My Top 5 Chicago Vintage Shops!

Hi There!

If you're in the Windy City and you're looking for some good vintage shopping, check out these gems!

Clothes Optional 
2918 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657
773-296-6630
Mon: 12pm-8pm
Tues - Sat: 11am - 8pm
Sun: 12pm -6pm
They have some great stuff! It's reasonably priced and the staff is really friendly. It has a downstairs filled with furniture too! There is a stellar bar downs there I would LOVE to buy if I had a basement!

Very Best Vintage 
1919 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
312-226-5530
Tues - Sat: 12pm - 7pm
Sun:  12pm - 6pm

This place is tiny, but it packs a big punch! I found a SWEET 60s Givenchy dress there for $120 bucks. Their prices aren't too crazy and you can try stuff on (which some places won't let you do...). Parking is pretty easy around there too!

Vintage Underground  
1834 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
773-252-4559
Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 6pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Sunday: 12pm - 5pm
Ok, I've written a whole blog about these guys before, but the staff there is just super helpful and really sweet. The prices are ok...it depends on what you're going in there for, but the jewelry selection is AWESOME! They also have some great clothing and furniture available as well.


Knee Deep 
1425 W. 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
312-850-2510
Winter Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 12pm - 7pm
Fri and Sat: 11am - 8pm
Sun: 12pm - 6pm
This place is fantastic! It's in Pilsen and every second Friday of the month they have a sale where everything in the store is 25 - 50% off from 6pm to midnight! They're having one TONIGHT! Great selection and prices are pretty good!






Land of the Lost
614 W. Belmont St. Chicago, IL 60657
773-529-4966
Unsure of the hours, but they've been open every time I've been by!
No! Not the show!!! ;) This place is AWESOME! It's off of Belmont and Broadway next to the Salon Great Head. They have a kick ASS selection of all different styles and the prices aren't bad at all!

Tats!

Hey there! 

Guess what I got!!!!

 Tattoos by Jennifer Trok

A few days ago I got 2 tattoos from Speakeasy Tattoo in Chicago. They're at 1935 North Ave and they do amazing work! They're really nice and not intimidating so you feel comfortable the whole time and the studio looks fabulous! 

If you're looking for a clean affordable tattoo shop that does great work, check out Speakeasy Tattoo! 

Stay tuned for some vintage greatness comin' at ya in a few days!  

Eye Candy!

Hey Ladies!

As some of you may know, I work for Benefit Cosmetics so I really enjoy makeup. I love Benefit stuff too (I've been using it for over 6 years)...BUT I've been looking for a brand that has high pigmented shadows is funky and glittery, and is cheaper than Mac. Mission accomplished!!!

Medusa's Makeup is everything I was looking for. They have hyper-pigmented eyeshadows and eye dust that look fabulous (see below). They also make glitter and mascara in various colors. I've never tried the mascara, but it's my next experiment. The shadow stays on best when you use Medusa's shadow and glitter primers.

If you're nervous about experimenting with color, you should just purchase a few less crazy colors and start playing around with those at home. Medusa has a great deal on shadow, brushes, liner seal, and primer here. You get 12 shadows (mine are in electro not safari), primer, all brushes, liner seal, eyeshadow primer, and a bag for $75.

Medusa Electro White, Black and Pink, Benefit's They're Real
and Magic Ink, and Medusa's Heavy Metal Glitter

Eye Closed!

Last night, I was rockin' out to Reverend Horton Heat and playing with eye makeup. Here are a few eyes I did and the items I used to make them.

Eye Open!

Medusa's Electro Purple and White,
New Wave, Mary Jane Eye Dust, Benefit They're Real
and Magic Ink Liner 

A little something to brighten your day!

OK, so this was on the news this morning and I had to share it because it was so cute! This woman rescued Winkelhimer after she was attacked by a cat at 6 weeks old. Winkelhimer would watch the woman paint and then started painting on her own. A few of her paintings have sold for $40 a some have been donated to animal charities.

You can read and watch the whole story HERE! 

I've Got em,' Now How Do I Take Care of em'

Hello Gorgeous! 

So you've bought a SWEET 1950s cotton cocktail dress! It's cute, it's fun, and you've worn it out to go dancing. Now, how are you going to wash it?? Ok, first thing's first....

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT PUT THAT IN THE WASHING MACHINE!!!!  

Here are a few tips for caring for your newly found vintage treasures. 

1. Wear deodorant without aluminum. 

The aluminum in antiperspirants can fade color in the fabric or make it more prone to tear. Pick a deodorant that is easily washed away with a gentle detergent. My favorite deodorant (THAT WORKS!!!) is Aromaco from Lush. You can visit your closest one OR you can go HERE and order it online! It's the best natural and aluminum free deodorant I've ever used. 

2. Before you touch water to your new outfit, make SURE you know what kind of fabric it is.

Some fabrics are ruined by water...like rayon crepe NEVER wash rayon crepe. It will shrink up like a shrinky-dink. 

 

3. Always hang vintage to dry. I never put my items in the dryer no matter what era they came from. Sometimes something looks like it will go in the dryer, but comes out 3 sizes smaller with dryer lint burnt to it. Purchase a drying rack OR if you have room make a clothes line in your laundry room with some string and 2 screw hooks!  

4. Hand-wash, Dry Clean, or Washer?

Hand-washing

I usually hand-wash all of my vintage items, but I always use a very mild detergent like baby shampoo or even a little vinegar. You will also need to divide your laundry by color more than ever. Depending on the era it was made, black dye can bleed hardcore. I will wash my black clothing one piece at a time to prevent bleeding. 

Dry Clean

You should try and take wool to the dry cleaners, but I'm terrified to take any of my stuff to the dry cleaner...HOWEVER, I do live in Chicago and don't trust any of them. If you live in a smaller community and know you can trust your dry cleaner to to take care of your garment and then not "loose" it, then by all means try the dry cleaner. 

Washer

Some fabrics can go in the washer, BUT before you put a garment in the washer make sure you check a few things. First, turn the garment inside out, then check the seams to make sure none of them are going to break. You can wash polyester, nylon, linen, pure cotton, and many synthetics, but I still always put the washer on delicate.  

 

Obviously, there are many other measures you can take to care for your vintage clothing, but these are a few basic things you can do to keep your items looking awesome and lasting forever. 

As always, if you have any questions or want me to delve into more detail, just shoot me an email!

Talk to you soon! 

JazzFest!!!!

YESSSS! It's getting closer to that time of year!!! I'm heading back out to The Big Easy for Jazzfest in April! I am so excited and can't WAIT!...(obviously, as it's only January...).

I'm excited for various reasons, mostly because I love NO...and Tom Petty, but I am also excited to check out more of the Garden District, shop, go on a cemetery tour....AND, of course, the food!    

If you've never been to New Orleans you are missing out, but JazzFest may be a good time for a NOLA newbie to check out the city! It's busy, the weather is not TOO hot, and there are SWEET acts at JazzFest. You can check out the line up here. This year line up includes (but is not limited to) The Eagles, Foo Fighters, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and the Beach Boys...AND MANY awesome zydeco bands!

Check it out and take a trip!!! Where else can you watch a cat belly up to the bar and drink a shot of creamer?

YEE HAW!!! We're back in business!!!

Why, Hello There!

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season!!! Mine was hectic, but awesome (as usual), and I have an exciting announcement to make! Instead of taking down our Christmas tree, I've been working on my Etsy shop and guess what....

Calamity Layne is up and running!!!   

I'm so excited! FINALLY!!! Go ahed and check it out! Here are a few items I have up so far! Stay tuned for more!!! 

Red Hot Rockabilly Dress

60s Gold Shoes

Flower Power