Just a couple of quick snapshots from last night’s Modern Vintage: Shop & Social at Nana! Click through to see.

I am really not a crafty culinary lady, but I thought up this sweet little appetizer and thought I might be a genius. Grape tomatoes, basil leaves from my tiny garden, and mozzarella pearls. On a stick! Yum.

Fellow Nana muse Tobey clearly got the vintage dress code and wore this fun printed dress. I love the way her heavy turquoise contrasts with the dress style but still complements her look! I’m wearing a Jason Wu for Target blouse with one of my favorite vintage skirts (seagulls!), a super-thin vintage belt, and Clarks wedges that we couldn’t stop talking about.

I kept the pretty decorations from last time and put ‘em back up. Do you like our color organization on these racks?

Most of the dresses, skirts and blouses that I shared last night are now available at Nana…while they last!

Stephie from Thrift and Style joined me and a small group of funny, funny ladies. Here she is practicing on paper before we started our take-home project:

And here’s my finished project! It only took an hour and two sewing machines (I’m that lucky):

And it’s reversible! I can’t wait to put some useful items in there. My thanks to teacher Valerie, who made everything seem so easy!

P.S. I’m a busy bee prepping for Modern Vintage tomorrow night! I’ve got apps, the punch ingredients, a batch of Blondies, and some gorgeous new vintage pieces ready for you to check out. See you then!

Behold the power of the Internet. Within 5 minutes of starting my search, I learned that the Uris Theatre played host to the revival of The King and I, which opened on Broadway in May of 1977. Yul Brynner, who had been in the original cast, also appeared in the revival.

The Uris Theatre is now known as the Gershwin Theatre. Hard to believe that orchestra, row C cost $16.50!

I love finding tags, tickets, and other items in bags and on clothing—they offer small stories from their owner’s lives.

If you’ve been anxiously awaiting the opening of Ginger Root Design‘s expanded space, do visit this Saturday and peek the new floors, fresh paint, and maybe a few shiny new sewing machines.

I’m especially loving recycled glass jewelry by YB Green. You can learn all about this unique jewelry (and the amazing works by other local artists) while sipping something fun for Cinco de Mayo!

Kisses to my favorite ginger kids! Congrats, ladies!

I have several untrustworthy, not-entirely-medical theories about why our feet are bigger now than they were 100 years ago, but they all sound a lot like my theories on why we can’t fit into tiny-waisted dresses anymore. We are simply larger than we used to be—in height, weight, and everything in between.

It doesn’t mean great vintage shoes aren’t out there for everyone to enjoy. It just takes a lot of searching and patience to find those that fit you.

Before you look at a single pair of shoes online, measure your foot. This is a reliable way to know if something has any chance of fitting, and any good online retailer will provide measurements. Measure the length of your foot (from heel to big toe) and the width across the toe box (from the joint of your big toe across your foot). Do this with your foot flat on the floor, on top of the tape measure. I find that it’s also helpful to measure across the big toe’s big joint, you know…the one that gets bunion-y for some of us. Trust me, the last thing you want is a pair of shoes that rubs your bunions. Pinched nerves are awful.

If you’re trying shoes on in person, take a guess two sizes above your normal size. If you’re an 8 and the shoes all look pretty narrow, give a 10 a shot. Start with the foot opposite your dominant hand (if you’re a righty, start on your left foot). This is another theory I can’t back up the science on, but this handy international shoe size converter site (more on that later) mentions it and I know the two-different-sizes issue can be a pill.

eBay seller modlucy offers this guide to all those letters on the inside of vintage shoes:

If the shoe is marked “S,” it stands for slim.
If the shoes is marked “N,” is stands for narrow.  
If the shoe is marked “B” or “M,” it is a normal width.
If the shoe is marked “C,” then it is either wide or a men’s pair.
If the shoes is marked “W” is for wide.

Vintage Vixen also notes that widths range from AAAAA to D. Some better vintage shoes have two widths listed: the toe box as well as the heel.

How should the vintage shoe (or any shoe) look once it’s on your foot? I’ll refer you to Kassie at Simply Soles to school you. If the shoe doesn’t truly fit, don’t force it. It’s not worth the pain.

Once you find a pair that fits, it’s important to consider the materials and quality.

Some easy fixes:

• New heel taps ($5-$10)
• Rubber piece added to sole for your stability ($10)
• Insole coming up? Just super-glue it down
• Want a new insole? Get a cushy one from CVS. ($10)
• Leather cleaner and conditioner to spiff up your new kicks (I love Apple‘s cleaning kit)
• For genuine, sturdy leather, try stretching (It works. I swear.)

Not easy fixes:

• Stretching patent leather (not worth the effort)
• Having the entire sole replaced ($30-$40 and up)
• Leather that’s cracking or crumbling
• Vinyl that’s peeling
• Suede that flakes off

The bottom line: When it comes to vintage shoes, you’re Cinderella. Someday your shoe will come.

Some resources to keep close by:

International Shoe Size Converter

Vintage Vixen Buying Guide: Vintage Shoes (especially note the list of qualities/features to look for—bottom of the page)

We had so much fun at Nana for the first Modern Vintage: Shop & Social, so….why not?

Join us on Thursday, May 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St., NW
to preview new vintage items before they hit the racks at Nana
and to have a snack (the punch bowl will be present!)
and to meet other vintage-lovers like yourself!

Wear your favorite vintage pieces, or come as you are from work or class. All are welcome!

One-night-only coupons will be shared with those on the Quarter Life mailing list. Sign up for monthly-or-so messages so that you get yours!

I decided that a horrific rainy spell last weekend would be a great time to go to every antiques mall in Delaware!

Whatever, I still had a good time. I was very productive and only filled one car* full of things I Just Couldn’t Live Without. I even enjoyed some Wawa soft pretzels, which aren’t as good as the real thing but are close enough.

Below the jump you’ll find snaps of some of the s’wonderful things I found and loved.

Not sure who that is endorsing the game, but I bet he was coordinated enough to keep the spinner wheel from coming off its track…unlike yours truly.

If I were a woman with a home I’d do anything to have this baker’s rack. Deco!

The coolest way to store your sugar, tea and coffee.

Probably should have gotten this book to brush up on my pitiful math skills. I wonder who doodled the martinis on the cover? I’m in agreement with those.

I spy a Barbie doll case and a coffee table book about William and Harry’s dad!

I don’t understand why any engaged person would register for dishes of any sort when they could go to a random antique mall and take their pick from the Pyrex collection. I recently grabbed a set of the Pyrex “Crazy Daisy” pattern (the green and white at top right, also seen in Grey’s Anatomy from time to time) on eBay to replace a bowl from my mom’s collection. Had I waited for this trip, I could have gotten three sets for her! Crazy Daisy was popular back in the day.

Love this typewriter, mostly for the color.

If I had any room at home for another mixer I never use, this would be coming home with me. Interesting that my modern-day mixer is also yellow!
I’m also convinced I’m reading the tag wrong, because I could swear there’s a swear word on there.

*Only one vehicle accompanied me on my journey.

Word on the street is that chambray is totally on-trend for spring. I’ll have this fun 3/4 sleeve top at Black-Eyed Susie’s pop-up shop on Saturday.

More recently, I received an email from Holli, who has taken over the basement space at PollySue’s and invited me to stop by. It just so happened that I found a morning last week to grab Kaarin, jump in a Zipcar, and head up there. So we did!

Not much to report, but a few quick pics here. PollySue’s still has some of the oldest pieces in the best condition that I’ve seen in the area. And the prices are mighty fine! Holli’s new section looks great and has plenty of affordable summer frocks and separates ready alongside the standard not-so-secret closet under the stairs full of wedding gowns.

Photos under the jump!

Summer dresses in almost every color! Do beware of tiny sizes. They’re everywhere!

Holli’s tags in the basement are adorable.

Hats, patterns, and the occasional baby shoe.

Kaarin was on the hunt for the perfect special-occasion dress, and this one was definitely our favorite. The dress was delicate, but in wonderful condition. But alas…a smidge too small for even our tiny-waisted friend.

It felt good to be back in Takoma Park, even just for a little while! We shall meet again soon, Roscoe.

From an email:

“Swap & Sip” will be the official DC debut for the digital designer destination and we couldn’t be more thrilled share in spirit of second-hand sassiness. Attendees are welcome to show off their favorite vintage, designer or consignment piece as well as to participate in our giveaways and the high-end handbag and accessory swap!