricier Boucheron double snake ring (left, the one that looks like a snake will give it away). This is something I would want in my collection. In case anyone is reading this and has a hankering for buying me a $2400+ gift. My birthday is coming.

R&Y Augousti, Paris...

These bags are nothing short of delicious. Everyone needs a good clutch. It can double as a wallet. A clutch can be pulled out of your suitcase of a handbag and taken with you on many after-dark adventures. R&Y Augousti's clutches are the most incredible way to do just this.

R&Y Augousti's handbags are inspired by their furniture collection started in 1990. Every piece is handmade using top quality exotic skins from ostrich, stingray and eel accented by bronze hardware. The clutch shown above is shown in taupe ostrich skin with stingray detail. Similar pieces are available in bright pink and chocolate brown at my retail store, Luxe Newport, for $380. Also featured at Luxe Newport are clutches in navy blue ostrich and patent-looking eel skins; as well as the cream puff piece of our collection: a chocolate leather bag with green Malachite handles and cabochon detail for $440.

I strongly urge you to invest in a fun, interesting, colorful, texturized, or simply delicious clutch. For more information on the R&Y Augousti clutches available at CK Bradley in NYC, call 212-988-7999 or email heidi@shopsugar.com.

Happiness is Vintage Shopping...in Rhode Island

Last night I stopped into Savers in Warwick, RI looking for a Members Only jacket for my friend's halloween costume. I already have one...it's vintage and in perfect condition purchased last March at a boutique in Soho. I have never worn it. I am still perplexed about what occaision warrants my wearing a men's Member's Only jacket in Newport. For the record, it looks similar to the one on the right.

When I come across something truly delicious in a vintage or thrift store, or ebay (of course) it makes me want to disclose my treasure chest to everyone. So here is a guide for vintage and thrift shopping in the Ocean State.

Newport, RI

Two great stores within two blocks of each other, and a bonus thrift store...

Vintage to Vogue - 70 Broadway

Closet Revival - 30 Broadway

Salvation Army - between these two stores through a parking lot...not sure of the address.

All of these stores have the advantage of being located in a town known for it's summer resort style. They carry true vintage from the 30s to the 80s, as well as designer brands and of course, preppy gear including vintage Lilly, vintage plaid pants and blazers, and embriodered pants for men.

Warwick, RI

Savers is worth the trip. Not only is it a k-mart sized thrift store, but 100% of the profits are donated to Big Sisters. This is an advantage because they obtain large donations of clothing and accessories from families looking for a place to donate their beloved designer threads. Last night we stumbled on a vintage green Aquascutum jacket, purchased a vintage Burberrys' (as the label reads!) camel hair jacket, and of course other treasures. Most everything is $0.99 - $7.99 with some pricier exceptions.

Savers - 24 Universal Blvd (off of Bald Hill Rd. next to Best Buy)

visit http://www.savers.com/ for more locations in the US, Canada, and Australia!

Donate Shop - 90 Airport Rd.

I am not sure if this is open, but while you're up there...

Providence, RI

The home of RISD, Brown, Providence College, and many private secondary schools...Providence even has a vintage store in the mall.

Second Time Around - 294 Thayer Street & Providence Place Mall*

*the mall store has more selection and designer pieces

NAVA - 281 Thayer Street

(mixed new and vintage, well edited)

Foreign Affair Warehouse - 219 Thayer Street

(great edited selection of vintage labels 50s through 80s, evening, heaps of men's clothing, theme, etc.)

1793 - 5 Steeple Street 2nd floor

(fantastic selection of boutique vintage gear, worth the hunt...and stop at the cafe on the corner while you're down there)

Rocket to Mars - 144 Broadway p#401-274-0905

(A+++ themed in 50s and 60s - furniture, clothing, accessories, homegoods, jewelry and more. This store is perfect and deserves a lot of business to keep it going. Vintage patterns available too. Incredible. We bought dresses, jewelry, a bowling trophy, and seven handbags of various shapes and sizes.)

Act II - 802 Hope Street (E. Providence)

(this one closes early and is more of a women's consignment store. It is very big and seems to carry a wide selection of women's clothing and accessories, although it was closed when we arrived! Worth the trip as there are other cute boutiques nearby with interesting finds at good prices.)

My Sister's Attic Consignment - 342 Atwells Ave in Federal Hill p#401-351-4092

(this was also closed, mostly furniture, tchotchkes, but a good selection of jewelry from what we could tell with noses pressed against the window. Also in the Italian neighborhood where the food is amazing!)

Salvation Army - 201 Pittman St

Goodwill - 80 Manton Ave

Cranston, RI

I have never been to any of these, so I don't know if they are good or even open. But it seems like a good idea to include them for the vintage hunter extraordinaire.

Eve in Paris - 2 Gansett Ave 401-942-7747

Resale Connection - 330 Atwood Ave 401-942-5098

Adored by Us - 1458 Park Ave #3 401-942-0570