SNEAK PEAK: Items coming to the SHOP this week!

What I am Thankful for...

Yesterday I stopped by a vintage store on a very busy street.  While attempting to park quickly, I swiped the side of a parked car.  I was sooo bummed.  After asking around inside the store, I found the owner.  He came outside and looked at the car, after mulling over it for a minute he said "you know what, don't worry about it, Happy Holidays" and gave me a hug.  And I was able to wipe of the mark on my car with the sleeve of my sweater.  That brings me to the first thing that I am thankful for: good things that happen when you don't expect them and kind people in the world.

Other things I'm thankful for:

1. My handsome husband and beautiful daughter, without whom my life would be incomplete.

2. My friends and extended family who keep me sane and let me ramble on about things.

3. Salvage Life-my experiment, my dream, my creative outlet, my baby.

4. The people I've met through Salvage Life, through this blog, on Twitter. The internet allows you to connect with the neatest that I would never have had the opportunity to meet if I had lived during the time the clothes I sell were made. 

I could probably go on and on because I am so blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I made a little Thanksgiving Day collage below from some of my favorite items in the SHOP.

Be sure to tune in for the Taylor Swift Special on NBC tonight at 8/7c, she'll be wearing some Salvage Life jewelry!

Salvage Style:: SEQUINS for the Holidays

Sequins are one of those things, when worn right, can be so timeless.  You instantly feel dressed up when you are wearing them.    I recently added a lot of festive, sequined adorned items to the SHOP for the holidays.  I have saved some clippings of sequins worn well from Who What Wear.  There's no better time to wear this look!

Salvage Life Look Alikes

I was just chatting with a friend yesterday about shopping and she had the same mentality as me.  Growing up without a lot of money to spend on clothes, I learned how to look at higher end stores to get ideas and then would try to find similar items at thrift stores and garage sales.  Now that I have made a business of this skill, I thought it would be fun to compare a couple items in the shop with their new counterparts. Two essential styles of coats to have in your wardrobe are the trench and the military style pea coat, let's see how Salvage Life's coats compare to the new options available.

 Michael Kors Trench $250, Salvage Life Basic Black Trench $52

 

Smythe Cadet Wool Blend Coat $995, Salvage Life Camel Pea Coat, $98

Obviously, I couldn't find exact matches, but I am amazed at how much can be spent on a coat.  Salvage Life is clearly offering a more affordable product and there was no new manufacturing, packaging or waste involved.  I'm looking forward to filling out my fall wardrobe with vintage pieces that look like their new counterparts, I just think it makes sense considering designers use vintage clothing to inspire their designs, why not buy the original?

There is still a few hours left to win the vintage swimsuit giveaway, be sure to leave your comment on this post.

Season Staple ~ Sweaters

If there is one thing I love about fall, it's sweaters!  Living in Southern California, it rarely gets cold enough to wear a coat, so sweaters are a staple.  I love how they come in so many styles and colors.  Here are a few that were added to the shop today.  Expect many more in the coming months.  Is there a certain color or type of sweater you would like to see in the shop?

Be sure to check the blog tomorrow for a special birthday giveaway!  Follow on twitter for advanced notice of giveaways.

Sneak preview of new items coming to the shop

 I have so much new inventory coming to the shop, here is a sneak preview of some of the vintage dresses I bought last week.  I took these photos at night, so they are a bit dim, but you should still be able to tell how great they are! Be sure to follow Salvage Life on Twitter to be updated when there are new items available in our online shop!

Salvage Life at UniqueLA...

We had a great time at the show last weekend! Our booth was packed with shoppers the whole time. I quickly snapped these photos right before it started on Saturday morning. People wanted to shop, so these aren't the best, but if you couldn't make it, you can get an idea of what it was like. We had a lot of clothing from the online shop plus some new ones, lots of jewelry made from recycled vintage pieces, embellished vintage bags, bow tie headbands, sunglasses and the $10 trunk! Big thanks to my trusty helper Camille. :)

Spring has sprung with 1950's dresses!

Spring isn't officially here until Saturday, but at Salvage Life we already fully stocked for for the Spring season. When we reach the end of Winter, I am always so excited to start filling the shop with bright colors, soft fabrics and whimsical prints. There will be more new arrivals every week!

New Merchandise at Seed People's Market

Yesterday I delivered all new Spring merchandise to Seed People's Market in Costa Mesa, CA. I also brought in a new (well actually it's vintage...surprise, surprise) garment rack, thanks to my good friends Adam and Amanda who have a truck and are very generous with their time. I had been looking everywhere for the perfect salvaged rack and they are really hard to come by. I was about to have one custom made when I found this pretty thing at a local boutique that was closing it's doors. I bargained with the owner and after calling in a few favors, it's stocked with fresh Spring dresses, tops and skirt. I'm hoping to bring in new jewelry next week, but I can't be sure of anything with the little one these days. :)

NEW Items!!!

Three new cozy winter coats in the shop now...

Coming Soon!

I know it seems crazy considering the 100 degree weather (here in California), but fall is just around the corner. Since it will be here before we know it, I am stocking the shop with coats and dresses made of fabrics and colors suited for cooler temps. Here are some new arrivals you can expect to see later on today.

This is another chance to win a gift certificate, so comment away. And don't forget to comment on the two previous posts as well!

Urban Outfitters Finds

Urban Outfitters is having a big sale...extra 15 percent off everything in the sale category, plus they offer free returns and exchanges. There are lots of fantastic items...here are just a few of my favorites:

For the Love of BOWS!

I just picked up a pair of shoes on sale at the Gap for $14.99! and as I was putting them in my closet I noticed a trend in my shoe wardrobe: BOWS! This liking to bows extends to bags and clothing as well.

Clockwise from top:
Canvas ballerina flats: The Gap
Black leather with slight wedge: Bronx from Oh My Sole
Brown leather flats: SM New York from Marshall's
Gray faux leather peep toe flats: Mossimo from Target.


My two favorite bags! The first is a recent purchase, cross-body bag by Rebecca Taylor. Second is an old favorite, the straps are really wearing on this one. My in-laws gave this to me for Christmas a few years ago (actually I picked it out and they paid me back and wrapped it up for me, it doesn't get much better than that!)


Pinstripe and floral slip dress: thrifted and altered
Tri-color Swiss dot dress: Eloise from Anthropologie

Romper Room

Lately I have been stockpiling adorable summer outfits for my little girl from thrift stores and sale racks. One of my favorite items for her this summer is the romper. Strangely enough, these are getting really popular for adults. Though you will not see me wearing one of these on my post-baby body, there is something so cute about these little one-piece outfits for grown-ups. The first one (clockwise from is in my shop, I can't remember where I found the second one, third one is from Proper Vintage Clothing and the fourth is from ShopRuche.com.

Top-sy Turvy

I went to Anthropologie the other day and tried on a few tops. They looked better on the hanger than they did on me. :)

I heart Buffalo Exchange

On Saturday I went to my favorite resale store, Buffalo Exchange. Seeing as none of my clothes fit, I needed a few things. Jeans were essential and I found some great dark, flared jeans by J Brand. They need to be hemmed, but they fit perfectly otherwise. I found two fabulous pairs of shoes, which is great because I know they will always fit! My feet went back to their normal size a few weeks after delivery. I found platforms by Frye that look like they have never been worn and some cream strappy pumps by Nine West. My favorite item of the day was the slip dress by Free People, it has the sweetest little red flowers on it. I absolutely adore slip dresses because you can layer them and wear them so many different ways!

SALVAGE LIFE LOOK ALIKES

Salvage Life is about making current fashion trends accessible to our customer. I have been seeing a variety of plaid shirts in the magazines and on celebrities such as Mary Kate Olsen and Lauren Conrad. One of the most popular brands is Elizabeth and James, Mary Kate and Ashley's line. These shirts can run as much as $225!!! Ours sell for around $24. Expect to see these shirts in the shop very soon!



Elizabeth and James $225



Salvage Life $24



Elizabeth and James $225



Salvage Life $24



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