Looking for Something Unique? How About a Wearable Potted Plant?

You know how it goes.  You're sitting at your kitchen/computer/sewing table (in my case, the same table serves all three purposes), staring limpidly at your laptop, wondering "how is it that I have ever, ever managed to think of anything to write in the past?" and then a little idea seems to materialize from absolutely nowhere: "I wonder if it is possible to wear plants as a garment?"

Well, my thought wasn't from nowhere.  There are 15 plants in my kitchen and living room right now, breathing my air.  A quick search revealed that there are currently no living garments available on the market, however there are some lovely living jewelry options, both on Etsy.

Coleen Jordan has the good fortune of being the top search result for wearable plants for several dozen Google pages,  and no wonder!  Check out what she has done and buy, people, buy, buy, buy!

Wearable Planter No. 3 - Translucent - $30

I'm not sure what is more exciting about Jordan's planter - that it allows me to take my salad with me around my neck, or that she made it via a 3D printer, which is the coolest damned gadget I've ever wanted to own.

If you're looking for some earrings to go with your potted necklace, look no further than Warm Country Meadows' moss terrarium earrings.

Moss Terrarium Earrings - $18

Even if you don't feel like purchasing any new and unusual jewelry these days, put a flower in your hair and embrace spring (which in Seattle is cold, gray, and wet), new life, and this amazing, fragile planet.

 - PJ

Playing with Blocks - My Moment of Zen

Yesterday my washing machine flooded, which means I can't clean someone of the fantastic new vintage finds I had planned to put online next week.  This morning, I awoke to a lake in the kitchen where the dishwasher had flooded.  Farewell, wood floor!  What's a girl to do when the waters of broken appliances are rising all around her?

XYZ Blocks from Fred and Friends

I played with blocks.  My new Fred and Friends block set never fails to make me happy.  I bought mine at the Modern Mercantile.  These blocks have a different take on learn the ABCs and 123s.  For example, L is for litterbox.  Z is for zombie.  Build towers of ironic fun!

 - PJ

Sunshine? What's that?

There is this weird yellow ball floating in the sky here in Seattle right now.  Someone told me that this benevolent, warm thing is called the sun, and since it has been so long that I forgot what the sun actually IS, I went in search of a few sunny items to remind myself.  Behold, the sun shineth upon Seattle (even if it is still cold and windy at the same time), and these cheery things are perfect for a spring day outside.

Sessun Mellow Night Dress - $178 at Penelopes

Polka-Dot Paint Markers - $16 at the MOMA Store

Comme des Garcons Color Embossed Wallet - $215 at Blackbird
(so what if it is for boys.  Click the link and check out the other photos of how cool this wallet is!)

Button Buttons by Barrel of Monkeys - $3

Strawberry Jelly Drop Ring - $10.15 by I Love Hearts

Enjoy!

 - PJ

Romantic New Items at Poor Jean: from jewelry to lingerie

Poor Jean is adding two new categories to the store - accessories, and delicates...oh my!  Here is a sample of some newly added accessories, such as shoes, jewelry, and hair accessories.

Vintage Pearl Barrette - $9

Vintage Baby Bow Pin or Pendant - $4

Also, check out some of our sweetly naughty sleepwear!

Vintage Darling Daisy Teddy - $25

Vintage Plain Jane Cotton Slip - $20

Enjoy!

 - PJ

Farewell Flu, Hello Spring Sale!

Finally, I have recovered from a wretched week-long bout with the flu - now it's time to say hello to spring with a free shipping sale!  All vintage and ready-to-ship items have free domestic and international shipping through the weekend.  Check out some of my new items for spring and enjoy free shipping until end of Sunday, April 3rd.

Vintage Yellow Frock

Vintage Striped Day Dress

Vintage Floral Girly Gown

Enjoy!

 - PJ

Elizabeth Taylor, RIP

The first time I remember seeing Elizabeth Taylor was in her commercial for White Diamonds perfume.  "These have always brought me luck," she said, and pulled a pair of glittering nuggets from her ears and set them on a small table where a dashing man was gambling...and losing.  I was enamored with her boldness (rather, the boldness of the person who wrote the commercial, but still, she said it boldly).  Now, below, I present my favorite collection of Elizabeth Taylor garments throughout the years.

She had class, and a lot of spunk.  Another piece of old Hollywood glamor is gone forever...if only our new starlets could weather time and scandal as she did.

 - PJ

Featured: The Vintage Cherry Blossom Handbag

Isn't she cute?  Spring is here, ladies! This little bag makes my seasonal flowering tree allergies flare with excitement.  Someone please pass me a tissue...

Vintage Cherry Blossom Handbag - $35 at Poor Jean

 - PJ

Some Prom Dress Alternatives

Prom is on its way, and that means frantic dress shopping, stress, and...more frantic dress shopping.  Finding just the right dress can be a hair-pulling experience, and any bide to be will tell you, and although others may fully appreciate or understand what you are looking for, when you see the right dress, you will know it, deep in your gut.  Best places to buy prom dresses?
 
Check out BCBG for occasionally affordable but always well-made prom dresses.  This year my favorite from BCBG is the Marley Tiered Taffeta Dress, with layers of white taffeta cascading to the floor.

Marley Tiered Taffeta Dress - $934

Ok, so not every prom queen can drop a thousand dollars on a prom dress - what's a girl to do?  Check out vintage or handmade prom gowns!  After all, prom gowns were traditionally made by the girl who would be wearing the gown (or her mother).  A vintage gown that has been handmade by a former prom girl has so much more meaning and history, and you know that no one else will show up for the dance wearing the same dress as you!  Here are some of my faves from Etsy:

Sweet little pink and white vintage party dress from Kitten Paws Vintage - $64

Stunning gold and black brocade party dress from Thrush Vintage - $320

Poly dress, made to order, by On the Trashy Side - $90

Vintage Belle of the Ball Gown from Poor Jean - $125

Still dont' see the right dress?  Consider phoning grandma and asking if she still has her old prom dress.  What a great way to save some money, and wear a unique, meaningful dress this year!

 - PJ

It's Not Easy Being Green...

Actually, it really is, because these green items are all vintage!

Vintage Coulot Shorts - Poor Jean

Vintage Emerald and Peridot Cocktail Ring - Carol Collectibles

Radishes and Roses Turtleneck - Seven Closets Vintage

Vintage Wool Cardigan - Old Age

Vintage IVY Mod Dress - Blueberry Deluxe

Vintage Lacoste Anorak - Poor Jean

It's Not Easy Being Green (or short) Vintage Boots - Deuce

 - PJ

I Finally Found a Reason to Get Pregnant, and It's Called Suvi Ainoa

Long Sleeve Dress

Suddenly everyone I know is pregnant.  Well, not everyone, although my friend Jon did seem to have a maternal glow the last time I hung out with him.  Perhaps it is just my age, perhaps those movie stars really did start a trend, but it seems like I am surrounded by pregnant ladies, including my freshly minter sister-in-law.  I am going to be an AUNTY!

This has all made me start thinking about baby fashion, whatever that means, and somehow I stumbled upon Suvi Ainoa.  My reaction was instant and loud: "I will have children just so I can dress them in Suvi Ainoa baby clothes!" I hollered to my startled cat, and my even more started husband.  Seriously though - how else can I justify my urge to buy this polka-dotted jacket?

Dark Navy Polka Dots Jacket

This is awkward.  The two toddlers upstairs are throwing things at each other and screaming.  I've just changed my mind, but you had better believe my little niece will be seeing some of this baby couture coming her way.  The more I browse through the website, the more impatient I feel for the little nipper to be born so I can clothe her! 

Suvi Ainoa is also available at Magpie Lovely, which happens to sell Poor Jean as well.  Coincidence?

 - PJ

Itsy Bitsy Craft Craft Sale

Looky what I got!  Stunning pillow cover by Soraam

Hey, guess what?  I get all of my holiday shopping done in October.  Sometimes people say "wow!  you're really on top of things!"  Actually no, I am not at all on top of things. Three unfinished dresses are sitting on top of my sewing machine, the dishes are desperately trying to scrub yesterday's breakfast off of themselves in the sink, and I can't find the remote control because it's somewhere on the couch...underneath a wool blanket, annual taxes paperwork that I finished two weeks ago, a stack of Vogue magazines, two leather jackets, and a sleeping tabby cat.  I get my shopping done in October because I like to shop.  Buy.  Spend.  Using others as an excuse for me to fling handfuls of money away with a twinkle in my eye just makes me feel better about myself. 

"Why are you telling me all of this?" you ask.

Because, it's important to remember that shopping local is SUPER easy when you've got nothing else to do, and after all, hey! it's February!  Shop local during the holidays? It's hard to find the time.  Shop local when the sloppy Seattle rain is blowing at your house sideways and the heavy gloom makes you want to write and self publish your own poetry? Easy!  All of these reasons (and dish-washing avoidance) is why I attended the tiniest craft show I have ever seen today in South Lake Union.  My momma's birthday is coming up, and since I know she never reads my blog I can confidently announce that I bought her a pretty little necklace from Madeline and Francine, and a cute little salt shaker vase of button flowers thingy by Wanna B Rock Star so she will always have something to keep her chipper.  For my husband I got this gorgeous pillow cover by Soraam...because he loves home decorating... and as a little pressie for myself (a reward for shopping local), I picked up this large sachet filled with cloves, lavender, and cedar from Sunday Drive Designs to keep my unmeantionables smelling dreamy. 

And what did YOU do today?

 - PJ

Seattleites! Check out the Artisan Sale this Saturday in SLU

Clever cake stand, by Crafty Clementines.  Look for more at the Artisan Sale!

Guess what Seattle?  The rain is returning on Saturday.  SATURDAY!  This is the curse of the Northwest...the sun shines during the week but disappears behind the gloom just in time for the weekend.  You all know what I am talking about. As Isabella Roselenni is fond of saying. "What to do?!"

Jewelry by Madeline and Francine

An artisan sale, of course!

There will be cookies.  Good golly!

This Saturday (February 12), from noon to 4 p.m. local artists will have their fine wares on displays and for sale at the Cascade Neighborhood Center on 309 Pontius Ave. N.  So hop onto a certain trolley that we all know and support your little local economy!  Here is a full list of all the vendors who will display at the sale:


Caitlin Scott Jewelry
Madeline and Francine
Sentiment Redesigned
Merlita
Crafty Clementines
Sunday Drive Designs
Soraam
Rhetoric Tees
Wanna B Rock Star
Laura Etoile
Elles Beads
Allison Creates
Kat Miller Photography

 - PJ

Be the 100th Customer - Win This Vintage Handbag!

Wow!  Just a little more than a year after Poor Jean opened and I am hovering on 99 sales!  My next lovely customer will receive this cute, vintage, pleather handbag with the purchase of any item in my shop. No additional shipping will be charged.

Ooooh!  Ahhhh!  Free giveaway!

Snotty Yachty

Spring is coming, and you know what that means?  Time to don your white loafers and take the yacht out for a spin.  No yacht?  Me neither.  Non-yacht-owners take heart, though, because even if you can't tootle around the bay drinking white wine spritzers and listening to smooth jazz, you can still look the part with some fantastic nautical vintage!

To get in a nautical mood I took a trip with my best buddy down to Westport, Washington, which looks something like this:

Ahhh...Washington beaches.  Imagine away the gray, stinging sand, gray sky, and gray water and you'll see how easy it is to get in a festive, yachty mood!  Back at home, near Seattle, the gray is just as intense - which  is why I decided to list all of my nautical items a little early this year.  Check out Poor Jean's vintage snotty yachty collection so far.

Vintage Red Sailor Shirt - medium

Vintage Denim Sailor Tunic - Large

Vintage Yachting Jacket - small/medium

Bon voyage!

 - PJ