Deck the Halls - A Vintage Holiday Gift Guide

As the holiday season is quickly approaching (hellooo December), so are the crazy shopping sprees that come along with it. I don't know about you but I'm pretty over the mall madness. I've hopped on the DIY band wagon and I don't plan on going back. Whip out the Mod Podge and glitter and I am SO there. However, I realize that not all of us are as super obsessed with crafts as I am. So, I have a suggestion for you! Instead of hitting the local mall, make your holiday shopping a fun adventure instead of a headache. If you know me, it's no secret that one of my favourite pastimes is perusing the local antique market, which happens to be a prime source of cool odds and ends. If you haven't spent some time to find out where some good markets are around you, I highly suggest you do. You can totally find some unique gifts for everyone on your list. It's the perfect place to find an adorable little vintage brooch or retro polaroid camera that will just jump off the shelf at you and right on under the tree (or menorah). If the thought of venturing unprepared into an antique store seems a little overwhelming, here are some of my favourite vintage gift ideas and helpful hunting tips to guide your search!

Brass Bookends
I whole heartedly believe that book ends are extremely under appreciated objects. What else would you use to hold up all your literary classics, smartypants?! These can be part of a unique gift when paired with your favourite novel, a mug, and some hot chocolate - everything you need for a cozy winter afternoon. Brass bookends are pretty easy to come across and come in various cool objects, everything from ducks to ships to hands, as pictured below. If you are especially into the ones seen below, you can buy 'em online from a cool Etsy shop here. 

Classic Tea Sets 
There is a certain charm that comes in a silver tea set that just can't be explained. Find a darling silver plate tea set and you'll be sure to charm the secret 80-year-old in all of us. Buy the one pictured below here.

The Polaroid
Shopping for a special hipster in your life? Antique markets are a great place to find old polaroid cameras, but make sure you do your research first to make sure you can still purchase film for a particular model you find. Helpful Hint - bring your smartphone shopping with you and google it in the store! Buy this one here. 


Records
Whoever said records were dead was clearly delusional. Go on a hunt for their favourite artist's vinyl and make their holiday! Buy the always current 'Rumors' as seen below here. 

Jewelry 
Unique jewelry is definitely one of the easiest things to spot when in the antique world, and it doesn't have to break the bank, but make sure you really look for the good stuff! I always love a good embroidered broach or ring (as picture below, far left). Look for unique pieces that are suited to whoever you are buying for. Way better than receiving some tacky ceramic Santa earrings. 

Jewelry Holders 
Antique stores are often laden with intricate jewel boxes or ring stands, which make an ideal gift for the lovely lady (or man) in your life. These are great because they are actually useful (unlike that weight loss cookbook you got last year from Aunt June - rude).  


That's all for now friends. Grab a cup of tea, head to the antique store and get in the holiday spirit! Happy Hunting!



Cheese & VCFS

Hey Dot&Bee Friends!
    Here is a cheesy post for you (the best kind, like a good brie or smoked gruyere). As I sit here writing this entry and procrastinate writing three research papers, I am so overwhelmed with the support you guys have shown me over the past few days! I'm so so excited to be one of six amazing designers in this year's Vogue Charity Fashion Show (www.vcfsqueens.com), a phenomenal annual fashion show at Queen's University in  Kingston. Check out the website to find out more about the show and the amazing charity work VCFS does for the local Kingston community. This year's show, Vogue presents 'The Six,' features six segments which will showcase themes and ideas from the art deco/post-war era. The themes are Depression Deco, the High Life, the American Dream, Fashion, Architecture, and Fine Art, which is my scene. Check out this fun little video from the Designer Diaries series to get an inside look on what my plans are for Fine Art! http://www.vcfsqueens.com/project/designer-diaries-fine-art/ 

  I've had some exciting ideas for the future of Dot&Bee, and I'm so looking forward to sharing them with all of you lovely people. Think a perfect combination of handmade pieces, vintage items, and accessories. Like the perfect sangria, Dot&Bee will be a mix of all things good (wine is optional but highly recommended). Stay tuned for more updates!

xx, 
B

p.s. - In the mean time, check out this awesome Muse Magazine article on vintage and thrift shopping in Kingston! http://www.muse-magazine.com/archives/2564
About Dot & Bee:
Dot & Bee Clothing features handmade women's wear and accessories. The majority of the pieces you'll find on Dot & Bee are vintage inspired, drawing mainly from the 50s and 60s, by way of style or fabric. Most pieces are at least partly created from vintage fabrics or details, such as trim or buttons. With Dot & Bee, retro meets modern in the sweetest little way possible.

What's in a Name?
'Dot & Bee' comes from a combination of the two people behind the clothing line...myself (Brooke, the 'Bee' part), and my grandmother Dorothy (sewer extraordinaire also known as 'Dot'). While the lovely Dottie is no longer with us, Dot & Bee serves as a way of keeping her (occasionally sassy) memory alive. I attribute every ounce of sewing and creative fashion skill I possess to this wonderful lady, and create every piece you will find in my collection on her trusty (much older than me) Singer sewing machine. Even some of the vintage fabrics used have been passed down to me from her enormous fabric collection. I hope you feel the love in 'our' creations as much as I do!

Thanks for visiting Dot&Bee and be sure to check out our blog posts under 'Ideas & Things' to find out what styles and trends we're into this month, and for D&B updates!

Follow Dot&Bee on Instagram for sewing and style photo updates!



Instagram: @dotandbee

Featured on The Kimono Lady


Check out The Kimono Lady, a fantastic blog on all things kimono. This is a really interesting, informational blog, and you're sure to discover something new every visit. Recently, they featured a Perianth item in a yaezakura natural theme kimono look. Check out that post here: http://thekimonolady.blogspot.jp/2013/02/common-motifs-and-coordinate-double.html and be sure to look around for other great outfits and facts!

You can also 'like' The Kimono Lady on facebook here: 

New Items

There are new items in the etsy shop! Check out some of these gorgeous pieces as seen on the runway at the Ultimate Lolita Fashion Show in Baltimore!

 There are some new POP! items in the shop as well. Check out all the different bloomers now available, as well as some basic skirts!

This has been my favorite addition recently. Wear him on your head and he'll have your back! Er... side... something! He can't wait to meet you and your friends.

If he isn't quite your style, there's also a bunch of new floral headdress just in time for Spring.

See everything here:

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