November Merch + Fake Hair!

Vintage 1950s smoke lilac prom dress

It's been a hopping month over at Meri Vintage! Items have been flying out of the shop - this has certainly been the most busy month ever since we opened this spring. Check out the heart-meltingly amazing 1950s prom dress above. I'd give anything to squeeze into this beauty, but alas, it's in the shop for you to enjoy.

Vintage 1960s tailored pink blazer

Leah and I have both recently added some new items, and sold a few of our faves. Even it's horribly depressing that we now live in different cities, this has greatly helped the merchandise selection in the store! We can now cover double the territory without depleting all the usual haunts. Leah picked up the beauty above from a friend - this blazer is unreal. Check out the black version Leah's keeping for herself - she put it up on Lookbook. It almost borders on dress-length. Stunning.


In other non-vintage news, I purchased my first wig ever!

As some of you know, my mom went through a battle with cancer last year. She's been cancer-free for over a year, and she's doing great. However, she bought a wig prior to chemo just in case. Well, turns out she never lost her hair, but I've been very intrigued about wigs ever since I tried hers on.

So, not really having any experience with one, I went ahead and bought one to wear for our holiday shows at the theatre ...

Me wearing Scarlet Fever wig from MissVioletLace

Quite simply, it's absolutely gorgeous! I had one of the most wonderful, smooth, FAST purchases from Krista at MissVioletLace. You can truly tell when an Etsian cares about their business and merchandise, and this store is a perfect example.

Anyway, Krista has added some of my photos to the listing. So go check out her Etsy store and buy yourself some super fab fake hair!

Jolly Holidays to you all!

XOX,
Ashley

pistachio + peach

pistachio + peach treasury by merivintage

Here's a little eye candy for your weekend. We gathered our favorite pistachio- and peach-colored vintage items from all over Etsy. Please check it out and visit each of these wonderful sellers' stores!

XOX,
Ashley

New at Meri Vintage

We've had a busy busy summer and fall here at Meri Vintage! What have we been up to, you ask? Well, Ashley has been busy helping stage an original production at a theatre in Huntsville, while Leah is preparing for her Birmingham debut as Janet in Rocky Horror! Lots of exciting things a-happening here.

What's new at the store, you might ask? Well, for starters, I've been trying not to take everything wonderful we lay our eyes on. Hence, you have access to this fabulous Gunne Sax peplum lace sweetheart-neckline beauty:

Vintage 1980s Gunne Sax peplum lace dress

What to pair with it? How about this early-1960s gold and black brocade clutch? These are both fabulous transitional pieces for early to late fall.

Vintage early 1960s gold/black paisley brocade clutch

Enjoy and have a lovely weekend!

Summer

I think my (also Midwestern) co-worker best described our sweltering Alabama sumer: In Detroit & Chicago, there are 3 months where you can't go outdoors. It's the same thing here, just in the opposite season. Lovelies, I am ready, ready, ready for the fall -- everything about it! Indian summer, college football, transitional fashion. Bring on September!

Although, this summer did bring a few lovely things my way:

Roma Tomatoes! My first attempt at growing food in our garden. And they grew, lived, and eventually ended up in a delicious sauce with freshly made pasta.

She & Him! One of only two big concerts I've been to in Alabama.

I learned to sew! My bestest friend Leah gave me a crash course in sewing on a machine. I've always known how to sew by hand, but the machine really amps it up a notch. Possibly one of the scariest/most exhiliarating things I've done on the machine: Cutting Kevin's $90 Brooks Brothers linen pants and hemming them (the first pair of pants I've ever hemmed). And they turned out alright! Or at least, the same length.

So what did you do this summer? What kinds of adventures did you go on? Did you learn a new skill like sewing, or try growing some vegetables in your garden? What are you looking forward to this fall?

watercolors

Pink oxfords .... there's not much else to say about this look, friends.

new look

Haven't posted a look in about 2 months, so here ya go ...

I wasn't so sure about my outfit this morning. Mostly I was worried about the texture of the blouse in contrast with the flouncy, cotton skirt. The blouse is a very fine polyester, but almost feels more like silk.

Everything thrifted except the shoes and skirt.

Adjust-o-Matic Dress Form

1970s triple-loop white necklace

Very, very excited about my latest eBay purchase. It all started out when Leah and I took some horrendously disgusting photos of ourselves for the Etsy store. We realized, "If we can't stand to look at these photos, who is ever going to purchase the clothes??"

Enter the dress form. Leah's about to have her own for costuming classes she'll be taking in the fall. These little babies double nicely as Etsy models. I've always admired vintage dress forms used by Etsy sellers -- however, I have not adored their hefty price tag.

Luckily for me, I found this incredible Adjust-o-Matic dress form on eBay last week! It's a cardboard paper dress form that adjusts to fit the size clothing you're making. After doing a little research, I found that they were manufactured in the late 1960s and 70s.

She's a much lovelier model. She also scares the living daylights out of our cats (and me, when I walk downstairs in the dark).

Happy Summer!

Hello hello! It's been a while since we've posted (obviously). The blog also has a new look, thanks to Shabby Blogs! Head over their way for some fabulous FREE blog templates. Love! Leah's blog is also rocking one of their designs.

What's new in our world? Well, not much, except that we're getting ready to part ways for a while. Leah's about to go back to college and open an exciting chapter in her life. It's so difficult to find friends with whom you're instantly comfortable, and friendship comes easy. We're like that. So, I'm obviously sad to see her go, but happy to be visiting a great friend in a unique, artsy, fabulous city.

Watch my aha moment

On my side of things, Meri Vintage was tracked down by Omaha Mutual to be featured in their "aha moment" campaign! Specifically, they wanted to talk with my about launching an online photography business. I was happy to oblige, and met up with them during their stop in Huntsville. Click above or here to watch my interview.

Will have more to post later about our latest thrifting trip, my latest find on eBay (a vintage 1960s Adjust-o-Matic dress form!). You can also check out Leah's blog to read all about our She & Him Extravaganza last weekend!

a little bit o' listings!

New things just added to Merivintage!

Buy it now! 

Buy it here! 

But it now! 

Purchase here! 

Buy it now! 

Purchase now!

Love it?! Buy it! 

Yes, you know you want it! 

Buy! 

Great stuff at low prices! Hope you enjoy looking at our down south discoveries!

polka dots!

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Haven't posted in a while. Hype me, ya'll!

I am now officially obsessed with matte lipstick. It's very awkward at first, totally and completely drying, and sort of feels like chalk going on. BUT, if you can get over the texture issues, the look is just absolutely amazing. The color I'm wearing is MAC's Ruby Woo.

A few Sunday listings

Vintage Sesto Meucci Oxford Heels

Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo white bow heels

Just added two lovely pairs of vintage white shoes! I have to say, it's so tempting to keep the Ferragamos. They're just perfect, and in mint condition. But alas, I will share this loveliness with the world and hope they go to a wonderful owner!

Since opening we've now had 7 sales, which is supremely exciting for us! Thank you all for the support and love <3

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Ashley

From Leah's blog: 'Found Happiness'

Dying. That's the stage I'm at in my life right now. I'm absolutely dying. Whilst blubbering around on Facebook last night, an ad pops up on the side bar of a She & Him photo. Didn't think anything of it. As I was scrolling through the news feed, I see Birmingham, AL to my right. I felt a sudden jolt in my heart. It couldn't be. There was no way. I view the entire ad and bam.

There it was: She & Him at Sloss' Furnace.

After screaming around my house for about five minutes I dialed Ashley. I'm nearly peeing myself telling her the news. We made it a definite. On Saturday July 10th, 2010 at 8pm Ashley and I will be boppin' along to the wonderful groovin's of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. My heart is in a freenzy, I can barely breathe..what a day it's going to be.

Ballin' photo at the Sloss'

I might cry.

I'm seeing them.

Life will be over as we know it.

The jolliest of days my darlings!!!!

Lace, bows and braids

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Braids!!! Let me start this off by saying, I have never been able to rock this look, but I found a great tutorial over at Cupcakes & Cashmere that is both simple and lovely. Basically, all it entails is braiding two pigtails, flipping them upside down, and some artistic bobby-pinning.

On an unrelated note, I did spend about $100 at Forever 21 (which is a lot for me, especially since Leah and I have been thrifting so much lately) solely on lace apparel. This is it for a while, which I'm promising myself. I pulled some of the pieces below, my favorite being the black lace biker shorts! I somehow managed, with determination and skill, to shove myself into an XS, that being the only size left.

Relay for Life!

The most inspiring two-time survivor, Miss Darby

Though this has nothing to do with vintage fashions, we can file this one under "inspiration." Last night we attended the Huntsville Metro Relay for Life, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Leah and I had the honor of walking with the beautiful 10-year-old Darby during the first "Survivor Lap" of the 12-hour event. Darby has beaten cancer not only once, but two times in her short life. I can't think of anything more inspiring than that. Despite some aching in her legs, we circled around for two laps and she barely wanted to stop then.

The motto of Relay is "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back." Congratulations to everyone who participated last night, you are all heroes and we celebrate your battle.

XOX,

Ashley

Today's look

'Happy' | Lookbook.nu

This was actually last night's look, technically. This dress is absolutely amazing, and it was supposed to go on the Etsy store, but sorry ladies, I'm keeping it for myself!

This little beauty came from a less-than-desirable thrift store, however, I think the selection is way better since Leah may be the only person who dares shops there! Regardless, I'm happy to have accompanied her a few weeks ago since I found this loveliness.

There was an occasion for this outfit. Last night was my very first gallery opening at Sam & Greg's in downtown Huntsville. I have 15 pieces up for the next month, so go grab yourself some delicious pizza & gelato and check out the exhibit!

XOX,
Ashley

What's old is new again at Lincoln Mill

Lincoln Mill, circa 1929

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to get a quick tour of the Lincoln Mills Project going on just outside downtown Huntsville.

After having a day to sit and process everything I saw: This place is going to be absolutely incredible, and Huntsville is lucky to have this development.

For those non-Alabamians, Huntsville used to be home to four textile mills -- Lincoln, Dallas, Lowe and Merrimack mills. Dallas no longer exists, while Lincoln, Merrimack and Lowe have all been restored by three independent local developers. Now, Leah and I have a particular interest in this, being that we work at one of them.

However, Lincoln Mills is going to be totally different than what's happening at Lowe and Merrimack. The entire project is really a multi-use facility that incorporates lofts (for rent, no condos!), a restaurant, Greengate School, a brewery (Straight to Ale) and rental space for events. If you haven't been by lately, you ought to take a drive down Meridian Street.

Follow their progress over at the Lincoln Mills blog.

XOX,

Ashley

Running away from you, is just like running a business

Off-white Enzo Angiolini Heeled Leather Loafers

Hello, ya'll! After a weekend/Monday of digging, we have some great new finds for you this week! We listed a whole bunch of stuff last week on Friday, including blouses, dresses, and some rockin' 80s party dresses. We hope you've enjoyed everything so far.

These little beauties (pictured above) hurt us a little. Leah desperately wanted them for herself, sadly, they are too small for either of us, so we're passing the love along to you!

Coming tomorrow: Salvatore Ferragamo white bow flats! Let the screaming ensue :)

PS -- Leah is currently on the Hot page on Lookbook! Go hype her ASAP!

XOX,

Ashley

NEW loveliness over at the store!

Left | Right

Lots of new goodness going on over at the Meri Vintage Etsy store! We've got a whole new selection of dresses, blouses, rompers and accessories in all shapes, sizes and colors. A few plus-size options, and all types of dresses from the 50s through the 80s!

Two of our favorites are above, both secretary dresses. Ashley's on the right, Leah is at left in the pink. It's funny because I think the general population (or at least here) thinks people who wear vintage all dress pretty similarly. But Leah and I both have very different styles. Leah's all about the 1940s-50s, while I gravitate more toward the 1960s-70s. She chooses lighter colors, while I always opt for blacks and blues.

Anyway, the point of all this is that while we're both wearing secretary dresses above, we bring our own unique styles to Meri Vintage and we hope very much that you enjoy the selection of items we find down here in Alabama.

Happy shopping and happy weekend!

XOX, Ashley

Vintage Love

Sunny with a chance of rain

I am absolutely loving the new Treasury East on Etsy. This is currently the Meri Vintage treasury, "Sunny with a chance of rain."

Check it out for great vintage pieces from other Etsy sellers.

First dress sale

80s Pink Damask Dress

I'm especially excited today because we had our second Etsy sale, and it was the first vintage dress we've sold on the Etsy store!

This piece is particularly girly and pretty for an 80s dress, since it's got the crazy sleeves and heavy damask pattern. Leah fell in love with it upon finding it, and purchased it for herself even though it's a size too large.

She then passed it to me, and alas, it was too small. So, though heartbroken neither of us could fit into it, we listed it on Etsy, and it became one our first items on Meri Vintage. Now, it will have a lovely new home in Canada.

This sale is a big milestone for the store. We're always complimented individually on our styles, and we knew this store could work. Now, you're all showing us some love and helping us get this puppy off the ground. :)

Thanks for visiting the blog. <3 Have a glorious day!

XOX, Ashley

Welcome!

Welcome to the official blog for Meri Vintage! We'll post our favorite finds, and the stories behind the items we're selling on our Etsy page.

Thanks for tuning in. We look forward to bringing you fabulous finds from down in Dixieland.

<3
Ashley + Leah