darling in dots
  • blog
  • follow me

stop and smell the cherry blossoms: talking about taking note of the little things

5/15/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
cherry blossoms | cherry blossom tree | spring style | floral dress | vintage floral | ankle socks | socks and shoes
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I started taking Instagram "seriously" three years ago, in the beginning of 2015. It was then I consciously started posting photos of more interesting and meaningful things, rather than just photos of my friends and I out at bars. I remember one day that spring I was walking home, and snapped a photo of the animal print flats I was wearing in a pile of pink petals from a cherry blossom tree on my street, then uploaded it to the gram. The following spring, I posted a photo of a cherry blossom tree on my street, this time with a pretty building that has mint green accents on it in the background. And last spring I posted a photo of a cherry blossom tree in front of a historical row home while I was in Philadelphia for the weekend. 

It may sound stupid, but I feel like before Instagram, I didn't even notice cherry blossom trees. Social media often gets a bad rap since so many people nowadays feel the need to document every little aspect of their lives, rather than truly live in the moment. And while I agree it is a very fine line between posting what you're passionate about and oversharing, I do think that one benefit of social media is that it has made me more observant of my everyday surroundings. For example, I'm constantly looking out for new locations to shoot or interesting things to photograph. Since my blog and Instagram are vintage inspired, it's helped me notice little remnants of the past, such as an old school door or sign, small details I might not have otherwise noticed. 

I shot these photos last week, and by now the trees have all lost their pink petals. It feels like spring is already on its way out and summer is fast approaching, but I wanted to document some cherry blossom trees once again this year. In this post I am wearing a vintage dress I recently bought at the Brooklyn Flea, and paired them with these new shoes I recently received from Charlie Stone Shoes. 

If you're interested in shopping my shoes, you can find them here:
https://www.charliestoneshoes.com/collections/all/products/toscana-mustard

I paired these shoes with frilly ankle socks, both for a girly spring look, as well as to help break them in. Wearing cute socks with a new pair of shoes is one of my favorite hacks for breaking in a new pair of shoes. These flats run true to size and are beautifully made. However, like with most leather shoes, they need some time to stretch out a bit. 

Shoes: c/o Charlie Stone Shoes 
https://www.charliestoneshoes.com/
Dress: Vintage
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters; Ring: Kate Spade



1 Comment

coney island queen: my favorite things to do in coney island

5/11/2018

0 Comments

 
vintage sunglasses | mod sunglasses | retro sunglasses | white sunglasses | amusement park photography
Picture
Picture
Picture
wonder wheel | Coney Island | vintage camera | amusement park photography | Coney Island New York
Picture
Picture
Picture
amusement park photography | Coney Island | Coney Island New York | wonder wheel | vintage sunglasses | retro sunglasses
Picture
Picture
amusement park photography | Nathan's Famous | Nathan's hotdogs | Coney Island | Coney Island New York
Last Friday, I made my first trip of the year to Coney Island. Coney Island is one of my favorite things about New York City summers because it really does have an old school, retro feel to it. Even though most of the attractions are new, there are still a few original rides left.

The Ferris wheel, better known as The Wonder Wheel, was built in 1920. In 1989 it became a historic NYC landmark. The Wonder Wheel is definitely my favorite ride. It's cool getting to see the whole park from a birds eye view, even though it's equally as terrifying too haha. Some of the cars intentionally "swing" during the ride, so make sure you opt for a stationary car (like I do) if this isn't your thing.

The Cyclone is another original ride. It is a wooden roller coaster built in 1927. It also gained NYC landmark status in 1988. I rode this ride once, but to be honest, I wouldn't do it again. Since it is old and wooden, it is super rickety and rough, a very different feel than riding a modern roller coaster.

I'm not a huge ride person, so I mostly just like to go to walk around and enjoy the ambience. And of course I always stop at Nathan's for french fries and lemonade. My friends all swear the hot dogs are amazing too, but I don't eat meat, so I can't directly comment on them, but I'll take their word for it.

I can't wait to go back to Coney Island again this summer!

If you'd like to shop my dress, you can find it here:
https://www.karinadresses.com/collections/sunny-afternoon/products/ruby-dress-blue-and-white-gingham?variant=292344233988

Dress: c/o Karina Dresses
Necklace: vintage; Ring: Kate Spade; Sneakers: H&M; Sunglasses: Guess; Headband & Bag: unknown (both were gifts)
Location: Coney Island (Brooklyn, New York)


0 Comments

young at heart

5/9/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
vintage style | retro style | sixties style | sixties hair | vintage sunglasses | retro sunglasses
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Finally spring (or really summer, since it's been in the 80's all week) is here! I received this dress from Smak Parlour a few weeks ago, and I've been dying to wear it ever since! This dress has so many of my favorite things rolled into one- mustard yellow, stripes and a high neckline. I thought this playground in Hoboken with its blue and yellow ground would make a great backdrop. I decided to go all the way with the playground theme and buy a hula hoop and bubbles as props. I haven't used either of these things in years, and I forgot how much fun they could be. It felt nice to get outside in the sunshine and be carefree for a change.

If you're interested in shopping my dress, you can find it here:
https://www.smakparlour.com/collections/collection/products/navy-sleeveless-fit-and-flare-dress-with-striped-knit-panel-and-mock-neck

Dress: c/o Smak Parlour
Shoes: Kate Spade; Bracelet: J. Crew; Sunglasses: Vintage
Location: Hoboken, NJ
0 Comments

baby you can drive my car: tips for wearing colored tights

5/8/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
vintage cars | retro cars | sixties cars | vintage style | leopard print shoes | leopard print | retro style | sixties style
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
"Who would ever want to have purple legs?"

I remember one day when I was in high school I heard someone say this in the hallway, only to look down and remember I was wearing plum colored tights that day. I looked behind me to see who made the remark, and realized it was a girl I was "friends" with making fun of me.

I've never been one to stop wearing something just because someone made fun for me for it, but I decided to write a blog post with some tips for wearing colored tights, as I know they can be out of some people's comfort zone when it comes to dressing. 

•keep the look neutral
Keep the majority of your look neutral and have the tights be your pop of color, like how the main colors in my outfit here are navy and white.

•anchor the look with sophisticated pieces 
Colored tights can easily look juvenile or clownish, but adding more sophisticated elements to your outfit, like my beret and pointy toe flats, will elevate your look. 

​•tie the look together 
If you can add an accessory to pick up the color in your tights, such as a belt, purse or headband, that can really pull the look together. In this case, the lenses in my sunglasses had the same tint as my tights. 
​
Tights: c/o Vienne Milano 
https://www.viennemilano.com/

Dress: c/o Smak Parlour
Shoes: Franco Sarto (bought from Century 21); Beret: JJ Hat Center; Sunglasses: Vintage

Photos: Jenna McGeehen  
https://jmcgeehe.wixsite.com/Jennaeliza 
Location: The Immigrant (East Village, NYC)
0 Comments

come fly with me: my visit to the TWA lounge

5/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
beehive hair | sixties style | retro style | mod style | candy cigarettes | vintage scarf
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the TWA lounge located downtown in One World Trade Center. If you are unfamiliar, TWA was an airline that operated from the 1920's to the early 2000's. Visiting this space was an absolute dream come true. I literally felt like I was in an episode of Mad Men. From the retro decor, to the amazing panoramic views of Manhattan, to Frank Sinatra playing over the sound system, I couldn't help but feel inspired. Aside from the amazing vintage furniture and items, the lounge also houses TWA travel posters, flight attendant uniforms throughout the decades and a flight departure display board. They even keep TAB soda and candy cigarettes stocked in the lounge, which I of course used as a prop for these photos.

If you are in NYC, I would definitely recommend visiting the lounge! Since it is located in One World Trade Center, security is very strict, for obvious reasons, so you cannot just walk in. To schedule an appointment, all you have to do is send an email to 1wtc@twahotel.com. You can schedule a visit for yourself, with a larger group or even book the space for an event. Now I'm seriously considering hosting a Mad Men themed party here... 

Thank you TWA for letting me live out my Megan Draper fantasies for the day!

Dress: c/o Smak Parlour 
Scarf: Target; Sneakers: H&M; Earrings: Trudy's Variety 
Location: TWA Lounge in One World Trade Center (Financial District, NYC)
0 Comments

miami food & drink guide: the best vintage inspired places to eat & drink

5/2/2018

0 Comments

 
As you probably know by now, I spent last weekend in Miami. It was my first time visiting this part of Florida and I absolutely loved it. We spent our time checking out the Art Deco architecture, catching some rays on the beach and enjoying some amazing food and drinks. Living in NYC, I am spoiled when it comes to bars and restaurants. Since there are so many amazing options in NYC, sometimes when I travel I am disappointed in the quality of food and drinks. However, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed every place we ate and drank at in Miami. Not to mention, each place had quirky and vintage inspired decor. So I decided to put together a little guide of these bars and restaurants. 
Naked Taco
1111 Collins Ave
Come here for solid Mexican food and cocktails. We actually ended up eating here twice, dinner on our first night and lunch on our last day.
Picture

Havana 1957
819 Lincoln Road
There are 3 different locations in South Beach, but we went to the Lincoln Road spot. We just grabbed drinks here, so I can't comment on the food. The drinks were good and it had great ambience. The decor and music were reminiscent of vintage Cuba.
Picture
Picture
11th Street Diner 
1065 Washington Ave
I'm a sucker for some classic, all-American food, so we came here for breakfast twice. Solid diner food with a retro interior and exterior. ​
11th street diner miami | miami diner | vintage diner | retro diner
Picture
11th street diner miami | miami diner | vintage diner | retro diner | diner interior
Pane & Vino
1450 Washington Ave
Authentic Italian restaurant. They even prepared the pasta right in front of us at the table. ​
Picture
Picture
Milani Gelateria
436 Espanola Way
After dinner we grabbed some gelato here. I got the Nutella flavor and it was amazing!
Picture
Broken Shaker 
2727 Indian Creek Drive
This place was a bit farther north, so we had to take an uber there, but it was well worth the quick drive. This place is a tiki bar with cool outside seating area. The drinks were amazing, definitely the best we had on the entire trip. The bar tender even concocted a coconut rum cocktail just for us. 
Picture
Picture
The Social Club
1717 Collins Ave
We came here for brunch one morning. Although the service was a bit slow, the food was very good. Also you can get a free mimosa if you check in on Yelp!
Picture
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company
237 20th Street
We came here for some pre-dinner appetizers and drinks. They have happy hour everyday from 4-7 where they have $5 cocktails (including Moscow Mules- which are my favorite!)
Picture
​Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
1600 Lenox Ave
I ate at the Vegas location last year, and I've been dreaming about their biscuits and mac and cheese ever since, so I had to come to this location to get my fix!
Picture
Sorry I kind of slacked on the last two spots and only got photos of the bathroom lol 
​My one regret is that we didn't have any Cuban food while we were here, but all the more reason for me to plan another trip back here soon! I hope this guide is helpful if you're planning a trip to Miami!
0 Comments

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • blog
  • follow me