Do you ever have one of those days where a subject or word or phrase just happens to pop up several times out of nowhere? I was having several (completely unrelated) conversations where the year 1969 came up. Then I was doing some unrelated research and found some great class photos from 1969 (strange!), and thought I had to share them. I am especially fond of the ones with uniforms!

And I am also in love with these, of younger children from the 1950's. So cute!

Yay! It is finally spring here in Minneapolis. And while I may have been a tad chilly without my peacoat, I would have been perfectly fine without the tights. I wore them more to make this dress appropriate for work than for warmth. Yay! Again!

And I even ventured into my backyard to take some outside photos for the occasion. I never do that!

I never even had a chance to take you out for a spin! But I know that Emma and I will both miss you terribly! I can only hope that you go to a nice, new home...

I just had to share some things I recently thrifted! Ive really only been buying a select few things for the shop lately, and not for myself, but these two were NO BRAINERS. The bag is originally from H&M, and I dont know how I missed it while it was in stores, because I would have totally bought it full price FOR SURE. But Im glad I didnt see it because I only paid $12.00 for it at the Buffalo Exchange (and really it was free because I traded). It will be perfect for a trip Alex and I are planning for later this spring (more about that later, when our plans are more concrete).



The shoes ARE SO PERFECT, I cant believe I got them at Savers for like $4.00 or something ridiculous like that... Also, I dont know if the vintage SAS brand is sought-after at all, but they should be! They look just like the Swedish Has-Beens that are so popular right now, except that the heel is not wood. They are pretty much never worn, with a really cushy padded suede insole instead. And while most people would wish they were in a color for spring, like yellow or red, I am so glad they're in black (I am so boring)! I know I will be able to wear them with everything! And thats lucky for me, because my basic go-to sandals from last summer are on their last legs anyways.




Anywho, I just thought I would share because it seems like so many fellow bloggers are finding some really amazing thrift finds right now! Is that because its almost spring and everyone wants to do more shopping lately?

the boy and I are off on a little adventure to the land of albertville. so Ive donned my best new dress (thanks mom!) and some shmancy pants lipstick and now Im ready to go! Although we'll see if its nice enought outside for bare legs in actuality. I am a huge wuss. catchya all lataz.

oh ps: did a little tweaking to the blog last night. I think it looks a little cleaner this way. although I do STILL have to figure out "previous and next post" buttons for the bottom. For some reason this template didnt come with them, and NOW I DONT KNOW HOW TO GET THEM BACK. Any help you guys could give would be awesome. I am stumped.






dress: Urban (gift from my mom out of NOWHERE!)
necklace: F21, key pendant: found
cardigan: Shumacker, from Buffalo Exchange
shoes: $5 at DSW last year!
lipstick: Revlon matte lipstick

It is almost time to move on here at Hello Ladies Vintage! And by move on, we mean move on from the cold dead of winter to the may flowers of springtime! The only way to do that is to get rid of the last of our winter stock. Please check out the coats and jackets we have on sale in the shop right now, along with everything else... There are some really beautiful things in there that I would love to keep in my closet. Alas, most of these are not the right size. But you will benefit from our misfortunes! Happy shopping!

Edit: JK! I just got two more coats for the shop! I just had to, one is adorable. The other is smart. Look for them soon.

/// alli and emma

I thought since I mentioned in my last post that I've been tending toward the more simple outfits lately, that I had better show you what I mean. I have been collecting some images lately from the street style sites, and they all seem to have the very basic, the structured pieces, lots of menswear-inspired pieces, and elegant shoes and accessories. Ever since I decided that I need some better quality staples (tees, leggings, tights, flat shoes) and got a bunch from American Apparel and as gifts for christmas, it just seems like thats the way I would like my outfits to go. Maybe a little bit more edge too... but that could be the lingering winter talking.











(photos from Park&Cube, wardrobe remix pool, The Sartorialist and Wayne Tippets)

Although I can't say the same for how I am planning to dress for spring!! I cant wait for little tiny floral prints, soft chiffon-like fabrics, feminine bows and bare legs... I want to live in all 20's and 30's summer dresses in cotton and lace. But I guess I'll save that for another post.

And since we are on the subject of fashion inspiration, I thought I would also do a little bit of imitation! I dont know about all of you, but whenever I see a piece of clothing in a street style or outfit photo that is eerily similar to one that I have, I have to try to remake the look! Now, Im generally not too keen on copying because I mostly find that the outfits that people make for themselves and that flatter them, never seem to have the same effect on myself. And thats because, I gather, that we do not usually have the same body type, or exactly the same cut of sweater, or what have you. So its never quite the same. But with a piece of that inspiration, and a little bit of tweaking, I sometimes like the end results. These two below are examples of things I might have put together for myself and I like quite a bit.










This first picture is a look from the Topshop Unique F/W 10-11 line, images stolen from Style Bubble, because I couldnt find them on tfs. (Does ANYONE know how to navigate that shit?) And the other is an unidentified street style shot. I think its from Wayne Tippets (my new favorite), but I could be wrong.

2.28.10, originally uploaded by allison the valiant.

feeling the menswear lately. hardcore. everything i wear has to be super simple. even patterns make me not choose a dress in the mornings lately... is there something wrong with me?

vintage wool sweater: Value Village
vintage sleep shirt underneath: Via's Vintage
vintage heart locket: gift from boy
jeans: H&M
suede booties: Jessica Simpson, DSW

I have now had (dot)luv for almost 2 years and 250 blog posts! Wow, that really snuck up on me! I must have totally spaced numbers 100 and 200!?! Well anywho, as I sit here and think about what my 250th post should contain, and drink a glass of (cheap) wine, I will toast to you new computer! Shiny new 13" MacBook Pro is already loads better than my last PowerBook G4, I cant believe I waited this long to take the plunge... I am loving you and your little built in camera already little one!


Maybe I will use this post more as a commemorative marker to look back on in future months (or years?), and less about the content and relavance to the topic of this blog. Here are some things I am in to right now.

Vintage photographs (thanks anja - of Clever Nettle - for getting me into collecting something that most certainly will be never-ending!) I am especially finding myself drawn to tiny little bordered ones, like these! What am I going to do with them now??

THIS DRESS! I know I already made a quick post about it, but I can't wait for spring to officially be here so that I can wear the (ridiculous amounts of) spring dresses I've been collecting this past fall/winter. I didnt realize it until the other day, but I really need to just choose one or two to add to the permanent collection, and then let go of a few more in my closet! There are too many!


Shooting 35mm film with my silly little Rollei point and shoot camera (with two, count 'em TWO panoramic settings?!?) What will I do with these pictures, I also wonder? Hopefully they will manifest themselves into something like a body of work in the near future. I feel like I've been working on a loose idea in my head for them for so long, it would be nice to see them solidify a little more. (Art, art, art... blah blah BLAH)

And this boy. Love him more and more everyday. He is the best thing EVER to laugh, cry and spend every day with. Isnt this the best picture of us yet (on the scenic parkway in Duluth recently)?!? I do have lots of favorites already though... I wonder where we will go and what we will see in the near future? (Although I am hoping Napa Valley is in there somewhere!)


/// catcha later!

My Friends and I are such the nerds. We had a super awesome space-themed party last weekend at the Boys' place! All kinds of silly space shenanigans, let me tell you! Including saber vs. stun gun fights, the periodic table of cupcakes and screenings of both the new Star Trek movie and Moon. Both very good! Plus space costumes, space stars hanging from the ceiling and SPACE WINE! A great time (and a fashionable one) was had by all. As is demonstrated below, and on my Flickr.







Stay tuned for a potential disco-party at our place in the spring...