DALLAS MAKES ME WANT TO PUT ON ALL MY JEWELRY AT THE SAME TIME

I tried it...

But seriously, rhinestones everywhere. On socks. On hats. On baby carriers. I am in the Sparkle Capital of the World. And I am loving it. But beneath all the bling, Dallas is also, among other things, the capital of BBQ, wide roads, drive-through Starbucks, SUVs in the drive-through Starbucks, big skies, friendly hellos, and great shopping. At one point, I got out at a gas station, where "America, America!" was blaring from the speakers, no fewer than six people said hello as if my personal existence made life worth living, the long horns over the door were wider than my car, and they were serving free wine samples inside (non-alcoholic, one hopes). I shed a big Texas tear. Because you can't shed small tears in Texas - everything is jumbo sized.

As are the deals... first up, the Buchanan Flea Market, where shoppers were sprinting up and down the aisles with gleeful abandon (or maybe that was just me), and there was, yet again, no danger of a sparkle shortage.

Trying on a beautiful vintage 1940s bracelet.

Real. And no longer available on the world market.

Alligator with alligators!

Gobs of furs... so many sellers had "recycled" furs - vintage pieces that had been meticulously cleaned, and if needed, restored and relined.

This booth had a scad of rabbit fur coats. For $18 a piece. SHUT UP.

Yes, you should "Decorate Your Boots."

My next stop was the fantastic Area 25, a home new and consignment items store and staging company, on West Lovers Lane - oh it was love alright. I was in love with EVERYTHING.

Chinoiserie chairs...

So many beautiful mantel displays. Their staging expertise certainly shows in the store.

Fabulous malachite tables atop a cowhide rug. So Tony Duquette goes to Texas, no?

Speaking of furs, yet again, Area 25 had a stunning selection of cowhides. I was amazed at what great rugs they make (very flat and easy to walk on). This one was a true stunner - it's speckled with silver paint!

An artful pile of still more rugs...

And yet another beautifully colored cowhide. The prices were lovely too - $350 to $550 (for the silver beauty).

The turquoise marble lamp base was incredible. You can't tell in the picture, but this is actually a matched set. What doesn't Dallas have?

All images, my own. Please attribute.

FALL'S BEST NON-TREND

Fall, 2009....

...Season of the Snood. They were everywhere - and around every neck. The Wall Street Journal, in a fit of fetish, even declared that the snood was going to "save Christmas." But one year later, this relic of 20th century female propriety has again gone the way of, well, propriety, as designers offer scarves and collars as the au courant insulation against chill. 

Which is why I'm on a mission to save the fur snood! Why not? It's stylish, elegant - and need I mention the practical factor? - WARM. And despite a lack of runway presence, there are still plenty available, in many looks and prices. Here are a few cheap and chic options for fur fabulosity:

Or, break the bank on fine furs that will feel marvelous.

One of the best sources of fur snoods is vintage - don't overlook Ebay, local vintage stores, or grandma's closet! The snood also goes by the names neck-wrap, fur collar, cowl, and muffler (keep that in mind while searching). 

A few more looks from '09...

So, do you wear a snood? Are you going to start this season? 

Images, all group shots from Fashion Time; products: Shop Bop, TopShop, NY & Co, Forever21, Coach, Burberry, Helmut Lang. 

FAVORITE FIND FRIDAYS

Two shopping "scores" this week:  yesterday, I blogged about the recent Target shoe collaboration, Miss Trish of Capri. THEN, I swung by Target, and ended up with these sassy wedges from their other latest collaboration, Cynthia Vincent for Target. Fantastic stuff. I loved the tan 'n gold (see pathetically grainy phone photo below), and they come in black and yellow too. Did I mention they're only $29.99?

Next up, vintage Vera scarves. I posted this picture last week of a framed Vera scarf, an example of a great way to decorate with scarves around your home. 

Second shopping score:  when I was out vintage shopping this week, I came across not one, but two vintage Veras! A steal at $9 for 2! I haven't decided how to use them yet, but I have options. Frame or wear?  

What about you? Any great finds this week? Do share!

Target ad image. Cynthia Vincent for Target.

THE SOCIALITE

Don't forget to join the Sanity Fair vintage book give-away for the First Edition of Dorothy Rodgers' book, The House in My Head. Today and tomorrow are your last chance! Our dear Mrs. Rodgers was a socialite, wife of Rodgers - as in, "Rodgers and Hammerstein," a serious patron of the arts, and a decor diva. Never one to do anything half way, she was famously dubbed "La Perfecta" by friends, who sometimes pranked her by moving ash trays at parties. She was so exacting as a hostess, that she noticed (and fretted over) the slightest change in any of her arrangements.

The House In My Head is her personal account of building her dream home, from the blueprints up. Even better? She includes the recipes for which she was famous too!

The give-away for the special First Edition ends tomorrow. You can read full details and more about the book HERE. RULES:  Just enter by leaving a comment below. If you've already commented, but would like to enter a second time, you may do so with an additional comment here, or by becoming a follower of Sanity Fair!

FRIDAY GIVE-AWAY! THE HOUSE THE SOUND OF MUSIC BUILT

UPDATE:  Today (Friday the 16th) is the last day to participate in the give-away! I'll announce the winner on Monday the 19th, so stay tunned.

It's a Sanity Fair first! A give-away, and being from me, it's a book! I've collected vintage design books for years, and I can attest to the fact that they're invaluable. And this give-away choice is a double for design:  it has a great cover and great content (sometimes, you CAN judge a book by its cover!). The book is Dorothy Rodgers' The House In My Head.

Socialite extraordinaire, wife of the "Rodgers" in "Rodgers and Hammerstein," entrepreneur, art collector, and fashion and decor diva, Dorothy Rodgers was a Manhattan chameleon. And she was so well known for her superb hostess skills (from conversation to recipes) that guests dubbed her "La Perfecta." Jackson Pollacks hung on her walls; Slim Hayward and Noel Coward hung out in her drawing room.

In 1964, Dorothy published a book called My Favorite Things. It was a whirlwind of advice  - everything from how to properly throw a dinner party and display your hobbies as decor, to tips on maximizing storage space in small closets. She knew from whence she spoke - entrepreneur Dorothy had founded her own design and renovation firm Repair, Inc. years before. And she practiced what she preached. Overwhelmed by the amount of care (even with servants) that her colonial Connecticut manse required, she set out to design a modern, efficient home from the ground up. That project became The House In My Head.

The House In My Head chronicles every step of her home's creation, from the "first pencil stroke to lighting the final lamp;" Dorothy thought about everything:  how she preferred to store things, the lighting she liked, the way she (and her family) inhabited a home. She was determined to create perfection. It's a design story we can all sympathize with:  triumph and frustration, excitement and planning - and a welcome reminder that even super wealthy socialites must suffer at the hands of contractors (though the recent success of your husband's musical, The Sound of Music, makes bill-paying painless). As Rodgers herself says in the book's conclusion: "if only we had known how much confusion, delay, uncertainty and expense we would have to accept.... however, to create one last 'if only'... if only we had built the house ten years ago." But the real plum in the pudding is her recipe collection in the back of the book, meticulously organized into select menus. My favorite? A special brunch menu for spring:  Spring Soup with scallions, Croissants, Chutney, Sliced Tomatoes with Basil and French Dressing, and Sour Cherry Tart. Break out the good china!

The Give-Away ends next Friday. The random generator will choose a winner from among comments I receive April 9 - 16. So leave a comment, and cross your fingers (and be sure to include your email)! BONUS:  "Follow" Sanity Fair in the LH sidebar, and you'll be entered twice - just be sure to mention in your comment that you did so!

Specs:  254 pages, First Edition, Color and Black and White photos by House Beautiful. Jacket review by Kitty Carlisle Hart. Published by Avenel. Rare vintage edition; excellent condition with only minor wear; one pen mark. A note to overseas readers:  all shipping is to U.S. addresses. Keep that in mind!
Read more about Dorothy here via the New York Times.

Image of Dorothy from divasthesite.com.

Remix Vintage

I had another post planned for today, but after learning the incredibly sad news about Stacey, founder and owner of one of my favorite DC vintage shops, I wanted to share with you about Remix. Remix Vintage has been one of my most beloved vintage shops in the DC metro area for years because of Stacey's impeccable eye and fair prices (a rarity in DC stores, as any vintage lover knows). I owe to her a number of pieces that have become more than just clothes to me - an exquisite vintage Bill Blass black sheath for special occasions, silk jackets worn to showers and luncheons with dear friends, and a number of items I wore during my years at the White House, now treasured both for their design and the wonderful memories they hold. 

Stacey has been diagnosed with MS and Celiac, and she's unable to continue running Remix. The store is closing by February 28th. Please help support her and the store by visiting the website, and shopping there in person (DC dwellers, it is one block from the Eastern Market metro stop, and just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Capital. Don't miss out). 

From Remix, a 1950s Balenciaga velvet gown and Bill Blass silk jersey cocktail dress, and Leopard Print dyed rabbit fur coat (all available online).

At the Mayflower in a colorful vintage silk jacket with bracelet sleeves found at Remix:

Store info:
645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC  20003
(202) 5470211
STORE HOURS: M-F 11 am - 7 pm, Saturday 11 am - 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm

Here's to Stacey and her wonderful style and strength. We wish you all the best. 

xoxo,Sanity Fair