Desert Darling for Matchbook Magazine

The September issue of Matchbook Magazine has recently debued and it is as stunning and aesthetically pleasing as usual. Note: On page fifty of the publication, you will find the feature “Desert Darling” styled by yours truly. I must say that I am extra excited about this spread. Bringing the unique elements of the southwest style found in my native hometown desert and making them incredibly #desertchic (as I would say...) is something I have wanted to do for a long time.

These are a few of my personal favorite images, but head over to view the entire spread at www.matchbookmag.com!

credits: creative director + stylist, sydney ballesteros | photography, stacia lugo | assistant, katie hagan | model, rose gerin/ford rba | makeup, tangie duffey | hair, raul mendoza {fringe studios} | location, degrazia gallery {tucson, az}

wardrobe: black cat vintage | razzle dazzle vintage | desert vintage | nordstroms | zappos

xo~syd

Vera

Vera Neumann is one of my favorite artist and textile designers from the sixties era. I just love her simple-cheerful patterns, pops of color and floral designs. Oh and of course her signature little ladybug! I have collected a few of her scarfs and some home decor pieces, such as napkins, tablecloths, etc. over the years.

So... you can imagine my excitement, when on a recent treasure hunt, I came across this vintage silk Vera blouse! It has just a simple bright orange flower detail on the front and it is perfect. This blouse was in mint condition and it just feels so good, airy and comfortable on, but then again there is nothing like the feeling of silk on your skin. Ideal for those days when you want to wear a loose blouse, but still feel polished. Her designs are just timeless.

vera blouse: vintage sixties {desert vintage}

blue cigarette pants: vintage

multi-colored lame stripe loafer flats: vintage sixties {thrifted}

gold jewelry: vintage

Bandes de Fleurs

{Stripes to Flowers}

red + white stripe top: nordstroms

floral skirt: vintage fifties {desert vintage}

navy blue patent shoes: dolce vita

navy corde clutch: vintage forties {estate sale}

navy blue skinny belt: thrifted {goodwill}

pearl jewelry {ring + necklace +earrings}: vintage {thrifted}

~syd

Dressed for the Rain!

We very rarely see rain here in the desert, but yesterday was the exception! It rained all day long and into the night, as a matter of fact it's still raining! I just wanted to cozy up with a warm blanket and watch Christmas classics all day, while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate.

Unfortunately, I had to venture out, and figured that the rain would give me an excuse to wear THIS! I found this vintage plastic rain-coat last summer, while thrifting down on 4th avenue. I scooped it up and told myself I would be able to wear it someday,well....today is the day!

So I ventured out to face the wind & water, in style (no uggs and sweatpants in my lifetime folks...)

I think this little gal had the same idea....

vintage raincoat: desert vintage

red rain boots: f21

vintage 1950s red sweater: thrifted

~Syd

Riding Boots and Capes!

Would you believe…. that I found this amazing cape a few months ago at my local Buffalo Exchange. I couldn't believe that nobody had swiped it up! I guess it was just waiting to come with me and find a new home in my closet. I love the fact that it is a below the knee length cape, a plaid pattern in brown & black, AND has this amazing structured cut-out in front. All of this for only $15.00 folks, that was a successful day for treasure hunting, if I do say so myself.

I got to play with this cape a little bit when I was in Austin in November. The second day we were there it was around sixty degrees outside. So yes, that is cold where I come from. I was thrilled to be able to dust off my brown leather riding boots, my beret and THIS amazing cape! And not look ridiculous doing it. In Arizona, sometimes November can still mean desperately longing for fall fashion and trying to wear these things in eighty plus degree weather.

 Details:

Cape: Buffalo Exchange {Tucson, AZ}

Black Turtleneck: Target {Mossimo}

Pants: Target {Mossimo}

Riding Boots: Vince Camuto
Messenger Bag: Vintage Coach

Belt: Seventies Vintage {Desert Vintage- Tucson, AZ}




xo~syd

A Pretty Little Fall Skirt

I have been waiting for the weather to cool down here, just enough for me to be able to wear this cute little skirt. It's color scheme screams fall and it's completely covered with an acorn and leaf motif. I found this last year, just as the weather was getting warmer. Believe me, I have looked at it, walking by my closet hundreds of times over the summer months, and said, "I can't wait to wear that!"

So here it is, even though it may be slightly still to warm here in Arizona, I just couldn't wait any longer!

It's a thicker quilt like fabric, and garnished with a thin black lace piping around the edges and dainty round black buttons, and it came with it's matching belt! (bonus)

My black patent leather t-strap flats and 1950s vintage purse, added the finishing touches.

Since it was a little warmer than most places outdoors, by this time of year. I paired it with a short sleeve blouse. This black & white peter pan collar top was the perfect addition for now, but I have a cute  sweater and some tights picked out for a later-cooler date, you will just have to wait and see!

xoxo~Syd

wardrobe details:
vintage 1960s skirt-desert vintage
b&w peter pan collar top-h&m
black patent leather flats-urban outfitters
vintage 1950s purse-goodwill

Black and White Lace.....

Black and white lace.....

These two pieces are eras apart, but made out of the same lace fabric. I love the eye appealing look of classic black and white together (always), so I experimentally paired them together to see how they would flow (maybe too much lace?), nope, turns out I like the way the top fitted with the skirt. The break in colors off set the lace. So it was off I go! Oh ya, Gracie decided she wanted in on the action also!

vintage 1950s cream lace skirt- desert vintage

vintage black lace top-buffalo exchange

black colin stuart wedges-buffalo exchange

1960s vintage purse-desert vintage

pearls-gifted from mama

xoxo~syd

Paisley Pants and Gracie!

Well hello there....

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, i've just been a little busy bee lately....

First things first, I would like to introduce the newest member of my family, Gracie! 

At five months old, she has been keeping us pretty busy around the house and has gotten most of the attention these days....We adopted her a couple of weeks ago and she is such a happy little girl! She is a soft-coated wheaten terrier and full of life and cuddles. Literally cute as and soft as a teddy bear.

So onto the pants...

I picked these pretty paisley print pants up a few months ago at Desert Vintage, and I have been itching to put them on since. A perfect staple for fall, they can be combined with so many different tops, shoes, and accessories! For this look, I opted for a more classic-chic ensemble, adding pops of purple and then topped it off with a black velvet bow-tie and black velvet belt. It is still a little warm in Tucson, but I couldn't wait any longer to put these on and I look forward to wearing and experimenting with them a lot this fall!

Gracie jumped up for a kiss and a picture too!

white ruffle & lace blouse: thrifted

vintage 1960s paisley print pants: desert vintage

purple vintage ferragamo loafers: buffalo exchange

black velvet large bow-tie & wide belt: thrifted

purple satin purse: thrifted

purple stone ring: gifted

xo~Syd

I'm a "Lucky" Girl!

I was over the moon yesterday! Just shortly after 8:30am, right after I sat down to enjoy my morning routine, glass of juice and muffin in hand. I almost choked on that muffin, when I opened up my emails to find that I had won the 1970s attire contest, that Lucky Magazine hosted a few months back!

This is the picture I submitted in all my 1970s garb & glory!

Grand prize, a feature spot on the blogs and a $500.00 Club Monaco gift card-Suuhweet!

Read the blog article here!

Thank you a million times over, Lucky Magazine!

outfit details:

vintage1970s jumpsuit-desert vintage (tucson, az)

platform clogs-f21

headscarf-thrifted

assorted bangles-here & there over time...

gold hoop earrings-passed down from mama

1970s sunglasses-buffalo exchange

xo~Syd

Pink Roses

A cute little 1960s summer dress, green with pink rosebuds all over it, and guess what? It matched my bright pink cork wedges perfectly! While cleaning my closet out last weekend, I also dug out this cute brown leather belt, with a rose embellishment on it. I completely forgot I had it! I thought today would be a good day, to pull it out again.....

green dress with pink roses:vintage 1960s {desert vintage, tucson az}

1970s brown leather belt with rose- {desert vintage, tucson az}

pink cork wedges- {charlotte russe}

assorted wooden bangles- here & there

xo~Syd

I fancy one shirt, two skirts and floral prints!

 Inspired by the summer garden and in the mood for flowers!

yellow blouse: h&m

vintage 1940s white crepe skirt with floral needlepoint embroidery: desert vintage

pink cork wedges: charlotte russe

floral print bangle: f21

vintage 1940s tooled leather cinch belt: razzle dazzle vintage

yellow blouse: h&m

vintage 1950s yellow & black floral print skirt: desert vintage

black lace up espadrilles: old navy

black bow belt: h&m

bangles: f21

vintage 1950s coro, rose earrings: yard sale

~Syd

The last of the polka dots.....

In a 1970s inspired get-up today!

{I just love a pop of yellow with red & white polka dots!}


early 1970s red/white cotton button down: desert vintage

reproduction 1970s style denim high waist trousers: old navy 
yellow cork wedges: charlotte russe
assorted bakelite bangles: vintage {collected over the years}
brown leather satchel: micheal kors

A Week in Polka Dots-continued.....

This is a continuation of my polka-dot fancy from last week....

I love the color combination of baby blue, red and yellow together. It's all so cheery and in perfect harmony with one another. Sooo, this outfit makes me feel how it looks....happy!

I found this cute little red bow belt a few weeks ago while I was out thrifting. That was a happy $1.50 score too!

vintage 1960s polka dot dress: desert vintage

red bow belt: goodwill

yellow cork wedges: charlotte russe 

{they were buy one get one free, so I picked up a pink pair too....}

which leads me to my next polka-dot outfit.....
{since I'm clearly making up for time}

pink & black polka dot blouse: thrifted

black 1940s gabardine skirt: tucson thrift
pink cork wedges: charlotte russe




xo~syd

A windy afternoon at the park....and a new dress!

vintage 1940s sailor collar inspired dress: desert vintage

black colin stuart wedges: buffalo exchange

Hope everyone is well! Just a quick snapshot of our afternoon at the ball park, geez was it windy. I just wanted to show off my new dress-that's all!

xo~syd

The Perfect Easter Dress!

I believe that you are never too old to get excited about your Easter dress! I remember as a little girl, my Grandmother would take me out shopping year after year, to pick out my special dress. Ruffled socks, fancy shoes, matching bow and all!

Many years have passed since those special days....but I still keep the tradition of dressing myself up for Easter, so here is my big girl dress this year, 2011!

I am really excited about my finds this year!

 vintage 1960s dress: desert vintage {tucson, az}

vintage 1960s Salvatore Ferragamo loafers: buffalo exchange 

You can't see them, but I had my favorite little yellow celluloid flower earrings on too...

The dress was a perfect find and color palette for the Easter spirit and I am over the moon about my new purple loafers! Can't wait to see what else I have in my closet to style them with!

toodles~Syd