Coast to Coast Vintage Mobile Shop

As soon as I met Jaimee of of Coast to Coast Vintage, I awkwardly blurted out something about how she's living my dream life and I'm super jealous of her... because it's totally true and also because I am the best at first impressions.  

But, seriously... look at this..

DREAM

LIFE

Coast to Coast Vintage rolled into the parking lot of the Portland Flea for All last Sunday and I obviously became immediately smitten.  Jaimee and her beau Adam have been roaming around the U.S. of A. gathering & selling vintage treasures since this past spring in their rad looking Scotty camper. 

They have lots of fun pieces, from flowy dresses to fun denim cutoffs.  The inside of the trailer is so dreamy looking, with whitewashed walls and a silver ceiling, and shelves with all sorts of quirky things (i mean, who doesn't love a troll doll?)

They're both super nice people, so even though they're living my dream life, I ain't even mad.  It's really inspiring to see people around my age making something so amazing happen, and I hope that all of their vintage wanderlust dreams come true.  

If you see them in your hood (they're currently in New York) be sure to stop by and check it out!

and maybe, sommmmmmeday you'll see a vintage Lucille's camper on the streets :) 

hot hot heat

IT IS TOO HOT.  Lately we've been dealt the kind of weather that's really only good for lounging around in either A). an air conditioned space, or B). a pool, lake or some body of water.  However, we have an adorable little shop to run, so.. we've gotta haul ourselves out of the water and take care of business.  

These are the outfits we came up with to hang out in the heat..

OH, AND! We also both cut all our hair off.  Also due directly to the heat.  And Ginnifer Goodwin.  Damn her cute pixie face. 

 

Caiti borrowed liberally from the shop.  She's wearing one of our dresses, an anatomy necklace, and a belt that we have for sale.  Geez, girl, get your own closet.  Just kidding, this is our closet (we wash everything before we put it back. don't worry about our germs, okay?).

And Jess is rockin' all her own stuff.. a mixture of thrifted and target, as per usual.  Housedresses kind of rule, don't they?

Those Bee Earrings are Lucille's though!  They're actually a defective pair, so as per always with our screw ups, one of us gets to keep them!  We'll be putting regular, non defective ones up on Etsy soon though.  Also, check out our sign off in the background! and yes, if you can tell, that white blob below it is a piano.  Yes, we have a piano by the road.  If you're ever driving by in Westbrook you'll know it's us :D

stay cool,

Jess & Caiti

a bit of a truthful blurb by Jess

There's something kind of magical about having a store.  I always hoped, when I was pie-in-the-sky daydreaming about having one someday, that it would be this absolutely amazing place that I wanted to spend all my time in.  And luckily, I was right.  

I had a tough time this past week, and spent a couple days away from the shop at home because I was having crazy amounts of anxiety about a wild variety of things and just needed to chill the hell out.  Because... even though having a shop is a magical, beautiful thing, it's stressful in ways that I didn't even know were possible and never could have anticipated.  You know how when people start working out and they say that their muscles hurt in places they didn't even know they had muscles?  Both Caiti and I are emotionally exhausted in places that we didn't even know we had emotions.  I mean, EXHAUSTED.  We feel all sorts of things, all the time.  It's crazy.

But despite all my stress and anxiety, I really, really missed being at the store, and I was so so happy to be back.  Both of us spent yesterday at the shop doing various things... I was taking pictures for Etsy, and Caiti was outside painting furniture.  We both stayed late, not because we had to, but because we were caught up in projects that we were excited about and because we WANTED to finish them.  The furniture was coming out adorable, and the light in the shop was SO perfect for photos... I mean, why would you want to leave that? 

It was a great day.

So basically, what I'm saying is... things are tough, but amazing.  And I'm truly, really happy even when it seems like I'm sad... which is kind of the greatest thing I've ever felt.  Knowing that I'm pursuing my dream is such a huge accomplishment, that even when I feel like a big fat failure and like everything is going wrong, there's still at least a glimmer of happiness deep inside of me, because I'M DOING IT.  And I hope that you, whoever you are reading this, have something in your life that you love so much that you're in love with it no matter how much you hate it sometimes.. and I hope that it makes you all shimmery inside, even when you've got a big cloud of gloom over your head.  It's kind of a great feeling, isn't it? 

truthfully yours,

Jess

far out: my surprising love of 1970s design

Having grown up in a house that was built in the 1970s, I was quite convinced that all design from that era was just downright awful.  Our house was a split level house, that featured a weird yellow siding on the outside, and brown shag carpet on the inside.  Oh, except for in a couple rooms the color varied to yellow (and maybe my parent's room was green? oh boy).  All the ceilings on the main floor were stucco/popcorn ceilings, but were done in such a way that the "popcorn" feature was kind of like tiny, white daggers dripping from the ceiling.  And in the center of the living room ceiling there was a groovy painted medallion that my mom never asked for but got anyway.  It was white, so it wasn't atrocious, but it really set off the stucco daggers of doom.  Overall, it was just not an example of something to swoon over design-wise.

So imagine my surprise when recently, I realized that I am actually quite in love with 70s style design! 

 I think it's happened gradually over the past few years, starting innocently enough with a chair here...

1970s Danish Modern chairs we reupholstered & sold a few months ago

and a table there....

1970s Heywood Wakefield cobbler's table we just sold recently.  I kind of miss it.

....but it's definitely been noticeable lately. Now, don't get me wrong... there's still PLENTY of offensive things that came from the 70s... 

I mean, hi:

Eep. So so bad.

But the good is so so good.  I love the modern designs that were just starting to become popular in the 60s and 70s, coupled with all the hippie dippy colors and patterns that were being used. I love all the super bold, strong lines that were used in construction of not just furniture, but whole houses.  Give me a weird A-Frame house or a big boxy house any day of the week!

via FastCoDesign

Also, can we talk about conversation pits?  SO. GOOD.

via Home-Designing.com

Basically, what it boils down to is that I just want to live in the Wary-Meyers' living room.  I've been obsessed with photos of this house for ages, and just recently realized they're from Maine.  MAINE! THAT'S WHERE I'M FROM!

I mean, look at that!  If I can't make my house look like that someday, our shop will inevitably end up looking like it.  

What do you think about 70s style?  Groovy in a good way? Or groovy in a "get your popcorn off my ceiling" kinda way?  

Hippily dippily,

Jess

weekly wantsies

We usually do our weekly wantsies posts on Friday, but it appears the week got away with us.  We've either been really busy (sort of), or just feverish from the heat and forgetting what day it is (definitely).  Even though we're a bit late... here are some things we love for you to peruse on this steamy sunday!

Jess's Picks are obviously influenced by the fact that all she wants to do is go swimming:

1.  I am absolutely, 100% head over heels in love with everything Samantha French does. I vow that I WILL own at least a print someday, for real. 

2.  This bathing suit is beyond amazing... you should check out the larger photo in the Etsy shop, because it will give you the chance to see that the bottom has RHINESTONES on it! RHINESTONES! 

3.  I can never get enough old maps.  This one is from 1894, which makes it even more magical.

4.  Even though it's far too hot to think of wearing a sweater today, I am still in love with the nautical theme of this guy, and it looks like it would be exceptionally comfy.

5. I like to imagine this letterpress whale shows exactly how happy I'll be when I finally get to go swimming.  

Caiti too desperately wants to sit on the beach... 

1. I've been yearning for some new dresses and I'm really in LOVE with this one.

2. I broke my only "dress" sandals a couple weeks ago and need something cute.

3.I may have a polka dot problem...but I also have a pale problem. This would solve both.

4.I just like earrings, I wear a pair everyday. And I like these. I actually like a lot of things at "My Vintage Silhouettes" like these bobby pins.

5. To have a successful day at the beach I need a cool beverage and some watermelon. Obviously I need this.

one fine day

it was INCREDIBLY nice out yesterday! Like, 65 degrees nice.  The kind of nice that makes you want to lounge around outside instead of doing projects and cleaning.  All we managed to get done was one DIY that involved iron on transfers, and that was waaaaaay at the end of the day.  It was apparent we weren't doing much, and had the itch to be outside, so we decided to at least capitalize on the nice weather and take photos of our outfits. 

I feel that it should be noted that Caiti initially was wearing a cute pair of sandals, but broke them while trying to teach me how to do ballet. So.. she borrowed a pair of boots from the shop.  The casualties of ballet demonstrations!  It was totally worth it though.  Girl can still do a mean plié.  or whatever it was she was showing me at the time of the sandal destruction.

I feel like most bloggers do a breakdown of where they got their items from, and we usually try to... but... everything we're wearing was thrifted.  Ev-er-y-thing.  Except for the hair bow I'm wearing... Caiti made that.  I think it was made from thrifted fabric, so... sorry for the lack of list is basically what I'm trying to say.

although, now that I think of it, I don't know where either of us got our sunglasses? Nowhere noteworthy, I'm sure.  Worst. Bloggers. Ever.

 Wearing this shirt all day made me want a Guinness reaaaaaaaaaaal bad! I haven't had one in so long.  Or a Young's Double Chocolate Stout.  Do people normally drink heavy beers like that during the summer? Whatever, I do what I want.  And what I want is to drink a beer that's basically a meal.

What have you guys been doing to take advantage of the nice weather? Drinking some Guinness? 

Warmly (like the weather! get it? HA!),

Jess (and Caiti, in spirit)

warm spring outfits!

It was SO lovely out on Friday!  It was actually alllllmost a bit hot!  So so so so great!  We ended up stuck inside the shop for most of the day doing projects, but we managed to skip outside for a while to do some banner hanging, and, of course, some spray painting.  Seriously, it seems like we're always spray painting something.  

We both sprung (ha!) into springtime looks with no hesitation.  Dresses with no tights! Sandals! 

Cardigan - Target... from a billion years ago

Dress - handmade (of course!)

Shoes - Target... also from a billion years ago.  that was a great year for purchases, apparently.

Dress - from a vintage buy we did a while ago (if there's a dress that fits Jess, it doesn't stand a chance, let's be real)

Necklace - from the Portland Flea for All... there's a better picture of it, but it ended up being like 98% cleavage, so just rest assured that it's an adorable silver peacock.

Flip flops - also from the Target billion years ago sale

close up peek at Caiti's handmade dress.  Aren't the straps so awesome? 

Warmly (much like the weather),

Caiti & Jess

we go cuckoo for vintage

A big part of our job is shopping.  Lots.. and LOTS of shopping.  In order to bring you lots and lots of rad vintage we spend a lot of time at auctions, antique malls, thrift stores, people's basements... basically anywhere that we think we can sniff out something cool.  It's pretty amazing.  But honestly, it gets kind of tiring sometimes.  Not tiring in the sense that we want to stop, but tiring like we get a little punch drunk.  okay, maybe a LOT punch drunk.  I wanted to share some evidence of this from some Instagram pics we took last week during one of our all day shopping extravaganzas.

Stuff like this happens:

and then this...

so... yeah.

if you happen to be an aspiring vintage store owner reading this blog, just know that you have to be a little bit nutty to be cut out for this business.  also know that you have to take pictures like these on the sly, because the people at the antique malls will frown at you once they realize you're not actually going to BUY the items you're playing with. LOOSEN UP, GUYS!

I really wanted the pretzel though. sigh.

xo,

Jess & Caiti

PS.  Are you following us on Instagram yet? We're shoplucilles - what's your name on there?

Weekly Wantsies

We spend a lot of time window shopping online.  Because it's fun, and it's a lot cheaper than actual shopping.  And also because it's a good way to get inspired (that's what we keep telling ourselves, at least).  We thought we'd start a weekly feature where we show you some things we've been ogling over especially hard. 

Presenting... Weekly Wantsies!

First off, Caiti's list:

1. I love red and don't wear it often enough. Plus I love the Paraders.

2.Been eyeballing these oxford pumps for a while now...

3. Adorable flask because I keep it classy.

4. Prince to put out an album already. You should take a listen to the latest song Screw Driver .

And Jess's list: 

1.  Yeah, maybe I DO want a pair of leggings that are covered in baby fawns. 

2. I've always wanted brass knuckles. I think this is a good gateway ring. 

3. I love heels, but flats are kind of the best, amiright? And green is the best color. Ever. 

4. I've wanted wooden sunglasses FOREVER. And these are cat eyes, so how can you go wrong? 

(you can't, by the way.)

What about you... what are you dreaming about this week? What are your thoughts on Prince?

 Fawn covered leggings? Drinking from a flask? 

xoxo,

Caiti & Jess

outside outfits

We realized the other day we've never really shown our faces a lot on this blog.  Neither of us are incredibly fond of being in front of the camera, so there aren't many photos of us floating around.  We decided to change that!  Because... someone needs to document our cute outfits, and all of our random shenanigans.  And nothing makes for a more entertaining afternoon than watching two photo-shy ladies setting up a camera on a tripod and trying to think of poses while the self timer beeps away.  Aside from those two ladies trying to take a video of themselves, but... more on THAT later...

I met up with Caiti yesterday to do some scheming and plotting and visiting with her cats (they're very cute, and well worth the drive).  It was a relatively warm day for winter... I think it was like 40ish, which in Maine is downright balmy.  So we decided to head outside and document our cute vintage winter coats in their natural habitat.  Because who doesn't love an amazing vintage coat in the snow?

That's me, Jess, on the left in the gray coat, and in the red is Caiti.  If you've never seen us before... hi! or, even if you have seen us before.. hi! 

Caiti quickly realized that her tights & flats were not practical for this outing

And Jess giggled and looked at the ground every time the shutter went off

And... then we threw snowballs.

There may or may not be a photo of Caiti "accidentally" throwing a snowball almost AT THE CAMERA.  as the person who was behind the lens, I can testify that it was terrifying.  Her face in the photo is that of utter horror, so... we won't post it.  Just rest assured it was hilarious.

It looks in this photo like I don't understand how throwing a snowball works and I'm just tossing it UP into the air... I assure you that's not the case.  

Caiti was wearing adorable button earrings she had crafted the night before, so I snapped a photo of those as well.  You can find some with the same fabric, as well as some other rad ones, in the shop if you're into that sort of thing.  

For those who were curious, our coats were both thrifted... We both have a knack for finding fabulous coats languishing at thrift stores.  It seems silly that someone would get rid of something so beautiful! The gray coat I'm wearing today is one of my absolute favorites!

We also photographed the outfits we were wearing underneath.  Those will come at a later date, so keep your eyes peeled.  Until next time...

Snowball fights & crafting nights,

Jess & Caiti

DIY Glitter Nail Polish

Inspired by one of Laura's posts on Mainetoday about a DIY holiday manicure, I felt inspired to get my glitter on!  I decided to do some DIY of my own...

I'm usually really into colors that other people aren't into, so I have a hard time finding nail polish that I dig.. especially when it comes to polish of the glitter variety.  But every now and then, even a girl with weird taste needs to be shiny.  I had some lovely copper glitter I had fallen in love with ages ago, and some clear nail polish, and it occurred to me... EUREKA! I can make my own glitter polish! It seemed so simple! 

And... it totally was.

It's an incredibly easy-peasy DIY.  All you need is some clear polish, some glitter, and a means of funneling the glitter in.

Step 1.  Realize that the funnel you have is too big to fit into the nail polish.  Use a piece of paper formed into a makeshift funnel instead.  Or, if you're more prepared than me you can just use a small funnel.

Step 2.  Pour some glitter into the bottle.  Realize that it's a good idea you did this project while your husband was sleeping because he hates glitter.

Step 3.  Let it settle for a second... my glitter was really big pieces, so it took a minute for it to settle down into the bottle so I could add more.  

Step 4.  Shake it like a Polaroid picture! Or, just... shake it.. because you're really not supposed to shake Polaroids, you know.  Again, depending on how heavy your glitter is, it might take a minute to blend in.

And TA-DA! You've got your very own glittery concoction.  Feel free to go crazy with mixing colors of glitter... and mixing it up with different base coats underneath it.

I had a holiday party to go to, so I did a bit of a quick & dirty manicure with some iridescent white polish as a base coat.  I was going to do the ombre manicure that Laura did in her article, but I got too excited about the glitter and just kept adding more :)

Oh, and... my husband still managed to find glitter (ahem, everywhere) and complain about it, so you may want to be a bit more dainty than I was if you have a similar grumbly person in your life.  

Still totally worth it though.  And maybe perfect for some New Year's Eve nails?

Happy shiny holiday wishes,

Jess