Showing posts with label online consignment store. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online consignment store. Show all posts

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Le Thrift Summer Style - August 13th, 2011


There is something to be said about living in Chicago in the summer. I love watching all the festivals and street fairs and within it comes patrons of creative style. Especially walking down Division, it can be very inpspiring. The freedom of not being covered up in heavy jackets and boots from winter, there is a carefree style of dressing. Some refer it to "hipster" or "bohemian". My brother in town to visit referred it to,"reinvented hippie". Although, I do not concur, I find it fun to watch people taking fashion risks... finally Chicago!

It has been a great opportunity to open my store in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Everyone from the surrounding community has been so supportive. Trust me it was scary opening a boutique at the tail end of a recession. You wonder if you are doing a smart thing.

In July, I had to opportunity to shoot this video and photos with Virgil Solis from http://www.rubyhornet.com. A very talented photographer in Chicago that shoots many upcoming musicians. It was a wonderful collaborative effort with everyone involved. Here is some of the results of the shoot.





Seen here is model Michelle Pantel wearing some looks from Le Thrift Consignment Boutique. You can buy these looks at our store online at http://www.lethrift.com OR at our boutique at 1754 W Division in Chicago.






For all inspiring actors or models, or anyone who would like to be in a commercial. We are looking for extras as "shoppers," for a new product that Google is launching. Le Thrift was selected to be in the ad. We are super excited as this will be a huge opportunity and great exposure for the web site and store. Anyone interested in being the commercial contact us at info@lethrift.com. The shoot is 3-7 p.m. this Monday, August 15th. This is an unpaid gig, but is promised to be a fun time and great exposure.

Next, coming up is our 20% Summer Savings sale with discounts up to 75% off. We will also be serving complimentary drinks and appetizers. Make it a fun girls night with your friends. Our store will be open Saturday, August 20th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. that evening. Online we are offering 20% off Saturday only. Use our promo code SSLeThrift.

The following weekend is Fashion Fest produced by M GO Fashion Company. These girls always put on an amazing fashion show (http://mgofashion.com/boutique/). It will be a collaborative of local boutiques and designers in Chicago. Le Thrift will be introducing fall vintage inspired looks on the runway! We are super excited for this show and it promises to be a fun time for anyone who attends.


To RSVP for a seat, it is $25 and it includes two drinks. To attend this event email fashionfest@aol.com.

Along with the M Go Fashion Fest also be a Wicker Park "Last Call," sidewalk sale going along Division St and the Bucktown Arts Festival this August 27th and 28th. Definitely a great time to shop and enjoy the last bit of summer! Le Thrift will also have selected merchandise for clearance sale that weekend.




We always love to work with charities and give back to the community. This week Catholic Charities has joined Le Thrift. They brought us many wonderful goodies to consign. One of them is this Fendi 80's Cross-body Vintage Purse which I LOVE (a little obsesesed with it right now). Soon to be online as well.



So far this journey has been so fulfilling and I have met so many great people. I can't wait to see what happens next!

xo,
Christine

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Moment In Time


Now after spending Valentine's Day with my love, I started to think about romance, the meaning of it all and what it meant to our ancestors years ago. How have times changed? How do we share romantic gestures? 
A very cute vintage Valentine's Day card from the 1930's.

As Steve and Johnnie from Life After Dark, a WGN AM radio talk show guest commented, there has been a communication breakdown with our loved ones in the past years due to technology (my boyfriend has AM radio on all the time in the house.. on a transistor radio). That over 70% of Americans text each other "I love you" rather than saying it directly to one another. This as a result has changed the effect of those three words. Do we now take it granted from our significant others? Has our idea of romanced changed? Or is it rather the way we communicate to one another is all together different?

This also translates into our culture and even the way our goods are produced these days. Larger manufacturers, cheaper materials in our housing, processed fast food and the urgency to have material goods right away. In a fast paced nation of "we want it right now and for a cheaper price," some of the romance of the way things are made has diminished.

 Vintage Bag Advertisements


A few weeks ago, a wonderful woman from Elgin, IL decided to consign some of her mother's gorgeous vintage purses from the 1920's and 30's. When I saw them, I literally fell in love. After doing a little research on each bag, it was hard to imagine these things were hand made. Each precious thread and bead so carefully crafted to create these romantic little purses. 

A purse factory in the 1930's.

I tried to even imagine an artistan in Paris or Austria sitting there day in and day out arduously giving their talents into these little treasures. Something that was expected at this time, but such a rarity in today's standards. There was some romance and mystery to this. Did this person have a special Valentine or romance waiting for them at the end of their tiresome and long day?
Did the woman who bought these purses wear them for special occasions or with her favorite date?

These thoughts made me remember that showing your love, whether it is a labor of love or the love of my life, that I should take the time to tell them that I love them to their face or dedicate more time to the things I love creating. With that said, the next time I am writing a love letter to my Valentine, hopefully he will gladly remember that moment in time.

Here are the gorgeous little treasures I am now consigning at LeThrift.com

 Vintage Micro Petit Point Purse 
Austrian, circa 1930's

 
Vintage Enameled Mesh Purse  - Art Deco 
German, circa 1930's

 
Vintage French Hand Beaded Handbag 
French, circa 1920's

 
Vintage Whiting and Davis Gold Mesh Hand Bag
American, circa 1930's

 What do you think? Do you adore these purses as much as I do? I would love to hear your feedback.
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WE LOVE YOU VALENTINE! SALE

Also, don't forget, we are having our "We Love You... Valentine" Sale. All items are 25% off until Friday  2/18/11. Use Promo code LTValentine in the promo discount area when checking out your order.







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