Muse Mondays

      Whether it's visual, audible, or tangible, there is always something in the universe that sparks a reaction within you. On the very first of my Muse Mondays posts, I'd like to share with you the musical ensemble, sentimentally named Efterklang (meaning "remembrance" in the Danish language).
      After forming in 2000, Efterklang has added three notches to their musical belts since having released three studio recorded albums. These Danes not only create beautiful music; they foster it.  They are currently signed with label 4AD and  had been previously signed with the Danish-dubbed Rumraket: a personally owned label of the band that has signed several other names such as Grizzly Bears and Canon Blue.  The band announced early June the future closing of the endeavored Rumraket.

Released in August of 2010, their latest album Raincoats  has introduced my ears to the indie rock sounds.

In Sequin-tial order...

(Via: American Archive.)

We've all seen them before, ladies. I'm talking about those glamorous, yet slightly tacky sequined tops.  Whether it comes straight from your mother's back-in-the-day section of her closet or your local thrift, you've asked yourself, "To wear or not to wear?".  I say DO IT.  Definitely take weather conditions into consideration, but when is there going to be an absolute appropriate time to wear such flecks of shimmer?  Since looking fancy is never out of season these tops will probably haunt us until boho-chic styles stop walking this earth...which I don't predict happening anytime soon. If you're not a fan of butterflies they come in even more toned down styles, so fear not and wear with confidence!

(Image courtesy of Dave Austria)

Mister Louis C.K.

I've been introduced to a very talented man on the television, Mister Louis C.K., and must admit that his  cynical/hopeless romantic character is amazing.

via awesome people hanging out together

Summer Sheers

Image via: American Apparel

      With my love for knits and with the summer heat rising, I have found myself reaching less for my lived-in chunky sweaters and leaning more towards the intuitive “wear less, sweat less” mentality. This should not be an option when the currently trending sheer button downs exist. Billowy and airy, this option is a go-to for the layer lovers of autumn and winter. Through the years I have built up an interesting collection of such tops ranging from a cobalt blue that features a geisha to painterly mustard yellow depicting a provincial street scene…some less bizarre than others,but each in the line-up for this summer for sure.  American Apparel features these tops in a racier manner, but offers it in an amazing color palette.  Labels like Coincidence and Chance and Silence and Noise, found at U.O., make the blouses ultra femme with touches of pleating and scalloping.

Don't you just love the sunlight shining through? I wear this top when I'm feeling fancy and with its length almost hitting my knee, a slip will do the trick for covering up.  

Purchased from the local thrift shop, the blouse is a great display of how varied these pieces can come: colored, patterned, AND textured! With this in mind, I kept the accessories to a minimum. 
Happy hunting, ladies!

Love: now,then, later

Most of the emails that BBV receives are from customers inquiring about a product that had previously become ''sold out".  Please know that BBV very rarely comes across more than one of the same exact item, making shopping on the site quite an adventure! That’s the love and hate of vintage: once it’s gone you’re not likely to come across it again.

(Serpent Arm Wrap: now owned by a Cali. dime)

(Loves Me Wheel: now owned by an Ohio honey)

     Think about it this way: how many times have you left a store/site and mulled over purchasing a particular item? You leave yourself thinking about it for days on end. Now, come back to the place your first fell in love—GONE! You call the other place that might carry it with fingers crossed...DAMN! They only have your item in size 37 and the lame purple-sequined version of your original love. Heart-broken, you return to your now-inadequate closet, lacking that 'pie de resistance', only it's not your closet, it's your jewelry tree, or your purse collection.  Think about passing on that vintage piece to your future, hypothetical daughter who ends up sharing the same passion for beautiful, vintage, statement bib necklaces as you do! But with all seriousness, keep your credit and cash situation correct and let's shop with no regret, ladies!  Don't miss out on the opportunity to being one step closer to a more one-of-a-kind you!

On that SWAG grind...

It has come to a small business' much needed attention that when you know good people, things run smoother.  Thanks to the fabulous women, Stella and Elisa of mona et june, such smoothness was achieved. We have recently re-stocked our swagadocious inventory and urge you all to take a look. So don't sleep on us and stay up on your SWAG while it's still relevant.


image via: Lockerz
 *In no way is Donald Glover in direct support of/affiliated with the production of this shirt. He is seen wearing said shirt due to fortuitous events and serendipitous path-crossing.*

Vintage for everyone!

(Facebook send-out)

For my fans on Facebook, my frequent site visitors, and my recent customers, (a much deserved) Thank You for all your love and support.  For those of you that have not been on my blog before, this the first of many entries to come- updating you on new products, sales, along with vintage inspiration or musings.  I recently held an invitational promoting Bread Box Vintage and it was such a great experience!   A special thanks to all of you who made it out. I'm excited to inform you all that the site is up and running and items are waiting to be purchased. I look forward to your opinions, feedback, and any advice you may have for me!

   One should know that things aren't possible without a great support system.  My parents, who drive me to better myself, thank you, thank you thank you... my manangs, Racquel, Rhoda, and Robin, who took a very large and much appreciated part in making this happen- with sketches of layouts, general interest, shameless plugs, invitation edits, moving, packing...the list is never-ending like the love that I have for them. Chris, who made it to the event early and muscled bags, boxes, and shelves for me. My guys who have no interest in women's vintage accessories, thanks.

     A super special  thank you to photographer, Dave Austria, for the photographs of some of BBV's beautiful customers. To my buddy, Philip Bosco, thanks for the promotional video and letting me use your cool props. Thank you, Dodd Studios of the Khmer building (Philadelphia, PA) that housed the event and uber-meta-love goes out to DJ Jgus (Justin Tanjuakio) for keeping the beat.

(please take a gander at some glamour shots...)

Miss Nicole

DJ Jgus

Mister Samuel W.

Dodd Studios

MS Productions

Mr. Adorable Glasses

Twin Dragons

Mr. and Ms.

Miss Peachy

Nikki James Cando

Miss Mei Mei

Creepin'

Dr. Samodio

Come back soon, guys! Adventure is ahead!