Congratulations to Talya, winner of our My Little Empire Giveaway! She will be wearing the awesome outfit you see at right with vintage lavender ankle boots! Read her deserving comment below; sometimes we luck out on the random choosing:

I have a completely adorable pair of vintage lavender ankle boots--very high, delicate heel and pointed toe--that I found in a thrift store in SF's Mission District. They're perfect for this--the whole look would be very diaphanous and ethereal, but a little bit funky, too!

Congratulations also to the winner of our Roman Savell Giveaway, Glenda! Whatcha gonna put in that classy bag, Glenda?

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

We really like Vintage Vantage, and not just because they were soaked in voting controversy (guess where it started? We're looking at you Florida) or that they are officially at war with the country of Denmark, valid reasons they both may be. No, we like them because they make great shirts.

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Do you know what is missing from your prized collection of funny and clever t-shirts? "Shirts built by dog robots," that's what. Crazy Dog T-Shirts can help fill that void for you.

They believe that their shirts "are the most awesome t-shirts around. Junk Food t-shirts, funky t shirts and saved by the bell t-shirts." That's right, "Saved by the Bell" t-shirts (and other gems from the 80's).

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Candice Gwinn, owner and designer of Trashy Diva, a vintage-inspired line of dresses and separates. What started as a vintage-only clothing store in 1996 has grown into three New Orleans boutique locations, a thriving wholesale business, and a successful e-commerce website. Today the Trashy Diva collection is carried in boutiques around the world, it has been featured in the pages of Elle and Lucky magazines, and has been worn by numerous celebrities.

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Nothing says comfort like a vintage t-shirt and nothing says feeling good like giving a check to tax deductible charity organizations. Why not combine the two?

It appears to be working for Give and Take.

SlickSugar began as a way for two friends, both of them mothers, to find an outlet where they could express their creative sides and include their children in the process.

They decided on a clothing line with the goal of creating "items that will inspire children to pick up an instrument, sing in the car or dance down the stairs." Needless to say, music is the common thread between the designs.

Wild Dill was created by Jennifer who signs her bio "Wife and Mother of Wild Men." We love that. She created Wild Dill to reflect the "sense of curiosity and wonder for everything that is natural and wild." They "carry only natural, organic, fair trade, made in the USA/Europe, or recycled clothing, toys, bedding and furniture for babies and toddlers."

All of it is wonderful. See for yourself:

Vintage Red's latest contribution to our closet is inspired by world travels, beers in Bali, and long laughs shared with "citizens of the world." It is a meeting of the travel inspired and the classically western, and it fits nicely.

Their Spring '08 line consists of three collections that are as distinct as they are similar. Tricky, that. They are split into Military Neutrals, Coastal Living, and South of France, respectively, and while there are the occasional pair of shorts or printed t-shirts, the majority of the line is button up shirts, both short sleeves and long.

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Do you love the 80's? Perhaps you have a fondness for the big hair and power ballads of your youth or just an appreciation for those that came before you. Holy crap, everyone here was alive in the 80's, right?

If you've been watching the news lately, you've probably noticed a major resurgence of the simple, old fashioned, handmade pioneer dress -- particularly in the area of Eldorado, Texas. OK, it's not really fair to call it a trend, but seeing hundreds of people dressed like they just came from Pioneer Town, USA makes a pretty strong impression. The scene, where cops busted up a polygamist encampment, looked like paparazzi photos from Oregon Trail Fashion Week.

To all of us who thought this look went out of style with manifest destiny, apparently we were dead wrong. Would you let your daughter go out in an outfit like this?

Get the look.

Renee Zellweger and George Clooney have recently been riding the rails for their newest film, Leatherheads. The movie is set in the 1920s, and to go along with the theme, Renee and George have been arriving in dressed in period clothing for each stop on their whistle-stop train tour.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a sucker for clothing from this period, period. Renee's wardrobe (shown here) is feminine and classy, and George ... well, George looks even more dapper than usual. Sorry, I indulged in a little daydream there. And it was nice.

Anyway, since this season is already showing a number of more conservative, 1960s-inspired styles, what's your opinion of going back a few extra decades?

The guys at Threadbanger.com put together a step by step guide to destroying a new pair of jeans using organic, non-toxic methods. It's really not as time-consuming as you might think, and it's cheap too! Especially if you've got some old jeans in your closet that you can't bring yourself to get rid of. Using only espresso coffee, a bucket of hot water, and sandpaper, you can give your boring old jeans those vintage scars literally overnight.

The vintage jeans look has been around for a way long time now and it looks like it might never go away. While I'm not really a fan of jeans with artificial wear spots and holes -- I like to break them in slowly -- putting the wear and tear into a pair of jeans actually sounds fun -- if only for the sheer pleasure of destroying stuff.

If you're the type of person who thinks that it's stupid to pay extra for a designer to put holes in your jeans when you could save all the fun for yourself, you should give it a whirl.

[via SeeJackShop]

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

One of my favorite alternative clothing designers is Lori Marsha, who got her start designing handbags and jewelry almost ten years ago and has more recently expanded her work to include some stunning revamped and recycled wearable works of art. Her pieces aren't for everyone, but for those who aren't afraid to stand out and who are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind look, Lori Marsha's designs are absolutely inspiring.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I design one of a kind garments and accessories from primarily recycled components. I work from my home in Redlands, California and enjoy the solitude and joy that comes with the creative process.

I must have worn right through the soles of my old black and white checkered Vans. Holy crap was I the coolest kid in my entire mind. I had those sunglasses with the little piece of pleather in the corners for maximum shade as well as the ultimate in limited visibility. I had my Ramones concert shirt, despite never having seen anyone other than Rick Springfield and REO Speedwagon in person (not together, man, that would have been a ticket!). I was cool, maybe even reckless, and everyone knew it. They saw it on my feet.

So I suffered from disillusions of grandeur. It happens.

I think Vans is about to send a whole new generation on a similar path, one filled with cool buzzes and tasty waves. The new Paisley Skull Slip-On almost demands it. The shoes come in 3 colors according to Ripe, at least that's what I think it says.

Skulls and paisley, what's not to like?



[via Format]

You might be most familiar with Finnish textile company Marimekko because Jackie O wore their patterned dresses during JFK's presidential campaign in 1960.

As you probably already know, fashions popularized during the Kennedy era are becoming hot again this season, so it should be no big surprise that we'll be seeing a nod to the styles of Marimekko.

H&M has checked out the bright patterns and retro prints of the Marimekko archives and has come up with a Tribute to Marimekko, due to hit stores April 10. You can expect to see swimsuits, dresses, scarves, jewelry, tops and bottoms, all available in bold colors and patterns, and priced right ($50 dresses, $35 swimsuits).