70s Vibe

dress: bazar. shoes: are my grandma's.

Hello my lovely readers. This was an outfit post from the other day, but I am just now getting around to putting it up. I was thrilled when I found this dress. I love the 70s vibe and bright colors, oh and I can't forget to mention the sleeves! At the moment, I am listening to Of Monsters and Men while I overpack my suitcase because I am leaving for Boston in the morning. College orientation here I come! I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone by. I am ridiculously excited to see the city, but a tad bit nervous about getting all of my school information. Also, the whole icebreakers and forced socialization thing is not my favorite. I don't enjoy playing awkward games with people I don't know. However, I am sure the next three days will be filled with exciting events and interesting people. Expect pictures and stories upon my return.

Until next time, Mandy

I Never Wear Pants

 shirt: thrifted. pants: thrifted. bag: vintage. shoes: dsw.

Well, the title of this post pretty much explains it all. I never wear pants. I'm a dresses and skirts kind of girl. There is the occasional jean day, but those are few and far between lately. It's not that I don't like pants, it's just that I can never find a pair that I like enough to actually plan an outfit around. But on my last thrifting trip I found this fantastic pair. I actually chose them as a joke because really who would have thought that a pair of thrifted floral pants would fit me perfectly when all the pants I have ever tried on in my size at an actual store didn't even look this good. It caught me by surprise and I fell in love with them right away. I decided to wear them with my new glasses because I love them very much also. I just learned how to put in contacts, but I thought that the glasses looked much better with this outfit so I went for it. What do you think of the new glasses?

Until next time, Mandy

Project Restyle: Black and White Striped Dress

dress: vintage. shoes: from my grandmother.

I bought this dress at the vintage bazaar because I love the pattern, however it hit me at a somewhat awkward length. I decided that it was one of my pieces that was in need of altering. So after awhile in my makeshift sewing room, this dress was shortened quite a bit. I like the length of the dress now. My aunt and I even share it. Even though these pictures aren't all that great, I don't look my best in 100 degree weather, I wanted to post this little project. I paired my dress with some of my grandmother's shoes. I was going through her closet the other night and found some really cute things. 

Until next time, Mandy

Looking For August Sponsors

Since July flew past, it is now time for August sponsors. Would any of my wonderful readers like to swap buttons? If so, send me an email at graceandviola@gmail.com with your 200x100 button, photo of yourself, and description of your blog. There are only 10 spots, so please send me your info by next Monday. Thanks! I hope you all have a great start to your week.

Until next time, Mandy

Johnny Cash Is A Friend Of Mine

Hello there beautiful. That's exactly what I said when I walked out of Ina's restaurant and saw this motorcycle. The leather seat, satchel, and wooden handles make this the most stunning bike I've ever seen. Luckily, the owner was eating breakfast so I could snap these photos, but part of me wanted the guy to come out so I could see what kind of fantastic person owns this bike. I was really tempted to slip a love note into his satchel. I know, that would have been a little odd, but I couldn't hide my admiration for this bike. So if somehow any of you know the owner of the motorcycle, please don't inform them of my creepy obsession, but do tell them that I would like to be friends.

Until next time, Mandy

Blue Daisies

dress: thrifted. bag: vintage. boots: vintage.

These are my go to boots and bag. I can't help it. I love them so much. The only thing that bothers me is that the boots are kind of painful if they touch your leg so I always have to wear knee highs with them. That's okay though. I went to catholic school for 13 years. By now I know how to rock a pair of knee highs. And look at this blue dress, a two dollar thrift find. The daisies and shape give it a very 60s feel, which I adore. As you can see, my bangs have reached the grown out stage. Although I enjoy how they look in these photos, they can be a bit unruly at times. So my question to you is, do I continue to grow them out until I have no bangs at all or cut them again? As much as I enjoy bangs, I would really like to have long enough hair to leave it with its crazy curls every day. The hair dilemma has struck again.

Until next time, Mandy

Project Restyle: Floral Shorts

After months of wanting to learn how to sew, I finally had my first sewing lesson the other day. My grandmother's friend is brilliant at sewing. She actually made all of her own clothes during high school. She offered to teach me awhile ago, but due to busy schedules, we never got around to it. However, on Friday we were both free, so I brought over some dresses to her house so she could teach me how to alter them. We spent the afternoon chatting and sewing, and when it was time to go home I didn't want to leave. I was inspired to keep on sewing, but since I'm still a newbie I wanted some cheap clothes to practice on. Saturday morning, I woke my grandma up for a trip to Savers, one of the thrift stores near my house. I always see clothing at thrift stores that I think would be cute if only they were shorter, smaller, and often less grandma-y. Somehow the long mumu baggy dresses always seem to have the best patterns. Finally, I was able to buy those potentially cute clothes because I now know the basics of altering. I walked out of the store with three bags full of clothes to work on. My first challenge: these floral shorts.

What the shorts looked like before. I loved the pattern and color, but I didn't enjoy the baggy, to the knee length.

After cutting off 6 inches, I began to sew the hem. I ended up sticking myself with the pins a few times and I almost sewed my finger, but there were no major disasters. 

shorts: thrifted. shirt: urban outfitters. boots: urban outfitters. sunnies: anthropologie. 

Voila! I can now wear them in public. I love the finished product, and my successful first sewing attempt has made me want to sew every day. So I have decided to start a new project/blog series in order to inspire me to work on my skills. What do you think? Each week, I will write a Project Restyle post about a thrift or vintage find that I have altered. They may not be the most elaborate projects, but I feel accomplished when I am able to wear the finished piece. Also, if any of you restyle your thrift and vintage finds, I would love to have you as a guest blogger for the series. Some weeks I may not be able to finish a piece, so I would love to have some other bloggers as part of the project. If you are interested in guest posting, email me at graceandviola@gmail.com for more details. 

Until next time, Mandy

Silver Tin Vintage

While at the vintage bazaar, the most adorable mobile store caught my eye right away. I mean how couldn't you be attracted to those pink and green stripes? After looking through the rack of clothes outside, the girls informed me that there was a whole shop inside. Karyn of Dethrose Vintage and Jen of Jenstyle were the sweetest ladies with the cutest style, and they just opened Silver Tin Vintage. I was so glad to meet them and take photos of their shop because it's just so darn cute. This gave me some inspiration for the airstream that I hope to make into a shop in the future.

Until next time, Mandy

Food Trucks And Furniture

The vintage bazaar moved to the Aragon ballroom this month, but half of the bazaar took place outside. I really liked the flea market atmosphere, as opposed to the crowded booths. Another perk of being outside was the mobile shops and food trucks. 

I always enjoy a good food truck, and these were super cute!

I wasn't trying to get a photo of this girl, but I'm glad I did because I am loving her dress. 

I'm not sure if this was an old kitchen cabinet, but the color is fantastic. If I had a house of my own, I would have purchased this piece right away.

It looks like someone else shares my orange obsession. I wish I could have bought all three of these.

Vintage signs and letters are always a good decoration, especially in a brick walled loft, that's where I always picture them.

My retro bike fascination continues. All weekend I've seen the cutest people on the cutest bikes and my jealousy increases. The girl I saw on a pink bike with the pink dress and pink helmet was perfect. Along with my bike obsession, I also have a thing for vespas lately, but I think that I should probably get back to riding bikes first.

As always, the vintage bazaar was an amazing event with creative and fascinating people. It made for an exciting, inspiring afternoon. Does anyone in the Chicago or Boston area know of any vintage events, flea markets, or blog events coming up? I would love to find some new places to visit.
Until next time, Mandy