flapper inspired summer fashion in the Salt Lake Tribune



photos c/o krista nielson

Some fun outtake shots from the photo shoot I worked on last week at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Salt Lake City. I jumped at the opportunity to play dress up when Krista Nielson invited me to model for the Great Gatsby-inspired shoot for the Salt Lake Tribune. The piece was published today, and you can find the story, full of awesome advice for modernizing 20s trends, and the professionally done photo gallery here.

Are you going to see the movie this weekend? Share your opinion on the film and the flapper trend in the comments below, and check back this weekend for more summer fashion goodness!

(link above not working? use: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/56236225-223/fashion-flapper-gatsby-inspired.html.csp)

better late than never: march's vintage white market in Salt Lake City

my outfit - floral dress :: prabal gurung x target | lace up boots :: forever 21 | tights :: forever 21 | messenger bag :: maurice's | necklace :: rue 21

A few snapshots from the Vintage Whites Market, held at the Utah State Fairgrounds here in Salt Lake City a few weekends ago, as well as an inventory of my fantastic haul from the event and the obligatory self-outfit-portrait. Spent less $$$ than a day at the mall, had more fun and the options were much more interesting than anything found in a chain store. Please don't misunderstand - I heart my Forever 21 and H&M - but vintage is definitely the best way to go when searching for those truly unique statement pieces that will make your wardrobe stand apart.

I've been perusing vintage racks since I first discovered fashion blogs (let's just say it's been a while), though I rarely make a purchase. In my mind, a vintage item is a treasure - it should be a thing of beauty, even in its age (which it should show in a ladylike way). Everything has a story to tell, and good vintage pieces have the best ones. As I grow increasingly bored with my wardrobe, I've found myself gravitating more and more frequently towards the vintage pieces I currently own. I suspect I will be adding to this collection heavily this spring.

Some tips & hints for newbie vintage shoppers:

• Vintage usually refers to something made or manufactured at least 10 years ago.
• Check pieces over carefully for flaws - hems and seams of clothing, hinges and lining of purses, clasps and hooks of jewelry. Look for missing beadwork, jewels, buttons, stuck zippers, stains, etc., and always sniff any fabric before buying.
• Keep in mind that even flawed or broken items can be given second life. They can usually be repaired on the cheap, or turned into something new (like a single earring into a necklace, or a broken brooch sewn onto a purse as a button).
• Google the brandname on the tag to get an idea of a garment's worth and timeframe, this can help you decide if it's worth the price the vendor is charging.
• Quirky is wonderful, but don't do quirky for the sake of quirky. It should be something you'll want to wear even when you're not trying to impress any fashionista friends.
• If the idea of vintage clothing turns you off, try vintage accessories (jewelry and clutches are my favorite pieces), furniture (usually takes some restoration work, but well worth it) or decor (I'm still hunting for my dream antique jewelry box).
• Vintage items are the closest you can get to purely unique in today's fashion world without handmaking your own clothes. They're a great way to spice up your look while being kind to the environment.

LoveCharles Vintage is by far my favorite online vintage shop; Lily is great and has some truly amazing pieces. Locally speaking, BlueBird Vintage has some beautiful items (my pretty red bag came from their booth at the Vintage Whites Market). What are some of your favorite vintage shops (both online and off)? Share them in the comments, along with your best tips for vintage shopping.

a #goodwknd in st. george, featuring prabal gurung x target

outfit #1 - bomber jacket :: ashley (similar) | black tee :: express | khaki skirt :: h&m | black tights :: forever 21 | jigsaw collar necklace :: boehme boutique | pink skinny belt :: h&m | co-star :: The Boy's godson

outfit #2 - hat :: emanual gerardo (similar) | blouse :: prabal gurung x target | cardigan :: zenana outfitters | skinny jeans :: american eagle (similar) | bomber jacket :: ashley (similar) | ankle boots :: classified | messenger bag :: maurice's | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | green skinny belt :: maurice's | leather wrist wrap :: c/o salvage west | co-star :: The Boy himself

Took off to St. George for the long President's Day weekend. As much as I love the dreariness of winter, there is a certain allure to the perpetual sunniness of Utah's southern half. We couldn't have asked for better weather for our spur of the moment getaway, and I couldn't have asked for better company. What did you do for President's Day weekend?

I've watched the proliferation of high end designer-meets-mass retailer pairings with disinterest for the most part; I feel that many of the collections have been a little too obvious and overly trendy. Target's latest lovechild with Prabal Gurung, however, is the exact opposite - classic shapes and silhouettes overlaid with a litany of the season's trends to achieve just the right mix of the two makes it one that I'm more than eager to lay my hard earned cash down for. It feels less like a dumbed down, significantly cheaper version of the designer's traditional line and more like it's own collection.

This floral blouse is one of two items I snagged from the aforementioned Prabal Gurung x Target collab while down south; one of the pros to living in a non-fashionable state is not having to fight for such things. I may make a another foray to my local Target to locate a few more pieces to add to my increasingly overstuffed closet.

What are your thoughts on the Prabal Gurung x Target collaboration? Or any of the recent designer/retailer partnerships? Have you invested in any of them?

ski mogul world cup + spring trenducation ebook (btw, it's free!)

A few snaps from last night's FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. The Boy and I hiked up the side of a very frozen mountain with some friends to watch skiers fly down the track at ridiculous speeds (admittedly, I cheated - I rode the chair lift most of the way up. Someone had to take the 5 year old!).

January was a bit of a crazy month, as one might have noticed by the radio silence held over the blog. February promises more excitement, however - you can look forward to my first e-book, Trenducation: Spring 2013, around Valentine's Day Single's Awareness Day. The book will contain everything any stylish gal needs to know about this spring's trends, fashion, clothes and beauty, plus tons of inspiration, advice and more to help you transition your winter wardrobe into spring.

The best part? It won't cost you a penny - all of my subscribers will be able to download my spring trend e-book for free! All you have to do is send me an email with your Google Friend Connect or Blog Lovin' username and let me know that you want the e-book, and I'll send it to you in PDF form.

If you're not yet a subscriber, don't fret! Use the buttons on the left side of the blog to subscribe via GFC, Blog Lovin' or email, then drop me a line to introduce yourself so I know where to send the goods.

I'll start sending the e-book out on the 14th, but you can get your name on the VIP list by signing up for the release now - and because I know you're too excited to wait till then for all the trendy goodness it contains, those who sign up by February 10th will receive a preview chapter and will be the first to get the book the day it's released. How cool is that?

While we're on the subject, I'm on the lookout for bloggers to include in the e-book's Spring Inspiration Photo Gallery and their thoughts on this spring's fashion - the trends, the clothes, the beauty, the underlying feel of the 2013 season - to include in my Ask the Experts section. If you're interested in having your photo or style advice published in my e-book, email me with your submission, contact info and link to your blog and we'll talk! Chosen submissions will include the blogger's name, blog address and social media info (hint: this is a huge opportunity for publicity!).

Questions, comments, submissions? 

Comment below or email me at jennifer@frayed-threads.com.

*A note: All submissions will be read and considered, but not all will be published due to length constrictions. Some edits (grammar, spelling, etc - none creative) may be suggested for publishing. Editorial discretion is left entirely to the author.