Happy Snow Day!

Puppies!




Kitties! Ponies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXdp9xxpOtU

Sneaky Pete! (Outbid on eBay)

A new addition to my eBay roster ... what I got outbid on. My usual tactic is to bid on an item so obscure, hard to find (due to misspellings or poor listing), or with such terrible photos that no one wants it so I don't have any competition. But sometimes you only THINK you're the only one, then someone swoops in at 10 seconds left and outbids you. I mean, I've learned to wait until the last 30 seconds or so but I just get nervous and have to put in my bid. What if my computer freezes or something? And sometimes people just wait until the last few hours and a price escalates until it's insanely high and out of my price-range. I miss the eBay of years ago when people were afraid of internet shopping and thought vintage items were dirty.

Vintage Rudi Gernreich Ivory & Black Silk Scarf ... I'm not familiar with the designer. I just liked the print, but she/he must be important cause this sucker opened at $9.99 and went for $405.00!


100% Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater made for Bergdorf Goodman

Holiday Shopping on eBay: Eco-friendly Giftwrap

Step One: Get a Scarf

That wrapping paper-filled garbage bag that shows up after Christmas morning always depresses me. (It's technically a bag full of trees and money.) Since I think giftwrap is expensive and wasteful, I try to avoid it. Besides, why spend the money on something that literally just becomes trash when you can walk away with something you can wear? I've been using vintage silk scarves to wrap my presents. You can easily find fun ones on eBay that suit the giftee's personality. And if your recipients don't wear scarves, they can always use them to wrap someone else's gift. Here's a few scarves I found on eBay, plus a wrapping how-to.

1 Let'er Buck!
2 Green Stonehenge
3 French Poodles in Hot Air Ballons!
4 Florida State Souvenir
5 Victorian Portraits
6 Choo-choo Trains
7 Diamond Patterned

Step Two: Tie It Up

*Note: You don't need a box. I just used one for simplicity's sake. But feel free to reuse the box in which your packages arrived, if you need one. Coming soon ... a few other gift-wrapping ideas.

Sample Sale Alert!

I know there's an unprecendented amount of sample sales going on this month but here's a list of where I'll be. In order of practicality ...

What: The Globe Showroom
Why: Falls, Elijah, Luba J, H Fredriksson, Whistle & Flute, James Coviello — mostly under 100 bucks.
When: Dec. 10 & 11. Wed. & Thurs., noon-7 p.m.
Where: 263 W. 38th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves.
*I'm especially fond of Falls knits (pictured). I have 3 cashmere sweaters from 2 years ago that I still rely on religiously. I'm hoping to get my fix for this year.

What: Mackage
Why: Up to 50 percent off wools, leathers, trenches, shearlings.
When: Dec. 10-12. Wed.-Fri., noon-7:30 p.m.
Where: 275 W. 39th St. (212-391-5287).

Rachel Comey Sample Sale
Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m.; Friday, from 10 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. Rachel Comey Sample Sale, 335 West 35th Street, (between 8th and 9th avenues); no phone.

What: Alexander Wang (updates)
Why: Fall merch up to 80 percent off. Oversize cashmere sweaters were $425, now $80; sexy velvet dresses were $495, now $240.
When: Dec. 11-13. Thurs., 3-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 386 Broadway, b/t Walker & White Sts., 6th flr.

Holiday Shopping on Ebay: Week 4

Animal-shaped Light Bulbs
Plaid Oscar De la Renta Swing Coat
Blue Page Boy Winter Hat
Owl Inlaid Serving Tray
aDIORable Sunglasses
DIOR Gold Draped Necklace
Set of Gold Bird Drinking Glasses

Angora Attack!!

The drop in temp made me realize that I need more sweaters, so I obviously turned to eBay. I came across a fabulous angora sweater which prompted me to search for more. Most of these vintage sweaters are from the 80s — when apparently angora was popular — which means crazy Cosby designs, geometric Op-art, and precious fair isle and animal prints. Above is a sampling of good ones I've found.

What I Wore ...

Sample Sale Defeat by hodgepodge brigade

More like what I could have worn. I went to a sample sale recently and passed on this cashmere cardigan. The only size left was large and it was way too large even though I'd planned to wear it baggy. Now I'm trying to hound it down for the sample sale price because I refuse to pay anything more than that. At the same sale, these green jeans cost only $20, but I didn't feel like trying on pants ... especially at a sample sale. You know the feeling? Then another day I found these boots and loved them. Thing is, I felt I had to return a pair first in order to get these, so I waited. Now here is how it all would have come together if those items had made it into my wardrobe. I've been into a bit of an L.L.Bean thing lately now that winter's approaching and I intend to keep warm. I think this is a mix of outdoorsy and street wear.

Holiday Shopping on Ebay: Week 3

For Her and for Him ...







Doggie Doorstop
NEW Lanvin Silk Scarf with Palm Trees
Saks Fifth Ave Snakeskin Clutch with Tiny Ruffle
Buttons-up-the-back Karl Lagerfeld Cashmere Sweater
Playboy Bar Tools Set
60s Dart Board
(posted every tuesday)

All I want for Christmas ...

All I want for Christmas ... by hodgepodge brigade

For those of you who don't know, click on the above image, then you can click on individual items to see where to get them. Don't forget about the puppy!

*A note on the gift cards: Barnes and Noble is my school bookstore, so I can get my school supplies there. And Starbucks is across the street from school, so I can stay awake during class!

Holiday Shopping on Ebay: Week 2

TOYS!!!







German Elephant Bank
Fisher Price Record Player
Shooting Spaceman
Wind-up Goat
Ms. PacMan
Elephant Puzzle Keychain

Holiday Shopping on Ebay

In the spirit of being green, I've decided to give vintage gifts for the holidays. I successfully did it last year (via eBay) and am going in for a second round. My plan is to share the fruits of my eBay-hunting skillz by posting what I think would make great nifty-gifties every Tuesday.

On another note, I should probably just change this to a straight-up eBay blog.


Tray with Wooden Inlaid Birds


MEOW! Kitty Pitcher


Fancy Gold Mesh Cigarette Case


Yellow Leather Belt with Sunset


WHOO-HOOT! Mini Owl Bookends


Hourglass Pin with Bow


Brass Kaleidoscope

eBay Buy of the Week: Special "Blue" Edition

Last night's results were so exciting, I was inspired put a hold on my schoolwork (which has been keeping me from the blog) to pick out blue items.


Apple Pie Shirt


A Blue Homage to Albers Scarf


Billowy Blue Blouse


AMERICAN Tourister Suitcase

eBay Buy of the Week

In honor of Stella in this season's Project Runway, I present leather. Not intended to be worn together, but badass if you do.





Woven Leather Top
Leather Pencil Skirt
Leather Boots with Reptile Skin Detail

Update: How to Stretch Leather Shoes

Fiebing's Shoe Stretch ... just read about it. And as those royal blue wedges have yet to make it outside, I will have to try it. Besides, the packaging's awesome.

eBay Buy of the Week

Because fall is coming and who doesn't love cashmere?
Polka Dots
Big Bow

eBay Buy of the Week

Write Away!





Just a Quickie
Pink Fountain Pen
Boyfriend Book
On the Cover: From this day on I'll keep complete / A record of all the boys I meet / Because among them there may be / The one who'll mean the world to me.
Black and White Buttoned Gloves