Raspberry Beret

I just can't seem to shake my habit for wearing my red beret these days.

You caught me with (so to speak) with my pants down, the last two days in a row!

{1}

red beret- the kind you find at second hand store: thrifted
white ruffle blouse: vintage
red and navy crop jacket: h&m
belt: f21
blue and gray hounds-tooth circle skirt: vintage 1950s
red shoes: karmaloop.com

{2}

Inspired by my longing for Paris:
again....the beret!
black and white stripe top: target
denim wide leg, high waisters: old navy (a few years back)
red shoes: karmaloop.com

xo~Syd

My Pretty Pearl Collar

This little piece of jewelry is one of the more coveted in my collection. I just love the pretty, and feminine little detail it instantly provides. BONUS: I can put it on any blouse or sweater to get that immediate
effect- it's detachable! I recently paired it with a brown vintage sweater and it was perfectly pretty!

brown and blue

vintage collar- buffalo exchange

1950s sweater- vintage

1950s blue floral motif skirt- vintage

belt- vintage

brown tights- target

cream mary jane pumps- nordstroms

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

Black & Yellow

Happy Saturday!

A pretty yellow floral blouse just makes me happy, kinda like this little number I picked up fairly recently. This picture was taken while we were on vacation in Austin, Texas.

I sure do miss the green grass, trees and rolling hills....

blouse: forever 21

skirt: vintage 1940s

tights: target

shoes: urban outfitters

purse: vintage 1950s

Shirley Kurata

 image via: Refinery29

I love the vintage aesthetic in Shirley Kurata's style! It definitely shows through in, the fashion editorials and bands that she has had the opportunity to style in her career. Zooey Deschanel, The Decemberist, Paper Magazine and campaigns for Oliver Peoples to name a few.....

I recently ran across this article on the (Refinery29) website and was so happy to see that they wrote a feature up about her, and even shared some photos of her living space!

Her house, located in the beautiful Los Feliz area of Hollywood California, is sort of just how I would have pictured it, colorful and perfectly 1960s quaint.

Here are some teaser pics....

 image via: refinery29

 A perfectly color coded bookcase (I am working on this myself, at the moment)

image via: refinery29

Isn't that just a fabulous yellow staircase?

image via: refinery29

Bright and airy, yellow just makes me happy!

image via: refinery29
Orange bubble lamp!

p.s- she has a record player that is to die for! go have a look....

~syd

Editorials

Better late than never......

Here are some of the images that I styled for the October fashion editorial at Black Cat Vintage titled, "Gothic Chic"

Photographer: Stacia Lugo (Moxie Mae Photography)

Fashion Stylist & Creative Director: Sydney Balllesteros

Vintage Wardrobe: www.blackcatvintage.com

Model: Jessica Zindel

Hair: Courtney Stanley

Makeup: Adriana Fontes

xoxo~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

Back from Texas! Part 1

Hey Ya"ll,

Ya, I said ya'll, I was bit by the bug! After spending a week in Austin Texas, it's only natural right? That was such a friendly and awesome city! I had never been before and always heard from others about it's funky charm, creativity, vintage aesthetic and grassroots vibe. So we decided to take a spur of the moment road-trip, out to see our friends and spend some time seeing for ourselves (best idea ever!)

There is undoubtedly inspiration on every corner in Austin. From the great vintage typography and signage, to a plethora of food trucks, music, art and local shops. Not to mention the beautiful rolling hills and green trees that surround the city. That is a really big deal for me folks, due to the fact that I was born and raised in the desert. Here are a few things that caught the likeness of my eyes!

There were quite a few pictures, so I decided to break this post up into two parts, enjoy!

An appreciation for vintage signage everywhere!

I spotted lots of Vespa's, which I can never get enough of.

I think I went back to get a cupcake more than once....

More vintage salvage and signage, I love it!

A beautiful, serene place to lay your head and a quick pose in front of the gates of the San Jose Hotel.

Wish that was the front door to my house!

A quick jaunt down to San Antonio, to experience the River Walk. It was a beautiful day and we had a nice lunch on this patio.

Romeo didn't waste any time finding his local spot. This circus themed candy store and old fashioned style soda fountain was just too cute for it's own good!. 

I am already planning another trip back soon and I can't wait to get my second dose, of what I missed the first time around. There are a few more food trucks on the list to hit up for sure! I don't think I would ever run out of places to eat. 

xoxo~syd

p.s.- stay tuned for part 2

Insta-Life!

I will gladly admit that I am completely and utterly addicted to Intagram! So much in fact, that it deserves it's own section in my blog. I think I will title it Life Instagramed.....snippets of recent things going on in my busy day to day life, that I manage to capture on Instagram.

So every know and then I will update this section with these images, here are the first few.....

My go-to red beret, this time worn with freshly trimmed bangs.

A piece of art I recently purchased from my friend Vallerie Galloway's show. She draws these amazing women of french influence & culture (my fave). This one is titled "la bicyclette." Here is her Etsy store, you should take a lookie-lou, I know you will fall in love!

I was feeling a little under the weather this particular evening. So, I stayed in with a comfy blanket, hot cup of tea and a good movie!

I was super excited to get a new bag, especially this pretty little practical brown Coach one. It fits my day planner and steno pad perfectly. You know,  the one I can't live without (for the sake of writing my thoughts & things to do list down).

I guess I'm a little anxious to go on vacation. We still have a week and a half to go, but I dug out the luggage and started packing for Austin last weekend!

A sweet strawberry treat (strawberries & sugar), that I used to share with my Grandmother as a child. I still get all giddy when I make this snack, it brings back a lot of precious moments I spent with her as a child. 

Romeo has been enjoying playing with our new puppy Gracie. She has been the little soul that completes our family. She is constantly cuddled and kissed.

The fall baseball season is almost coming to an end in November, but only a few months off and then the busy baseball boy's schedule will resume. I tell you, this kid eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball!

Someday, Romeo is going to make a really good boyfriend or husband. He surprised me with a Saturday morning breakfast.

Yoda pancakes to be exact!

A Sunday morning walk to the coffee shop, just the three of us and Gracie! Romeo was more excited about his miniature coffee cup, then he was the hot chocolate inside. 

Our most recent editorial photo shoot at Black Cat Vintage, here is a sneak peak of the wardrobe in my workspace that day-yum, yum!

More yummy vintage pieces to play with at Black Cat! Feather hats for Spring!

Till next time,

xx~Syd