I’m not sure what rock I’ve been living under, but one of my friends in San Francisco recently turned me on to Grey Gardens — the documentary about Big Edith and Little Edith Bouvier Beale - bohemian recluses and relatives of former first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onasis, who garnered the spotlight when it was revealed that they were living as recluses in a crumbling mansion.

I am totally obsessed with learning more about these mesmerizing women! They lived in squalor, their home was falling in on itself, and although the two women were living in prestigious East Hampton, their house was overrun with animals, insects and, once the documentary premiered, curious onlookers.

Little Edie Beale was a stunning woman in her youth, and in her eccentric middle age, she took to wearing head dresses and fashioning some of the most unusual outfits imaginable. Fashion designers have often drawn inspiration from Edie’s fashion forwardness.

Perhaps the most endearing aspect of the Beale ladies is the love/hate relationship between mother and daughter. Despite it all, these two women were totally devoted to and dependent on each other, and this dynamic was completely unwavering.

I haven’t actually seen Grey Gardens yet, I’m waiting on my copy to arrive from Amazon. I went on a buying spree about all things Grey Gardens, buying two DVDs and a book. The first to arrive was the follow on documentary created by the Maysles brothers who filmed the original “Grey Gardens.” This movie, titled “The Beales of Grey Gardens,” is comprised of footage that wasn’t used in the original, but nonetheless, absolutely fascinating. I can’t wait for my “Grey Gardens” DVD to arrive. Albert Maysles, one of the original documentarians, said in the opening of the “Beales of Grey Gardens” film that this resurrected footage brings these two ladies back to life. It most certainly does, and what a life they had!

You have to wonder after all these years (the original was filmed in 1976), what has become of the rambling dilapidated mansion known as Grey Gardens. I found a news clip on You Tube that returns to Gray Gardens on the 30th anniversary of the film’s debut.

Join the official fan site at www.greygardens.com.

Read a fascinating article by New York Magazine.

 Little Edie’s Obituary: A fascinating read from The Guardian.

I love clutches…they remind me of my impetuous youth. Check out these crazy clutches I found recently, that are all for sale in my store. They are fantastic!

Vintage Gold Digger 70s Clutch @ LoveDove Vintage - $9.99

Slouchy Taupe Purse @ LoveDove Vintage - $12.99

Vintage Cherry Red Handful @ LoveDove Vintage - $10.99

I’m clearing out lots of cute vintage items in LoveDove Vintage - my Etsy store - to make room for lots of great new vintage purses, clothes and jewelry. Take a look at what $5 can get you, below…

Those of us in Texas who happen to worship at the alter of Magnolia Pearl, look forward to the annual trek to Marburger Farms for a chance to luxuriate in all the wonder of Robin “Pearl” Brown’s divine creations. She captured the process of preparing for Marburger Farms in a recent video below, and for those of you who can’t make the trip, maybe you can live vicariously through the frames of this video…

Besides having the most inventive store name ever, you have to wonder if there’s not an inkling of truth in the store owner’s family history. Floozies of the world unite and can now shop at Grandma was a Floozy  for some truly funky, sort of goth Victorian hippie glam cuffs, necklaces, and crocheted gloves. Some of my current favorites can be found below.

Speaking of goth inspired creativity, my friend Jessie in wonderful San Francisco, who also happens to be one of the most creative people I know, is about to launch her own line of goth inspired glam lovelies under the banner of Tinsel and Ashes. Keep an eye out for her–she’s going to be big! And visit her web site too — www.tinselandashes.com it will be launching soon. I’ll definitely post more details as they emerge.

Grandma Was a Floozy’s Little Vixen Gloves - $40

Rogue/Villian Men’s Cuffs - $36

Floozy be Mine - $36

Ring Around the Floozy - $10

I oh-so-love Magnolia Pearl bags and clothing, it’s hippie glam at it’s finest–along with being green, they  recycle vintage textiles by finding and turning them into amazing works of art. Magnolia Pearl is also featured in Country Living magazine’s April 2008 issue. Check out the article and photo montage. The big news is that she’ll soon have a book - due out this summer.

So, naturally, I was thrilled to find these two videos that Robin “Pearl” Brown (aka, Magnolia Pearl) created to showcase some of her new Spring clothing and give a behind-the-scenes insight into how Robin’s mind works…

Robin’s Interview:

Perhaps the name is a spin on the oh-so-trendy “Let’s Make a Deal” game show that graced the small screen back in the ’70s, but I have to tell you Door Number 4 is one of my favorite shops on Etsy. Being that I’m on a serious Peacock kick, I found the most amazing 60s seed bead covered oversized peacock purse ever at Door No. 4 and it sealed the deal. I’m keeping an eye on this shop. No I won’t be giving up my precious bag anytime soon (see pic below), but I will say that there are lots of mod and retro trendy goods to be had behind those doors.

My latest aquisition:

As of today, some of the super cool retro chic things you’ll find behind the Door include:

Super chic ’80s butterfly sweater: $68

A pair of matching “Go Go Madness” sunglasses: $30

Or how about an Aquarium around your neck for inspiration? $46

Super cool that LoveDove Vintage (my etsy shop) was featured on the “Daily Swank” at Vintage Indie today.

Lovin’ on the little black dress, they picked out some super cute and oh-so-vintage party dresses that are perfect for the season.

See the article at Vintage Indie.

I got the greatest email from Stacey at Hipsterville, an extension of FashionFollower.com. Love their site and you will too! Here’s Stacey’s note verbatim, below:

OMG, loving Vinty! Just wanted to let you know about our little online shop.

Hipsterville is the one-stop destination for smashing vintage gear with a rock-n-pop edge.  Inspired by the musical icons of the past, we only stock our shop with pieces that are colorful & quirky and always with a nod to current fashion trends.

I know what you’re thinking.  ANOTHER eBay vintage shop?  Everyone and their brother’s-girlfriend’s-sister’s-best friend has an eBay vintage shop these days.  But face it, you just can’t get enough and we think that you’ll dig our point-of-view, which is all about dancing to the beat of a different drummer.   

Hipsterville is an extension of the FashionFollower.com web magazine where music & fashion were always our passion and our vintage selection reflects this.  Every piece in the shop is named after a song and many of them have been modified to fit the shape of modern girlie style so you never look like you’re wearing a costume, just a fab little frock that will totally turn heads. 

We also craft customized pieces with darling little embroidery & appliqués using recycled fabrics under our label 28 Crash! (loads of owls, and birds, and horses…OH MY!)   Stop by your local Urban Outfitters and you may find our stuff on their Urban Renewal rack.  Or you can just go to our online shop! 

So make sure to check us out, be prepared to SMILE!  And if you want to swap plugs and links, make sure to contact us so we can spread the word about YOU as well.

Rock on with your bad self!

Stacey

Editor-in-Chief/ Creative Director Extraordinaire

Everything mod is fun again and Canadian artist Colleen Baran has designed some of the most fascinating  mod jewelry around. I’m a recent proud owner of the ring below–and while it took a while to finally arrive– it was well worth the wait. Colleen is attracting all types of attention–being featured in jewelry books and magazine articles, but she is modest about these achievements.

My super cool ring from the Bubble Lace Series ($129)  is below:

Check out some of her many different jewelry designs at her etsy shop. She works with multiple materials like silver and she recently unveiled a line of felted jewelry.

Bubble Lace Hoop Earrings $169

Floating Saucer Ring $54

Framework Series Ring $64