Happy 4th of July!

This card came in the mail today from my mom. You can't tell from the photo, but there is an actual embroidered hanky folded neatly inside the front flap of this card. My mom has a never ending supply of vintage cards- she collects them, among other things;) I used to get embarrassed when I was a kid when she would give my friends these "old" birthday cards that I thought were out-dated and lame. Of course, now I love them, smiling each time I get one in the mail.

And now speaking of the holiday weekend, the above photo was actually taken July 4th, 1980. Isn't my mom's gingham top absolutely adorable? I am lucky enough to have it now- since I, too, have made a little hobby of collecting things. This is just one of the many pieces I have of my mom's from back in the day. I love when I actually stumble upon pictures of her wearing the pieces that I now own...it just feels special. Maybe I will wear this top tomorrow- looks perfect for a picnic!

Every Little Counts Summer Looks: Vol. 1

1. My Heart is Captive tank by Every Little Counts, $26
2. Kimchi Blue Two-Tone Cloche, Urban Outfitters, $19.99
3. Ginsberg Shorts by Lover, $93.00
4. The Clutch in Black by DNTX, $42
5. Chain and Bow Bracelet, Urban Outfitters, $16.99
6. Ecote Leather Rope Sandal, Urban Outfitters, $19.99

1. My Heart is Captive V-neck by Every Little Counts, $32
2. Grandpa's Pocket Watch Necklace, Urban Outfitters, $28
3. Woven Picnic Basket by Hello Victory, $33
4. Red Espadrilles, Old Navy, $15
5. Cable Knit Zip Hoodie, Old Navy, $29.50
6. Linked Leather Belt, Forever 21, $8.80
7. Destroyed Denim Cut-off Shorts, American Eagle, $34.50

The nautical look seems to take the world by storm every summer and this year is no different. I've decided to put together a few affordable looks using our own "My Heart is Captive" tee, which was inspired by lovesick summers by the shore, dreaming off into the distance. Being a total Francophile, we said it in French, of course :-)

Jena Ardell: Summer Love

I'm a romantic, a dreamer...nostalgic and sentimental to no end. So when I stumbled upon Jena Ardell's photographs at the recommendation of Denise at The Swelle Life, I was instantly smitten.

"For me, it’s all about “transporting people back in time”. When someone looks at my Polaroid collection, I want them to feel as though they stumbled across a box of old photos in their attic. I want my images to be the good ones they set aside before they put the box back where they found it."

-Jena Ardell in an interview with Feaverish Photography, read more here

For more of her work, check out her website

Terry Winters

While at The Met the other week, I stumbled upon the work of New York-based painter and printmaker, Terry Winters. I was not familiar with his work but I was instantly taken by these wood engravings with embossments on handmade paper. I absolutely love the abstract, graphic nature of these prints.

More about Winters can be found at The Met and MoMA

Sneak Preview: Behind the Scenes of our Latest ELC Photoshoot

Ah, yes... a new photoshoot from Every Little Counts!

I love, love, love having photoshoots, but this shoot was particularly fun because we've done something we have never done before. My lovely friend/ stylist, Sharon, arrived at the scene ready to show us her interpretations of the Every Little Counts girl, putting together looks for any occasion.

On top of all of that, we've photographed loads more vintage for dreams never end- to be uploaded shortly, featuring some great summer pieces from sweet little nighties to high-waist shorts.

View more pics on our Facebook page.
Full feature to come...

The Schoolgirl Bow

The schoolgirl bow...I just love it. One of my favorite style films was The Libertine, full of bows!
The one above if from American Apparel, $16

Hadley Holliday

Above "Bloodless Coup" by Hadley Holliday

Hadley Holiday is a Los Angeles-based painter who I've been lucky enough to become friends with over the last few years. I've loved her work ever since I first saw it five years ago, so much that I take every opportunity to get my hands on it. I once secretly saved a watercolored-wrapping paper she used to wrap a gift- it's framed on my wall now. We also love her sense of humor; above is a "painting tie" she made for Adam one Christmas as a Secret Santa gift.

She's in a group painting show this week at Andrew Shire Gallery (where Adam also recently showed). If you are in the Los Angeles area, come check it out. And check out the rest of her work here.

"West Coast Painters"
June 25 - July 25, 2009
Opening Reception
Thursday, June 25, 6-9pm
3850 Wilshire Blvd. #107
LA, CA

Featuring:
Jonnyka Bormann, Ted Green, Hadley Holliday, Joan Kahn, Pam Posey, Michael Salerno, and Hirotaka Suzuki.