How I Wore It: Guest Post from Inherited's Sabrina Heise

I’m Sabrina, and my shop is Inherited. I hunt for vintage clothes and accessories from the 1910s to the 1980s that look like they have a good story to them. Today, I’m showing how I’d style some vintage pieces from my shop that can be worn in modern life without looking like you’re dressed for Halloween or a theme party. I’m not a fashion blogger (as you can probably tell from the awkward poses/faces), so bear with me!

This set is a fantastic jade green brocade top and skirt by Rosette Pennington New York. A newspaper article from the 1940s described Pennington as someone who “ "makes a business of choosing young and attractive wardrobes for the debutante crowd." 

 This is the bare-bones matching shell and skirt. The top buttons down the back and has the boxy look that was so trendy in the mid-1960s.

Putting a more modern spin on the vintage set, I belted the top with a skinny belt [to give the outfit a peplum effect. The fashion world often looks to the past for inspiration; often you can use vintage pieces to create a look that is completely on (or ahead of!) trends. The outfit was completed with neutral heels and a simple necklace.

Splitting up the pieces, I paired the top with dark skinny jeans, a modern necklace and some fun heels. I think it makes the top look less formal, and the brocade texture paired really nicely with denim.

Vintage pairs well with vintage-inspired. I matched the skirt with an ivory silk top from Urban Outfitters that has a pretty, bohemian feel.

Vintage + Vintage: I pulled this peach ruffled blouse from the Inherited racks because I thought the peach and jade would make an interesting color contrast. If you’re wearing head-to-toe vintage, pairing pieces from different decades keeps the outfit from looking too costumey. (I call this pose my “Miss Congeniality” pose.)

Vintage is so much fun; it’s nostalgic and has a one-of-a-kind appeal. You’d be surprised how easily you can work vintage pieces into your everyday wardrobe!

Thanks Sabrina! We're lucky enough to have Sabrina contributing these "How I Wore It" from time to time, so be sure to keep an eye out. You should also:

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Giant Octopus Invades the City Gallery at Waterfront Park

Most random title on the blog thus far! Better late than never should really be the title. I noticed a message from Finkelstein's Center on Facebook about this being the LAST weekend to check out their exhibition in the City Gallery at Waterfront Park and I put it on my must-be-done-this-weekend list. Here's what I was in for:


Piccolo Spoleto presents A Long Time Ago at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park.
Curated by Hirona Matsuda, A Long Time Ago…. captures the art of storytelling, the oldest known art form, in this enchanting contemporary art exhibit. Featuring artwork by local artists Lisa Abernathy, Becca Barnet, Seth Corts, Baird Hoffmire, Michelle Jewell, Xin Lu, Lisa Shimko, Liz Vaughan, and Trever Webster, painting, sculpture, paper-cutting, collage, and pen and ink drawing will be showcased in this exhibition. - Source

Michelle's exhibit was part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival here in Charleston. 

Focusing primarily on artists of the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to the international scope of its parent festival and its 700 events in 17 days, transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of performing, literary and visual arts. Piccolo Spoleto’s traditional program offerings include visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film. - Source

First of all, it took me a good 10 minutes to get a picture with no one in it. Literally everyone that came in the gallery HAD to have a picture with the giant octopus!


From the very first Artist Market, I've been so impressed with these toys. The workmanship, creativity and detail stand out. Sailors, cats in bikinis, elephants in suspenders, twigs and acorns, and hipsters in button beards flooded the table.


My personal favorite at the gallery - the Pegasus made from corduroy. 

Michelle Jewell, owner/founder/creator at Finkelstein's Center makes all her creations by hand. Each piece of fabric is hand cut and unique - she doesn't use patterns, so no two creations are ever identical. 

About Finkelstein's Center:

Michelle Jewell
Photo Credit: Art Mag

"Finkelstein’s Center is a toy workshop for the forgotten things to be reborn. It’s a facility for materials to be upcycled, many times from donations and thrift stores that are washed and repurposed.” - Jewell

Check her works out here:

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Etsy

Finkelstein's Center

Homemade Happy Hour: Canning with Carla Bakes

Yesterday, some of my girlfriends and I were treated to a canning class from the talented Carla Walker, creator of Carla Bakes. You may be familiar with her bacon chocolate chip cookies from the Lowcountry Artist Market.

Our tutorial included how to make both pepper jelly and strawberry jam. Of course, we immediately got down to business.

The  business of wine, cheese, pralines, and vintage aprons that is. Be sure to check out Runaround Sue Vintage to pick up one of these classic aprons. My personal favorite - the apron with a dishtowel attached - genius! 

Carla is a pro. After going over the basics of jelly vs jam vs chutney vs preserves, we were put to work. Here's Megan and Kelly chopping peppers - jalapenos, banana, bell, and poblano.

After giving the peppers a rough chop, we threw them in the food processor, just to get all the juices out. Then, directly on to the stove. (How pretty is that orange pot?)

Carla then gave us a little insight into her "lighter" jelly - skip some of that sugar and add pectin. This cut out roughly half the sugar (which is about 4 cups; not sure how I didn't realize how much sugar was in there)!

I am incredulous at its 99 servings per box. Contains nothing, 99 servings?! Each package did come with a cheat sheet for when to add, how much to add, how long to cook, etc. 

Even Angela's 10 year old chihuahua, Tater, was in on the action.

The peppers smelled unbelievable. Just peppers, sugar, apple cider vinegar and pectin. Carla did warn us that the heat from the peppers can get in your throat, so be sure to open a door (and wait until your 3 year old goes to preschool to start) and run your fan.

After about half an hour on the stove, the peppers were ready to can. All the cans, lids, and rings were sanitized before we got there (Thanks Carla!), so we just had to make sure the lip of the jar had nothing on it to prevent the seal. Emily, Kelly, and I started an assembly line.

After you've filled the jars, into the boiling water they go. They only need about 10 minutes in there. You could buy one of these, or attach skewers to a plastic basket (as seen here). Carla had so many little tips and tricks. No need to buy a bunch of fancy accessories; you probably already have everything you need at home. Although she did pick up one of these, instead of her usual tongs. 

Same process for strawberries. The next little while was spent listening for that satisfying "pop!" of each lid sealing. We all left with a jar of pepper jelly and strawberry jam. Nothing like adding a little homemade goodness into your happy hour. 

Maybe you should email Carla and plan your class!