I decided for the New Year to start doing 2 things, a few giveaways and spotlights on some of my favorite people in the vintage/creative world that inspire me on a daily basis. First off I want to announce the Winner of my first Giveaway!!! That Damn Green Dress!! This lovely blogger shares her passion for Anthropologie and Vintage on her lil blog:) I can't wait to send you your gift. I will post picks after you receive it that way I won't ruin the surprise for you!
As for the spotlight, over the next few weeks, you will get a chance to meet some of the darling ladies who are part of my daily reads and shops that I frequent often! I picked 6, a Michigan Vintage Maven, a Las Vegas Vintage Lovely and 2 Southern Vintage Belles and todays spotlight Miss Sarah Louise! This list will probably grow a little longer as the year continues:)
I have gotten the wonderful chance to actually meet and work along side of Sarah Louise at a few vintage showcases. Besides our shared passion for Vintage and Mad Men, I really adored her style. So soon after I began to read her blog and frequent her 2 etsy shops...
1. What made you start your blog and Etsy shop?
I've been blogging online in some form or another for years (Livejournal mostly) so it just seemed like a natural transition. I got bored with Livejournal, I had an "artist" blog when I was in Columbia [getting my BFA in photography] but after a while I wanted a clean slate. I started reading a lot of fashion and lifestyle blogs about a year and a half ago and I've been into it ever since.
As for the vintage store, that also felt like an extension for me, as I've been selling vintage on eBay on and off for a few years. I started going to Etsy looking for vintage and liked the shop format better than auctions, and I just got addicted! I got so inspired looking at all the handmade things, too, that I realized I can learn to make jewelry, a passion I always had.
2. Slubird is your shop name, where did this come about?/Tzipporit is your blog name, where did this come about?
Slubird is a nickname I've had since 2005 or so. My name is Sarah Louise, my friend Claire started calling me Slouise, then shortened it to Slou, then Slü. So my nickname was Slu (umlauts optional) and I started drawing myself as birds and I can't remember how it turned into Slubird, but it stuck! Some of my friends even call me Slubird in real life.
Tzipporit is Hebrew for "little bird." Slubird was my blog account at Columbia, and I wanted a clean slate, so I stuck with that one. I'm part Jewish and I wanted to get a tattoo of that word in Hebrew, so I love it. 3. What do you find inspires you most?
Two things; colour and seeing what actual people wear. It's obtainable since most of us can't afford designer clothes, it's nice to see what you can slap together with pieces that are thrifted and from fast fashion stores, especially mixed with a few higher quality garments here and there. Colour inspires me a lot when I'm shopping and getting ready in the morning. I'm so confident when I'm wearing the perfect colour combination, regardless of the pieces themselves.
4. If you could live in any decade, what would it be?
I really wouldn't mind living in the Gilded Age in America or the Victorian Era in England. That era introduced so many things that we have in our society right now, while also still being into classical art and history. It's a perfect mixture of vintage and modern.
5. Who is your style Icon?
I can't pick one. Honestly, it changes a lot, especially when I change my look. Since I currently have a pixie cut I'm looking at what other celebrities and bloggers with pixie cuts wear so I know what flatters it, as well as what redheads and curvy/petite girls wear. It's nice to see other girls flaunt what you are also proud of about yourself!
6. Do you find music to be a big inspiration for your creativity?
It was a lot when I was studying photo, but not so much these days.
7. If you could have the wardrobe of anyone, who would it be?
Michelle Williams and Carey Mulligan have some super cute things that I'm coveting, as well as pretty much anything worn on Mad Men. I'd love to raid their costumes when the series ends.
8. Do you find the time of year, seasons, to be a big influence on your style?
Oh yeah. Since Chicago has all four seasons I have to dress for comfort in each one. I'm always layering, so I own many cardigans. When it gets too hot I only wear cotton dresses; when it gets too cold I cover myself in wool. My style sense kind of reverts to plain and survivalist in the winter which is why I want to live somewhere warmer; more time to wear cute clothes!
9. Were you always interested in vintage lifestyles and fashion?
There were Victorian curios all over the house, my mom loved them and that always reminds me of her. She and my dad also loved weird kitschy things from the 40s and 50s, too. They also grew up in the 60s and 70s, and they kept a lot of things from that point in time. There is still a lot of vintage artwork, records, toys, photos, books, clothing, and barware in my dad's house today; I feel like I grew up with just as many old things as modern things.
10. What colors are you mostly drawn to?
I really love red, blue, and green, in different shades. Teal, chartreuse, red, and forest green are a lot of my wardrobe; I really love jewel tones. My closet is definitely a rainbow, though!
11. Where are your favorite places to shop? Online, thrift, antique shops?
If I'm looking for something that I definitely or might want vintage, I check Etsy and thrift shops first. There are a few online stores I like, even just to get ideas, and even places like Forever 21, H&M, and Target have a few gems that I've had for years.
12. Describe an ideal day for you?
Sunny, warm day around 80 degrees, me and my boyfriend have a leisurely brunch, then do some vintage shopping. Then we have a nice walk, and later get dressed up and go to a nice dinner. Luckily I've had this happen a few times! I'm lucky to have found a boy who loves vintage as much as I do.
13. What is your favorite part about being a blogger and shop owner?
Being able to share things with other people, and have them be excited about them as much as I am. I love when people buy a dress or jewelry from either of me and tell me how much they love it; I've been so excited about something vintage or handmade I recently acquired and it makes me happy, it's nice to be on the other end, too. I also love on the blog when I can share an event or memory I've had and it makes them happy, reminds them of other wonderful things.
14. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully living in the Southwest somewhere, doing whatever makes me feel most fulfilled (whether it's Etsy or something else), still with my Michael, and just feeling very happy and healthy!
