This David Hamilton photo from the 70's is an all-time-favorite photo of mine. I love everything about it from the outfits to the soft muted colors to the way the road curves and it's dream-like feel.
Last week I stopped into Hot Couture, a local vintage shop that always always has the most amazing array of vintage dresses. In fact, I try not to go in there too often as most of the dresses are outside my current budget and it's next to impossible not to fall in love with at least one every time.
But, with Clover napping in her stroller I couldn't resist just popping in for a little inspiration. While perusing the 70's prairie dress rack I looked over and saw a girl pluck the simple white sundress o' my dreams off the rack while telling her mother it was only $18... as I looked on with what I'm sure was some sort of sad puppy dog face.
Of course I then anxiously lurked around pretending to look at dresses and repeating to myself "please don't fit, please don't fit" as she tried her items on in the dressing room. Obviously, my silent mantra psychically convinced her that the dress was not for her... or maybe it was the faded discoloration along part of the bottom ruffle (not very noticeable, but the reason for the low price... doesn't matter, either way, it's mine now :)
So on Saturday, when I put the dress on to wear it for the first time, it made me think of that photo that I love and had me reaching right away for my big floppy hat.
I rummaged around blogland a bit to find some more dreamy David Hamilton photos from that era. This being a family blog and all, I tried to keep it to the less scantily clad examples ;)
Saturday, which happened to be my mom's birthday, included a morning trip to the farmers' market to put together a gift basket for her, a delicious afternoon BBQ with family to celebrate, and an evening with friends at the Sonoma County Fair Demolition Derby. Yes, I wore this to sit in the stands drinking beer out of a keg cup while watching big beater cars smash into one another until they no longer ran... why, what would you have worn? ;)
Anywho, with Clover napping between the BBQ and the derby I had a chance to sneak out to the backyard to document my outfit as well as be teased by my brother-in-law on the way out: "Hey Sunshine, where's the prairie?" (hi Sam)
I went out to our back fence where the trumpet vine was trumpeting and the sun was hitting at just the right angle for sunflares and that soft graininess that I like so much. Perfect for capturing the mood that inspired the outfit in the first place!
Speaking of capturing a mood, I love how these two photos sort of encapsulate all that is wonderful and good about summer... my favorite of seasons :)
(David Hamilton photos found here, here, here, and here)
Oh, and look how pretty my mom's gift basket turned out! That's Clover's wee rocking chair, the basket is actually quite small and not gigantic as it may appear in the photo. I picked up the basket, bouquet, and some items from a local soap vendor that she loves all at the farmer's market that morning.
When I got home, I wrapped the bouquet in thrifted wrapping paper (it has veggies on it!), added a thrifted vintage apron, and topped it off with a (thrifted of course) vintage basket of fruit postcard complete with birthday wishes! I was so pleased with my last minute gift assemblage that I had to take a picture :)
27 comments:
So glad you nabbed the dress - it's perfect on you! And love those misty, romantic Hamilton photos.
Gorgeous photographs (both your own and the Hamilton ones), you really get a sense of hazy summer days.
I love that floppy hat on you - perfect!
David Hamilton photos always remind me of a book of his called "Sisters' which is all naked girls being suggestive with each other, which a crazy baby sitter showed me when I was about 13 in an effort to find out if I was a lesbian or not! Put me right off, but your interpretation of his soft focus style is lovely.
You really managed to capture the spirit of the Hamilton photos in the outfit and photos you took. Dreamy, and so very you! I've had that very experience while shopping, hoping something won't fit someone else.
And that gift basket, how beautiful! If only all my gifts were that lovely. You could start your own business of thrifted gift baskets!
stunning. really.
perfect dress. perfect photos. I think I am in love!
I can see why you love that photo so much -- it's stunning! I love the hazy light you've captured in your pictures, as well. Gorgeous, as usual!
I hate when people get there first, or worse of you put something down to ponder and someone else buys it just as you make a decision *bad shopping memorys,haha*
Glad you managed to get the dress,a summery happy ending.
I have so done that! I waited outside a dressing room once hoping that a dress a girl took in to try on didn't fit her. It didn't! It is now in my closet, yay! At a 50% off clearance price sale I was so sure she was going to buy it.
Three things:
1. Summer is my most favorite of seasons as well!
2. I hate seeing someone walking around the store with an item you want/need badly. While vacationing this summer I came across a chap in a thrift store hanging on to the most delicious leather carry-on satchel of my dreams. I was green with envy, but decided to put that behind me and compliment him on his good taste. It paid off, because he said he'd been thinking about putting it back anyway, and told me I could have it. Yay!
3. Pretty dress.
That dress was meant to be yours...I can just hear you chanting:)
wonderful post, gorgeous dress, and such a lovely encapsulation of summer indeed :D
I love those paintings! You look like you've just stepped out of one :) That's an awesome dress. It's cool when things like that happen when thrifting. I had a similar experience with a little suitcase. I acidently said a bit loudly that I would really have loved it and the woman decided I'd obviously like it more than her, which was really lovely of her, though I felt just a little bad!
Beautiful photos. Beautiful Dress. Beautiful gift basket. :-)
it's very awesome, i love ur outfits and all those photos :)
xxx
june
one of my favorite posts yet :D those photos are sort of magical! and that dress is definitely a winner. i'm so glad it worked out that the two of you were meant to be xD!
All kinds of beautiful in this post. Glad you got the dress. I've been in Hot Couture and found most items priced out of my reach, but you definitely found a good buy there. Loved your gift basket. Beautiful post.
beautiful dress and pictures. i am very impressed with your gift assembly too!
Those photos are so beautiful and dreamy.
And great buy with the dress! Lucky that girl didn't decide to get it. It looks like it was made for you!
I love the photo arrangement and the inspiration photos, how charming. I'm also delighted with your gift basket, especially the basket which is the island staple kind, I bet your mom was extatic.
cute sandals and basket on the chair!
X♥X♥,
Jessica
such a good job on the basket!
i thought hamilton's photo's were your photos! so similiar! they both have this dreamy flow to it until I saw the comparison.
Yes, i have seen the perfume! it's hilarious!
http://www.ourcitylights.org/2009/02/library-valentines-day-part-ii.html
the dress looks lovely on you....
and i adore the little gift basket you made for your mom.
that wrapping paper is great!
So SOOOO pretty!!!
Beautiful photos! and I love your hat & dress. Very light & summery :)
What wonderful photos! Thank you for sharing them.
You have a very interesting blog!
So happy to come across this! I have never heard of David Hamilton before reading your post, thank you for providing inspiration for me today! :)
missa, I'd love to have a beer with you one day, and we could do the demo derby thing too.
i'd like to think i'd end that day feeling inspired and confident enough to finally wear some of the dresses that I've kept hidden away in my closet, secretly hoping to pull off.
you, my dear, make it look completely effortless and easy.
(ps - no twitter for you?)
Post a Comment