After receiving this message from a friend via Twitter, I got to thinking…

*anonymous* -Um “hip&cool” New Yorkers…let’s discover a new look besides all black. I do it 2, but its overwhelming walk in a party & all look the same. 10:12 PM Dec 10th from UberTwitter

Living in NYC, I have come to find that the word that sums up this crazy city is -BLACK. Everyone has a signature uniform. Black bottoms, black top, black coat. Coming from sunny Miami, I am flabbergasted by this.  Don’t get me wrong, since moving to the city I have become guilty of this black sin. I think my gay/drag queen gods would be ashamed of me. They would say, “Where is the color honey, the sparkle, the glitz?”   So in order to satisfy both worlds I have made it my New Year’s resolution to make it a point to ACCESSORIZE with color and have a little more fun like I used to with my clothing.

Accessories can be an area that many girls feel uncomfortable with. One of my friends said to me the other day, “I’m a plain girl, I like simple.” How you could say that when the world gives us gorgeous vintage necklaces like this?

Long Art Deco Rhinestone Necklace with Stunning Bow Centerpiece, $70

I get it, you don’t feel like being bejeweled at all moments, but I do think there are certain pieces that are necessities in your jewelry case. Pieces that you can leave on every day and don’t have to think about putting on. They just become a part of you.

Staple piece one: A Long Gold Vintage Chain. Easy to throw on with anything from a tank to cocktail dress.

Vintage 1970′s Gold Fringe Chain, $27

Staple piece two: A Great Cocktail Ring. Makes for a great conversation piece!

Vingtage Bow Ring, Gold and Fabulous, $10

Staple piece three: An Over the Top Costume Jewelry Signature Necklace. Not for every day wear, but for special occasions a.k.a a show stopping necklace!

Vintage Runway Necklace, Large Baroque Pearls and Rhinestones, $145

Signature piece four: Layered Bracelet or Bracelets Stacked Together. We call it arm candy!

Never Give Up Gold Chain Coin Charm Brass Plated Bracelet, $40

There is an abundance of amazing vintage jewelry pieces out there, so there’s no excuse not to sparkle. Also, one of my favorite places to look for vintage jewelry is my mother and grandmother’s old jewelry cases! You will always find hidden gems in there. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure! So, get moving girl!. It’s time to accessorize and add some color to this black palette.

Happy Shopping!

xx,

VintageVixen

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As I think about Christmas approaching, I am starting to get worried about the dark storm cloud of depression that awaits for me directly after. This storm cloud always builds due to the fact that I am single, once again, this holiday season.  And directly after Christmas we all know what holiday follows… New Year’s Eve!

I usually can forget about being single during Christmas, itself, cause I can focus on friends and family who I LOVE beyond belief, sooo that sustains me. However, New Year’s Eve is a completely different beast, and this beast likes to close the night with a KISS!!!

It’s an awful feeling (for me at least) to know that at the end of the night the only thing I will be kissing this year is the back of my hand. The thought of standing around a bunch of people when the clock strikes midnight and they all embrace and lock lips as I stand there awkwardly makes me want to step into a bathtub with a toaster….and yes that toaster would be plugged in!

The main questions that pop into my head for New Year’s Eve this year is Why In Gay Hell am I single? and What in Gay Hell am I going to do?

Soooo, below are some of the options I am considering for this New Year’s Eve. I know I am not alone in the single department and actually have it on record that I am not the only one concerned about this issue. I do also want to state, for the record as well, that on most days I am a VERY happy single Gay man who lives a life filled with Glitter, Rainbows and Unicorns. My thought process on this was what does a single Gal do on a holiday that is swamped with happy couples kissing at midnight? (I just puked a little in my mouth).

• Laugh the Night Away- Why in Gay Hell not? There are a few events taking place around New York that involve a comedy show. This to me sounds like a good time, seeing as how laughter is the best medicine and I am in desperate need for a cure to my single blues.
• How about spending it at a Ultra Hip Nightclub with celebrities included?- Why In Gay Hell wouldn’t I wanna pretend I am Lindsay Lohan on New Year’s Eve? A lot of clubs host New Year’s Eve parties with “celebs”…sooo this is an option. However, I will state, usually an event like this has a lot of Wannabes and Dbags floating around, not really my crowd, but It does give me more people to laugh at!

• Or, of course….The Obvious would be an Actual SINGLES New Years Eve Party- Cause Why In Gay Hell wouldn’t I want to spend New Year’s Eve with my fellow single peeps? This is a good and bad idea. I know I won’t have to worry about couples kissing, but do I wanna be concerned with being hit on the entire evening (cause that would happen) and do I wanna have to worry about being sooo desperate at 12 that I kiss the closest stranger?

In conclusion, I want to add that no matter what I decide to do this New Year’s Eve, I will be with at least one other single person as my wingman. That way I have somebody I can point at all the happy couples with and call them losers.  Me and my wingman will also be taking all of WhyDidYouWearThat New Year’s Eve fashion advice so anyone who sees us will ask WHY IN GAY HELL are those two hotties single?

xx,

WhyInGayHell

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After dissecting yet another fashion failure with my gay bf, we got sidetracked (shocker) discussing the elusive “kitten heel.”  Dub-Tee-Eff  is a “kitten heel” anyway?

I had to Wikipedia a “kitten heel” in hopes that I would find a good explanation not only for the stupid heel height, but also for the stupid name. Last I checked, cats don’t wear shoes.  Not only did I not get a good explanation, I also didn’t crack the code of feline inspired name.  I suppose it has something to do with the fact that these shoes were introduced as “trainer heels” for teenagers back in the 1950′s.  Um, it’s called diving in head first.  Put little Sally in a pair of five inch Louboutins and tell her to walk! She’ll figure it out. (B-tee-dubs, is this what’s going on with Suri Cruise?)

I’m very much a black and white kind of girl. You’re wearing a heel or you’re wearing flats. What is this “in between” heel? That’s like a boyfriend trying to have his cake and eat it too. No dice, senor. Pick your side of the fence and deal with it.

xx,

WhyDid

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As I’ve mentioned before, winter is the perfect time for coupling up.  So I have decided to go ahead and make it that much easier for you to find your very own snow bunny.  I, myself, had forgotten how hilarious and ridiculous the dating scene is.  I will refrain from going into detail to save myself and respective parties from any further embarrassment. Anyway, below are some good cold weather dating activities along with the appropriate attire for each (obviously).

Gliding right along- Ice skating followed by some yummy hot chocolate really can’t go wrong (unless, of course, you break your leg). You can basically find an ice skating rink in most cities (barring you live in Hawaii- and then you’re just out of luck).  Make a plan to rent skates and glide (or tumble) around the rink together.  It’s always good to participate in a physical activity with a date (gets those endorphins going), it gives you a good reason to hold hands, plus it’s the perfect excuse to wear earmuffs. Enough said.  Don’t forget to bundle up. This is one of the times leggings are fully appropriate (as long as your cha cha is covered). American Apparel makes a great “winter weight” legging that is extra warm. Make sure to get some fun (warm) socks, festive scarf and fingerless gloves to accessorize.

White Fox Fur Earmuffs, $49.95

(**NOTE- these are the earmuffs that led me to find Fur World)

Game Night- Seriously, my friends probably want to tell me to shut up since I suggest this every chance I get. Yes, I love to play games. I think there is something incredibly sexy about people using their brains and competing (all in good fun) against each other. Plus, you will find out early on if he’s a “cheater.” Incorporate delicious warm drinks and snacks and it’s a perfect evening. Also good for group dates or introducing mutual friends in a non-awkward manner. We once stumbled upon a couple playing dirty Scrabble, it was so good we had to snap a photo. Much harder than it looks, btw. For a night like this, look casually comfortable, yet pulled together in skinny jeans and a soft form fitting sweater. Be sure to wear cute socks since you will probably be playing in someone’s home and some people are lunatics when it comes to footwear in the home.

Nothing hotter than some salsa- Salsa dancing, that is. It may be freezing, but you can work up a sweat taking some sexy dance classes with your date. Trick yourself into thinking you are south of the border while dancing the night away to salsa music. After your lesson, test out your new-found skills at a local salsa club with some margaritas. Strap on a swingy skirt or dress and don’t forget to tuck your heels into your bag so you can switch out of your snow boots.

BB Dakota Violet Skirt, $80

Pick your poison- Go wine tasting! What’s cozier than sipping on Pinot Noir and learning about different types of wine (pardon my lack of wine knowledge- obv, no one has bothered taking me on this educational journey)? Get a driver and visit different local wineries. Purchase your favorite bottle as memorabilia (or just pop the top on the way home). For this, I recommend wearing some type of footwear that will prevent you from breaking your neck should you taste too many wines and become a bit tipsy.

For you singles, perhaps these date ideas will help you secure some NYE arm candy. Happy dating!

xx,

WhyDid

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One of the many things I love about the internet is the easy 1, 2, 3 click of a mouse shopping damage you can do from behind the privacy of your personal computer.

There is no salesgirl judging or eyeing you. If you don’t like something, you can close the page or in my case move onto the next item. 

 Although I live in NYC, a.k.a.  a Vintage Vixen’s dream, I have found that some of the best vintage shopping I have done is online! I am about to share one of my secret vintage shopping sites with you. It’s called www.Etsy.com…

I have been a regular on Etsy for many years. I even owned my own vintage shop on this deliciously wonderful little site. The greatest part is that each shop is owned and operated by someone like you and me. Stay at home moms to college gals  set up shop on this site and sell their beautiful handmade items or … drum roll… Vintage finds! 

 You can find anything from a FABULOUS vintage 50’s hats

1950′s Vintage Sleigh Ride Fur Hat, $38

to a vintage pair of 80’s aviators…

You’ve Got Attitude Aviators, $11.20

The finds and possibilities are endless!

I also came across this one particular shop on Etsy called Persephone Vintage (www.persephonevintage.etsy.com).

They have an AMAZING collection of vintage items- from coats to bags -this girl knows what she is doing.   I love the fact that many of her items are relevant to the trends right now. I also heart the fact that she has some reconstructed vintage pieces for sale. All of her items are one of a kind, so you don’t have to worry about your bitchy arch nemesis walking down the street in your same exact get up.  Here are a few of my favorites items:

Magic Dance Vintage Oleg Cassini dress, $249.99 (NYE, anyone??)

Tomorrow is for You Reconstructed Vintage Mini, $64.99

When My Boy Walks Down the Street Vintage Snakeskin Briefcase, $39.99

Happy Shopping!

xx,

Vintage Vixen

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