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Greetings again fashionphiles! Last year, I trialed a few of the Environmental Working Group's top-rated sunscreens on a trip I took to Greece, and came up with a few solid favourites. I am pleased to announce that a few months ago, I did the same thing on a trip to Southwest Florida, and have a few more names I can add to the mix if you are looking for some top-rated, safe sunscreens. Getting your sunscreen game right is becoming more and more important by the year, so hopefully this will help you find something that works for you, as it has for me. **JUNE 2023 - UPDATED** Safe Sunscreen Reviews for Your Upcoming Vacation ThinkSport SPF 50+ Sunscreen (US) / (UK) This is the "sport" version of the sunscreen that is made by the same people who make the ThinkBaby sunscreen, which was the trip favourite of my last sunscreen review post. To be honest, I didn't notice that much of a difference between this formulation and the ThinkBaby formulation, but that may have been because a lot of time elapsed in-between. Perhaps the ThinkSport was very slightly drier (and therefore thicker), but that may just have to do with the age of the product or shipping exposure and whatnot. Overall, I would definitely purchase this one again, and found it very effective, although I am not entirely convinced that it would hold up to "sport" the way I engage in sport. I have yet to meet a sunscreen that will not run into my eyes while running or sweating on the tennis court. Grade A+ JUNE 2023 UPDATE: Nothing new to add here. This is a safe and very effective sunscreen, I prefer the Think Baby to the Think Sport, and didn't find that much difference onther than the slightly drier formula of the sport. Raw Elements Eco Formula SPF 30 / (UK) This was the highest-rated of my husband's safe sunscreen reviews of our trip; his criteria for being that by far it was the easiest formula to blend-in. To be fair, this is something that can be quite a chore with natural sunscreens and can really make or break your experience with them. Although I agree with his assessment, I thought that it didn't soak-in as readily as some of the others I'd tried, leaving you a bit shiny and "wet" for longer that I'd like. However, that didn't stop me from ordering 4 more bottles for our upcoming trip to the Bahamas, because it worked really well, and at the end of the day, that's what matters. I will also add here, that despite the "fragrance free" formula, there is a very distinct fragrance to it (likely form the natural ingredients) that I liken to the smell of the inside of a health food store. It's not unpleasant, just rather different.  Grade B+ UPDATE JUNE 2023: This sunscreen is a little harder to get your hands on in a pinch, but it's lovely and moisturizing, and reef safe! Beyond Coastal Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 This one was my favourite of the trip, so naturally it is also the most difficult one to find - especially in the UK. This one had good spreadability, a light formulation, lasted all day long (yes, I know you're supposed to re-apply…don't judge!), and best of all, it soaks into the skin within minutes of application, making it easy to get dressed again and get on with your day. It was my intention to grab a bunch of these for our Bahamas trip (to add to the three ThinkBaby sunscreens we already have), but I left it too late what with all the holiday-related bank holidays they have over here. One note, if you want to try this one, be sure you get the "natural" sunscreen version. They make some chemical and hybrid sunscreens too that while really good, are not top-rated like the natural one.  Grade A+ JUNE 2023 UPDATE: Sadly, this one has gotten too hard to find. Instead, try the EWG-verified Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, or the Babo Baby Skin Formula.

Yes, it has taken me nearly two whole weeks to get around to doing the post I meant to do when I returned from Kefalos on the Greek Island of Kos. And yes, I realise that this is the end of the summer and you are probably not wanting to be thinking about sunscreen safety, but trust me, you need to think about it. We all do. And until recently, I never realised how much. **UPDATES ADDED JUNE 2023** Sunscreen Safety: Why it Matters This past summer, I spent some time getting to know the Environmental Working Group's Sun Safety Campaign webpage, and had a pretty serious education about the composition of the sunscreens I have been absent-mindedly slathering on my corpus. Despite the fact that I work in a healthcare profession and consider myself pretty well-informed, I came to the realisation that a lot of the things that I had been led to believe were safe products actually appear on the EWG's "Hall of Shame" naughty list. Yes, they have a naughty list, and some of the products on it will surprise you. You are probably using at least two or three of them right now. Naughty you. Dissecting the finer points of what makes a sunscreen safe is too long a process to go into all in one post, but allow me to direct you to the EWG's 2015 Guide to Safe Sunscreens, where you can learn all about the things that a lot of the mass-marketed chemical sunscreens have in them, like ingredients that can cause organ system toxicity (including hormonal, developmental and reproductive toxicity! I know, right!?), and issues with filtering out UVB radiation without adequately protecting against UVA (a common theme among many mass-marketed chemical sunscreens). Even the old-school, mineral sunscreens that are supposedly the safest are not immune to poorly-conceived ingredients. Among the most prevalent problems with some of these types of sunscreens are nanoparticles. Apparently our advanced technology that has improved cosmetic formulations by leaps and bounds has done so in part by creating these tiny particles that can actually be taken-up into the body via the skin and absorbed, creating all manner of chaos once they build up a presence in the body. Gaaaah! Armed with this new evidence-based information, I decided that my most recent vacation was going to be one where I road-tested some sunscreens, all of which that had a #1 rating from EWG. All of the sunscreens that I tried were mineral-based, and most are easily found in the USA. Those of us outside of the US may have to work a bit harder to find some of these EWG-rated sunscreens, but if I can do it, anyone can. I am also going to be shamelessly inserting my vacation photos into the narrative here, just because I can. Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Sunscreen (US) / (UK) Usually I like to build-up to the best product, but what the heck. This ultra-gentle mineral sunscreen was the winner of the trip by a long shot. I often buy sunscreen for babies because they tend to forego the heavy perfumes and dyes and keep it simple and gentle. This sunscreen spread incredibly easily for a mineral sunscreen and blended-in better than any mineral-based sunscreen I've ever used. It stayed on well, and left a minimal white cast on the skin. You are always going to get a bit of a cast from a mineral sunscreen, but this one was pretty much undetectable on me, and I have quite medium to olive skin. Especially in the Greek sun. The scent was a lovely natural citrus that dissipates quickly, and even my husband, who is generally not a fan of mineral sunscreens (they stick to all his man hair) really liked this one. They also make a Thinksport version which I aim to try the next time I'm in Florida. I would definitely buy this again. Grade: A++ JUNE 2003 UDATE: This is still one of my favorite sunscreens of all time. It goes on really well, it's smooth, it lasts, and it smells great! Babo Botanics Clear Zinc Sportstick Sunscreen SPF 30 (US) / (UK) I have to say, this one was a bit of a surprise to me. When I uncapped it, I thought I was looking at a big lip balm. The formulation is very shea buttery, exactly like a natural lip balm. Although it says it is unscented, it has a very light, almond-shea-buttery scent, which I actually really like. At first, I was hesitant to use this on my face (its intended location), thinking its heavy emollient quality would clog my pores, but I did it anyway. Not only did I never burn once, my skin was soft and smooth as a baby's butt the entire trip, and I did not break out. This stuff stays on well in the water due to its very emollient nature, but I don't think it would be possible to wear this for intense sport or under makeup - too thick and slippery. However, this is a great portable option for the face if you are going to be in the pool or sea, as it really protects the skin. I really didn't notice a white cast at all, and I even used it on my décolletage towards the end of the week, with much success. I'd buy it again, yes. Grade: A JUNE 2023 UPDATE: They've changed the packaging since I first reviewed this in 2023, but I still love this product as a great portable opton! Elemental Herbs All Good Sunstick SPF 30 (US) / (UK) Sunscreen Only This is really pretty much the exact same formula as the Babo, right down to the "unscented scent". I think maybe the Babo had slightly more glide and was a bit easier to spread, but that might just be because that was the first one I opened and used in the hot weather. Whatever the case may be, this is pretty much an identical product to the Babo, but I'm giving it a B+ instead of an A because of the possible spreadability issue. But really, there is no issue. Everything I said about the Babo applies to this product as well. Grade: B+ **UPDATE 2020** This product is now in a coconut oil base, so it has a light coconut scent . All Terrain AquaSport SPF 30 Spray Sadly, the pump did not work on this bottle (a common problem I had read about in the reviews). Because of this, we had to sort of pour it on ourselves, and ended up using way more than we probably would have in one go. The bottle only lasted one day, and one proper application each. This sunscreen spread really well and didn't leave too white a cast, but the thinner formula makes it necessary to reapply more often. To be honest, I think if my pump been working, I may not have put enough of this stuff on to be adequately protected. That said, it worked well, stayed on well, and I would be interested in trying it again. They make a formula in a tube, so maybe next time I'll try that, although I hear the tube version is quite thick and pasty; probably exactly what makes it effective. Grade: B- JUNE 2023 UPDATE: This product is no longer available, and I can't say I'm all that sad about it. A much better alternative to try is the Bare Republic Gel Mineral Sunscreen, pictured below. It's lightweight, spreads amazingly for a mineral sunscreen, and gives good protection. One thing I noticed about this sunscreen, it's best applied on clean skin. If you have certain types of hyaluronic acid moisturizer on underneath, it has a tendency to pill-up on you.

This post originally was published in 2012. You may notice a lack of quality with some of the images due to a data error during migration to the new site - no need to adjust your screen. Well, its done. The gray hair journey is complete. The last few inches of dyed hair has been placed in its final resting place in the trash bin at the hairdressers. No more telltale line drawn in the follicular sand that marks the end of the dye and the beginning of my real hair.  I have officially gone natural. And you know what the kicker is? My husband says that he thinks he likes the new, chopped-off version of me better than before version of me, thereby shattering the myth that men only "see" women with long hair, and the rest of us will just have make due with reruns of Downtown Abbey and a carton of Chunky Monkey (which, incidentally,  I hate...why I used that as an example is beyond me....I'm more of a mango sorbet gal myself). So if you're new to the blog and/or have not yet read about my transition to my natural gray hair, here is a quick photographic recap, starting in about 2010 (please forgive the grainy photos.) The entire process took about 18 months from the first photo to the haircut. Photo Progression of My Gray Hair Journey So that's it. That's me finished with the journey. It sort of feels like there should be some fireworks or a cake or something. I should definitely have planned for that. Will I keep my hair natural like this? Color-wise, yes. Cut wise, I'll probably grow it back to just above my shoulders. I have really thick hair, and it tends to go all mushroomy when it is short if I don't style it meticulously. This is my hair with a whole lot of product in it to get it to lie down and behave. More on that in a forthcoming post.Now on to the philosophical stuff Things I Learned on my Natural Gray Hair Journey You have to be ready. If you are the type to worry excessively about what others might think, you're not ready. Hang in there. Many of your female friends will think you're insane to want to do something that is so "aging".  They,  or maybe even complete strangers may say things to you because they want to "help" you.  Ignore them. Your haircolor choice is not a medical condition. When people do say things to you, remember that this is a reflection on them and their personal insecurities, not on you and yours.  If they persist,  speak to them from the heart about your reasons for wanting to go natural. You will know your reasons well when you are ready to go natural,  so it should come easily.  If, despite your heart-to-heart,  they continue to persist and badger, well...that person may just be an insensitive a-hole. They have shown you who they are. Move on. Have fun with products and fashion. Give that unforgiving fuchsia lipstick that you were never braveenough to wear a try, you will be amazed what looks good on you now that you have less colour next to your face. Also try on your clothes and assess what still works in your closet, and maybe what doesn't. Open your mind to new colours (says the girl in the gray sweater), really, colour is your friend. Hair product is your friend. Gray hairs are wirey little bastards with a life of their own. I will be reviewing products I try in many, many forthcoming posts. Probably for the rest of my life. Your input here is most welcomed. I would say that I am finished here and sign off, but that would not be true. I have finished the technical part of the going natural process. Now for the finer details...finding what works. I feel like a teenager who, by way of heavy experimentation,  is still struggling to decide if blue eyeliner and violet mascara is really the way forward (it isn't). So with that, I set off on another set of tasks; finding stuff that works with my new hair, from clothing to beauty products. And for those of you out there in a similar situation, feel free to drop me a line...particularly if you have found the Holy Grail of Frizz Control. I know I've said this before, but I'm serious....if you have the Holy Grail of Frizz Control  I will follow you... I will follow you Monty Python: Life of Brian-style, just about anywhere, so great is my desire for frizz control. Just sayin'.

This post originally was published in 2012 on a different platform - you may notice some lessened quality of photographs that were compromised in the data migration. So the hair thing. It has become quite a popular topic indeed. I have gotten many enquiries and comments from women all different parts of the world who are either jumping on the gray hair bandwagon, thinking about joining our ranks, or at the very least, are talking about it. One of the most frequent emails I get is from those of you in the early stages of growing out your gray hair. And believe me,  I feel you, ladies...oh yes.... I feel you. Those first three months can be the most difficult months to bear. Those first few inches of growth make you feel as if the world is looking at you and thinking "what's going on there", or "she really needs to get herself to the hairdresser".  After three months or so, your regrowth looks intentional, like you meant to do that.  In today's post I will share some of the ways I have soldiered-on with hairstyling during my transition back to my natural state, which, I should add, is still an ongoing process. I've been at it now since October of 2010. My hair is not that straight naturally. I feel I should point that out. This is day two without a shampoo. I mention this only because, if your gray is like mine, it is drier and frizzier than the other hairs on your head, and therefore needs a little more TLC. I try to wash every other day, although workouts, high winds, and just life in general ultimately dictates how frequently my follicles are acquainted with the shampoo bottle. There is also the matter of distribution. My gray seems to be concentrated at the front of my head and at the inner temples. see? So because of this distribution, when I pull it straight back off the forehead, there is still a lot of dark, natural colour underneath. This is key in how I got through the first three or four months of no dye. Small Helpful Actions for Growing Out Gray Hair Wearing Headbands I like to use a smaller headband with teeth now that I have grown out well beyond a few inches. But if you are just starting out, you might want to experiment with wide headbands or scarves. I find scarves too fiddly, personally, but they look fabulous on the right person. Also beware of too-tight headbands. I have been out and about more times than I care to remember and suddenly thought I had been stricken by a migraine. I don't get migraines. What I do get, as it turns out, is a headache induced by a too-tight plastic headband. So try before you buy ladies. Trying A Half-Updo with (or without) A Messy Part Another permutation on this style, something I still use when I need to look more professional and pulled together, is the pinned-back crown half-updo. If you are struggling with length or perhaps are just starting out, you can always go for the zigzag or messy part look. I used that when I had about two inches of growth. It creates a wee bit of visual chaos right where that telling line is between nature and dye. I would mess up my part, then pin it so it would hold. Probably not a look that's clean enough for the boardroom, but fine for a weekend. Using a Lighter Hand With Your Makeup Lastly, as you get more and more gray nearer to your face, you will find that you will have to shift your makeup palette. There is a lot written all over the net about what colours are appropriate for women with gray hair and how orange is to be avoided and bronzing powder is evil...blah, blah, blah. What looks good on you and your gray hair is something that nobody else can really tell you without seeing you. Kind of like a doctor diagnosing you over the internet....it can't be done. This is especially true if you, like me, still have a lot of your natural colour. Yes, I have had to rethink some of my lipsticks, but I still use my bronzing powder (sparingly), and do not have a problem wearing warm colours or even oatmeal or beige, colours that are supposedly verboten for women with gray hair (whatever). So these are the things that have worked, are still working, for me. Really you will have to experiment. I am still doing it too. And if you happen upon a product that actually tames frizz effectively and lasts all day without having to heat style, email me immediately. I want in on that action! (Seriously) And so, dear readers, I will leave you with just one last happy discovery I have made during this process. Bright fuchsia lipstick is your friend. Who would have thought?

Author's note - This post was originally published on another platform in 2012 - you may notice a distinct difference in photo quality as data was lost when the blog migrated platforms. Okay, so we should talk about the hair. My hair, to be exact. I get a lot of questions about it, so I'll give it to you straight. I have gray hair. I am a young person with gray hair. Well, almost. It's not quite done cookin' yet - about another three inches of dye to grow out. Granted, maybe I'm not young...not like, Justin Bieber young, but young enough. And yes, it is on purpose.  I have been off "the bottle" now for over a year. But unlike other people who kick the bottle, I am not going around and apologizing for it. Au contraire. I'm quite proud of it, actually. Here. Proud enough to post all of these less-than-flattering photos on the internet. Below I've documented the progression. Transitioning to My Natural Gray Hair So. You are undoubtedly asking yourself why. Why would a young(ish) person want to have gray hair? It is something I get asked a lot. I understand the confusion, really I do....societal norms and all that baloney. But I would also like to remind the public at large that this is haircolor that we are talking about here. I have not made the announcement that I am planning on gaining fifty pounds and taking up chain-smoking, I am simply changing my haircolor. And really, I wish I had a better rationale for doing it than I do, but my initial reason for letting my natural gray hair show really boils down to the fact that I thought it would look cool. Nothing more, nothing less. Pure vanity, people. Really. This may seem counterintuitive, but let me explain. A gal's gray hair will grow out in a pattern that is unique to her and her alone. I will not see myself coming and going when I walk down the street.  I will look different, unique, and a little bit like I am thumbing my nose at convention. At least, that is what I am hoping.  Is it ego-driven? Absolutley. But I like the confused looks and the double-takes at my head that I get when I walk down the street (and I do get them). They're fun. It's like being famous for a wee second but without having to date John Mayer. A Supermodel with Natural Gray Hair as Inspiration The realisation that I could be free of dye and still retain a chic, edgy style (today's mid-blog photo notwithstanding) dawned on me after seeing the August 2010 issue of the U.S. and Italian editions of Vogue magazine. specifically, this photo. I mean, look at that, people. That is the awesome Kristen McMenamy (you may remember her from the 1990s..one of the first supermodels to do the "no eyebrows" thing). She is well into her 40s.  Whether you love it or hate it, the awesomeness and impact of this editorial cannot be denied. And if you think that one is amazing, get a load of this. That is Vogue Italia (also August 2010), and that is why Steven Meisel is Steven Meisel. Vogue Italia really sets the bar for haute-editorials. This editorial is titled Water and Oil, and it is a commentary on the oil spill that happened right about that time. If you are a fan of fashion photography and you have not seen it in its entirety, you really must, it's breathtaking. So I thought to myself, I can do that! "Real" women (sarcasm) can achieve this! It's easy. And even better, it's a look that is easy to maintain as we get into our 50s and 60s. No more pink glow off of your roots when you go into the bright daylight with your dyed hair. No more brassiness next to your face. No more wig like, over-styled helmet head from so many colourings. I could hardly wait to get started and, well....basically do nothing to my hair.  Ready, set...wait. It's okay. I was in the military. I know how to hurry up and wait. I'm good at it...mostly. Communities Encouraging Women to Rock the Silver And as it turns out, I am not alone at this. There is a whole community online that are doing the same. Check out the Facebook community for Going Gray Looking Great for others just like me. This community was established after the book Going Gray, Looking Great!: The Modern Woman's Guide to Unfading Glory by Diana Jewell inspired the women of the world to ditch the dye and go natural. You should see some of the amazingly beautiful Real Gals and their silvery manes of glory. So there it is. No major health scare or emotional trauma. No allergic reactions or religious restriction. And to answer the most frequently-asked question that I get...no. No,  I'm not afraid that my hair will make me look older, because as Gloria Steinem once said "this is what forty looks like, we've been lying for so long, who would know?."

I recently returned from the US, where I found a ton of really cool things to add to the shop. Among the massive vintage haul that I managed to secure (quite literally on my back, inside my old USAF duffle bag while I navigated the queues at O'Hare airport) were these two pieces from the 1970s. Sure, they look sort of quiet and unassuming, but they're special, and it is officially my job to tell you why. What's special About Vintage 70s Clothing? The 1970s and early 1980s were probably the last decades that consumers were still able to find and purchase items that were manufactured and sold in-country. At that time, these garments were constructed with an eye to having the customer hold on to them a bit longer than we hold on to our clothes today. At the time of this writing, 3 out of 5 fast fashion pieces purchased will end up in a landfill within a year. I don't want to bog you down with gloomy statistics, but to read more about the fast fashion impact on the way we have come to approach our wardrobes, this article in the New York Times is an excellent summary. The bottom line is that with outsourced fast fashion having really taken off in the 1990s, there has been a drastic, observable decline in garment quality and durability. For those of us who are old enough to remember the clothes from our childhoods (whassup GenX and beyond) - we may or may not remember the specific brands that we wore "way back then", but if you put one of these 1970s mainstream fashion pieces on, you'll soon be jolted back down memory lane by the very feel of the fabrics. Take for example, the plaid pants below, which were actually manufactured my Levis in a capsule collection called their Panatela line. While the fabric content tag is long since lost to the sands of time, I am extremely confident that these pants are a blend of acrylic and lambswool. While they are unlined, they're sturdy and have a properly-constructed, reinforced waistband that creates a really wonderfully tailored-looking, comfortable, flat-front fit. They also have a slight flare to the cuffed hem leg, giving them a modern appeal. When I tried these pants on, they fit better than any pair of modern trousers I've tried in recent memory. So much so that I literally had to have a serious talk with myself about not keeping every single piece I come across. I paired these pants with a puff sleeve Emanuel Ungaro blouse from the 1980s. This second piece is one of those quiet workhorse pieces that will probably still be around long after we humans have obliterated ourselves with climate change and terrible diets and all other manner of bad behaviour. This is a plaid wool tweedy jacket from 70s brand Barclay Square. This little jacket is well made in the way of a lot of vintage 70s clothing, and a way that you don't even see in a lot of ready to wear higher end designer clothing these days. It feels substantial to hand and keeps its shape (a rarity in fast fashion). This little jacket also has good seam and button reinforcement, and is fully-lined so it slips on and off like a dream. It has a sort of somber, dark academia vibe too; an absolutely evergreen fashion aesthetic. This little jacket will probably last quite literally forever.

In the 90s, a denim vest layered over a sun dress or a tee and a maxi skirt was pretty much the uniform of the day. It would never have occurred to me to pack for a trip without at least a couple different denim vest options; a standard one like the above one on the left, perhaps a cropped version in the same style, maybe one with bling, one to be worn with nothing underneath....you get the point. They were a thing. At some point, vests sort of fell off the radar. Sure, they never really totally went away, and you can certainly always find them in secondhand places, yet all the same they seem to have lost their "necessary item" status. Recently however, I find myself with a renewed interest in denim vests. This is most likely a combination of my predilection for Western-inspired clothing combined with me looking at vintage clothing all day long, but that's just what the sartorial side of my brain has decided to focus on of late. Why a denim vest? Being a part time Floridian, I like the idea of being able to create layered looks that will work in a warmer climate when my daily Scotland uniform of jeans, t shirt, sweater and cowboy boots is too much. I also really like the idea of putting together double denim seventies-inspired looks like the one below from Free People. So I've decided to start playing around with adding a denim vest or two into my rotation to see how I can mix it into my very eclectic wardrobe to create more looks. One thing that is particularly nice about undertaking a denim vest experiment (should you decide to join me) is that you absolutely do not have to spend a lot of money on a denim vest. There are always denim vests and jackets on the go at your local thrift store (and of course in the shop of your favorite vintage seller), and you can easily find once that speaks to you without having to take out a second mortgage. You can even make a vest out of an old denim jacket or work shirt! Last January I found a simple but fun acid washed cropped denim vest while out hunting for thrifted treasures, and I decided in that moment to start my denim vest experiment. So I present to you the Denim Vest Experiment Case No. 1 - a head to toe denim look, which looks like it could have walked right out of the year 2010. This entire look is thrifted, although the jacket is from my shop and is still available at the time of this writing. I've linked some similar-looking products at the bottom. Overall, I really like the way the look turned out, although admittedly for real life I would probably switch out the footwear for something a little more streetwear friendly, like a pair of Converse or funky-chunky loafers.

90s prints are uniquely recognizable. Not only do they employ a lot of borrowed from the 60s browns, blues, patchwork and batik themes, they also carry on the strong, abstract graphic elements made popular by their predecessors in the 80s. I suppose like any print, 1990s style prints everyones cup of tea, but if you're looking for an easy one and done statement piece that nobody else will likely have, you really can't go wrong. I like how the juxtaposition of such a busy, multimedia style print with a neutral, often downright somber color palette really is something we haven't seen in mainstream fashion since. Here are a few pieces that landed in the shop this past few weeks. The Ultimate 1990s Style Print: The Vertical Stripe One of the most quintessentially 90s prints out there, particularly with 90s era westernwear, is the vertical stripe shirt. This Western-inspired 90s classic rayon blouse has a batik element in it that gives it some depth and keeps it from being too "circusy." The 90s Does the 70s with Patchwork Prints Patchwork prints really had a moment in the 90s. Even the more somber, earthy color palettes used in many of these prints harkened back to the "harvest gold", more muted color palettes of prints from the 1970s. These patchwork prints, like the one featured on this oversized button front blouse, are really easy to style in a more modern way with a bit of boho Western flair.

Back in the late 80s into the early 2000s, these Southwestern style tapestry jackets were absolutely everywhere. I've had more than a few of these vintage pieces through the shop recently, so since they seem to be popular right now I thought I'd let a few of my current ones out to play in a highlight post. What Makes 90s Southwestern Style Work in 2023? What I like about these pieces is that they're colourful, upbeat, and have a bit more structure than their sweater or fleece counterparts; in that respect they're perfect for this time of year. The two jackets here are early 2000s and early 90s, respectively. Both are great examples of "one and done" dressing since they require little help. The first vintage jacket shown here is pretty much a look unto itself and required very little effort on my part other than to just show up with some favourite silver or turquoise pieces in tow. The second jacket featured is a bit shorter, which is perfect for creating the a layered, short-over-long balance. The little Southwestern tapestry bag featured below is a new addition to the shop. It's a vegan handbag (circa 2000) with a fully adjustable strap that can go from shoulder bag to crossbody, and it is adorable.

I was tidying my shop inventory today and this OOTD took shape. This look is brought to you by the 1980s and 1990s. This vintage Western fringe dress set is from my inventory and was handmade by someone round about the 1980s, presumably for a function of some sort since at the time I found it there was also a red one, and the top half of a turquoise one. The jacket is a sturdy 90s era leather blazer by John Paul Richard (it also happens to be 25% off through the end of January!)

Calling all fashion-loving readers who are feeling fed-up and tired of this cold, gloomy weather! Even if we can't get into our summer clothes just yet without dying of exposure, we can get our brains and wardrobes ready! This week, you can pimp your summer wardrobe sustainably and affordably on absolutely everything in any of my shops! For Vintage Fashion Fans HighlandFashionista Vintage Etsy • everything 15% - 20% off! sale starts at midnight May 1st, runs thorough May 7th For Modern Preloved Clothing Highland Fashionista Depop, Vinted, and Ebay shops • flexible pricing - choose your favorite platform and make an offer!

Attention fellow puzzle nerds! Today I'm announcing the soft opening of Puzz Factor on Etsy - the sister shop to Highland Fashionista vintage! True Vintage Jigsaw Puzzles On my last trip to the states, my sister and I spent a lot of time "getting our puzz on", and I realized how much I really enjoy doing puzzles. Puzzles are relaxing, meditative, and for those of us who prefer a visually stimulating medium over say, a crossword or Wordle or some such thing, they are oh so satisfying! Being a person who spends a majority of her free time looking at vintage clothing and accessories, vintage puzzles did not seem too big a leap from where I already spend so much of my time, so this is really just a natural progression that I decided to give it's own separate retail space. What's really great about vintage jigsaw puzzles is that many of them are rare, if not one of a kind (depending on the age), and as an item that is usually stored in a box that's then stored in a drawer or closet, they are most often in excellent secondhand shape! All of the puzzles from Puzz factor are true vintage, meaning they are at least 20 years old, and all of them will have been worked (yes, by me), so I can guarantee that all of the pieces are intact. I'm currently "puzzing" feverishly to process and add more inventory, so if you're a puzzle nerd like me, check back frequenty to see what's what. Blog readers, use the code HOTPUZZ to get 15% off of your orders! Follow Puzz Factor on Instagram!