Archive for September, 2011

Right now, leather handbags are the new “it” item. Every style is popular, the backpack, shoulder bag, satchel, clutch, etc. There are many reasons why leather handbags are a great thing to obsess over. First of all, they last a lot longer than your regular cotton or pleather handbag. And second of all, they are a wonderful safeguard for your important possessions. I know my mother, the biggest fashion guru I know, carries her iPad in a perfectly ergonomic shoulder bag and her favorite Chanel lipstick in an adorable leather case.

Check out some of our favorite handbags below:

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Ever get that one song stuck in your head for daysss? Well thanks to a friend of mine traveling ‘Down Under’ she has gotten me hooked on Kiwi musical sensation Kimbra. Especially this one:

Ahh I love it! After hearing this song, it led me to the creation of Brain Beatz. Here I hope to discuss songs and/or artists that not only constantly beat in your head but they are also beating in a thought provoking way.

It is so inspiring to discover new artists who are young, talented, and of course, trendy. I love her soulful/jazzy voice and the “I don’t give a s*$%” attitude. Kimbra rocks it as well as a short bob, and vintage-esque baby doll dress.

Aside from Kimbra’s look, we’d like to invite our readers to participate in a discussion:

What does vintage mean to you?

In Kimbra’s song and video “Settle Down” she challenges the traditional vignette of finding a perfect mate and altering yourself in order to fit into the standards. You know, perfect hair, home, clothes, etc. Keeping up with the Jones’s, if you will. Therefore, all of us here at VintageFunkandJunk.com would love to hear your thoughts about what vintage means to you. Do you think vintage means revisiting traditional codes of behavior? Or, does your take on vintage mean rockin’ those conservative-type ideals in a sexy, mod way? Let us know what you think!

Like Kimbra’s style? We show you how to get the look.

I can’t tell you how many times I have brought home a pair of the cutest, most stylish shoes and my mom has turned her nose up at them. “You wont last 5 minutes in those heels!,” she would say. Pumps, platforms, wedges, stilettos, you name it, she wouldn’t have it.

Of course, I, taking the phrase “pain is beauty” all too seriously and willing to suffer for fashion, never listened. But looking back at the years of painful blisters, smooshed toes, and unfortunately one broken wrist, (Sorry again about that 2:00 am ER phone call, Mom) I now find myself singing her advice from the hilltops.

Sure, you want to strut your stuff in those 5 inch wedges. I know, I know your legs look soooo much better with that extra lift and you can’t pull off that dress without them; but honey, if you can’t walk in them, you certainly won’t be strutting. So lose the scowl, and start smiling in shoes that have all the style, without all the pain!

Rock the Flat!

Photo Credits: (2, 4), 1 and 3

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I love browsing through fashion magazines and blogs; drooling over all the amazing outfits, telling myself, “if only I had a pair of shoes like that, if only I had a dress like that,” etc. But let’s face it, most of us don’t have a closet full of designer clothing nor can we afford it. So what are we to do? Live our lives wearing jeans and t-shirts? I think not! That’s why I have decided to create a series of posts that will share with you some great ideas to reinvent your closet and look without spending a dime.

Giving yourself a great hairdo is one of the easiest ways to look stylish without making any changes to your wardrobe. I’ve selected 4 stylish looks below that are easy to do and will look great with just about every outfit.

Kim Kardasian and her sister Kourtney are famous for the slicked back high bun. I personally love this look. Especially because it allows you to wear dramatic makeup or great dangling earrings. Need help accomplishing this ‘do’? Watch the video below.

Olivia Wilde is definitely a bombshell. She reminds me of a younger Angelina Jolie with her high cheek bones and striking cat eyes. She looks great with peek-a-boo bangs and you can too! Be sure to keep the bangs light and thin. This is 2011; No more mod squad inspired bangs please! Don’t know what peek-a-boo bangs are? Click here to school yourself on bangs.

And who couldn’t resist pulling off Mary-Kate’s easy to do boho look with center part, loose waves gently pulled back and grown out roots. Now this look is definitely budget friendly!

Last but not least, Blake Lively’s look from the premier of The Green Lantern; a slicked back braided pony. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this. It reminds me of Madonna’s high ponytail look from the 80′s. However, Lady Gaga has be rocking the high ponytail wig recently so, what do we know… Bring on the high pony and don’t forget the scrunchy!

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

VFJ recently brought on three awesome interns to help with the launch of the site. Learn more about each of them below:

Eva D.

Eva is a 21 year old University of Missouri student with tiger pride and a passion for fashion! Whether it be vintage or fresh style she loves expressing herself through her appearance!

Look out for some great blog posts by Eva very soon! She will also be working on our Polyvore profile. Be sure to check us out here! We are very excited to have her as a part of the team.

Catie R.

Catie is a 19 year old University of Missouri tiger and classy fashionista who loves to dance and write. She has an eclectic sense of style and loves pairing new with old. She is constantly re-creating herself with new flairs and accessories!

Catie will be working on VFJ’s Tumblr blog as well as writing some blog posts here. We can’t wait to see the ideas she comes up with! Check out VFJ on Tumblr here.

May Ling B.

May Ling is a graduate of the University of Missouri. She has spent the past year traveling between New York and Central America teaching English. This past summer she taught a fashion class in NYC for International students focusing on trends throughout the decades, numerous designers and styles of today. She was able to experience everything from the notorious Vintage shops throughout East Village to witnessing the amazing Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. May Ling plans to continue her travels and loves seeing/learning about the different style statements from around the world.

May Ling will be working on VFJ’s presence on Kaboodle and Chictopia as well as writing some great blog posts. We are excited to see some great outfits and photos! Check VFJ out on Kaboodle here and Chictopia here.

Over the years Diane Keaton has been an icon in the world of cinematic arts as well as fashion. She used style as way to express herself, paving the way for woman today to break through the norms of gender specific clothing.

 Thank You Diane! For decades of uninhibited fashion!

Diane Keaton’s beauty shot!

Discovered by Woody Allen in the 70′s!

To get the Diane Keaton inspired look check out our Polyvore page!

Photo Credit: altamiranyc.blogspot.com

Valerija Sestic wears a mini with small printed pattern, denim button up blouse, navy blue blazer and Victorian style lace-up boot as she exits the SS12 Donna Karan show. Get the look this fall with these great vintage one of a kind riding style lace-up boots from Vintage Funk and Junk! They look great with just about any ensemble. Available here: http://www.vintagefunkandjunk.com/riding-style-boots.html